Kellyanne: "Of course I don't have any evidence..."

[ProudLib72]

link: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-03-13/justice-department-has-until-monday-to-back-up-trumps-wiretapping-claims-about-obama

What are the consequences of sending a congressional committee on a wild goose chase?

[guillaumeb]

1. There are none.

The GOP is based on lies.

[ProudLib72]

2. But there is the issue of libel

whether or not Obama pursues that path.

[guillaumeb]

3. President Obama is a public figure.

I believe that the standard for libel is much higher for public figures.

[ProudLib72]

4. Maybe wishful thinking

If her credibility is shot, she could resign or be fired. (Yes, her credibility is already shot, but accusation of libel could be the clincher).

[FreeStateDemocrat]

5. Any credibility standard seems to have disappeared as the M$M keeps giving her more chances to lie!

[LanternWaste]

10. That protection is not all encompassing

That protection is not all encompassing. And because of the way Trump has leveled unsubstantiated accusations at Obama, he may have libeled his predecessor. He's basically stating that Mr. Obama committed crimes, and to state that somebody has committed a crime when it's false is clearly defamatory.

It comes down to a jury answering two questions: Was the statement false? and Did the person know it was false or was he reckless about whether it was false?

Is there enough evidence of serious reckless disregard to send that case to a jury? I don't know what a court would decide on that, but there is some evidence of recklessness. In addition, it seems that Trump did not try to ask his own administration whether the scenario was true.

And though a president is provided absolute immunity from civil damages and liability while conducting presidential acts, it is not clear that potential judges would view tweeting a defamatory conspiracy theory, without evidence, as a president carrying out his official duties.

[guillaumeb]

11. An interesting argument.

And I would hope it would prevail, if the matter got that far.

[Atman]

6. When the GOP controls everything? Absolutely ZERO.

Who is going to stop them?

[BSdetect]

7. She's a fact contortionist

A menal gymnast

[ProudLib72]

8. Ok, I know very well that

nothing legal will happen. What about those congress people? Do you think they will continue to do tRump's bidding? There will be backlash. There has got to be backlash. I cannot believe that everyone in the GOP will continue to agree with (or allow) tRump to make these absurdist accusations. It looks horrible for tRump, and it will reflect on the GOP as well.

[Kimchijeon]

9. no chance

they just throw out the most blatant lies and baloney, they know that there's no punishment.