Justice Dept drops probe of ex-FBI official McCabe, a top Trump target

[rooster59]

Justice Dept drops probe of ex-FBI official McCabe, a top Trump target

By Sarah N. Lynch

 

Former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe arrives to speak during a forum on election security at the National Press Club in Washington, U.S., October 30, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/Files

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Friday dropped its criminal investigation of a top target of President Donald Trump, former No. 2 FBI official Andrew McCabe, at the tail end of a week in which the U.S. law-enforcement agency has come under extraordinary pressure from the president.

 

Since he was fired by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in March 2018, McCabe has often been a punching bag for Trump, and the department's decision not to charge him could further stoke Trump's ire.

 

Trump has spent the week criticizing prosecutors, jurors and the judge in a separate case involving his longtime political adviser, Roger Stone, raising questions about whether Trump is eroding the independence of the U.S. legal system.

 

Trump was irked by the decision, said a source close to the White House. He did not comment as he left Washington for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

 

McCabe criticized the Justice Department for taking two years on the case, which examined whether he misled investigators about his decision to share internal communications with a reporter during the 2016 presidential election.

Prosecutors had been indicating since July that the investigation was largely complete.

 

"It is an absolute disgrace that they took two years and put my family through this experience for two years before they finally drew the obvious conclusion and one they could have drawn a long time ago," he said on CNN.

 

U.S. Judge Reggie Walton said at a hearing in September that the delays made it seem like the department was facing political pressure.

 

A lifelong Republican who worked at the FBI for 20 years, McCabe played a crucial role in the bureau's investigations of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

 

In campaign speeches, interviews and tweets, Trump accused McCabe of conflicts of interest because his wife Jill McCabe, a Democrat, received donations for an unsuccessful 2015 Virginia state senate campaign from a Clinton ally.

 

McCabe questioned whether the decision to drop the investigation had anything to do with the ongoing fracas over Stone, a veteran Republican operative who was found guilty in November of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness intimidation.

 

The Justice Department's decision to seek a lighter sentence for Stone earlier this week prompted all four prosecutors on that case to resign in apparent protest.

 

"Like all Americans I've been greatly concerned by what I've seen take place in the White House and in the Justice Department, quite frankly, in just the last week," McCabe said.

 

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment.

 

McCabe was fired just hours before he was due to retire, after the department's internal watchdog issued a report saying he misled investigators from the Inspector General's office who were trying to determine whether he had improperly shared information with a reporter.

 

The Justice Department under Trump has also dropped its investigations of Clinton and declined to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey.

 

Trump has taken a string of aggressive actions since the Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him of impeachment charges last week.

 

Earlier this week, he abruptly yanked the nomination of Jessie Liu, the senior prosecutor who oversaw the Stone case and the McCabe investigation, for a new top job overseeing sanctions at the Treasury Department.

 

Trump said on Friday he had "the legal right" to interfere in criminal cases, despite an unusual rebuke from Attorney General William Barr, his top law enforcement official.

 

Barr told ABC News that Trump's attacks made it "impossible" for him to do his job leading the Justice Department, telling ABC News in an interview: "It's time to stop the tweeting."

 

Barr said Trump had never asked him to interfere in a criminal case.

 

The president responded on Friday morning: "This doesn't mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to!" he wrote on Twitter.

 

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Additional reporting by Brad Heath and Alexandra Alper; Editing by Andy Sullivan, Richard Chang and Dan Grebler)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-02-15

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[Tug]

Good it’s about time the doj isent supposed to be donalds personal vendetta dept

[Sujo]

Trumps base will be doing mental gymnastics over this. Trumps own doj cant find anything.

[TopDeadSenter]

23 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The president responded on Friday morning: "This doesn't mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to!" he wrote on Twitter.

I realize Trump is busy, getting minorities back into the workforce, and making Americans safer and richer, but I feel it is time he personally stepped in and took control of these travesty of justice cases that keep cropping up.

