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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 02:43 PM Jan 2018

Senior Republican refers Trump dossier author for possible charges

Source: The Washington Post




By Devlin Barrett and Tom Hamburger January 5 at 1:36 PM

The Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended Friday that the Justice Department investigate for possible criminal charges the author of the now-famous “dossier’’ alleging the Trump campaign coordinated with the Kremlin during the 2016 election.

The move by Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) marks a major escalation in conservatives’ challenges to the FBI’s credibility as the agency investigates whether any Trump associates committed crimes. Another Republican, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), joined in the letter to the Justice Department.

Their letter makes what’s called a criminal referral to the Justice Department, suggesting they investigate the dossier author, former British spy Christopher Steele, for possibly lying to the FBI. It is a crime to lie to FBI agents about a material fact relevant to an ongoing investigation. The move was viewed skeptically by some Democrats and experts in criminal law.

Steele’s role has become a matter of increasingly heated debate, as the White House and Republicans on Capitol Hill suggest his reports were biased since he was hired with funds that ultimately came from the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senior-republican-refers-trump-dossier-author-for-possible-charges/2018/01/05/ead4585e-f0af-11e7-b390-a36dc3fa2842_story.html

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Senior Republican refers Trump dossier author for possible charges (Original Post) DonViejo Jan 2018 OP
Our democracy has never before been in this much jeopardy. (eom) StevieM Jan 2018 #1
(post now moot) (thanks) Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2018 #3
Point taken. I edited my post. (eom) StevieM Jan 2018 #18
Grassley has turned desperate & Graham has turned to the dark side (from light gray). . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2018 #2
There is likely a money trail from Russians to Grassley. He is desperate to kill the investigation. NCjack Jan 2018 #19
And a money {or honey} trail to Lindsay Graham. SharonAnn Jan 2018 #23
Graham has always been a gargoyle... dchill Jan 2018 #37
They must have come to the conclusion HopeAgain Jan 2018 #4
From the Dallas newspaper UpInArms Jan 2018 #5
Yes. Some are personally desperate. Accepting Putin's Hortensis Jan 2018 #10
Make sure that this RubleCON Party issue gets attention in their home districts. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2018 #12
Yes! I've been searching for any indicators our Hortensis Jan 2018 #21
Stupid or desperate? (Both) Let's break this down Maeve Jan 2018 #6
Those kinds of reports/dossiers are riddled with second and third-hand information Texin Jan 2018 #43
"The move was viewed skeptically by some...experts in criminal law." Hortensis Jan 2018 #7
This is effing Clarity2 Jan 2018 #8
They sold the country to Russia bucolic_frolic Jan 2018 #9
Song and Prayer to cover their criminal conspiracy thbobby Jan 2018 #11
Can they do that? NastyRiffraff Jan 2018 #13
That's what I'm thinking PatSeg Jan 2018 #28
Once the proof is shown in court the ballgame is over FakeNoose Jan 2018 #14
love the graphic! BadGimp Jan 2018 #39
This is only to discredit the dossier NOW. They KNOW Steele has NO motive to lie. Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2018 #15
This D_Master81 Jan 2018 #29
They are stuck on stupid. It has already been shown that the dossier did not start investigation Roland99 Jan 2018 #16
Nah. They want the wobbly middle & the CONNED base to stay stuck on stupid, their propaganda. Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2018 #38
POSSIBLE charges? Qutzupalotl Jan 2018 #17
"for possibly lying to the FBI." kysrsoze Jan 2018 #20
Are they going to refer McCain for prosecution, too? DeminPennswoods Jan 2018 #22
Referral is highly unusual. Based on who Steele shared dossier with, not dossier itself Justice Jan 2018 #24
HEY ASSHOLE: release the Fusion GPS transcripts first Mr. Ected Jan 2018 #25
Yes! tazkcmo Jan 2018 #26
This message was self-deleted by its author Kablooie Jan 2018 #27
This is what banana republics do Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jan 2018 #30
Fuck these fucking fascist pig fucker rePuklican fucks. Enemies of the Republic MarinCoUSA Jan 2018 #31
Dems need to go ahead and refer Sessions to the FBI then. MGKrebs Jan 2018 #32
Follow trump's example Turbineguy Jan 2018 #33
I also thought it was a crime to lie to Congress or on security clearance forms. sinkingfeeling Jan 2018 #34
+1 Mr. Ected Jan 2018 #35
Rats never back down when cornered by a lion. Vilis Veritas Jan 2018 #36
Kick and recommend for visibility of this evil. bronxiteforever Jan 2018 #40
Hey Grassley your fucking asshole sitting in the white house is a TRAITOR turbinetree Jan 2018 #41
unsurprising. That farmer understands how to get at pork arithia Jan 2018 #42
for possibly lying to the FBI...about what? onetexan Jan 2018 #44
The author lives in the UK Corgigal Jan 2018 #45

