Congressman Calls For Both Memos On Intelligence Programs To Be Released

After calling for the release of a controversial House Intelligence Committee report on intelligence collection last week, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick Tuesday called for responsible declassification and the release of both Democratic and Republican reports.

Fitzpatrick, a Republican former FBI special agent, released the following statement Tuesday:

“In calling for the facts to be revealed pertaining the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) investigation, that is to include all of the facts, including memos submitted by both sides, after declassification and in a manner consistent with our national security interests, after Members of Congress avail themselves of a briefing by FBI Director Wray.  As the only former FBI Special Agent serving in Congress, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides to recognize that a critical element to a successful investigation is public confidence in the integrity of that investigation. Let the facts be revealed in a manner that is consistent with our national security interests, and let all viewpoints of those facts be heard. End the politics; stick to the facts and to the truth. Then, let the American people be the judge.”

Media reports have indicated the classified report alleges federal law enforcement abused surveillance tools. A CNN article said that the four-page memo reports investigators misused the FISA to obtain information for a probe into foreign interference in the 2016 election.

Articles from the New York Times and Axios reported that the House Intelligence Committee voted Monday to release the report. The president will have five days from Monday night to approve the release of the report.

While many Republicans have called for the release of the GOP-written report, Democrats have fought back and called for their own report to be released to the public.

“Today this committee voted to put the president’s personal interests, perhaps their own political interest, above the national interest,” Democratic California Congressman Adam Schiff told reporters Monday evening.

U.S. Department of Justice officials warned Republicans that releasing a classified report would be “extraordinarily reckless.” FBI Director Christopher Wray requested to brief lawmakers on their view on the document but he was turned down, according to the Christian Science Monitor.