Once again, don't just ask "how can they do this?" ask:
Why are they doing this?
Why don't they care about tradition?
Why don't they care about treaties, alliances, and promises made?
Why don't they care about the value of institutions?
Why don't they care about truth, oaths, and the value of keeping one's word?
Why don't they care about individual lives, especially the lives of private American citizens?
Why are they being so open about all of this?
Why are they doing this?
How do they benefit?
Don't get outraged without purpose. Don't become afraid. Just ask, ask, ask and don't stop asking until those questions get answered.
This is an authoritarian government. This is an administration that is taking the life of a private American citizen, who was working for the American government at the time (Trump had not been elected yet, remember!), and they are willing to sacrifice a private American citizen's life, when that citizen had done nothing but serve his country silently and with honour.
This is it. Ask why. Ask how. Keep asking. Don't let up. Always remember who you were, who you are. And never let them make you afraid.
8
When the FBI hired an informant to infiltrate the Trump campaign without Trump's knowledge nor his campaigns, called spying in the real world, then he has the absolute right to know and understand why they did. It is an unprecedented act having an outgoing administration paying at least one spy over $300,000 to buddy up to an opposing parties campaign and deceitfully pretending they are helping them and offering them money and trips to get anti-Trump information from them to try to collaborate the dossier. That is what happened and the media can spin it however they want, but the guy was a spy hired and paid by the FBI to question Trump campaign members.
3
Yet another lie or as they prefer another "Nothing Burger" added to the endless lists of lies and conspiracy theories put forward by Donald Trump. If the 62 million people who had the ability of imagining that Trump could possibly run this country and so helped put him in the Oval Office have by now acquired a different perspective on the man they voted for, this country has weathered a serious challenge to its resiliency. Otherwise, we can safely concluded that there exists a sizeable Minority in this country that do not subscribe to Democracy and the Rule of Law if their interests are in danger, and that they stand ready and willing to destroy any and all Institutions that the American Constitution and System of Government is founded on. To that end, they will not mind, or may even prefer, to live in an Authoritarian country. The Congressionsl Republicans who are actively supporting Donald Trump, or have chosen to abdicate their Constitutional Duty by remaining silent in the face of his gross abuse of Power and his lack of respect for the Rule of Law, have committed a crime against the American People. And if they do so because they believe this is what the people have voted for, then they should legislate to ammend the Constitution so that the independence of the DOJ and FBI is no longer a vital tenet of the American Law Enforcement Institution and thus create a Country that could rival Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia etc.
2
When those two crashed the meetings , why did the meeting holders continue with the meetings? Does anyone we elected have the guts to refuse to play these school yard bully games? Simple silence can do wonders.
4
There is a simple solution to this type of behavior. Vote Democrat, for every office including and above the level of dogcatcher. This might take 2, 4 or 6 years, but it will get the job done. Please, please pass this recommendation to all of your friends, family and business associates. If you have any of the above that do not agree with this recommendation, please drop them like a hot potato.
4
The media should be outraged at this whole fantastical creation of Trump's that he calls "spygate." It's nonsense.
I'm glad, so far, that Rosenstein and Wray stay the course. If Trump gets too frustrated, let him fire them or let them say a definitive no to the Trump fantasy.
In the chess game being played by Mueller, I would hope that he is one step ahead (or more) of all of us....and that yesterday's meeting (especially with the appearance of Emmet Flood) is just one more example of obstruction.
3
Could Flood's presence, even briefly, at this meeting be an improper exercise of his role as Trump's lawyer in this affair? Was his presence a way to offer assurance to the two outlaw Republicans? Seems to me he was illegally seeking an advantage for his client. He is now even more tainted. Why on earth would he have needed to be anywhere near this thing that had alarm bells ringing all over it?
4
Talk about intimidation
Straight out of the FAILED RE developers handbook
2
This is clear abuse of power. In addition to Trump, we have a force, a Trump clique, within the US government that is actively dismantling the constitution and destroying democratic norms. This is paving the way to a Trump dictatorship. Anybody who supports these antics is anti-American.
5
So... “We are certainly entitled to know” what information the government has, are we?
After the indictment, Rudy. In pre-trial discovery. That's where you find out what they have on your client.
7
Rod Rosenstein, Christopher Wray, and other law enforcement officials are navigating some terribly difficult waters as a rogue (and most likely guilty) President abuses his power and undermines our legal institutions in an attempt protect his own hide. Protecting the substance of the ongoing investigation may be more important than resigning (and having no further influence). If they resign, things will surely get worse as Trump will seek to replace them by more pliable individuals.
2
The American people have only themselves to blame by allowing Donald J. Trump to run for president without disclosing his financials and tax returns. He's lied throughout the campaign and continues to lie and behave as though he is above the law.
Perhaps he is above the U.S. Constitution, but he is not exempt from the Law of Karma as he will find out.
4
I don’t recall Republicans, or Democrats, complaining when the U.S. Government was infiltrating and spying on the Socialist Workers Party.
In 1912 the SWP was the second largest political party in Texas, until this persecution drove them into the oblivion. They were finally vindicated in their 1987 lawsuit against the FBI, but the damage was never undone.
I have no empathy for the non-historic grievance of Mr. Trump.
3
Blurring the lines is a specialty of the Trump administration.
3
Trump wants transparency???
We are still waiting for his tax returns!
6
When a nation becomes so partisan that ethics are meaningless, that nation is doomed...because a nation's ethics flow from its people...and we are fully corrupt.
3
Trump had Nunes and Gowdy, two of trump's stooges.
2
I don't like the arrogant, disobedient DOJ leaders that are willfully (and politically) obstructing justice by not providing requested (demanded) documents. Hiding the truth, deleting texts, redacting unclassified information, slow-walking documents, destroying evidence. These demagogues must be jailed. America looks like every other corrupt non-christian country because we don't acknowledge God and His Truth, so we are woefully deceived and tribal. Only God can unite differing philosophies and bring peace. One day we will all agree on the Truth because Jesus will rule without dissent.
3
I'm sure the democrats were mad. Just imagine how they will feel when all of their illegal activity is exposed.
2
Mr. Flood probably was just there to leave a bug in the room.
3
So, Trump's lawyer and Chief of Staff are, "Spying" on Congress?
Isn't that Nunes' job?
4
Trump said the the matter – the so-called “spygate” – was “one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history. In fact he’s the the biggest political scandal in the post-war years, because no president had ever reached out to a foreign hostile government for help to get elected.
That Trump deploys his GOP footsoldier Devin Nunes to "gain insight into an investigation that implicates" him, is another sign of a guilty conscience.
8
"Mr. Trump accused the F.B.I., without evidence, of planting a spy in his campaign." Mr. Trump's behavior is disgusting. Add in comments like this to the Mueller team: “ 'Just wait ’till the Courts get to see your unrevealed Conflicts of Interest,' Mr. Trump wrote ... " (NYTimes) More empty accusations with no details, no evidence. The same innuendo Mr. Trump tried to use against Mr. Tester: "I know things about the senator I can say, too. If I said them, he would never be elected again." (CNN, 30Apr2018) Mr. Trump is a disgrace, apparently channeling Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his unfounded accusations in the 1950's. To paraphrase the U.S. Army's lawyer, defending the Army against McCarthy's accusations: Have you no sense of decency, Mr. Trump?
4
Trump has no evidence but then there was no evidence of collusion either. This whole thing is a political sham by both sides. Hopefully their is someone out there with enough money money and power to form a third party and be done with both parties.
Time is overdue to add Nunes and Gowdy to the list to be indicted.
And probably now Kelly and Flood.
7
Looks like we are deep into The United States vs Donald Trump, we just haven't formally named it yet.
4
The ethical obligation of a lawyer is to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Trump's lawyer's appearance at this ''witch hunt' obstruction of justice attempt to expose and intimidate a confidential human government informant is the essence of impropriety. Chief of Staff John 'Empty Barrel ' Kelly is a corrupt moral degenerate misogynist white supremacist bigoted xenophobic liar.
13
Have we become a banana republic with dear leader Trump? Rod Rosenstein said he would not allow the DOJ to be extorted. Why then did he allow Emmet Flood and John Kelly to appear at this meeting?
5
Bullies.
1
The spies in SPYGATE are Flood and Kelly.
Go ask Giuliani.
6
This should infuriate every American. The fact that some are giving it a pass, is frightening.
17
We passed through the mere fear stage long ago. The tentacles of terror should already have started to adhere to our guts.
3
Blame and VOTE out the FAILED GOP
you can only imagine their reaction if roles were Reversed .
Trump isn't even trying to mount a credible legal defense, probably because he knows it would be hopeless. So instead he's playing for victory in the court of public opinion where he has a fair chance of finding a hung jury. Whether or not the rule of law survives his assault will depend on the willingness of enough Republican officials and lawmakers to uphold it. So far the signs are not encouraging. Unfortunately, Senator Flake is mistaken. We have not hit rock bottom yet, but it appears we are about to.
6
After what happened with all the cover up and the abuse of power with the Nixon administration, it is surprising that congress didn't pass any laws curtailing the authority and power of the president especially over the justice department.
4
Devin Nunes is a Trump proxy, half the house republicans are. They have abdicated their over site role and are merely an extension of the administration.
5
As a former prosecutor, I am fully behind Mr. Rosenstein, except this time. If it was his call or someone else's to make, I never would have consented to this meeting. Especially, in the middle of a continuing investigation.
Let them bring me to Court and have a judge order me to do it.
Just so its clear. Prosecutors often do NOT reveal the informant's identity EVEN AT THE TIME OF TRIAL. There are many times informants testify behind a sreen in the courtroom.
