It's not stonewalling folks.

[Pacifist Patriot]

There weren't going to be any bombshells today.

First of all, the subject of the hearing is technically section 702 and not the Russian investigation. Though we all knew where questions were going to go.

These gentlemen absolutely know more than they are saying, and clearly many of the Senators are well aware they know more than they are saying.

This is political theater while the real work is continuing with Mueller. It's entirely possible the wrong thing said could interfere with Mueller's investigation. Frankly, I'd rather they play it close to the vest if it means the Trump Family Criminal Enterprise gets taken down with absolutely no loose ends.

Could there be some CYA involved? Of course.

Are they protecting Trump? I'm not getting that impression. I think they are protecting the integrity of the investigation.

ETA: Yes, I know by definition (not answering) it's stonewalling, but I'm getting the sense that enough people think stonewalling means they are colluding with the GOP when I don't think that's it at all.

[avebury]

1. Senator King is getting really pissed off at them. nt

[C_U_L8R]

5. That was a hell of a spanking

[MuseRider]

11. That was something to watch.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Angus just called out the issue of them not answering. nt

[HAB911]

3. Kick ass Angus!

[BumRushDaShow]

8. The only want to confirm for sure

is how and what they answer in closed briefing and the Senate committee confirms that they received the answers they needed (without giving away anything).

Otherwise they have a problem.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

4. Sounds to me like they've been threatened and are scared s*******

[Pacifist Patriot]

7. Maybe the threats came from Mueller.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. They claimed Mueller didn't make them do that

[BainsBane]

10. No, they said their refusal to answer has nothing to do with Muller

[Pacifist Patriot]

16. Damn, there goes my theory.

[herding cats]

12. I suspect the closed door session will be very interesting.

I wonder if we'll get any leaks from it?

[annabanana]

30. I don't think these guys are scheduled to be AT the closed door session..

It sound to me like it's going to be the tech people on the 702

[Grammy23]

13. It would be interesting to read the transcript of today's hearing.

Maybe not so much about Fisa Court, but the direct questions about tRump interfering with the Russia investigation. I would rather read it and digest what they said. Sometimes you need to think about it without interpreting on the fly what they meant.

I guess we were all hoping that this mess would be revealed today. It won't come to a head today, but we've had strong hints that it WILL come out, probably in a classified setting. Not very satisfying, I know, but that where it appears to be headed. 2 p.m. This afternoon is a classified setting but Burr is saying that meeting is already set. So may not be able to fit in this morning's panel. Guess we'll have to wait and see what they do.

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. Good point. That would be interesting.

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. They are refusing to answer direct questions with no legal basis for doing so

They are simply making the decision to not answer this or that question.

This is contempt of Congress, but because the Congress is controlled by people who will absolutely refuse to enforce Congress' powers, we are now in a fully-blown Constitutional crisis. Members of the Administration are acting in total contempt and defiance of the US Congress under ZERO FUCKING AUTHORITY.

That's a Constitutional crisis.

[tallahasseedem]

15. +1!!!

[halobeam]

18. Contempt of Congress.. should be across all front pages. nt

[exboyfil]

20. Can a Democrat or King

request the chair find them in contempt for failure to respond to a question?

[B2G]

21. So why is no one threatening them with contempt? nt

[leftstreet]

26. Someone will probably send them a sternly worded letter n/t

[itcfish]

19. I think this whole

investigation will go nowhere. They want this puppet in office and he will remain there for 8 years. Stop dreaming.

[Pacifist Patriot]

22. That's what my grandmother said to my dad in '73.

Here's hoping you have the same insight as Granny. 😊

[WinkyDink]

25. Republicans in charge are different these days. Greed rules their every waking moment.

[itcfish]

32. Well I don't

Believe there is a "John Dean" in that whole bunch.

[lostnfound]

23. Possible, but the problem is, what is the timetable...

Mueller and others involved presumably have a goal of a thorough and accurate investigation, "however long it takes". It's no skin off their back if it takes 3 years or 5, and in the meantime, criminals will continue their regressive actions,justices appointed, demlralizing career bureaucrats and the public, and potentially major changes in the fabric of American social and economic life rammed through by a drunk and compromised GOP and signed by a president with nothing to lose.

As long as the investigation can be lauded in the history books as brilliant, does Mueller etc. care how long it takes?

[roamer65]

24. This goes WAY deeper than we realize.

That's why they are clamming up. Something very significant is being covered up.

[WinkyDink]

28. Not deeper than I have surmised for many months. We have been overtaken by a COUP,

with Trump, Manafort, Page, Kushner, et alii aiding and abetting Putin and the Russian bankers/oligarchs.

I believe this plot was devised possibly decades ago, when Trump, Inc., became indebted beyond his foreseeable means to pay. Blackmail over both sex tapes and also money laundering via Trump hotels, casinos, golf courses, etc., has kept Trump in their control.

Trump could erase his immense debt only with his very life, and perhaps the lives of his heirs.

Or with the Prize of the "Cold" War: the United States government.

Russians don't play. But they DO take a calculated gamble. They plotted to see that Trump became the nominee, and we know about the national election.

Significant bribes to Party members were likely part and parcel of the COUP.

I have no doubt that our govt officials do NOT want to uncover everything, for fear of shaking up the political and GEOpolitical worlds beyond imagination. The rabbit hole of Republican treason is as one of those Siberian sinkholes: extremely wide and deep, and extremely difficult to get to the bottom of.

Eventually the Republicans will be persuaded by the committee Democrats to get Trump to resign.

If Trump fights this, you'll know Russia is in charge.

IMO!

[deminks]

27. King asked if Executive Privilege was being invoked.

He said if it is, let's hear about it. If not, then why won't they answer the question.

Rogers said something like I don't feel like that is appropriate in a public session.

King then informed him that what you feel like, admiral, is not relevant. Check and mate.


It is wonderful sometimes to be independent.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/6/7/1669660/-Coats-and-Rogers-refusal-to-answer-questions-has-senators-boiling-mad

So, did the presinut invoke executive privilege with these two and not announce it? even on twitter?

[peggysue2]

29. Agree!

Though disappointing, these 'will neither confirm or deny' answers during an active investigation isn't that surprising and doesn't mean that these men are Trumpy supporters. I, too, would rather have the cards played close to the vest to ensure that the Trumpsters don't wriggle off the hook. I am encouraged by Clapper's comments in Australia, which were far more definitive than expressed during American interviews. Worse than Watergate, he said. And will American institutions survive the on-going assault? he mused. That last part is the critical, scary part.

I truly do not believe that the men on that panel are going to acquiesce to the Grifter in the WH. All things in good time, the right time.

That being said, I thought Angus King was terrific during the inquiry. His frustration and anger is a reflection of many Americans.

I'm now listening to Trump tell everyone that people were perfectly happy with their healthcare before the ACA. He obviously has forgotten or was not paying attention to the 70% public support for healthcare reform during the 2008 election.

But what else is new?

[displacedtexan]

31. If the answer is NO, they would've answered the question.

It's as simple as that.

[redstatebluegirl]

33. I agree with you. I also think they know they are going to end up in court so they don't want to say

anything that will hurt them later.

[OhNo-Really]

34. No one wants to be in splatter range of the proverbial FAN

or, if unavoidable, not covered from head to toe by innocence and/or plausible deniability.

At least no one pleaded the 5th.