Missouri U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen has provided additional information to the Flynn defense team highlighting a January 25th meeting between officials in the DOJ-NSD and FBI the day after Michael Flynn (code-named Razor) was interviewed in the White House.
The DOJ officials attending the meeting included: Mary McCord (NSD head), George Toscas (NSD principal deputy), Stu Evans, Tashina Guahar, and “Matt A” (possibly Matthew Axelrod (lawyer for the Deputy Attorney General). Additionally, from the FBI there was: James Baker (chief legal counsel), Bill Priestap (CoIntel head) and a redacted name. It is clear from the meeting notes the group was trying to find something to target Michael Flynn and brainstorming on what approach to take.
As noted they discussed the “Logan Act” yet found there was no reasonable way to use it and Flynn’s contact with Russian Ambassador Kislyak, during the transition, was normal.
FBI Legal Counsel James Baker asked how could you prosecute Flynn for a 1001 violation (lying to FBI officials) when you couldn’t prosecute any underlying crime because the contact with Kislyak was normal.
The “truth of something being falsely stated to the public” surrounds the January 15, 2017, CBS interview with Vice-President Mike Pence who conflated a question about contact with Russians during the election; with Flynn’s contact with Kislyak in the transition period.
John Dickerson: Just to button up one question, did any advisor or anybody in the Trump campaign have any contact with the Russians who were trying to meddle in the election?
MIKE PENCE: Of course not. And I think to suggest that is to give credence to some of these bizarre rumors that have swirled around the candidacy. (link)
The DOJ/FBI team was going to hang their hat on this conflation as a conflict between Pence and Flynn. That’s the beginning of the Russian “blackmail” narrative.
The redactions following Stu Evans and Tashina Guahar are likely only purposeful in hiding more corrupt institutional evidence. It’s doubtful those are sources and methods.
The last lines of the January 25th notes are very telling:
“assessment of whether [Flynn] is in a covert relationship with Russia ⇒ No, probably not based on facts to date and interview.”
They knew all along they were investigating a nothingburger. That’s why they took no action from January until the special counsel came along in May and took the FARA approach in June as pressure to get Flynn to plea to a lie he never made. It was all a set up.
Here’s the filing:
[scribd id=479125616 key=key-b2s5WQaoTKo0oy365v64 mode=scroll]
.
And with that in mind, it’s worth taking all the current information and reviewing the fully cited (soup-to-nuts) background of how the Pence -vs- Flynn ‘lying’ narrative was created.
♦In mid-December 2016 the Obama administration was deploying a full-court-press using their media allies to promote the Russia conspiracy. However, despite their extreme public proclamations DNI Clapper & CIA Brennan were refusing to give any specifics to congress.
The hard narrative was that Russia interfered. That was the specific push from within the Obama intelligence apparatus writ large. All IC officials, sans Mike Rogers (NSA), had a self-interest in pushing this narrative; after all, it was the defensive mechanism to justify their illegal spying operation and block Trump. This was their insurance policy.
The media was doing their part; and using the information leaked to them by those who were part of the 2016 operation(s) began battering the Trump transition team every hour of every day with questions about the Russia hacking narrative; thereby fertilizing the seeds of a collusion conspiracy. The Trump-Russia narrative was relentless.
On December 29, 2016, the IC produced, and rushed to completion, a ridiculous document to support their false-premise. This was called the Joint Analysis Report which claimed to outline the details of Russia’s involvement hacking into targeted political data base or computer systems during the election. Within the JAR we were introduced to “Grizzley Steepe” and a goofy claim of Russian hackers.
On the same day (12/29/16) President Obama announced a series of sanctions against Russians who were located in Maryland. This was Obama’s carefully constructed response to provide additional validity to the Joint Analysis Report. After fueling the Russia conspiracy for several weeks the Obama administration knew this action would initiate a response from both Russia and the incoming Trump administration.
On the day the JAR was released and Obama made the announcement, President-elect Donald Trump and some of his key members were in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. Incoming National Security Adviser Mike Flynn was on vacation in the Dominican Republic. As expected the Obama action spurred calls between Russian emissary Kislyak and Flynn.
The Obama IC were monitoring Kislyak communications and waiting for the contact. Additionally, it was suspected Flynn was under a surveillance warrant which seemed confirmed by the Weissmann/Mueller report. Flynn was the target of an ongoing FBI investigation. He was codenamed “Crossfire Razor.”
The FBI intercepted, recorded, and later transcribed the December 29th conversation between Sergey Kislyak and incoming National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
The media continued to follow the lead from the Obama White House and Intelligence Community (writ large) fueling a narrative that any contact with the Russians was proof of collusion of some sort. In addition, the communications team of the White House, DOJ, FBI and aggregate IC began pushing a narrative surrounding the obscure Logan Act.
The ridiculous Logan Act promotion was targeted to infer that any action taken by the Trump campaign prior to taking office was interference with the political Obama Russia action, and would be evidence of collusion. That was the plan. DOJ Deputy AG Sally Yates was in charge of pushing the Logan Act narrative to the media.
The first two weeks of January 2017 was now a merging of two necessary narratives: (1) Russian interference; and (2) the Logan Act against Flynn. Each deployed against any entity who would counter the Russia narrative story. The media were running this dual narrative 24/7 against the incoming Trump officials and demanding repeated answers to questions that were framed around this story-line.
On January 3rd, 2017, the new congressional year began. SSCI Vice-Chair Dianne Feinstein abdicated her position within the Gang-of-Eight, and turned over the reigns to Senator Mark Warner. Warner was now the vice-chair of the SSCI; and a Go8 member.
On January 4, 2017, the FBI was going to drop the investigation of Flynn because they found no derogatory evidence. FBI Agent Peter Strzok demanded the investigation be kept open and the “7th Floor” agreed with him (FBI Director Comey and Deputy McCabe).
On January 5, 2017, FBI Director James Comey went to the White House for a briefing with President Obama, VP Biden, ODNI James Clapper, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates.
DAG Yates had no idea the content of the Flynn Kislyak call was captured; and she had no idea ODNI James Clapper had briefed President Obama about the call.
President Obama asked Sally Yates and James Comey to remain behind after the briefing. This was memorialized by Susan Rice:
On January 6, 2017, FBI Director James Comey and ODNI James Clapper went to Trump Tower to brief the incoming administration. Simultaneously the Obama White House published the Intelligence Community Assessment, and declared:
We assess Putin and the Russian Government aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him. All three agencies agree with this judgment. CIA and FBI have high confidence in this judgment; NSA has moderate confidence. (pdf link)
It is not coincidental the ICA was “high confidence” by Brennan and Clapper; and less confidence by Mike Rogers (NSA).
With the Flynn Dec. 29, 2016, transcript in hand, the DOJ and FBI began aiding the Logan Act narrative with Obama intelligence officials supporting the Russia Conspiracy claims and decrying anyone who would interfere or counter the official U.S. position.
On January 14th, 2017, the content of the communication between Flynn and Kislyak was leaked to the Washington Post by an unknown entity. Likely the leak came from the FBI’s counterintelligence operation. ONA Col. James Baker is suspected of leaking the content.
The FBI CoIntel group (Strzok, McCabe etc.), and the DOJ-NSD group (Sally Yates, Mary McCord etc.) were the largest stakeholders in the execution of the insurance policy phase because they were the epicenter of spygate, fraudulent FISA presentations and the formation and use of the Steele Dossier for surveillance warrants.
The media leak of the Flynn conversation with Kislyak was critical because the DOJ/FBI were pushing a political narrative. This was not about legality per se’, this effort was about establishing the framework for a preexisting investigation, based on a false premise, that would protect the DOJ and FBI. The investigation they needed to continue evolved into the Mueller special counsel. This was all insurance.
The Flynn-Kislyak leak led to Vice-President Mike Pence being hammered on January 15th, 2017, during a CBS Face the Nation interview about Trump campaign officials in contact with Russians.
Pence was exceptionally unprepared to answer the questions and allowed the media to blend questions about campaign contacts with necessary, and entirely appropriate, transition team contacts.
•Sunday January 15th, 2017 – Five Days before the inauguration VP-elect Mike Pence appears on Face The Nation. [Transcript Here]
JOHN DICKERSON: But there’s a distinction between that feeling about the press and legitimate inquiry, as you say, that the Senate Intelligence Committee is doing.
