"Inspector Clouseau investigation": Lindsey Graham chides Devin Nunes' "bizarre" leadership of Trump-Russia probe

The South Carolina senator says that Nunes is off on an "Inspector Clouseau" investigation

Published March 28, 2017 5:25PM (EDT)

 (AP/Susan Walsh)
(AP/Susan Walsh)

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has given President Donald Trump and his allies no quarter when it comes to Congress' investigation of Russian election interference. On NBC's "Today" show on Tuesday morning, Graham went so far as to say that the chairman of the House Intelligence Community, Rep. Devin Nunes, had "put his objectivity in question, at the very least."

When asked if Nunes had tainted his committee's investigation by going to the White House with information about the possible unmasking of Trump campaign operatives, Graham put partisanship aside with his answer.

"I think you put his objectivity in question, at the very least," the senator from South Carolina said.

Graham then shared what he would do if he were in Nunes' shoes.

"Here's what I would suggest — that Devin go to his Democratic colleagues and share the information that he was given by this unknown person, so that would all know exactly what he is talking about," Graham said. "And if he is not willing to tell the Democrats and the Republicans on the committee who he met with and what he was told, then I think he has lost his ability to lead."

The House is also "off track" with the investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election, Graham said, adding that the "only way this can be repaired is if [Nunes] tells his colleagues what he saw."

Graham fell short of calling for Nunes' resignation. "I will leave that to the House leadership," he said.

Nevertheless, the senator admitted that the Nunes' conduct has been suspicious.

"It's a little bizarre," Graham said. "The problem that he has created is he has gone off on a lark by himself, sort of a Inspector Clouseau investigation here."


By Taylor Link

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