patrick.net

Thats because the "blue team" is not a team anymore.
There's rats running every which way.....see 164 above

anon_3b28c says

anon_b6d0d says

Wait, wasn't it the Blue team that recently said it takes YEARS for a investigation to run it's course. Now you guys are all upset because a secret memo hasn't been released in 9 days?

anon_3b28c says

The President can declassify anything he wants and release it immediately. The fact that he says he wants it released but doesn't do it is actually quite funny.

Wrong again.

anon_8f378 says

If Trump wants the memo released, why doesn't he do so?

Because it's NOT an Executive branch memo, so he can't release it. Here's some education for a few of you:

trump can't actually force the release.

Not his report TO release/declassify.

We have discussed the process numerous times. The Committee has the authority to release it PENDING POTU and Nat Security Council and other agencies approval (Protecting personnel undercover and operations ongoing as well).
Exec Branch has 5 days to approve or reject release (or indicate portions which might be dangerous to personnel if released).
After 5 days, the whole House can vote to force release.
Should the Committee vote to NOT release it gets complicated, but POTUS simply CAN NOT just declassify and release it because he has NO AUTHORITY to do so since it isn't an EXEC Branch document.

Is that clear enough?

anon_7905a says

So many people in jobs surrounding Trump in the last year so have decided to throw in the towel, it looks like they’re saying “fuck this shit”

More like the rats are jumping ship:

anon_b5a29 says

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, frequent target of Trump's ire, steps down:

Doesn't sound like a voluntary "step down".

Update: According to Fox News and CBS News's Pat Milton just answered the question of why McCabe stepped down Monday when he would become eligible for his full pension benefits n March: McCabe was reportedly forced to step down. According to Fox News, McCabe was "removed" from his post as deputy director, "leaving the bureau after months of conflict-of-interest complaints from Republicans including President Trump."

In both cases, his early departure suggests that he was forced out.



https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-01-29/fbi-deputy-director-mccabe-has-stepped-down-effective-today

House Intel votes to release controversial surveillance memo to the public.

The House Intelligence Committee on Monday evening voted to release a classified memo circulating in Congress that purportedly reveals government surveillance abuses.

The vote was announced to reporters by California Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the committee, who called it a “very sad day, I think, in the history of this committee.”


-
President Trump now has five days to decide whether he has any objections before the memo can be publicly released.

Last week, a top Justice Department official urged House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes not to release the memo, saying it would be “extraordinarily reckless” and could harm national security and ongoing investigations.

The four-page memo is being described by GOP lawmakers as “shocking,” “troubling” and “alarming,” with one congressman likening the details to KGB activity in Russia.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/29/house-intel-votes-to-release-controversial-surveillance-memo-to-public.html

anon_034aa says

Is that clear enough?

Except he can simply declassify it and make the rest of that moot.

anon_8f378 says

WookieMan says

Honest question, is he allowed to? Thought I heard some committee has to approve its release before he even has a say in it.

The President can declassify it.

I see another anon responded along with your response. No one linked any info at all. I'm too lazy to look it up. Can Trump declassify this or not? Link from a .gov site or something close to resembling credible would be appreciated.

Until I see something credible, I'm under the impression you guys are bots and just doing the good will of your respective parties. We'll see which one of you earns your keep with the response to this. I have those highly desirable "political bucks" that partisan bots desire and am willing to part ways with said "political bucks" if you convince me.

anon_3b28c says

anon_034aa says

Is that clear enough?

Except he can simply declassify it and make the rest of that moot.

Which part of:

anon_034aa says

but POTUS simply CAN NOT just declassify and release it because he has NO AUTHORITY to do so since it isn't an EXEC Branch document.

is difficult to understand?

WookieMan says

Can Trump declassify this or not?

No, it belongs to congress, as mentioned above.

anon_34fca says

WookieMan says

Can Trump declassify this or not?

No, it belongs to congress, as mentioned above.

