Minority Leader Pelosi calls for DOJ probe of Priebus on FBI, Russia

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) says the Department of Justice must probe reports that White House chief of staff Reince Priebus asked the FBI to push back on media coverage linking figures from President Trump's campaign to Russian intelligence. Reports emerged Feb 23 the FBI rejected a White House request to dismiss news stories about staffers from Trump’s campaign repeatedly contacting Russian intelligence agents.

“The Trump White House has been caught trying to pressure the FBI into undermining a vital national security investigation into explosive ties between senior Trump officials and Russian intelligence agents, an action which is in violation of Department of Justice rules and may be illegal,” Minority Leader Pelosi said. “White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus has committed an outrageous breach of the FBI’s independence,” Pelosi added. "Priebus has not only damaged his reputation but tainted the impartiality of the FBI.” “The Department of Justice’s Inspector General must open a new investigation into any and all conversations Priebus and other White House officials held with the FBI on ongoing investigations. The American people deserve to know the truth.”