Rep. Adam Schiff on Monday called for the panel's GOP Chairman Devin Nunes to recuse himself from the investigation of Russian interference in the presidential election and from the probe into the unmasking of Americans by the Obama White House.
The ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee released a statement on his Twitter account:
Schiff compared the situation to Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to recuse himself from the Russian investigation after coming under fire for statements that Democrats said indicated he did not disclose meetings with the Russian ambassador to the United States while part of Trump's campaign.
Sessions said his meetings were normal course as part of his job as a U.S. senator.
"I believe the public cannot have the necessary confidence that matters involving the president's campaign or transition team can be objectively investigated or overseen by the chairman," Schiff said.
Nunes appeared on CNN moments before Schiff's statement was released, saying that there was nothing untoward about his going onto the White House grounds because that is the only place the classified information currently exists.
He added that reports that he had snuck in during the night were inaccurate, and that not only was the sun shining at the time, he also spoke to various foreign dignitaries there, and made no effort at not being seen.
"So nobody was sneaking around," he said. "All it was was just a place where I had to go to be able to review this information."
Though he would not confirm he was at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at not at the White House itself, Nunes said that no one in the West Wing was likely aware he was even there.
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