I don't have a team I root for in this game. Mentioning a previous comment versus giving evidence via a link are two different things. If you don't want to link anything, that's fine. I didn't either as I mentioned I'm lazy, so not trying to be a hypocrite here.

I just heard it on the radio or something that the house intelligence committee or something along those lines has to approve its declassification. No one has confirmed this or refuted it with actual evidence. So I'm not sure what to believe at this point.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/may/16/james-risch/does-president-have-ability-declassify-anything-an/
"One of the members of Congress who commented after the newspaper’s revelations was Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho. According to CNN, he told reporters, "The minute the president speaks about it to someone, he has the ability to declassify anything at any time without any process."
Is that accurate? Independent experts said Risch is on target concerning the legal powers of the president. Some experts added, however, that the senator’s formulation left out some context that is relevant for assessing Trump’s alleged actions."

"Steven Aftergood, director of the Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy, said that such authority gives the president the authority to "classify and declassify at will."

anon_34fca says

anon_034aa says

but POTUS simply CAN NOT just declassify and release it because he has NO AUTHORITY to do so since it isn't an EXEC Branch document.

is difficult to understand?

It's not difficult to understand, it's simply incorrect.

anon_3b28c says

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/may/16/james-risch/does-president-have-ability-declassify-anything-an/

Cool, thanks for the link.

Sounds like if he has read the memo he can talk about it. Trump that is. Technically though, members of Congress that have read the memo still can't talk about it until it's officially declassified if I'm to take the words literally. I don't think Trump just talking about it or even reading the memo verbatim would technically declassify it. I could be wrong, but that's my interpretation.

WookieMan says

Technically though, members of Congress that have read the memo still can't talk about it until it's officially declassified if I'm to take the words literally. I don't think Trump just talking about it or even reading the memo verbatim would technically declassify it. I could be wrong, but that's my interpretation.

That's probably true. What's funny is Trump saying he wants the memo released, but not doing it.

anon_3b28c says

What's funny is Trump saying he wants the memo released, but not doing it.

We shall see. I hate them all. Trump was the non-politician. Guess what, he's now a politician. Again, I hate them all. The power corrupts.

If the economy does great under him, awesome. I'm not linking anything of significance to politicians on the national level for the most part. My local school board has more impact on my finances here in IL compared to any national politician. So I tend to put them under the microscope first. Or should I say magnifying glass on a nice sun soaked afternoon ;)

anon_3b28c says

WookieMan says

Technically though, members of Congress that have read the memo still can't talk about it until it's officially declassified if I'm to take the words literally. I don't think Trump just talking about it or even reading the memo verbatim would technically declassify it. I could be wrong, but that's my interpretation.

That's probably true. What's funny is Trump saying he wants the memo released, but not doing it.

He just received the memo tonight from congress, after they voted to have it released earlier.

Any chance he's "draining the swamp", and waiting to release it, while the plug is being pulled, like it was for McCabe today?

Who else is inline to be "drained" in that memo?

Democrats when the memo is released:

www.youtube.com/embed/vP8rbYEZ1cE

anon_034aa says

Because it's NOT an Executive branch memo, so he can't release it. Here's some education for a few of you:

trump can't actually force the release.

Not his report TO release/declassify.

We have discussed the process numerous times. The Committee has the authority to release it PENDING POTU and Nat Security Council and other agencies approval (Protecting personnel undercover and operations ongoing as well).
Exec Branch has 5 days to approve or reject release (or indicate portions which might be dangerous to personnel if released).
After 5 days, the whole House can vote to force release.
Should the Committee vote to NOT release it gets complicated, but POTUS simply CAN NOT just declassify and release it because he has NO AUTHORITY to do so since it isn't an EXEC Branch document.

Is that clear enough?

Did you make this up or is there some type of source? Where in the federal register did it come from exactly?

