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Ex-top FBI lawyer James Baker admits he is 'nervous' about DOJ inspector general
Washington Examiner ^ | May 10, 2019 04:09 PM | | Jerry Dunleavy

Posted on 05/11/2019 9:22:05 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

Former FBI General Counsel James Baker admitted on Friday that he is “nervous” about DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s investigation into the conduct of the DOJ and the FBI during the Trump-Russia probe.

Sitting down with with Lawfare’s Benjamin Wittes in a crowded room at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., Baker said he is “assuming that they will dig and find stuff” and that “we’ll try to sort it out and see what mistakes were made.” But Baker defended the FBI's actions, including its use of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Horowitz’s investigation is particularly focused on alleged FISA abuse and the reliance on British ex-spy Christopher Steele in FISA applications targeting Trump campaign associate Carter Page. Steele’s dossier was funded in part by the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign through the Perkins Coie law firm and the opposition research group Fusion GPS. The investigation is expected to finish in May or June.

Wittes said that Baker “had expressed great confidence in the way you guys conducted yourselves, in the integrity of these fundamental judgments, in the opening with respect to two separate investigations and with the respect to the handling of this FISA application.” Wittes then asked Baker: “So, how nervous are you about the IG?”

Baker said he is “always nervous about the IG," adding that “they’re coming in after the fact to look at what we did." At the time, he said, the FBI was “trying to do it in real time and having the pressure to deal with these threats as they were coming.”

Baker contended that he was “confident in the judgments that I made at the time based on the information that I had available to me.” But he left open the possibility that others may have engaged in wrongdoing...

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...


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1 posted on 05/11/2019 9:22:05 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

If you haven’t done anything wtomg you have nothing to worry about < /s >

Most transparent scandal free administration evah


2 posted on 05/11/2019 9:23:41 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Denounce DUAC - The Democrats Un-American Activists Committee)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
“we’ll try to sort it out and see what mistakes were made crimes were committed.”

Fixed.

3 posted on 05/11/2019 9:24:36 AM PDT by KevinB (If I'm ever arrested, I'm switching parties.)
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To: KevinB

Sounds like someone knows where the bodies are buried. Question is “is Baker willing to take that walk in Ft Marcy Park to save himself?”


4 posted on 05/11/2019 9:26:44 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Only a Replacement Wall? Ann Coulter is deeply saddened.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

We are going to need a bigger scaffold.


5 posted on 05/11/2019 9:26:58 AM PDT by Seruzawa (TANSTAAFL!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

There should be at least 17 bureaucrats, and 0bana admin officials who should be nervous, very nervous.

5.56mm


6 posted on 05/11/2019 9:31:41 AM PDT by M Kehoe (DRAIN THE SWAMP! BUILD THE WALL!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“Mistakes”?These weren’t Mistakes.They were criminal acts with malice of forethought.

This guy and his agency should be very concerned.

Hopefully the people will see justice returned to the Dept. of Justice and the F.B.I.

There are some people who need to be tried,convicted and sentenced to long terms of imprisonment for trying to overthrow the President of The United States.


7 posted on 05/11/2019 9:31:51 AM PDT by puppypusher ( The world is going to the dogs.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“Baker said he is “assuming that they will dig and find stuff””

Great assumption, there.

I’m assuming the investigation will last for years, hire a lot of patriot lawyers, dig into many “associated” parties, find a LOT of bad stuff and result in a handful of high-level people getting criminally charged.


8 posted on 05/11/2019 9:32:16 AM PDT by polymuser (Hi It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged today. - Chesterton)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

James two suggestions, 1st hire the best criminal lawyer you can find and 2nd hire a prison coach. Because you are going away you SOB!


9 posted on 05/11/2019 9:32:41 AM PDT by Lockbox
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Ex-top FBI lawyer James Baker admits he is 'nervous' about DOJ inspector general

James Baker

10 posted on 05/11/2019 9:33:42 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (America NEEDS Mob Rule, another European and Mid East World War and a universal Draft)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

This just gets better and bigger each day.

Best election continues to rip and shred the DC liberals///1


11 posted on 05/11/2019 9:34:55 AM PDT by Grampa Dave ( You can't normalize the type of behavior the left is trying to normalize, when, it isn't normal!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Sounds like Baker was one of the threats to the US.


12 posted on 05/11/2019 9:34:58 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Their challenge will be convincing people the findings are the result of mistakes, poor judgement, and lack of professionalism. It already seems clear that a conspiracy to influence and, later, undo an election is at the root of all of this. If people believe this is the case, a lot of high officials in the previous administration will need to be permanently imprisoned. While some Democrats talk about charging Trump with crimes once he is out of office, I think it is much more likely that his predecessor will end up behind bars. Some of these people will flee (Kerry to France, Obama to Kenya), the crimes will force these countries to hand over the villains.


13 posted on 05/11/2019 9:35:23 AM PDT by wizwor
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I’m betting the vast majority of incriminating passages will be redacted as in Horowitz’s last report. Will DJT finally issue his blanket non redacted declassification? You know Wray will do his best to avoid declassification. The left will howl about reckless declassification. The sideshow in the house will continue with reversed roles.


14 posted on 05/11/2019 9:35:37 AM PDT by hardspunned
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To: puppypusher

[“Mistakes”? These weren’t Mistakes. They were criminal acts with malice of forethought.]

Correct


15 posted on 05/11/2019 9:36:38 AM PDT 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: polymuser

“hire a lot of patriot lawyers, dig into many “associated” parties, find a LOT of bad stuff and result in a handful of high-level people getting criminally charged.”

Conservative and patriotic lawyers could be in high demand the next 6 years.


16 posted on 05/11/2019 9:36:44 AM PDT by Grampa Dave ( You can't normalize the type of behavior the left is trying to normalize, when, it isn't normal!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

If he were likable, he might have been able to pull this off, but he is not and pleading..
.we were only doing our jobs” just doesn’t ring true.

If he were pure...he would have advised President Trump of trouble in his administration.

Even that Assistant Sec of State, who recognized Steele as corrupt...her mistake...not advising President Trump.


17 posted on 05/11/2019 9:39:37 AM PDT by Maris Crane
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

This is damage control, before the disaster.

Its going to amount to bailing out a sinking boat with a Dixie cup.


18 posted on 05/11/2019 9:40:09 AM PDT by Kakaze (I want The Republic back !)
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To: Maris Crane

Addition thought:

They had two and a half years...of watching a “hoax” and did NOTHING.

That predetermined misconduct.


19 posted on 05/11/2019 9:41:28 AM PDT by Maris Crane
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To: a fool in paradise

Sounds like Baker is preparing to throw the “others” under the bus.


20 posted on 05/11/2019 9:41:42 AM PDT by CaptainK ('No collusion, no obstruction, he's a leaker')
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