Kind of an interesting piece about the inner workings and dysfunction of US intel agencies. With Clapper, Brennan, and Comey all saying it was the other guy who was pushing the Steele dossier it’s going to get interesting to see how the agencies act and react as news comes out. Here’s a bit:
"Connoisseurs of the knife fights between Justice and the bureau keep an eye out not only for what gets reported in the press, but where it gets reported. “The Department of Justice has good relations with, and tends to leak to, the Washington Post,†says a longtime Capitol Hill staffer. “The FBI leaks to the New York Times.â€
He points to the competing narratives about then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein’s supposed offer to wear a wire and record conversations with the president. The story broke in the New York Times last September and portrayed then-Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe as the level-headed professional pushing back against Rosenstein’s fevered fantasies, which included not only the suggestion of secretly recording Trump, but the idea of invoking the 25th Amendment to have him removed from office. “The extreme suggestions show Mr. Rosenstein’s state of mind in the disorienting days that followed Mr. Comey’s dismissal,†the Times wrote. “Mr. Rosenstein appeared conflicted, regretful and emotional, according to people who spoke with him at the time.†In other words, if there were dubious decisions being made by federal law enforcement officials, it wasn’t just Rosenstein’s fault, according to the Times; it was because the deputy AG was losing his marbles.
The Times story was followed shortly thereafter by a Washington Post take on the same events, a version significantly more friendly to Rosenstein. According to “attendees at the meeting,†it was McCabe who was pushing boundaries, advocating an “investigation into the president,†the Post wrote. In this account, “Rosenstein responded with what one person described as a sarcastic comment along the line of: ‘What do you want to do, Andy, wire the president?’†The Post story attributed to a “Justice Department official who met frequently with both McCabe and Rosenstein†that “in the months that followed, Rosenstein never broached either subject — the 25th Amendment or a possible wiretap involving the president.â€
"
So when are we going to find out who was leaking about the Clinton investigation? Are we going to get an investigation into why the FBI started an investigation into the Clinton Foundation based on nonsense by Peter Schweizer?
Or is this more likely an attempt by Republicans to make sure that no presidential candidate is never investigated, so that they can get away with anything?
I’m not really clear why Barr is opening a new investigation that essentially replicates the IG’s ongoing investigation, which is likely to be wrapped up by the end of June. It also is unusual to give the AG power to declassify material he was not involved in originally classifying. It will not be a surprise (to me) if Barr selectively declassifies material for political means. We might also be concerned about Barr’s use of the word “spying” when no evidence of illegal surveillance activity exists, as far as has been made public. It all smells very political, but no doubt the ballwashers are cool with that.
I’m not really clear why Barr is opening a new investigation that essentially replicates the IG’s ongoing investigation, which is likely to be wrapped up by the end of June. It also is unusual to give the AG power to declassify material he was not involved in originally classifying. It will not be a surprise (to me) if Barr selectively declassifies material for political means. We might also be concerned about Barr’s use of the word “spying” when no evidence of illegal surveillance activity exists, as far as has been made public. It all smells very political, but no doubt the ballwashers are cool with that.
Kind of like Russian interference is now on what … the 3rd or 4th investigation? This one by Congress.
Why are you so against this? If a President was found to be unfairly targeted wouldn’t you want it investigated?
Do you think the FBI should be leaking to affect the presidential election? Because that actually happened. We know an investigation was started on the Clinton Foundation that was based on nothing, why hasn’t the AG announced an investigation into that? Why is he cherry picking?
Yes, they should investigate. But they need some proof it was improper, but there is no evidence of that. Barr even admits there is no evidence it was improper, he was asked by the Senate. Not to mention there are already 2 other investigations into this already. The IG investigation, which should be the one investigating, is wrapping up and has already cleared a bunch of people. You don’t open an investigation that the IG is already investigating for a non-political reason.
I’m not really clear why Barr is opening a new investigation that essentially replicates the IG’s ongoing investigation, which is likely to be wrapped up by the end of June. It also is unusual to give the AG power to declassify material he was not involved in originally classifying. It will not be a surprise (to me) if Barr selectively declassifies material for political means. We might also be concerned about Barr’s use of the word “spying” when no evidence of illegal surveillance activity exists, as far as has been made public. It all smells very political, but no doubt the ballwashers are cool with that.
Kind of like Russian interference is now on what … the 3rd or 4th investigation? This one by Congress.
Not really. Most seem satisfied with Mueller’s work on identifying what involvement the Russians had in the 2016 election, as well as the interplay with members of Trump’s campaign. What is less clear is: did Trump obstruct justice, is he compromised by financial ties to Russians and/or Saudis, are there other financial irregularities that congress should be aware of? Given Trump has failed to divest himself of his businesses since becoming president, and given how he has given Putin and MBS a pass on more than one occasion, these seem like legitimate avenues of enquiry by the legislative branch, which is required to provide oversight of the executive branch.
Why are you so against this? If a President was found to be unfairly targeted wouldn’t you want it investigated?
