5 committees probe Russia-Trump ties
Five congressional committees are now investigating Russian ties to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and the president’s handling of information about his aides’ contacts with Russia.
Some of those probes appear to be more serious than others, with bipartisan members of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee vowing aggressive inquiries. Other panels seem more interested in finding the source of leaks that led to the resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn, who left office Monday amid controversy over his communication with Russian officials during the transition before President Trump was sworn into office.
Here’s a look at the various congressional investigations now under way by committee:
SENATE INTELLIGENCE
This panel was already looking into Russia’s interference in last year’s presidential election. Senate leaders say it will expand that investigation to include communication by Flynn and other Trump aides with Russian officials during the presidential campaign and transition period.
Chairman Richard Burr, RN.C., said Tuesday that “we are aggressively going to continue the oversight responsibilities of the committee as it relates to not only the Russian involvement in the 2016 election, but ... any contacts by any campaign individuals that might have happened with Russian government officials.”
HOUSE INTELLIGENCE
Like its Senate counterpart, this panel was already investigating Russia’s attempt to influence the 2016 presidential race. Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., created some confusion when he seemed to indicate in public statements that he would expand that investigation only wide enough to find out who leaked the information about Flynn’s conversations to the news media.
However, Nunes spokesman Jack Langer said the panel “will continue to investigate any intelligence or counter-intelligence issues involving Russia and follow the facts wherever they lead.” And Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the committee’s senior Democrat, said Nunes had told him that the investigation will include everything the Senate committee is looking into.
SENATE JUDICIARY
Chairman Chuck Grassley, RIowa, and senior Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California have asked the Justice Department and FBI to brief committee members during the week of Feb. 27 about the events that led to Flynn’s resignation and provide key documents. The senators are seeking details of Flynn’s reported communications with Russian officials, the Justice Department’s response, and potential leaks of classified material.
The panel’s Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, led by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., had already announced an investigation into Russia’s attempts to interfere in the election.
HOUSE JUDICIARY
The panel adopted a non-binding list of oversight activities for 2017, saying the committee will “continue to conduct oversight into allegations of misconduct” by executive branch officials — including any evidence that classified material has been leaked. The committee’s Republican majority rejected efforts by Democrats to commit to a specific investigation of the events surrounding Flynn’s resignation. Instead, GOP members agreed to look into “improper interference” with American elections or institutions.
HOUSE OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM
Chairman Jason Chaffetz, RUtah, has drawn flak from Democrats for saying that he does not intend to have the committee investigate Flynn’s communications with Russian officials because the situation was “working itself out.” However, Chaffetz wrote a letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz of the Department of Justice, asking him to investigate leaks of classified information regarding Flynn and his contact with the Russians.
The chairman also joined with Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the panel’s senior Democrat, to write a letter Thursday to the president of Leading Authorities Inc. asking for information about any speaking engagements Flynn made as a retired Army general that were paid for by the Russian government, directly or indirectly. That would be a violation of the U.S. Constitution because retired military officers continue to hold offices of trust and are barred from receiving gifts or payments from foreign governments without the consent of Congress, Chaffetz and Cummings wrote in the letter.