DOJ responds to Trumps tweet calling for investigation into fbi/doj

[Clarity2]

Source: Jake tapper

Link to tweet

?s21

Also see Walter Schaubs comment under that thread:

Link to tweet

?s21

Another article: https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/after-trump-tweets-demand-doj-says-ig-will-review-counterintelligence-work

Justice Department spokesperson Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement she shared with TPM:

The Department has asked the Inspector General to expand the ongoing review of the FISA application process to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election. As always, the Inspector General will consult with the appropriate U.S. Attorney if there is any evidence of potential criminal conduct.

She added the following statement from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein:

“If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action.”

The Justice Department’s inspector general, Michael Horowitz, announced in March that he would probe the FBI’s application for a surveillance warrant to suveil a member of Trump’s campaign — believed to be foreign policy adviser carter page.

No link yet.

[Freethinker65]

1. What a shame the FBI/DOJ felt the need to play along with this farce

[FBaggins]

7. I don't think they really have a choice

They’re part of the executive branch and he’s the chief executive.

Moreover… I’ll go so far as to say that I think such an investigation is probably appropriate. I expect it to take very little time and find that the answer is “no - There is no evidence of any political motivation ”.

[NYC Liberal]

24. And when they reach that conclusion, Orange Man will dismiss all involved as

partisan Democrats who are part of the Deep State(tm).

[FBaggins]

29. Which wouldn't change their reported findings

And potentially expose him to impeachment

[jberryhill]

27. Notice mention of the Russian agents who tried to undermine the election

That's stated as a fact, not a conjecture.

[FBaggins]

30. I don't think there's anyone of consequence who still doubts it

Wasn’t it even part of the Republican’s Senate report?

The open question is whether that “interference” (different from your “undermining”) impacted who won and whether the Trump campaign was complicit in the plan.

[yonder]

31. +1

[forgotmylogin]

42. I don't think it's a shame...

It sounds more like an "Of course this a thing we keep track of. Thank you for your request, it will be considered in line along with all the other things we're keeping track of."

It's basically the equivalent of a tech-support auto response to the Dontard's "I hereby demand...". "Hey, we received your request and they are dealt with in the order received, don't panic or pass the time holding your breath."

[Freethinker65]

44. I think it is a shame that the FBI/DOJ must waste time, and manpower to respond to the demand

The response can/will be twisted by Trump and supporters as "see, the FBI/DOJ do not even know if they follow their own policies....if they were sure they would have denied my request...but since they are going to investigate, policies must have been violated..." . The whole point of this exercise is to deflect the narrative away from Trump.

I never said I did not understand or appreciate the response from the FBI/DOJ to his request. The response was very good and appropriate.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

51. It's outrageous... sounds like more obstruction of justice to me!

[Nitram]

47. DOJ is not "playing along." They are required by the law to follow certain procedures when requested

by the president, who is the head of the Executive Branch. It will be a long and thorough confirmation that the FBI followed the proper procedure, and the FISA Court gave them warrants based on evidence, not political considerations. Trump will become impatient and demand results that confirm his paranoid theories. The DOJ will continue their investigation for as long as it takes to complete, and then they will report to the Attorney General. Take a deep breath Free. We really don't want the DOJ to refuse to investigate matters that the president deems important. It is a waste of tax money, but that's Trump's call, not the DOJ's.

[Freethinker65]

49. Point taken. Playing along was not the best choice of words.

I did try to clarify my post (see above) indicating I was aware of why the FBI/DOJ had to respond to the demand and that I thought their response was very good.

[Nitram]

50. Thanks!

[MattP]

2. I just saw the clip from fox saying Clinton or Obama were behind the whole fbi going after Teump

[Ligyron]

8. and their moronic deplorables will believe this.

[TimeSnowDemos]

3. Unsurprising

Corruption is one of those thing America is known for... sure, I haven't met an American in decades who thought the criminal justice system was unbiased... This is as I'd expect.

[Turbineguy]

4. Actually, that's a good answer.

After all, other than wasting money on it, why worry? Plus, if other leads into trump's criminality result from it, cool.

If I were trump, I would not be egging them on.

[DallasNE]

17. I Agree

They are telling Trump "we have this under control and will adhere to due process" which deflects political pressure before it has a chance to build.

[Turbineguy]

32. They'll be drilling the tunnel

from both ends and end up in the same spot.

Trump has an astonishing lack of knowledge how government works. Amazing really because he must have gone through the commercial building permit process a time or two.

[harun]

46. Correct

[Clarity2]

5. Sorry for those that dont do twitter

Here’s a link to an article: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/20/1765806/-Rosenstein-responds-to-Trump-We-need-to-know-if-anyone-infiltrated-a-presidential-campaign

Also walter schaub tweeted:

”Referring it to the IG means it will go through a standardized process that could take a year or year and a half and will be insulated from the effort by the White House to politicize it.”

[BigmanPigman]

18. Shaub is experienced and knows his shit.

His response is reassuring. HE has ethics!

