Biden: Impeachment inquiry should be dropped after key source was indicted

[expat_4_life]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Ah, so not proven yet. Seems Biden doesn't understand that an indictment is not a guilty verdict and that innocent till proven guilty applies.

Perhaps he just forgot that- he seems to forget a lot these days, like people having died.

Indeed, why he so anxious to stop an harmless impeachment inquiry?

He says he's innocent and nothing to hide. Let the inquiry continue.



 

[bamnutsak]

29 minutes ago, Wrwest said:

Agreed. I look forward to the trial of Alexander Smirnov

 

He'll plead out, no trial.

 

 

Where is Devon Archer when you need him?

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-rejects-devon-archer-appeal-criminal-case-rcna134701

 

https://www.politifact.com/article/2023/aug/04/transcript-of-devon-archer-testimony-doesnt-back-k/

 

 

 

I assume this Alexander Smirnov is not the Russian figure skater?

 

Who is he?

 

 

[Roo Island]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Ah, so not proven yet. Seems Biden doesn't understand that an indictment is not a guilty verdict and that innocent till proven guilty applies.

Perhaps he just forgot that- he seems to forget a lot these days, like people having died.

Proven enough for them to arrest him at an airport. They wouldn't do that unless they have enough evidence.

 

Congress is making a fool of themselves. I guess trying to be like their mentor.

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, Wrwest said:

If shot down by the Prosecuting Attorney and the citizen Trial Jury finds a guilty verdict of fabricating the charges against the President,

He was charged with making a false statement to the FBI while a confidential source for the FBI and for creating  false and fictitious statements on a FBI Form 1023.

If he had made his accusations verbally in public as a private citizen without association with the FBI, it's likely under the First Amendment he couldn't be charged. But then the House GOP wouldn't have any highly credible "evidence," namely the FBI Form.

[candide]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Did he call for the Mueller investigation to be dropped after the Steele report was shown to be a steaming pile of horse <deleted>?

Of course he didn't, so bring it on GOP. Investigate that old guy as hard as you can.

Ridiculous comment. The Mueller investigation was not predicated by the Steele dossier.

[Eric Loh]

If Comer and Jordan knew all along that their key source was fabricating the false accusation, they should be investigated by the House Ethics Committee for use of their position for personal gain and misuse of Congressional resources. Will patiently wait for the discovery during the trial. 

[LosLobo]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Did he call for the Mueller investigation to be dropped after the Steele report was shown to be a steaming pile of horse <deleted>?

Of course he didn't, so bring it on GOP. Investigate that old guy as hard as you can.

History, it seems, is not your friend.

 

The Steele dossier was only one of many sources in the Trump-Russia investigation, and the investigation was predicated by the Downer report, not the dossier.

Therefore, the dossier was not the sole basis for the Trump-Russia investigation and the validity of the investigation did not only hinge on its veracity.

 

The Mueller investigation was released in 2019, a full four years before the Durham report was released in 2023.

 

The Durham investigation was intended to review the origins of the FBI’s investigation, not to discredit Mueller’s findings. It has been criticized as a politically motivated witch hunt by Trump, which ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.

 

Therefore, the release of the Durham report could not have led to the Mueller investigation being dropped, as the Mueller investigation had already concluded by the time the Durham report was released.

IMHO

 

 

[Roo Island]

3 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

If Comer and Jordan knew all along that their key source was fabricating the false accusation, they should be investigated by the House Ethics Committee for use of their position for personal gain and misuse of Congressional resources. Will patiently wait for the discovery during the trial. 

Should be done for all the ridiculous impeachments and political investigations.

[bamnutsak]

Rep. James Comer: Biden impeachment vote may not happen

 

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the chairman of the House Oversight Committee who is leading the Republican effort to investigate President Joe Biden, says the House may not hold an impeachment vote after all.

Comer told Spectrum News that the “math keeps getting worse” for Republicans, whose razor-thin majority in the House got even tighter after losing a Republican-held New York congressional seat earlier this week.

 

Comer’s months-long probe has not produced any evidence that Joe Biden has benefitted from his son Hunter’s business activities.

 

https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2024/02/15/comer--biden-impeachment-vote-may-not-happen-

 

 

[placeholder]

On 2/19/2024 at 1:16 PM, expat_4_life said:

Indeed, why he so anxious to stop an harmless impeachment inquiry?

He says he's innocent and nothing to hide. Let the inquiry continue.

