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Report: Two Senior FBI Officials Review Controversial GOP Memo, Find Zero 'Factual Inaccuracies'
Townhall.com ^ | January 30, 2018 | Guy Benson

Posted on 01/30/2018 3:03:10 PM PST by Kaslin

To recap, the House Intelligence Committee voted along party lines last night to make public a classified memorandum, written by Republicans and drawn from US intelligence, pertaining to some element or elements of the overall Russia matter.  The specific subject matter of the document remains unclear, although the surveillance of former Trump aide Carter Page appears to be at least somewhat relevant. Democrats have objected vociferously to publishing the memo, claiming that it paints an inaccurate picture of reality, based on incomplete information.  They've drafted their own private memo, which the committee voted unanimously to make available to all House members -- but not the public -- last evening.  (For what it's worth, I've come to believe that given the volume and severity of the various charges and counter-charges, both memos should be released, along with as much supporting raw intelligence as possible, with a careful eye toward national security considerations).  

Among the criticisms mounted by Democrats in recent days is the accusation that the GOP-authored document isn't factually accurate.  Fox News chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge, who first revealed that FBI Director Christopher Wray viewed the memo on Sunday, is reporting today that several FBI/DOJ sources have now viewed the controversial missive and are not questioning its accuracy:

Two Senior FBI officials have now reviewed the Republican staff memo, alleging abuses of government surveillance programs during the 2016 election, a source familiar with the matter tells Fox News, adding that the officials “could not point to any factual inaccuracies.”— Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) January 30, 2018


One of the arguments against publishing the memo was that the FBI and DOJ should be given an opportunity to review its contents and raise concerns on factual or national security grounds.  According to Herridge's sources, a number of officials have now been afforded that courtesy, and they're not disputing the core facts presented in the memo.  That doesn't mean that the top brass is now unanimously vouching for its in-context accuracy, or endorsing its conclusions -- nor does it mean that they don't maintain serious qualms about the impact of releasing a document that contains sensitive intelligence.  Nevertheless, 'not inaccurate' is significant.  Here's something else to consider: Are Democrats riled up over the prospect of the Republican memo getting out because it contains objectively embarrassing information about their party's actions throughout this whole confusing saga? Here's Congressman Trey Gowdy, who was reportedly instrumental in pressing to allow the FBI access to the memo prior to the vote on its publication:

Chairman Trey Gowdy on Fox and Friends

My Democratic colleagues didn’t want us to find this information. They did everything they could to keep us from finding this information. I think it will be embarrassing to Adam Schiff once people realize the extent to which he went to keep them from learning any of this. That would be the embarrassment.

Hmm. Meanwhile, the sudden departure of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe remains a hot topic in town, and as we relayed last night, it appears as though McCabe was forced out after Wray was made aware of a "concerning" detail uncovered in the course of the nonpartisan Inspector General's investigation of how the FBI handled its probe of Hillary Clinton's national security-compromising email scandal. An MSNBC host tweeted that it was difficult to reconcile Wray's erstwhile passionate defenses of McCabe with his very recent decision to oust McCabe from his position: 

Today:

FBI Dir. Wray implies McCabe is out because of internal review of Clinton stuff. (Same initial reason offered for Comey firing)

Last week:

3 "direct" sources said Wray was SO protective of McCabe that Wray threatened to resign over pressure to oust him.

Makes no sense— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) January 30, 2018


This doesn't seem like a great mystery to me. Either (a) Wray -- who has a strong bipartisan reputation as a professional, built up over many years -- randomly decided to succumb to Trump's angry griping and pressure for no apparent reason, after doing the exact opposite in private, or (b) Wray learned a pertinent fact that wasn't previously in his posession. I know which option seems much more likely, especially given the New York Times' account of what happened. Alas, there's at least one man who's rushing to McCabe's defense: Wray's controversial predecessor:

Special Agent Andrew McCabe stood tall over the last 8 months, when small people were trying to tear down an institution we all depend on. He served with distinction for two decades. I wish Andy well. I also wish continued strength for the rest of the FBI. America needs you.— James Comey (@Comey) January 30, 2018



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: 2016election; 201801; andrewmccabe; christoperwray; christopherwray; fbi; hic; jamescomey; memos; perjury; peterstrzok; robertmueller; russiainvestigation; steeledossier

1 posted on 01/30/2018 3:03:10 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Which is pretty much why the Dems want to block it...


2 posted on 01/30/2018 3:04:46 PM PST by Magnatron
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To: Magnatron

[Which is pretty much why the Dems want to block it...]