 Clinton, Comey, McCabe, Smollett. There is just no way on earth these people can be allowed to roam free after the appalling crimes they committed. Letting these people mock and laugh at the justice system and American people is somewhat souring Trumps monumental achievements since he took the helm. 

[Chomper Higgot]

16 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

I realize Trump is busy, getting minorities back into the workforce, and making Americans safer and richer, but I feel it is time he personally stepped in and took control of these travesty of justice cases that keep cropping up.

 Clinton, Comey, McCabe, Smollett. There is just no way on earth these people can be allowed to roam free after the appalling crimes they committed. Letting these people mock and laugh at the justice system and American people is somewhat souring Trumps monumental achievements since he took the helm. 

Trump has taken control, he hand picked the A.G.

 

Trump’s latest suggestion is to go full Banana Republic Diktator and directly interfere in the justice system.

 

Not surprisingly his apologist find that perfectly acceptable.

[bristolboy]

43 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

I realize Trump is busy, getting minorities back into the workforce, and making Americans safer and richer, but I feel it is time he personally stepped in and took control of these travesty of justice cases that keep cropping up.

 Clinton, Comey, McCabe, Smollett. There is just no way on earth these people can be allowed to roam free after the appalling crimes they committed. Letting these people mock and laugh at the justice system and American people is somewhat souring Trumps monumental achievements since he took the helm. 

I think it's clear to all right-thinking people that William Barr is nothing more than a stooge for the Deep State and the sooner Jussie Smollet is put away for life the safer the American Republic will be.

[Tug]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

I realize Trump is busy, getting minorities back into the workforce, and making Americans safer and richer, but I feel it is time he personally stepped in and took control of these travesty of justice cases that keep cropping up.

 Clinton, Comey, McCabe, Smollett. There is just no way on earth these people can be allowed to roam free after the appalling crimes they committed. Letting these people mock and laugh at the justice system and American people is somewhat souring Trumps monumental achievements since he took the helm. 

I’ll have what he’s smoking lol

[Bluespunk]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

It is an absolute disgrace that they took two years and put my family through this experience for two years before they finally drew the obvious conclusion and one they could have drawn a long time ago," he said on CNN.

“Absolute disgrace” is a sure sign of trump’s involvement in a situation. 

[Tippaporn]

2 hours ago, Sujo said:

Trumps base will be doing mental gymnastics over this. Trumps own doj cant find anything.

No problem.  No problem at all.  Much bigger charges coming re McCabe.  Not to worry.  Think Durham.

[Tippaporn]

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Trump has taken control, he hand picked the A.G.

 

Trump’s latest suggestion is to go full Banana Republic Diktator and directly interfere in the justice system.

 

Not surprisingly his apologist find that perfectly acceptable.

What a fairy tale the left is trying to spin.  Good luck.

[Sujo]

4 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

No problem.  No problem at all.  Much bigger charges coming re McCabe.  Not to worry.  Think Durham.

Whay are these charges you speak of, did durham call you?

[Tippaporn]

1 hour ago, bristolboy said:

I think it's clear to all right-thinking people that William Barr is nothing more than a stooge for the Deep State and the sooner Jussie Smollet is put away for life the safer the American Republic will be.

What's clear to most right-thinking people is that the left has no other option other than to continue their pursuit of making false claims and then keep repeating them over and over again in hopes that people believe.  Hasn't worked yet.

 

Russian collusion?  Not guilty.  A fabrication soon to be exposed in full.

Obstruction?  Not guilty.  Also soon to be exposed (if the FBI knew in Jan. 2017 that there was no Russian collusion why did they renew two FISAs and why did they initiate the Mueller investigation?

Impeachment?  Not guilty.  I believe this will be another fraud upon the American people that will come to light and the perps will pay dearly.

