Some Tuesday Russiagate

Via the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 08.05.19, from AmGreat, the Great Victor Davis Hanson describes how The Dream Team Loses to the Nobodies

When figurehead Robert Mueller likely allowed Andrew Weissman to form his special counsel team to investigate so-called charges of Russian collusion involving Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and the Kremlin, Washington elites became bouncy. The high-profile legal “powerhouse” lineup immediately looked like a sure-thing—an elite slaughter of the yokels. . . 

It helps to have the facts on your side. "Adam Mill" at Da Fed, Barr Has Far Bigger Things To Prosecute James Comey For Than Leaking Memos

As I previously reported, even before the Russia collusion hoax, Comey signed his name on sweeping surveillance violations. Pursuing Comey on the memo-leaking offense would be like charging Comey for jaywalking after he crossed the street to fire a close-range kill shot at our Constitution.
. . .
Comey presided over an assembly line of constitutional violations. As I noted, “The FISC court did not provide numbers but it’s reasonable to infer that the term ‘widespread’ in reference to ongoing violations by multiple officials could mean thousands of felonies under the cover of the Comey and Brennan affidavits that apparently remain uncorrected, in spite of having been found false by a published court opinion.”

I suspect that the fact that they followed the process, if not the spirit of the law will protect them. But they should go down infamy. Thomas Lifson at AmThink explains How Comey set a trap for prosecutors when leaking his memos.

Yesterday, I offered a non-lawyer’s analysis of Why you shouldn’t worry about the DOJ not prosecuting Comey on leaked memos and described the downside of a prosecution when the case is weak:

… imagine to potential consequences of taking as the first case against Comey a prosecution that could well be lost. Once a prosecution fails, the calls to drop the “political motivated persecution” would be legion. It is important that the first case taken to a jury be rock-solid and serious.

Following that, the Twitter account labeled “Undercover Huber” provided a detailed and expert analysis of the weakness of the case against Comey, illustrating the wiliness of the lawman in structuring his actions in a manner that would strengthen his defense against prosecution to the point where a not guilty verdict was probable. To be clear, Undercover Huber does not allege a trap – that is my inference, because I see the political impact of any unsuccessful prosecution. U.H., rather, provides expert knowledge of Comey’s craftiness.

Capt. Ed at Hot Air, Gowdy: FBI Transcripts May Well Show FBI Targeted Trump Campaign, Not Russian Interference and Chuck Ross at Da Caller, Gowdy Urges Release Of FBI Informant Transcript, Says ‘There Are Going To Be Others’. I'm surprised this stuff hasn't leaked already.

Gowdy told Bartiromo on June 23 that the transcript “changed my perspective” on the Trump-Russia investigation. The retired Republican lawmaker viewed the classified transcript when he served on the House Intelligence Committee.

Horrifying if true, TruePundit reports Wray Welcomes Peter Strzok Back to FBI

Almost one year after he was fired from his top post at FBI, Peter Strzok is back in the building and the FBI’s good graces.

“Strzok is in the (HQ) building all the time,” one FBI insider revealed. “He is taking meetings or part of meetings.”

What?

FBI sources confirm Strzok has been granted access to FBI facilities in Washington, D.C. and its headquarters building on numerous occasions since he was sacked in August 2018.

Strzok has also not been stripped of his security clearances, an FBI insider said.

“He (Strzok) is getting in with a visitor’s badge and is involved in meetings,” one FBI insider said. “Maybe they are all trying to get their story straight before things go public.”

Such “things” include declassification of the FISA warrant the FBI used to spy on the campaign of Donald Trump. One of the warrants is scheduled to be declassified and released this summer, however FBI Director Christopher Wray is trying to delay its release, sources said.

FBI agent accidentally reveals own 8chan posts; attempts to redirect white supremacist rage against Russia. Would it surprise anyone at this point to find that FBI agents were most of the nominal white supremacists online? And they wonder why FBI faces skepticism over its anti-domestic terror efforts. And don't get me started on the politicos, Yahoo! Ex-aide pleads guilty in Senate hacking case

A former Senate staffer has pleaded guilty to aiding computer hacking and evidence tampering attempts for helping a fired co-worker enter a Senate office at night and wiping down computers so the colleague wouldn’t be caught.

Samantha Davis, 24, a former staff assistant to Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), appeared in U.S. District Court just a few blocks from the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon to admit to two misdemeanors for her role in events that culminated in the release of personal information of Republican senators backing the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

During the hourlong hearing, there was no indication that Davis was aware of or involved in the "doxing" carried out by the fired Hassan aide, Jackson Cosko, 28. However, Davis admitted that she gave Cosko keys to Hassan’s office on one occasion, knowing he would tamper with computers in the office.

Davis also acknowledged that she had noticed on several occasions that Cosko had taken the keys from her purse and she had not reported it. She also admitted that she lied to investigators the first two times she was interviewed about intrusions at Hassan’s office.

Last month, Judge Thomas Hogan gave Cosko a stern sentence — four years in prison — for breaking into Senate computers and releasing the home addresses and phone numbers of Sens. Lindsey Graham, Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee on Wikipedia in retaliation for their roles in Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Hogan said Davis could face up to 18 months in prison. Prosecutors have indicated they won’t seek prison time, but might ask for home confinement or that Davis spend time in a halfway house. Public defender A.J. Kramer suggested he was hopeful she would be sentenced to probation.
. . .
Kramer said the plea agreement was the result of “lengthy negotiations.” The evidence-tampering crime Davis admitted to is charged as a violation of the Washington, D.C., city code and not federal law.

A spokesman for Hassan’s office said Davis worked as a staff assistant there from April 2017 until December 2018, when she was fired over her role in Cosko’s scheme.

Leslie Eastman at LI,  California Gov. Newsom signs measure to force Trump into releasing tax returns. Virtue signalling. Courts will overturn the law, and Trump doesn't expect California's electoral votes anyway.

And speaking of unconstitutional attempts to hinder the President, Grand Jury Secrecy and Jerry Nadler - Watergate abuses continue to inform President Trump’s pursuers. Tim Philen at AmThink, The Democrats’ Disingenuous Impeachment Plans. Capt Ed, Nadler: How Does Late Fall Look For Impeachment?. Please don't fling him in dat briar patch!