WASHINGTON — Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr declined to say if he plans to investigate the origins of the Russia probe and subpoena Obama administration officials such as former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan.
“I don’t talk about any witnesses’ engagements,” Burr replied on Tuesday.
The Department of Justice is currently investigating the origins of the Trump campaign and Russia collusion probe.
In the past, Burr has been critical of Brennan’s public statements about the Russia probe. Referencing an op-ed Brennan wrote, Burr said, “Director Brennan’s recent statements purport to know, as fact, that the Trump campaign colluded with a foreign power.”
Burr continued, “If his statement is based on intelligence he has seen since leaving office, it constitutes an intelligence breach. If he has some other personal knowledge of or evidence of collusion, it should be disclosed to the Special Counsel, not The New York Times.”
The Senate Intelligence Committee recently subpoenaed Donald Trump Jr., who previously testified before the committee in December of 2017. The committee was reportedly in negotiations with Trump Jr.’s lawyers about a follow-up appearance that did not occur.
On Monday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Trump Jr. should “show up and plead the Fifth.” Burr refused to address the subpoena on Tuesday.
“No quotes today. You need to talk to him [Trump Jr.],” Burr said.
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