Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) says that so far, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has seen no evidence of collusion between Donald Trump’s campaign aides and Russian officials.
On Wednesday, Feinstein and other members of the committee were briefed at CIA headquarters about the investigation into Russian meddling.
CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked Feinstein whether she had seen evidence of any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign.
“Not at this time,” Feinstein answered.
“Well, that’s a pretty precise answer,” Blitzer said, trying to hide his disappointment.
Blitzer shouldn’t be blamed for getting his hopes up. Other top Democrats have suggested in interviews that they’ve seen evidence galore of Trump/Russian collusion. Via The Daily Caller:
California Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, has said he has seen “more than circumstantial” evidence showing coordination. Last month, California Rep. Eric Swalwell, another House committee member, said “there is evidence of collusion.”
Feinstein on Thursday also said that Susan Rice should testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee after being invited to do so by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
“I would hope she would consider doing it,” she told MSNBC’s Chuck Todd. Puzzled by Rice’s arbitrary bipartisan standard, she added, “I’ve never heard that it has to be a bipartisan letter. This is sort of a new criteria.”
Senator Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement Wednesday night that he was “deeply disappointed” by Rice’s refusal to appear before the committee and that it makes her “appear as though she’s hiding something.”
I am deeply disappointed that Ambassador Rice has declined to participate in this hearing. She is uniquely positioned to help us better understand the issues that will be discussed Monday. Her choice stands in stark contrast to other former high-ranking national security officials like former Director Clapper and former Deputy Attorney General Yates. Senator Graham and Senator Whitehouse have taken great care to conduct a meaningful and productive hearing,” Grassley released in a statement Wednesday night. “Declining to attend because you didn’t get an invite from a member of your party is a poor excuse and makes it appear as though she’s hiding something. No investigation will be complete until her role is understood. I agree with Ranking Member Feinstein that Rice should reconsider.
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