Comey Asks Justice Dept. to Reject Trumps Wiretapping Claim

[MBS]

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — The F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, asked the Justice Department this weekend to publicly reject President Trump’s assertion that President Barack Obama ordered the tapping of Mr. Trump’s phones, senior American officials said on Sunday. Mr. Comey has argued that the highly charged claim is false and must be corrected, they said, but the department has not released any such statement.

Mr. Comey made the request on Saturday after Mr. Trump leveled his allegation on Twitter. Mr. Comey has been working to get the Justice Department to knock down Mr. Trump’s claim because there is no evidence to support it and it insinuates that the F.B.I. broke the law, the officials said.

A spokesman for the F.B.I. declined to comment. Sarah Isgur Flores, the spokeswoman for the Justice Department, also declined to comment.

A statement by the Justice Department or Mr. Comey refuting Mr. Trump’s allegations would be a remarkable rebuke of a sitting president, putting the nation’s top law enforcement officials in the position of questioning the truthfulness of the government’s top leader. The situation underscores the high stakes of what the president and his aides have set out by accusing the former president of a conspiracy to undermine Mr. Trump’s young administration.

Continue reading the main story


Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/05/us/politics/trump-seeks-inquiry-into-allegations-that-obama-tapped-his-phones.html?

---

Wow.

[Happyhippychick]

1. I guess Putin doesn't want this thing investigated.

[LisaL]

2. Why does he have to ask the Justice Department?

Just write the letter to congress.

[yallerdawg]

4. Comey has a new boss now!

This isn't an AG who met up with Bill Clinton "on a tarmac" while everybody was 'investigating' his wife!

Now he has to defer to the new AG who...wait...uhh...hhhmmm.

[TomCADem]

7. Except That Sessions Allegedly Recused Himself...

...so why is Comey suddenly being shy about going rogue?

[MBS]

8. The fact that this has already been reported

essentially already publicizes its existence, and in this way, is almost as good as issuing it directly- I would guess that we're going to see the original pretty soon. (The way things are going these days, I wouldn't be surprised if Comey himself leaked this story to the press. .).

What a completely bizarre time.

[wordpix]

11. I don't see Comey going rogue but he has a boss---Session$

I guess this will go to Sessions' deputy, who is also a political appointee. Then who?

I'm surprised Traitor Comey is coming out with this.

[GliderGuider]

34. Maybe Comey isn't actually a traitor.

I catch a lot of flak on here whenever I float the possibility, but I retain the possibility that in this situation he may be one of the good guys. This behavior is consistent with him doing his job.

Here is why I think Comey has his white hat on for this game:

Dear Mr. Putin, Let’s Play Chess

Before the BBC and the Guardian confirmed my HeatStreet exclusive on the FISA warrant issued in October, I was a lone voice in the wilderness on its existence.(And may history record that our conservative-leaning website had that scoop). When the writer Jason Leopold of Vice asked if Trump had been under investigation in September he got a GLOMAR response: ‘We can neither confirm nor deny the existence of any such records’.

GLOMAR responses are named for a submarine and can only be given if a matter of national security is at stake. Mr. Leopold announced he would sue, for why should a concluded investigation be a matter of national security? I told him, with little credibility then and tons now, that the GLOMAR response made sense because there is an ongoing investigation into Mr. Trump and his associates on a matter of national security.

Democrats, including Democrats in Obama’s government who ought to know better, have asked if James Comey had ‘a double standard’ over the investigations into Clinton and Trump. Yes; he did, and he does. He may talk about a criminal investigation. He may not talk about a current, ongoing investigation into espionage, bribery, money laundering and so forth that affects US national security.

Over the summer and early autumn Democrats wrongly stated that the FBI / Comey had said they were not looking into Roger Stone and had declined to investigate Roger Stone, who announced his links to Wikileaks. This came from a Senate hearing and Mr. Comey’s testimony to Democrat Rep. Nadler. Rep. Nadler asked if Stone’s boasts constituted special circumstances, Comey said “I don’t think so.” It must have been frustrating for Comey. He was GLOMAR-ing Congress right to their face and they did not understand what was going on.

Furthermore, although Comey is a natural Republican he appeared to have played it straight. In the summer he cleared Clinton of a criminal standard of negligence. In the fall, he had been sandbagged by Russian moles inside the FBI Field Office in New York. But I do not believe Mr. Comey surrendered wrongly to ‘pressure’. He knew the moles had effective kompromat – the emails your hacker Nikulin planted or woke – and that were he not to revise his testimony in the light of new evidence, his far more important natsec investigation into the traitor, Donald Trump, would be discredited. He then worked around the clock to clear Mrs. Clinton.

