The 26-page indictment is available HERE, and reveals the scale of former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s corrupt behavior in the handling of classified information.

The indictment alleges that Bolton leaked classified documents to at least two known individuals who were not authorized to review or retain classified information, including Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Intelligence.

[SOURCE]

GREENBELT, Maryland — Former national security adviser John Bolton was charged Thursday in an 18-count federal indictment with illegally sending classified information to unauthorized people while he worked at the White House and keeping similar documents at his home after leaving government.

The indictment contends Bolton sent more than 1,000 pages of “diary-like entries” to a pair of unnamed associates on a regular basis while he was handling the nation’s most sensitive military, intelligence and diplomatic matters. Many of the messages contained information designated as classified up to the “Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information” level. (more)

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The interesting timing of two stories.

Last week the New York Times noted, “Michael Ellis, the deputy director of the C.I.A., has abruptly demoted a career lawyer who had been serving as the agency’s acting general counsel since January and installed himself in that role, according to people familiar with the matter.  […] It was not clear what was behind Mr. Ellis’s taking personal control of making legal judgments for the agency while continuing to help lead it”… (link)

Today the New York Times is reporting, “The Trump administration has secretly authorized the C.I.A. to conduct covert action in Venezuela, according to U.S. officials, stepping up a campaign against Nicolás Maduro, the country’s authoritarian leader.” […] The agency would be able to take covert action against Mr. Maduro or his government either unilaterally or in conjunction with a larger military operation. It is not known whether the C.I.A. is planning any operations in Venezuela or if the authorities are meant as a contingency.”

[…] “The new authorities, known in intelligence jargon as a presidential finding, were described by multiple U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the highly classified document.” (link)

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It’s all inside baseball, but for those who are watching the effort to rein in the Fourth Branch of government it is also quite interesting.

CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis (pictured left) has removed the acting CIA general counsel and put himself into the role until President Trump’s nominee Joshua Simmons can be confirmed by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Deputy Director Ellis, like DNI Tulsi Gabbard is a solid MAGA ally.  Without knowing the reason for his decision to remove the CIA general counsel, the New York Times is not happy.

WASHINGTON DC – Michael Ellis, the deputy director of the C.I.A., has abruptly demoted a career lawyer who had been serving as the agency’s acting general counsel since January and installed himself in that role, according to people familiar with the matter.

[…] It was not clear what was behind Mr. Ellis’s taking personal control of making legal judgments for the agency while continuing to help lead it, but the move raised alarms among some current and former intelligence officials.

[…] The C.I.A. did not specifically address questions about what was behind the move and whether it raised conflict-of-interest issues. But in a statement, a C.I.A. spokeswoman, Liz Lyons, noted that Mr. Trump had nominated a State Department lawyer, Joshua Simmons, for the role. The Senate Intelligence Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for him on Wednesday.

“The deputy director is a highly respected national security lawyer and intelligence professional,” Ms. Lyons said. “This temporary arrangement was approved by career agency attorneys while the Senate considers President Trump’s nominee, Josh Simmons, for C.I.A. general counsel.

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New York Attorney General Letitia James has been indicted by a Virginia grand jury on a federal charge of bank fraud. [INDICTMENT HERE]

WASHINGTON — New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat who has clashed with President Donald Trump, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Virginia, three sources familiar with the matter confirmed to NBC News.

James was charged with one count of bank fraud after Trump publicly called for his Justice Department appointees to bring charges against her.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker, a Biden appointee. (more)

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Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., demand accountability as evidence behind the FBI ‘Arctic Frost’ operation starts to surface.  Slowly at first, then suddenly….

Johnson and Schmitt are not bad actors, nor are they operating in bad faith.  Both Senators are honest, patriotic and sincere.  Both are also inside the system.  Both Johnson and Schmitt are bound by the ‘schoolhouse rock’ customs and norms that frame their perspective of our constitutional republic.

We do not like being disagreeable, but we no longer can accept a demand that we adhere to rules that only apply to the behavior of the victim, not the abusers.   The ‘strongly worded letter‘ approach is useless.

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Appearing on Fox News with Sean Hannity (but of course) FBI Director Kash Patel states he has begun to focus his efforts on clearing out the DC-based FBI officials and agents who are working on a subversive agenda to harm the American system of law and order.

While defending the integrity of the institution that permitted their existence, Patel says his new leadership model is addressing the career FBI embeds.  Prior to his Hannity appearance Patel noted, “They tracked the communications of GOP Senators. They weaponized law enforcement against the American people. That era is over. We fired those who acted unethically, dismantled the corrupt CR-15 squad, and launched an investigation. ”  WATCH:

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At today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), a man who was also targeted by the FBI Arctic Frost surveillance operation, demanded answers from Attorney General Pam Bondi.  WATCH:

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Senator Ted Cruz (R-Sea Isl) has become a parody of himself as he takes dramatic acting to new levels during his monologues.  Apparently, Senator Cruz and CBS’s Margaret Brennan have the same acting coach.

That said, I’ve cut to the chase on part of the Cruz question that matters as he asks AG Bondi about the investigation into the Supreme Court leaker of the Dobbs decision. [::cough:: Sheldon Snook ::cough::]  WATCH:

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Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., questions Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday as she testified for the first time before the Senate Judiciary Committee since her confirmation hearing in January.

Senator Schmitt walks through the timeline of both the Obama and Biden administration conducting political surveillance on President Donald Trump.  WATCH:

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The question that matters comes up before things go off the rails.  Senator Hirono asks Attorney General Pam Bondi about the reauthorization of FISA-702, that will be needed when the authority expires next year.

The attorney general is clueless about the issue.  Bondi literally has to read her answer as prepared for her.  I’m not kidding, watch Pam Bondi’s response (prompted):

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If FISA-702 did not exist, the quasi-constitutional justification for the wholesale collection of U.S. citizen metadata no longer exists.  It really is that simple.

There is ZERO justification for the capture of U.S. citizen data by the government. The capture itself violates the Fourth Amendment.   The only way the government can justify the capture of U.S. Citizen data is if there is some quasi-constitutional or national security reason for it.

Take away “702”, and the data collection collapses; ANY “incidental” search of the database then loses any plausible legal justification.  702 is the camel’s nose under the tent.

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