Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein released a previously confidential transcript Tuesday afternoon detailing testimony from Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson, who was represented by his attorney Josh Levy. The transcript is from a closed door session last summer. Steele has refused to testify in an open hearing.
At one point Simpson and Levy were asked about sources for the infamous Fusion GPS Russian dossier about Donald Trump. How were sources used and how was the information being given by sources verified? This prompted Levy to ask for caution and sensitivity because "somebody's already been killed."
The dossier was written by former British spy Christopher Steele, who was working for Fusion GPS. Fusion GPS received payment for the dossier from the Clinton campaign and the Democrat National Committee. The wife of a former senior Obama Justice Department official, Bruce Ohr, also worked for Fusion GPS during the development of the dossier.
Committee press secretary Taylor Foy released a statement on behalf of Chairman Chuck Grassley condemning the release.
"It’s totally confounding that Senator Feinstein would unilaterally release a transcript of a witness interview in the middle of an ongoing investigation – a witness that Feinstein herself subpoenaed last year for lack of cooperation. Her decision was made without consulting Chairman Grassley even though he said he’d consult with her before releasing interview transcripts. But more importantly, Feinstein’s unilateral decision was made as the committee is still trying to secure testimony from other witnesses, including Jared Kushner," Foy said. "Her action undermines the integrity of the committee’s oversight work and jeopardizes its ability to secure candid voluntary testimony relating to the independent recollections of future witnesses."
"Neither the special counsel, nor any other congressional committee, has released transcripts of private interviews in the course of their investigations. Even the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee has questioned the wisdom of releasing this transcript, “because it might impugn further witnesses from coming forward," the statement continued. "Chairman Grassley has said on many occasions that he wants to be as transparent as possible. He is committed to making information public at the appropriate time, and would welcome Mr. Simpson’s testimony before a public hearing, as he did last July."
The White House and President Trump have repeatedly called the information contained in the dossier false.