Rep. Payne Issues Statement Calling on Chairman Nunes to Step Down

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-N.J., ranking member of the Homeland Security subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications, issued the following statement calling on Rep. Devin Nunes to step down as House Intelligence Committee Chairman over his handling of the Trump wiretapping investigation:

"It's clear that Chairman Nunes, a member of the Trump transition, is still playing for the president's team at the expense of properly performing his job. He abused his position as House Intelligence Committee Chairman to provide cover for President Trump's false wiretapping claim.

"Nunes has failed in his responsibilities as chairman. There is no doubt that he remains a surrogate for President Trump. Therefore, not only is he incapable of leading a fair investigation into Russia's election interference and any ties between Russia and this administration, he is unsuited to chair the Intelligence Committee.

"I strongly believe that Chairman Nunes should step down immediately."

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