Right. Why shouldn't Congress conduct impeachment investigations on whomever they please, regardless of evidence?

[ozimoron]

So, the MAGA wing reveal themselves to be willing agents of Russian disinformation. I wonder how many GOP reps knew this to be true? I'd say most of them.

 

 

 

[ozimoron]

 

[bamnutsak]

Alexander Smirnov, a witting Russian agent peddling disinformation to the Putin wing of the Republican party.

 

James Comer a useful idiot? Who could have guessed?

 

 

[placeholder]

1 minute ago, bamnutsak said:

Alexander Smirnov, a witting Russian agent peddling disinformation to the Putin wing of the Republican party.

 

James Comer a useful idiot? Who could have guessed?

 

 

It seems that he's turning into a useless idiot: 

 

James Comer Admits He Might Have to Throw in the Towel on Biden Impeachment Quest Because ‘The Math Keeps Getting Worse’

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) conceded in a recent interview that his impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden may very well not result in an impeachment vote.

Comer spoke to Spectrum News last week and said the GOP-led House may not even hold a vote based on his committee’s report because the “math keeps getting worse” –referring to both the GOP’s shrinking majority and skepticism inside the Republican conference. 

https://www.mediaite.com/politics/james-comer-admits-he-might-have-to-throw-in-the-towel-on-biden-impeachment-quest-because-the-math-keeps-getting-worse/

[radiochaser]

On 2/17/2024 at 10:18 PM, Danderman123 said:

and the posters here who cited the FBI FD-1023 based on Smirnov's false statements should correct their posts.

 

"Should" being the operative word.

"Should" those who supported the Steele dossier, Russia gate investigation against Trump, also go back and correct their posts?
 

[radiochaser]

On 2/19/2024 at 4:39 AM, LosLobo said:

History, it seems, is not your friend.

 

The Steele dossier was only one of many sources in the Trump-Russia investigation, and the investigation was predicated by the Downer report, not the dossier.

Therefore, the dossier was not the sole basis for the Trump-Russia investigation and the validity of the investigation did not only hinge on its veracity.

 

The Mueller investigation was released in 2019, a full four years before the Durham report was released in 2023.

 

The Durham investigation was intended to review the origins of the FBI’s investigation, not to discredit Mueller’s findings. It has been criticized as a politically motivated witch hunt by Trump, which ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.

 

Therefore, the release of the Durham report could not have led to the Mueller investigation being dropped, as the Mueller investigation had already concluded by the time the Durham report was released.

IMHO

 

 

 

 

I. Papadopoulos Knew Nothing about the DNC Emails — and Probably Nothing about Any Emails

The one and only source for the email component of the story is George Papadopoulos. He, of course, is a convicted liar — convicted, in fact, of lying to the FBI during the very same interviews in which he related the detail about emails. Moreover, the Mueller report confirms that he is simply unreliable: To inflate his importance, he overhyped his credentials and repeatedly misled his Trump-campaign superiors regarding his discussions with people be believed had connections to the Russian regime — who they were and what they were in a position to promise.

Other than Papadopoulos’s own word, there is no evidence — none — that he was told about emails by Joseph Mifsud, a Maltese academic whom the FBI and the Mueller investigation deceptively portrayed as a Russian agent. As I’ve previously detailed, because the investigation could not establish that Mifsud was a Russian agent, Mueller’s charge against Papadopoulos is artfully framed to obscure this weakness. Carefully parsed, Mueller allegation is that Papadopoulos had reason to believe Mifsud was a Russian agent — not that Mifsud actually was one.

 

https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/05/fbi-trump-russia-investigation-george-papadopoulos/

 

[placeholder]

25 minutes ago, radiochaser said:

"Should" those who supported the Steele dossier, Russia gate investigation against Trump, also go back and correct their posts?
 

As has been repeatedlly pointed out and to no avail, at least in the case of some such as yourself, both the Inspector General of the Justice Dept and John Durham have acknowledged that the investigation of Trump was not predicated on the Steele Dossier.

Edited February 21 by placeholder

[placeholder]

14 minutes ago, radiochaser said:

 

 

I. Papadopoulos Knew Nothing about the DNC Emails — and Probably Nothing about Any Emails

The one and only source for the email component of the story is George Papadopoulos. He, of course, is a convicted liar — convicted, in fact, of lying to the FBI during the very same interviews in which he related the detail about emails. Moreover, the Mueller report confirms that he is simply unreliable: To inflate his importance, he overhyped his credentials and repeatedly misled his Trump-campaign superiors regarding his discussions with people be believed had connections to the Russian regime — who they were and what they were in a position to promise.