[Crash2Parties]

35. So, that whole interferring with a federal election thingy.....?

May not technically be treason, but he's still a traitor.

[mountain grammy]

39. This is fascinating.. is it real?

Is it true? I does make sense. Who wrote it?

[GliderGuider]

41. Yes, it's real. It was written by Louise Mensch

Last edited Sun Mar 5, 2017, 09:42 PM - Edit history (1)

She's a conservative British novelist, ex-parliamentarian and now citizen journalist. On Nov. 7, 2016 she scooped the story of the FISA warrant being issued, and since then has written four more articles connecting the dots oof this story. She's been consistently ahead of the curve compared to the MSM.

I look on her and ex-NSA analyst John Schindler as the leading people deciphering what's happening with Trump/Russia.

Here's the link to her FISA story:
https://heatst.com/world/exclusive-fbi-granted-fisa-warrant-covering-trump-camps-ties-to-russia/

The blog link to her more recent stories:
https://patribotics.wordpress.com/

And the article The Guardian did on her:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/17/louise-mensch-trump-russia-ties-media-scoop

[mountain grammy]

49. Oh yes, thank you.

Last edited Sun Mar 5, 2017, 11:04 PM - Edit history (1)

I read the Guardian article and have been reading some of her tweets. Wow, do I really have to trust Comey? I still want to know what he told the Dems in Congress to get them so mad.

Edited to add, I read the other articles. Thanks for the links.. It all seems believable. haha, typed 'leaks' instead of 'links' It's getting to all of us.
'

[deminks]

3. Comey should issue the statement on his own.

Sessions has recused himself and wouldn't do it anyway.

[NNadir]

9. Yeah, like the statement that he was investigating Clinton. He's full of shit. He's a corrupt...

...politician - a right winger - but he's beginning to wonder if his ass could end up in prison.

[C_U_L8R]

5. Face it, you're working for a madman

A raging idiot-clown who clearly lost all his marbles,
So the question is, Comey and all people who work in government,
what are YOU going to do about him???

[wordpix]

12. That IS the question + Who's Running the Show? Bring back Obama!

PLEASE!!!

[TomCADem]

6. So, Comey of All People Refuses to Knock Down Word of an Investigation in Trump's ...

...Russia contacts, but then barely breaks stride to issue a rebuke of Trump's claims that he was being wiretapped at the direct order of President Obama?

Perhaps Trump was trying to set-up a false equivalency where he could say that the FBI did not knock down his spurious allegation that President Obama had ordered that Trump be wiretapped, therefore the allegations of investigations into his affairs were equally spurious.

[mobeau69]

10. drumph went all in on this hand

and Obama's holding a royal flush in spades.

[poli-junkie]

13. Why is Comey breaking his silence now?

Why is Comey chiming in with this information when he's been mum since before the election? Bear with me as I attempt to figure out what's going on:

Comey HAS transcripts of Trump Tower wiretaps. Intelligence Community aware that foreign agents have been directly communicating with residents at Trump Tower e.g. Manafort, Felix Sater. Comey publicly announces there was/is no wiretapping at Trump Tower in order to provide cover for the actual surveillance program that's been underway for quite a while -- like at least 6 months to a year, maybe since 2014. And,

since Comey and the rogue NY FBI agents have colluded with the Trump campaign, Comey is now frantically trying to provide cover for Trumputin by denying such an intelligence program exists/existed because there is a huge mountain of evidence against the Trump cabal.

My head aches; I'm trying to make sense of Comey's action yesterday...HELP!

[TubbersUK]

20. Presumably any wire tapping has targeted the Russians rather than Trump

or his team. So yes, there are transcripts but no, Obama did not wire tap Trump.

That's my reading.

[joet67]

22. Maybe Drumpf's verification of things releases him to be more open about things now?

Don't know.

Or, maybe Comey is now trying to quickly cover his own tracks in some way?

[titaniumsalute]

28. He didn't say there wasn't a wire tap

He said Obama didn't order it.

[joet67]

29. That too. (And more importantly). *edited:

edited to add: Most likely, Obama didd *not order it, but knew well of its' existence, probably through briefings. Think back to the way he talked to us, and to Donald during the transition. Both what was said, and what was not said.

