***Official Donald J. Trump Impeachment (Whistleblower) Thread***

[snitwitch 825]

:sehorn:

Edited September 28 by snitwitch

[Bucky86 15,691]

Where is the Hilary impeachment thread????!!

[2Squirrels1Nut 809]

I bet he cries. I hope he cries.

[Teddy Stickles 202]

Sign me up 

[supermike80 531]

No

Edited May 23 by supermike80

[snitwitch 825]

 

 

[timschochet 24,571]

At this point President Trump's corruption has gotten simply too much for the House to ignore.

[the moops 4,059]

At this point? WTF tim. We reached that point line 2 years ago

[McJose 9,386]

42 minutes ago, timschochet said:

At this point President Trump's corruption has gotten simply too much for the House to ignore.

PUMP THE BRAKES THERE, DON GARLITS

[Ruffrodys05 1,562]

Just now, McJose said:

PUMP THE BRAKES THERE, DON GARLITS

Yes, let's not run over that SNAKE. Chop off its head with a spade shovel instead, then cut the rest into little bite size pieces.

[urbanhack 10,298]

sure

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.politico.com/amp/story/2019/09/13/schiff-maguire-intelligence-1496135

Worthy of its own thread. We’ve been so bent to absurd new standards, or lack thereof, but there is clear protocol for how such a complaint is to be released to Congress. Statue is clear, and this should have happened two weeks ago! Acting DNI head has no discretion to challenge or seek guidance from DOJ for independent Inspector General report, but did in violation of law.

Lack of adherence to law is particularly egregious as it likely involves the President and/or top officials and there is no good excuse for burying.

Could have national security implications. Needs attention and public awareness and action. 

 

Edited September 14 by Mr. Ham

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

Twitter thread:

Admin has gone straight lawless.

https://twitter.com/kyledcheney/status/1172655862277689346?s=21

[SaintsInDome2006 41,521]

This Schiff letter.

[badmojo1006 6,014]

15 minutes ago, SaintsInDome2006 said:

This Schiff letter.

 

23 minutes ago, Mr. Ham said:

Twitter thread:

Admin has gone straight lawless.

https://twitter.com/kyledcheney/status/1172655862277689346?s=21

This administration will do anything to protect Trump. and at the same time

[zoonation 3,916]

The corruption never ends with this administration.  Trump is infiltrating and corrupting every agency and arm of the executive branch.  

And his sycophants think he is actually draining the swamp.  We are living in Wonderland.  

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

8 minutes ago, zoonation said:

The corruption never ends with this administration.  Trump is infiltrating and corrupting every agency and arm of the executive branch.  

And his sycophants think he is actually draining the swamp.  We are living in Wonderland.  

What do I know, but appears the statue is clear.

What **possibly** is happening is that the DNI deferred to DOJ and Admin counsel because something egregious that happened (relating to classified information and national security) may have been perpetrated by Trump himself, so they’re exporting whether laws can be violated by him because he’s not technically part of the Intelligence Community, and Barr would argue he has the absolutely authority to do as he pleases without repercussions or Congressional oversight.

My guess is we’re not going to get compliance and it’s going to trigger a showdown. Which begs the question... what could Trump (or maybe someone in his inner circle) have done that a whistleblower felt compelled to formally report, the IG determined is credible and urgent to be reported to Congress, and that is being willfully withheld because of its implications?

Edited September 14 by Mr. Ham

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

This kind of drama and uncertainly around whether our nation is secure at the top should trouble every American. 

[McJose 9,386]

4 hours ago, Mr. Ham said:

This kind of drama and uncertainly around whether our nation is secure at the top should trouble every American. 

Well...yeah.

But it won’t.

[moleculo 6,563]

8 hours ago, Mr. Ham said:

What do I know, but appears the statue is clear.

What **possibly** is happening is that the DNI deferred to DOJ and Admin counsel because something egregious that happened (relating to classified information and national security) may have been perpetrated by Trump himself, so they’re exporting whether laws can be violated by him because he’s not technically part of the Intelligence Community, and Barr would argue he has the absolutely authority to do as he pleases without repercussions or Congressional oversight.

