Smith renews call for investigation into possible leak of classified information

U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) renewed his call for investigation into the possible leak of classified information to support the Iranian nuclear agreement.

Smith, the chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, initially called for the investigation in letters sent to FBI Director James Comey and Department of Energy Acting Inspector General Rickey Haas in June.

The FBI responded by stating it could not investigate the leak due to incomplete or improper reporting from the agency that “owns or controls the information leaked.”

The Department of Energy, meanwhile, responded in August that “the cognizant authorities with the department notified the appropriate federal law enforcement officials.”

“While both involved agencies claim that these protocols were followed, it is also clear that no investigation into a leak of classified information is taking place,” the letter states. “Several statutes provide both criminal and civil penalties for unauthorized disclosure of classified information. Since these statutes would most certainly be applicable given the facts in this case, it is disturbing that no investigation has been undertaken by the appropriate federal agencies.”

The lack of an investigation is even more concerning, the letter continues, because the leak appears to be a politically motivated effort coordinated by the administration to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Tuesday’s letter, signed by Smith and U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), sought all documents and communications referring to the potential leak, including emails, phone records, text messages, meeting notes and memoranda.