dchill

(38,315 posts)
37. Graham has always been a gargoyle...
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 04:59 PM
Jan 2018

with a pasty white mask.

Remember the old sci-fi series "V?" Yeah, like that.

HopeAgain

(4,407 posts)
4. They must have come to the conclusion
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 02:48 PM
Jan 2018

that's it's too late to abandon ship and that their only prayer is to keep the S.S. Putin's Puppet afloat.

UpInArms

(51,252 posts)
5. From the Dallas newspaper
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 02:55 PM
Jan 2018

How Putin's proxies helped funnel millions into GOP campaigns

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/12/15/putins-proxies-helped-funnel-millions-gop-campaigns

In 2015-16, everything changed. Blavatnik's political contributions soared and made a hard right turn as he pumped $6.35 million into GOP political action committees, with millions of dollars going to top Republican leaders including Sens. Mitch McConnell, Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham.

In 2017, donations continued, with $41,000 going to both Republican and Democrat candidates, along with $1 million to McConnell's Senate Leadership Fund.

...much more at link...

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
10. Yes. Some are personally desperate. Accepting Putin's
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:02 PM
Jan 2018

money was not illegal if done correctly because they themselves passed laws making it legal. But all have to run for reelection, and if this gets attention back home it could end their careers.

And more important by far, the plot to take over our nation of their dark-money masters.

Among those it could bring down is their powerhouse agent Mitch McConnell, who's reportedly been the beneficiary of more Kremlin money than anyone else.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
21. Yes! I've been searching for any indicators our
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:22 PM
Jan 2018

elected reps are smiled on by Putin, so I can pass that on in conversation, but nothing yet. Sigh... The less-famous ones so often seem to slither safely along in the darkness under the spotlights. The more famous ones are usually pretty safe too, of course.

I did learn that our congressman is finally no longer listing membership in ALEC as a credential on his website.

Maeve

(42,224 posts)
6. Stupid or desperate? (Both) Let's break this down
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 02:58 PM
Jan 2018

First, they have to show that something in the dossier is not true. Good luck with that.

Second, they'd have to show that he knew it wasn't true, but presented it as such, as opposed to saying "This is what I am being told." Again, good luck with that. (Have they freakin' READ it?)

They'd also have trouble going after someone not a citizen and not in the US, but hey, it's all just for show anyway so WTH....

Texin

(2,585 posts)
43. Those kinds of reports/dossiers are riddled with second and third-hand information
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 07:08 PM
Jan 2018

and comments that (I would imagine) Steele tagged as credible but not fully verifiable. Any charges would have to stem from information passed off as true and verified with Steele knowing that they were not. In other words, he would have to be caught out in knowing that he was presenting false allegations and claiming them to be true, which would imply intent to deceive the recipient(s). I do not believe he did that. That man is a seasoned and respected former member of British intelligence.

Clarity2

(1,009 posts)
8. This is effing
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:00 PM
Jan 2018

Out of control. Lied about what???!

Lets go mueller. Before they jail everyone, like putin.

bucolic_frolic

(42,661 posts)
9. They sold the country to Russia
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:00 PM
Jan 2018

and are trying to cover it up with bogus investigations.

