Gardner is now supporting Graham's resolution criticizing House impeachment process, which is up to 50 co-sponsors.— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) October 25, 2019
Missing: Collins and Murkowski https://t.co/0bl469gTLM
So this isn't exactly the embarrassment that many liberals thought it would be. Markos Moulitsas is beside himself with grief after predicting that Graham attempts would backfire on this one. He's especially upset with Cory Gardner, whom I guess he thought was backing impeachment because he is in a hard contest. Does someone like Markos not realize that a Republican cannot win a Senate race in 2020 without the support of the President and without the Republican base (which is adamantly against impeachment) ?
Apparently many liberals (living in their own little liberal world) believe that Republicans would be abandoning the President, or at the very least not willing to step up to the plate and pledge their support. Funny thing is that Graham has pulled in several more Senators "since" the recent William Taylor testimony that the liberal world demanded was so damaging.
Removing the President in the Senate simply isn't going to happen. No matter how many silly stories you read in Politicalwire or whatever gossip cite you frequent, the reality is that none of these 50 Senators are going to vote in favor or removing the President based on what is known at this point. At best, Democrats would be impeaching on "attempted" quid pro quo, when quid pro quo is not even a crime. An "attempted non-crime" is not reason to overturn the results of an election. Especially with another one coming in just over a year from now.
I doubt very seriously whether Romney, Murkowski, or even Collins will vote in favor of removing him. Not unless they plan on switching Parties before their reelection.
53 comments:
You need help.
overturn the results of an election.
If the President is impeached and convicted, will Hillary Clinton be sworn in to the President until January 20th of 2021?
October 22, 2019
Honorable Steven A. Engel
Assistant Attorney General
Office of Legal Counsel
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
Dear Assistant Attorney General Engel:
Thank you for your interest in the views of the Inspector General community on the concerns
raised by the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community (ICIG) in response to the Office
of Legal Counsel’s (OLC) September 3, 2019 Memorandum for the Office of the Director of
National Intelligence (ODNI). That memorandum effectively overruled the determination by the
ICIG regarding an “urgent concern” complaint under the Intelligence Community Whistleblower
Protection Act (ICWPA) that the ICIG concluded appeared credible and therefore needed to be
transmitted to Congress. This letter from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and
Efficiency, on behalf of the undersigned federal Inspectors General (IG), expresses our support
for the position advanced by the ICIG and our concern that the OLC opinion, if not withdrawn or
modified, could seriously undermine the critical role whistleblowers play in coming forward to
report waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct across the federal government. Further, as
addressed in detail below, OLC’s interpretation regarding the ICWPA procedure in question,
which mirrors the procedure that Congress included in Section 5(d) of the Inspector General Act
of 1978 (IG Act), has the potential to undermine IG independence across the federal
government.
As an initial matter, we find the arguments and concerns raised by the ICIG in his September 17,
2019 response to the OLC memorandum compelling. OLC concluded that the foreign election
interference alleged by the whistleblower was not an “urgent concern” within the meaning of
the ICWPA because it did not concern “the funding, administration, or operation of an
intelligence activity” under the authority of the DNI. In his response, by describing and citing to
the DNI’s relevant legal authorities, the ICIG showed that the DNI has a broad legal mandate to
address intelligence matters related to national security, as well as the specific responsibility to
assess instances of possible foreign interference in United States elections and identify, to the
maximum extent possible, the methods used and persons and foreign governments involved in
the interference. These responsibilities support the ICIG’s conclusion that the protection of
federal elections from foreign interference is squarely within the DNI’s “operations”. The legal
authorities cited in his letter also support the ICIG’s determination that the whistleblower
raised a claim of a serious or flagrant problem that relates to an intelligence activity within the
DNI’s jurisdiction. It surely cannot be the case that the DNI has responsibilities related to
foreign election interference but is prohibited from reviewing the cause of any such alleged
interference.1
We further note that the DNI has jurisdiction over the handling of classified and other sensitive
information. As a result, the whistleblower’s allegation that certain officials may have misused
an intelligence system also raises an additional claim of a serious or flagrant problem that
relates to the operations of the DNI and therefore may properly be considered an urgent
concern under the statute.2
The OLC memorandum also confuses whether the ICIG has jurisdiction to investigate alleged
foreign interference with U.S. elections with the question of whether the DNI has the
responsibility to address that issue. The ICIG determined that the whistleblower complaint
relates to intelligence activities subject to the DNI’s responsibility and authority, and the ICIG is
responsible, under the ICWPA, for making an independent judgment as to what disclosures
represent an “urgent concern” related to DNI’s jurisdiction. The two cases cited in the OLC
opinion, which narrowly question an IG’s authority to conduct specific regulatory compliance
investigations on behalf of its establishment agency, are distinguishable from the ICIG’s ability
to accept, review, and transmit whistleblower allegations related to DNI responsibilities.3 They
do not undermine the responsibility, under the ICWPA, for the DNI to transmit to Congress
what the ICIG determined to be an urgent concern related to the DNI’s jurisdiction.
