Trump blasts 'criminal' leaks by intelligence agencies, calls Flynn 'wonderful'

[webfact]

Trump blasts 'criminal' leaks by intelligence agencies, calls Flynn 'wonderful'

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a listening session with the Retail Industry Leaders Association and member company CEOs in the Rosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua 

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday assailed what he said were illegal and "criminal" leaks from U.S. intelligence agencies in the controversy over contacts with Russian officials that forced his national security adviser Michael Flynn to resign.

 

Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump called Flynn a "wonderful man" and added: "I think it's very, very unfair what's happened to General Flynn, the way he was treated, and the documents and papers that were illegally, I stress that, illegally leaked."

 

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Howard Goller)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-16

[Berkshire]

Trump is not making any sense.  The below article tries to understand what happened: Did Trump fire Flynn due to "lack of trust" or was Flynn forced to resign against Trump's wishes?  Who knows.

 

[According to White House spokesman Sean Spicer, President Donald Trump asked for Michael Flynn, his first national security advisor, to resign in the wake of an "eroding level of trust" on the chief executive's part. But if you listened to Trump himself in his press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday afternoon, you'd think that Trump was a hapless bystander as the helpless Flynn was driven from office by the "unfair" media.]

 

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/thomas-jefferson-street/articles/2017-02-15/the-media-made-me-do-it-trump-incoherent-about-michael-flynns-resignation

 

[JHolmesJr]

"Leaked Illegally"…isn't that the gist of what happened with hillary's server mess?

[DriveByTrucker]

What would a real patriot think is worse? Leaking documents about a traitor or treason itself?

[craigt3365]

2 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

"Leaked Illegally"…isn't that the gist of what happened with hillary's server mess?

Hillary's sever was illegally hacked by Russia.  No classified info has been leaked so far regarding Flynn.  Other than info that Flynn had illegally spoken to Russian officials.  Breaking a well known law.  Hope you can understand the difference.

[Briggsy]

I agree with Berkshire.

 

Trump's MO is never to appear weak, never to admit he is wrong about anything, value personal loyalty to him above everything else and always attack any criticism by taking it personally and insulting the journalist/source.

 

So here we have Trump both implicated and implicitely criticised in Flynn's bad behaviour. The implication of Trump (What did Trump know? What did Trump tell Flynn to do?) means Flynn had to take the fall for Trump. The "sacking" of Flynn means Trump's initial judgement is called into question (that's the implied criticism). Trump cannot admit he was wrong so he has to attack the intelligence community whilst praising Flynn even though he sacked Flynn.

 

A paradox as detailed above is never a problem for an inveterate liar such as Trump.

[JHolmesJr]

7 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Hillary's sever was illegally hacked by Russia.  No classified info has been leaked so far regarding Flynn.  Other than info that Flynn had illegally spoken to Russian officials.  Breaking a well known law.  Hope you can understand the difference.

 

On the other hand there is a report that says that her emails weren't obtained by Russia….but let's not let that get in the way of a convenient narrative.

 

I don't get why Flynn is being connected to espionage. Obama rushed into putting up some sanctions against Putin just before he left office.

What he should have done (since he said he and his team were committed to making Trump's transit smoother) was to involve the Donald in his thinking and figured out some common ground for action since he wasn't going to be around after a week or so. But Obama is too arrogant and just wanted to queer the pitch for Mr Trump.

 

So Mike Flynn probably has a chat to the russians saying yes we are surprised at what has happened, it was not done in consultation with us, we will look at it closely after the inauguration……big deal….what is so wrong with that? Unless they have taped his conversations and can prove he said something very damaging and unpatriotic.

[Jingthing]

When do the impeachment proceedings start?

[DriveByTrucker]

12 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

 

I don't get why Flynn is being connected to espionage. Obama rushed into putting up some sanctions against Putin just before he left office.

What he should have done (since he said he and his team were committed to making Trump's transit smoother) was to involve the Donald in his thinking and figured out some common ground for action since he wasn't going to be around after a week or so. But Obama is too arrogant and just wanted to queer the pitch for Mr Trump.

Clearly since Obama was still president, he had to make the decision. But for argument sake, what timeline would you think is fair for the outgoing president to stop making decision by himself and only make decision together with the incoming president?

Edited February 16, 2017 by DriveByTrucker

[craigt3365]

13 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

 

On the other hand there is a report that says that her emails weren't obtained by Russia….but let's not let that get in the way of a convenient narrative.

 

I don't get why Flynn is being connected to espionage. Obama rushed into putting up some sanctions against Putin just before he left office.

What he should have done (since he said he and his team were committed to making Trump's transit smoother) was to involve the Donald in his thinking and figured out some common ground for action since he wasn't going to be around after a week or so. But Obama is too arrogant and just wanted to queer the pitch for Mr Trump.

 

So Mike Flynn probably has a chat to the russians saying yes we are surprised at what has happened, it was not done in consultation with us, we will look at it closely after the inauguration……big deal….what is so wrong with that? Unless they have taped his conversations and can prove he said something very damaging and unpatriotic.

