“FISA’s original intent was to protect Americans from surveillance abuses, but this critical tool was abused for political gains ahead of the 2016 election. Those at the pinnacle of our national security community lost the objectivity they are required to exercise. I’m deeply concerned the report’s conclusion indicates there isn’t bias when that is so clearly not the case.”

Rep. Doug Collins

WASHINGTON — Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement upon the release of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report on possible abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

“The inspector general’s report confirms what we’ve known to be true: Bad actors at the top levels of the Department of Justice and FBI abused their power to attempt to take down then-candidate Trump.

“FISA’s original intent was to protect Americans from surveillance abuses, but this critical tool was abused for political gains ahead of the 2016 election. Those at the pinnacle of our national security community lost the objectivity they are required to exercise.

“I’m deeply concerned the report’s conclusion indicate there isn’t bias when that is so clearly not the case: The FBI chose not to brief then-candidate Donald Trump, failed to corroborate information in the government surveillance of a U.S. citizen and failed to disclose exculpatory evidence in that FISA application.

“It’s now obvious that Democrats tried to sweep the surveillance abuse under the rug since it pertained to President Trump rather than a Democratic candidate.”

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