Chuck Schumer Demands Transcript of Trump’s Conversation with Russian Officials
.@SenSchumer calls on White House to “immediately” provide transcript of meeting between Trump and Russian officials to Intel committees. pic.twitter.com/QOLjpy5ke8
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 16, 2017
In the wake of bombshell reports that President Donald Trump revealed classified information to Russian officials, Democratic lawmakers — including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer — have begun calling for transcripts of the meeting to be released.
“I am calling on the White House to make the transcript of the meeting with the Russian foreign minister and ambassador available to the Congressional Intelligence Committees as soon as possible,” Schumer said Tuesday in a statement on the Senate floor.
Trump made the controversial comments during last week’s meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak. The White House has contested the reports, and national security advisor H.R. McMaster issued a full denial of the story “as reported” claiming that, “at no time, were intelligence sources or methods discussed.”
Trump contradicted McMaster Tuesday morning in a series of Tweets, in which he admitted to sharing the information, but defended doing so as necessary for “Humanitarian reasons.”
In light of the cloud of confusion surrounding the story, Schumer called for the White House release a full transcript of the meeting and demanded a briefing to be called “immediately.”
The White House should make the transcript of @POTUS‘ mtg w/ the Russian Foreign Minister & Ambassador available to Intel Cmtes ASAP
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 16, 2017
Schumer’s demands for a transcript come as pressure mounts on the White House to clarify what exactly was divulged in the meeting. Republican lawmakers have even joined in calls for the administration to release a transcript, including Wisconsin congressman Mike Gallagher:
For the purpose of transparency, the White House should share a transcript of the meeting with the House and Senate intelligence committees.
— Rep. Mike Gallagher (@RepGallagher) May 16, 2017
The White House has yet to confirm the existence of a transcript of the meeting, but it’s worth noting the Post story implies it exists:
One thing that sticks out from WashPost story: Officials wanted changes to the “full transcript” of the Trump meeting with Russia pic.twitter.com/LyeD7ebKxu
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) May 15, 2017
Watch above, via ABC.
[image via screengrab]
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