Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell declassified documents on former President Obama’s administration officials allegedly involved in the unmasking of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 for lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over his conversations with the Russian ambassador at the end of 2016. The calls were surveilled and subsequently leaked.
In April, handwritten notes from the FBI connected to the investigation and prosecution of Flynn were unsealed and include notes from his 2017 interview with the bureau.
Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped the case against Flynn and the House Intelligence Committee released transcripts of its investigation of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Now, the names of former Obama officials could be made public soon.
Fox News reports:
An official told ABC News that Grenell visited the Justice Department at some point last week and had the list with him. The move coincided with the department’s stunning reversal in the Flynn case, which was previously seen as special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s signature case from the Russian collusion investigation.
Supporters of Grenell declassifying the documents commented on social media.
Acting DNI @RichardGrenell isn’t viewed as a threat by Congressional Dems and many in media because they fear he isn’t doing his job. They view Ric Grenell as a threat because they fear that he is.
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) May 12, 2020
#BREAKING List Of Obama Officials Involved In Unmasking Declassified, Expected To Be Public Soon
I've been waiting for this day since 2017 – finally it's happening. DNI Grenell is making it happen. Rice, Power, Brennan – who else?https://t.co/BXsMPWRwHf via @SaraCarterDC
— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) May 12, 2020
This is why @AmbassadorRice and @SamanthaJPower are so nervous and constantly trying to discredit Ric. @RichardGrenell is their worst nightmare. https://t.co/YETTfA74qT
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) May 11, 2020
.@RichardGrenell @BrookeSingman @GenFlynn Thank You Ric 🇺🇸 🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/BVxamlhgPs
— Deneen Borelli (@deneenborelli) May 12, 2020
ABC News explains the law about unmasking U.S. persons.
While the law requires that identifying information of U.S. persons picked up during foreign surveillance be “masked,” high-ranking intelligence officials can request the identities be revealed if they feel the information is necessary to further understand the intercepts.
It’s outrageous that Americans have been misled for years over claims that Trump associates colluded with Russian officials.
Grenell’s move to declassify documents pertaining to Obama administration officials alleged unmasking of Flynn is good news because Americans deserve to know the truth and those involved must be held accountable.
Hopefully, Attorney General Bill Barr will swiftly release the documents to the public.