The house intelligence committee was supposed to be bipartisan to overlook intelligence gathering by our government agencies. Well that "Bipartisan ship" has sailed.
I would NEVER have agreed to allow an informant's identity to be revealed. Especially for obvious political motives.
Even if the actual name isn't revealed was there enough information being exchanged that will reveal his or her identity?
What happens if after the informant's identity is revealed and he or she is now in danger? Who gets the blame for that?
Just because Trump claims it was a spy and says its "spygate" that needs to be investigated, doesn't mean its true.
First, the meeting was by "invite only" to Republicans!!
Then to read Trump's personal lawyers show up at the meeting!! What's next?
Are the Republicans going to demonize and slander the informant??
Will someone in the Republican Party please stand up to this guy.
9
So, wait, are the Republicans still angry over Bill Clinton sharing a word or two with Lynch on the tarmac?
Can't imagine what would've happened had either Clinton sat in on meetings where evidence was being shared!
Not sure the GOP knows what the word "hypocrisy" means. They might want to look it up.
5
You can't appease a bully, they will always come back for more. It didn't work for Neville Chamberlain and it won't work for Rod Rosenstein. Better to refuse now and get it over with.
And, as an aside, why was Devin Nunes allowed to attend? He's recused from the Russia investigation due to being in bed with the president, right?
4
Will Democratic members of Congress be permitted to sit in on conversations between Trump and Giuliani? Time for some real oversight of the perils to national security!
6
it is not infuriating just Democrats!!!
it's an absolutely obvious obstruction of Justice .
plain and simple .
12
And Mr. Flood's security classification is?
7
If there is anyone out there ready to start organizing to march in Washington and state representative offices, please respond to this comment. What exactly are we waiting for? How much worse can it get?
There is strength in numbers and it’s time we do something to show our disgust.
15
America's enemies (there are many) are delighted to witness the democrats covert assault on the American judicial system, intelligence agencies, the impartial rule of law. Never in their wildest imagination could they imagine their handiwork being carried out within the (utterly corrupt/ruthless) American deep state. Moreover, Netflix has agreed to partner with ex pretend pretend president obama and his (partner) to gaslight his corrupt ruinous administration. All is well with the ruling elite criminal class..
2
Hello from the other side of the looking glass! Watch out for little bottles saying "drink me".
1
Doesn't do irony (sad).
What is the Deep State? Is it some rogue cabal of Washington insiders bent on wrecking this Presidency? Or is it a small group of Republican lawmakers using the veil of Congressional oversight to access top secret data that will inevitably end up in the hands of the Trump defense team?
7
I'm not a Democrat and I'm infuriated. This situation is far beyond partisan politics, something everybody except the GOP establishment seems to understand and integrate into their perceptions and behavior.
11
Donald Trump is known for spreading canards and making outlandish claims. One more unsubstantiated claim by him shouldn't surprise anyone.
What is surprising about the latest one -- that the informant the F.B.I. used in its Russia investigation was a spy the Obama administration planted in his 2016 campaign -- has found enthusiastic takers in the Republican-controlled Congress. His cronies in it managed to arrange two classified meetings to review sensitive material about the F.B.I. informant. And now we learn that he also sent his chief of staff and a lawyer representing him in the Russia investigation to those meetings, ostensibly “to relay the president’s desire for as much openness as possible under the law,” but actually to pry on the proceedings.
Trump’s cronies may not have any problem with his interference in their area of work, constitutionally protected from encroachment by the executive branch. But it is unprecedented in the history of Congress. Democrats are justifiably “infuriated” and legal experts are right to characterize it as an abuse of authority by the White House.
An important question here is: Are there no Republicans in Congress who have the guts to tell this president that they represent a branch of the government that is coequal to the one he heads, not its handmaiden? What happened to their responsibility to maintain the separation of power mandated by the Constitution? Don't they have to be a check on the executive when it oversteps its limit?
6
Devin Nunes has repeatedly broken laws, and should be arrested and given a fair trial.
Rudy and Mr. Flood should be reported to the New York State Legal Bar for misconduct, and have an investigation, and in all likelihood have their license to practice law taken away.
18
Shouldn't the lawyer, Emmett Flood, have known better than to show up to this meeting? As the President's lawyer, didn't he advise his client that it would be inappropriate and possibly illegal for him to be at these meetings? Did Emmett Flood decide to join with the President in bullying and attempting to intimidate the FBI at this meeting? Will anyone file a complaint with the American Bar Association about his behavior? Will Robert Mueller look at this as another example of the President' obstruction of justice?
I worked for lawyers for many years and have quite a few attorneys in my family. They are and were all thoughtful, intelligent, and good guardians of the rule of law. However, I have never seen so many poorly trained and ethically challenged lawyers under one roof. The President seems to attract them like flies for obvious reasons. It's a disgrace for the profession and the rule of law.
When will lawyers of good conscience, and former law enforcement and CIA and Homeland Security officials as well as our elected officials start screaming from the mountain tops? As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: "The time is always right, to do what is right."
12
Nunes', Ryan's, and Trump's premise is laughable. They are upset that, shocker, the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated potential criminal behavior. Proceeding from a laughable premise to the farce reported in the article is entirely predictable. When you send in the clowns, expect a circus.
10
So it's okay for a candidate for POTUS to invite a nation that we know has no love for the U.S. to hack your opponent?
Anyone who thought that comment on hacking Mrs Clinton's Email was okay was being silly.
What it did was give the hackers culpable deniability.
I would think our Intelligence Agencies would have to look into that as a threat to National Security.
So if there was an Intelligence Asset placed in any Political Candidates Campaign I think that's warranted and not a shame or unwarranted. Sheesh!
4
Why did Mr.Kelly and Mr. Flood not say NO to Mr.Trump when he pressed them to attend a top secret briefing at the Justice Department.They may just have given introductory remarks but it was just another example of inappropriate behavior by the Executive Branch.It becomes increasingly obvious that there are no "grown ups" there.Mr.Flood, the attorney , certainly knew that his presence was a breach of constitutional behavior.It is a pattern- Republicans do not say no to Mr.Trump nor do his own attorneys.In November the voters have to say"NO" !
16
trump lied about "spies" in his campaign, because he could use the lie to illegally get classified information about the charges he is going to face.
The media outlets, including the Times, obligingly repeated his lie for him until now a majority of Republicans actually believe the lie, and he illegally got inside information about the cases he is going to have to defend
Once we get this tin pot tyrant out of office and replaced with an ELECTED Democrat and a Democratic congress in 2021 we will need to do a thorough restructuring of presidential elections to prevent a criminal from ever conspiring with out nation's enemies to steal our highest political office ever again
The Framers never in their WILDEST nightmare ever suspected such a traitorous criminal kleptocrat could ever manage to get into office because the Electoral College was SUPPOSED to stop that from ever happening. Instead it is the glaring flaw in the system that allowed it to happen
7
No evidence the NYTs cares to acknowledge. The whole problem with this reporting is that it takes sides in the dispute. The NYTs is supposed to be an unbiased presenter of the news not a participant.
5
What exactly did NYT omit?
The no evidence quote was from a representative not the author...if you are going to try to delegitimize stuff based on information (which you decided not to share), maybe reading comprehension should be of the first order?
5
I'm confused. Who is investigating whom?
These "Republicans" need to be reined in. Get to it Dems! We've had enough!!
5
I’ve started to wonder if the NYT is purposely downplaying this story—minimal coverage so far. The President’s criminal defense attorney shows up at a classified briefing on the investigation of his client and provides opening remarks to set what? Expectations? Instructions?
This is so far out of the norms of our country, of the constitutional separation of powers, and so blatantly corrupt that it boggles the mind.
Downplaying this news in effect normalizes this behavior. I expect a lot more from the NYT, and would expect this no matter who the president is, or which party is in power. Absolutely disgraceful.
13
If there's a photo of Devin 'Shifty' Nunes where he doesn't look shifty, I've yet to see it.
5
"Mr. Trump continued to rail against law enforcement on Twitter on Thursday, repeating his unsubstantiated claims."
Attacking law enforcement, the sure mark of a crook.
10
Glad to see the Dems are infuriated. They will be more so after the next round of elections, when their hopes will be crushed. America isn't that dumb!
1
We have become a banana republic, one in which the "law and order" President and his party are mounting a nonstop attack on law enforcement personnel - most of whom are themselves Republicans!
It is surreal to see one of our two major political parties floating and supporting crazy conspiracy theories to excuse election chicanery they encouraged from a hostile foreign power. Really, Hilary Clinton and Democrats conspired with Russia and the FBI to lose an election they were expected to win? That doesn't even make any sense.
I'm hopeful that our democracy and system of government will someday recover from the damage inflicted by Trump et al... but worried it won't.
3
"Really, Hilary Clinton and Democrats conspired with Russia and the FBI to lose an election they were expected to win? That doesn't even make any sense."
An idea right out of "1984", what will they claim next? War is peace?
3
The Democrats will be unable to defend the conduct of the Obama officials during the 2016 campaign and the 2018 elections will see the Democrats lose seats. So much for the “blue wave”.
1
I think Giuliani best expressed the GOP's sentiment: "We are entitled..." This band of liars and thieves are exactly what they accuse the Democrats to be: entitled, underhanded, hypocritical, and unlawful. Trump is working very hard to destroy the concepts of truth, decency and honor. Everything is what it's not: cheating is winning, lying is honorable, vile is admirable, cruelty is kindness, and ignorance is expertise. All these people - Trump, Kushner, Sanders, Kelly, Ryan, McConnell, Nunes, Giuliani, and so on keep repeating non facts until they can convince the American people that their lies are truths. And we're footing the bill. At this point my only hope is in the next generation. Although the GOP is doing everything they can to ensure a lot of these kids won't have a decent education, and may not survive past childhood.