Just to button up one question, did any advisor or anybody in the Trump campaign have any contact with the Russians who were trying to meddle in the election?
MIKE PENCE: Of course not. And I think to suggest that is to give credence to some of these bizarre rumors that have swirled around the candidacy. (link)
*NOTE* The incoming administration was under a false-narrative siege created by the media. At the time (early Jan, 2017) ‘any contact’ with Russians was evidence of meddling/election-collusion with Russians. VP-elect Mike Pence poorly answered the question from Dickerson from a very defensive position.
The toxic media environment and Mike Pence speaking poorly during a Face The Nation interview now became a much bigger issue. The FBI was prepared to pounce on this situation.
Once Vice-President Mike Pence made the statement that Flynn had no contact with anyone from Russia etc. any contradictory statement from Flynn would make Pence appear compromised.
NSA Advisor Michael Flynn is now contrast against Pence’s false point without clarification. As National Security Advisor Flynn was interviewed by the FBI on January 24th, nine days after Pence made his comments.
•Tuesday January 24th – Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn was interviewed at the WH by the FBI.
During this ambush interview, disguised as a meeting, FBI Agent Peter Strzok and FBI Agent Joe Pientka were contrasting Vice-President-elect Pence’s statements to CBS against the known action of Mike Flynn. [Flynn has three options: either (1) Flynn contradicts Pence, or (2) he tells a lie; or (3) Flynn explains Pence misspoke, those were his options.]
How Flynn responded to the line of inquiry, and explained/reconciled the difference between Pence’s statement on Jan 15th and what actually took place on December 29th, 2016, is why the FBI ended up with the initial conclusion that Flynn wasn’t lying.
It is within this dynamic where the FD-302 reports, written by Strzok and Pientka, then became the subject of political manipulation by Asst. FBI Director Andrew McCabe.
The FBI knew the content of the Flynn call with Sergey Kislyak because they were listening in. The FBI were intercepting those communications. So when Pence said no-one had any contact on January 15th, the FBI crew IMMEDIATELY knew they had an issue to exploit.
We see the evidence of the FBI knowing they had an issue to exploit, and being very nervous about doing it, in the text messages between Lisa Page and FBI Agent Peter Strzok who would end up doing the questioning of Flynn.
The day before the Flynn interview:
♦January 23, 2017, the day before the Flynn interview, Lisa Page says: “I can feel my heart beating harder, I’m so stressed about all the ways THIS has the potential to go fully off the rails.” Weird!
♦Strzok replies: “I know. I just talked with John, we’re getting together as soon as I get in to finish that write up for Andy (MCCABE) this morning.” Strzok agrees with Page about being stressed that “THIS” could go off the rails… (Strzok’s meeting w Flynn the next day)
“John” is Jonathan Moffa and “Bill” is Bill Priestap, FBI Deputy Director in charge of Counterintelligence. “Jen” is Jennifer Boone, FBI counterproliferation division.
So it’s the day before they interview Flynn. Why would Page & Strzok be stressed about “THIS” potentially going off the rails?
The answer is simple: they knew the content of the phone call between Mike Flynn and Sergey Kislyak because they were listening in, and they were about to exploit the Pence statement to CBS. In essence they were admitting to monitoring Flynn, that’s why they were so nervous.
They were planning and plotting with Andrew McCabe about how they were going to exploit the phone-tap and the difference in public statements by VP Mike Pence. However, FBI Counterintelligence Director Bill Priestap has doubts about the validity of interviewing Flynn. Priestap has a meeting with with “DD” Deputy Director McCabe to share his concerns:
FBI Agent Strzok is worried that his boss, Bill Priestap, may disrupt the plan. He texts with Lisa Page (top of page): “I worry Bill isn’t getting the underlying distinction that I think is clear. But maybe I’m wrong.”
The day of the interview (bottom half of page above) Bill Priestap still has issues about the purpose of interviewing Flynn over a perfectly legitimate conversation. Priestap has another meeting this time with “d” FBI Director Comey and “dd” Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.
FBI Agent Peter Strzok is stressed out; Bill Priestap could blow the plan if he doesn’t back down from his concerns. Lisa Page says McCabe “is frustrated” with Bill Priestap’s reluctance to go along with the plan.
Priestap, sensing something could really backfire with the plan; and questioning the overall legality of their purpose; memorializes his concern with more hand written notes during their meeting:
The Interview Takes Place:
NSA Michael Flynn was honest but his honesty contradicted Pence’s national statement on CBS; and Flynn likely tried to dance through a needle without being overly critical of VP-elect Pence misspeaking. Remember, the alternative: if Flynn is brutally honest, the media now runs with a narrative about Vice-President Pence as a national liar.
•Wednesday January 25th, 2017, – The Department of Justice, National Security Division, (at this timeframe Mary McCord was head of the DOJ-NSD) – received a detailed readout from the FBI agents who had interviewed Flynn. Yates said she felt “it was important to get this information to the White House as quickly as possible.” That is the meeting where today’s notes come into play:
“FBI Legal Counsel James Baker asked how could you prosecute Flynn for a 1001 violation (lying to FBI officials) when you couldn’t prosecute any underlying crime because the contact with Kislyak was normal.”
Didn’t they also threaten Flynn with coming after his son??
YES
I would love to be an attorney handling Flynn’s case on Contingency when he sues the you know what out of the Special Counsel and DOJ.
An example needs to be made out of this travesty. Treble damages are in order.
Treble damages and heads should be on a pike to warn future evil doers of their fate.
Redzone,
Here’s the breakdown.
Did anyone on the Trump team have any contact with the Russians? Of course.
Did anyone on the Trump team have any contact with the Russians who were trying to meddle in the election? “OF COURSE NOT” …but the Democrats did.
No, they didn’t threaten Flynn’s son. That was Mueller team months later. It would appear they dropped the whole thing after Flynn resigned, since nothing happened until the summer when Mueller wanted to flip Flynn
The Mueller team (or at least the snake Weissmann) should be sued for treble damages and his head on a pike. The rest of the team can pay treble damages and have the keys to their cells melted down. Put the other SC members in Manafort’s cell together. Give Manafort what’s left of their collective bank accounts. Manafort is no angel but he is being persecuted for Ukrainian deals while Hunter is protected for Ukrainian and Communist Chinese deals. Justice? Yes, in the eyes of the DemComs!
BitterC: Correct, that was the way Weissmann operated.
NO!….
This is a common mistake.
They went after his law firm.
The Prosecutors told the Flynn Lawyers if Flynn didnt plead guilty, they were going to come after him with FARA. They also pointed out to the lawyers….that the lawyers would be on the hook too for the FARA filing, as they were the ones who filed them.
Then >> Flynn’s Lawyers<< went to Flynn and told him…. if you dont plead guilty, they're coming for your son too…..and didnt mention that they too would prosecuted.
His lawyers threatened his son, blaming it on the FBI/DOJ to hide their own conflict of interest of from Flynn.
They were recommended by Eric Holder, correct?
It would appear the FBI top lawyer had some materiality and predicate concerns prior to interviewing Flynn.
Strzok’s boss, Priestap prior to interview wanted to know if the goal was th get Flynn to lie or get him fired?
An honest Judge would wonder how this was not produced earlier when he ordered all exculpatory evidence be provided AND if there were a doubt about its validity, the prosecution should forward to the Judge to review
So the top lawyer at FBI states clearly no materiality or predicate to interview Flynn before the interview?
And Strzok boss, Priestap, questions if their goal is to make Flynn lie or get him fired before the interview?
And the Judge is not asking why he was not informed of this earlier?
Simple deduction requires the Judge to pursue those not providing evidence ordered by him and dismiss the charges.
These charges will not stand 3 minutes in another Court with this info.
Find the man and then find the crime – So ironic that these great DOJ / FBI honchos are shown copying that infamous Soviet approach to the letter. Terrible .
And they kept notes!
Even more incriminating. This one to which was inferred, Lavrentiy Beria was eventually disposed of himself as he made many enemies.
Fascists are known for keeping good records.
It runs in their blood.
A very close relative of mine was in the USAAC in WWII and was assigned to the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey immediately after Germany surrendered. My relative’s pre-war experience with the B&O Railroad along with his ability to read write and speak German (maternal ancestors were from Prussia) qualified him to a group that assessed bombing damage to the German railroad system. He was stationed at two different locations in western Germany to complete his work.
