Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Miles Archer

(18,837 posts)
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 08:11 PM Jun 2017

Dianne Feinstein wants to have the Judiciary Committee "take a look" at Comey and Lynch

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said Sunday that Congress should investigate whether former Attorney General Loretta Lynch pressured former FBI Director James Comey to cover for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

"I think we need to know more about that," Feinstein told host Brianna Keilar on CNN's "State of the Union."

"And there's only way to know about it, and that's to have the Judiciary Committee take a look at that," Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said.

Comey testified last Thursday that he felt "queasy" after Lynch asked him to characterize his probe into Clinton's emails as a "matter," rather than an investigation. He told the Senate Intelligence Committee that such a request would match the wording of Clinton's campaign.

"I would have a queasy feeling, too, though, to be candid with you," the longtime Senate Democrat said.

http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/337323-dem-we-need-investigate-whether-lynch-gave-cover-to-clinton

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

still_one

(91,963 posts)
3. She is one of my Senators, and I will give her and earful tomorrow. When Comey
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 08:43 PM
Jun 2017

states in his letter, "Although the FBI cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant, I cannot predict how long it will take us to complete this additional work."

He characterizes it as "additional work", and both Comey and Feinstein are troubled if the word "matter" would be used verses "investigation"

It really is time for Feinstein and McCain to hang it up





LOL Lib

(1,462 posts)
11. When you call, congratulate her on a brilliant "optics" move instead
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 10:09 PM
Jun 2017

of wasting your breath berating her. She clearly knows that this is a nothing burger and will lead nowhere. It buys accountability brownie points for Dems. Even if it all proved true, there really is no crime in what Lynch allegedly instructed Comey to do. BTW, Comey had the choice of following her direction just the same as when he released the letter to congress about the wiener laptop. Ultimately it all goes nowhere.

LOL Lib

(1,462 posts)
16. That is true too.
Mon Jun 12, 2017, 10:24 AM
Jun 2017

I can't argue against that point. Right now, the only thing I want our reps and senators to focus on is getting rid of the sherbet shit gibbon.

still_one

(91,963 posts)
2. What is she talking about? Is she referring to the AG telling Comey not to release his
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 08:35 PM
Jun 2017

Last edited Sun Jun 11, 2017, 09:18 PM - Edit history (1)

letter about the emails to the republicans in Congress, 11 days before an active election?

This "parsing" of using word as a "matter" verses an "investigation" is bullshit, from both Comey's perspective, and Feinstein's interpretation.

When Comey's letter states:

"The FBI cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant"

it ISN'T an investigation until that can be determined.

Comey is trying to justify Hatch Act violation in releasing that letter.

Here is the full context of his letter he sent to the republicans in Congress 11 days before the election:

"In previous congressional testimony, I referred to the fact that the Federal Bureau of Investigaqtion (FBI) had completed its investigation of former Secretary Clinton's personal email server. Due to recent developments, I am writing to supplement my previous testimony.

In connection with an UNRELATED case, teh FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to pertinent to the investigation. I am writing to inform you that the investigative team briefed me on this yesterday, and I agreed that the FBI should take appropriate investigative stops designed to allow investigators to review these emails to determine whether they contain classified information, as well as to assess their importance to our investigation.

Althought the FBI cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant, I cannot predict how long it will take us to complete this addition work. I believe it is important to update your Committees about our efforts in light of my previous testimony."



StevieM

(10,499 posts)
5. Excellent post and very well said. It horrifies me that people are making our fine former AG
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 09:17 PM
Jun 2017

into some sort of bad guy, while James Comey is turned into some sort of hero.

still_one

(91,963 posts)
7. I agree with you Stevie. Comey is trying to use AG Lynch as a scape goat for his
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 09:28 PM
Jun 2017

ineptness.

There is also a false narrative going around where they are saying Democrats opposed Comey when released that letter to the republicans in Congress, but now likes Comey when he is after trump.

That characterization is false.

The Democrats were against Comey's interference in our election by sending the letter to Congress 11 days before the election. On the current issue the Democrats are NOT praising Comey, but troubled by trump interfering and perhaps obstructing a current investigation.



L. Coyote

(51,129 posts)
4. Three dimensional chess. She knows it leads nowhere.
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 08:57 PM
Jun 2017

But at the end of the day, it also will silence the people screaming for it.

LOL Lib

(1,462 posts)
10. This is clearly her intention.
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 10:01 PM
Jun 2017

She knows this will produce a big fat nothing burger, but makes Dems look even handed in the pursuit of truth. It's a win win.

L. Coyote

(51,129 posts)
12. Who's the fool here? Not the Seantor. She is a Gang of Eight member and knows all.
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 10:42 PM
Jun 2017

Trick the Rs into having more public testimony, works for me.

Mike Nelson

(9,903 posts)
9. Not bothered...
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 09:57 PM
Jun 2017

...at all by Feinstein looking. Loretta Lynch talking to Clinton! He is an American and was President - it's not like she was talking to KGB spy. Bring on the investigation!

By the way, Lynch is a good editor... "In connection with an UNRELATED case, the FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to pertinent to the investigation" ... should be, "In connection with an UNRELATED case, the FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to pertinent to the matter."

Nevernose

(13,081 posts)
14. So?
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 11:26 PM
Jun 2017

Getting pissed over this is no different than a Trump supporter getting pissed over Mueller. They're not going to find anything, and even if they did, neither Clinton nor Lynch even work at the federal government anymore.

That having been said: Feinstein's always been a real asshole.

LovingA2andMI

(7,006 posts)
15. Well....
Sun Jun 11, 2017, 11:33 PM
Jun 2017

Looks like the "Investigation Game" of chess and checkers on both sides of the Political Aisle will go on until...2021 or something like that.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Dianne Feinstein wants to...