Has Grassley ever done anything patriotic?

thbobby

(1,474 posts)
11. Song and Prayer to cover their criminal conspiracy
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:04 PM
Jan 2018

The GOP is complicit in Russia's corruption of the democratic process. Russian money, Russian propaganda, etc. GOP is absolutely willing to disparage FBI. They are champions of law enforcement, right? GOP is also glad to destroy democracy in order to retain power and enrich themselves. This is not just an evil president. It is organized crime in control of our government. Voter suppression, gerrymandering, unverifiable voting machines, dishonest campaigning. The list goes on and on. They hated Obama so much because he was decent, honorable, and intelligent. A great threat to their criminal organization. America is learning what decent Germans felt like as Hitler plotted to destroy their democracy and rule the world.

NastyRiffraff

(12,448 posts)
13. Can they do that?
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:08 PM
Jan 2018

Steele is a British citizen. Does the U.S. Justice Dept. have any jurisdiction over him?

FakeNoose

(32,328 posts)
14. Once the proof is shown in court the ballgame is over
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:09 PM
Jan 2018

Christopher Steele has proof for 90% of the dossier, he's already said that.
The Repukes are asking him to show his stuff, so OK. Let's do this.

Whatever Steele can't prove, probably Mueller can.


Bernardo de La Paz

(48,775 posts)
15. This is only to discredit the dossier NOW. They KNOW Steele has NO motive to lie.
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:10 PM
Jan 2018

It's all about getting allegations in front of the public, now. They don't care or expect any investigation to find evidence of lying.

The Trumpanzees already believe this and it only has to be alleged for them to immediately make it a talking point. Then the wobbly middle will think "Oh, the dossier can't be trusted". That is what this is all about:

Shifting the wobbly middle.

Resist. Counter. Persist.

D_Master81

(1,822 posts)
29. This
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 04:10 PM
Jan 2018

This poster is a smart person. As soon as I read this I thought, this is nothing more than to cast some doubt about the dossier, rather than to actually think there was some sort of criminal wrongdoing. Once there's some doubt, any doubt, surrogates on tv will go on and mention that there's an investigation going on regarding the dossier, which may very well be true, even though they never will find anything, and that will muddy the waters enough with undecideds that it will probably swing a few minds on it.

Roland99

(53,342 posts)
16. They are stuck on stupid. It has already been shown that the dossier did not start investigation
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:11 PM
Jan 2018

It was Papadopoulos and his drunken mouth.

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,775 posts)
38. Nah. They want the wobbly middle & the CONNED base to stay stuck on stupid, their propaganda.
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 05:06 PM
Jan 2018

They know what they are doing.

Every step will be shouted with a bullhorn at 11 pm. Steele will not appear, so they will try to block him getting a visa. News at 11. They will try to seize his assets. News at 11. They will try to seize his records. News at 11.

News at 11. It's Benghazi all Benghazi about Benghazi making Benghazi the Benghazi wobbly Benghazi middle Benghazi waver Benghazi on Benghazi the Benghazi dossier Benghazi. News at 11. To Benghazi make Benghazi them Benghazi say Benghazi "the Benghazi dossier Benghazi must Benghazi be Benghazi garbage Benghazi because Benghazi a Benghazi Senator Benghazi wants Benghazi to Benghazi charge Benghazi the Benghazi guy Benghazi for Benghazi lying". News at 11.

Qutzupalotl

(14,230 posts)
17. POSSIBLE charges?
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:13 PM
Jan 2018

Wouldn’t the FBI already know if Steele lied to them? And aren’t they capable of prosecuting lies on their own, without “help” from Congress?

This is a ridiculous ploy showing their desperation. Mueller let it be known he has handwritten notes from Priebus and Spicer detailing rampant corruption. They’re all going down with the ship. I think Mensch is right, it will be RICO against the Republican party as a whole, hence the panic.

kysrsoze

(6,010 posts)
20. "for possibly lying to the FBI."
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:19 PM
Jan 2018

"...for possibly lying to the FBI."

There has to be some sense that he actually lied about anything - everything I've seen indicates the dossier is backed up by substantial evidence. Assley and Graham are full of shit, as usual.

DeminPennswoods

(15,246 posts)
22. Are they going to refer McCain for prosecution, too?
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:24 PM
Jan 2018

Because he's the one who gave Steele's findings to the FBI.

I hope when Dems take control of the house and the senate, they set up an independent commission to investigate the whole Russia enchillada. In my personal opinion, Ryan, McConnell, Grassley, Graham, Nunes, Jim Johnson, etc are ALL guilty of committing treason against the United States. They should all have isolation cells at Pelican Bay or possibly Gitmo since they all love it so much.

