Devin Nunes steps aside from House probe on Russia

WASHINGTON — House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes said Thursday he’s temporarily stepping aside from the Russia probe amid accusations he may have improperly disclosed classified information.

Nunes, R-Calif., said he was stepping down temporarily as head of the House probe into whether Trump associates colluded with Russia during last year’s election.

In a statement, Nunes said he was taking the action because “several leftwing activist groups have filed accusations against me with the Office of Congressional Ethics.”

“Despite the baselessness of the charges, I believe it is in the best interests of the House Intelligence Committee and the Congress for me to” step aside from the Russia probe “while the House Ethics Committee looks into this matter,” Nunes said.

Nunes said “the charges are entirely false and politically motivated, and are being leveled just as the American people are beginning to learn the truth about the improper unmasking of the identities of U.S. citizens and other abuses of power.”

Nunes said he had asked to speak to the Ethics Committee “at the earliest possible opportunity in order to expedite the dismissal of these false claims.”

Nunes has come under fierce criticism from Democrats for making public information provided to him last month by White House aides about classified intelligence reports that referred to Trump associates, which Nunes did not provide to members of his committee.

Nunes said that Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, with assistance from Reps. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., and Tom Rooney, RFla., would temporarily take charge of the GOP-led committee’s Russia investigation.