We also share the ICIG’s concern that the OLC opinion could seriously impair whistleblowing
and deter individuals in the intelligence community and throughout the government from
reporting government waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct. Whistleblowers play an essential
public service in coming forward with such information, and they should never suffer reprisal or
1
The fact that other parts of the government, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of
Justice, also have responsibilities in this area does not divest the DNI of such duties as a matter of law or practice.
The ICWPA does not require that the activity that is the subject of an urgent concern be exclusively within the
purview of the DNI, but only that it is “relating” to such operations,
2 The suggestion in the OLC memorandum that the jurisdiction of the DNI, or any federal agency head, is limited to
the conduct of their own employees is not correct as a matter of law or practice. In this example, the misuse of
federal intelligence systems within the oversight of the DNI, by whomever it may allegedly have been done, would
relate to the administration or operation of an intelligence operation or activity within the responsibility of the DNI
and, therefore, properly be the subject of an urgent concern.
3
Courts have routinely denied challenges raised by regulated entities to OIG jurisdiction, including challenges
relying on the notion that OIGs cannot be involved in a “routine agency investigation”. See, e.g. Univ. of Med. &
Dentistry of New Jersey v. Corrigan, 347 F.3d 57, 66 (3d Cir. 2003) (“[W]e see no basis for concluding that the
inspector general’s authority cannot overlap with that of the department. As the Court of Appeals for the Fifth
Circuit stated, “Section 9(a)(2) prohibits the transfer of ‘program operating responsibilities,’ and not the
duplication of functions or the copying of techniques.” (internal citation omitted)); Adair v. Rose Law Firm, 867 F.
Supp. 111, 1117 (D.D.C. 1994) (“Burlington Northern imposed limits on the authority of Inspectors General that do
not appear on the face of the statute or in its legislative history.”). The OLC opinion suggests a clear delineation,
when none exists, between what an OIG may not investigate (a “routine agency investigation”) and what it may
(“an investigation relating to abuse and mismanagement in the administration” of the programs and operations of
As a result, the whistleblower’s allegation that certain officials may have misused an intelligence system also raises an additional claim of a serious or flagrant problem that relates to the operations of the DNI and therefore may properly be considered an urgent
concern under the statute.2
Barr is perhaps acting as the attorney for the President, in violation of his oath of office.
You are getting ahead of yourself with your predictions of how the Senate will vote.
MORE: Chief Judge Howell writes, "HJC has shown that it needs the grand jury material referenced and cited in the Mueller Report to avoid a possible injustice in the impeachment inquiry, that this need for disclosure is greater than the need for continued secrecy."
They are not trying to overturn the last election.
That's just a talking point provided by the President to psychopathic believers like you.
clapper literally* shits himself on cnn:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1187694279646482440
* h/t: quid pro joe
Blogger Roger Amick said...
You need help.
overturn the results of an election.
projecting again i see.
your side started this alky. ALL of it. russia was always a fable, a hoax, a lie. all because the fat, pantsuited, drunken, feckless, cunt was humiliated in front of the entire fucking world.
trump won fair and square.
if you're looking for someone to be angry with look to the clinton's and only to the clinton's.
if bubba could've kept his dick in his pants he would not have owed HER the presidency to stick around.
that was ALWAYS a deal with the devil, and like most deals with the devil, it didn't turn out as planned.
i will say it is enjoyable to watch trump kick your ass ONCE AGAIN.
damn enjoyable.
oh, and barr? a patriot's patriot. and the man who will see to it that those who deserve it die in fucking prison.