Other than Papadopoulos’s own word, there is no evidence — none — that he was told about emails by Joseph Mifsud, a Maltese academic whom the FBI and the Mueller investigation deceptively portrayed as a Russian agent. As I’ve previously detailed, because the investigation could not establish that Mifsud was a Russian agent, Mueller’s charge against Papadopoulos is artfully framed to obscure this weakness. Carefully parsed, Mueller allegation is that Papadopoulos had reason to believe Mifsud was a Russian agent — not that Mifsud actually was one.

 

https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/05/fbi-trump-russia-investigation-george-papadopoulos/

 

 

15 minutes ago, radiochaser said:

 

 

I. Papadopoulos Knew Nothing about the DNC Emails — and Probably Nothing about Any Emails

The one and only source for the email component of the story is George Papadopoulos. He, of course, is a convicted liar — convicted, in fact, of lying to the FBI during the very same interviews in which he related the detail about emails. Moreover, the Mueller report confirms that he is simply unreliable: To inflate his importance, he overhyped his credentials and repeatedly misled his Trump-campaign superiors regarding his discussions with people be believed had connections to the Russian regime — who they were and what they were in a position to promise.

Other than Papadopoulos’s own word, there is no evidence — none — that he was told about emails by Joseph Mifsud, a Maltese academic whom the FBI and the Mueller investigation deceptively portrayed as a Russian agent. As I’ve previously detailed, because the investigation could not establish that Mifsud was a Russian agent, Mueller’s charge against Papadopoulos is artfully framed to obscure this weakness. Carefully parsed, Mueller allegation is that Papadopoulos had reason to believe Mifsud was a Russian agent — not that Mifsud actually was one.

 

https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/05/fbi-trump-russia-investigation-george-papadopoulos/

 

What the author of this piece doesn't mention is that Mueller had many other possible charges against Trump but was precluded from filing them because of Justice Dept policy that a sitting President can't be prosecuted.

[Tug]

Gawd these retrumplikans are straight up clowns just shameless so desperate to hump Donnie’s leg they are regurgitating straight up out of Putin’s office disinformation wow!

[Eric Loh]

4 minutes ago, Tug said:

Gawd these retrumplikans are straight up clowns just shameless so desperate to hump Donnie’s leg they are regurgitating straight up out of Putin’s office disinformation wow!

Republican Putin’s wing - Liz. Cheney 

[ozimoron]

7 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Republican Putin’s wing - Liz. Cheney 

 

Does this sound like deja vue?

 

He was exceptionally nationalistic, meaning he touted the importance of his country above all the others. In the public eye, Hitler was thus seen as a bully who kept taking and wanting more and more. His hunger for power and conquest made him a danger to the whole of Europe. 

 

https://www.studentsofhistory.com/appeasement-before-ww2

[Eric Loh]

3 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

 

Does this sound like deja vue?

 

He was exceptionally nationalistic, meaning he touted the importance of his country above all the others. In the public eye, Hitler was thus seen as a bully who kept taking and wanting more and more. His hunger for power and conquest made him a danger to the whole of Europe. 

 

https://www.studentsofhistory.com/appeasement-before-ww2

Are you implying that Trump will likely to spark WW3? I am with you. 

[ozimoron]

Just now, Eric Loh said:

Are you implying that Trump will likely to spark WW3? I am with you. 

 

Totally. Remember how GW Bush's popularity rose when he invaded Iraq? John Howard in Australia avoided certain defeat in a looming election for the same reason. War is a gift to sitting presidents.

[Eric Loh]

55 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

 

Totally. Remember how GW Bush's popularity rose when he invaded Iraq? John Howard in Australia avoided certain defeat in a looming election for the same reason. War is a gift to sitting presidents.

Agree. A weakened NATO with their defense resources falling behind Russia powder keg for conflicts. US military bases in South Korea and Japan uncertainty against the backdrop of Trump’s overt admiration of Xi and Kim will embolden China and North Korea aggression. Taiwan will not be certain that US will come to their aid when attacked. All ignition points for war. 

[Walker88]

On 2/19/2024 at 4:39 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

Did he call for the Mueller investigation to be dropped after the Steele report was shown to be a steaming pile of horse <deleted>?

