In private, Nunes apologizes to Democrats

As AP adds, Nunes said that President Donald Trump’s communications may have been “monitored” during the transition period as part of an “incidental collection”.

“Details of US persons involved with the incoming administration … were widely disseminated in intelligence community reporting”, Nunes said.

The developing information appears to contradict testimony before the House Intelligence committee on Monday by FBI Director James Comey and National Security Agency Director Adm. Mike Rogers that they had no information to support President Trump’s claims that President Obama spied on him.

DAVID WELNA, BYLINE: When the House Intelligence Committee met behind closed doors this morning, Chairman Devin Nunes had some explaining to do.

The FBI has been investigating links between the Trump campaign and Russian Federation since late July, FBI Director James Comey revealed in testimony Monday before the intelligence panel.

Nunes said a source had given him documents detailing legal surveillance of targets of FISA warrants.

The White House quickly embraced Nunes’ revelations and the president said they “somewhat” validated his wiretapping allegations.

Senator John McCain said Nunes’ actions were “very disturbing” and that he had “not seen anything like it”.

“I’m really bothered by the unmasking”, Mr. Nunes said.

However, when Mr Trump was asked if he now felt vindicated for his accusations against his predecessor, he answered: “I somewhat do”. He signaled that the intelligence community may have, in his mind, included certain names in their reports that did not belong there. “What I’m talking about is surveillance”, Trump told Time.

The Democratic lawmaker also said he’s more convinced than ever that an independent commission must investigate alleged ties between Russian Federation and Trump’s election campaign. “Was there an intent to abuse the listening in on the foreigners as a way to get inside and improperly listen to Americans?” He also said the surveillance was legally collected under a FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) warrant.

Schiff, however, told CNN that Democrats won’t boycott the investigation, saying if they don’t participate, “there isn’t going to be an investigation in the House”.

Democratic senator Jackie Speier said Mr Nunes had also apologised to Intelligence Committee members in their closed-door meeting earlier.

However, after briefing Trump on his findings, Nunes did say at a press conference that he still had doubts on Trump’s unsubstantiated claim.