 

By all means, continue to keep repeating the falsity that Barr is a stooge for Trump.  LOL

[BobBKK]

2 hours ago, Sujo said:

Trumps base will be doing mental gymnastics over this. Trumps own doj cant find anything.

You mean like Muller couldn't?  or Senate couldn't?  that kind of thing?  DOJ has very tight rules and because they can't prosecute does not mean he's an angel - he was FIRED.

[Tippaporn]

3 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Whay are these charges you speak of, did durham call you?

Wait for it.  Patience, grasshopper.

 

 

[JHolmesJr]

12 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Whay are these charges you speak of, did durham call you?

 

Unlike mccabe and comey, Barr and Durham aren't criminal leakers.

Don't pop the champagne just yet.

 

I wouldn't bet against Barr's wisdom...he is right that if trump continues

to tweet about sensitive cases it makes Barr look bad. This is all to lull

McCabe and Comey into a false sense of security...theyre being pursued

for much more serious stuff. 

 

[Eric Loh]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Trump was irked by the decision, said a source close to the White House.

Hillary’s investigation done and dusted with nothing to show. McCabe’s investigation dropped. Really not going too well for Trump’s political vendetta. Not surprised if Durham investigation is a nothing burger. That will irked Trump and his devotees here. 
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/01/hillary-clinton-justice-department-investigation-results?inline

[Nyezhov]

19 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Hillary’s investigation done and dusted with nothing to show. McCabe’s investigation dropped. Really not going too well for Trump’s political vendetta. Not surprised if Durham investigation is a nothing burger. That will irked Trump and his devotees here. 
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/01/hillary-clinton-justice-department-investigation-results?inline

If I read the letter from the DOJ correctly, the investigation closed relates to matters referred by the IG. That does not preclude a further or ongoing investigation as to matters not referred by the IG.

[candide]

1 hour ago, Tippaporn said:

What's clear to most right-thinking people is that the left has no other option other than to continue their pursuit of making false claims and then keep repeating them over and over again in hopes that people believe.  Hasn't worked yet.

 

Russian collusion?  Not guilty.  A fabrication soon to be exposed in full.

Obstruction?  Not guilty.  Also soon to be exposed (if the FBI knew in Jan. 2017 that there was no Russian collusion why did they renew two FISAs and why did they initiate the Mueller investigation?

Impeachment?  Not guilty.  I believe this will be another fraud upon the American people that will come to light and the perps will pay dearly.

 

By all means, continue to keep repeating the falsity that Barr is a stooge for Trump.  LOL

The pot calling the kettle black. ????

[spidermike007]

The Justice dept. is doing something right! Wonderful and amazing. And a very refreshing change. Trump's witch hunt of his opponents appears to be going nowhere, quickly. A triumph for justice and truth. When they said truth will prevail, they certainly were not referring to the deflector in chief. But, every once in a while justice does prevail, regardless of how much nonsense is thrown in the way.

[Redline]

5 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

I realize Trump is busy, getting minorities back into the workforce, and making Americans safer and richer, but I feel it is time he personally stepped in and took control of these travesty of justice cases that keep cropping up.

 Clinton, Comey, McCabe, Smollett. There is just no way on earth these people can be allowed to roam free after the appalling crimes they committed. Letting these people mock and laugh at the justice system and American people is somewhat souring Trumps monumental achievements since he took the helm. 

Then arrest them!  I advise you to get some proof first ????????.  
your deepstate pal

[Baerboxer]

6 hours ago, Sujo said:

Trumps base will be doing mental gymnastics over this. Trumps own doj cant find anything.

 

Er sort of. His wife received substantial campaign donations from a Clinton ally at a time he was investigating Hilary Clinton.

 

Not the cleanest of events and likely to be viewed suspiciously.

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, candide said:

The pot calling the kettle black. ????

 

That is indeed the truth!

 

Both sides trying to use the justice system to their own advantage and settle personal vendettas.

 

Maybe time for America to think the wisdom of judges standing for election as democrats or republicans!

