Rep. Nadler: Meetings on Campaign FBI Infiltration 'Improper'

President Donald Trump's attorney should not have been allowed in either of Thursday's briefings concerning classified information about the Russian investigation and claims that an FBI informant had infiltrated Trump's campaign, Rep. Jerry Nadler said Friday.

Further, Nadler, D-NY, said the meetings themselves were "improper."

"You have to start with the fact that the entire meeting was improper," Nadler, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, told CNN's "New Day." "Rudy Giuliani was quite clear about what they were doing and why (Emmett) Flood was there. He said, 'we wanted information to know what was going on so we can prepare our legal strategy.'"

Nadler said he also does not think his fellow members of Congress should be able to see the classified documents that are involved, let alone Flood, part of Trump's legal team.

"Absolutely not," Nadler said. "These classified documents are documents about an ongoing investigation and they are supposed to remain classified. They make evidence known in court at the appropriate time. They don't give it out during the investigation. That undermines the investigation, which was the purpose of this demand."

Justice Department officials met with lawmakers Thursday afternoon, including a second session that included the "Gang of Eight," House and Senate leaders of both parties.

According to reports, White House chief of staff John Kelly brokered both classified sessions, while appearing briefly at both meetings to make opening remarks. Flood, meanwhile, made brief appearances at both briefings.

Nadler said Trump set up the meeting for his own behalf, although he is "not sure who" outed the FBI informant in the days before. "As the director of the FBI said the other day, if we don't protect informants, the American people will be less safe."

Trump had two duties, Nadler said - to let the investigation proceed, and then to submit to an interview by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"He keeps demanding that the investigation be wrapped as soon as possible," Nadler said. "It can't wrap until he's interviewed. He will be interviewed either by interview or by subpoena. The special prosecutor should come to this conclusion, make the report, and that report should be made public."

Meanwhile, Giuliani has said that Trump would not to have to comply with the terms of a subpoena, but Nadler said he "doesn't know what he's talking about."

"He's lying through his teeth," said Nadler. "President Nixon was forced to submit to tapes. President Clinton was forced to submit to a deposition. It is very clear the president is subject to process and must testify like anybody else."

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