Wednesday, June 07, 2017

The James Comey round up.

Unless you have been living in a cave you are undoubtedly aware that tomorrow former FBI director James Comey is going to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

And as a prelude to that event there has been a veritable tidal wave of breaking news stories which paint a very troubling picture for one Donald J. Trump.

First up, Trump's a liar.

Courtesy of CNN:  

In his much-anticipated congressional testimony on Thursday, fired FBI Director James Comey will dispute President Donald Trump's interpretation of their conversations, according to sources familiar with Comey's thinking. 

Trump has made a blanket claim that Comey told him multiple times that he was not under investigation. 

But one source said Comey is expected to explain to senators that those were much more nuanced conversations from which Trump concluded that he was not under investigation. Another source hinted that the President may have misunderstood the exact meaning of Comey's words, especially regarding the FBI's ongoing counterintelligence investigation.

He misunderstood nothing, Trump simply lied.  There is no longer any reason to give him the benefit of the doubt about anything.

And if Trump attempts to refute Comey's testimony he should know that the former FBI Director has back up: 

One by one this winter, then-FBI Director James B. Comey pulled aside three of the bureau’s top officials for private chats. In calm tones, he told each of them about a private Oval Office meeting with President Trump — during which, Comey alleged, the president pressed him to shut down the federal criminal investigation of Trump’s then-national security adviser, Michael Flynn. 

Those three officials, according to two people with detailed, firsthand knowledge of the matter, were Jim Rybicki, Comey’s chief of staff and senior counselor; James Baker, the FBI’s general counsel; and Andrew McCabe, then the bureau’s deputy director, and now the acting director, following Trump’s firing of Comey last month. Comey spoke to them within two days of his Oval conversation with Trump, the sources said, and recounted the president’s comments about the Flynn investigation.

As noted by Vox all three of these men are lawyers so of course they took notes of the conversation.

But wait, there's more courtesy of WaPo: 

The nation’s top intelligence official told associates in March that President Trump asked him if he could intervene with then-FBI Director James B. Comey to get the bureau to back off its focus on former national security adviser Michael Flynn in its Russia probe, according to officials.

Ouch!

But wait there is even more, this time courtesy of the New York Times:

The day after President Trump asked James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director, to end an investigation into his former national security adviser, Mr. Comey confronted Attorney General Jeff Sessions and said he did not want to be left alone again with the president, according to current and former law enforcement officials. 

Mr. Comey believed Mr. Sessions should protect the F.B.I. from White House influence, the officials said, and pulled him aside after a meeting in February to tell him that private interactions between the F.B.I. director and the president were inappropriate. But Mr. Sessions could not guarantee that the president would not try to talk to Mr. Comey alone again, the officials said.

The Times does not identify what it was about his meeting that freaked Comey out so much, but I think we can imagine. 

So yes tomorrow is going to be a very interesting day, but just what we have learned in the last twenty four hours is more than enough to start a serious conversation about impeachment.

56 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:01 AM

    So far the hearing today was a nothing burger. Everyone relevant shut their mouths and spewed BS reasons for not answering questions.... unless they are waiting for Comey to take the lead.
    They said they'd answer in CLOSED sessions but not to the people who are paying their salary... US!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:04 AM

      Hate to say "I told you so," but.....

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:04 PM

      Nothingburger? That's a fox news favorite. Your slip is showing, troll.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous9:04 AM

    http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/president-s-twitter-account-should-not-block-users-first-amendment-n769026

    ""The interesting thing about this argument is that a private host, Twitter, is being likened to a public space,""

    "The president’s Twitter habits are getting him into even more legal murkiness."
    "The Knight First Amendment Institute, a non-profit under the Knight Foundation and Columbia University, represents several Twitter users who have been blocked from accessing @realDonaldTrump after they wrote unflattering statements about the president."“Twitter account operates as a ‘designated public forum’ for First Amendment purposes, and accordingly the viewpoint-based blocking of our clients is unconstitutional.” ?the administration confirming on Tuesday that the President’s tweets should be taken as official statements, which bolsters the lawyer's argument say legal experts.

    “The president is president of the United States," said White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, "so they are considered official statements by the president of the United States." “Under the argument, they should not be excluded from a public forum and if they are that is suppression of speech,”"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's why Trump's stooges are downplaying his private twitter account, saying it is NOT his official position or policy blah blah blah.

      We know different. Trump himself has said it is to directly inform the American people. That he might get rid of the press corps because he can use Twitter to directly address the people. In which case, he can't block anyone per the position of the Knight foundation.

      Poor stooges. They keep trying to put out the fires and Trump just opens his big stupid maw and undermines and contradicts everything they've tried to do.