Scott A**hole, the current Secretary of State disagreed with you on Taylor and his testimony!
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday that he is in “full accord” with top Ukraine diplomat Bill Taylor on Ukraine policy, a notable vote of confidence as President Donald Trump repeatedly lobs insults at “Never Trumper” Taylor.
According to The Sunflower, a student-run newspaper based in Kansas, Pompeo added that he has “every reason to think that [Taylor’s] still out there, banging away at that problem set. But I will say this: we all, as human beings, can get it wrong, too.”
The comment comes as Pompeo makes yet another trip to his adopted home state, rekindling speculation that he plans to jump ship of the administration in favor of a Senate run.
Proving that you are wrong about your allegations against Taylor was a blast!
Your source is not normal. They believe that immunization is a scam.
Techno Fog
@Techno_Fog
Follow Follow @Techno_Fog
More
BREAKING - new @SidneyPowell1 filing in the Flynn case.
Lisa Page edited the Flynn 302.
James Clapper told WaPo reporter Ignatius to basically "take the kill shot on Flynn"
THREAD
https://twitter.com/Techno_Fog/status/1187556774922145792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1187556774922145792&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Face.mu.nu%2F
oh, and alky?
for this evening's libations i have selected a damn fine local craft IPA. a new england IPA to be exact. 8.0% ABV. delicious.
with just enough of a kick to help me laugh uncontrollably at your meltdown posts later this evening.
ta ta alky.
@charliekirk11
BREAKING:
Former FBI General Counsel James Baker is now cooperating with Bill Barr & John Durham’s investigation
Investigate the investigators!
This is long overdue
Comey
Clapper
Brennan
Be prepared.
Justice is coming
Jimmy you are such a loser.
You will type in your support for a civil war if Trump is impeached and convicted.
"the man who will see to it that those who deserve it die in fucking prison."
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and a few other!
You are a traitor. You deserve it die in fucking prison!
@JackPosobiec
BREAKING: Former FBI general counsel James Baker has reportedly ‘flipped’ and is now cooperating with the Barr-Durham investigation into the origins of the Russia investigation - @OANN
@thebradfordfile
Barack Obama knew EVERYTHING.
Now Democrats and their puppet media are in a panic knowing the legacy of their chosen one is about to be destroyed forever. It's going to get ugly. But when the dust settles, Obama will be the most corrupt man to ever occupy in the Oval Office.
--------------
Everything Democrats are doing is a distraction from the main event...
AG Barr and US Attorney Durham have begun THE RECKONING.
And there is nothing Democrats can do to stop it.
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
----------------
Riddle me this...
Why would the Democrats on both congressional intel committees be against the Attorney General finding out how a sham counterintelligence investigation started that targeted a presidential campaign?
I think I know why.
What Fun.
The Socialist Democrats are on the run.
DC Lawyers will get rich defending Obama/Biden and his top staff Members.
Mueller Grand Jury Evidence Must Be Given to Congress
October 25, 2019 at 3:35 pm EDT
A federal judge on Friday said that the House of Representatives can be given grand jury material collected as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, especially since there is an ongoing impeachment inquiry, CNBC reports.
From the decision:
“Tipping the scale even further toward disclosure is the public’s interest in a diligent and thorough investigation into, and in a final determination about, potentially impeachable conduct by the President described in the Mueller Report.”
Also important:
“Even in cases of presidential impeachment, a House resolution has never, in fact, been required to begin an impeachment inquiry.”
The ruling is a major win for House Democrats.
____________
Let's repeat that last line:
THE RULING IS A MAJOR WIN FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS.
50 Republicans .
Roger, You Think this was just about the Graham Resolution ?
Judge calls Trump impeachment probe legal,
AND says House must get Mueller grand jury information
PUBLISHED 3 HOURS AGO UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
KEY POINTS
*A federal judge rejects claims that the impeachment probe of President Donald Trump is illegitimate.