3
What are they hiding? WHAT ARE THEY HIDING?
How do they think the kid seen with his hand in the cookie jar can get away with saying, "I didn't take any cookies. Why are you looking at me?"
From the outside, the most remarkable aspect of the debacle of the past year has been the degree to which the Republican establishment has signed up to protect an individual who can only let them down hard. This leads me to imagine a not too distant purge reflecting reactionary currents of American politics where the condemning question is "Are you, or have you ever been a member of the Republican Party" ...
9
The bad guys want to know what the coppers have on them.
15
"White House officials had at first arranged for only Mr. Nunes to be briefed."
Nunes is a member of Congress, so why is the White House, ostensibly a separate branch of government, making such arrangements for him? Are Nunes and the Trump administration really so hopelessly intertwined?
7
We are not fools. It's obvious that republicans like Mr. Nunes will relay to the Trump team everything they learn at these meetings. I suppose the next step is for congressional republicans, citing the need for oversight, to demand access to Mueller investigation documents. Americans are not fools. It's obvious that republicans are being active accomplices in helping Trump harm and cut short the Mueller investigation. What is he trying so desperately to hide?
10
This is yet another way Trump is destroying another of our democratic institutions. No one will be an informant if they can't trust that they will remain protected.
And this makes me incredulous: "The president’s legal team was unapologetic. “We are certainly entitled to know” what information the government has on the F.B.I. informant"
Just because you "feel" you are entitled to know something doesn't mean you are privileged to that information. I, too, feel I am entitled to know what information the government has, so why wasn't I allowed to be in the meetings? After all, the president and congress work for ME, the taxpayer. Ridiculous.
And the decision to provide information about an ongoing investigation to the actual criminal, the target (or anyone in his circle) of that investigation, is at best exceptionally naive, and completely outrageous and idiotic. The decision to hand over this information to the target and his partisan mafia gang is not a decision that should ever have been considered, let alone made so hastily. Sure, a few democrats (after making a small fuss) were briefed in a second meeting later in the day, but seriously? There should have been a process before conceding to this demand. Where are our checks and balances?
8
Sooner or later somebody has got to say no to Trump. Even if Trump was not a potential target of the investigation it’s beyond the pale to send his lawyer and chief of staff to an investigation.
I think the founding fathers never anticipated somebody with no moral compass and no concern for the rule of law getting elected to the presidency.
128
"I think the founding fathers never anticipated somebody with no moral compass and no concern for the rule of law getting elected to the presidency."
I think they did. That's why they gave us three branches of government with a system of checks and balances.
They did slip up, however, by making no provision to prevent one party from controlling all three branches of government. When this happens, the watchdog has been put down.
20
The Framers also never imagined an inept, dysfunctional Congress that would refuse to follow the law and begin impeachment proceedings against an extremely dangerous and unstable president.
This is the "perfect storm" of Constitutional chaos and could literally lead us to an undoing of the Republic.
A truly terrifying moment for us all!
19
We, the people, have to be the ones that say no. Only by taking to the streets and more importantly the polls can we stop this travesty. Otherwise it's only going to get worse.
4
Scooter Libby was pardoned in April for his conviction regarding outing an undercover CIA operative. Shortly thereafter a confidential FBI informant was outed. Indications seem to point to Devin Nunes. Why do Republicans believe they have the right to disregard the rule of law? Nunes needs to be charged with Obstruction of Justice and outing the FBI informant, even if it's clear that he will immediately be pardoned by a Republican president who has absolutely no regard for the law.
25
Hopefully this will 'wake up' the democrats to the level of evil and duplicity they are facing and show the country how spineless the repubs are. Assume sycophant Nunes is angling for Paul Ryan's seat ... Without the 20 or so who are not returning, remaining repubs can help Trump finish draining the swamp and replace it with his cesspool .... Meanwhile Mueller is quietly working and working finding new facts, new connections and has a second in command totally ready for the possibility that Trump, when all else fails, might actually fire him ... Unless we have a new version of the Sat night massacre; Trump orders Rosenstein to fire Mueller, Rosenstein refuses so Trump fires him ... Trump is just waiting for the last trace of a backbone among the repubs to wither away ... Hope America learns our lesson ...
12
What is Mr. Flood's security clearance? Doesn't this violate the law?
13
It seems that much of our government relies on norms. Trump violates norms - and morality.
If, as reported, Mr. Flood only was present at the beginning of the meeting, prior to the presentation of any classified information, his presence wouldn't violate the law. However, apparently, his and John Kelly's presence violated long established norms.
In a few years, if we still have a democracy, these norms will have to be codified into law or the Constitution.
6
If a mafia consigliere was present for a such a meeting held by the FBI or DoJ with regard to mob activity, it would be viewed as unethical at best. More likely, it would be seen for what it is: an attempt to abuse power, apply undue influence, and very possibly tamper with investigative and prosecutorial independence. Former mafia prosecutor Giuliani is OK with this now? For shame. What does a nation sink to after “Banana Republic” is too generous a term of description?
17
Can we all just please accept that Trump is a wannabe Tyrant that doesn’t care about democracy, the rule of law or the Constitution?
This is how tyranny begins. Wake up.
23
Totally agree.
2
Very effective, if not illegal, tactics by Trump and his surrogates to create fear, uncertainty, and deception around the entire Russian investigation.
This whole Trump crime syndicate and conspiring with Russians to rig the election is far larger and far more criminal than anything Nixon crook committed.
40 members of the Nixon administration went to jail! Nixon resigned or he absolutely would have been impeached!
Trump and Pence will greatly exceed that 40 number...when it is all said and done, we can expect over 100 individuals to go to jail or plead guilty to Federal and State crimes when the fat lady sings. This time, the US must not make that huge error and pardon Trump....like Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon and failing to send a clear message to all future Presidents that they are not above the law.
Nixon accepted the Pardon.....which means he plead guilty to all the charges!
Trump and Pence need to go to jail! Time to empty the DC swamp and to tell the swamp no more free rides!
18
Devin Nunes should be indicted as a co-conspirator in the obstruction of justice of the Russian-Trump conspiracy to subvert the 2016 election in Trump's favor.
18
Nunes and Gowdy are engaged in full collusion with the executive branch to undermine the rule of law in the USA in the investigation of the documented Russian attack, all with the cover of Ryan and McConnel. History will record their treason while in office.
6
No doubt trump and the faux news already knows the content of this so-called highly 'classified briefings'. USA under trump has become a banana republic.
6
Spy-gate? A better term is Lie-gate.
5
Why are Democrats letting this happen?! Where are our leaders? If a Democrat President did even a tiny fraction of the things Trump has done, the Republicans would be out for blood -- and they wouldn't relinquish until they got blood -- tons of it and probably the entire dead body, too! It's outrageous that our senators and representatives in Congress are doing nothing!
9
The Trump Administration is no longer theoretically subverting democracy in favor of autocracy. He and his staff of loyalists are conducting themselves in chillingly dictatorial ways to undermine the rule of law.
We must rid ourselves of this man.
8
A commenter feels it in his bones:
" ... we all know there is more out there."
Still, there are some of us who'd like to see some actual evidence. Some judges and juries are skeptical of witnesses who just get up on the stand and say "I've got no hard evidence, but I just feel it in my bones that the defendant is a bad guy."
We might end up with one of those skeptics. Some actual evidence would probably shut him up, don't you think?
1
Evidence? Oh, you mean like the dozens of charges that have been handed down and the people currently facing trials and/or jail time? That kind of evidence? Traitor Don doesn't want to "believe." He'll simply do anything-- lie, cheat, corrupt, toss nukes-- to get out of the mess he's created.
No....you never go to court unless you already know all the answers, have all your ducks in a row and all your witnesses are prepared..and you have a reason you can share with the “audience” that they can swallow.
The liberals have long since gone beyond the weird stage with all this. The issue for them that that Trump's lawyer was trying to gain something from this relative to protecting Trump in some way goes well beyond the traditional liberal comments about the right seeing conspiracies on the left. Having one of Trump's attorneys and his chief of staff introduce everyone and then leave is not really worth writing about unless you are still trying to stir up the hoax about Russia collusion. That's dead, but Democrats can't admit it until after the election. Saying there was no collusion now would hurt them in the election. So, there's still Russia until after the election.
2
I'm sorry. It's clear to me that the Republicans conspired with the Russians and perhaps the Saudis, the Turks, and the Israelis to get Trump elected. Now Trump and his cronies are systematically looting the country while his base cheers him on.
What I don't get is why his base still believes his constant stream of lies and tolerates his manifest incompetence and immorality. He and the Republicans have taken away healthcare from millions of Americans, are giving rich people and corporations trillions of deficit financed dollars, are screwing up business supply chains, are ruining the lives of millions of minority families, and accepting bribes from business and foreign countries.
Please explain. Incidentally, I grew up in the Midwest, so don't give me any of this "the elites don't respect us".
2
Really?
Washington D.C. investigations can take years remember the Clinton and Nixon investigations?
As far as the Democrats fueling rumors and misinformation just who is constantly tweeting and posing as an injured party almost daily?
This brings to mind Shakespeare line in a play paraphrase methinks the lady doth protest to much.
I will leave my conclusions to what the investigations conclude not ongoing conjecture.
Doesn't bother me one bit.
Everything this administration does is a template for the next Democratic president to act with impunity as the GOP has already given its ok to such behavior.
