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Adam Schiff, D-Calif, House Intelligence Committee Representative, on Friday subpoenaed National Acting Intelligence Director Joseph Maguire, saying Maguire was illegally retaining a whistleblower complaint to Congress, possibly to protect president or senior officials of the administration.
In a statement, Schiff said that Maguire would be required to testify on Thursday, Sept. 19, unless he complies with the subpoena. The legislator did not detail the subject of the complaint, but noted that the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community (IC IG) had determined that it was "credible and" urgent " .
"A director of national intelligence services has never prevented a whistleblowing complaint properly submitted and found credible and urgent by the IG IC, to be forwarded to congressional intelligence committees. Never, "said Schiff. This raises serious concerns about whether the White House, the Department of Justice or other executive officials are trying to prevent a legitimate whistleblower complaint from reaching its intended recipient, the Congress, to cover serious mistakes. "
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In a letter to Maguire accompanying the subpoena, Schiff said: "The Committee can only conclude, on the basis of this remarkable convergence of factors, that the serious misconduct involved involves [president] of the United States and / or other personalities of the White House or [administration] officials. "
Schiff added that the complaint had been filed a month ago, but that his committee had not received it for review, "in violation of the law" and had learned of the existence than last Monday. The legislator stated that Maguire had told the committee in a letter that he was withstanding the committee's complaint "because that partly involves confidential and potentially privileged communications from people outside the intelligence world."
A senior intelligence official told the Associated Press that the office of the director of intelligence services had received the subpoena and that he was reviewing it, and stated that Maguire was committed to enforcing the whistleblower protection measures.
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"He [is] It is vitally important that intelligence officials have a legal and protected means of bringing the blame to the attention of Congress and the public, "said Schiff in his statement. By retaining a credible whistleblower claim potentially involving acts of executive power, the director is in violation of applicable law and has been part of concealing a potentially serious misconduct. "
The intelligence group is currently reviewing the report of former special advocate, Robert Mueller, on Russia's interference in the 2016 election and the obstruction of justice committed by the House -Blanche. The committee is also investigating the finances of President Donald Trump.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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