Rep. Doug Collins said Friday he's not shocked by the news that an FBI briefing on election interference to the Trump campaign in August 2016 had allegedly been a "cover" used to monitor then-candidate Donald Trump and his eventual first national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
"We have been talking about this for over two and a half years," the Georgia Republican said on Fox News' "Fox and Friends." "I was releasing transcripts last year showing they had already put this in play before the convention."
Thursday, Fox reported that a document it obtained concerning the briefing was declassified by Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and sent to Capitol Hill. The material reflected noted that it had been compiled by FBI agent Joe Pientka after an Aug. 17, 2016 briefing to then-candidate Trump, Flynn, and then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Collins said former FBI Agent Peter Strzok, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, ex-FBI Director James Comey, ex FBI attorney Susan Page, and "all these folks up to (John) Brennan and (James) Clapper ought to answer for this."
Meanwhile, Collins slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi concerning her opposition to the Republicans' coronavirus proposed legislation and accused her of being obsessed with defeating Trump's reelection.
"When it comes to giving out money she has never had a problem running up a debt that she has no idea how to pay," said Collins. "Nothing is ever enough for Speaker Pelosi unless it's a bigger government and a government agenda."
Collins also added to the call to return children to school while the coronavirus pandemic continues, insisting that they need teachers and interaction.
"Two or three years from now you will see the results of these very flawed policies," said Collins of calls for online courses rather than in-person learning. "These young minds need to be stimulated. They need the teacher in their life. Some can get by without it, but most need that teacher."
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.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.