Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., admonished Republicans clamoring to know the identity of a covert FBI source, arguing such a reveal could jeopardize special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
It could also be illegal, he warned.
“It would be at best irresponsible, and at worst potentially illegal, for members of Congress to use their positions to learn the identity of an FBI source for the purpose of undermining the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in our election,” the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee said in a statement Friday. “Anyone who is entrusted with our nation’s highest secrets should act with the gravity and seriousness of purpose that knowledge deserves.”
“The first thing any new member of the Intelligence Committee learns is the critical importance of protecting sources and methods,” he added. “Publicly outing a source risks not only their life, but the lives of every American, because when sources are burned it makes it that much harder for every part of the intelligence community to gather intelligence on those who wish to do us harm.”
The statement comes after Trump addressed the unsubstantiated possibility, trumpeted by his allies, of an informant that had infiltrated his presidential campaign.
“Reports are there was indeed at least one FBI representative implanted, for political purposes, into my campaign for president,” Trump tweeted.
“If true — all time biggest political scandal!” Trump added.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., subpoenaed the Justice Department for documents concerning an American who was a confidential intelligence source for Mueller’s investigation. The subpoena came after the agency did not reply to a letter asking for details on Mueller’s probe.
But the DOJ did not provide the documents, informing Nunes that providing the information would threaten the life of the source and jeopardize national security. Instead he got a briefing with government officials last week, along with Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., the chairman of the House Oversight Committee.
Though they said they had a “productive” meeting and looked forward to future discussions, Nunes did not respond to an invitation from the DOJ to “answer questions he posed last week” in a follow-up meeting Friday.
