Congressman Trey Gowdy dismantled a talking point circulated on social media Friday by those seeking to downplay the implications of the just-released House Intelligence Committee memo.
Though the FISA memo — compiled by House Intel chair Devin Nunes — makes clear that the infamous Steele dossier was instrumental in securing FISA warrants on former Trump adviser Carter Page, the left quickly began pointing to the memo’s final section.
The memo’s conclusion fingers former Trump foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos as the impetus for the FBI’s monitoring of Trump’s campaign, and the anti-Trump crowd argued this point washes out the rest of the memo’s implications.
Gowdy disagreed.
It is important for the American public to know if the dossier was paid for by another candidate, used in court pleadings, vetted before it was used, vetted after it was used, and whether all relevant facts were shared with the tribunal approving of the FISA application.
— Trey Gowdy (@TGowdySC) February 2, 2018
“It is important for the American public to know if the dossier was paid for by another candidate, used in court pleadings, vetted before it was used, vetted after it was used, and whether all relevant facts were shared with the tribunal approving of the FISA application,” the South Carolina Republican tweeted.
Despite backing the release of Nunes’ memo, Gowdy also stated he remains confident in the integrity of the FBI, Justice Department and special counsel Robert Mueller, an important delineation few on either side of the debate made on Friday.
While this memo raises serious concerns with the FISA process, I have been and remain confident in the overwhelming majority of the men and women serving at the FBI and DOJ.
— Trey Gowdy (@TGowdySC) February 2, 2018
As I have said repeatedly, I also remain 100 percent confident in Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The contents of this memo do not – in any way – discredit his investigation.
— Trey Gowdy (@TGowdySC) February 2, 2018
WATCH:
Gowdy announced that he will not seek re-election at the end of his term. (SLIDESHOW: The Many — MANY — Hairstyles Of Trey Gowdy)