washington top republican congress tuesday stand devin nunes head house representatives intelligence committee fire handle investigation possible russian tie president donald trump election campaign democrats prominent republicans criticize nunes trump ally since announce last week u.s. security agencies collect information trump transition team conduct legal surveillance target democrats see surveillance accusations nunes say base unspecified intelligence report distraction probe possible russian influence last year election trump favor cast shadow president first two months office demand nunes step aside committee investigations russia tie house speaker paul ryan ask news conference whether nunes step aside investigation know source nunes claim surveillance say no trump event white house decline comment whether nunes step back nunes acknowledge visit white house ground meet source review intelligence report make announcement trump associate may ensnare incidental intelligence collection however tell abc news tuesday would divulge give intelligence report even members panel say never reveal source methods critics say nunes statements effort justify trump unfounded accusations month democratic predecessor barack obama direct surveillance trump tower election campaign senate intelligence committee also investigate russia role election want question trump son-in-law adviser jar kushner meet hold russian ambassador russian banker december nunes member trump transition team nov. election tell reporters tuesday house panel investigation move forward ask whether would recuse say investigation continue ryan spokeswoman ashlee strong say email speaker ryan full confidence chairman nunes conduct thorough fair credible investigation however republican senators john mccain lindsey graham influential foreign policy hawk question nunes action think put objectivity question least graham say nbc today show one republican lawmaker representative walter jones north carolina go far join democrats demand special committee investigate russia probe tell fox news tuesday nunes taint u.s. house speaker back intelligence panel chair russia probe