He told me that the Germans kept such impeccable records and data, it was unusually easy to assess and calculate the level of impact / disruption the bomb damage had upon their normal or scheduled movement of military personnel, freight, and heavy munitions.
So I completely concur with your statement.
THAT indicates the culture had been practicing in MALJUSTICE… trained and fed and breed on saboteur legal conniving tactics
these people only seem to be ridiculously stupid to record their notes mindset and goals down tonangrandular.level that casts zero doubt about the receipt and abuse of power. to US it seems very stupid. (not what a professional criminal would do… right?)
but what we have to understand is this is NORMAL activity at.FBI…
we only get to notice it with the windowb curtains ripped down…and peering into their “house”.
this is WHO THEY ARE.
this did not happen overnight.
the FBI and DOJ are given enormous powers… ultimately it is a trust doctrine.
ultimately it’s assumef they will abide by their sworn oaths in a manner and of a consequence that is extraordinary and has no equal in govt.
they turned it into their own private for hire secret stazi.
bull whipped…for.thirty days…at.noon 30 lashes.
at.the step of the supreme Court in DC.
then hung..
each and every single corruptor!!
why the hubris? who among them ever imagined that their notes would find sunlight much less public release?
28angelica28: Obviously because they have been doing these kinds of things for decades and getting away with it.
I would rephrase that to “Find the man and then CREATE the crime.”
why is this material still redacted at all?
PDJT, c’mon man !!!
Give Barr full credit, his job was to jump in and run out the clock — it worked.
Beau: I’m guessing there are different reasons for the redactions being applied. I’m thinking/hoping that the redacted name in the list of attendees and elsewhere in the notes is a cooperating witness. Which, if so, I guess let’s all the other cockroaches know they are screwed.
Problem there is that the rats know the redacted names. Arkancide still possible for those redacted. The Clinton Foundation is not completely broke yet.
Father,I ask that you move your mighty hand on behalf of Gen. Michael Flynn.Set him free Lord for he is an innocent man..We thank you Father that you arise and your enemies are scattered,in Jesus Christ name we pray ,Amen
Amen!
So I ask again……..
AG Barr and Durham Know unequivocally that exculpatory evidence was withheld.
And I’d assume via Jensen’s efforts they know who withheld exculpatory evidence
So why has Barr and Durham not indicted or at least referred these people (if Attorneys) to the Bar Association?
Why is there no penalty for people who purposely withheld evidence?
So would things have been different for Flynn had Barr and Durham go after the person who withheld evidence back in Jan vs allowing Flynn to suffer personally and financially for 10 more months.
This is why I have lost all respect for AG Barr and Durham.
they are coverup artists, like that huber boob.
release the weiner laptop evidence, unredacted. including the off-the-record hillary-obama communications.
Bogeyfree,
Address the essence of ALL your questions, NOT at Barr, but at McConnell.
He is Majority leader of the Senate, therefore highest ranking Republican in the Senate.
The Republican President has been mercilessly attacked, set up, villified etc in the biggest Political scandal in our history, by the outgoing DEMOCRAT administration.
And WHAT has McConnell SAID, or DONE, to apply pressure to release these documents, expose the coup, and push for accountability for those responsible?
An objective look at his actions and words, shows he has not just done NOTHING, worse than that he has COUNTENANCED the ongoing coup, and continuing lack of accountability, in numerous ways.
I submit directing your questions and anger at Barr is misplaced, that McConnell is where you, and we all, need to direct our questions, frustration and anger.
IF McConnell had allowed PDJT to appoint who he wanted as A.G. (as opposed to “who can get confirmed) we would be in a very different place right now.
Notice Obummer had no problem getting Lunch and Holder appointed, which McConnell could have blocked, had he wished.
McConnell, and the politoburo of acolyte hacks he has elevated in the Senate, Graham, Corny, etc. are the roadblock.
Barr is justed vollowink orders, and we need to “go after the one GIVING the orders, instead of focusing on the one taking them.
IMHO
Dutch,
I submit directing your questions and anger at McConnell is justified, yet still misplaced. Judge Sullivan is where you, and we all, need to direct our questions, frustration and anger.
So what if Barr indicts the whole lot….and does what ?…march them all in front of Judge Sullivan for fair and impartial judgement ?
Get a grip. They’re ALL toast.
I addressed the highlighted Q&A a long time ago. Without a comma after the word Russians, the context and therefore the meaning of the question are entirely different.
“…contact with the Russians who were…” or “…contact with the Russians, who were…”
It was a loaded question answered absolutely truthfully by VP Pence.
“And WHAT has McConnell SAID, or DONE, to apply pressure to release these documents, expose the coup, and push for accountability for those responsible?”
Let’s remember that one of McConnell’s first comments to President Elect Trump was “….this drain the swamp BS has got to stop!” McConnell is part of the coup and he knows that many of us know.
Seems to me…ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE UNSEEN HAND that has the MOST TO LOOSE!!!! And McConnell/Graham/few others fit that quite nicely!!!
AG Barr and Durham Know unequivocally that exculpatory evidence was withheld.
Why is there no penalty for people who purposely withheld evidence?
#1. You should FIRST ask this question of Judge Sullivan.
He gave the BRADY ORDER even though HE DID NOT NEED TO.
Flynn PLEAD GUILTY.
The evidence that was withheld in violation of his order has been thrown in front of his face for 10 months now.
(This is one of the reasons Sidney Powell filed a motion TODAY to Sullivan that he should recuse himself from the case)
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6234142/261/united-states-v-flynn/
e. Judge Sullivan has flouted his own standards of justice
by refusing to enforce his Brady order and obstinately ignoring
the merit of the shocking new evidence produced by the government
#2 We don’t know what is going on with VanGrack—who was the one who withheld the info in the first place— other than he was “removed” from the case.
There is no cover for this group to hide under. Once Barr started blaming Covid for delays with Durham’s investigation I knew the grand stall was complete.
I don’t think Barr denies the dirt; he just will NOT allow the investigation to touch the rail of “politics”. That translates in many ways. 1 – no interference with campaigns (his stated reason), and 2 – no trampling on members of the political power brokers seeking to limit damage to themselves (and insuring that via threats to the institutions which Barr so sanctimoniously cherishes).
I think you are on the right track.
Now, just imagine you or me in the same position and having done what the coup plotters and SC have done. We all would have been arrested, charged, and jailed years ago.
why is there no penalty?
oh but there is.
but we are asking the wrong people to administer justice.
the only “main” about main justice
is it’s mainly composed of corrupt prosecutors and even more corrupt figureheads.
its become a filthy secret police stazi.. serving ONLY its own interests which are clearly demarked in financial and political power.
72,000 usd$ executive desk.. redacted.of course..to protect methods and sources doncha know.
snipers who can murder innocent citizens and are defended and promoted to do the very same killing spree again.
get the picture…shall i offer more facts…they are many.
FBI and DOJ are the product of a very lond duration of lawlessness.
unchecked by anyone.
are you starting to understand t mcvay?
unibomber who predicted that technology would doom humanity?
yes… these were bad actors.
but isnt the message they carried correct…if even their actions were
deplorable?
contemplate the condition WE ARE IN.
it was decades of criminal culture that was fully funded..
this is NOT my America!
this is NOT why brave American heroes paid the ultimate price so we ALL could have a chance at freedom and security.
we KNOW the enemy…it is among us.
action is required.
Why is there no penalty for people who purposely withheld evidence?
This is the same question that was asked in the Duke LAX case. The corrupt DA in that case got a one night vacay in the local jail IIRC. The legal “profession” has some real issues. It is no wonder that lawyers rank below used car salesmen in public opinion of their honesty. I guess this is why the intelligence agencies were so easily corruptible–most of the members in leadership positions were lawyers, corrupt lawyers, lawyers who swore to uphold the Constitution (with their fingers crossed behind their backs), lawyers who committed way more crimes than those with whom they were charged with investigating, lawyers who chose the cover-up route over honesty.
Which brings us to the media! I am sensing, after watching Carl Bernstein and his Democrat agenda, that maybe Nixon was railroaded. Sure, Nixon was no choirboy, but neither was his predecessor and Communist Carl didn’t go after LBJ. Carl’s career has been as the Weissmann of the media! He may need a little vacay compliments of the government too!
Bogeyfree: That right there is all you need to know to have contempt for Barr’s words espousing equal justice.
SD, you are a superstar.
thanks!
