REP. RATCLIFFE: POTENTIAL FISA ABUSES IN DECLASSIFIED MEMO ARE SUPPORTED BY SOURCE DO ENTS
WASHINGTON – Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) issued the following statement on the release and declassification of a memo prepared by the majority members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence regarding oversight of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
He is one of just a handful of members of Congress to have reviewed the underlying source do ents for the potential FISA abuses outlined in the majority memo:
“As a former U.S. Attorney and federal terrorism prosecutor with considerable FISA experience, I am more than just troubled by the revelations outlined in this memo. Subsequent to my initial review of the memo, I also reviewed, in detail, the still-classified, underlying source do ents upon which the initial warrant application and all subsequent warrant renewal applications to surveil an American citizen were made. I believe the memo unfortunately but accurately highlights questionable actions and departures from required legal standards and practices under FISA by a discrete number of senior agents and officials, who appear to have allowed politics to contaminate our apolitical justice system.
“It is my hope that the revelations of this memo will not be misconstrued as a condemnation of the tens of thousands of brave women and men who nobly serve the public with distinction and integrity in the DOJ and FBI. This memo can and should, however, be viewed as an appropriate expression of Congress’ oversight responsibilities of these vital ins utions. Further oversight and accountability for the individuals in question is necessary to ensure that the American people can have confidence in these important ins utions going forward.”
https://ratcliffe.house.gov/media-ce...ed-highlighted