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The immediate result of President Donald Trump's decision to block the release of a Democratic memo on the Russia investigation is to show him to prices of hypocrisy.
But the deeper query -- one which has huge implications for the destiny of special suggest Robert Mueller's investigation -- is whether or not Trump is the usage of his energy to thwart any strive by Congress to hold him accountable.
Trump on Friday declined to launch the Democratic rebuttal of a Republican memo he inaccurately claimed "totally vindicates" him inside the Russia probe, warning that the brand new file compromised intelligence assets and techniques. The flow intensified severe partisanship surrounding the Russia research this is sparking suggestions that Trump is coordinating with Republicans to discredit Mueller's paintings.
Trump's selection drew Democratic outrage for the reason that President upheld objections of the FBI and Justice Department over publishing the Democratic memo, however last week unnoticed the bureau's calls for him no longer to declassify the GOP memo that turned into politically superb to him.
The dueling memos relate to claims by Republicans that the FBI abused its powers in obtaining a warrant for the surveillance of Trump campaign foreign policy aide Carter Page inside the secret FISA court manner.
One interpretation of activities is that Trump, in a flagrant flow, used his authority to declassify selective intelligence that would undercut the Russia probe, then used it once more to keep mystery information that does the opposite.
Democrats warn this does not just quantity to a double wellknown, however additionally reflects a pattern of tries by the President to frustrate the investigation due to the fact he has some thing to hide.
"This is hypocrisy at its worst," said Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, calling the GOP memo, coordinated via House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes "misleading."!