House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday he supports an effort by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes to obtain documents related to the FBI’s use of the FISA surveillance law in connection with the Russia investigation.
“I think this request is wholly appropriate,” said Ryan, R-Wis. “It’s completely within the scope of the investigation that has been going on a while with respect to FISA. It’s something that probably should have been answered a while ago.”
Nunes, R-Calif., has long questioned whether the FBI abused the FISA surveillance law to eavesdrop on the communications of Trump investigation officials.
The Department of Justice has pushed back against the latest Nunes request and has warned that the information contains classified information that needs to be kept secret in order to protect lives and national security. But Ryan said Thursday he believes the material can be provided in a classified setting to avoid any risks.
“I expect we’ll be able to have an accommodation to respect this request,” Ryan said. “This request is perfectly appropriate.”
Nunes, along with Intelligence Committee member Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., were on Wednesday invited by the Department of Justice to see the documents in a classified briefing.
“I hope and believe and expect it will be complied with,” Ryan said of the Nunes request.