[MBS]

20. My reaction, too.

Expertise, knowledge, AND integrity.

[fierywoman]

6. Please forgive my ignorance, but does this move by the DoJ undermine Trump's threat

to do something tomorrow which could have a terrible fallout?

[StTimofEdenRoc]

11. By capitulating, and toughing it to the bureaucracy, it is harder to justify firing them.

so they bought time.
and who knows what a few days will bring.

[notdarkyet]

41. I'm envisioning jR and Nunez in cuffs. That would shut trump up for awhile.

[Clarity2]

15. They were on a digging expedition

for info on mueller’s investigation, so this appears to prevent them from getting their grubby hands on it.

However, trump personally will probably continue to politicize it with his tweets.

[LudwigPastorius]

9. FBI to Trump:

We've got a backlog of potential crimes committed by you and your associates. Hope you don't mind if we investigate them first, before we start checking on your paranoid delusions.

[Delphinus]

14. Love this!

Thanks!

[ananda]

10. I see nothing wrong with this reply.

Isn't that exactly what Mueller's remit is anyway?

[fountainofyouth]

12. GOOD

What Trump is trying to do is circumvent the IG's office and create a competing special counsel investigation. The IG's office will investigate and refute the ridiculous accusation as necessary.

[Arkansas Granny]

13. And when it is determined that no laws were broken and that the FBI

acted appropriately, Trump will not accept the results and will accuse them of lying. Any investigation will be an exercise in futility.

[Sam McGee]

16. It's a good answer

Professional. Does not address Trump's bullshit about Obama slipping a spy into his campaign. The FBI knows who their informant was and they know the informant was there to report on coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia -- and any other foreign entity. The DOJ IG will be told this and will have access to all the records. The DOJ IG will conclude there's nothing there. And Trump will go foaming-at-the-mouth, tire-biting, call-the-men-in-the-white-suits crazy.

[calimary]

23. Yep. Professional. That's what they're supposed to be.

trump isn’t accustomed to having to deal with anyone other than fellow scam artist and conjobbers and slick talkers.

[Scarsdale]

39. And Russians, don't forget

them. Add Saudis and certain Jews too, like Bibi. Anyone who wants to see this country brought to its' knees.

[Cold War Spook]

52. Which certain Jews would that be?

Did you forget certain Christians and certain Muslims?

[MBS]

19. Walter Shaub's response (OP) was especially reassuring. n/t

[SCantiGOP]

21. My first thought:

Trump knows how DOJ will respond, but his base will love it if Trump uses this as the cause to fire Sessions/Rosenstein for insubordination.

[getagrip_already]

22. Don't overlook "The Russian agents who interfered with the 2016".....

No equivocation in that statement. No "possible" or "alleged".

It's stated as fact.

[NBachers]

25. Yes- This is the statement that jumped out at me- conclusive and declaratory.

[jberryhill]

26. You got the real nugget in all of this

It's a fact.

[Duppers]

36. "...of persons suspected of involvement..."

Per spokeswoman statement.

[mr_lebowski]

37. US persons are still 'suspected', Russian persons WERE involved ... (nt)

[JohnnyRingo]

28. He'll need an independent agency to perform the inquisition

Something separate from the deep state judiciary. Perhaps a paramilitary unit that wears a special uniform, like a black one with a red MAGA arm band. He can call them the SS for "Scourge Strike " Unit. It'll probably be another job for Jared.

Finally! Someone will start investigating Hillary for a change.

I used up all my sarcasm for one day.

[murielm99]

33. The President's tweet!

Just think about how ridiculous that sounds. Just think about it.

Nothing is normal any more.

[rplcmint67]

34. Filthy Don is running out of ways

to press his case the "Deep State" is after his criminal azz.

The Orange Marmalade weasel is scared.

[Honeycombe8]

35. Yeah...I said at the outset that a DOJ head that meets w/Russians & lies about it, wouldn't have a

I thought from the outset that such a DOJ wouldn't have qualms about doing such an investigation.

Some law professor said the DOJ wouldn't do it, because it's political. Ha.

[DeminPennswoods]

38. Paul Butler

was on MSNBC yesterday and essentially said the same thing, that Rosenstein could easily say DOJ's IG was already investigating.

[lark]

40. Ah, I love the caveat, it's perfect.

"If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participnsts in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action."

Perfect. The surveilance and questions arose out of concern for criminal acts and so was totally appropriate.

[bucolic_frolic]

43. "a presidential campaign"

He didn't say which one. Surely they are looking at both sides for moles.

[FSogol]

45. I'm guessing money laundering and collusion with foreign powers is an appropriate reason.

Careful what you wish for Trumpy, you're launching more investigations into your and your cronies crimes. It is another "fire Comey" moment and Trumpy will do the wrong thing again.

[dajoki]

48. What a joke...

we are now being governed by tweets from a moron. I know these are official wh statements and I hope Mr. Mueller has all of them.