      45 is such a loser, his track record in court will continue with losses on the Muslim ban (again) and if this suit goes to court, he'll lose on his twitter block too. Too bad 45 can't be indicted for crimes against the state. He'd lose in court again.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous9:26 AM

    Remember trump tapes all conversations. He is a Nixon type crazy. His little pocket tape recorder is how he operates. And he wants some incriminating vocal bullshit to extort, bribe or threaten the victim/enabler. Trump is the classic old con man and snake oil salesman.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9:27 AM

    James Comey testimony: time, live stream and how to watch the former FBI director testify before Congress

    https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/7/15757530/james-comey-testimony-time-live-stream-congress-watch-online-former-fbi-director-trump

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous9:29 AM

    Since there is a major criminal investigation going on, it would make sense that these witnesses do not tell all yet. But for the record today they have given some evidence to drive the case home.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous9:34 AM

    If Jeff Sessions resigns, it’ll be far easier for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to nail Donald Trump

    http://www.palmerreport.com/opinion/easier-sessions-resigns-mueller/3349/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous9:34 AM

    Mike Rogers and Dan Coats did us all a favor today by keeping quiet about Donald Trump (for now)

    http://www.palmerreport.com/opinion/quiet-rogers-coats-trump/3355/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9:35 AM

    The Hearing today was awful to watch. The men all appeared to me to be protecting Trump. Could I be wrong? If so, then Comey is truly on his own tomorrow. I wish him well!

    We are in a mess in our country and all due to the asshole Trump.

    Now Trump is on TV talking about our roads, etc. What bullshit. He'll never get the money out of Congress to do them....betcha!

    I love to put a pin in the jerk as I just know he'd pop!

    ReplyDelete
  9. OT but LOL
    http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/07/sarah-palin-florida-republicans-paris-accord-facebook-239243

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:33 AM

      " the picture Palin used — featuring well-dressed people celebrating — was pure fake news. It didn’t really feature the “lobbyists” and others she bashed.
      Instead, it depicts a group least-likely to support either the idea of man-made climate change or the Paris Accord: the highly conservative Republican members of the Florida House of Representatives on the chamber floor. Palin deleted the post after POLITICO reported her error."

      Delete
  10. Anonymous9:41 AM

    Impeachment is for sissy's.

    Treason deserves nothing less than the firing squad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:51 AM

      I absolutely agree !

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:36 AM

      Learn correct apostrophe usage, please!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:06 PM

      11:36am, don't be that poster. Nobody likes that poster.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous2:24 PM

      12:05 - you're as stupid and uneducated as a Trump supporter. Of maybe you'll understand better if I say, "your as stupid...".

      Delete
  11. Anonymous10:10 AM

    What I'm hearing on MSNBC is that Trump will be vindicated by what Comey is expected to say. Oh well ... impeachment dreams were fun while they lasted ... but it not going to happen folks. Trump will survive this and end up smelling like a rose .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:39 AM

      what I'm hearing is a luau is planned. Sorry snowflakes but ya all couldn't have nominated a bigger loser and liar than trump.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:07 PM

      Bullshit. Didn't you read the opening statement?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous2:48 PM

      Trump smells like a rose that's been living up Palin's puckered ass. Both covered in bullshi*t, thorny to deal with and politically wilted.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous10:12 AM

    OT but LOL
    http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/07/sarah-palin-florida-republicans-paris-accord-facebook-239243

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous10:15 AM

    ‘Shell shocked’ Fox News is like a ghost town as ratings fall and future looks uncertain

    http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/06/ailes-gone-megyn-kelly-reborn-shell-shocked-fox-news-looks-like-an-episode-of-the-leftovers

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous10:29 AM

    Americans think Trump is interfering with Russia probe

    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/americans-think-trump-is-interfering-with-russia-probe/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous10:31 AM

    "Then Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) broke in and asked the committee chairman to direct Harris to let Rosenstein speak."
    scolds her.....

    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/gop-panel-chairman-scolds-kamala-harris-about-courtesy-after-she-grills-deputy-ag-on-russia-probe/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:40 PM

      http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/elizabeth-warren-shames-republicans-silencing-kamala-harris-not-courteous-enough.html

      "So that was fun. Girls, you must be courteous when dealing with matters of national security. Perhaps the ladies might wish to bring some muffins in for the next hearing, instead of asking questions that lack the proper amount of courtesy.
      Warren’s show of solidarity with Harris, who was one of three women on the panel today:Republicans interrupt witnesses and speak with contempt to them constantly, so their objection to Harris’ line of questioning and not being courteous enough is odd. Whatever they can do to keep the Russia investigation from moving forward as it should, they will do."

