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Harry Reid to FBI Director Comey: "you may have broken the law"
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JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)So he releases the vague statement to stir things up knowing that no one can prove he's full of $#@$& until well after the election.
Coyotl
(15,262 posts)from: Rep. Elijah Cummings on @NewDay discussing @FBI Director Comey = VIDEO
VIDEO: https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/793083480284463104
ICYMI: @RepCummings was on @CNN @NewDay discussing the FBI's letter to Congress.
From July, Cummings points out the FBI found a big nothing burger:
Rep. Elijah Cummings Questions FBI Director James Comey 7/7/16
FBI Director James Comey testifies that the emails were not properly marked as confidential. Rep. Cummings confirms that the State Department indicated a day after Director Comey made his statement, had indicated that even the three emails in question that were improperly marked were also not actually classified.
Rep. Elijah Cummings Highlights How Comey Debunked Right-Wing Media "Talking Heads' Claims Of Bias" In Clinton Email Hearing
"First, the director testified that his entire team of 15 to 20 FBI investigators and analysts unanimously agreed on the recommendation not to prosecute Secretary Clinton. Second, Director Comey made crystal clear that Republican claims, some of the talking heads' claims of bias are completely false. He testified that he would treat John Doe the same way he would treat Hillary Clinton, that he was very forceful on that point. Third, on the claim that Secretary Clinton sent or received e-mails that were marked as classified, that claim has now been significantly undercut. Those documents were not classified, and those markings were not proper. Finally, Republicans have repeatedly cried foul about a double standard when it comes to secretary Clinton's e-mails. But director Comey testified that the real double standard would have been to prosecute her with this completely inadequate -- with this completely inadequate evidence."
DK504
(3,847 posts)for months and has done nothing about that. Where the hell was the media when this was first broached and the wasn't just smoke there was fire??
So the DOJ and the "press" have horribly failed us on a level that may have damaged our democracy for a generation.
I am so hot under the collar over this. Such legal malpractice I don't know the BAR hasn't stepped in.
ffr
(22,665 posts)Good luck putting that manure back in that horse, GOP sympathizers.
I love you Harry Reid!
MADem
(135,425 posts)If the latter, the pictures/videos are probably quite salacious.
It's the buttoned - down ones you have to look out for.....
Coyotl
(15,262 posts)We don't need no CT to explain Republicans acting like Republicans. Don't make us look crazed because they are.
MADem
(135,425 posts)He's clearly trying to tilt the election and he knows full well that the Russians and Trump are in bed with one another, to the national security detriment of our nation.
Cui bono, one must ask.
He looks more like a clown trying to save his OWN ass from some sort of humiliation that is WORSE than being called out as a GOP hack.
JMO, YMMV.
INdemo
(6,994 posts)Trump with election ties and the hacked emails and Comey is aware of this..he broke the law.'
He and Trump both should be tried for treason.
..and Please Mr. President don't pull a Gerald Ford act.
PatSeg
(47,260 posts)At that one press conference awhile back, he looked gray and sweaty, as if someone had gun to his back.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Who, in their right mind, would INVITE this kind of scrutiny unless someone was twisting their arm?
PatSeg
(47,260 posts)He had a positive reputation until the whole Clinton email BS. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
MADem
(135,425 posts)And found out some things he might want to keep close to the vest....?
Now that makes sense and would explain why he hasn't been talking about Russia's interference in our election, while bringing up Clinton's emails.
Was a Trump Server Communicating With Russia?
This spring, a group of computer scientists set out to determine whether hackers were interfering with the Trump campaign. They found something they werent expecting.
...In the face of accusations that he is somehow backed by Putin or in business with Russian investors, Trump has issued categorical statements. I mean I have nothing to do with Russia, he told one reporter, a flat denial that he repeated over and over. Of course, its possible that these statements are sincere and even correct. The sweeping nature of Trumps claim, however, prodded the scientists to dig deeper. They were increasingly confident that they were observing data that contradicted Trumps claims.
....
PatSeg
(47,260 posts)like a spy thriller, though I don't think any author would create a character as goofy and clownish as Trump. Maybe a spy thriller comedic satire? This is all too weird.
MADem
(135,425 posts)ffr
(22,665 posts)Taking the sword for his party. America and its institutions be damned.