Krack team from FBI investigating Flynn:
2 things that struck me the most about these notes:
1 – the sick symmetry of the phrase ‘no reasonable prosecutor’ being ignored in this case but used to let Clinton off the hook
2- These a-holes recognize that our standing with Russia could be damaged by pursuing the prosecution, since Russia knows we know it is BS BUT THEY DID IT ANYWAY. They were willing to lose standing with a hostile foreign government to nail Flynn for a manufactured crime. That is actual treason isn’t it?
And they poisoned the public with “Trump is a traitor” rhetoric. Idiots on social media and msm are still calling him a traitor. And people are voting thinking the worse. Remember the 2018 mid-terms?
“And people are voting thinking the worse. Remember the 2018 mid-terms?”
Yes. Thats why all these declassifications are happening now and the truth being made public piece by piece.
Yes it’s too damn slow. The election is less than a month away and the Big Tech is effectively blocking much of the effort to disseminate the truth to a broad swath of the public.
The election is NOT a month away. Look how many have already mailed in their ballots. Most of these are Democrats (or RINOs) who have become oversatiated with the Kool-Aid (I mistyped and got Kook-Aid, which may have been much more appropriate).
I’ve read somewhere that the mail in votes, so far, are in President Trump’s favor. Could they already be compiling those votes? Could this be true?
I read that. I think it was on Gateway Pundit.
Well officially it’s November 3rd.
I for one will back any movement to return the election process to one day only, require valid photo / government-issued I.D., and only permit absentee ballots to be received no later than the day before the election.
Idiots on social media and msm
The sheeple. Blind, deaf and dumb!
lizzy: re: “the sick symmetry of the phrase ‘no reasonable prosecutor’
This brings to mind what’s been posted here before, and I know D. Bongino has mentioned it, they actually get off on their twisted ‘inside humor’… they do it on purpose.
“Once seen, can’t be unseen”
they were willing AND DID INVITE A VERY REAL CONFLICT WITH A NUCLEAR STATE THAT COMPETES WITH THE US IN MANY OF THE MOST. CRITICAL SUPERPOWER CATEGORIES.
that was Obama…barry soetero..
he did that…its his watch.
now compare actions by trump… this president is making peace and restoring much needed trust… trust damaged severely by obama!!
peace is a delicate thing… playing spy games in the manner of the former obummer regime brought this world perilously close to … kinetics.
of course … I’ll need to point it out again… obummers generals seemed perfectly fine with that deal.
folks we are far from safe.
trump in his second term will need push really hard to get our worlds back to respectable and safe.
i trust in him… fully. he has great people…true patriots coming forward to serve.
and not a moment to soon.
justlizzy: I don’t think the doj/fbi actions fit the legal definition of treason, but in the spirit it does.
re: 2 – Barack Obama levied economic sanctions and expelled diplomats when he knew full-well that the Russia-collusion accusation was a Clinton-fueled hoax.
I’m really surprised this has not come up more in the analysis of what went down. The instant we learned the Brennan informed the FBI that the Clinton Campaign had cooked up this idea, and that he had personally briefed Obama about it, sirens should have been going off.
Sanctions are an economic weapon of WAR. Obama attacked Russia for a crime he knew was concocted by Hillary Clinton as a means to distract the public from her illegal email system…and later as an excuse to try and reverse the election results.
It’s a shame we don’t have a Senate that gives a rat; otherwise we might actually see the subpoena that is now desperately needed: Barack Obama, to find out why he levied sanctions on an adversary nation over false accusations spread by the Clinton Campaign, CIA and FBI…false accusations that he was briefed on.
I sort of suspect that Russia did some meddling, but no more than usual. And the sanctions Obama levied, which have been repeatedly criticized as weak sauce, were probably commensurate with what they knew they’d done. So Obama was lying to US about the extent of the meddling but Russia was ‘content’ with the handslap because it was in line with what they’d done, which was about the same as they always do. Not sure if I’m making sense.
I doubt it. All Mueller could come up with after 2 years was some low rent troll farms. I probably did more damage the Clinton on social media than they did. And it is not established that they stole the DNC emails, which Obama likely knew.
No. I think the question needs to be asked: is it legal for a President to levy sanctions against an adversary state for the sole purpose of overturning an election result he didn’t like?
Obama lied. He attacked another country in service if that lie. He should be subpoenaed along with the rest of the cabal.
Usual suspects. And who was and why the lone redacted name.
It has been well known and for a long time Flynn was set up. Was Pence also set up. A good investigator/attorney always knows the answer to the questions they ask.
Did Pence just speak without thinking? Or did he think and then speak! My jury is still out on Pence.
SD, continued deep analysis resulting in many dots being connected. Well done!
The saga continues.
Pence answered the question from Dickerson correctly. It was a two part q the second part being any russian who were trying to meddle in the election.
Well we don’t even know if any Russians tried to meddle in the election so the question is based on false premise.
The whole ‘scandal’ was a joke. Obviously they should never have fired Flynn. So either this was all 3D chess Q all part of the plan stuff or just a huge mistake made by a new admin.
First, did Pence have all the information needed to answer the questions.
Second, even after answering Pence could have conferred with Flynn and cleared up any discrepancy. “ huge mistake made by a new admin?”
Third, totally agree that Flynn should have not been fired.
And, how does a December 29, 2016 contact “meddle” with an election concluded the previous November?
Exactly. Which is why Sundance correctly criticizes Pence for never realizing the “Gotcha” trap he walked into and effectively sprang by his own inaccurate / defensive answer.
Thats another reason why I’m not expecting much from him tonight – not even watching. If he does well and mows down Heels Up Harris then great. At least he’s a lot wiser than January of 2017 and he’s had time to prepare for tonight.
I don’t understand the criticism of Pence here. He clearly interpreted the question as having to do solely with Russian contacts that were trying to influence the election.
“John Dickerson: Just to button up one question, did any advisor or anybody in the Trump campaign have any contact with the Russians who were trying to meddle in the election?”
The questioner was very clearly referring to nefarious contacts and Pence was just confirming there were none. I don’t believe that Flynn’s responses were influenced in the least by the supposed contradictions.
Zimbalistjunior: There is no doubt the Russians and all number of foreign countries try to spread false information and “meddle” in our elections. The leftist say that with the strong implication the Russians hacked the DNC emails. There any proof of that.
I think pence just overreacted in his response. If he had taken a second I think he would have said “other than normal transition conversations. “. He was pushed hard by the questioner.
If anything it shows he doesn’t think fast on his feet when pressured for an answer to a hard question.
True. Pence did not know the answer and did not confer with Flynn after the inconsistency came out. Big mistakes there.
Pence’s answer was correct as it stood. How could anyone reasonably allege that a December 29, 2016 phone call implicated “meddling” in the prior election that concluded the prior November?
Pence did not realize the question was deliberately stated in a broad and general context (didn’t specify date nor did Pence realize that after the election the team was a Transition Team, not a Campaign. So that vagueness was planned to catch him off guard. Either way he answered would have been seized upon by the media as some proof of wrongdoing.
which confirms a complicit media even at that early date!
The media has been complicit with the DemoCommunist Party since the 1960s at the very least.
I would not answer if I was not absolutely sure. “I’ll get back to you.” Even after answering, when the controversy came up Pence needed to confer with Flynn. Firing was completely wrong.
pence wasn’t simply unprepared.
he’s just not very bright. period.
he has an old school ego problem without the personal charm to back it up. not street wise.
we would say he’s a mark.
his fumble..and it was a huge fumble. placed POTUS into an impossible situation.
remember this…these press shows are recorded…not LIVE! the moment he made that statement, his staff should have immediately stopped the show and demanded a more complete exhaustive detailed answer…that did NOT happen.
and when the show aired…he shoukd have put out a clarification.
but he didn’t.
thats ego… that’s not willing to correct something said. that’s stupid pride.
and THAT created an impossible situation for the PRESIDENT to handle…
who shall be the liar and the loser?
Flynn or my VP?
thanks mike dense.
you embecile.
trump and Flynn deserved so much better than mike dense.
trump can pull the evangelicals voters just fine without the dead head.
How can anyone with good conscience ever vote Democrat. I think it is reasonable to say that ordinary voting Democrats know nothing of this, and if they bothered to take the time, they actually might care. I’m not speaking of the California wine sipping Elitists, but the ordinary struggling man who thought his future was the protection of the unions. Surely he knows they sold his job to China.