Of course, if I was the GOP I'd be careful about when the Democrats want to look back at possible crimes and/or illegal activities of the previous administration, seeing as what we're dealing with now.
3
Does the FBI and all other intelligence agencies have to advise the POTUS and lawmakers, every single step of their daily functions? Their functions and responsibilities should not, in any way, be equalized or compared to that of other agencies, like the EPA or HUD. The functions of these intelligence agencies are more sensitive, and to be considered independent. They deal with matters relating to security and safety of the people and our country, and that would include the lawmakers as well.
If the intelligence agencies have to work with 'informants', that is a valuable tool that assists the agency functions. To think otherwise, or disregard that fact as 'fake' or 'non-existent, is to say, we, the people, are been ungrateful and unsympathetic, to all what the individuals working in the intelligence agencies do, even by sacrificing their lives.
If there is a determined and verified threat to the safety and security of our people and country, the POTUS and the lawmakers would be the first to know. There are systems and channels in place, how that communication flows. Instead of allowing the system to work, we are now seeing lawmakers rushing to judgment. They are trying to politicize the very institutions, which are part of our country's democracy.
1
How is this allowed to continue? Why can nothing be done about this? How does Donald Trump continue to get whatever he wants in this life? There is no justice.
3
The fear of Trump's wrath is such that those around him won't object. No one wants to be the object of his rude tweets and absurd nicknames. So, they remain silent.
The November election can't come soon enough. Yet it remains frightening that, again, the Republicans may be victorious.
1
The purpose of the claim of "spy" rather than the fact of "informant" is to enrage the Trump Party (Republicans prepared to declare martial law and purge Democrats from all activities). The act of not inviting the Congressional Oversight Democrats to the Republican Star Chamber disclosure session by Mr. Nunes Trump-R) defines this Trump Parties active defiance of of democracy. Another Trump-R action (Mr. Nunes again) is Congress (The House) interfering with law enforcement in the Executive Branch as a proxy for President Trump, who would face impeachment for direct involvement. By the way, Trump sending his lawyer to this meeting is clear proof that Mr. Trump does want to interfere.
============================================
The actions of Mr. Nunes in this situation stand to undermine the processes of both Justice and the FBI by releasing information that should not be available to the accused unless there is an indictment during "Discovery". This interference may cause evidence to become unusable, tainted. Mr. Nunes must know this, so his actions are willful obstruction.
4
It is simply perplexing that the presence of the President's lawyer and chief of staff in a meeting between the FBI and congressional leaders is being questioned, admonished and maligned; whereas, the action of the FBI to spy in a presidential campaign is being excused and condoned.
The truth is, spying in a presidential campaign is simply not acceptable. If the roles were reversed, would the perspective in news coverage story be the same?
The answer is a resounding "no" of course and it shouldn't.
The President's representative had the right to be there and not merely making introductory remarks. Let's not forget the FBI and every intelligence agency serves the President and Congress. Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution the FBI or any other intelligence agency is mentioned.
1
Flood destroyed his credibility and demonstrated that his vaunted reputation was an illusion by trying to attend the meetings. If he had any sense he would have never signed on with the trump cabal in the first place; that he tried to attend the meetings further demonstrates his lack of sense and moral values.
4
The Constitutional crises has arrived, ladies and gentlemen. Congress has surpassed the president in stupidity and ignorance. The inmates of the insane asylum are now firmly in control. A sad day indeed for the country when Trump's bozos showed up on the Hill. Long live king Donald.
17
We're turning into Venezuela.
13
Did anyone check the room for a bug after those two guys left?
6
The FBI and several Democrats - Schiff and Warner, et all - have made it very clear that the FBI did NOT insert a "spy" into the Trump campaign. As former Director Jim Clapper has been telling everyone who tunes into CNN, the FBI does NOT call its spies "spy". The official title of an FBI "spy", according to former Director Clapper, is "Confidential Human Informant". So, Trump is lying when he says the FBI was "spying" on his campaign for political reason. The FBI was CHIing on him for political reason. There's a big difference in the two...America can have full trust and faith in the FBI. After all, any agency housed in the J. Edgar Hoover Federal Building would only have the highest and noblest of intentions - Black Mass notwithstanding. Schiff said so.
2
“We are certainly entitled to know”
Let me stop you right there, Rudy. A defendant in a trial has the right to know. The subject of an investigation has no such right.
Are you saying Trump is a defendant, and there's a trial?
31
Because of course he did.
Our democracy depends also on many institutions, traditions and principles that are not spelled out in the Constitution or covered under the rule of law. This president has made that very clear. The presence of Trump partisans and stooges at the meetings is an egregious violation of just those vital aspects of our democracy. It is also, of course, possible that their presence was simply illegal. It could very well be an instance of abuse of power and/or obstruction of justice.
17
There is only one solution--all our outrage, tweets, rants, speeches, marches--aren't making a dent. It's imperative to focus our energy, money and passion on the 2018 midterms. Until the politicians in Congress change, nothing will change.
24
Trump is clearly having obstruction become part of what is going on, but we have learned not to expect any true understanding of government from him. A deeper fault lies with the GOP and its leadership who should be yelling and screaming about such behavior but aid and abet. When they will be out of power they will revert to their standard refrain that there is so much going on by the other side that they will again try to paralyze the government. meanwhile we lose environmental safety, financial oversight, re-fight the abortion issue appoint ideologues as Federal judges and take away housing, health and food from the poor. That lies with the GOP too.
15
Can anyone believe that Congressional Republicans who are running interference for Trump won't leak classified info to Trump's team? The so-called separation of powers has become a joke in the Republican-led debasement of American politics.
25
Where is the outrage? Many, IMO, objective legal analysts have said the presence of Mr. Flood gathering information to prepare for the defense of Trump's case was completely outrageous and a crossing of boundaries.
But quite frankly with the way this has been reported, it reads like "ho hum" what is the big deal.
Why is Congressman Nunes so partial to Trump and basically Trump's spy for all facts that show Trump's misdealings? Is Nunes a blackmail candidate from his past behavior somewhere? Are there sexploitations in Nunes' past? Has anyone dug into Nunes' past?
Why are the Democrats spouting criticism in social media but not voicing clear outrage? Why didn't they take a firmer stance in preventing Flood from attending this meeting? Why are they not calling out Nunes for what he is, a spy covering up crimes that Mr., Trump has committed? In Watergate at least some of the Republicans had moral objectivity. In this case, the Republicans are spying to hide Mr. Trump's wrongdoings.
All this behavior is basically getting buried and obfuscated in the media and the majority of the American public doesn't care. They need to care!!
This is really bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13
Another chapter in the very long book of obstruction of justice. No the person under investigation does not get to sit in on meetings about the material collected by the prosecutors. They will get that material after the investigation is finished and an indictment is issued.
10
Perhaps in retrospect, will we see this as the beginning of the coup-in-slow-motion? I know some used to throw around the word "fascist" unjustifiably and maybe I am doing the same here, but "coup" no longer seems to me at least a wild overstatement.
4
Please! Why must we tolerate this tedious charade lending legitimacy to the Presidents baseless claims of politically motivated infiltration in his campaign?
Given Papadopoulos' and Stone's activities, anmd their proximity to a US presidential election, it would have been malpractice for the FBI NOT to investigate.
Any other President would be concerned about possible foreign interference in their campaign and the elcation at large.
But Trump, always projecting his own ethos and presuming corrupt intent, sess it as a set up.
19
I am flabbergasted that Emmett had the temerity to show up and be admitted. Well, I'd like to know what's going on too. So if I show up, and expect to be admitted, I will be let in, won't I?
That's what I thought. The harm Trump is doing to a legitimate investigation must be stopped.
15
Pure case of "obstruction of justice."
8
Aren't we all glad now that Paul Ryan was never elected vice president? He has the moral fiber of a soggy doughnut, and the fiscal acumen of a guy who can't count to twenty with his shoes on.
He went to the illicit meeting and not to his responsibility on the Gang of Eight meeting because he had a Republican fundraiser in Texas. At least we know that if Kim Jong Un ever did launch a missile at us, Paul Ryan would be on a luxury cruise or playing video games instead of helping to decide on the response. What a waste of government salary funds!
13
I'm afraid this commenter may be right:
" ... it is only a matter of time before Mueller and company indict more of Trump's associates. We are still in act one of this affair. Act two will open after the November elections."
I hate to admit it, but if some special counsel and his staff followed me around for years and years, they'd probably come up with some crime to charge me with -- as this commenter points out, it's "only a matter of time."
If there were something to these "collusion" allegations, one would think Mueller would have come up with some evidence by now -- having "flipped" Flynn and Papadopoulos many months ago, after all. But so far, nada. However, as this commenter points out, we're only in "act one," and "act two" won't even begin until after the mid-term election. Nor do we know how many "acts" this "play" has. Mueller's investigation could go on for years, even decades.
2
If you were "followed around for years and years" it is highly likely how there would be much to uncover. Still, it has only been a few weeks more than one (1) year since Mueller began his investigation. The many indictments and plea bargains (Evgeny Freidman's only the most recent and surely not the last) should serve to bolster the confidence of all reasonable people how Mueller is indeed on the right track.
In sum, if one were to to consider the facts as laid out by Mueller's team while ignoring the post-truth/conspiracy-laden/opinion-driven spiel of 45's team one should feel hopeful how justice is and will be done.
4
If trump is so interested in transparency, he can prove it. He can release his tax returns so that we can unravel his finances starting from the time he announced his campaign. These meetings only prove that Kelly and Flood are unprincipled spokesmen who are no better than Nunes and all other Republicans are driven by their self-interests and many democrats who are equally spineless in their ego-driven need to be re-elected. I don't even have confidence in the midterms. Oh, yes, I think good people could be elected. But not if the Russians continue to manipulate the outcome--and nothing has been done to stop it.