*Judge Beryl Howell orders the Justice Department to give the House Judiciary Committee secret grand jury material collected in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
*The House is investigating Trump’s pressuring of Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
Appointed by Obunghole, stupid old man
*** BREAKING Federal judge ruling to be appealed ***
yawn
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/25/judge-orders-release-of-mueller-material-citing-impeachment-chance.html
@SaraCarterDC
The tide is turning for Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn & if his attorney has her way the entire case will be thrown out. It should be. Watch @Seanhannity 9 ET
FBI Agents Manipulated Flynn 302 Interview. His Case Must Be Dismissed. It Was A Setup. https://saraacarter.com/fbi-agents-manipulated-flynn-302-interview-his-case-must-be-dismissed-it-was-a-setup/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-pug … via @SaraCarterDC
Roger n Jane spam ever single thread .
Mindless Trolls.
@mtaibbi
LOL. Barack Obama is going to love this interview his former DIA James Clapper just gave to CNN about the Durham probe: “It’s frankly disconcerting to be investigated for having done... what we were told to do by the president of the United States.”
WHAT A FRIDAY !!!
With President Trumps help behind the scene and in support of the USE, the Strike ended.
Support of the UAW is a big Win for Trump.
@rww_gop
“For the 2020 campaign, @GOP has staff deployed in 19 states including New Hampshire & New Mexico, w/ five regional communications directors & nine regional political directors. By Election Day there will be 2M volunteers coordinated by 60,000 “fellows.”
night and day difference from 2016
Thank You Mr. Clapper.
“It’s frankly disconcerting to be investigated for having done... what we were told to do by the president of the United States.”
Obimbo and Biden Directed them ALL to attack Canidate Trump.
Michael Conway Republicans' absurd complaints about impeachment inquiry access are historically ignorant
In comparison to the Watergate inquiry, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff is actually being very transparent and collegial.
No Need to ask "what did Obama/Biden know and when did they know it"
They planned, directed and executed the attack on the US Constitution , Canidate Trump and we the voters.
https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/watch/bolton-s-possible-testimony-could-seal-donald-trump-s-fate-72054341878
MY GOSH!
https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/watch/the-president-s-losing-effort-to-spin-the-impeachment-inquiry-72054853909
MY GOSH!
LOL the White House Keeps Desperately Trying '
to Muddy the Waters
but it ain't working
--the waters are not muddying
https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/watch/could-rudy-giuliani-be-indicted-71984709844
Could Giuliani be indicted?
Yes, yes, and yes.
James, good to see you. How are you?
Did you help Roger to not kill himself with his 30.06 Rifle?
Did you help him after his divorce and eviction for non-payment?
Did you assist him after he became homeless ?
Did you work to get him past his last Clinical Depression?
https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/watch/could-rudy-giuliani-be-indicted-71984709844
no pressure no pressure no pressure --- OOOPS!
no quid pro quo no quid pro quo no --- OOOPS!
all hearsay all hearsay all hearsay --- OOOPS!
For true sport fans this weekend is awesome. England 🏴 New Zealand 🇳🇿 in the morning
Wales 🏴 South Africa 🇿🇦 Sunday
The mighty All Blacks look indestructible and anyone but England
C’Mon Wales Sunday
https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/watch/trump-s-allies-running-low-on-options-to-defend-his-conduct-71982149897
Good ole Trey Gowdy
PUT DOWN THAT SHARP OBJECT, CH!
PUT IT DOWN!!!
Barr is perhaps acting as the attorney for the President, in violation of his oath of office
Barr is following the leads provided to him by the Inspector General.
I thought you liked inspector generals?
Wow James...
Did you just not see that 50 out of 53 Republicans came to his defense...
IN REAL LIFE!!!
It's not up to MSNBC if Trump is removed from office
It's up to the Republicans in the Senate!!!!
You do get that, right James?
Right? I mean, you do understand that MSNBC gets... um no vote in this!?!
That what MSNBC does or says is completely 100% irrelevant.
But hey, if you want to convince yourself that a vote to remove the President is going to take place in the media, rather than in the Senate...
Well then knock yourself out!
Better than facing reality, huh??!!!
No senator is saying openly that the president’s conduct is not impeachable. No senator is saying the witnesses lack credibility. No senator is saying it is perfectly appropriate for the president to use his powers to aid his campaign effort.
