In the letter, They want a meeting with the ‘Gang of Eight’ ... won’t they have to dig up McCain ???
LOL...different Gang of Eight....the congressional “Gang of Eight” – Democratic and Republican leaders from both chambers and of both intelligence committees (not immigration :)
“They want a meeting with the ‘Gang of Eight’ ... won’t they have to dig up McCain ???”
Only for a “Keating Five” reunion.
This “Gang of Eight” are the minimum set of people that the Intel Community (IC) must notify, if they have something really secret, but are legally required to notify Congress (to minimize leaks). Rather than telling their full oversight committees in the House and Senate, they can just tell the (IC) “Gang of Eight”:
-Senate Majority and Minority Leaders
-Speaker of the House, and the Minority Leader of the House
-Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman and Ranking Minority Member
-House Intelligence Committee Chairman and Ranking Minority Member
Four Republicans, and four Democrats, make up the (Intelligence) Gang of Eight, at any given time. Only the four Democrats signed this letter. It represents their individual opinions, and does not carry the authority of any congressional committee. It is just four legislators trying to “punch above their weight”, and get more deference than they have actual authority.
President Trump would still be legally justified in firing anyone who refuses to comply with his legitimate orders, in response to requests from the legitimate Congressional Committee authorities (who formally requested what the President is directing be provided).