Was it a political bombshell or nothing but a dud? That’s the question many people were debating on Twitter today, with the release by House Republicans–sanctioned by President Trump–of the Nunes memo. Senator John McCain scolded the White House for the disclosure, while former FBI Director James Comey described it as a non-event. The 4-page document asserts that the FBI is guilty of bias against the president. But many political analysts say the memo comes up short–and some even argue it hurt Republicans (and specifically the president) more than Democrats. Here are some newsworthy reactions from critics of the move:
2/3 "As Director Wray noted, FBI Special Agents have remained steadfast in their dedication to professionalism, and we remain focused on our important work to protect the country from terrorists and criminals—both domestic and international."
— FBI Agents Assoc. (@FBIAgentsAssoc) February 1, 2018
The only thing shocking about the GOP's partisan memo is the contempt its release shows for the rule of law & American national security. Russia is still trying to undermine our democracy – until this government starts putting this country ahead of politics, we are all at risk.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 2, 2018
By releasing this memo, the President of the United States is undermining the credibility of our intelligence community and serving a huge victory to Vladimir Putin, the Russian government, and many other intelligence services.
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) February 2, 2018
The Nunes memo is partisan and misleading, simple as that. To use it as pretext for firing Deputy AG Rosenstein, Special Counsel Mueller or other DOJ leadership would be viewed as an attempt to obstruct justice in the Russia investigation. pic.twitter.com/vqlZKkY94V
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 2, 2018
.@realDonaldTrump has surrendered his constitutional responsibility as Commander-in-Chief by releasing Nunes’ unredacted, classified memo. His decision undermines our national security and is a bouquet to his friend Putin. pic.twitter.com/kdUgIrCE6l
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) February 2, 2018
So Team Nunes is admitting that Papadopoulos triggered the FBI's Russia investigation — not the Steele dossier? pic.twitter.com/2A3Mf4P1Of
— Mark Murray (@mmurraypolitics) February 2, 2018
Trump says re memo: “What’s happening in this country is a disgrace. A lot of people should be ashamed.” Agree. Donald Trump should be ashamed. Devin Nunes should be ashamed. And every Republican looking the other way on this partisan attack on law enforcement should be ashamed.
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) February 2, 2018
Law enforcement opposes this.
The intelligence community opposes this.
Even many Republicans oppose this.
This is dangerous territory, it disrespects law enforcement, and it's an alarming partisan attack on efforts to investigate hostile foreign interference in our democracy. https://t.co/kMVVhUQ35I
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) February 2, 2018
NEW: Nunes memo says FBI's McCabe testified there would be no surveillance warrant on Page "without the Steele dossier information." Two sources tell me McCabe never said that.https://t.co/H5c1j7HYx7
— Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) February 2, 2018
More confirmation, from a conservative journalist, that the Nunes #FisaMemo is not even a nothing burger; it's like nothing pickles, or like playing air guitar while pretending to be Ted Nugent. https://t.co/meWxYp1EmP
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 2, 2018
Two things seem true about this memo.
1. There's nothing much here. It reads more like a Breitbart article than anything else.
2. It's genuinely unnerving congressional Republicans are releasing cherrypicked memos trying to smear and undermine the FBI. https://t.co/qYWX5uDn6p
— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) February 2, 2018
New: Two Democratic members of House Intel tell me McCabe did not say dossier was basis of FISA warrant, disputing central claim of #NunesMemo
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) February 2, 2018
Nunes memo is exactly what we thought: a bunch of allegations that are meaningless without further context. Conveniently, the context remains classified.
— Elizabeth Goitein (@LizaGoitein) February 2, 2018
Serious question: have the Trump folks ever explained exactly why they brought Carter Page on board, and announced him during the campaign as one of Trump's five foreign policy advisers?https://t.co/TMAJQtOIU1
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) February 2, 2018
Memo actually confirms a timeline not favorable to Trump:
1. Counterintelligence probe opened in July 2016 by FBI because of George P./Wikileaks/emails.
2. FISA application on Carter Page obtained late Oct. 2016, after Page had left Trump campaign.— Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) February 2, 2018
Having read the @DevinNunes memo, I must say: Are you effing kidding me??!! Read it. It is literally nothing, irrelevant to the law on FISA applications. They may as well have said the application was signed by a man with gum on his shoe. This is pure @FoxNews propaganda fodder.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) February 2, 2018
I cannot for the life of me see what this proves other than the govt got one warrant and THREE extensions cause it thought Carter Page was a spy. Great work there Nunes
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) February 2, 2018
