President Trump was not happy that Senator Dianne Feinstein released a Congressional transcript of an interview with Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson without authorization, claiming in a tweet that it may have even been illegal. The transcript revealed some surprising information regarding the firm’s research regarding ties between Donald Trump and Russia during the 2016 campaign.The material was not classified, but it was still a transcript of a closed door meeting that Feinstein released without consulting Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley first. Fox News’ Laura Ingraham asked her guests on Wednesday’s “The Ingraham Angle” if Feinstein indeed broke the law, and the consensus was a resounding “no.”
The fact that Sneaky Dianne Feinstein, who has on numerous occasions stated that collusion between Trump/Russia has not been found, would release testimony in such an underhanded and possibly illegal way, totally without authorization, is a disgrace. Must have tough Primary!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018
“The president said this could have been illegal, because what, she was operating while under the influence of Robitussin?” Ingraham said while chuckling. Feinstein blamed her poor judgment on having a cold that may have “slowed down my mental facilities a bit.”
“I can’t think of a law it violates,” said Solomon Wisenberg, former deputy independent counsel for the Whitewater investigation. Wisenberg did note that the Simpson is a private citizen, so that’s probably why he said she ‘possibly’ violated the law. “I ‘possibly’ violate a law every single day,” Wisenberg said. “Most Americans do, there’s a lot of laws on the books. But I think she’s safe.”
Mollie Hemingway, senior editor of The Federalist, agreed that Feinstein didn’t break the law, but said it was still a strange move.
“I don’t think it was illegal, but it was very bizarre that she kind of blew up her committee,” Hemingway said. “That’s normally a very collegial committee and that was a very weird thing for her to do.”
Hemingway did provide some insight as to why Feinstein may have leaked the closed-door transcript without committee approval.
“I think what’s happening is that everyone is kind of coming to the realization that collusion isn’t happening and they’re just panicking and they’re just throwing everything out there.”
[Image via Fox News screengrab]
