House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said Wednesday he doesn't know if acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker was correct when saying special counsel Robert Mueller's probe is close to wrapping up, but he does believe Whitaker shouldn't have anything to do with the investigation.
"That was the opinion of the ethics lawyer at the Justice Department," the California Democrat told MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
"He's ignoring that. Bob Mueller is capable to speak for himself."
By saying the investigation is almost over, that implies to witnesses that they may be able to wait out Mueller, and that isn't helpful, Schiff continued.
Schiff said he's pleased to see Republicans also calling for Mueller's final report to be made public.
"I want to point out over the last two years and this is something I raise as recently as yesterday against the Justice Department, they provided tens of thousands of pages discovery to Congress about the [Hillary] Clinton email investigation," said Schiff.
Schiff added that his committee will be doing "deep dives" into many issues raised in testimony on Tuesday about contradictions between what the nation's intelligence agencies and President Donald Trump are saying.
"It is obviously very important that the American people understand the truth and what we know and the country," said Schiff. "None of the Intel chiefs brought up a threat at the border. That can be exhibit A in a challenge of a national emergency."
He also noted that the upcoming testimony of former Trump attorney Michael Cohen on Feb. 8 will be significant, as he can offer insights on several matters, including the Trump Tower Moscow deal.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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