I admit, this is turning south, faster and with greater alarm, than even I’d predicted. The only person in America who has the Mueller report and has the title of U.S. Attorney General, and all the power to obstruct that goes with it, “went there” today: The Daily Beast
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) questioned Barr on his decision to convene such a team. “News just broke today that you have a special team looking into why the FBI opened an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections,” she said. “I wonder if you can share with this committee who is on that team, why you felt a need to form that kind of a team and what you intend to be the scope of their investigation?”
The hammer fell:
“I am going to be reviewing both the genesis and the conduct of intelligence activities directed at the Trump campaign during 2016,” Barr responded. “One of the things I want to do is pull together all the information from the various investigations that have gone on... and see if there are any remaining questions to be addressed.”
Sen. Shaheen then questioned Barr further: “You’re not suggesting, though, that spying occurred?”
And Barr replied: “I don’t—well, I guess you could. I think spying did occur, yes. I think spying did occur.”
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He has not yet even been able to “pull together all of the information from various investigations that have gone on” and yet he does think, having been on the job maybe a month now, that, yes, spying did occur?
There are two acceptable responses, one of which isn’t an alternative, because our nation isn’t capable of the humility and mature reflection inherent to using it.
Here is the mature, contemplative one:
1. “Good!! Every intel expert knew that Russia was playing global hijinks, using Trump at the time, and there was MORE than enough evidence that Trump would/could take the help. Trump was also new to the scene, hadn’t been a pol through a million background checks. So, damn right the government had best “spy” on the Trump campaign.
“This is the system working, not systemic corruption. The proof is the investigation didn’t spill out. From now on, if you’re a candidate for president, don’t get too cozy with a foreign power and there will not be a problem.”
But we cannot say that, because Fox, that’s why.
Here is what we say now:
2. “Define spying. Because that sounds nefarious, and I believe that had the government under Obama wanted to act to give Hillary a “nefarious” boost, it could have exposed a great deal more about the Trump campaign, Trump, and Russia, than it did. The fact that the matter was under investigation at all but never got released prior to the election near kills all real allegations of nefarious action.”
I am sure I am not the only one who has noted that “spying” carries a connotation, “illegality,” even though Barr didn’t say he thought a “crime” occurred. That would require charging someone. Much easier to just allege a “bad thing,” like “spying.”
And drop it like a bomb.
This is dangerous.
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Barr knows it sounds nefarious. That is the point.
Soon, Barr will release portions of a report that — to some degree — will reflect poorly upon Trump. So, I guess we’re done with “Exoneration Weekend” and back to “13 angry democrats.” Barr needs to prep the public, get the right people angry at the Mueller team, even though Mueller wasn’t around in 2016.
I said at the time that Mueller might’ve been smart to lead with “No collusion” to buy himself some credibility among “all” — including Trump. It seemed to be working when Trump called to release the full report. And perhaps Mueller knew that the facts found would be disturbing enough that he needed credibility, that the process needed time to evolve, and the most serious charges laid outside his jurisdiction, possible financial conflicts of interest with Russia.
It is possible that Mueller was getting too much credibility at the worst possible time. Barr won’t tolerate that. We’re back to investigating the investigators.
Sigh.
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This is just so awful. I really thought that Barr would run interference, but I didn’t think he’d end up ripping law enforcement while he was doing it.
He best be careful.
Public attitudes can change, lightning-fast, even with the Trump base. Barr is walking a tightrope. Accusing the FBI of nefarious “spying” on the Trump campaign, that’s a step beyond where I thought he’d plant his flag.
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I have an idea, combat the downer day by buying yourself a great novel, see how a college kid, alien-abductee, transitions from worrying about class to saving Earth, all while growing-up, too. Plus, you’ll make my day, bc it’s always an honor.