Democrat Schiff draws Trump ire with House intel probes

By Doina Chiacu

 

FILE PHOTO: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is seen ahead of the release of the House Intelligence Committee's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House Intelligence Committee is set to pursue a wide investigation into attempts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election, including a look at Donald Trump's financial transactions, the panel's Democratic chairman Adam Schiff said on Wednesday.

 

A day after the Republican president warned Democrats against "ridiculous partisan investigations" in his annual State of the Union address, Schiff said they would not be intimidated.

 

"We're going to do our proper oversight," he told reporters after the intelligence panel's first meeting, which was closed.

 

The committee voted to provide transcripts of testimony it took behind closed doors in its probe of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to the special counsel for use in any prosecutions, something Schiff promised to do last month after a second Trump associate was charged with lying to Congress.

 

Schiff has said that an area of particular interest related to investigations of Trump are allegations that Russians might possess financial leverage over him.

 

"Our job involves making sure that the policy of the United States is being driven by the national interest - not by any financial entanglement, financial leverage or other form of compromise," he said told reporters on Wednesday.

 

Trump, asked about Schiff's comments at a White House appearance, retorted: "Under what basis would he do that? He has no basis to do that. He's just a political hack. ... There would be no reason to do that."

 

Schiff, who assumed the committee chairmanship after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in November elections, outlined lines of inquiry it intends to pursue on Russian election activities, possible Trump campaign ties and matters relating to Trump's business dealings.

 

"Congress has a duty to expose foreign interference, hold Russia to account, ensure that U.S. officials - including the President - are serving the national interest and, if not, are held accountable," Schiff said in a statement.

 

Schiff said the panel would release transcripts of all interviews after Roger Stone, a longtime ally of Trump, was charged with lying to Congress.

 

Stone is accused of lying to Congress about the 2016 campaign's efforts to use stolen emails to undercut Trump's Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. He has pleaded not guilty.

 

Schiff said Special Counsel Robert Mueller had access to the transcripts but a formal release was necessary for him to be able to use them in any prosecutorial proceedings.

 

Trump's longtime self-described "fixer," lawyer Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to charges including lying to Congress.

 

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason and Patricia Zengerle; editing by James Dalgleish)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-02-07

What a difference a House majority makes.

 

 

You got that right chomper!now Donald will face real examination perhaps enough so that his money and perhaps because  of his position he will be fully exposed for what he is

8 minutes ago, Tug said:

You got that right chomper!now Donald will face real examination perhaps enough so that his money and perhaps because  of his position he will be fully exposed for what he is

It’s not just Trump who will face real examination.

 

The Democrat controlled House Intelligence probe will now also examine:

 

’Whether any actors – foreign or domestic – sought or are seeking to impede, obstruct, and/or mislead authorized investigations into these matters, including those in Congress.’

 

Illiberals get your denial glasses, the truth will (despite Individual-1’s best efforts) out!

Will he stand up and take the rap when they come for his kids?

I don't think he's man enough.  But if he does I'll give him credit for it.

In-laws don't count, he'll throw 'em to the dogs.  Ivanka will then be the Courtney Love of the Trump scandal.

 

4 minutes ago, bendejo said:

Will he stand up and take the rap when they come for his kids?

I don't think he's man enough.  But if he does I'll give him credit for it.

In-laws don't count, he'll throw 'em to the dogs.  Ivanka will then be the Courtney Love of the Trump scandal.

 

My money is on him throwing his kids under the bus.

 

We’ll find out soon enough.

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

My money is on him throwing his kids under the bus.

 

We’ll find out soon enough.

If his kids ever flipped on him, they're no longer his kids.  My money is on Khun Eric. 

These people who are out to get Trump won't give up even though there isn't a smidgen of evidence that any malfeasance has been committed. 

11 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

These people who are out to get Trump won't give up even though there isn't a smidgen of evidence that any malfeasance has been committed. 

Depends on how you define "smidgen."  This Bloomberg article gives you a pretty complete view, not only Trump, but his entire circle of criminals.  It doesn't look like a "smidgen" of evidence to me.  More like a humongous, "bigly," casino buffet of unmitigated criminality. 

 

[Donald Trump promised to drain the Washington swamp. Instead, he has surrounded himself with family members, appointees and advisers who’ve been accused of conflicts of interest, misuse of public funds, influence peddling, self-enrichment, working for foreign governments, failure to disclose information and violating ethics rules.  Some are under investigation or facing lawsuits, others have resigned and five have either been convicted or pleaded guilty, including three for lying to government officials.  Scandals plague all administrations, but Trump’s is only two years old and the allegations keep on coming.]

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/trump-administration-conflicts/

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Berkshire said:

If his kids ever flipped on him, they're no longer his kids.  My money is on Khun Eric. 

Eric would have his allowance taken away

They should investigate that sock-puppet Devin Nunes whilst they're at it......

PS. If Trump is squeaky clean, why has he fought this investigation?