I didn't follow the Hillary email server fiasco very closely.  So don't know the details there.

 

Flynn, as a private citizen, violated the Logan Act.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan_Act

Quote

The Logan Act (1 Stat. 613, 18 U.S.C. § 953, enacted January 30, 1799) is a United States federal law that details the fine and/or imprisonment of unauthorized citizens who negotiate with foreign governments having a dispute with the United States. It was intended to prevent the undermining of the government's position.^[2] The Act was passed following George Logan's unauthorized negotiations with France in 1798, and was signed into law by President John Adams on January 30, 1799. The Act was last amended in 1994, and violation of the Logan Act is a felony.

 

This isn't about Obama.  This is about Flynn.  There is concern he negotiated with Putin to keep their response muted when Obama kicked the 35 Russian spies out of the US.  Done to make Trump look good.  Illegal as hell.  He got caught.  And is now in very serious hot water.  With others also, perhaps.  Time will tell.

[kevkev1888]

 

44 minutes ago, DriveByTrucker said:

What would a real patriot think is worse? Leaking documents about a traitor or treason itself?

America's own intelligence agencies are leaking information to try to bring down the elected President. Treason indeed!

[craigt3365]

1 minute ago, kevkev1888 said:

 

America's own intelligence agencies are leaking information to try to bring down the elected President. Treason indeed!

Good point.  As with Wikileaks, some consider this a good thing.  If proven Trump and his associates colluded with Russian officials, then isn't this a good thing?  Leak or not, it would have gotten out eventually.  If true, which so far, appears to be the case.

[ilostmypassword]

36 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

 

On the other hand there is a report that says that her emails weren't obtained by Russia….but let's not let that get in the way of a convenient narrative.

 

I don't get why Flynn is being connected to espionage. Obama rushed into putting up some sanctions against Putin just before he left office.

What he should have done (since he said he and his team were committed to making Trump's transit smoother) was to involve the Donald in his thinking and figured out some common ground for action since he wasn't going to be around after a week or so. But Obama is too arrogant and just wanted to queer the pitch for Mr Trump.

 

So Mike Flynn probably has a chat to the russians saying yes we are surprised at what has happened, it was not done in consultation with us, we will look at it closely after the inauguration……big deal….what is so wrong with that? Unless they have taped his conversations and can prove he said something very damaging and unpatriotic.

Since it's clear from the details you provide here  that you had access to the conversation, why not just quote it directly and put quote marks around it?

[heybruce]

13 minutes ago, kevkev1888 said:

 

America's own intelligence agencies are leaking information to try to bring down the elected President. Treason indeed!

Do you have evidence it was the intelligence services?  How do you know the motives of the leakers?  Do you think it best if the Trump administration is allowed to commit crimes and cover-ups without being caught?

[ilostmypassword]

 What Trump says makes no sense.  If Flynn is so wonderful, why was he fired? It's pretty clear that Trump is trying to keep Flynn from turning on him.

[ilostmypassword]

23 minutes ago, kevkev1888 said:

 

America's own intelligence agencies are leaking information to try to bring down the elected President. Treason indeed!

Are you sure?

U.S. ALLIES CONDUCT INTELLIGENCE OPERATION AGAINST TRUMP STAFF AND ASSOCIATES, INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATIONS

As part of intelligence operations being conducted against the United States for the last seven months, at least one Western European ally intercepted a series of communications before the inauguration between advisers associated with President Donald Trump and Russian government officials, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation.

The sources said the interceptions include at least one contact between former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and a Russian official based in the United States. It could not be confirmed whether this involved the telephone call with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak that has led to Flynn’s resignation, or additional communications. The sources said the intercepted communications are not just limited to telephone calls: The foreign agency is also gathering electronic and human source information on Trump’s overseas business partners, at least some of whom the intelligence services now consider to be agents of their respective governments.

 

http://europe.newsweek.com/allies-intercept-russia-trump-adviser-communications-557283?rm=eu

[JHolmesJr]

22 minutes ago, heybruce said:

Do you have evidence it was the intelligence services?  How do you know the motives of the leakers?  Do you think it best if the Trump administration is allowed to commit crimes and cover-ups without being caught?

Russian hackers, anyone?

 

LOL

[heybruce]

35 minutes ago, heybruce said:

Do you have evidence it was the intelligence services?  How do you know the motives of the leakers?  Do you think it best if the Trump administration is allowed to commit crimes and cover-ups without being caught?

 

12 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

Russian hackers, anyone?

 

LOL

Probably.  Trump refuses to stop using his old insecure Android phone.  https://www.wired.com/2017/01/trump-android-phone-security-threat/  Also, his dealing with the North Korea missile launch from the crowded dining room of his Mar-a-Lago country club shows he's clueless about security, and unwilling to follow the advice of his own security experts.