      Delete
  16. Anonymous10:34 AM

    Pentagon officials ‘aghast’ after Mike Flynn tried to set up secret military operations with Russia: report

    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/pentagon-officials-aghast-after-mike-flynn-tried-to-set-up-secret-military-operations-with-russia-report/

    FBI agents: Trump’s out-of-the-blue Twitter announcement of Christopher Wray was ‘slap in the face’

    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/fbi-agents-trumps-out-of-the-blue-twitter-announcement-of-christopher-wray-was-slap-in-the-face/

    Here’s What James Comey Will Say About Trump’s Attempt To Interfere With FBI Probe
    Trump told the former FBI director “I expect loyalty” and asked him to drop the investigation into Michael Flynn, according to the testimony.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/james-comey-testimony_us_59383bd8e4b00610547e9a95?az&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous10:37 AM

    Trump had 6 republicans for dinner yesterday. And at least 2 are on the intelligence committee hearings questioning witnesses. It seems this is again a unethical move by trump and stumps. The gull of this so called con man. He must resign today and save the taxpayers money and time. He is a 2 bit thug with zero creditability or character. A dishonest leech on society.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous10:48 AM

    Comey sent a letter to the panel in advance. It is up on their website at:
    https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/os-jcomey-060817.pdf

    Very interesting reading. He confirms that he was asked to back off on the Flynn investigation.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous10:51 AM

    Hearing Nightmare For Trump: Top Officials Won’t Answer If They Were Asked To Intervene On Russia

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/hearing-nightmare-trump-top-officials-answer-asked-intervene-russia.html

    NSA Director Won’t Deny Trump Asked Him To Intervene On Russia

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/nsa-director-deny-trump-asked-intervene-russia.html

    James Comey’s Opening Statement Will Begin With A Bang And Expose Trump Demand For Loyalty

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/comeys-opening-statement-includes-trump-demanding-loyalty-fbi-director.html

    Mark Warner Asked The Make Or Break Question of The Russia Hearing

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/mark-warner-asked-break-question-russia-hearing.html

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  20. Comey will say nothing of value. I know it. Just like the intel guys who would not admit Trump asked them to do their part in dropping all of this-- and would not deny it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:26 AM

      I have the same feeling that there won't be any information to really hang the POS but hope I am wrong. The R's are in power and they're not giving it up to save our country anytime soon. Sad

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:49 PM

      Come already said plenty of value. Read the advance copy of his introductory statement for the hearing.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous11:08 AM

    The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee said on Wednesday there was “more investigating to do” after top intelligence officials declined to answer questions about whether President Donald Trump attempted to interfere in the investigation of alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. election.

    “Our intelligence leaders could have laid allegations against (Trump) to rest. They chose not to and didn’t explain why they wouldn’t answer,” Senator Mark Warner said in a statement on Twitter after a committee hearing. “That tells me we have more investigating to do,” he wrote.

    ReplyDelete
  22. blind items11:23 AM

    "During a March 30 telephone conversation, the president told Comey, “he had nothing to do with Russia, had not been involved with hookers in Russia, and had always assumed he was being recorded when in Russia,”

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  23. There are bars planning to open early so people can watch Comey live.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous12:29 PM

    Trump Considered Ordering Comey To Investigate the Salacious Accusations In The Steele Dossier

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/trump-told-comey-ordering-investigate-salacious-accusations.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous12:30 PM

    Comey’s Statement Details A Whole Lot of Witnesses To Trump’s Plan Of Obstruction

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/comeys-statement-detail-trump-drop-investigation-includes-lot-witnesses.html

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous12:30 PM

    Adam Schiff locked in on two allegations in James Comey's opening statement that have the potential to bring down Trump and end his presidency.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/adam-schiff-zeroes-comey-allegations-bring-trump.html

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous12:34 PM

    James Comey’s opening statement gets posted in advance, and it’s a stunning takedown of Donald Trump

    https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/os-jcomey-060817.pdf

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous12:38 PM

    Donald Trump tries nominating Christopher Wray, from his own Russia-tinged law firm, as FBI Director

    http://www.palmerreport.com/politics/trump-nominates-wray/3356/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous12:40 PM

    Trump’s FBI Announcement Is ‘an Insult to Every Agent,’ Bureau Veterans Say

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-tweets-he-will-pick-christopher-wray-to-head-the-fbi

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous12:42 PM

    White House Staff, Congress Blindsided by FBI Pick Announcement

    President Trump decided to leave much of his senior staff out of the loop before announcing his pick to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/white-house-staff-congress-blindsided-by-fbi-pick-announcement

    Trump’s Top Lawman Won’t Promise ‘Fully Independent’ Russia Probe

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/dan-coats-mike-rogers-senate-intel-trump-fbi-obstruction