Nunes fake memo can be released. Democratic response that highlights why memo is bullshit is not going to be released. Not even an attempt to be neutral. Republicans are making true reckless partisan idiots out of themselves.

FBI Director Wray "Shocked To His Core" By FISA Memo, McCabe 'Removed' Next Day, More Heads To Roll: Report.

FBI Director Christopher Wray was allegedly "shocked to his core" after viewing the four-page FISA memo Sunday night - hours before asking Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe to step down, according to journalist Sara Carter.

Carter: What we know tonight is that FBI Director Christopher Wray went Sunday and reviewed the four-page FISA memo. The very next day, Andrew McCabe was asked to resign. Remember Sean, he was planning on resigning in March - that already came out in December. This time they asked him to go right away. You're not coming into the office. I've heard reports he didn't even come in for the morning meeting - that he didn't show up.

Sara Carter: Shocked him to his core, and not only that, the Inspector General's report - I have been told tonight by a number of sources, there's indicators right now that McCabe may have asked FBI agents to actually change their 302's - those are their interviews with witnesses. So basically every time an FBI agent interviews a witness, they have to go back and file a report.

Hannity: Changes? So that would be obstruction of justice?

Carter: Exactly. This is something the Inspector General is investigating. If this is true and not alleged, McCabe will be fired. I heard they are considering firing him within the next few days if this turns out to be true.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-01-30/fbi-director-wray-shocked-his-core-fisa-memo-mccabe-removed-next-day-more-heads

This better not be another case where some political cronie is allowed to resign in lieu of facing serious criminal charges. If there are crimes here, these crooks need to face the music. No more of these easy street nonsense.

DoofusRicky says

I ponder when does Donald Trump finally own this chaos in the eyes of his Ardent supporters?

Why is it Trump's fault?

Is he responsible for the fake claims of Russian collusion?

Is he responsible for the partisan leanings of FBI brass that wanted Hillary to win and wanted to keep Hillary out of prison?

Please explain your point.

It's the Dems and Liberal MSM causing all this fake chaos.

It's funny, now that the memo is apparently going to be released, you see Rep. Congressmen walking back their comments about how "shocking" and "explosive" it's going to be.

My expected reaction from Democrats on the memo:

anon_8f378 says

It's funny, now that the memo is apparently going to be released, you see Rep. Congressmen walking back their comments about how "shocking" and "explosive" it's going to be.

Really?

Where was that posted?

WookieMan says

Trump was the non-politician. Guess what, he's now a politician. Again, I hate them all. The power corrupts.

Agreed. 2 years ago I could unequivocally say Hillary was the absolute worst. I hated her so much I thought NO ONE could come close as far as how much I could despise them.

I was wrong. It's now Trump. I honestly would wipe away all the stock market gains I got if I never had to see his face again.

anon_db202 says

Really?

Where was that posted?

https://www.onenewspage.com/n/Front+Page/75inlgbar/Paul-Ryan-Warns-Republicans-To-Be-Cautious-Of.htm
"House Speaker Paul Ryan met with Republicans on Tuesday and told them to avoid overstating the findings that are contained in a classified House intelligence committee memo that claims misconduct on part of the FBI investigators that are involved in investigating Trump campaign contacts with Russia, according to Politico. The group met in a closed-door meeting at the Capitol where Ryan also called on lawmakers not to directly correlate the findings of the memo with the ongoing probe being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Ryan was firm with members present not to oversell the memo and keep it separate from Mueller's probe..."

Ryan hasn't seen it, how ever Gowdy has and says there's going to be some red asses and red faces.
More FBI resignations are expected later this week, and a hasty resolution of the Russian investigation.

anon_510fd says

I was wrong. It's now Trump. I honestly would wipe away all the stock market gains I got if I never had to see his face again.