This is a republican mess that needs a democratic solution.
Vote the bums out! GOTV for Hillary Clinton!!!
AwakeAtLast
(14,123 posts)K & R for visibility!!!
DallasNE
(7,402 posts)This is not a new email account, such as Outlook v. Gmail, but another device with access to an email account the FBI already has. So, what does that mean.
That means they already have the complete Inbox to the account. They would not have the Sent email, however, unless somebody replied to the message in which case it would be in the Inbox (they already have). The only thing new they would have here is the Sent email where nobody responded back. That's it. And only if she did not send it to herself so she would have it in her Inbox.
There will be no new Clinton email's to review because of how email works.
malthaussen
(17,175 posts)Releasing the information may be prejudicial to some hypothetical legal action Justice intends to undertake against Mr Trump. I am also leery of any assertion including "the public has a right to know." I'm fairly conversant with natural law and the Constitution of the U.S., and nowhere is any right asserted for the public to know doo-dad about anything.
Granting that Mr Comey is acting from reasons of a politically partisan nature, Mr Reid's communique is no less partisan.
-- Mal
MADem
(135,425 posts)Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)red dog 1
(27,769 posts)Go get 'em, Harry!
Wounded Bear
(58,598 posts)Coyotl
(15,262 posts)hughee99
(16,113 posts)ThoughtCriminal
(14,046 posts)It will be dismissed as Reid making an unfounded partisan attack. Only the FBI would have the details and evidence.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)He must know more than we do. If he knows more, he should say so, if he thinks this is info the voters need for next Tuesday.
ThoughtCriminal
(14,046 posts)that there is a connection. Sen. Reid would not have the evidence and details and even if he did, he would not be able to prove anything if the FBI does not release it.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)If it's still an ongoing investigation, what does he want them to "release"? Just that they're conducting an investigation?
MADem
(135,425 posts)FBaggins
(26,721 posts)On the one hand we're saying that Comey should never have commented on an investigation and that he cannot take an action that could impact an election... yet here's Reid admitting that he's been asking for both for months???
MADem
(135,425 posts)Trump is up Putin's ass:
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/10/veteran-spy-gave-fbi-info-alleging-russian-operation-cultivate-donald-trump
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/cover_story/2016/10/was_a_server_registered_to_the_trump_organization_communicating_with_russia.html
Reid is right on the money.
What an odd thing for you to say, though.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)either of these stories came out, and before Comey sent his recent letter to congress that he called a violation of the Hatch Act.
MADem
(135,425 posts)for many, many months now.
I'm amazed that it hasn't leaked before now. Of course, we Democrats tend to take the high road--if the roles were reversed, and it was Clinton with a server hooked up to Russia, and Clinton wedged so far up Putin's ass she could tickle his tonsils, those Republicans would not be quite so circumspect as we manage to be. They would have been bleating and blaring from Day One.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)I'm not sure what proof they'd have at this point that it hasn't even been upgraded to an "investigation" yet.
Do you think the FBI already has hard evidence, or should they just announce that they are looking into it?
MADem
(135,425 posts)I suppose it could happen, but I doubt it.
I think the FBI has hard evidence and they're now suddenly "terrified" of "influencing" the election.
I also think there are a shitload of people in the FBI and up above in Justice who are not happy with Comey at all.
Justice told Comey to just zip it about the Abedin email situation, but he ignored the direction. Now, Justice has again repeated that Comey needs to shut up, and NOW he's decided to follow that directive.
He will have to "rehabilitate" like hell to hang on to his job, IMO.
From the Corn piece:
hughee99
(16,113 posts)after the election, right?
MADem
(135,425 posts)investigation.
If he reached a conclusion to not forward a case for prosecution, in effect, closing it, that's appropriate to say--but nothing more.
But he can't say "I'm done with this" and then "OH, wait...gee, there might not be anything here, who knows, but let's get everyone speculating..." -- that's just bullshit and partisan.
He thinks he's smarter than his bosses and he only works for the POTUS. He also thinks he's being subtle about his political leanings. He's wrong on all counts. He's not J. Edgar Hoover. His footprint is smaller, his reach more constrained. Much of what that guy did is done by other agencies now.
He should resign before he's brought up on HATCH ACT charges. The Democrats tend to not beat a dead horse, but if he stays in the saddle, there will be cause.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)What do you think he should have done about the Trump-Russia investigation? Should he have sent his findings to congress or made them public, or keep his mouth shut.?
MADem
(135,425 posts)Harry Reid is telling Comey, clearly, plainly, simply, that he put his fat, wingnut fingers on the scales of justice, and he'd best correct the record.
I don't think you understand that what Reid is doing is calling Comey out for being a hypocrite. He doesn't actually expect results from him, he's pointing out his dire hypocrisy.
Beyond that, all that is to be done is for Comey's disgusted subordinates to keep leaking like sieves, which they are only doing because Comey has disgraced himself by displaying obvious partisanship. Someone is gonna right this ship, and Comey needs to understand that he has destroyed his reputation by meddling when he was, specifically, told to not meddle.
What he should have done about the Trump - Russia investigation is INVESTIGATED. Way back WHEN...which he clearly has not done. And then he should have sent his findings to DOJ.
He should have done the same thing with the Clinton matter--sent the AG a letter with his findings and recommendations. He should have politely declined the request of Congress to testify, because IF the investigation was "open" or in the process of being resolved, it is--as the AG and her subordinates have told him--inappropriate for him to express opinions to politicians (who have an animus towards Clinton) with regard to ongoing/open investigations.
His failing is that he thinks he is smarter and better than his bosses, and he thinks he's special and doesn't have to listen to them. I hope Justice is talking to POTUS and will correct THAT record, right quick. Like say, a week or two from now.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)position, but I feel like when I claim to see some level of hypocrisy, you're going to say I'm misrepresenting it anyway, so we might as well just do this now rather than drag it on.
It appears that the FBI looked into this Russia thing months ago (otherwise, how could Reid have asked them to release their findings months ago). I haven't heard anything about them completing that investigation, or even that it was an actual investigation (as opposed to an inquiry, which seems to be different). Reid is suggesting that Comey is sitting on some sort of "bombshell" information, do you think Reid knows what the FBI has, and if so, do you think Reid SHOULD know what the FBI has?
It seems to me that you don't really know what the FBI has in the Trump-Russia investigation, or even if there is an actual ongoing investigation, but agree with Reid that the information should be released. At the same time, you think he should keep his mouth shut about the Huma-Weiner email investigation and how it might possibly related to the previous email/server investigation.
You've created a hypothetical scenario to justify your support for the FBI releasing information on the one hand, and not commenting on the other hand, to justify your opposing positions on the same sort of issue, without having almost any facts.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Not an ongoing one. Jesus, reread the damn 27 August letter. He's not asking for a play-by-play of something that is still open. We've no idea if they've even gotten off the dime on that, so busy they've been with pawing over Clinton's emails.
The October letter is a call out, and a deserved one.
My positiions aren't at all "opposing," you're just not reading or absorbing the material I've provided to you, and persisting in touting a false narrative --for reasons that are rather puzzling to me and frankly a bit troubling.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)This is exactly what I'm saying. You have no idea, by your own admission what, if anything, has been done... you're just sure they deserved to be called out. Perhaps they never started, perhaps they're done and found something, perhaps they're done and found nothing, or perhaps they're still investigating. You (and Reid) can certainly argue they're playing politics with the Clinton investigation, but without more information on the state of their investigation, you're just guessing that they're playing politics with that as well. In fact, you seem to be guessing about a number of things because it fits into your scenario.
Also, nice touch on questioning my motives, and I've noticed it's not the first time you've done it on this thread. When your arguments not as strong as you'd like it to be, it's always a good idea to try to attack the personal motivations of the person on the other side. If it works, it's a handy way to distract people, but if it doesn't, it's sort of a white flag.
MADem
(135,425 posts)MONTHS ago. I am sure he knows, clearly, just where Comey is at in terms of his lack of progress.
You keep defending the indefensible, not reading the material (that made it plain that Reid was asking for something that was completed, not reports on a work in progress, like Comey felt compelled, against his bosses' advice, to deliver to a GOP controlled House), and you wonder why I look askance?
Comey has been too busy kissing GOP ass in Congress to attend to his duties or be responsive to OUR legislators. They're elected to ask those kinds of questions and demand response from public servants--his job is to do his job, not curry favor with one political party and, in the process, interfere in an election.
I hope his "cordial" meeting with his boss today was anything but cordial, and she warmed his ass but good while handing him the superglue chapstik and telling him to USE it.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)You're sure of it, but you're really just guessing. This is the thing you've assumed to be true that your argument seems to be based on. You don't know where Comey is. Do you think Comey is updating Reid on his progress? Do you think Comey SHOULD be updating him on his progress?
Comey has been too busy kissing GOP ass in congress? No, he's been too busy trying to cover his own ass. The Republicans are trying to put him in a spot where he's damned if he gives them updates (for talking about an ongoing investigation) and he's damned if he doesn't say anything (because his current actions don't match up with his previous testimony).
As far as doing his job, the president said he's doing just fine. I'm not sure I agree with that, but I think President Obama has a better idea what's happening than I do.
MADem
(135,425 posts)F.B.I.s Email Disclosure Broke a Pattern Followed Even This Summer
Mr. Comeys letter, which he sent over the objections of the Justice Department, stirred outrage across party lines. It unleashed a torrent of news that laid bare the governments internal deliberations and exposed the infighting and occasional mistrust between rank-and-file F.B.I. agents and senior department officials.
If you seriously think the POTUS is going to interfere in this election as Comey has done, I have a bridge to sell you, dirt cheap. He may have more to say on Nov 9.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)that the republicans have him boxed in. He can either come out with info on an ongoing investigation (which he shouldn't) or he can keep his mouth shut and be accused of giving false testimony to congress. I think he attempted to split the baby in two and just made things worse.
But, or course none of this has anything to do with what I've been arguing, which is the state of the Trump-Russia investigation. Now I think we can agree that this investigation can be in one of three states... not started, in progress, or complete. You've suggested that it might be not even started
"In my communications with you and other top officials in the national security community, it has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian government"
If this investigation hasn't even started, then the explosive information isn't from the investigation, so why doesn't Reid just release it. If the investigation is in progress and produced this explosive information, then Comey is doing exactly what he wanted Comey to do in the Clinton investigation, and say nothing about an ongoing investigation. Except that Reid said he wanted Comey to release this information MONTHS ago. If the investigation is complete, and has found this explosive information, why is he not demanding that the information be turned over to the AG's office, which would be the normal process?
All his statement really did was put out there that this information may exist, and that the FBI is covering it up, putting Comey in another bad spot, where he would have to comment on an ongoing investigation, or stick to protocol and look like he's covering it up.
MADem
(135,425 posts)If it is 'explosive' declarations/utterances from a cooperating witness (or several), they couldn't possibly release that, even if an investigation had not begun, because that is potential testimony.
Reid's purpose in chastising Comey was to point out a grave double standard--one that has been pissing people off within the FBI and up and down DOJ. That is why the agency is leaking like a sieve right now.
Comey should NOT have testified before Congress in the first place. When his GOP buddies asked him to come, he should have said NO--The FBI does not comment on ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS. When he sent his findings and recommendations to his bosses at Justice, he shouldn't have opined about who was sloppy, or careless, even as he was yammering on about how no sane prosecutor would move forward. It's like he's addicted to the spotlight--reminds me of Ken Starr.
What Reid said (READ THE LETTER) is that he wanted the investigation COMPLETED and released months ago. He didn't want dribs and drabs of "evidence" released in a flim-flam way as the investigation meandered along--we're not Italy, we have, ostensibly, a rule of law that doesn't rely on whims of prosecutors and judges, and we don't go repeatedly to the well, like Comey appears to be doing.
In AUGUST Reid wanted Comey to wrap it up and produce a completed investigation. Instead he dithered--perhaps he was too busy fretting over six year old emails.
VF has it down: http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/11/is-donald-trump-a-manchurian-candidate
As for Comey, he might as well buy some gasoline and a box of matches. He couldn't have destroyed himself more thoroughly if he doused himself and lit a match. I don't see how he redeems himself.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)when he testified, that it was an ongoing investigation and that he wouldn't appear before congress?
And as far as Reid wanting the investigation completed and released months ago, how can he accurately set a time frame on an investigation without knowing the nature of the investigation?
Without knowing more about the investigation, how do you (or Reid) know he "dithered".
I agree, though, Comey is fucked, and he did a great deal of this to himself. He shouldn't have editorialized on the Clinton emails, and he's made himself a target for politicians on both sides.
And the agency has been leaking since long before his recent letter to congress (and to a lesser extent, even before he made his statement in July), so it seems a little dubious to claim that this is because of his recent actions.
FBaggins
(26,721 posts)He's simultaneously insisting that Comey do something... And complaining that he has done that thing.
MADem
(135,425 posts)all over the floor, and he needs to put them back in the box.
Comey's meddling and "opining" started us down this road. He should have sucked it up and shut up back in July, rather than trying to "explain" his results to his Republican pals, who apparently need to be coddled.
FBaggins
(26,721 posts)You're pointing out (correctly) concerns with Comey's actions.
Reid, OTOH, is doing that while simultaneously admitting that he's been trying for months to get Comey to do the same thing.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Not "opinion" -- just "investigate and report" requests--apparently Comey is only able to "investigate and report" or "talk about investigating, and report anyway, without facts" for ONE candidate in this election:
That was back in August, but we didn't hear anything about that, did we? No publicity, no drum beating--nothing.
It was only this WTF letter, after Comey didn't do diddly, that made news:
FBaggins
(26,721 posts)His latest action in the email investigation doesn't include any opinion.
Reid is asking him to release information about a presumably ongoing investigation (actually... it appears that "inquiry" is more accurate) that could impact the election... while chastising him for releasing information about an ongoing investigation that could impact the election.
Accusing Comey of a double standard would be easier if he didn't draw attention to the fact that he wants the FBI to release information that could affect the election... just not information that hurts the side he favors.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Instead of saying "No reasonable prosecutor would pursue this--and have a nice day," Comey decided to scold Clinton about how "careless" she was and how she was a bad person for doing something that was completely legal at the time she did it.
Or did you forget about all that?
Sheesh. with friends like you....
The point Reid is making is that Comey unbalanced the scales with his trash mouth--and not only is he NOT doing his job by not investigating and reporting on REAL issues, as he was asked to do by the Senate Minority Leader, he's making matters worse with his interjection in the election with regard to an investigation that had a very nebulous connection to anything. How FASCINATING that he felt compelled to whip off that letter to the Republicans (CC to the Dems--who DID NOT get their copy until AFTER the letter was tweeted to the world) BEFORE HE EVEN OBTAINED A WARRANT TO LOOK AT THE EMAILS.
You don't have to be a genius to use your nose and smell that this stinks on ice.
His "latest" on the emails is CONNECTED to his first comments--surely you cannot be so obtuse as to not see that?
And his BOSSES at the Justice Department told him to STFU and he IGNORED them.
You're still claiming he's Dudley DoRight?
Grab a damn clue:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/10/29/1588460/-FBI-Director-James-Comey-s-Political-Contributions
He IS political and he IS using his position to engage in politicizing this election. Reid is calling him out. Good for Reid, and shame on you for not seeing the Big Picture.
Then you should have no trouble linking to Reid's condemnation from July. Right?
The point Reid is making is that Comey unbalanced the scales with his trash mouth
Yep... but not from speaking in July. He had glowing things to say about Comey back then. The unbalanced scales in Reid's statement compare his lack of releasing information from an inquiry into Trump/Russia while making public the fact that the email investigation was back on...
... which would be fine, IF he weren't also pointing out that he has been asking for that inappropriate release for months.
You're still claiming he's Dudley DoRight?
Still? How can I "still" claim something that I have yet to claim? I maintain that there shouldn't have been an announcement in July or October. I'm not commenting here on Comey's behavior at all. I'm focusing on the incredibly politically tone-deaf communication by Reid to admit that he's been asking for something for months that he also says is unacceptable when the data is damaging to us.
MADem
(135,425 posts)He should not have testified before Congress, he should have sent his findings and recommendations TO HIS BOSSES at the Justice Department, and gone back to work.
Good grief.
If you are, indeed, maintaining that Comey should have kept it zipped, not testified before Congress, followed the guidelines of the DOJ, and not tried to play know-it-all cowboy and suck up to the GOP House, then we are on the same page.
If you're trying to play a "partisans should not be partisan" game (yeah, like that wins elections), you've lost me.