The leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday asked the FBI and the Justice Department to brief members of the committee on the events that led to the resignation of Michael Flynn as national security adviser.
“According to media reports, both the FBI and the Justice Department were involved. These reports raise substantial questions about the content and context of Mr. Flynn’s discussions with Russian officials, the conclusions reached by the Justice Department and the actions it took in response, as well as possible leaks of classified information by current and former government employees,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the committee’s chair, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the ranking member, wrote in a letter to the agencies. “Accordingly, we request that individuals with specific knowledge of these issues from both the FBI and Justice Department brief Committee Members and staff.”
Grassley and Feinstein also asked for transcripts of the calls referenced in news reports about Flynn’s discussions with the Russian ambassador.
Flynn resigned this week after news reports revealed that he may have discussed U.S. sanctions in a call with the Russian ambassador before Trump’s inauguration. His resignation has prompted some Republicans to call for investigations into the relationship between Russia and the administration of President Donald Trump.
Many Republicans believe that the probes should be carried out by existing committees in Congress, but Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) have signaled that they are open to launching a special committee if news reports are proven true.
