<p>Devin Nunes (R-CA), Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, says he will step out of his committee&rsquo;s investigation into Russia&rsquo;s interference in the presidential election and the Obama Administration&rsquo;s surveillance of the Trump campaign.  ;</p>
<p>His decision comes following serious pressure from Democrats who argue that he improperly released the information he viewed in secret on March 21st. ;</p>
<p>Nunes said it was &ldquo;leftwing activist groups&rdquo; who convinced him to step aside. These groups filed &ldquo;entirely false and politically motivated&rdquo; accusations with the Office of Congressional Ethics. These accusations &ldquo;are being leveled just as the American people are beginning to learn the truth about the improper unmasking of the identities of US citizens and other abuses of power,&rdquo; said Nunes. ;</p>
<p>The California congressman plans to speak with the House Ethics Committee &ldquo;in order to expedite the dismissal of these false claims.&rdquo; ;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the committee is looking into allegations that Nunes &ldquo;may have made unauthorized disclosures of classified information, in violation of House Rules, law, regulations, or other standards of conduct.&rdquo; ;</p>
<p>&ldquo;David Nunes has earned my trust over many years for his integrity and dedication to the critical work that the intelligence community does to keep America safe,&rdquo; said House Speaker Paul Ryan. &ldquo;He continues to have that trust, and I know he is eager to demonstrate to the Ethics Committee that he has followed all proper guidelines and laws.&rdquo; ;</p>
<p>Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) will take Nunes&rsquo; place leading the Russia investigation. He hopes to work with the committee&rsquo;s Democratic members to get the investigation back on track. ;</p>
<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to pursue the investigation, follow every lead to its logical conclusion,&rdquo; said Conaway. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to conduct the investigation and I&rsquo;m looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pursue every lead.&rdquo; ;</p>
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<p>Nunes did nothing wrong here, but stepping back from the situation may have been a smart move &ndash; if only to prevent more drama surrounding the Russia case. ;</p>
<p>Nunes is the second high-profile Trump ally to remove himself from the ongoing investigation into the alleged collusion between Russia and Trump&rsquo;s presidential campaign, following AG Jeff Sessions&rsquo; recusal from a parallel investigation in the Justice Department. ;</p>