13
What is inappropriate about this? Everything, absolutely everything. It reeks of obstruction and interference with an ongoing investigation. It violates the fundamental rules of confidentiality.
Standing alone, this abuse alone would have been held sufficient by the prior Republican minority to demand the impeachment of President Obama - if there was ever any vague equivalent. They were willing to go all out over the president's choice of suits for God's sake.
17
"Infuriated" may be a tad too strong a reaction, since Flood made clear from the outset that he had no intention of asking for information about the FBI informant (or "spy," if you prefer Trump's term).
But I'd have been upset too by Flood's appearance. If, as he said, he just wanted to be sure that the President's concerns were kept in mind, he could have issued some statement from the White House. There was no need for him to show up at the House Committee hearing and fan the flames.
6
And where is the investigation of the major bribe, ($500 million) Trump's company took from China in exchange for Trump releasing China's ZTE telecommunications from US sanctions.
28
Aren't the two sides just quibbling over labels?
" ... a law enforcement informant ... "
Trump calls him a "spy," while the other side calls him a "confidential informant" and James Comey refers to people like him as "Confidential Human Sources" (caps are Comey's). Whatever the proper label is, there seems to be no disagreement that the FBI inserted the guy into the Trump campaign.
The two sides also disagree, of course, on WHY the FBI did this. The FBI insists it just wanted to figure out what the Russians were up to, while Trump insists the guy was there to spy on the Trump campaign.
I have no objection to the FBI taking appropriate steps to figure out whether and how Russians (government or non-government) are interfering with US elections -- even if the FBI uses a spy (or a "confidential informant," if one prefers that label) to do that. I do object, however, to the FBI spying on a Presidential campaign organization without that purpose or any other permissible purpose.
We might figure out which side of the line this guy fell on if we knew what he reported to his superiors. If he reported only on what the Russians were up to, whether or not their activities also involved the Trump campaign, that's fine with me. If, however, the guy reported also on what the Trump campaign was up to apart from its involvement (if any) with the Russians, that's not OK. It may be OK for the other side to do, but not the government.
We'll probably never know which this was.
1
MTC
We will know.
The question is if you will admit it.
Another good example of how Kelly is morally bankrupt,and no better than the people he works for. Everyone and everything in Trump's orbit is tarnished.
6
Unprecedented is a word used frequently to describe the Trump Administration and it's approach to governance. That includes crossing the boundaries of normalcy when it involves the rule of law and separation of powers. More than any other behavior by the President and his clueless minions, this should worry us all the most. If we do not pay attention and call them out, we are putting at risk our democracy and all that past generations have fought for.
7
I don't doubt that the racist general and the impeachment Flood-gate walked in on purpose, nor that it was at the command of the insecure mafioso. The use of presence as a stern threat is a strategy "covfefe" used himself, both by looming near now-President Clinton at the townhall debate and by walking in on Lyin Ted's "vote your conscience" RNC speech.
The latter was definitely NOT to congratulate Cruz for his candor and independent mindset, for sure.
2
Rule of law cannot be bent to the will of a tyrant. That is what Trump wants to be. They have no right to see what Mueller or the special investigation has at this time. It's time for DOJ, FBI, and even the supremely limp and supine GOP to stand up for the law, for our Constitution, and for Truth.
3
Even though no proof of spying was found, I give Nunes and his GOP lackeys a day or two before they start all over again. They will not give up on this narrative just because it is not supported by facts.
2
Unseemly to be at the (pre)meeting - but unconcerning except for what were they thinking people would say. Of greater interest is the meeting (collusion) organized like as not in great secrecy AFTER the session. Leaving early just gives the right patina of exclusion from information leakage.
I guess the President will have to just require the production of the documents under subpoena. He just needs to declassify the attempts by the Agencies to produce the documents. Even Nixon under a subpoena duces tecum was required to produce documentary material. What are they hiding.? The reluctance to produce documents is frightening. The Media response to the refusal to produce the documents is not really understandable. Who runs the country? The elected or the entrenched bureaucracy?
1
The Special Counsel should recommend disbarment proceedings against Emmet Flood.
5
"[Emmet Flood's] improper appearances yesterday on Capitol Hill should be the subject, at least, of a formal ethics complaint before the appropriate bar disciplinary committee."
This probably overstates the case, but I agree that Flood should have stayed away from Capitol Hill. If he wanted to insist that the House Intelligence Committee keep in mind the President's concerns, he could have and should have just issued some statement. No need for him to show up at the hearing. He did make clear that he had no intention to listen in when the hearing actually began, but he should have stayed away entirely.
3
" No evidence is spying"? just gathering infromation.. exactly what is the difference?
4
It is called "investigating", not "spying". Words matter.
8
Spying on the campaign would suggest someone who has planted themselves in the campaign pretending to be a supporter when they are not and essentially stealing secret or private information. Gathering information is approaching someone in the campaign and asking them to clarify or explain certain things. The person being questioned has control and knowledge of the information they provide.
8
The wording was: "planting a spy in his campaign" which is leaving a very misleading impression completely different from gathering information (which legitimately can be called "spying" only if it includes other measures than simply asking someone questions and collecting public records)
1
Nothing quite like having the subject of an inquiry spy in on it.
9
Rod--And being enabled, by the Republican Congress, to try to shut it down. (BTW, Rosenstein and Wray are not afraid of tRump. The whole thing will continue to roll merrily along, with or with out them.) I think we need a million person demonstration, in DC, on this issue alone. Any takers?
5
If Trump is truly desirous "for as much openness as possible under the law”, he can begin by releasing his tax returns. He can then move on to direct the members of his Administration to come out into the light regarding their nefarious activities.
61
Not to worry, Mueller has his returns.
6
But Trump will not do any of those suggestions, because he wants to control the narrative and control this investigation!
Rule of law is being undermined daily by the GOP and they know it, nor are they doing anything to stop it!
3
By what right does Trump’s attorney even HAVE to be within the walls of the congressional building? Why does he get clearance to anything other than visitation to Trump at WH?
48
I am not a lawyer but even I can see that this was wrong and an abuse of power. The fact that the White House demanded this meeting and that ONLY Republicans were initially invited just reeks of partisanship and corruption.
Every law-abiding American should be shocked by this and we need Democrats and independents to take control back of the House and Senta to ensure proper checks on executive power because the current Republicans are not doing anything!
21
In this meeting on so called FBI informant, Trump's lawyer and chief of staff John Kelly"s presence was unacceptable and undesirable. John Kelly has no integrity and sense of prestige. He is working as a Trump's bully. Paul Ryan is useless and impotent man without backbone. Nunes , Trump's pet barking dog is obnoxious and acting like a con man. At least two Republican McConnell and Burr were honorable for speaking the truth. Mr.Wrey and Rosenstein are busy to protect their job. It was a big circus.
5
There is nothing honorable about Mitch McConnell.
He is a member of the den of thieves who has been betraying the American people consistently to enrich himself at every opportunity.
He is just another Con man, cut from the same cloth as Donald Trump.
And the only thing that those two have in common is their utter lack if moral compass and integrity.
3
The "Republican Party" will be remembered for their oversight of the end of the American Republic.
9
Trump again tries to obstruct justice.
8
Trump and his ilks have being creating one bogu claim after another without any supportive evident to back up their insertions. Media and the public as large should get it by now.
They’re doing this to gather source and methods for their defense attorneys on an going criminals investigation to defense their guilts. Otherwise, Trump’s lawyer wouldn’t be here.
They are doing this to distract and misled the public about the integrity of the investigation to defense their guilts.
Trump and ilks are so guilty that they have to bent the law that never occurs in the U.S history whether for politicians or regular citizens.
They know the moths of July to September will be nightmare for them.
For once Mitch McConnell is acting in the public interest. Kudos to making sure protocol is followed by presenting to the bipartisan Gang of 8.
Attorney Flood, in one unethical and reckless gesture, just managed to shred a sterling professional reputation built, as reported, over years and years of prudent and principled legal representation. Why, and for whom, would a senior partner from a prestigious law firm choose, like many others before him, to be sucked into the unscrupulous vortex of an amoral, corrupt, and narcissistic heathen, masquerading as a President?
Now, like the disgraced John Dowd before him, he has made his own Faustian bargain and will justifiably suffer the dire, long lasting consequences of such an incomprehensible decision. His improper appearances yesterday on Capitol Hill should be the subject, at least, of a formal ethics complaint before the appropriate bar disciplinary committee.
21
If you want to tie the hands of the FBI from doing their job, this is the perfect example of it.
When any law agency gets a tip that a law may have been broken they are obligated to look into it.
It is no way political to protect the United States from outside influences that are attempting to subvert our election processes and any attempt to stop that is an attack against our nation.
Trump can try to spin the truth anyway he can but in the end the truth will win.
175
The great concern that "We the People" have is where and when will the "end" occur such that the Truth will Win? The Russian and North Korean people are still waiting for the Truth to Win and they have been waiting a long time. Hopefully "We the People" of these United States will not have to go through what they are going through while waiting for the Truth to finally Win. The damage is being done daily to "our way of life" due to this Administration's daily destruction of what we stand for. Unless those in power stand up to challenge DJT the future of the Truth if not looking very good.
17
I think this meeting may represent a tipping point in some ways. Nunes, Kelly and Flood may have interfered with a Federal investigation. I defer to Mueller as to the actual charges.
