'Think of where we are now': Fox News' Shep Smith warns we're on the verge of a constitutional crisis

Fox News host Shep Smith on Thursday ran through the litany of problems with the memo—drafted by staffers for House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA)—that alleges surveillance abuses by the FBI and Department of Justice.

Smith explained Trump “hand picked” the new FBI Director Christopher Wray, who is now “warning the White House: the FBI has grave concerns—don’t release that Republican memo.”

“Rather than heed that advice, we could see that memo on the Russia investigation tomorrow morning,” Smith said. “Some Republicans are claiming that memo—if you want to call it that—show the feds misused government surveillance powers as part of the Russia investigation. But Democrats say Republicans distorted information to make misleading claims so that Americans will be less likely to trust the Justice Department investigation. To protect the president.”

Smith explained Nunes “created this document”—pointing out he’s the same “loyal supporter of President Trump” who completed a “midnight run” to the White House to get documents from administration officials that purported to show improper “unmasking” of individuals related to Trump’s campaign and transition team.

“Then [he] staged a dramatic revelation news conference that turned out to be a misleading distraction, at very best,” Smith added.

“The special counsel Robert Mueller is looking to Moscow's meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign and whether the president himself obstructed justice,” the Fox News host laid out. “President Trump has denied the claims.”

“Think of where we are today,” he continued. “In the midst of a criminal investigation, two Trump associates are under indictment, two more have pleaded guilty, admitting they lied to investigators. As the special counsel appears to be approaching the Oval Office, with the news he wants to interview the president himself, the FBI and the Justice Department are under fire from the president. The White House and the Justice Department are at odds. In an affront to our system of government and as precursor what could become a constitutional crisis."

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