As other politicians have already said "these are not the actions of an innocent man".

A post from an unapproved source has been removed as well as the replies.

 

Troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

1 hour ago, Boon Mee said:

These people who are out to get Trump won't give up even though there isn't a smidgen of evidence that any malfeasance has been committed. 

There is our troll again.

27 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

There is our troll again.

There is no evidence whatsoever. These iinvestigations are an appalling waste of time and money.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Our job involves making sure that the policy of the United States is being driven by the national interest - not by any financial entanglement, financial leverage or other form of compromise," he said told reporters on Wednesday.

so there is no evidence, so he'll just keep making it up. this would never be allowed in any other legal setting

6 hours ago, bendejo said:

Will he stand up and take the rap when they come for his kids?

I don't think he's man enough.  But if he does I'll give him credit for it.

In-laws don't count, he'll throw 'em to the dogs.  Ivanka will then be the Courtney Love of the Trump scandal.

 

take the wrap for what precisely? or are you just assuming it?

1 hour ago, Berkshire said:

Depends on how you define "smidgen."  This Bloomberg article gives you a pretty complete view, not only Trump, but his entire circle of criminals.  It doesn't look like a "smidgen" of evidence to me.  More like a humongous, "bigly," casino buffet of unmitigated criminality. 

 

[Donald Trump promised to drain the Washington swamp. Instead, he has surrounded himself with family members, appointees and advisers who’ve been accused of conflicts of interest, misuse of public funds, influence peddling, self-enrichment, working for foreign governments, failure to disclose information and violating ethics rules.  Some are under investigation or facing lawsuits, others have resigned and five have either been convicted or pleaded guilty, including three for lying to government officials.  Scandals plague all administrations, but Trump’s is only two years old and the allegations keep on coming.]

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/trump-administration-conflicts/

 

 

 

an opinion piece is not a factual reference, but keep the dream alive 

45 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

There is no evidence whatsoever. These iinvestigations are an appalling waste of time and money.

That's what Nixon said.

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

There is no evidence whatsoever. These iinvestigations are an appalling waste of time and money.

Trying to educate the Trump diehards is a waste of energy. But ok one more time:

There are people convicted, indicted and more to follow. The investigation is making money, not costing money. Try to read a bit, you might learn something. 

9 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

What a difference a House majority makes.

 

 

Yes only when you use the advantage, obviously those who lost it still have no idea.

3 hours ago, Boon Mee said:

These people who are out to get Trump won't give up even though there isn't a smidgen of evidence that any malfeasance has been committed. 

There is no evidence of you having a functioning brain yet you are allowed to keep posting , funny old world innit !

56 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Trying to educate the Trump diehards is a waste of energy. But ok one more time:

There are people convicted, indicted and more to follow. The investigation is making money, not costing money. Try to read a bit, you might learn something. 

Absolutely no evidence of anything that the the politically created investigation was invented on has been found. Other than the blatantly biased fbi and doj were rife with political hacks. 

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

There is no evidence whatsoever. These iinvestigations are an appalling waste of time and money.

And here I was thinking the tangerine army wanted to ' drain the swamp '. I would have thought an appalling waste of time and money would better be categorised as starting trade wars and closing down the country . I guess I just dont have the blind faith to appreciate the subtle nuances at work eh !

2 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

There is no evidence whatsoever. These iinvestigations are an appalling waste of time and money.

You are appalled at how much wasted time and how much wasted money?

There is no evidence whatsoever. These iinvestigations are an appalling waste of time and money.

Said the ostrich head from under the sand.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

5 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

There is no evidence whatsoever. These iinvestigations are an appalling waste of time and money.

 

5 hours ago, mcambl61 said:

so there is no evidence, so he'll just keep making it up. this would never be allowed in any other legal setting

I understand both of you are staying stubbornly ignorant, but for those who might be interested in Trump's financial conflicts of interest, foreign interests, violations of the emoluments clause, nepotism, etc...

 

http://time.com/4578431/donald-trump-conflicts-of-interest-list/

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38069298

 

 

5 hours ago, mcambl61 said:

Absolutely no evidence of anything that the the politically created investigation was invented on has been found. Other than the blatantly biased fbi and doj were rife with political hacks. 

Guess what Mueller is a republican, his boss is a republican. Your comments are laughable. 

If he has done nothing wrong, why doesn’t he help with these investigations?  It would free up much time and money for him.  Maybe he could even do some presidential type stuff ????

2 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Guess what Mueller is a republican, his boss is a republican. Your comments are laughable. 

I give you big credit for trying to educate the trump cult members.

Like all cult members they blindly follow their leader and believe in their dear leader's ability and infallibility.

So anything that goes wrong must be part of a larger conspiracy.

 

I encourage you to keep at them but I am saddened that some people are so beyond the reach of basic reason that they are willing to defend obviously bad behavior from the current holder of the whitehouse.

 

Keep at it but it is probably futile to TRY and educate the willfully ignorant.