House Intelligence Committee Calls It Quits On Russian Interference Investigation

Donald Trump

The New York Times is reporting the Republican-controlled House Intelligence Committee has decided to end it's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election after concluding that Russia did meddle but did not favor Donald Trump.

According to the Republican committee chairman, there was no evidence found of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian actors.

Even as the special counsel expands his inquiry and pursues criminal charges against at least four Trump associates, House Intelligence Committee Republicans said Monday they have found no evidence of collusion between Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia to sway the 2016 election.

Representative K. Michael Conaway of Texas, who is leading the investigation, said committee Republicans agreed with the conclusions of American intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered with the election, but they broke with the agencies on one crucial point: that the Russians had favored Mr. Trump’s candidacy.

“The bottom line: The Russians did commit active measures against our election in ’16, and we think they will do that in the future,” Mr. Conaway said. But, he added, “We disagree with the narrative that they were trying to help Trump.”

Democrats on the committee say there are still witnesses to be called and evidence requested that hasn't been delivered to the committee.

There are reports that the ranking Democrat on the committee, Rep. Adam Schiff, was not informed of the decision to end the investigation before Conway announced his decision to the press.

Expect the Democrats to issue their own report on the committee's findings.

Even though the House committee calls their investigation to conclude, the Senate Intelligence Committee will continue their investigation in addition to the special counsel.

BREAKING: Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee will conclude no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia; Democrats are expected to write their own report https://t.co/nqVeE4wLOG pic.twitter.com/jSISpA2QoM

— CNN (@CNN) March 12, 2018

REMINDER: The same House Intelligence Committee Republicans willing to ignore the FBI and CIA in prematurely ending the #RussiaInvestigation demanded SEVEN BENGHAZI INVESTIGATIONS.

— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) March 12, 2018