No one would ever believe this if there wasn’t a record, and it makes me wonder what they must have destroyed.
this level of detail requires a certain level of dedication and intellectual discipline… and if I may add selfless acknowledgement to honorable values.
i could randomly choose 500 people and guess what…few act on those traits.
Democrats and Republicans..
these are branding labels for political ease.
the spirit of a patriot willing to perform more than just a 4 year vote is far and few between.
Americans have become soft.
but I believe in hope.
I believe people can change.. that when shown the truth and why it matters…they will respond.
the one thing that CAN bring Americans together….is this secret police spy state.
deep down… Every American has a legitimate misstrust of government and the abuses of secret special police powers…
and for good reason… Americans for better or worse do not trust those in power. the different application of justice is one thing anyone can notice
How can anyone with good conscience ever vote Democrat?
You answered your own question there, Right. Using Democrat and conscience in the same sentence is a complete and total contradiction in terms. Democrats have no conscience. For the most part (I will excuse those who use the genetic excuse of “my parents and grandparents were Democrats” since they generally don’t have critical thinking skills), they have no morals, no scruples and no reasoning ability!
This just reinforces that the people involved with this need to go to jail. No jail, no peace.
Puzzled,
Just to clarify a common “conflation”.
JAIL is typically where a defendant is held, pending trial (if they can’t make bail, or own recognizance etc.) PENDING trial, and are held DURING the trial.
Once convicted, they are typically sentenced to PRISON. So, JAIL is like 1000 deep staters, at the bottom of the Ocean, it’s a “good start”.
Prison it is.
I would like something a little more “INFLUENCING”…Like during President Lincoln’s time, they held a MILITARY TRIBUNAL against 6 men and 1 woman and tried them for Treason and HUNG THEM ON THE SAME DAY!!!!
Me, I’m for sending them to GITMO, tried by Military Tribunal, Firing Squad, and then buried on the Island and their remains NEVER TO RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES!!!! That’s how the problem is solved!!!!
Make NO MISTAKE..President Trump will bring the cabal down, NO MATTER WHO IT IS, and there will be justice…He has ALWAYS said…”This cannot happen to another president”…HE MEANS it…
FYI…Gitmo underwent a renovation between 2016 and 2018, larger court rooms and cells for accomodations…along with changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice ALLOWING tribunals…
And please don’t come back and say…”IF HE WINS”!!!! President Trump DID NOT go into this with his eyes shut…He knows EXACTLY what needs to be done. That is why he is OUT-WORKING Obiden Hiden AND Heels Up Harris!!!!
None of the coup efforts could’ve been possible without the assistance of the media.
jmclever,
Or the active encouragement of Ryan and McConnell, Burr, Graham and McStain.
Exactly. A lot of people forget that little nugget.
Most here haven’t forgotten or forgiven!
the ordinary struggling woman surely knows they sold her job to China, also. But hey, “feelings’….
The delay and antics by so called “judge” sullivan are allowing more important information to come into the sunlight….
disgusted- I do believe you have discovered the silver lining!
THE ACTION OF AN HONORABLE TEXAS ATTORNEY is primarily responsible for exposing Sullivan.
trust me…if sidney powell had not gotten into this fight… Barr would be double dating with Sullivan.
and l lets also pay respect to grenell and ratcliffe too (and numerous others… obviously SUNDANCE!)
without these people getting into the fight… Barr and Sullivan would be best pals.
let that sink in.
Barr did not lift a damned nickel effort towards LTGEN FLYNN…a decorated combat military officer of exemplary record!!!
he was forced to act.
that’s more than shameful… its outrageously dishonest and foul!!
John Dickerson: “Just to button up one question, did any advisor or anybody in the Trump campaign have any contact WITH THE RUSSIANS WHO WERE TRYING TO MEDDLE IN THE
ELECTION?” (emphasis mine)
Mike Pence : “Of course not. And I think to suggest that is to give credence to some of these bizarre rumors that have swirled around the candidacy.”
I’ve never been able to understand the accusation that Mike Pence answered incorrectly, or even poorly. The Russian persons/entities eventually indicted by Mueller never had contact with Mike Flynn (advisor) or Trump campaign members.
I think Pence’s response was conflated to say that no Trump advisors/campaign members had any contact with any Russians. During the transition I recall the media trying mightily to cast aspersions on the Trump administration’s contact with Russians, Logan Act, etc…as illegal activities.
I have had the same question for a long time. The only explanation I can come up for asserting that Pence answered incorrectly is that otherwise, someone could argue that Pence accepting the premise of the questions – that Russians were trying to meddle in the election. But the rest of Pence’s answer addresses that issue. So I just don’t understand why anyone thinks there is anything wrong with his FULL answer.
People do not read or listen with an eye to comprehension.
The entire russia hoax depends on that. People not paying attention to details or not being able to analyze something simple.
Well, you know, at that time, the premise of the question–that the Russians had meddled in the election- was widely promoted by the the MSM and anti-Trumpers.
Contact with Russians was equated with potentially illegal activity.
None of them will flip. We are moving towards one party rule at lighting speed; if any of these people flip their personal and professional lives are over. Or worse.
Your recollections are correct.
Sally Yates and Mary McCord ginned up a blackmail problem with a “NEWBIE” administration where NO problem even existed.
THE DUMBEST BLACKMAIL THEORY EVER!!!
Besides the fact that Flynn himself acknowledged that the IC knew EXACTLY what he said on the phone call (he knew they were monitoring Russian folk)
The Washington Post published the fact that he had had the phone call.
HOW in the hell do you blackmail someone about a phone call
when EVERYONE KNOWS you made the phone call?????
Blackmail requires a SECRET and there was NO SECRET..
Stupid.
“
THE DUMBEST BLACKMAIL THEORY EVER!!!
Blackmail requires a SECRET and there was NO SECRET..
Your points are so obvious (and superbly stated.) It’s too bad that at the time no one in a position of influence was pointing this out to Sally Yates .
MagaMia: You mean someone like the White House Counsel to the President, Don McGahn? The Don McGahn who met with Sally and Mary.
Yes, Issy, Don McGahn was primarily who I had in mind, but there were others as well on his transition team, particularly some of the attorneys–Rudy Giuliani, Jeff Sessions, Chris Christie, Pam Bondi…….
pence could have easily clarified this… and cleared the air once it became obvious the corruptors were setting flynn up.
but he refused to do it.
let that sink in.
and to this very day, pence has never…not once clarified to remove.the confusion…not once.
let that sink in… fully.
“High confidence” = No evidence.
as forensic cyber science goes. legally and professionally..”confidence” is non word.
its political tongue in lieu of as actual FALSIFIABLITY standards.
its hammed up theatrics.
its manufactured conflations.
attribution IS HARD if an adversary is initiated.
Russian IS INITIATED…ON PAR WITH THE BEST CLASS OF SKILLED CYBER PROFESSIONALS
but then so are 9 other nation states.
but then so are about 20,000 or so specific entities/people.
the reality is…and this is where trump first signaled that he had a good solid grasp on this subject matter.
it could have been the 400 pound reprobate in his mom’s basement.
here is the sick culture of IC assessments
they have been misused repeatedly to start kinetic entanglements without the sliightest verification..
so yes, color me shocked the confidence gambir resurfaces. /s
I have a question that may be stupid.
I’m evidently not dialed-in enough on all this as I should be especially with the time I have invested in the great body of work Team Treehouse has done laying it all out.
Why was Gen. Flynn evidently so concerned by what he says vs what VP Pence said?
Had Gen. Flynn not been concerned for any disparity between his statement and Pence’s, when and if the media went on monkey-biting on the disparity between what was said between the two what would of been the big deal if it were explained that VP Pence misspoke when he (Pence) said when he misspoke?
The Trump Administration was in the midst of a transition and Gen. Flynn ought to have been talking to the Russians. Especially given what Obama had just done launching the Ambassadors.
New, inexperienced administration, haven’t even figured out where the copy toner is, trying to project competence, and they were “set up” by people who were DESPERATE, and knew EXACTLY what they were doing.
And anyone that doesn’t think Dickerson was clued in to ask that question, well I got a bridge to sell you.
Sure, with “hindsight” (the FIRST thing you see, when you jerk your head outa yet *as, lol) it’s hard to see what all the fuss was about.
