Page 2 - ARUBA TODAY

A2 UP FRONT
Tuesday 30 January 2018
House intel committee votes to release classified memo

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, in overseeing the nation’s
JONATHAN LEMIRE and intelligence community,
ZEKE MILLER “you well understand the
Associated Press damaging impact that the
WASHINGTON (AP) — Brush- release of classified ma-
ing aside opposition from terial could have on our
the Department of Justice, national security and our
Republicans on the House ability to share and receive
intelligence committee sensitive information from
voted Monday to release friendly foreign govern-
a classified memo that ments.”
purports to show improper Some senators have ex-
use of surveillance by the pressed concern about the
FBI and the Justice Depart- release as well. But John
ment in the Russia investi- Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2
gation. Senate Republican and a
The memo has become member of that chamber’s
a political flashpoint, with intelligence committee,
President Donald Trump said last week that Nunes
and many Republicans and the Justice Depart-
pushing for its release and ment need to work out their
suggesting that some in the differences. On Sunday,
Justice Department and FBI Republican Sens. Susan
have conspired against the White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders pauses while speaking to the media during Collins of Maine and Lind-
president. the daily press briefing at the White House, Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, in Washington. sey Graham of South Car-
Privately, Trump has been Associated Press olina both said they don’t
fuming over the Justice out, the official said. discredit special counsel bers — but not the public. think the memo should be
Department’s opposition In the hours before Mon- Robert Mueller’s investiga- Texas Rep. Mike Conaway released.
to releasing the memo, ac- day’s vote, White House tion into Russian meddling of Texas, who’s leading The fate of the memo is
cording to an administra- press secretary Sarah Huck- in the 2016 election and the House’s Russia investi- the latest flashpoint in the
tion official not authorized abee Sanders underscored whether Trump’s cam- gation, said he was open contentious relationship
to discuss private conversa- the administration’s posi- paign was involved. The to making it public after between Trump and the
tions and speaking on con- tion, saying Trump favors probe has already resulted House members have a Justice Department.
dition of anonymity. “full transparency.” in charges against four of chance to review it. Trump has frequently raged
At the behest of Trump, Trump now has five days to Trump’s former campaign While Trump’s White House at the head of the depart-
White House chief of staff decide whether he wants advisers and has recently signaled he would likely sup- ment, Attorney General Jeff
John Kelly and other White the information released. moved closer to Trump’s in- port the memo’s release, Sessions, for recusing him-
House officials have been The panel could release ner circle. his Justice Department has self from the Russia probe,
in contact with Justice De- the information five days The top Democrat on the voiced concerns. In a letter a move the president be-
partment officials in the after the vote if Trump House intelligence commit- to House intelligence com- lieves led to the appoint-
past week to convey the doesn’t object. tee, California Rep. Adam mittee Chairman Devin ment of Mueller. Trump has
president’s displeasure with Democrats are livid about Schiff, said last week that Nunes last week, Justice bemoaned, both privately
the department’s leader- the memo, which they Democrats on the panel officials said releasing the and publicly, that Sessions
ship on the issue specifical- say omits crucial facts had put together their own classified memo could be and his department have
ly, the official said. In a se- and should not be selec- memo. “extraordinarily reckless” not shown him the “loyalty”
ries of calls last week, Kelly tively released. They have On Monday, the commit- and asked to review it. that former attorneys gen-
urged the Justice officials to pushed back on Repub- tee voted to make the Assistant Attorney General eral Eric Holder and Rob-
do more within the bounds lican criticism of the FBI, Democratic memo avail- Stephen Boyd wrote Nunes ert Kennedy showed their
of the law to get the memo saying it is an attempt to able to all House mem- that given the panel’s role presidents.q

Alex Azar sworn in as secretary

of Health and Human Services

By KEN THOMAS retary of Health and Hu-
Associated Press man Services was ap-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex proved by the Senate last
Azar (AY’-zahr) has been week, largely along party
sworn in as President Don- lines.
ald Trump’s second health Azar has said his priorities
secretary. include curbing the cost
The former drug company of prescription drugs, mak-
executive and official in ing health insurance more
George W. Bush’s admin- affordable and available,
istration succeeds former and confronting the opi-
Republican Georgia con- oid addiction epidemic.
gressman Tom Price, who Trump says, “He’s going
resigned last fall following to get those prescription
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, left, accompanied by his family, is sworn an outcry over his use of drug prices way down.”
in during a ceremony in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, in costly private charter air- Azar spent a decade at
Washington. craft for official travel. Indianapolis-based drug-
Associated Press Azar’s nomination as sec- maker Eli Lilly and Co.q