The memo claims that FBI agents relied primarily on a politically-motivated dossier compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele when they sought permission to surveil Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page just before the 2016 election.

Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted his thoughts on Friday: "The country's top elected leader has agreed to selectively and misleadingly release classified info to attack the FBI - that's what would have been unthinkable a short time ago".

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One Thursday, a senior White House official said the White House has had time over the last couple of days to look over the memo "to make sure it doesn't give away too much in terms of classification".

In one instance, the FBI and DOJ used a Yahoo News article based on the Trump dossier as evidence to extend its FISA warrant, despite the unverified information having come from the same source.

Wray argued against release of the memo by issuing a statement in which the bureau voiced "grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo's accuracy". In Capitol Hill testimony in 2016, Comey said, "I have been a registered Republican for most of my adult life", but that he is no longer affiliated.

Seeking to defuse the conflict over the memo, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan backed the release of a Democratic counterpoint document. Some are using that to question that investigation. He allegedly lied to the FBI about his contacts with outlets like Yahoo! In the end, Nixon was unable to marshal the awesome power of the federal government to either carry out a "third-rate burglary" (the bumbling Committee to Re-elect the President took care of that) or to cover up the crime (the system ultimately chewed him up and spit him out).

Earlier this week, Young told KMA News he's read the memo, and believes it should be released to the public.

"The integrity of even our law enforcement and intelligence agencies can be politicised and compromised".

After Wray's objections, Nunes released a statement that hit back at critics and bolstered his belief in the public's right to know.

"Earlier today, President Donald J. Trump declassified a memorandum from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence".

Democrats said such was clearly aimed at derailing investigations into the controversial President. Dishonest and misleading memo wrecked the House intel committee, destroyed trust with Intelligence Community, damaged relationship with FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance) court, and inexcusably exposed classified investigation of an American citizen.

According to the Australians, Papadopoulos bragged to one of their diplomats during a boozy night at a London bar in May 2016 that he had been told that the Russians had emails that would be damaging to Clinton.