But, that’s after 4 years of seeing the press spin EVERYTHING. Back then we were as naive as the new admin.
Obviously, Pence DIDN’T misspeak, if you look at the full question; NO, no Trump officials were in contact with Russians THAT WERE TRYING TO INTERFERE IN THE ELECTION.
Truncate his question, to leave off that last part, so it reads “any Trump officials in contact with Russians”, is the ONLY way Pences answer is problematic.
Anyway, it was all swamp game playing, deadly serious and silly at the same time.
And undermining an incoming administration, and the country be damned.
“ But, that’s after 4 years of seeing the press spin EVERYTHING. Back then we were as naive as the new admin.”
True
Exactly, Dutch.
dickerson asked the question because it was leaked in wapost and was the leading concern in the press
only a FOOL would not understand and be prepared to address it and tamp it down .
pence didnt do that…in fact.he did just the opposite.
and he refused to clarify it with any sort of an official release once it became obvious AGAIN the corruptors were setting FLYNN up!!!
to date, pence has.NEVER issued a proper clarification…not once.
that’s the 800 pound gorilla…pacing for 4 years now…with blood shot eyes…ready to go full godzilla.
this ain’t gonna age well at all folks.
let me just say this…when that gorilla starts breaking things, imy going to remind each and everyone here about the nature and legimtimacy of sidney powell. the truth…the big ugly is going to make many of you to think oddly.
don’t do it.
when we use the phrase…deep state.
it really means people that have no honor.
don’t let that happen to you.
spoiler: mike dense is not your friend
regitiger: I have no idea what to think of Pence in the Flynn matter. I know I never bought that excuse as the reason Flynn had to go. It never made any sense.
I don’t understand the reference to Sidney Powell, could you be just a little clearer?
when the dam bursts…and pence is shown to be the embecile…the egomaniac…the dishonest politician with a hidden agenda… there is a predictable number here who will blame Sidney Powell for indirectly (or directly is you so choose) exposing pence for a major aspect of why this entire Flynn fiasco and travesty was ever allowed to unfold in the manner it was handled…by pence.
there will be some here who will take the low road and blame Powell.
i hope it’s a small number.
but this issue isn’t going to go away.. pence has never cleared the air.
and why would he choose not to clear the air??
its far too late… the very INSTANT it was. crystal clear the FBI was setting flynn up… and there was a host of in your face clues…red flags…
that was the moment pence and wh should have immediately gone to guns.
but he didn’t.
with a hand wave and a disparaging insult to flynns honor…
tossed over the rails.
just
like
that.
so when this gorilla rampages and goes full Godzilla on Pence’s backside.
I’ll tear Anyone who seeks to place. blame on powell for showing through he work… that pence is not your friend… and should NEVER be this close to POTUS…or that power.
its crucial we understand this severe lack of integrity and what it truly means.
spoiler: pence was never going to be okay with Flynn in charge of cleaning house…
Coltlending, your question is not stupid. I think it gets to the heart of Flynn vs Pence controversy. This is pure speculation on my part, but I think McCabe’s FBI manufactured a misunderstanding between Pence/Flynn to cause Flynn to be fired when their initial attempt failed. Read the articles with the hindsight we now have and see what you think.
https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/319304-flynn-apologizes-to-pence-report
This excerpt is from Pence describing his conversation with Flynn: “But what I can confirm, having spoken to him about it, is that those conversations that happened to occur around the time that the United States took action to expel diplomats had nothing whatsoever to do with those sanctions.”
So Pence says that Flynn told him (Pence) that he (Flynn) never discussed sanctions with Kislyak. We know in hindsight that this is true. The Flynn/Kislyak call transcripts verify that sanctions were not discussed.
I haven’t read McCabe’s book, so I found another link to an article that contains excerpts from McCabe’s book. The last few paragraphs purport to describe Pence’s reaction to a presentation made by McCabe to Pence on the Flynn/Kislyak call.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/mccabe-flynn-kislyak-sanctions-conversation
FTA: A McCabe colleague brought the information to the White House and McCabe presented it to Pence, who had, at this point, publicly recounted assurances he received from Flynn that sanctions weren’t discussed.
“[Pence] reached the part that we had been focused on, and immediately his face changed,” McCabe wrote. “His expression turned very cold. It hardened. His reading became very focused. His head showed but barely — tiny shakes of no. He said a few things along the lines of I can’t believe this, and This is totally opposite, and It’s not what he said to me.”
We know that Flynn told Pence he didn’t discuss sanctions, and Pence reported that. So what did McCabe show Pence that caused the reaction McCabe described?
Thanks for the post.
Good stuff.
You’re welcome.
Pure speculation, but was Pence shown an altered 302 or conversation transcript where a one word addition/omission completely changes the meaning?
We know the goal of the FBI was to get Flynn fired. We know Lisa Page edited the 302s. We know Kevin Clinesmith altered an email to completely change its meaning.
Hatred, ill will, death, no, all I want out of this mess is Justice…for General Flynn and family first, then, for America. I want a righteous Justice for America. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired about this mess.
Prayers of imprecation may be on my horizon…
A definition of a “Good Democrat”. Hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil in your god, aka, your commie leaders. Their motto is “I will vote Democrat until I die”. You can’t beat stupid.
A definition of a “Good Democrat”. Hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil in your god, aka, your commie leaders. Their motto is “I will vote Democrat until I die”. You can’t beat stupid.
This is sedition!!
Hang them high from tall trees with short rope. These people are commie sickos!
“Heartburn Stu” Evans was at that Jan 25 meeting. He had heartburn over the origonal FISA.
Tashina ‘Tash’ Gauhar was the person who retrieved the transcripts (tech cuts) of Gen. Flynn’s conversations with Sergey Kislyak, and she was assisting Mary McCord and Sally Yates at the meeting with White House Counsel Don McGahn…. “Nasty” woman.
Is Stu informing?
This point has bothered me for years and I would like to suggest a 4th option. The question presented has several elements:
1. Advisor
2. or anyone in Trump Campaign
3. Have any contact
4. With THE Russians
5. who were trying to meddle in the election
Question: Just to button up one question, did any advisor or anybody in the Trump campaign have any contact with the Russians who were trying to meddle in the election?
Now, I believe that Pence heard: did Trump Campaign meddle in the election? And he responded accordingly.
MIKE PENCE: Of course not. And I think to suggest that is to give credence to some of these bizarre rumors that have swirled around the candidacy. (link)
That Pence did not respond to the entire question is obvious. There was a misunderstanding and it could have been resolved using the following legal arguments:
1. The question presupposes that Kysliack himself meddled in the election. The question used the words THE RUSSIANs. Unless Kysliack himself meddled or tried to meddle Pence’s response was correct. At that point in 2017 Pence would have no reason to suspect Kysliack himself meddled in the election. It is ridiculous to assume an ambassador would be caught paying for or posting FB ads. I would have advised Pence to stand firm on his response and clarify.
2. Pence did not have personal knowledge of who every advisor, much less everybody in the Trump Campaign, Spoke to. His response was treated as sworn testimony where in fact, he had only hearsay information. This point should have been hotly contested. But it was not.
3. Pence could have stood his ground by combining 1 and 2- even to justify his on camera mistake – to say I could not possibly know every call made by everyone and I was instead responding to whether the Trump Campaign has in any way participated with campaign meddling. And no, we have no basis to assume Kysliack has personally meddled. He is the ambassador. The question conflated facts that are not in evidence.
A Trump advisor did in fact speak to the ambassador but it is preposterous to suggest that a foreign diplomat of that level would conduct himself in such a manner and at this point we have no evidence of such behavior. The Obama administration should stop trying to start a war of words with the Russians.
This response have avoided a conflict with anything Flynn said to the FBI.
Also, during the Flynn hearing a week ago, the DOJ said a tape of the Flynn Kysliack conversations does not exist. How is that possible? Do they have a transcript? How can they be So sure of every Flynn word uttered if they don’t have the tape??! How did they create the transcript??? Who is lying ?
1. Wasn’t the Presidential election over and done with when General Flynn talked to Kislyak?
2. Wasn’t General Flynn on the President’s Transition Team and charged with the responsibility of reaching out to foreign officials on behalf of Donald Trump?
3. Wasn’t General Flynn already named as an advisor to the President?
4. Are we at war or something with Russia that would make them an enemy?
5. Isn’t Kislyak the official Russian Ambassador to the United States and his “credentials” were accepted by the State Department?