[Emdog]

DOJ kept asking for extensions. Judge finally said "enough". DOJ had no evidence of any wrong doing by McCabe, but were afraid to tell emperor he has no clothes.

DOJ should be apolitical. Clearly that norm is seen as a losers position by current Banana Republican President and his sycophants 

[bristolboy]

56 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Er sort of. His wife received substantial campaign donations from a Clinton ally at a time he was investigating Hilary Clinton.

 

Not the cleanest of events and likely to be viewed suspiciously.

 

54 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

That is indeed the truth!

 

Both sides trying to use the justice system to their own advantage and settle personal vendettas.

 

Maybe time for America to think the wisdom of judges standing for election as democrats or republicans!

No, McCabe's wife did not "receive substantial donations from a Clinton ally at a time he was investigating Clinton." His wife had already lost the election before McCabe became involved in the investigation.

 

Actually, America never had to rethink {the wisdom of federal judges standing for election as democrats or republicans." Federal judges don't stand for elections.

 

You're on a roll today!

Edited February 15, 2020 by bristolboy

[winslowsjardine]

10 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

 

No, McCabe's wife did not "receive substantial donations from a Clinton ally at a time he was investigating Clinton." His wife had already lost the election before McCabe became involved in the investigation.

 

Actually, America never had to rethink {the wisdom of federal judges standing for election as democrats or republicans." Federal judges don't stand for elections.

 

You're on a roll today!

Just not his day. It happens to all of us.

[Phoenix Rising]

7 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

I realize Trump is busy, getting minorities back into the workforce.... 

Oh, so that's what he's doing on his endless golf trips!!

 

[Boon Mee]

The wheels of justice grind slowly and fine. McCabe isn't out of the woods yet. These Deep State players who attempted the soft coup are going down. Just not as fast as we'd like maybe! ???? 

 

MAGA 

[jany123]

3 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

If I read the letter from the DOJ correctly, the investigation closed relates to matters referred by the IG. That does not preclude a further or ongoing investigation as to matters not referred by the IG.

Ah... so sweet... no matter how bad the news, y’all look for a silver lining. Sometimes with such determination as to have to fabricate it, when there is none.

 

meanwhile, the rest of us read... 

”the Post reports that Huber has “found nothing worth pursuing,” let alone any criminal charges”

 

which means yall will have to scrunch up the tin foil a little tighter and come up with a new, more believable, conspiracy... perhaps one with more imagination than that which concludes....

 

“and, unsurprisingly, there isn't really anything to show for it.“

 

 

 

Edited February 15, 2020 by jany123

[Nyezhov]

56 minutes ago, jany123 said:

Ah... so sweet... no matter how bad the news, y’all look for a silver lining. Sometimes with such determination as to have to fabricate it, when there is none.

 

meanwhile, the rest of us read... 

”the Post reports that Huber has “found nothing worth pursuing,” let alone any criminal charges”

 

which means yall will have to scrunch up the tin foil a little tighter and come up with a new, more believable, conspiracy... perhaps one with more imagination than that which concludes....

 

“and, unsurprisingly, there isn't really anything to show for it.“

 

 

Other than the usual invective, do you have any quarrel with the legal proposition I just put forth, that is, receiving a non prosecution letter as to a specific matter under investigation does not preclude any other prosecution? 

[bristolboy]

22 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Other than the usual invective, do you have any quarrel with the legal proposition I just put forth, that is, receiving a non prosecution letter as to a specific matter under investigation does not preclude any other prosecution? 

But by that kind of logic, if someone isn't specifically excluded from an investigation, then it's legitimate to raise the possibility that he or she might be in the future? In that case, who isn't a potential target for an investigation? Given that McCabe was the target of a grand jury investigation which failed to return an indictment, and that 2 exhaustive investigations have already been conducted, I'd say the odds of him being indicted are lower than, say, yours or mine.