Yes, EXACTLY why.

It will show that the Obama administration was a criminal organization.

Fully-supported by the DNC.


3 posted on 01/30/2018 3:06:22 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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To: Kaslin

Democrats have objected vociferously to publishing the memo, claiming that it paints an inaccurate picture of reality, based on incomplete information.

That’s rich....


4 posted on 01/30/2018 3:08:38 PM PST by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: Kaslin

Latest Sundance post at CTH...

Oh Lordy – FBI Director Wray Sent “Counterintelligence Official” To Review Memo Prior to Committee Vote…

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2018/01/30/oh-lordy-fbi-director-wray-sent-counterintelligence-official-to-review-memo-prior-to-committee-vote/comment-page-1/#comment-4934836


5 posted on 01/30/2018 3:15:12 PM PST by Hotlanta Mike ("You can avoid reality, but you can't avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.")
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To: Kaslin

Democrats are getting ready to step ankle deep into a steaming pile they themselves created and foisted on an unsuspecting American public.


6 posted on 01/30/2018 3:15:13 PM PST by Sasparilla ( I'm Not Tired of Winning.)
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To: Hotlanta Mike

You may think you know who the White Hats are, but nobody does. Yet.


7 posted on 01/30/2018 3:16:02 PM PST by bigbob (Trust Trump. Trust Sessions. The Great Awakening is at hand...MAGA!)
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To: Hotlanta Mike

has Priestap been flipped?
the movie version of all this will make money


8 posted on 01/30/2018 3:21:51 PM PST by dontreadthis (I finally came up with this taglineI)
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To: dontreadthis

has Priestap been flipped?
the movie version of all this will make money


That is what Sundance always had hinted at...


9 posted on 01/30/2018 3:24:11 PM PST by Hotlanta Mike ("You can avoid reality, but you can't avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.")
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To: Hotlanta Mike

The Dems are going to be very sorry they screwed with Trump.

Did they think they were dealing with Jeb Bush ??


10 posted on 01/30/2018 3:27:45 PM PST by Col Frank Slade
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To: Kaslin
That doesn't mean that the top brass is now unanimously vouching for its in-context accuracy, or endorsing its conclusions...

Good heavens, no. This thing has reached the "who knew what, when?" point and somebody piping up something like, "Yeah, sure, I saw Comey pay off Fusion GPS" might well be looking at handcuffs himself.

11 posted on 01/30/2018 3:28:01 PM PST by Billthedrill
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To: Kaslin

Democrats are Democrats first.

Being an American is way down on their list.

Remember that when dealing with Democrat friends, neighbors and relatives.


12 posted on 01/30/2018 3:31:36 PM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: SaveFerris

Didn’t Obama say at one time he envied Nixon?


13 posted on 01/30/2018 3:32:00 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear (Screw The NFL!!!!!! My family fought for the flag!)
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To: bigbob

You may think you know who the White Hats are, but nobody does. Yet.


When Germany double crossed Stalin, they tried to sell the invasion as a crusade against communism. A Monsignor in the Vatican quipped “I see a crusade, but no crusaders; more like two devils chasing each other.”


14 posted on 01/30/2018 3:34:14 PM PST by Hieronymus (It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged. --G. K. Chesterton)
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To: RushIsMyTeddyBear

Dunno. I’m sure he envied Benito Mussolini.


15 posted on 01/30/2018 3:35:12 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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To: Kaslin

It will show that the Obama administration was a criminal organization.

But Obama was just a community organizer. Hahaha riiiiiiiiiiiight.


16 posted on 01/30/2018 3:41:10 PM PST by wardamneagle
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To: Kaslin

This confirmation from the FBI is much needed.

Schiff’s Memo should be submitted for review to the FBI too.
And the FBI should issue a statement of its accuracy, as well.
Somehow, I do not believe will be able to confirm its accuracy.
In fact, it will be all lies.


17 posted on 01/30/2018 3:41:52 PM PST by tennmountainman ("Prophet Mountainman" Predicter Of All Things RINO...for a small fee.)
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To: Kaslin

Release the memo so that the public can see which Demonicrats and Swampdwellers needs to be tried, convicted, and sentenced to be publicly hanged.


18 posted on 01/30/2018 3:42:04 PM PST by Carl Vehse
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To: Magnatron

Of course,TRUMP will make sure America knows it was checked and it’s accurate. ..HEH,HEH,HEH.....


19 posted on 01/30/2018 4:12:25 PM PST by Hambone 1934
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