Do you think the FBI should be leaking to affect the presidential election? Because that actually happened. We know an investigation was started on the Clinton Foundation that was based on nothing, why hasn’t the AG announced an investigation into that? Why is he cherry picking?
Yes, they should investigate. But they need some proof it was improper, but there is no evidence of that. Barr even admits there is no evidence it was improper, he was asked by the Senate. Not to mention there are already 2 other investigations into this already. The IG investigation, which should be the one investigating, is wrapping up and has already cleared a bunch of people. You don’t open an investigation that the IG is already investigating for a non-political reason.
LMAO… Wait what the FBI leaked? Is the same untarnished FBI that would never do anything wrong while investigating Trump? Well golly gee whiz!! Who knew??? And wait a 3rd investigation? Thats not allowed either?? Holy sheep shit!! I guess you Dems better shut down Congress’s current investigation into Trump… I guess you agree with Trump… No do overs!!
Why are you so against this? If a President was found to be unfairly targeted wouldn’t you want it investigated?
Do you think the FBI should be leaking to affect the presidential election? Because that actually happened. We know an investigation was started on the Clinton Foundation that was based on nothing, why hasn’t the AG announced an investigation into that? Why is he cherry picking?
Yes, they should investigate. But they need some proof it was improper, but there is no evidence of that. Barr even admits there is no evidence it was improper, he was asked by the Senate. Not to mention there are already 2 other investigations into this already. The IG investigation, which should be the one investigating, is wrapping up and has already cleared a bunch of people. You don’t open an investigation that the IG is already investigating for a non-political reason.
LMAO… Wait what the FBI leaked? Is the same untarnished FBI that would never do anything wrong while investigating Trump? Well golly gee whiz!! Who knew??? And wait a 3rd investigation? Thats not allowed either?? Holy sheep shit!! I guess you Dems better shut down Congress’s current investigation into Trump… I guess you agree with Trump… No do overs!!
Ohh, so you don’t care about FBI actions, you only care when it is about trump. Glad you can just admit that.
Assuming Barr to not be a shill for Trump. Then I would think he lacks confidence that his independent IG has the independence to sort through the DOJ- FBI food fight. Or that his IG is meeting resistance from the intelligence agency wrt access to some sensitive sourcing in Russia. Maybe Barr has had ax to grind from previous fights with CIA. Congressionally this falls into the intersection between intel and judiciary committees. There is a limited population of those who know all the truth. Barr now has the keys. Hopefully he is not a shill. Just my spitballing
Why are you so against this? If a President was found to be unfairly targeted wouldn’t you want it investigated?
Do you think the FBI should be leaking to affect the presidential election? Because that actually happened. We know an investigation was started on the Clinton Foundation that was based on nothing, why hasn’t the AG announced an investigation into that? Why is he cherry picking?
Yes, they should investigate. But they need some proof it was improper, but there is no evidence of that. Barr even admits there is no evidence it was improper, he was asked by the Senate. Not to mention there are already 2 other investigations into this already. The IG investigation, which should be the one investigating, is wrapping up and has already cleared a bunch of people. You don’t open an investigation that the IG is already investigating for a non-political reason.
LMAO… Wait what the FBI leaked? Is the same untarnished FBI that would never do anything wrong while investigating Trump? Well golly gee whiz!! Who knew??? And wait a 3rd investigation? Thats not allowed either?? Holy sheep shit!! I guess you Dems better shut down Congress’s current investigation into Trump… I guess you agree with Trump… No do overs!!
Ohh, so you don’t care about FBI actions, you only care when it is about trump. Glad you can just admit that.
That’s not what I said and you know it. Seems to me that seems to be true about you.
Brennan, and Comey all saying it was the other guy who was pushing the Steele dossier
"
The rest of what you posted doesn’t appear to have anything to do with the “Steele dossier.” But of what you posted, what’s the crime or improper act? Acting on Article 9 of the 25th is, by definition, Constitutional. And before you exercise a Constitutional act like that, you have to talk about it. Reagan’s Chief of Staff James Baker did the same thing. He convened a meeting where the attendees all secretly evaluated Reagan for competency. Reagan passed.
Political revenge is fine. Rosenstein was fired. But using the Justice Department as a political weapon without some sort of probable cause is pretty chilling. That isn’t Constitutional. Declassifying to see if you can find something wrong isn’t how justice is supposed to work. Just like the police can’t search your house to see if they might find something wrong without having probable cause.
Edit: Though my analogy isn’t perfect since I guess the Justice Department is, I guess, perfectly free to search itself. It is odd, though. A kind of paranoia out of the White House to not trust your own people, even after your own people completely exonerated you. (Sessions and Rosenstein were Trump appointees, and Mueller was a Sessions pick)
I think it’s time to investigate the investigation into the investigation!
That’s not what I said and you know it. Seems to me that seems to be true about you.
No it was. You said:
LMAO… Wait what the FBI leaked? Is the same untarnished FBI that would never do anything wrong while investigating Trump? Well golly gee whiz!! Who knew???