[rzemanfl]

14. WTF? Could Comey really be one of the good guys? Was the Hillary's email thing

bait in a trap that didn't get sprung? Crazy things are going on.

[angstlessk]

19. It's cause there is no there there, and MAYBE opening a real can of worms?

[rzemanfl]

25. No there where? This isn't a can of worms already?

Who or what is being protected? Drumpf or sources and methods?

I think Drumpf's campaign was in contact with the Russians regarding causing Hillary to lose. One or more FISA declarations, or the damning info came from the intelligence agencies of friendly powers. Knowing the way Putin works, people could die if this is handled the wrong way. There's way too much smoke for there to be no fire. I think there must be a piece missing and folks are trying to piece it together with this drip, drip business.

[joet67]

24. i have thought similar. Maybe he preferred it this way in order to get the actual

investigation needed on such a grievously serous matter as we have on our hands. Had he lost, it is unlikely we could have ever gotten to the information we are now about to get.

[red dog 1]

15. Why didn't Comey ask Attorney General Lynch about sending the 10/28/2016 letter to Congress

before he sent it?

[wishstar]

21. I believe Comey did ask Lynch, she advised him not to send letter but he sent it anyway

[red dog 1]

30. In that case, he disobeyed his immediate supervisor, and should have been immediately fired.

What an asshole!

[angstlessk]

16. There ya go...PROOF.Obama wiretapped trump cause

"it insinuates that the F.B.I. broke the law, the officials said. "

What more do the duffusies need to say Obama broke the law and tapped poor itty bitty trump?

[TubbersUK]

17. Story confirmed by NBC and ABC

Last edited Sun Mar 5, 2017, 07:20 PM - Edit history (1)

Link to tweet

Kate Snow ✔ @tvkatesnow
Sr US official confirms to @NBCNews FBI Dir Comey asked officials at DOJ to publicly reject wiretapping claim by Pres Trump @NBCNightlyNews
10:16 PM - 5 Mar 2017

Link to tweet

ABC News Politics‏Verified account
@ABCPolitics

FBI director James Comey asked Justice Department to refute Pres. Trump's wiretapping claims, sources say. http://abcn.ws/2lPFHFh

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. I think Comey's actions speak loudly that his first loyalty is with the establishment GOP

And getting them back into power. Trump was only necessary baggage to give the GOP the House Senate and SCOTUS. Much the same way i think Trump was looked on by the GOP leadership. And its working perfect as they can stamp all kinds of despicable legislation through in this first month without one network talking about that.

And they will use (are using) the Trump camouflage to destroy the EPA, the Education department, the ACA, dark money restrictions, environmental regulations etc.. until they just cannot anymore when the evidence is just too strong. Then they will allow his impeachment, and of course claim that 'nobody could have foreseen this" and how they are so much better than that.

Meanwhile most of the damage will be already done and irreversible. But the Republicans will be given a new polish, and Comey will be happy and they with him.

[wishstar]

23. Perhaps this misstep by Trump was enough to tip balance towards GOP getting rid of him?

Comey and establishment GOP would love to switch out Trump for Pence

[LiberalLovinLug]

56. Exactly

Comey has been working for the turtle all along. Hence the "new" emails release before the election while being mum about the Russia/GOP connections. After Trump won the primary, GOP strategists pivoted quickly to supporting Trump (its just so damn easy for those assholes to just shelve any ethical concerns on a dime). Because they saw his popularity as a vehicle, a clown car, to all squeeze into and ride to another majority.

Turtle boy is giddy now. Because they will be able to milk two honeymoons. They dare not disturb the honeymoon Trump is having with their deplorable base at the moment, by standing up for even basic ethical principles. But they probably predict a time when Trump will eventually wear down his 40% approval to the hard core 20% that will never change. Then they will make their move to allow impeachment and Fox News will join with MSNBC with CNN to praise the GOP for such bold and brave leadership.

Pence will emerge and proclaim that he is more moderate than what he was being portrayed as, and they will , I assume, unveil a new VP, the most appealing populist figure they can find. It will be the New Republican Direction (after decimating important departments and filling up on as much pork as they can eat). And the MSM will be so relieved along with most Americans, that it will be back to business of false equivalencies and both parties are the same narrative.

[KingCharlemagne]

26. Comey is throwing Trump under the bus. Wonder if Comey is getting

ready to tender his resignation.

