House Intelligence Committee ranking member Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., told committee chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., that Schiff needs “rehabilitation” following the latter’s distortions of a new Justice Department report highlighting glaring omissions from the FBI in seeking permission to spy on the Trump campaign.
In 2018, Nunes and Schiff each released competing memos on the FBI’s Russia investigation, with Nunes raising concerns over the bureau’s use of FISA warrants to spy on the Trump campaign, which Schiff dismissed.
Last week’s report on FBI FISA abuses from the Justice Department inspector general, however, contradicts Schiff’s narrative and vindicates Nunes’ concerns. It details 17 glaring omissions of bias and fact from the FBI in seeking FISA renewal to spy on American citizens.
“After publishing false conclusions of such enormity on a topic directly within this committee’s oversight responsibilities, it is clear you are in need of rehabilitation,” Nunes wrote in a letter Sunday. “I hope this letter will serve as the first step in that vital process.”
Devin Nunes writes letter to Adam Schiff pointing out several serious errors Schiff made in characterizing Steele dossier, Page FISA, more. 'It is clear you are in need of rehabilitation…' pic.twitter.com/qoY3p7EJOo
— Byron York (@ByronYork) December 15, 2019
Nunes goes on to outline several repeated assertions from Schiff that the inspector general’s report found to be completely untrue, including the idea that “FBI and DOJ officials did not omit material information from the FISA warrant.”
In fact, the newly released IG report details the precise opposite. “We identified multiple instances in which factual assertions relied upon in the first FISA application were inaccurate, incomplete, or unsupported by appropriate documentation,” it says. “We identified at least 17 significant errors or omissions in the Carter Page FISA applications,” it says elsewhere.
“As part of your rehabilitation, it’s crucial that you admit you have a problem,” Nunes also wrote to Schiff. “You are hijacking the Intelligence Committee for political purposes while excusing and covering up intelligence agency abuses.”
Nunes calls for a public hearing featuring Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz to appear before the committee.
“I refuse to believe you are beyond redemption,” Nunes wrote. “I invite you to work closely with me on your rehabilitation program, and look forward to your scheduling a committee hearing with IG Horowitz at the nearest opportunity.”