Justice

(7,182 posts)
24. Referral is highly unusual. Based on who Steele shared dossier with, not dossier itself
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:38 PM
Jan 2018


based on whether Steele may have lied to the FBI about the distribution of information contained in the dossier.

Seriously?

Mr. Ected

(9,670 posts)
25. HEY ASSHOLE: release the Fusion GPS transcripts first
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:46 PM
Jan 2018

And while Americans mull over the incredible partisan and potentially criminal cover-up you are personally overseeing, perhaps this useless distraction will be relegated to the useless distraction bin where it belongs.

tazkcmo

(7,286 posts)
26. Yes!
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 03:54 PM
Jan 2018

Let's have a full investigation on why the FBI did what they did when they did it. Yes! We need full disclosure because just like with voter fraud, any cursory examination into the "false statements" (lies) will reveal the only ones guilty are GOPee-ers.

Please proceed, Ex-Senator to be.

Response to DonViejo (Original post)

MarinCoUSA

(891 posts)
31. Fuck these fucking fascist pig fucker rePuklican fucks. Enemies of the Republic
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 04:13 PM
Jan 2018

These sons of bitches.
They get to hide behind the classified invisible Nat Security FBI investigation documents and lob this shit.
And it's all this procerss shit. No smoking gun of anything.

Fuck these fucking fascist pig fucker rePuklicans. Enemies of the Republic

MGKrebs

(8,138 posts)
32. Dems need to go ahead and refer Sessions to the FBI then.
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 04:41 PM
Jan 2018

Let's have an investigation of everyone who "lied" under oath.

Vilis Veritas

(2,405 posts)
36. Rats never back down when cornered by a lion.
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 04:55 PM
Jan 2018

All they want to do is bite the beast before they get eaten so they can continue to spread their infection.

turbinetree

(24,631 posts)
41. Hey Grassley your fucking asshole sitting in the white house is a TRAITOR
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 05:31 PM
Jan 2018

Hey Graham, your fucking asshole and your leader is sitting in the white house is a TRAITOR

Hey McConnell, since your the leader of these assholes your asshole is sitting in the white house is TRAITOR

Hey Ryan, "ayn rand" Ryan since your the leader of the assholes your asshole is sitting in the white house is a TRAITOR

Hey Nunes, since your republican leader, see above are assholes just like you, and your asshole sitting in the white house is still a TRAITOR


Hey REPUBLICANS and of your deplorable assholes, your all fucking TRAITORS.....................


And guess what, we are fucking coming and November 2018 cannot get here fast enough, your fucking party and your fucking leader lost by over 3 million votes--------------------------he's still a fucking sexual predator and fucking TRAITOR.

The entire republican party, you have now made your bed with this action, you have now subscribed to taking down the RULE of LAW, you are now attacking the CONSTITUTION and the separations of powers

YOUR FUCKED

:

storm:

arithia

(455 posts)
42. unsurprising. That farmer understands how to get at pork
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 05:38 PM
Jan 2018

Grassley's bulk assets are tied up in farming. He's collected over $360,000 in farming commodity subsidies over years aimed specifically at corn, soybeans and oats. This is a man who is a fierce advocate for the biofuels industry and has a history of weird, tit-for-tat interactions with Trump over biofuels.

https://www.opensecrets.org/personal-finances/assets/Chuck-Grassley?cid=N00001758&year=2010

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2017/12/08/grassley-netted-nearly-370-000-farm-subsidies-environmental-group-says/932067001/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2017/08/31/trumps-phone-call-to-a-gop-senator-raises-questions-in-context-of-russia-probe/?utm_term=.dd24ca789ef2

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trumps-epa-falls-off-the-wagon-and-demon-ethanol-wins-again/article/2638229

When the president starts tweeting at you his support for an industry you have deep financial and social ties to before his son is scheduled to go before committee.....

Corgigal

(9,291 posts)
45. The author lives in the UK
Fri Jan 5, 2018, 07:41 PM
Jan 2018

No matter what silly nonsense that is found, they will not ship him to us.

More waste of taxpayer money.

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