19
Much as they try to cover up, we all know there is more out there. As the evidence of a conspiracy between the Russians and now other government to aide the President's election continues to mount, more extreme measures are required by the White House. But they are having to fight on many fronts and it is only a matter of time before Mueller and company indict more of Trump's associates. We are still in act one of this affair. Act two will open after the November elections. The Republicans will surely hemmorage seats and if they lose the House then things get really dicey for Trump and his defenders.
"Gives the appearance of abusing its authority...?" C'mon! Since when does the prosecution share incriminating evidence with a defendant? Even on the scale of Trumpian high crimes and misdemeanors, this is unprecedented and reeks of corruption at the executive branch.
45
Perhaps others at this mysterious meeting could have been excused for not checking those attempting to get a seat without an invitation, but surely John Kelly and Emmet Flood knew they were not permitted. Or maybe Mr. Flood should expect to bring his Bar credentials with his should he wantto appear in Court.
Presentation of evidence against the accused is a matter of strict assurances and restrictions. Perhaps I don't have the correct construction of terminology, but I don't believe I play fast and loose with the limitations on the prosecution and the defense.
Certainly not in the way some novices to the process of the law behave as if they can direct the way things are written to their own advantages.
At least there are reporters keeping close watch with or without appointed referees.
3
We sink lower and lower. Better wake up people. You have no representatives among the republicans. They care nothing about you.
3
There are No rules anymore. The President's lawyer sits in on political classified information briefing. Yes, this does happen frequently, but only in banana republics where the President wields unlimited power over all aspects of Government. And there are no divisions of power, no checks and balances. During past investigations, there were no briefings of classified information until the investigation was concluded. So why now? Only to try to discredit Mueller's probe, a probe Not into Donald Trump necessarily, but into Russian interference in elections. But Trump takes everything and everybody as 'the enemy' that he must vanquish by threats, accusations, lies, blame and his whole repertoire of real-estate shyster tricks.
2
The country has been hijacked by a dimwitted con man and his Congressional enablers, which includes those who are silent and those who are sycophants.
This will prove to be one of the darkest periods in American history.
22
It's already proven.
3
Does Mayor Giuliani remember when he was a practicing attorney or a prosecutor? it appears that he doesn't.
#Thetruthshallsetyoufree
Al Capone's lawyer gets briefed on a pending FBI investigation of Capone's criminal empire because Capone has a buddy, probably on the take, in Congress.
What's the big deal?
Even the mind of Mickey Spillane could not have made up this stuff!
How long do you give the informant once the lawyer spills the beans to Capone and Capone makes a call to Stalin?
Our President and Congressional Republicans standing up for the Justice Department and FBI in their search for the truth about corruption at the highest levels of our government?
Fugetaboutit.
6
Let’s be honest. Just pretend Obama were still president and all this was playing out with Democrats plowing through customary decorum. We all know what allegations would be hurled. For good reasons decent folks teach their kids to despise double standards and hypocrisy as attacks on justice. Most kids have higher ethical standards than these pathetic men who claim to uphold and represent the rule of law. Enough is enough.
18
-Sounds to me exactly like a mobster sending his muscle around to intimidate people. Trump, in my mind, is a lifelong criminal. The presidency was his biggest heist yet, and is being used to commit further crimes.
When will this country wake up?
26
On election day, I pray.
And the new lawyer was said to be different than the fired hacks who proceeded him. When are the republican congressional traitors going on trial?
3
I am astounded by the deliberate neglect of this news my the main stream, dishonest, anti-Trump media. What happened is a direct threat to our Democracy and absolute violation my the ruling party (Obama's Government). These things happens only in communist countries. Did Obama has an informant on the Hillary campaign? Why not? We need a special council and get to the bottom of all these abuses by the Obama Government and all the spy agencies and their anti-Trump Directors. What is our lame duck AG Sessions doing? If Sessions is incapable of his job, he should resign and go.
2
It is bad enough that Devin Nunes is running back and forth to the White House as Trump`s lapdog, to give the latest scrap of information in the G.O.P.`s never ending abuse of power. Now they have the unmitigated gall to send Kelly and Flood to this meeting (after failing to try and keep the Democrats out of the meeting altogether) to try and either gleam or uncover what Mueller has uncovered. Talk about the fox guarding the hen house!Forget about honor or respect for the law. These clowns will go to any lengths to protect Trump from justice.The U.S. risks becoming just another Third World banana republic if this is the new reality. SHAME!
320
And apparently the fine citizens of Tulare and Fresno, Nunes District, cannot even get Nunes to hold a Town Hall meeting to discuss their important San Joaquin Valley needs.
Nunes is once again too busy, as Trump's personal lap dog, making up wild conspiracy theories and disparaging our FBI in a treacherous attempt to undermine the Mueller investigation.
Strike 2, Devin.
58
Read the article. They were NOT present except for some prelinay remarks. They did NOT participate in the meeting.
But the point that you are missing, is that they never should have been there at all - nothing, nada, zip. No presence at any part of it.
"But the presence of John F. Kelly, the chief of staff, and Emmet T. Flood, the president’s lawyer, infuriated Democrats, and legal experts said their visit, at the least, could give off the appearance that the White House abused its authority..." If the Democrats were worried about appearance, they would have never run Hillary Clinton for president. When will they realize this is why the lost the election? It wasn't the Russians, it was Clinton that lost you the election.
1
how does one situation have anything to do with the other - you break the law you go to jail - your lawyer has no right to any evidence until discovery -
2
The Russia investigation has noting to do with Hillary Clinton. It has to do with a campaign illegally working with Russia to hack and disseminate dirt on an opponent, to stock anger through manipulative and cloaked social media. And, lest we forget, the investigation will of course conclude with the obstruction of justice by a sitting Bozo who would do anything to save his own optics above all else.
2
The illegal presence of Trump's personal attorney and Chief of Staff have absolutely nothing to do with Hillary Clinton running for President. Instead of redirecting attention to Clinton, try staying focused on the crimes purposely committed by Trump for ordering his two representatives to crash the meeting. His behavior is absolutely despicable and he does not deserve to breathe the air in the White House.
1
Ah, the Democrats are infuriated over a potential conflict of interest? Meanwhile the investigative team is top-heavy with Hillary's campaign contributors, but that's not a conflict? Their indignation looks a lot like a cover up. Proceed.
2
Historically, a person's political affiliation did not, and is NOT supposed, influence the structure of an investigative team.
Despite what Rush and Hannity claim.
1
Your theory/ accusation that this is a Democratic led coverup of obvious conflict of interests would fly.....Except that most of the Mueller team, Mueller and the informant are registered republicans. And by the way, the top FBI officials were appointed by Trump. If there were true improprieties, wouldn't Trump's men root it out?
2
Mueller and Rosenstein are Republican appointees.
1
Seems like Trump et al are acting like Al Capone ...relishing in criminal behavior and tempting the legal fates. In the end it did not go well for Mr. Capone.
1
Devin Nunes and Trey Gowdy are engaging in obstruction of justice and should be shown they are not above the law. As to their coterie of Tea Party anarchists who are trying to wreck this investigation, they need to be questioned to find out who leaked the informant's name to the press.
And whoever that was needs to be indicted and prosecuted. The purpose of serving in the Congress is to engage in government, not to destroy the government. If the town of Fresno can't figure out that their representative is anti-American, perhaps we need to send him to jail to show them what we mean.
7
The appearance of Emmett Flood and John Kelly at a Congressional hearing into President Trump’s possible criminal liabilities is beyond imagining. What I want—as a citizen—to know is if they showed up on their own or if they were ordered to by the president. Neither is excusable, understandable or legally ethical.
What Donald Trump is attempting now is nothing less than a bloodless coup d’etat. He is well on his way to permanently undermining his investigative agencies and hand-cuffing his intelligence agencies—the first bold steps that an autocrat takes down that narrow, treacherous road to one-man rule.
With this latest stunt, it’s clear—to me, at any rate—that he’s now set his rapacious sights on the legislative branch. He’s sewn up the Republican establishment—lock, (bumper) stock and barrel. Right, Mitch McConnell? Right, Paul Ryan? Right, Devin Nunes? Give the president’s lawyer and chief of staff an over-the-shoulder look at The amassed evidence so the president can fire Rod Rosenstein? He’s almost there, people.
If we don’t stop him in November, who will? The milquetoast John Roberts Court, the one that’s anti-labor, anti-immigrant, anti-woman, anti-working parent, anti-minority? The Court that’s given us “money is speech?”
We’re the ones being played. And the Trump administration is laughing at us.
173
So spot on. Our society has become subverted, we are ready to be conquered.
9
Sox - every word you write is true, but I'm mad as he(( and am not going down without a fight. It occurred to me yesterday why republicans have fallen in behind trump so enthusiastically. They've been pushing toward this moment all along.
Newt hit the gas in the nineties, with the onset of fox and hate radio. When trump, aided by dark money and Putin stole the presidency, they didn't quite know what to think at first.
Now, that he's ripped the façade off of any semblance of civility, pretense of ethics or respect for the law and paid zero price for it - they're thrilled to no longer even pretend to care about governance or the constitution - they want to rule - permanently. If the country gets trashed in the process too bad - there's money and power to be had. That's all that matters to them, and trump's leading the way.
7
@Deb, Blue Ridge Mountains: Here’s what I think, if you’ll bear with me.