[dhol82]

38. If he hasn't been booted out by now, he ain't going nowhere!

Truly amazed by this but, what it is.

[janx]

27. Deputy WH secretary:

“Look, I think he’s going off of information that he’s seen that has led him to believe that this is a very real potential,” Ms. Sanders said on ABC’s “This Week” program. “And if it is, this is the greatest overreach and the greatest abuse of power that I think we have ever seen and a huge attack on democracy itself. And the American people have a right to know if this took place."


So now, it's IF this took place. Now we switch to A VERY REAL POTENTIAL.

[wishstar]

31. I agree with part of her statement if used to describe Trump's outrageous false accusation :

"this is the greatest overreach and the greatest abuse of power that I think we have ever seen "

[janx]

32. It's horrible. n/t

[helpisontheway]

33. Too late to distance yourself now Comey

You did Trumps bidding during the election so deal with it now.

[Gothmog]

36. WOW

[Bernardo de La Paz]

37. Sen Nunes immediately said he'd investigate Obama but drags his feet on the Russian Scandal.

Nunes is the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He's getting himself stuck in the coverup part of a scandal he probably had no part of originally.

[redstateblues]

40. Pundit Howard Fineman called this a declaration of war between Trump and Comey

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

42. The last Republican president who messed with the FBI was Nixon

We know how that all turned out.

[ck4829]

43. Scandalception? Infinitegate?

[C Moon]

44. I think Comey is covering Trump's butt; giving Trump an out.

Trump made a dumb mistake, and they are trying to figure out how to get out of it, but not make Trump look stupid.

[KingCharlemagne]

47. How does that work? Comey is publicly repudiating his boss. That's a firing

offense where I come from.

[C Moon]

53. My explanation is in my post.

[BlueWI]

45. Another day, another destabilizing drama due to the POTUS and his ranting.

Day-to-day in DC these days. With a team full of untested newbies and untrained ideologues, what you see is what you get. And underneath it all is the Russia scandal that dwarfs Watergate in its scope. Who's going to finally break the story?? A Pulitzer is waiting along with the satisfaction of moving democracy forward.

[Amaryllis]

46. This is a very important piece of info that no one seems to be mentioning:

“One problem Mr. Comey has faced is that there are few senior politically appointed officials at the Justice Department who can make the decision to release a statement, the officials said. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself on Thursday from all matters related to the federal investigation into connections between Mr. Trump, his associates and Russia."

[Cha]

48. DOJ refused

Link to tweet

Thank you for this, MBS

[SunSeeker]

54. It is no longer the Department of Justice.

It is the Department of Jefferson Beauregard Sessions.

[wordpix]

57. Jeff Davis Sessions is now scouring DOJ for proof of wiretaps

they must be here somewhere....maybe in this broom closet?

[Cha]

60. Right.. it is the Dept of Racist Assholes.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

50. K & R

[Jarqui]

51. Comey is not going to suggest such a thing unless he is absolutely certain that it is true

Last edited Sun Mar 5, 2017, 11:55 PM - Edit history (1)

Clapper had already stated as much.

Folks in IC would also already know - as would oversight in the Senate by now.

So this short sighted, bogus allegation by Trump is likely to unravel very quickly and come rolling back on the man who uttered it.

Trump has told the world he knows he got wire tapped. What the world is probably about to find out is what Ms Mensch has been trying to say: Trump folks got caught talking to Russians in a wire tap authorized to provide surveillance of Russians - not authorized to go after Trump. That's double bad news because not only are Trump folks caught by authorities in a lie where they claimed they had not been talking to Russians. The Russians they've been caught talking to were ones where a US judge had felt there was enough evidence to go after them with a wire tap. In other words, Trump and/or his campaign staff were talking with Russians US law enforcement suspected were criminals or spies.

How much longer can they avoid a special prosecutor after that news sinks in?

Might be time to take our clothes off and do a little streaking! ...

[humbled_opinion]

52. I am pretty sure

Chuck Shumer made a similar statement today on ABC.

[lark]

55. Little Jeffy will make sure that doesn't happen.

It's all Drumpf fluffing all the time over there. Recusal, ha!

[mahina]

58. Trump is like the guy caught walking out of Safeway with a coat full of steaks.

He can't see himself, how obvious his crime is, and can't fathom how anyone else can tell.

Single-celled organisms are smarter than this guy.

[MBS]

59. " " "