Posted on 02/02/2018 8:11:25 PM PST by Jim Robinson
It was no mistake. They were in on the frame up, an essential part of it. Comey extended this to his March 20, 2017 testimony.
As you know, our practice is not to confirm the existence of ongoing investigations, especially those investigations that involve classified matters, but in unusual circumstances where it is in the public interest, it may be appropriate to do so as Justice Department policies recognize. This is one of those circumstances.I have been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts. As with any counterintelligence investigation, this will also include an assessment of whether any crimes were committed.
The basis for that testimony before the House Intelligence Committee was the Steele dossier and the Yahoo news report, and the existing counter intelligence investigation into Carter Page.
Going forward, that testimony became the justification for and basis of the appointment of Mueller.
And a big part of the mockery was that Trump tweeted about wire tapping which, of course, is never done any more. And this mockery came from people who routinely talk of "dialing a phone" (even though phones no longer have dials), and "filming" a video to get "footage" (even though it's all digital now).
I remember when the dossier was first published by Buzzfeed that the talk radio guys were all saying it was well known it was made up. They even pointed out that Comey used it to brief Trump on the kind of fake BS he could expect to be accused of. If that is true a document known to be false was used to justify investigating a Presidential Candidate. How can they deny this? If Repubs were smart they need to ask their inquisitors on the Sunday talk shows and in CONgress, if they think such behavior is acceptable.
Comey also admittedly gave the press a classified memo smearing Trump in order to gin up support in Congress for a special prosecutor. He also lied to Congress.
Given that we all have been exposed to ‘what the meaning of is, is’, parsing of words and phrases might be wise. That said, we do not know with certainty, what/who is being investigated. We do know Comey said Trump was not under investigation. So who is being investigated as they relate to Russia’s interference? Could be anyone, including individuals associated with Trump campaign, including possible plants, AND it could include Clinton and anyone associated with her campaign. Just because Comey didn't’ drop Clinton’s name doesn't’ mean she is not being investigated, IMO. Too many unknowns.
Oppo research and a whisper campaign are very different things. Steele's construct--what he was apparently tasked to generate, a whisper campaign document that would intentionally initiate (harmonized) falsehoods, intended to be disseminated among the public--is not against the law within its own context. He was not testifying to the police, FBI or the court with that, he was only serving his political paymasters, thus had no special obligation to the truth.
Of course, the FBI had grander plans for the McCain-delivered document, that did include special obligations to the truth. Their later representations misdirected the document's provenance and implied it was filled with truths that justified serious investigation through violation of a US citizen's 4th Amendment Rights.
That should be called an informed (and you rightly would say "intentional") lie (and I say "a mistake") for which those people deserve punishment.
Were these “warrants” also approved for spying on reporters like Sharyl Atkinson & James Rosen?
Isn’t it time to review all these warrants?
That is perfect Grace.
"You will bring Captian Solo and the Wookiee to me"
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