Trump-FBI feud over classified memo erupts into open conflict

The following article by Josh Dawsey, Devlin Barrett and Karoun Demirjian was posted on the Washington Post website January 31, 2018:

The Washington Post’s Devlin Barrett analyzes the disagreements between the FBI and the White House over a memo alleging surveillance abuse by the FBI. (Video: Bastien Inzaurralde/Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

The long-simmering feud between President Trump and the Justice Department erupted into open conflict Wednesday when the FBI publicly challenged the president’s expected release of a contentious and classified memo related to the probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

In a rare unsigned statement, the FBI cited “grave concerns” with inaccuracies and omissions in the four-page memo, which was written by House Republicans and alleges abuses at the Justice Department connected to secret surveillance orders. Trump has told advisers that the memo could benefit him by undercutting the special counsel’s investigation and allow him to oust senior Justice Department officials — and that he wants it released soon, something that could happen as early as Thursday. Continue reading “Trump-FBI feud over classified memo erupts into open conflict”