Trump escalates tensions with Democrats
President Donald Trump on February 5 continued to attack the investigation into suspected Russian interference in the US election. The most powerful man in the United States also accused Democratic congressmen of leaking classified information.
US President Donald Trump - Photo: Reuters
Tensions between Democrats and Republicans continued to escalate this week after Mr Trump said the release of a Republican memo alleging FBI abuse of power in its election interference investigation showed the entire investigation was an “American disgrace”.
The memo, drafted by Congressman Devin Nunes and "green-lighted" by Mr. Trump to be released on February 3, asserted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice were biased against Mr. Trump during the investigation process by ignoring important information in monitoring Mr. Carter Page, Mr. Trump's former campaign advisor.
In response, Democrats are pushing for the release of their own memo, written by Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, which Schiff says will give a more complete picture than the Republican document.
"The (Republican) memo shows that the investigation did not begin with Mr. Page but with George Papadopoulos, a former foreign policy adviser to candidate Trump and who secretly met with Russians and talked about Mrs. Clinton's stolen emails," Mr. Schiff said on ABC on February 4.
President Trump then continued to accuse Mr. Schiff of leaking classified information. "Little Adam Schiff, who is hungry for office, is one of the biggest liars and leakers in Washington," Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter, accusing the Democratic congressman of leaking classified information.
Observers continue to wait for the release of the Democrats' memo. "Refusing to release Mr. Schiff's memo ... will confirm the American people's concerns that the release of Mr. Nunes' memo is only intended to undermine the investigation of special prosecutor Robert Mueller" - CNN quoted Democratic minority leader in the Senate Chuck Schumer challenging.
The vote to approve the Democratic memo is expected to take place on February 5, US time. If approved, Mr. Trump has 5 days to reject the document's public release.
