President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he would allow the Justice Department to review the documents he ordered declassified, slowing down their release.
The president said that he met with Justice Department officials to discuss his order.
“They agreed to release them but stated that so doing may have a perceived negative impact on the Russia probe,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Also, key allies called to ask not to release. Therefore, the Inspector General has been asked to review these documents on an expedited basis.”
Trump ordered the release of some of the redacted FISA documents last week, as well as text messages from many of the FBI officials involved in the investigation of his campaign advisors during the election.
Despite the delay, the president expressed faith in the Justice Department’s Inspector General.
“I believe he will move quickly on this (and hopefully other things which he is looking at),” Trump wrote.
He reserved the right to declassify the documents if it was unnecessarily delayed.
“In the end, I can always declassify if it proves necessary,” he wrote. “Speed is very important to me – and everyone!”
I met with the DOJ concerning the declassification of various UNREDACTED documents. They agreed to release them but stated that so doing may have a perceived negative impact on the Russia probe. Also, key Allies’ called to ask not to release. Therefore, the Inspector General…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 21, 2018
….has been asked to review these documents on an expedited basis. I believe he will move quickly on this (and hopefully other things which he is looking at). In the end I can always declassify if it proves necessary. Speed is very important to me – and everyone!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 21, 2018
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