'A bouquet to his friend Putin': Democrats swiftly condemn House GOP release of memo alleging abuses in the Russia probe
- Democrats quickly condemn the release of a once-classified GOP memo on the Russia probe.
- Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee accuse Republicans of being "complicit in efforts to obstruct justice."
- Many Republicans praised the release — but not all were happy about it.
A politically charged memo that roiled Washington for weeks was declassified and released to the public on Friday — and Democrats are not happy about it.
Read the full text of the memo here
Democrats in the House and Senate accused Republicans of being "complicit in efforts to obstruct justice."
The FBI Agents Association, a group representing the government agency, amplified the chorus of criticism, promising that "FBI Special Agents have not, and will not, allow partisan politics to distract us from our solemn commitment to our mission."
Several Republicans applauded the release, including the president. But not all GOP officials could find evidence of a scandal in the memo itself.
Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, reiterated his confidence in special counsel Robert Mueller after the memo was released. "The contents of this memo do not – in any way – discredit his investigation," he said.
And Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., said releasing the memo was "a mistake."
Dent, like Gowdy, is not seeking re-election at the end of his term.
President Donald Trump, however, said the memo's assertions of alleged FBI misconduct and anti-Trump bias were "a disgrace."
The author of the memo, House Intelligence Panel Chairman and former Trump transition team member Devin Nunes, R-Calif., also weighed in.