There is a reason for that stunning silence: There is every reason to view this conduct as unprecedented, impeachable and amply provable through multiple witnesses and documents.
--WaPo
WaPo
There is another takeaway from the senators’ stall tactics. The public is already moving with remarkable speed toward supporting impeachment and removal without seeing the witnesses, either. If the witnesses prove as stalwart and professional as they have apparently demonstrated behind closed doors, and/or the Republicans behave as ludicrously as they did during Wednesday’s mass violation of security rules by forcing themselves into a secure hearing room, who knows how high support for removal could go?
You believe that because those Senators co signed the bill don't mean shit.
It's politics, because most of them tell reporters in private, that they don't like the President and his impulsive decisions.
James...
Back to REALITY!!!!
HE HAS COMPLETE BACKING FROM 50 of 53 Senator are agreeing not only to back him but to actually CONDEMN the entire impeachment process!!!
But hey... if it makes you feel better that some moron from WaPo thinks he knows better what Republicans think... go for it!
I know I will sleep well tonight thinking about Horowitz, Durham, and Barr going through all those incriminating text messages and idiotic schemes that FBI agents thought they would get away with!
You can hope that Romney, Murkowski, or Collins decides to commit political suicide for the Democrat's cause... and that it still won't matter one iota!!!
@johncardillo
Last 24 hours:
- Durham’s probe goes criminal
- Brennan goes silent
- Clapper melts down on CNN
- We discover Page edited Gen. Flynn’s 302s
- McCabe drops his wrongful termination suit against DOJ
Tick tock
Friday fun day. Unless you are the prior president or his minions.
@almostjingo
Isn’t that special. Howell not only oversaw Mueller’s Grand Jury proceedings she’s old buddies with Weissmann, now miraculously she’s the one making bizarre statements about impeachment and of course today’s ruling.
https://twitter.com/almostjingo/status/1187882460010278912
such a small group that keeps popping up... OBAMA CRIME SYNDICATE judge
@ChatByCC
When the case against General Flynn is dismissed…
and it will be, @GenFlynn should sue the morally and ethically bankrupt Comey, McCabe, Brennan etc. into personal financial bankruptcy.
and the top puppeteer, Obama
I just looked at the James Clapper "meltdown" video in response to the idea that he is being investigated.
At a couple of points, he had to laugh. Some meltdown.
You have lost your mind Scott.
You want Romney, Murkowski, or Collins dead.
Barr should be impeached too.
The DOJ is a law enforcement entity whose legitimacy stands on it being viewed as independent from the White House.
But this Justice Department is already pursuing what has now become a criminal investigation that appears geared toward vindicating President Trump politically. It also made key decisions about how to handle the initial allegations of presidential abuse of power in the Ukraine matter — decisions that could have kept Trump’s improper actions from becoming public.
This is another example of the abuse of power by the President.
So Clapper said he was just following his bosses orders. Perfectly excusable
The DOJ is a law enforcement entity whose legitimacy stands on it being viewed as independent from the White House.
You mean like with Eric Holder called himself Obama's "wingman"?
You are just so fucking stupid it's pathetic.
Barr is chasing down leads given to him by an Inspector General. Here we all thought the left "liked" Inspector Generals? You want to "impeach" him for doing his job?
btw... don't be surprised of Loretta Lynch is found to be in the middle of this!
You will type in your support for a civil war if Trump is impeached and convicted.
well that ain't happening then.
in order to impeach there must be a vote. a vote that poli-grip pelosi is afraid to take. and a conviction? ha. yeah, right.
alky, i don't want a civil war. i really truly don't. but if y'all insist upon having one, then i'll gladly participate. you dumb fucks started this shitshow with your disruptJ20 and your pussy hat temper tantrums. and now antifa. so where we are today is exactly where you've brought us. simply because you could not accept the results of an election. talk of impeachment began about 20 minutes after trump's coronation. you know, the one with the record crowds.
alky, there's an ancient chinese proverb:
Don't start none, won't be none.
so the whole civil war thingy is on you. start one, and there shall be one. and if i have to forego deer season for antifa season, then so be it.
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