Are you European or something? No true American says take away my stock gains. We are greedy capitalist whether being lead by HRC or DT. This is indisputable.

anon_8f378 says

you see Rep. Congressmen walking back their comments about how "shocking" and "explosive" it's going to be.

anon_8f378 says

House Speaker Paul Ryan met with Republicans on Tuesday and told them to avoid overstating the findings that are contained in a classified House intelligence committee memo

So, you think those two statements mean the same thing?

Got any direct quotes from the congressmen that made the original statements, where they walked them back, not just the suggestion from Ryan to "avoid overstating"?

anon_8f378 says

If Trump wants the memo released, why doesn't he do so?

You might get your wish tonight:

Larry Schweikart‏ @LarrySchweikart

BREAKING: According to CNN Trump has ordered the Memo to be released immediately after the SOTU.

Here come the nukes.
10:51 AM - 30 Jan 2018

Sniper says

anon_8f378 says

If Trump wants the memo released, why doesn't he do so?

You might get your wish tonight:

Larry Schweikart‏ @LarrySchweikart

BREAKING: According to CNN Trump has ordered the Memo to be released immediately after the SOTU.

Here come the nukes.
10:51 AM - 30 Jan 2018

#FakeNews

President Trump hasn’t even seen the memo yet. His handlers don’t trust him with it lol

errc says

President Trump hasn’t even seen the memo yet.

Oh really? I've seen it!

FBI officials review surveillance memo, could not cite 'any factual inaccuracies'.

Fox News confirms two senior FBI officials reviewed the Republican memo alleging surveillance abuses during the presidential campaign and could not find any factual inaccuracies; chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge reports.

Two senior FBI officials have now reviewed a controversial Republican staff memo alleging abuses of government surveillance programs during the 2016 presidential campaign, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News – adding that the officials “could not point to any factual inaccuracies.”

The two officials – one from the bureau’s counterintelligence division and the other from the legal division – followed up after an initial review of the memo during a rare Sunday trip to Capitol Hill by FBI Director Christopher Wray.

After the contentious committee vote Monday night, the source confirmed that House staffers physically took the memo over to the White House for the president.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/30/fbi-officials-review-surveillance-memo-could-not-cite-any-factual-inaccuracies-source.html
I wonder if Schiff will need to eat his words below?

But the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California, characterized the memo as misleading and inaccurate. The committee, Schiff explained, had voted Thursday along party lines "to grant House Members access to a profoundly misleading set of talking points drafted by Republican staff attacking the FBI and its handling of the investigation."

"Rife with factual inaccuracies and referencing highly classified materials that most of Republican Intelligence Committee members were forced to acknowledge they had never read, this is meant only to give Republican House members a distorted view of the FBI," Schiff's statement said. "This may help carry White House water, but it is a deep disservice to our law enforcement professionals."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/republicans-call-for-release-of-memo-on-surveillance-abuses/

Just before President Trump headed to the Capitol for last night's "State of the Union", the Washington Post reported that top Justice Department officials made a last-ditch plea on Monday to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly about the dangers of publicly releasing the memo.

Shortly before the House Intelligence Committee voted to make the document public, Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein warned Kelly that the four-page memo prepared by House Republicans could jeopardize classified information and implored the president to reconsider his support for making it public.

But those pleas from Rosenstein - who isn't exactly the West Wing's favorite lawman, and whose name apparently appears in the memo - have apparently fallen on deaf ears.

Last night, President Trump promised a lawmaker that the memo would "100%" be released now that the House Intel Committee has voted to approve its release.

And during a Fox News Radio interview with Brian Kilmeade, Chief of Staff John Kelly added that the memo would be publicly released "pretty quick."

"I'll let all the experts decide that when it's released. This president wants everything out so the American people can make up their own minds," he said.

While the reports specific contents are not yet known, last week we reported the four-page "FISA memo" alleges egregious surveillance abuses by the FBI, DOJ and Obama administration, specifically now-former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former Director James Comey and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-01-31/john-kelly-confirms-hes-seen-memo-and-it-will-be-released-pretty-quick

After the memo is released: