Former top FBI counterintelligence agent arrested - The 11th Hour - MSNBC

[Rhiannon12866]

Retired top FBI agent Charles McGonigal was arrested for alleged money laundering and violating Russian sanctions. Frank Figliuzzi and Barbara McQuade tells us what it means for the agency and our national security. - Aired on 01/23/2023.

[True Blue American]

1. For 4 years we have had

Corruption from the top of our Government, including the 3 Lindsey Graham forced through the Supreme Court. They were already corrupt, loyal to the Federalist Society.

Why would anyone be surprised the grift flowed down like mud after a landslide.

Monkey see, monkey do.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I have no doubt that TFG's administration was corrupt from the top down

And in many cases this inexperienced and uninterested POTUS left those that didn't personally concern him completely on their own to do whatever they wanted to.

[True Blue American]

3. I am also sure there have been many placed in our FBI and JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

That are corrupt. He had that with JEdgar Hoover., HWBush. He did Reagan’s dirty work in Iran.

But, at least some are being exposed now with Bill Barr gone. Our Justice Department was a joke under him.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. And don't forget about Jeff Sessions. The Civil Rights Division suffered under him.

I read about that in Mary Trump's book. Both DOJ and State saw a lot of resignations and few applications under TFG. And Jeff Sessions was a known segregationist, was once rejected for a federal judgeship for exactly that reason.

[True Blue American]

8. Yes!

This arrest is going to show the connection Trump, the FBI, retired Generals and Russia shared. Trump has been hip deep in Russian money laundering most of his life. Probably when he was married to Ivana who made a good share of hhis fortune that is now dribbling away.

[Traildogbob]

5. I watched a

Documentary movie last week, sorry I forgot the title, an out a 20 plus year high level FBI agent in counter Intel. He was around 2001. I think his name was Hasson. The agency did an inside sting with a new super star agent and caught him selling top secret info. He is currently in prison, 23 hour a day isolation for life. Trump et al need the same. Fuck that can’t charge Presidents or congress. Fill GITMO with these terrorist. And tax the hell out of billionaires to pay for the upkeep. Most are in it as well.

[Traildogbob]

6. Name was Robert Hanssen

Arrested 2001, Convicted in May 2002. Millions in cash, Bank funds and diamonds. And who was he selling to………wait for it…….Russia. The movie “Breach”.

[Irish_Dem]

11. Fascinating movie but chilling.

Hanssen is sitting in a Supermax prison, yes solitary confinement for most of the day.
He sold thousands of classified docs to the Russians.

He was responsible for the deaths of many CIA agents and the extent of the damage he did is not known
to this day.

To avoid the death penalty he confessed to espionage and will spend his life in prison.

[Traildogbob]

12. Every point is spot on.

You would think 21 years ago they may have developed a much better way of vetting agents. And kept a close eye out for the exact. If trump got life in fed prison, 23 hits solitary a day, I may consider justice was served.

[Irish_Dem]

13. The problem was not with the original vetting.

They probably passed with flying colors at time of hire.

It is down the road where there were not as many checks and balances as needed.

It is later on when these guys get angry, jaded, seduced, whatever.
And have access to more sensitive information because of their seniority.

Today the FBI does much more in terms of continual financial examination for all agents.
Many more safeguards were put into place after Hanssen.

I also assume that the FBI has had psych profilers do more work in identifying
potential spies. Maybe there is a psych profile they know correlates with
selling out your country. And being easily bribed.

I seriously doubt Trump will go to prison. I think house arrest is the best we can hope for.
And I am not even sure about that.

I assume Trump would negotiate some sort of deal. He agrees not to run for office.
And give up some of his social media. In return no trial.

[Traildogbob]

14. Thank you for your insightful info

I agree, there will be no real justice. Flynn et al walk freely still.

[Irish_Dem]

15. YW

I just don't see the DOJ having the stomach to put an almost 80 yr old ex POTUS in prison.
And it would be a security nightmare with SS and prison guards.
No one wants a blue on blue clash.

Heck maybe Trump refuses to negotiate about the classified docs, and that is why the
FBI is all of a sudden searching the basements of current and ex leaders. Documents all
over the place. Maybe to take the pressure off of DOJ.
Timing is fishy.

We shall see, time will tell.

Maybe some of the other guys will go to jail.
Flynn is a particular disgrace and dangerous. He needs to go prison.

[mysteryowl]

7. All he needs to round out his persona

is a red MAGA hat.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. The NYT and the NY City office of the FBI helped TFG win in 2016

I was at a law firm doing a video conference for voter protection when this announcement was made. I had an associate with me who was getting some CLE for this training and I saw that he was upset during the course. On the way back to the office, I was told about Comey announcing the reopening of the Clinton email investigation. That reopening with the NYT article that the FBI found no connection between Russia and TFG were the final nails.

The NYT is not a real news organization and the NYC office of the FBI was full of Clinton haters some of whom were working directly for Russia

Link to tweet

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[waddirum]

10. Marci Wheeler says the timing is not quite right

https://www.emptywheel.net/2023/01/24/no-charles-mcgonigal-likely-isnt-responsible-for-that-part-of-the-russian-investigation-you-hate/