That does not sound like you taking improper behavior by the FBI seriously when it affect Clinton. Or is “golly gee whiz” something you say when you are serious?
Nowhere in this thread have you taken the FBI that were against Clinton, including actions that were done to hurt Clinton during the election, only your sarcastic comment. Yet you have not not done the same with Barr’s investigation. So yes, it is clear how you feel.
Assuming Barr to not be a shill for Trump. Then I would think he lacks confidence that his independent IG has the independence to sort through the DOJ- FBI food fight. Or that his IG is meeting resistance from the intelligence agency wrt access to some sensitive sourcing in Russia. Maybe Barr has had ax to grind from previous fights with CIA. Congressionally this falls into the intersection between intel and judiciary committees. There is a limited population of those who know all the truth. Barr now has the keys. Hopefully he is not a shill. Just my spitballing
Not sure, but the first thing I thought of was scope. I’ve read a few times during the course of this saga that the IG cannot question anyone who is not actively working. Lots of folks who have left that would be salient to any real investigation, especially as it reaches back to well before Trump became POTUS, or even the pub nominee. Good news is we will get some of the answers from the IG’s report in the not distant future.
the politics of the whole shebang remains the sticking point and insures a never ending investigate the investigation and then repeat.
There is no one person to lead. The president is the central figure under investigation, congress has taken sides with neither intel or judiciary committees taking charge, DOJ and intelligence agencies players are lawyering up or leaking with intent to deflect. Mueller really needs to be heard. The first key point is just how much distance is there between he and Barr. If distance found, then resolution screams for a select committee.
Absolutely. I think Congress needs to appoint a special prosecutor with credibility across the aisle, e.g. someone with the credibility of Mueller, but obviously not Mueller.
the politics of the whole shebang remains the sticking point and insures a never ending investigate the investigation and then repeat.
There is no one person to lead. The president is the central figure under investigation, congress has taken sides with neither intel or judiciary committees taking charge, DOJ and intelligence agencies players are lawyering up or leaking with intent to deflect. Mueller really needs to be heard. The first key point is just how much distance is there between he and Barr. If distance found, then resolution screams for a select committee.
A little early to investigate the investigators of the investigation. There's plenty of reason to suspect a poor or absent basis for the original looks into Trump and team. I do have a real problem with Mueller not testifying to congress. The guy was the center of US politics for two years, sent up a report that left too much open to interpretation, and refuses to speak publicly about it? Subpoena him, now.
And now it is only 16 months till the 2020 elections. If we keep up with Investigating the Investigation Investigators for another year and a half we can all start thinking about the 2024 elections. I was surprised as hell when Trump won the election and figured surely the country could unite and find a viable opposition candidate in 4 years, but we pretty much have pissed away his first team by being distracted. Trump still has his 40% of the country thinking he should get a second term and the other team ???. Being distracted won’t win many elections.
I’m not really clear why Barr is opening a new investigation that essentially replicates the IG’s ongoing investigation, which is likely to be wrapped up by the end of June. It also is unusual to give the AG power to declassify material he was not involved in originally classifying. It will not be a surprise (to me) if Barr selectively declassifies material for political means. We might also be concerned about Barr’s use of the word “spying” when no evidence of illegal surveillance activity exists, as far as has been made public. It all smells very political, but no doubt the ballwashers are cool with that.
my understanding is the ig has limited power(only current federal employees but not former and the prosecutor has subpoena power and the ig doesn’t).
yea your right why not have the dems in the house retry as obviously mueller didn’t know what he was doing
the politics of the whole shebang remains the sticking point and insures a never ending investigate the investigation and then repeat.
There is no one person to lead. The president is the central figure under investigation, congress has taken sides with neither intel or judiciary committees taking charge, DOJ and intelligence agencies players are lawyering up or leaking with intent to deflect. Mueller really needs to be heard. The first key point is just how much distance is there between he and Barr. If distance found, then resolution screams for a select committee.
A little early to investigate the investigators of the investigation. **There's plenty of reason to suspect a poor or absent basis for the original looks into Trump and team. I do have a real problem with Mueller not testifying to congress. ** The guy was the center of US politics for two years, sent up a report that left too much open to interpretation, and refuses to speak publicly about it? Subpoena him, now.
So how about this spitballin:
The original russian source, reputedly a close associate to Putin, was really a double agent and set this whole fiasco up by serving up that poor or absent basis that kicked it all off. They had a viable play however the election results fell. Hell, Putin probably admitted same to Trump when they talked in private without the translation script. Trump was flawed as a candidate and his campaign was an easy mark. The russians have played well. Why else is Barr doubling down, why else is Mueller quiet or wants to talk only in closed session and why the Intels are running their concern over declassification up the flagpole.
Am trying real hard to come up with any other rational explanations and fall short. The political partisan stories all require irrational behavior by an otherwise respected group of senior career professionals. The truthful bottom line has to come soon–for all to see! This wound of 3 years is beyond the limb festering stage and is nearing a body infectious stage.