6. Isn’t it the reason why we have foreign ambassadors in Washington DC…to talk with about issues of mutual concern?
7. Since when is talking to any Russian a crime?
What am I missing here, Folks?????
Additionally, the same party that says President Trump should not have nominated a SC Justice so close to an election had no problem with President Obama setting consequential foreign policy during his lame duck period, without consulting the incoming administration. They were setting timebombs for US-Russia relations and Flynn was telling the Russian Ambassador to cut the green wire and not the red one. Subsequently, you have John Kerry playing a similar role with the Iranians while holding no official position other than representing Obama’s shadow government. It’s all FUBAR!
If I didn’t know anything about Crossfire Hurricane and I read Bill Priestap’s notes, essentially saying, (paraphrasing) “what in the hell are we doing here”? “Are we investigating for truth or do we just want to trap and prosecute him”?
I wonder what made Priestap go along with this plot, and if he flipped and cooperated with Durham. He might be the most likely person, IMHO to flip and cooperate fully, given his reluctance to play along in the framing of General Flynn in the beginning.
Tashina Guahar seems to always be there when the dirt goes down, yet there isn’t even a photo of her available on Google. That’s kind of scary, no?
The notes say:
“NO REASONABLE PROSECUTOR”
The FBI’s OWN LAWYERS threw Comey’s OWN WORDS back in his face on the Flynn farce.
Logan Act = DUMB
There WAS NO UNDERLYING CRIME so how do you charge 1001????
EXACTLY what the Motion to Dismiss said in MAY.
EVEN IF FLYNN LIED HIS ASS OFF……IT’S NOT MATERIAL.
that is in fact a very contentious legal issue..one that has never been tested by a scotus case review…on purpose?
i recommend you read
license to lie
sidney powell confronts this very issue.. DOJ is NOTORIOUS as is the federal court judges to entertain charges even if they cannot prove ( or pursue) a predicate crime as a basis.
this pattern of illicit charge hacking was put on FULL display by DOJ for every single prosecution by the corruptors.
here’s the real nasty ugly reality.
Barr withdraws on a materiality basis (correctly…but only after forced pressure to do so).. but does not for others.
how’s that for prosecuting in.a political silo?
I disagree on the Barr was “forced” issue.
I love this theory that whenever Barr does something we actually want him to do…..it’s only because something “forced” him to do it.
Bagpipe Bill is the SUPERMAN of EVIL… that is until KRYPTONITE magically appears to justify his doing good deeds.
If he doesn’t want to do something….he doesn’t have to do it, period.
He could simply resign.
So who or what forced Barr to file the Motion to Dismiss on a defendant that already PLEAD GUILTY?
He could have CONTINUED TO HIDE or DELAYED RELEASE of these new documents as well.
“but does not for others”
Which others?
PapaD admitted he DID lie knowingly and already served his sentence.
The “Looney Tunes” Concord Mgmt case was dropped by Barr’s DOJ
(The other 25 indicted Russians face no prosecutorial threat thanks to Mueller “conveniently” unsealing their indictments)
FARA b.s aside, Manafort committed financial “crimes” (with a million word tax code, I probably have too) an investigation btw that pre-dates Trump campaign
FIG case blew up in prosecutors’ faces and judge dismissed the jury verdict.
I guess he could take a run at “exonerating” Cohen….get him those medallions back…but seems kinda dumb to me.
And Roger Stone’s big mouth finally got him in trouble after a 40 year successful run.
So who else that was prosecuted in this Russia fiasco has a materiality issue that Barr should focus on next…(that is…if he’s FORCED to)?
But I do agree that Federal Prosecutors overcharge….a problematic issue that pre-dates BOTH of AG Barr’s tenures.
And I agree L2L is a good one.
the answer reply is simple..well documented.
1. all of the people you mentioned were trump orbit. period. what was THAT predicate?
2. Barr NEVER once ever reviewed or even considered the correct materiality issue UNTIL powell with the supremely accurate and fundamentally legally sound motions for.dismisssal due to a full spectrum of prosecutorial misconduct… which were demonstrably non trivial. why had Barr NOT examined this prior? its not speculation…its a fact he did so because he understood WELL that.HIS prosecutors were bandits AND UNLESS he clicked into damage control those crimes AND MANY MANY MORE would be open season in a court room…thus putting HIS DOJ AND HIS complicity to a cover-up on full display…there is no other way to accurately describe his.johnny come lately actions… unless you allow he is just stupid. .we can agree i think he is no fool…fully engaged with a fine sharp mind…just absent a sense of blind justice duty…
3. please refer to bogeyfree list re barr. read the exhaustive list of CRITICAL things Barr has intentionally failed to do. that’s not just failure either…no suspicious cat meme required. he’s publicly delivered his agenda…numerous times…trust.him…hes telling you the truth… he led with it in conspicious fashion… allowed multiple people to retire comfortably..corruptors.
6. ehh.. you can just.drop something here and continue… when i type barr my dog howls…it.bothers the neighbors.
i get it…you really want Barr to be.”the guy”.
if we have learned anything from these last 4 years…actions…and only actions count.
everything else is what got us to this place.
with respect
“He could simply resign”
It seems sadly obvious that barr’s job is to block every thing possible till after the election.
If God forbid PDJT loses, his mission will have been completed successfully and he’ll go back into retirement.
When PDJT wins he’ll be fired and I hope charged with obstruction.
That’s just my view.
Ya think VP Pense owes LTG Flynn an apology?
Ya think LTG Flynn will get it?
“We assess Putin and the Russian Government aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him. All three agencies agree with this judgment. CIA and FBI have high confidence in this judgment; NSA has moderate confidence.”
Trump entered as a universally accepted, good-guy billionaire personality. No one identified him as a politician or partisan–quite the opposite. Clinton was universally polarizing; there were no middle of the roaders with her; there were liberal zealots who cared nothing of her personality or past but loved only her D, and there were acolytes of hers, and there were those who just flat despised her and everything she stood for.
At the time Trump arrived on scene, Clinton was in serious risk of being had by her own DOJ/FBI–or so we thought, as they were merely acting out their duties and not performing them.
No one artificially enhanced the disparity between the two people.
“We know the truth of something being falsely stated to the public” and the Russians know this and will use it against us…
Here’s how I read this very important passage:
We know that Flynn didn’t lie. We know that he was not colluding with the Russians. We know that the Russians know we don’t believe that the a Trump campaign/administration wasn’t colluding with the Russians. And we know that the Russians know it was a dirty trick of the Clunton campaign all along…
Yet WE and our media and Obama administration allies are telling the opposite to the public…
And sooner or later the public will find out, even if it is the Russians who have to tell them.
In other words, consistent with the other bullet points, the NoteTaker is trying to take a clear-eyed view of why fbi/DoJ should NOT go after a Flynn…because they themselves know the truth…
But they did it anyway.
Bottom line, they knew the truth
They knew they were lying
They knew it was wrong
They knew Flynn was an innocent man
They knew there was a chance they wouldn’t be believed, or that they would get caught…
But they did it anyway…
They indict themselves…
Am I wrong to read it that way?
Since when did this cabal ever consider right versus wrong? Their only consideration was for what was exploitable versus what was patently outlandish. They exploited anything and everything and everyone that they could without caring about who was hurt, including the country. Their first, and only, priority was getting what they wanted, irregardless of consequences. Everyone was expendable, except those in the inner circle (the dirtiest of the filthy), and this was entirely a uniparty operation. Uniparty=NeverTrumpers. Period.
From the Intelligence Community Assessment: “We assess Putin and the Russian Government aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances…(by) publicly contrasting her (Clinton) unfavorably to him (Trump).”
So what is supposedly the best intelligence apparatus in the world is in fact so irretrievably stupid as to believe the Russians now have effective control over our public discourse?
According to our “best and brightest” intelligence agencies, Putin and the Russian Government were able to sway a presidential election by spending a couple hundred-thousand dollars on facebook ads, yet Bloomberg couldn’t win a single primary vote after spending nearly a billion dollars across all available media channels.
