Devin Nunes is still reviewing intelligence on Russia after recusing himself

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Devin Nunes

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., walks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, March 24, 2017.

Rep. Devin Nunes of California is reportedly continuing to review intelligence on Russia, despite having recused himself from the House Intelligence Committee's investigation.

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According to sources on the committee cited in a CNN report published Thursday, Nunes was reported to have taken a trip to the CIA this week to review the intelligence.

"He recused himself, so he can set those limits," said Democrat Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois, after being asked if he was concerned about Nunes' actions.

"I don't talk about intelligence," Nunes said on Thursday, after being asked why he was still involving himself in the inquiry, according to CNN.

As the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Nunes still has duties that require him to review classified intelligence, a senior House Republican aide said to CNN.

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Critics said Nunes, who was a member of President Donald Trump's transition team, complicated the investigation into the alleged ties between Russia and Trump insiders after making an unexpected trip to the White House in March.

devin nunes trump russia

AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta

Nunes was scorned by Republicans and Democrats after bypassing his own committee and briefing the Trump administration on classified details that Trump later said "somewhat vindicated" his unproven claims that the Obama administration wiretapped his campaign.

"I have not seen anything like it and it's very disturbing," said Sen. John McCain of Arizona in a March interview on NBC.

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Nunes stoked further criticism after canceling an open intelligence committee hearing with former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates.

In April, Nunes recused himself from the Russia investigation.

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