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The Comey hearing is about to start. Lindsey, Grassley, and Tom Cotton all wearing masks so prolly Trump will make fun of them.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?475947-1/fbi-director-james-comey-testifies-russia-investigation&live
https://www.c-span.org/video/?475947-1/fbi-director-james-comey-testifies-russia-investigation&live
One thing that should be a focus of this hearing is the role of Barbara Ledeen.
She was named personally as coordinating w/Mike Flynn. Her spouse, Michael, was the FIRST person Flynn called to talk abt undermining sanctions.
And yet she's the one leading this "investigation."
She was named personally as coordinating w/Mike Flynn. Her spouse, Michael, was the FIRST person Flynn called to talk abt undermining sanctions.
And yet she's the one leading this "investigation."
Lindsey ties the Flynn investigation to FISA, even though we have solid evidence that while NSLs were obtained on Flynn, Bill Barnett did not get a 215 order on him.
Lindsey claims this is about reforming FISA.
Lindsey never cared fuckall abt FISA until Carter Page.
And he doesn't care fuckall abt proof that FISAs with others are worse.
Lindsey never cared fuckall abt FISA until Carter Page.
And he doesn't care fuckall abt proof that FISAs with others are worse.
Lindsey claims, falsely, that Danchenko was "suspected of being a Russian agent all the way back to 2009."
No. FBI investigated him. Just like they investigated Page, Flynn, Trump, and (probably) Rudy. FBI investigated those Trumpsters more recently.
No. FBI investigated him. Just like they investigated Page, Flynn, Trump, and (probably) Rudy. FBI investigated those Trumpsters more recently.
"Carter Page was on the Trump campaign team....if you've had a photo with Trump you've probably had closer ties to Trump."
Lindsey claims there has yet to be any indication he was lying. THat's false. HE denied things in March 2017 that he had earlier admitted.
Lindsey falsely claims that ALL Page's ties were during his approved CIA contact.
Lindsey falsely claims that ALL Page's ties were during his approved CIA contact.
Lindsey is misrepresenting what the CIA approved contact, pretending that Page's willingness to share non-public info w/Russian spies had a constructive purpose. No. Basically CIA was just asking questions of someone they knew was willingly being recruited.
Lindsey is overstating the degree to which Steele had one source.
Lindsey again misstates how long the investigation into Danchenko was. Twice so far.
Lindsey again misstates how long the investigation into Danchenko was. Twice so far.
It's technically not true that FBI *never* submitted any of the dossier stuff to the court. They submitted SOME in the later apps, and the ultimate disclosed to the court
Thus far Lindsey has not admitted that he's the guy who told John McCain he should share teh Steele dossier with the FBI.
If Lindsey thinks people should lose their job for their role in the Steele dossier, and he's the one who told McCain to share the dossier with FBI, does that mean he concedes to @harrisonjaime?
Lindsey reads statement from OI lawyer who says that if he knew then what he knows now he wouldn't have approved the FISA application.
He doesn't mention that that OI lawyer had information FBI did NOT have, but didn't include that. That didn't make it into the IG Report.
He doesn't mention that that OI lawyer had information FBI did NOT have, but didn't include that. That didn't make it into the IG Report.
DiFi: Mueller's findings confirm the FBI was right to open investigation.
Side note: given Bill Barnett's 302, we now know that an Agent who sent pro-Trump texts on his FBI phone SINGLEHANDEDLY prevented Mueller from finding a quid pro quo. https://www.emptywheel.net/2020/09/25/billy-barr-releases-302-that-proves-view-of-pro-mike-flynn-agent-held-sway-in-mueller-report-conclusions/
Side note: given Bill Barnett's 302, we now know that an Agent who sent pro-Trump texts on his FBI phone SINGLEHANDEDLY prevented Mueller from finding a quid pro quo. https://www.emptywheel.net/2020/09/25/billy-barr-releases-302-that-proves-view-of-pro-mike-flynn-agent-held-sway-in-mueller-report-conclusions/
DiFI starts by laying out that Dossier had no ties to any of the charges against Trumpsters, says none of the 10 witnesses interviewed by SJC investigation have said political bias played a role.
Only after opening statements does Lindsey try to get Comey on screen.
Kind of seems like you do this before you start?
Kind of seems like you do this before you start?
Lindsey swears Comey in.
Comey has no opening statement.
Comey has no opening statement.
Lindsey: 1-10, how would you rate CH investigation being done by that book.
Comey: In the main done by the book.
Comey: In the main done by the book.
Lindsey: First learn of Steele dossier?
Comey: End of September 2016.
Lindsey: Do you agree with Horowitz that dossier central?
Comey: Can't tell you whether essential.
Comey: End of September 2016.
Lindsey: Do you agree with Horowitz that dossier central?
Comey: Can't tell you whether essential.
Lindsey: Was there effort to get FISA during summer. You add dossier all of a sudden they say yes.
Comey: DOJ decided to move forward after Steele part of it.