[ourmanflint]

 

4 hours ago, kevkev1888 said:

 

America's own intelligence agencies are leaking information to try to bring down the elected President. Treason indeed!

I don't get why this doesn't terrify people. 

[craigt3365]

Just now, ourmanflint said:

 

I don't get why this doesn't terrify people. 

Some are happy just like with Wikileaks.  Some loved that, some didn't.  In this case, we've been alerted one of the highest ranking officials with the US government has been illegally sharing info with a hostile country.  At a time when the president was kicking 35 of their spies out!  That's what terrifies people.

[ourmanflint]

4 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Good point.  As with Wikileaks, some consider this a good thing.  If proven Trump and his associates colluded with Russian officials, then isn't this a good thing?  Leak or not, it would have gotten out eventually.  If true, which so far, appears to be the case.

"colluded", colluded with what? To keep US?Russia relations on an even keel, to try and stop the world tipping towards more anti-russia sentiment. The whole thing is a farce designed to make Trump feel uncomfortable, and let him know in no uncertain terms who really runs the USA and it's not the president. 

[ourmanflint]

Just now, craigt3365 said:

Some are happy just like with Wikileaks.  Some loved that, some didn't.  In this case, we've been alerted one of the highest ranking officials with the US government has been illegally sharing info with a hostile country.  At a time when the president was kicking 35 of their spies out!  That's what terrifies people.

Nonsense. What info did he share? And this to a country who's cyber intelligence is so good it reshaped the US elections. You think Ryan said anything sensitive? 

[craigt3365]

Just now, ourmanflint said:

"colluded", colluded with what? To keep US?Russia relations on an even keel, to try and stop the world tipping towards more anti-russia sentiment. The whole thing is a farce designed to make Trump feel uncomfortable, and let him know in no uncertain terms who really runs the USA and it's not the president. 

You have read about this, right? 

[craigt3365]

2 minutes ago, ourmanflint said:

Nonsense. What info did he share? And this to a country who's cyber intelligence is so good it reshaped the US elections. You think Ryan said anything sensitive? 

http://europe.newsweek.com/allies-intercept-russia-trump-adviser-communications-557283?rm=eu

 

Quote

 

U.S. Allies Conduct Intelligence Operation Against Trump Staff and Associates, Intercepted Communications

Sources said the interceptions include at least one contact between former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and a Russian official based in the U.S.

 

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/14/politics/republicans-want-flynn-investigations/index.html

 

Quote

 

McConnell: Flynn investigation 'highly likely' in Senate committee

 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday it's "highly likely" the Senate intelligence committee will investigate former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's discussions with the Russian ambassador.

 

 

Who is Ryan? LOL

[Opl]

6 minutes ago, ourmanflint said:

"colluded", colluded with what? To keep US?Russia relations on an even keel, to try and stop the world tipping towards more anti-russia sentiment. The whole thing is a farce designed to make Trump feel uncomfortable, and let him know in no uncertain terms who really runs the USA and it's not the president. 

...(graphic content)

Naked Putin and pregnant Trump picture projected on NYC building

 

https://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/02/15/naked-putin-pregnant-trump-picture-projected-nyc-building/

 

 

[ourmanflint]

^^ Just a bunch of waffle about nothing... 

[selftaopath]

5 hours ago, Berkshire said:

Trump is not making any sense.  The below article tries to understand what happened: Did Trump fire Flynn due to "lack of trust" or was Flynn forced to resign against Trump's wishes?  Who knows.

 

[According to White House spokesman Sean Spicer, President Donald Trump asked for Michael Flynn, his first national security advisor, to resign in the wake of an "eroding level of trust" on the chief executive's part. But if you listened to Trump himself in his press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday afternoon, you'd think that Trump was a hapless bystander as the helpless Flynn was driven from office by the "unfair" media.]

 

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/thomas-jefferson-street/articles/2017-02-15/the-media-made-me-do-it-trump-incoherent-about-michael-flynns-resignation

 

Republicans and Trump usually don't make much sense b/c they lie so much. Can't make sense out of non-sense. So it is of little concern that Flynn might be a traitor to the U.S., but that someone leaked the information is Republican Trumps concern?

[joecoolfrog]

42 minutes ago, ourmanflint said:

 

I don't get why this doesn't terrify people. 

I dont get that anybody believes a single word that Trump or his associates say !

[selftaopath]

4 hours ago, heybruce said:

 

Probably.  Trump refuses to stop using his old insecure Android phone.  https://www.wired.com/2017/01/trump-android-phone-security-threat/  Also, his dealing with the North Korea missile launch from the crowded dining room of his Mar-a-Lago country club shows he's clueless about security, and unwilling to follow the advice of his own security experts.

Yea Republican Trump = self will run riot.

[mtls2005]

It is odd that in one breath they say Flynn lost the trust of the President, and in the very next breath they say he was treated unfairly.

 

Why fire the man if he's so great?

 

If only someone had alerted us to the potential issue...