Of course he didn't, so bring it on GOP. Investigate that old guy as hard as you can.

Like most trumpers, you are ignorant of the facts because facts scare you. Had you read any of the myriad of reports on Russiagate, you would know the investigation began way before the Steele Dossier was known to exist.

 

The first indications of Russia and trump came via foreign intelligence liaison services. That landed on the desk of then-DCI John Brennan in July of 2016. Brennan did what was required by law: informed President Obama, established a Bigot List (which tracks every single person who saw the reporting), and turned it over to the FBI, who have responsibility when US Persons are involved.

 

More reporting came in from liaison and overseas clandestine assets, and this, too, was forwarded to the FBI. Incidentally, Brennan and all CIA officers were given clean bills of health by the Durham investigation.

 

For several months the bureau continued to investigate, as was their duty. In around November of 2020 the Steele Dossier was given to Sen McCain, who turned it over to the FBI. Thus, the FBI investigation was several months in, and investigating many leads, months before the Steele Dossier was known to anyone in US intel circles.

 

Now you know.

[candide]

23 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

Like most trumpers, you are ignorant of the facts because facts scare you. Had you read any of the myriad of reports on Russiagate, you would know the investigation began way before the Steele Dossier was known to exist.

 

The first indications of Russia and trump came via foreign intelligence liaison services. That landed on the desk of then-DCI John Brennan in July of 2016. Brennan did what was required by law: informed President Obama, established a Bigot List (which tracks every single person who saw the reporting), and turned it over to the FBI, who have responsibility when US Persons are involved.

 

More reporting came in from liaison and overseas clandestine assets, and this, too, was forwarded to the FBI. Incidentally, Brennan and all CIA officers were given clean bills of health by the Durham investigation.

 

For several months the bureau continued to investigate, as was their duty. In around November of 2020 the Steele Dossier was given to Sen McCain, who turned it over to the FBI. Thus, the FBI investigation was several months in, and investigating many leads, months before the Steele Dossier was known to anyone in US intel circles.

 

Now you know.

He knew it already. He's been on this forum and on these kind of topics for years. He could not ignore this common information.

[candide]

3 hours ago, radiochaser said:

 

 

I. Papadopoulos Knew Nothing about the DNC Emails — and Probably Nothing about Any Emails

The one and only source for the email component of the story is George Papadopoulos. He, of course, is a convicted liar — convicted, in fact, of lying to the FBI during the very same interviews in which he related the detail about emails. Moreover, the Mueller report confirms that he is simply unreliable: To inflate his importance, he overhyped his credentials and repeatedly misled his Trump-campaign superiors regarding his discussions with people be believed had connections to the Russian regime — who they were and what they were in a position to promise.

Other than Papadopoulos’s own word, there is no evidence — none — that he was told about emails by Joseph Mifsud, a Maltese academic whom the FBI and the Mueller investigation deceptively portrayed as a Russian agent. As I’ve previously detailed, because the investigation could not establish that Mifsud was a Russian agent, Mueller’s charge against Papadopoulos is artfully framed to obscure this weakness. Carefully parsed, Mueller allegation is that Papadopoulos had reason to believe Mifsud was a Russian agent — not that Mifsud actually was one.

 

https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/05/fbi-trump-russia-investigation-george-papadopoulos/

 

"ANDREW C. MCCARTHY is a senior fellow at National Review Institute, an NR contributing editor, and author of BALL OF COLLUSION: THE PLOT TO RIG AN ELECTION AND DESTROY A PRESIDENCY" 😆

 

Anyway, the IG investigation confirmed the Russia investigation was properly predicated.

[expat_4_life]

21 hours ago, placeholder said:

Right. Why shouldn't Congress conduct impeachment investigations on whomever they please, regardless of evidence?

 

I never said that Congress should just start impeachment investigations on whomever they please without evidence, you made that up.

Edited February 21 by expat_4_life

[placeholder]

9 minutes ago, expat_4_life said:

 

I never said that Congress should just start impeachment investigations on whomever they please without evidence, you made that up.

Fair point. I should have written "no significant evidence."

[Danderman123]

6 hours ago, radiochaser said:

"Should" those who supported the Steele dossier, Russia gate investigation against Trump, also go back and correct their posts?
 

The Steele dossier was never intended as a source of facts, it was compiled as a collection of rumors about Trump, funded by Republicans. It was just raw data.

 

It happens that a significant fraction of those rumors were true.