5 things we just learned about the Trump-Russia probe

[applegrove]

By AUSTIN WRIGHT at Politico

https://secure.politico.com/story/2017/03/russia-trump-takeaways-hearings-236100

"SNIP...........


1. Lawmakers are zeroing in on two questions

Congress is determined to get answers from the Justice Department on two major unanswered questions — and they’re making clear they’re willing to play hardball if they don’t hear something soon.

First, lawmakers in both chambers are demanding the FBI clear up President Donald Trump’s claim that former President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower in the run-up to the election. Both the House Intelligence Committee and Graham’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism have asked the Justice Department to turn over any evidence for Trump’s allegations, including warrant applications or court orders.

And both panels are using their leverage to ensure they get what they want, raising the prospect of issuing subpoenas.

The House panel has given the Justice Department until Monday to answer its questions “and may resort to a compulsory process if our questions continue to go unanswered,” according to spokesman Jack Langer. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), meanwhile, has said he will not hold a committee vote on Trump's nominee for deputy attorney general until he gets more information from the FBI.

The other big question for lawmakers is whether the FBI is conducting any criminal investigations into Trump campaign aides for potential collusion with Russia.


..............SNIP"

[wishstar]

1. Number one has been answered today by Sen Burr and Sen Mark Warren in writing

They issued letter of no surveillance, and then Warren further explained again after Spicer's press conference, that they had been briefed before making their statement of no surveillance.

[lindysalsagal]

2. "let us have the proper computer technology that we need to go through the evidence that exists out

at the CIA, out at Langley,” he said. “We are trying to work through that, but I can tell you that it has become a bit of a stumbling block for our investigators to actually be able to compile and cull through the information.”

Ok. So, there's a technology so secret, not even the legislators can see it?????

Not sure that makes sense to me, but, ok.....

[ffr]

3. More pieces falling into place. Like antlions flicking sand out to undermine their prey

tRump and his whole house of cards remain firmly mounted on sand.

[Amaryllis]

4. THis that Nunes said is concerning:

"This is called incidental collection, and it can occur when people in the United States communicate with a foreign target of U.S. surveillance — or even when they chat about an overseas suspect. The identities of Americans whose communications are inadvertently collected are normally kept secret, though they can be “unmasked” under certain circumstances for foreign intelligence purposes.

Nunes said Wednesday he is worried this unmaking process has been abused, citing news media reports that former national security adviser Michael Flynn had pre-inauguration phone conversations with Russia’s ambassador."

Abused by whom? Those trying to get the dirt on Trump and his people? Is he worried Intel listened when they shouldn't have? That data was illegally collected on Flynn?

I never thought I would ever learn so much about spy stuff.

[2naSalit]

5. Nunes is

dirty from the same slime and is likely one of those under surveillance... he's not going to be told about that which going to be a challenge until the beans are indeed spilled. I think he's blowing smoke but feels he may be caught as well. The drastic difference in what is being said by the committee members is telling.

[Amaryllis]

6. I think this is why declassification is so long coming. Some of the ones they are supposed to

declassify to are complicit and maybe under surveillance themselves.

[2naSalit]

7. Yup.....nt

[Amaryllis]

8. Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028801546

[2naSalit]

9. That's been my hypothesis for months now.

[L. Coyote]

10. CREEP 2.0

Except, in this case it isn't "re-elect" a President, more like Comm to Elect a Creep. The Republican know this will impact all of them.