[Note, there were informant interviews too]
Comey: DOJ decided to move forward after Steele part of it.
[Note, there were informant interviews too]
Lindsey continues to misstate what the relationship with the CIA was.
Comey is not agreeing with his description of the Page relationship.
Comey is not agreeing with his description of the Page relationship.
Lindsey KEEPS saying that Page "was assisting" the CIA.
Only because he was telling them about some BUT NOT ALL of his ties to known Russian intelligence officers.
Only because he was telling them about some BUT NOT ALL of his ties to known Russian intelligence officers.
Lindsey ONCE AGAIN misstates what the relationship with CIA.
Lindsey asks abt what has been done to vet the dossier.
Comey says he didn't know.
Lindsey: Whose job is it to make sure facts are right. Did you sign affidavit?
Comey says he didn't know.
Lindsey: Whose job is it to make sure facts are right. Did you sign affidavit?
BREAKING: Lindsey is exhibited UTTER lack of awareness of what the FBI Director certification is for in FISA. It's about sources and methods, NOT abt the facts. The latter is more DOJ's job.
Lindsey now claims there was "no" effort to verify the dossier.
Comey says he doesn't know.
Lindsey is misstating again.
Comey says he doesn't know.
Lindsey is misstating again.
Lindsey ONCE AGAIN misstates what FBI learned about Danchenko.
Danchenko could probably sue Lindsey for this.
He's talking about suspicions in 2011, and treating them as still active in 2016.
Danchenko could probably sue Lindsey for this.
He's talking about suspicions in 2011, and treating them as still active in 2016.
Lindsey: When did you learn. who Steele was?
Comey: Late September.
Lindsey: Don't remember Bruce Ohr briefing team abt Steele hating?
[Comey wasn't in that briefing]
Comey: Late September.
Lindsey: Don't remember Bruce Ohr briefing team abt Steele hating?
[Comey wasn't in that briefing]
Lindsey AGAIN misstates when Danchenko was suspected of being a Russian spy.
Lindsey now asking whether Comey was briefed by CIA on stuff--he wouldn't have been, in part, bc this was compartmented.
Lindsey AGAIN misstates the report on Danchenko.
Again, Danchenko has basis to sue Lindsey's ass off at this point -- for the same basis that Page has reason to complain.
Again, Danchenko has basis to sue Lindsey's ass off at this point -- for the same basis that Page has reason to complain.
Lindsey: Every time you found info to put reliability of dossier in question, you're not aware?
Comey: I do not remember being told abt any interview. I can't answer bc I wasn't.
Comey: I do not remember being told abt any interview. I can't answer bc I wasn't.
Lindsey, bc he is misstating the role of Danchenko, and the motives of Danchenko, is misstating the value of the January interview.
Lindsey falsely claims it's inherently exculpatory.
It's not, bc the source otherwise had all the sources he said he had.
It's not, bc the source otherwise had all the sources he said he had.
Lindsey now states, as fact, that "the Primary Subsource was a Russian agent."
FBI never substantiated that, and it was 5 years before the dossier.
FBI never substantiated that, and it was 5 years before the dossier.
Lindsey again misstates what being an approved contact for the CIA means.
Lindsey again says that the subsource was a suspect Russian spy.
Understand what's happening: Lindsey is saying that Carter Page ,who was suspected of being a Russian agent, was falsely accused, but he's doing that by accusing someone suspected, but not confirmed, of being a Russian agent was a Russian agent.
Lindsey now going on to RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION about Clinton's attempt to correctly say that TRump had ties with Russia.
September 7.
September 7.
Lindsey is really angry that Comey didn't take something that the IC presented as an uncorroborated Russian claim but he's worried about the dossier.
Lindsey AGAIN misstates what the FBI believed about Danchenko in 2016.
Lindsey now describing that the IC assessed that the pee tape was disinformation campaign.
The IC ALSO assessed that the September 2016 tip might be too.
The IC ALSO assessed that the September 2016 tip might be too.
Lindsey doesn't understand how intelligence gathering works. The pee tape was out there since 2013. THat Steele got the same story doesn't mean it wasn't out there.
Lindsey now states as fact that Danchenko was a Russian spy.
Note, it is false that FBI never told the court. Yes, they didn't tell teh court of MOST of it. But he's frankly misstating this.
LINDSEY DOESN"T EVEN UNDERSTAND THE RATCLIFFE STORY.
Lindsey falsely claims that implicates Hillary with Russia.
No. At worse it says that Russia wiretapped Hillary. Which ... they did!!!
Lindsey falsely claims that implicates Hillary with Russia.
No. At worse it says that Russia wiretapped Hillary. Which ... they did!!!
DiFi starts with Manafort's direct tie bt a campaign manager and Russian intelligence officer is a grave CI threat.
DiFi: Are you concerned that Trump will use Russian interference efforts to his advantage.
Comey: as private citizen, yes, he said he would.
Comey: as private citizen, yes, he said he would.