Clearly, not only is our intelligence network utterly corrupt, they appear to be catastrophically idiotic as well.
yes.. they routinely estimate the intelligence of citizens to be 100 avwrate… which it is in this particular knowledge area… it’s just too complicated for the average joe to discern… thus, it works…
its.dummy level on purpose.
be aware…by your very question means you understand the theater…yes you know how this movie ends in the.first few scenes.
russia bad… American spies repelling the mongrels keeping little Billy and Suzy safe at night.
good guys win.
yes the script is pathetic.
but it sells.
just check out every single movie ever produced on the subject…most of.them are blockbusters…
spoiler:. people need to feel safe and right..so much so, they don’t really care if the movie is crap..
That’s what happens when you prioritize party affiliation over competence when you hire and promote.
Until this case is dismissed with prejudice, the Government has a continuing obligation to provide to the defense all evidence that is exculpatory of General Flynn, establishes misconduct by the Government in its many capacities that contributed to this wrongful prosecution, or otherwise is favorable to the defense. Brady v. Maryland , 373 U.S. 83 (1963).
Like they are telling the judge we got more and will keep going. Too bad he doesn’t read the motions…
Still no prosecutions.
On the flip-side, and especially if Barr is just the fixer, it seems unlikely, but what if Sullivan is crazy like a fox and actually WANTS the disclosures to keep flowing? There is a certain big-picture utility to his actions. Is he getting even for the contemptible lack of DOJ compliance with his earlier Brady order??? We assume he is part of the problem, but…
The operative question – If Sullivan tosses the case out, does Jensen stop digging?
Surely, Sidney would stop forcing the Brady issue if Flynn is exonerated.
he does…but not for the justice you have in mind. at all.
Sullivan is exposing DOJ in a way that ellicits the ongoing propaganda narrative that Barr is Trump’s personal bouncer. that’s one part of his theatrics.
act two scene one is about deflecting his own serious.miscondict…
act three scene one is about.calling.in all his markers from the dc appeals court and attempt a new crack at precedence in law… that judges have power to prosecute… it’s really what he believes… crap…theyve been practicing the art of it for decades…now that the DOJ is not playing ball in ways that assist.sullivan.from creating thst opening… he’s taken to raising it.himself..using.this case…
act 4 scene one is about continuing to run the narrative that Flynn is a bad apple… deceptive at best..and a crony.russian.cutout for.trump. regardless the.outcome.in the legal case… Sullivan priority is to assault Flynn’s credibility… thus anything flynn may speak about re obummer and his criminal Enterprises are cast into strong doubts…before long, Sullivan will imply Flynn to be a bigot…watch for it.
and last but not least the final act of this sick tragedy will be to sow discord and divisions within the. federal. courts. orange man and dirty republican appointed judges… scoundrels…frauds.
Sullivan is a very bad actor…but he’s fully engaged in his role. he knows what this case means… for a black.judge …it means losing this badly will set “his people” back severely.
too bad he doesnt understand wisely his own corrupt actions have dumped gasoline on that agenda.
he’s an Obama dummy… they’ll name big streets in big cities after he is gone.
Sundance, you aren’t exactly correct here. There was no misunderstanding between Pence & Dickerson. Dickerson asked about sanctions/Kislyak….more than once. I remember it well, as I watched it live and said oh, oh….Dickerson knows something Pence doesn’t.
JOHN DICKERSON: Let me ask you about it was reported by David Ignatius that the incoming national security advisor Michael Flynn was in touch with the Russian ambassador on the day the United States government announced sanctions for Russian interference with the election. Did that contact help with that Russian kind of moderate response to it? That there was no counter-reaction from Russia. Did the Flynn conversation help pave the way for that sort of more temperate Russian response?
MIKE PENCE: I talked to General Flynn about that conversation and actually was initiated on Christmas Day he had sent a text to the Russian ambassador to express not only Christmas wishes but sympathy for the loss of life in the airplane crash that took place. It was strictly coincidental that they had a conversation. They did not discuss anything having to do with the United States’ decision to expel diplomats or impose censure against Russia.
JOHN DICKERSON: So did they ever have a conversation about sanctions ever on those days or any other day?
MIKE PENCE: They did not have a discussion contemporaneous with U.S. actions on–
JOHN DICKERSON: But what about after–
MIKE PENCE: –my conversation with General Flynn. Well, look. General Flynn has been in touch with diplomatic leaders, security leaders in some 30 countries. That’s exactly what the incoming national security advisor–
JOHN DICKERSON: Absolutely.
MIKE PENCE: –should do. But what I can confirm, having spoken to him about it, is that those conversations that happened to occur around the time that the United States took action to expel diplomats had nothing whatsoever to do with those sanctions.
JOHN DICKERSON: But that still leaves open the possibility that there might have been other conversations about the sanctions.
MIKE PENCE: I don’t believe there were more conversations.
JOHN DICKERSON: Okay. Okay. Okay. Let’s move on. Okay. Got it–
MIKE PENCE: I can confirm those elements were not a part of that discussion.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/face-the-nation-transcript-january-15-2017-pence-manchin-gingrich/
Couple other observations:
1) The note-taker is probably the name blacked out at the top. Why?
Fits the idea that this might be a “cooperating” Kevin Clinesmith
(And if it is……let me just say he’s an asshole…..but an asshole with amazing note taking skills and beautiful penmanship)
2) Sally Yates big lie exposed (yet again).
Sally Yates testified to SJC that this was a COUNTERINTELLIGENCE MATTER
IMMEDIATELY AFTER discussing the “LOGAN ACT” and all the reasons it should NOT be pursued…
Baker says: “How do you asses §1001 when you wouldn’t prosecute the underlying CRIME?”
The underlying crime IS the LOGAN ACT.
Furthermore…
“Assessment of whether Razor is (in) a covert relationship with Russia==>NO based on FACTS TO DATE and INTERVIEW”
This was no longer a CRIMINAL nor COUNTERINTELLIGENCE matter but an operation
“to get him fired”
The previously unknown HUMAN RESOURCES role of the DOJ/FBI.
(If that sounds like sarcasm that’s only because I’m laying it on extra thick.)
3)Whattaya know?
Mueller’s mark on the bottom yet again: “DOJSCO”
FULL DOCUMENT HERE:https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.191592/gov.uscourts.dcd.191592.264.1_1.pdf
Jeff Jensen could be a good pick to replace Wray as Director FBI.
It’s interesting top, top officials in Obama DOJ/FBI/National Security expressed concern for blackmail with Flynn and Russians knowing there was nothing to the accusation.
The same crew KNEW Hunter Biden, VP Biden’s son, collected $1.5 billion from China, $ millions from a corrupt Ukrainian company, $3.5 million from the spouse of a corrupt Russian politician and who knows other foreign countries as well. In all cases, Hunter did not speak the language or have any expertise warranting the payments?
Biden’s are ripe for blackmail.
Where’s the national security concerns?
Crickets.
I am really tired of beating this seemingly dead horse. What good does it seem to be. They have plenty of other things to indict and prosecute on. The rest of it is just fluff. If they are not indicting by now, they are not going to until Trump wins in November. If he does not win, this all goes away and the Republic is indeed lost to the Socialist Left, thank you to the Barrs’ in the Deep State, Clintons, Pelosi, Schumer, AOC, and all the other foreign reprobates. And yes, I have given up. Trump is the only person that can root out these deep staters. He must win to do more. Barr and Wray would be the first ones to hit the door.
It would appear the FBI top lawyer had some materiality and predicate concerns prior to interviewing Flynn.
Strzok’s boss, Priestap prior to interview wanted to know if the goal was th get Flynn to lie or get him fired?
An honest Judge would wonder how this was not produced earlier when he ordered all exculpatory evidence be provided AND if there were a doubt about its validity, the prosecution should forward to home to review
Above and beyond excellent Sundance!
Thank you!
“and Flynn’s contact with Russian Ambassador Kislyak, during the transition, was normal”
As was Sessions contact with Kislyak and yet he recused himself.
BTW, they were all setups. All of these little meet and greets. They just wanted a list of Russia, Russia, Russians to smear them with as clandestine meetings.
Just like the b.s. computer server back door channel at TRUMP Tower. What a farce. I saw it in the news again this AM. RIDICULOUS. They are throwing everything at the wall.
WHILE NITWIT TEHRAN NAN IS HOLDING HER “CONFERENCE” TOMORROW, BILL BARR SHOULD HOLD A COMPETING CONFERENCE ON THE ARRESTS BEING MADE FOR TREASON AGAINST THE UNITED STATES, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, FIRST LADY, FIRST FAMILY, THE TRUMP ADMIN, THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, AND CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS.