GOP senators on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee may be holding up subpoenas for former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan, and other figures who were involved in the investigation into President Donald Trumpâs 2016 campaign, said Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).
âWe had a number of my committee members that were highly concerned about how this looks politically,â the Wisconsin GOP senator told radio host Hugh Hewitt. He was asked by Hewitt to identify those Republicans by name.
But Johnson said, âIâm just not going to be naming names that way.â Johnson had been pressing to issue the subpoenas for the former Obama administration officials.
Johnsonâs committee authorized him in early June to issue subpoenas as part of the inquiry into the FBIâs investigation of Trumpâs campaign.
In the interview, Johnson said that he needs the support of eight Republicans to advance subpoenas in the case.
Johnson emphasized that he needs the unanimous support of his committeeâs eight Republicans to advance any subpoenasâone defection would likely result in a 7-7 deadlock with the committeeâs six Democrats. âIf I lose one, I lose the vote,â Johnson said.
The Republicans currently on the panel include Sens. Rob Portman (Ohio), Rand Paul (Ky.), James Lankford (Okla.), Mitt Romney (Utah), Rick Scott (Fla.), Michael Enzi (Wyo.), and Josh Hawley (Mo.).
A spokesperson for Johnson later told Politico that Johnsonâs exchange with Hewitt was a misunderstanding, saying that he is âcommitted to running a thorough investigation.â
âCommittee members want Chairman Johnson to attempt to get voluntary compliance, and also to be fully prepared for interviews by obtaining necessary documents, before compelling testimony,â the spokesman told the website. âChairman Johnson has been working for months to gather documents and information from witnesses on a voluntary basis, but will subpoena witnesses when necessaryâand as he has mentioned, his patience is wearing thin.â
On Tuesday, Johnson told Fox News that he subpoenaed FBI Director Christopher Wray as part of the committeeâs review of the Russia investigation.
âCertainly my committee granted me the subpoena authorization to try and get everybodyâs voluntary compliance, but it simply hasnât worked,â he said on the channel. âThe FBI continues to slow-walk our requests for documents, which really date back years.â
An investigation into the origins of the Russia investigation, where FBI agents investigated Trumpâs campaign on alleged collusion with Russian agents, is being carried out by the Senate Judiciary Committee led by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The investigation was carried out by former special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who found that there was no evidence Trump coordinated and cooperated with the Kremlin.
Johnson doesn’t have to name names. If there is only one vote that could tie the two parties, its easy to figure it out. Yes, Mitt Romney, now the reliable RINO. I’ve even heard he’s turning Democrat officially, don’t know if its true yet. Sad to see how the infiltration of the anti-Americans has effected the GOP. It won’t take many to neuter President Trumps draining of the swamp, hope the upcoming election will see some of them finally drown in that swamp and their replacement can pick up the flag and sally forth.