Democrats and Republicans want investigations galore over the circumstances behind former national security adviser Mike Flynn’s resignation, or the leaks to media that brought them about. But when it comes to releasing the transcript of phone conversations between Flynn and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, lawmakers aren’t quite there yet.
Reports regarding the content of those transcripts, and the extent to which Flynn and Kislyak discussed sanctions from the Obama administration, began the chain of events that led to Flynn’s resignation on Monday. Flynn acknowledged misleading Vice President Mike Pence regarding the conversations, which took place before the inauguration.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he couldn’t speak to whether the transcripts should be released without knowing what’s in them.
“I think we should find out what’s in them and then make the decision then,” McCain said. “I can’t specifically state. We need to ask a lot of questions and we need a lot of answers.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, who told the Washington Examiner that whether the transcripts should be released depends on what is in them.
“You don’t want to release classified information,” he said. “But if they’re unclassified, then yes.”
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., when asked about whether he would support the release of phone call transcripts, also said the intelligence community should have a chance to vet what’s in the transcripts before any public release.
He also called for an independent investigation to try to mend the rift between the intelligence community and the White House.
“This is extraordinary that the president’s own intelligence services seem to be at war with him. This should make everyone uncomfortable,” Murphy said.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., when asked if he would support the release of transcripts, said he wants the investigation to be as transparent as possible without revealing any classified information.
Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who chairs the Senate intelligence panel, said Tuesday that the committee would conduct aggressive oversight “privately,” but Manchin said the chairman told him that the committee will operate in “the most open light we can.”
Several other senators who serve on the armed services, intelligence and foreign affairs committees dodged questions specifically about the release of the call transcripts or said that they simply didn’t know enough at this time to make a statement on whether they should be made public.
Many senators also seemed tired of talking about Flynn’s resignation and the questions it raises. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., slipped by reporters without taking questions following the Democrats’ meeting and McCain noted that he’s being grilled repeatedly on the same subject: Whether an independent investigation outside of the intelligence committee is warranted.
“This is the 50th time I’ve answered this question and it’ll be the last time,” he told reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday.