Lindsey Graham falsely described the substance of the Igor Danchenko report at least seven times in the first 20 minutes of this hearing, one time even stating, as fact, that Danchenko was a Russian spy.
The funny thing abt this is that Sergi Millian was ALSO a suspected Russian spy, ACTIVELY, in 2016.
For some reason they don't want to talk about that.
For some reason they don't want to talk about that.
Grassley: The primary subsource was a suspected Russian spy.
Now Grassley is starting this.
Danchenko is going to be able to sue these guys.
Now Grassley is starting this.
Danchenko is going to be able to sue these guys.
Grassley: RU had intent to target Steele, had ability to do so, success of those efforts bc some RU disinfo made it into dossier.
Both DNC and RU intelligence manipulated FBI under your watch.
Both DNC and RU intelligence manipulated FBI under your watch.
RU disinformation has ALREADY been aired in this committee hearing. And yet Grassley is beating up Comey for FBI getting some information.
Grassley now asking why Comey didn't tell Trump that Flynn case almost closed in early January 2017.
Now Grassley is exhibiting that HE ALSO doesn't know fuckall about what the FBI Director FISA certification means.
Grassley: Did you discuss abt Crossfire Hurricane.
Comey: 2016, told POTUS endeavoring to understand whether any Americans involved in effort.
Grassley: Biden/Obama Flynn?
Comey: January 5, when Obama held me back to urge do case in normal way.
Comey: 2016, told POTUS endeavoring to understand whether any Americans involved in effort.
Grassley: Biden/Obama Flynn?
Comey: January 5, when Obama held me back to urge do case in normal way.
Grassley: Did you mean Flynn's calls were legit.
Comey: If I said it I would have meant not fabricated.
Comey: If I said it I would have meant not fabricated.
BREAKING: Comey makes it clear that the claims about Comey's reference to "legit" calls have been entirely misrepresented by Flynn's team, before Emmet Sullivan.
Reminder, BY MAY, the investigations into the Russian investigation had lasted 47% longer than the actual Russian investigation. https://www.emptywheel.net/2020/05/27/the-eight-investigations-into-the-russian-investigation-have-already-lasted-47-longer-than-the-investigation-itself/
Leahy: We now know Trump owes more than $400M to unknown entities. Cites Eric Trump boasting of Russian funding.
Comey: I don't know whether Russians have anything over Trump. But I don't know how to explain it.
Leahy: Yesterday, over advice of career professionals, Ratcliffe declassified unverified RU intelligence. It was rejected by Republicans on SSCI. Concerned weaponizing foreign intel?
Comey: I don't understand Ratcliffe's letter well enough to comment.
Comey: I don't understand Ratcliffe's letter well enough to comment.
Comey: Know that a nation that does NOT have America's best interests at heart wants to re-elect Donald Trump.
Leahy raises Sidney Powell's convos with Trump abt Flynn.
Leahy raises Sidney Powell's convos with Trump abt Flynn.
Leahy: What does disclosure abt Powell's ties with Trump mean abt Trump's attempts to politicize LE.
Comey: DOJ conduct deeply concerning. This guy getting treated in a way that no one has ever been treated before.
Comey: DOJ conduct deeply concerning. This guy getting treated in a way that no one has ever been treated before.
Cornyn: Appropriate for FBI to influence election?
Comey: FBI should try to avoid anything.
Cornyn: Your Hillary announcement?
Comey: I'm aware of the allegation.
Comey: FBI should try to avoid anything.
Cornyn: Your Hillary announcement?
Comey: I'm aware of the allegation.
Cornyn: Did you call dossier salacious and unverified.
Comey: I reserved that for the sex part of it.
Comey: I reserved that for the sex part of it.
Cornyn: Any verification of Steele dossier by FBI?
Comey: Not tracking the question.
Cornyn: IG Horowitz. Before report, did you know info reported by Horowitz that should have raised questions?
Comey: Learned a lot abt Steele dossier from Horowitz.
Comey: Not tracking the question.
Cornyn: IG Horowitz. Before report, did you know info reported by Horowitz that should have raised questions?
Comey: Learned a lot abt Steele dossier from Horowitz.
Cornyn: Can you rule out that FBI investigation predicated on RU disinformation?
Comey: I think so, bc it was predicated on friendly tip.
Cornyn: Steele subsource.
Comey: Opened based on allied ambassador. Wasn't until 2 months later Steel came to team.
Comey: I think so, bc it was predicated on friendly tip.
Cornyn: Steele subsource.
Comey: Opened based on allied ambassador. Wasn't until 2 months later Steel came to team.
Cornyn now going to whether Steele dossier should be included in ICA.
Comey: Group's view was it was significant enough with other intel to put in annex.
Cornyn: Does it concern you that Carter Page application make it harder for Congress to reauth FISA?
Comey: Concerns me even more than IG found mistakes in EVERY FISA he reviewed.
[First mention of fact that Page was not special.]
Comey: Concerns me even more than IG found mistakes in EVERY FISA he reviewed.
[First mention of fact that Page was not special.]