In Crime And Punishment, there’s a flashback to Rodion Raslnikov’s past. He is with his father and they leave a tavern. There’s a horse outside tethered to a hitching post. A drunken man comes outside and whips the horse mercilessly, egged on by a crowd that includes women. It’s cruelty beyond measure. The horse looks at the man with mild, pleading eyes. “The eyes; the eyes; get the eyes” screams the drunken mob. This is the most difficult scene in literature for me. A critic once likened it to Christ’s torture and crucifixion. The man continues to beat the horse to death. The young Raskolnikov begins to cry and begs his father to interfere and stop the bully. The boy’s father tells him “there’s nothing I can do.” The crowd cheers the poor horse’s death. What am I telling you here? I’m telling you that when an atrocity is not checked—violently if necessary—the outrage will continue and grow into something much worse. The Republicans are like the father—afraid of getting involved—only it’s much worse—they’re all-in with killing the horse. They’re cheering on the Trump administration’s assaults upon our country. They just don’t...care. And never forget that 63-millions were absolutely thrilled to pull the lever for him. And 85% of the GOP approves of his job “performance.” He’s at 40% in the polls. Do you get the picture?
Nunes has an insuperable conflict of interest in this sordid affair. He continues to masquerade as a member of the Legislative branch investigating the Executive branch, while in all practical ways being a de facto member of the Administration. I believe that this is a clear violation of his oath of office. To make matters worse, his actions continually rise to the level of obstruction of justice.
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Completely agree. He should be removed as House Chair and there should be an investigation into his actions but Paul Ryan is a coward and a hypocrite and aiding Nunes in his corruptive actions. We need a strong Democrat opponent to run against Nunes so at least Nunes will be out of the House by November!
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Not happening. Nunes seat is safe, all the people in his district care about is water policy. It's a typical Republican district, he's not going anywhere.
Expulsion, losing his seat on the committee would be a nice start. Watching Ryan and the rest of the GOP's behavior makes one think that there is a lot dirty money or kompromat to go around...
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"Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, had said no White House staff members would attend."
Given that she doesn't like being called a liar why would she say this? Sometimes I think the people around Trump either don't trust each other enough to tell the truth or are too competitive to work together, and that keeps them from accomplishing anything. Sometimes I think Sanders is just flat out lying because she drank the KoolAid and believes there is a greater good being served.
Either way once again she looks like a fool. If she is purposely being kept in the dark and had any respect for the institution she serves or herself she could quit. On the other hand if she isn't being kept in the dark and is just flat out lying then she needs to be called out on it.
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Many Trump voters wanted him to "blow up Washington." What they got is a raging, paranoid, authoritarian, entirely self-interested megalomaniac who is blowing up the foundations and norms of our constitutional republic. Trump voters seem to be fine with that. I consider that the inverse of patriotism. We may be witnessing the end of our country as a liberal democracy. Our Founders are weeping, and so am I.
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EVERY American citizen has the same rights and the powerful are possessed of the same. Of course, the powerful abuse them just as the weak and poor too seldom get to fully exercise theirs.
If this meeting was legal, then so be it.
The so-called president is so well known for abusing his power and position that I have my doubts. Some loopholes need closing. Maybe that'll start in January, 2019.
I wonder how many millions of us are desperately hoping that Mueller will put an end to our national disaster.
Wonder why they even bothered making the trip. I'm sure Nunes ran right over the White House after the meeting to tell Trump everything.
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Again, the president wants to make American jurisprudence all about him. Because the president is crying wolf, his pit bull Devin Nunes comes running to accuse the informant of being a spy because the president said he was. The FBI has always used informants to glean information and the president and Nunes both know that. They don’t mind jeopardizing the safety of this informant, his family or his sources. Didn’t Russian agents try to kill a Russian informant and his daughter on British soil recently? That could happen again, and then the president and Nunes would have the blood of innocent people on their hands. Then again, neither one would care about that.
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It seems that Mr. Trump is traveling in the direction of a dictatorship with him bound to become 'king' Trump. He is attacking the very structure of America. He and his apparent supporters (gym) in Congress are bit by bit trying to throw the rule of law to the dust bin. His is an obvious attempt to end the inquiry into his rigged election (by the Russians believe it or not)! I would like to see members of the Republican party find voice for their old traditions and find Republican Statesmen who would never let mob rule and intimidation by the 'President' pass for American governance.
When does politicization of an investigation become, illegal? When do politicians such as Mr. Nunez lose their rights as members of Congress, to thwart and/or intrude into a legal investigation?
If Congressman Nunez and others of his ilk believe this investigation is illegal, they should use the courts to stop it. They should layout in the courts, why this is an illegal investigation. If they cannot do that, the public needs to eviscerate both them and their party leaders who allow such political depravity.
The W.H.'s insertion into this process, even at the level which occurred on Thursday appears to be another attempt at conspiracy to obstruct justice. It is perverting our very notion of the rule of law.
Bad optics is an understatement. Flood's presence at the meeting was intended to send a message to Republican lawmakers: Trump is watching you. The gesture was intended as a threat. This is typical mafia style behavior. Like having thugs show up at you kid's soccer game. They're clearly there just to watch the game. No other reason.
The shameless part is hiding behind transparency. Nunes' information requests have always been a transparent attempt to undermine the FBI and provide trump with legal and media ammunition. The administration is obviously being completely transparent about their efforts now. How Kelly can make excuses, I'm not sure. I suspect he was ordered.
What is Nunez so afraid of? Or better yet, what is he “getting in return” for his his unabated zeal in defending Trump? Before we knew that Cambridge Analytica had also “helped the campaigns of ‘several’ other Republicans”, we knew that the Russians had hacked the DNC and the RNC, releasing information thru “Wiki Leaks” on the DNC only. You gotta ask why?
We also know the Republicans, immediately before the election, changed their party platform to better serve Russia and Putin.
We know that Russia interfered in our 2016 elections in order to sway the vote to Trump.
We know that it’s highly likely Russia has dirt or financial leverage on Trump.
Since then, Republicans, who control all three branches of government, have been leaving Congress in droves.
You gotta ask: What do they know?
With McConnell, Ryan and other Republicans silent, no matter how unethical, how immoral, or how illegal Trump acts, you gotta wonder, what exactly does Russia have on them?
Did they know, or approve of the Russian interference?
The only thing we know for sure is that if Republican conservatives can’t win democratically, they will abandon democracy for power.
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Can someone — anyone? — explain why there were two meetings, one restricted to Trump’s team and GOP “leaders”? Drain the swamp, indeed. What a farce.
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Ryan, Nunes and Gowdy, what an impressive trio, it will be interesting to monitor the flow of capital into these mens' bank accounts over the next 10 years.
It was also wholly inappropriate for Devin Nunes to be in that meeting. He’s happily served as a Trump lackey for the last year and a half. He has repeatedly demonstrated his unfitness for his position on the intelligence committee. I’m sure he’s already told Trump’s lawyers everything he heard so they can take things out of context and selectively leak anything that might give them an edge.
All of this can be summed up quite easily: CAMPAIGN MONEY. While Nunes has been acting like a political hack for Putin, he's raked in $1.25 million in just the last six weeks. The GOP are making hay from this Nunes witchcraft. It wouldn't matter if God himself appeared on the clouds in glory and handed documents to Nunes, they would still not be enough! This isn't about discovering any truth, it's about the money.
What is happening to our country? Can you imagine how heads would have exploded if Mr Flood had shown up at a DoJ briefing during the Clinton investigation? Republicans would have drafted articles of impeachment immediately. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does.
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Nunes and trump should be charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice. These traitors to our country and its Constitution must pay for their actions. This is not a monarchy Donald.
It appears that many of the people who voted for Mr. Trump are rethinking their fervor for the person now trying to have his way in the Oval Office. Mr. Trump is his own worst enemy, working hard to convince his base that he really is a crook. In this regard, he is most persuasive. He now appears to have no knowledge of his job, no dignity in his actions, no regard for the rule of law, and no empathy for other human beings. Whether Trump ultimately spends the rest of his life hiding in shame or trading his empire for a jail cell (as he and his congressional goons will be proven to richly deserve), America must be ready to rebuild those American institutions he has tried to ruin and destroy. This will be his final legacy.
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Welcome to episode 100,877 of "What if Obama Had Done This?"
Oh, that's right, their wasn't cause in the Obama Administration to deploy an abuse of power such as this.
I will never give quarter to any Republican that wants to run down President Obama. By they're own inactions in objecting to this type of abuse, they've you've shown their isn't any standard of rhetoric or behavior that a President should be held to, therefore, any Republican criticisms of Obama carry no weight.
Oh, and by the way and for the millionth time, if Obama had pulled this, they're heads would explode.
Republicans have relinquished any standing to criticize the behavior of any President not of their party.
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When it all shakes down, Devin Nunes should be charged with obstruction of justice.
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He is a traitor! Donate to his opponent.
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Nunes is obstructing justice. Vote him out asap.
Lots of laws broken. Cypress investigation will bring down many.
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The lack of outrage by Republican leaders is deafening. The lack of statements by Republicans to the press after these meetings is deafening. The bald faced repudiation of norms and processes are deafening. Soon we will all be deaf to this circus. And this might be the goal ....to wear us all out to the point that we are deaf, numb (and dumb) and blind. Shame on them....and shame on us if we let this happen.
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I will continue to resist until forever. And most of my friends feel exactly this way, despite the constant efforts to erode our democratic norms.
We must all RESIST AND VOTE.
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Not only no outrage, they played along with the obvious lie about "spies" in order to facilitate this. They are active coconspirators, not silent bystanders. They tried to not even allow Democrats to see the very same classified information about the criminal case against trump at all so they would be able to then lie about what they saw with no one to contradict them.
The fact that nunes did not leak anything from the meeting, and that McConnell came out looking like he had seen a ghost saying he supported the Mueller investigations is what screams guilty louder than anything.