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous12:44 PM

    Comey wrote his memos using a flashlight, his only source of light ...in the back of an FBI van ...on a dark and stormy night....

    https://twitter.com/search?q=Comey&src=tren

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous12:45 PM

    After Comey's advance statement confirmed Trump's obstruction of justice, mine from 5/15: Trump's Russian Cover-up

    https://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann/status/872549801455386624

    ReplyDelete
  33. Comey's statement has been published and doesn't contain any real bombshells for those who have been following the story. He recounts the inappropriateness of Trump having others leave the room so that he could speak to Comey alone. He describes reacting with silence or noncommittal replies when Trump pressed him to declare his loyalty. Comey inferred from this that Trump was trying to set up some sort of "patronage," by which I guess he means a quid pro quo relationship, i.e., you cover for me and I'll cover for you. Comey maintained that he was dedicated to truth.

    The only surprise was Comey's statement that the President is not personally under investigation. This is disappointing.

    Perhaps there's enough there, or facts will be revealed through questioning, to nudge our lawmakers toward the huge step of impeachment.

    I used to think Pence, the mean-spirited evangelical, would be as bad as Trump. Now that Trump has been in office a few months, I see that's untrue. Pence doesn't shove dignitaries aside, try to intimidate people with his handshake, or tweet like a hyperactive, insecure 12-year-old. (Except that most 12-year-olds are more literate than Trump. Covfefe, anyone?) Pence knows how government works, and he knows how to smile. Trump's wide "zipped smile" is grotesque, and probably indicates his true self in all its ugliness.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous1:26 PM

    At this point POTUS hates almost everyone around him but knows he can't hire anyone willing to replace them.

    https://twitter.com/RoguePOTUSStaff/status/872561867226583041

    https://twitter.com/RoguePOTUSStaff

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:27 PM

      "POTUS hate$ almost everyone around him" WRONG.
      They FUCKING HATE HIM 1ST. Projaxulator!

      Delete
  35. Anonymous1:30 PM


    Twitter Has No Time For The GOP’s Weird GIF Response To Comey Statement

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/twitter-has-no-time-for-the-gops-weird-gif-response-to-comey-statement_us_59385747e4b0c5a35c9b777d?ou&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous1:41 PM

    The ‘Awkward’ Moment James Comey And Donald Trump Stared At Each Other In Silence

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/james-comey-donald-trump-awkward-moment_us_59384993e4b0b13f2c6658fa?teq&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous1:55 PM

    Mike Pence Cancels PBS Interview And Goes Into Hiding After Comey Testimony Release

    Vice President Mike Pence was so freaked out by the release of Comey's opening statement that he canceled a scheduled interview with PBS and went into hiding.

    The White House was apparently caught off guard by Comey’s decision to release his opening statement the day before he testifies, and they went on media lockdown as soon as the statement came out.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/mike-pence-cancels-pbs-interview-hiding-comey-testimony-release.html

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous1:56 PM

    Jeff Sessions Is Going Down Thanks To One Very Important Statement From James Comey

    Comey, who seems very prepared for all of these challenges, laid out exactly why he and FBI senior leadership didn't go to Sessions with this information, and the reasons why call Sessions' behavior into question.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/comey-senior-fbi-leadership-trust-ag-jeff-sessions-info-trump-pressuring.html

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous1:57 PM

    Rep. Eric Swalwell Perfectly Captures Trump’s Crazed Obsession With Killing The FBI Russia Probe

    Yes, it’s called trying to shut down a criminal investigation, which if Republicans were putting the U.S.A. first, would be an impeachable offense.

    Republicans might be feeling impervious to the needs and demands of the people, given Senator Mark Warner’s warning that the Russians are still at it, and are set to attack the 2018 and 2020 elections.

    So this suggests that Republicans see that they can’t get elected without help from a foreign adversary, and they are perfectly fine turning their backs on President Trump’s relationship with Russia if it means they can still get reelected while taking away your healthcare and stabbing our country in the back.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/swalwell-inappropriate-trump-comeys-loyalty-obsessively-hound-flynn.html

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous1:58 PM

    Elizabeth Warren Slams Republicans for Trying To Silence Kamala Harris

    Watch the boys talk down to and cut off Harris if you haven’t had your share of this at your own work today yet:

    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/07/elizabeth-warren-shames-republicans-silencing-kamala-harris-not-courteous-enough.html

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous2:08 PM

    Spin until you vomit.

    https://thinkprogress.org/republicans-desperately-try-to-downplay-comeys-bombshell-testimony-ac78d0ff8350

    ReplyDelete

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