Sunday Takeaway: Even Republicans Agree That The Nunes Memo Does Nothing To Discredit The Russia Inv

February 4, 2018

This morning, Republicans continued to roundly reject President Trump and his allies’ suggestion that Devin Nunes’ memo should have any impact or bearing on the credibility of the Russia investigation, and they made clear that they don’t agree with Donald Trump that the Mueller probe is a “witch hunt.” The Nunes memo has already been torn apart as factually inaccurate by people who know the full story, including Trump's own FBI Director, but the point was never about facts – it was about tarnishing the Mueller probe. Now even Republicans in Congress are admitting that the whole effort has fallen flat on its face.

 

Watch what a few Republicans had to say today:

 

CBS News Interview with Rep. Trey Gowdy

 

 

Margaret Brennan: “Saturday, President Trump tweeted that the memo ‘totally vindicated Trump’ in the Russia probe.  We sat down earlier with South Carolina Congressman Trey Gowdy, a key House Intelligence investigator and asked him if he thought the president had been vindicated.”

 

Rep. Trey Gowdy: “I actually don't think it has any impact on the Russia probe for this reason … “

 

Margaret Brennan: “The memo has no impact on the Russia probe?”

 

Rep Gowdy: “No– not to me, it doesn't — and I was pretty integrally involved in the drafting of it. There is a Russia investigation without a dossier.” 

 

CNN Interview with Rep. Wenstrup

 

 

 

CNN’s Jake Tapper: “Very quickly, do you think that this memo provides some sort of pretext for President trump to fire Rod Rosenstein or Robert Mueller?”

 

Rep. Brad Wenstrup: “No I don’t. And I was on with you in June, I believe, and I told you I support the Mueller investigation.”

 

FOX News Interview with Rep. Stewart

 

 

 

FOX News’ Chris Wallace: “Congressman Stuart, does the G.O.P. Memo vindicate the president, does it end the need for the special prosecutor's investigation?”

 

Rep. Chris Stewart: “No, it doesn't end that need at all. I think it would be a mistake for anyone to suggest that the special counsel shouldn't complete his work. I support his work, I want him to finish it. I hope he finishes it as quickly as possible. This memo has frankly nothing at all to do with a special counsel. It was one of the criticisms of people last week and before that who had never seen the memo who said this is to impugn the integrity and of the work of a special counsel. As you know now, Chris, it has nothing to do with at all with that. They are very separate. I hope the special counsel will completed his work and report to on behalf of the American people.”