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We must, every day, keep the focus on Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan. With every breath they fail us and the oath they swore to the United States of America. When we turn the page on this shameful present, we will have a lot of shoring up to do. We can no longer rely on norms. We have to codify everything because there are apparently fewer people of honor in existence in Washington D.C. than we once thought.
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How can you begin this important story slanting it to be about “infuriated Democrats”? For God’s sake the issue is the utter inappropriateness of the presence of the subject of investigation’s lawyer! Not politics! Really, NYTimes, I wonder about some of your own politics!
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I don't think the problem is the Times' politics. This points to a broader issue in the media generally, that they simply don't know how to deal with the scale of corruption, lying and the shattering of norms. They keep trying to put some kind of normalizing context to these events.
I think Chomsky had a point when he talked about "manufacturing consent" as a basis for understanding the media in broad terms. They really need to do some systemic critique if they ever able to truly grapple with what is happening with this administration.
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Trump the Drama Queen is fighting for his life. He will break every piece of governmental china in the DC shop if he thinks it will save him from exposure as the inept, shallow and militantly ignorant buffoon that he is.
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Sigh ... hardball with curve balls.
Jes' a coupla mafiosos, hangin' roun' the courthouse steps... Nothing like a little unbridled intimidation to ice a hearing. This kind of strong-arm pageantry has no place in a democracy. Shoo, ya vultures. Shoo.
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Is this the United States of America?
It sounds like some banana republic with another power mad dictator.
Where are the Decent Republicans? Where are the spines?
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Andrew Janz needs to beat Nunes in the election
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If it quacks and walks like a duck its a coup d'etat.
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Veiled threat! I am sure the attorney didn't need to show up, Nunes will tell all & probably leak it at the same time. Giuliani said they needed all the information for their legal case. You don't need anything until a charge is made & discovery is required. But it doesn't matter with Nunes in the room. He will tell Trump what he wants to hear, not exactly what was said (or truth). It could have been worse, the attorney could have stayed in the classified meeting with no security clearance (unless Trump has granted him top level security for just this purpose). Trump & transparency is like saying muddy water is clean.
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What do you mean "It infuriated the Democrats?" It should infuriate everyone. How is it that the Republicans have now joined in with Trump to, very simply, destroy the rule of law in this country? For what? When do the start putting the rest of us in jail? And surely the so-called "Christians" will be all in with it, just like they were in Germany.
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To put this under an ethical lens, Congress, as a deliberative body, is charged with oversight. Not just Devin Nunes, not just the GOP; the entire committee. Oversight is deemed to be in the National interest.
Emmet T. Flood, on the other hand, has not sworn an oath to the constitution and is in a fiduciary relationship with the president, His only responsibility is the Presidents interest, not the best interest of the country.
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Trump's attempts to "influence" (I would say obstruct) the various investigations goes back at least as far as the firing of Comey. That's not news, neither is the pressure he has put on DOJ and FBI officials.
But whether Kelly and Flood came at the beginning to push the DOJ and FBI officials matters less than the presence of Nunes, who, we can rest assured, will go right back to the White House to snitch on everything he heard and probably leak the material in the most slanted way to the public.
From the very beginning Trump and his chief surrogate, Nunes, have tried to derail this investigation. That Nunes still holds his position by the grace of Paul Ryan indicates that neither justice nor national security are upheld at the heart of our government.
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We seem to be hearing crickets from the Republican members who attended these sessions. It's time to admit their errors in pushing this misrepresentation of the investigation process and to speak out if the President continues his disinformation campaign. I don't expect him to use "SPYGATE" again as he changes tactics.
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation exists solely to investigate certain types of suspicious activity. And if a campaign member, who has knowledge of or is involved in activity under FBI’s jurisdiction, chooses to divulge sensitive information to one of FBI’s sources, that source has done his or her job.
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If an ordinary citizen were to falsely report to law enforcement authorities that he or she had been the victim of a crime, that person would likely be charged and, upon conviction, would likely be sentenced to jail and be required to pay the costs incurred by law enforcement authorities to investigate the false report. The dishonorable liar occupying the White House has made a series of such false reports and has demanded investigation or other action by our law enforcement agencies. It is outrageous that so much time , expense and attention has been required to dispose of such blatantly false allegations. Why has he not been called to account for his false reports? How are such false reports in any way consistent with the President’s duty to see that he laws be faithfully executed?
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When are people who are in charge going to stand up to this guy? Who is going to save democracy? Wringing hands and noting how unusual this is just gives him the permission to do it.
Where are the good guys and why aren't they teaming up? There is power in numbers and I don't want those numbers to be citizens uprising. I, for one, do not wish to live in an authoritarian state nor a theocracy.
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Why aren't we in the streets?
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I've been an attorney for over 30 years - practicing in both criminal and governmental arenas.
Here's the only way I know to describe this entire affair: alternate reality.
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As a lawyer for 50 years, I say take a deep breath and scale back the hyperventilation -- the appearance of Kelly and the lawyer BEFORE the briefing began may be "inappropriate" by the NYT's standards, but they are not illegal or unethical in any manner whatever.
Trump and Nunes are doing their best to discredit the FBI. The consequences of this will last far longer then either of these two men.
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Anything that falls short of driving this man from office will be a failure-- a failure to save the country from a future of corrupt, foreign enemy-selected, self-dealing trumpian demagogues.
Not since the Civil War has so much responsibility and hope rested on one American's (Robert Mueller's) shoulders.
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"...the biggest political scandal in history." True. But it refers to the entire administration of Trump and cronies, not the investigation into same. Too bad he won't be alive to read what history has to say about him.
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Democratic protests ensure future appearances of Trump proxies at Congressional hearings of all kinds. This is, afterall, the kindergarten presidency--see what you can get away with. If it produces the desired reaction, you're on to something. Trump and his lieutenants will continue to blow up norms because they aren't going to get expelled. I'm really thinking the Democrats need to be savvy and instead of the usual outrage, issue pithy, non-emotional responses to what has become the new normal. How about simply nothing that "We used to have a separation of powers and Congressional oversight"? Enough said.
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We've moved from the "Audacity of Hope" to the "Audacity of Abuse." Everyday Donald Trump chips away at our democratic institutions, especially the "rule of law." It is absolutely an "abuse of power" to "demand" access to highly-classified documents into an ongoing FBI investigation. And when you are the subject of that investigation, it rises to "criminal intent" not "transparency." To have your personal attorney present along with your Chief of Staff is an additional outrage of autocratic abuse. And then to show the information to your Congressional co-conspirators is a further abuse of power and a violation of the Constitution. But, as blatant and destructive this abuse is, the most devastating abuse is the outing of a long-time Republican informant that in itself may deal a crippling blow to the FBI and the CIA. We are clearly in the early stages of a Constitutional crisis, and sadly it is losing to the abuse of autocratic power by the President and all his men.
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So where are the apologies and admission of mistaken accusations, from Trump, Devin Nunes and the Gang of Eight? Why aren't the headlines screaming today about the utter failure of the conspiracy fairy tale that they are all trying to spin?
All we have heard in the run-up to this fiasco is Trump making the same kinds of provocative claims when he insisted that Barack Obama was not a natural born citizen. Where is the expression of outrage (not just thoughtfully worded observations) by those of us who resent the unconstitutional behavior of self-serving political hacks who probably know the worst is yet to come?
It seems to me that most thinking people recognized that Trump was throwing red meat to his base with Spygate accusations. I'm sure they will cling to it as tenaciously as they held on to Benghazi and those horrible emails.
Why aren't they having their feet held to the fire by the press today to admit there was no wrongdoing to be found at the Justice Department? Why aren't they being criticized for wasting so much time and smearing Federal agencies?
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What is the phrase conservatives like to use when anyone complains about the use of informants or a possible abuse of privacy? "If you didn't do anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about." Well these people seem very very worried about something. I wonder what it could be? The informant is as much a "spy" as this investigation is a "witch hunt."
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Clear as day, under the guise of maintaining "fair play" within the ongoing investigation, the administration trotted their guys into the room for an entirely other reason: intimidation.
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One cannot overstate the significance of the midterm elections.
if the Dems do not retake the House, they'll have no committee chairs; no gavels; no power to subpoena.
A Dem victory is vital to the continuation of the U.S. as a democracy in which no one is above the law.
The stakes are enormous.
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Yes they are.
We will either survive as a democratic republic or we won't - there's no gray area here. And you can bet there will be every dirty trick in the book along with some new ones and truckloads of dark money dedicated to pulling off the coup they've stealthily been driving toward for decades. If you think it's ugly now, I fear it's going to get a whole lot uglier.
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Optics are disquieting - understatement of the year award nominee.
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Dear Mr. Nunes,
If Russian efforts had not included contact with persons associated with the Trump campaign, FBI associated persons would not have ended up talking with Trump campaign associates. So, where do you think you are going with this quest for information? And what problem do you have with the FBI having tried to find out what was going on? Haven't you already criticized the prior Administration for not doing enough to prevent Russian interference? In sum, what blindness makes you think your actions appear anything but politically motivated?
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The corruption just keeps getting worse. It's terrifying.
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It's my understanding that the Mueller investigation is supposed to be a classified investigation in which all the information gained is to be under the control of Mueller and the Justice Department. The fact that Trump demanded to see some of this info was out of line, but to have his attorney and Chief of Staff present at these meeting was an abuse of power and overstepped Presidential authority.
What's happening to the Separation of Powers that the Constitution demands? Isn't there anyone in this government that has the courage to stand up to Trump? He's president not emperor and limits need to be put on him starting now!
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