My guess is we’re not going to get compliance and it’s going to trigger a showdown. Which begs the question... what could Trump (or maybe someone in his inner circle) have done that a whistleblower felt compelled to formally report, the IG determined is credible and urgent to be reported to Congress, and that is being willfully withheld because of its implications?

Because of the implication.

Edited September 15 by moleculo

[Juxtatarot 8,029]

It’s hard to believe that THIS will be the thing that brings Trump down.

[Biff84 1,585]

There’s some chatter about the timing of the complaint and the forced resignation of Sue Gordon. The whistleblower came forward 3 days after she announced her resignation which was 4 days before her final day. Speculation is that the whistleblower might have wanted the report out before she was gone or that Gordon might have advised the whistleblower that this was the proper way to get the story out.

[Snorkelson 2,886]

Someone from the intelligence community? Like we can trust what they say, amirite? Probably some democrat, they just hate trump so much. 

[dozer 1,249]

The DNI of the United States—Whose Only Direct Superior Is the President of the United States—Is Now Telling Congress a "Higher Authority" Told Him to Keep From Congress an IC Whistleblower Whose Intelligence the IC Inspector General Has Confirmed Is "Urgent"

[parasaurolophus 4,469]

Its about chemtrails. I just know it. 

[That one guy 1,517]

18 hours ago, dozer said:

The DNI of the United States—Whose Only Direct Superior Is the President of the United States—Is Now Telling Congress a "Higher Authority" Told Him to Keep From Congress an IC Whistleblower Whose Intelligence the IC Inspector General Has Confirmed Is "Urgent"

God?  He works in mysterious ways 

[VandyMan 999]

Regardless of the content of the whistleblower's complaint, executive branch officials flatly refusing to comply with subpoenas seems like a serious problem in its own right.

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

https://www.salon.com/2019/09/16/is-the-trump-administration-squelching-a-whistleblower-and-a-major-scandal/

“Despite Schiff’s sternly worded letter, however, there is little evidence that either House Democrats or our system writ large is equipped to handle such flagrant violations. In all likelihood, Maguire will appear before the committee later this week, only to declare that he "does not recall" numerous things, assure the committee that he has no personal knowledge of anything scandalous and insist that if he did it would all be privileged communication anyway. The committee will dress him down, put him "on notice" and prepare to file more stern letters. 

Our system is clearly broken. It's not entirely because the Republican Party now marches in lockstep with Trump. But that's a pretty important symptom.”

 

[Ned 9,833]

OK.  What stops the whistle blower from just going public?

I know that's an overly naive take, but what other options are there to get this out there?

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

15 minutes ago, Ned said:

OK.  What stops the whistle blower from just going public?

I know that's an overly naive take, but what other options are there to get this out there?

There are statutes that legally protect them form reprisals and legal action, provided they follow protocols. If they don’t, they aren’t afforded those protections. They can go directly to congressional committees, but if they go public they could be subject formally to consequences they are otherwise supposed to be protected from.

Fact someone hasn’t come forward makes this more chilling to me, as much is that the American public has lost our power by accepting things like this. Someone took the risks to come forward, is following the legal statutes to do so, and is being suppressed by a lawless branch of government. It can be assumed that by flouting the clear law here, the administration may equally ignore the vital protections and path we give to those who observe corruption to bring it to he Peoples’ attention without fear of danger.

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/17/adam-schiff-joseph-maguire-whistleblower-complaint-1501632

DNI which has no discretion to question IG is questioning IG definition of “urgent report,” a blatant slap in the face to law.

[whoknew 6,670]

46 minutes ago, Mr. Ham said:

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/17/adam-schiff-joseph-maguire-whistleblower-complaint-1501632

DNI which has no discretion to question IG is questioning IG definition of “urgent report,” a blatant slap in the face to law.

 

Who is going to stop him? Who is going to stand up to the constant law breaking of this Administration?

[SaintsInDome2006 41,521]

11 hours ago, Mr. Ham said:

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/17/adam-schiff-joseph-maguire-whistleblower-complaint-1501632

DNI which has no discretion to question IG is questioning IG definition of “urgent report,” a blatant slap in the face to law.

Quote

Maguire, according to Schiff, diverted it to the Justice Department and told the committee he would refuse to share it because it involved someone outside the intelligence community and might involve matters of confidentiality and privilege.

Short: Bill Barr.

In which the DOJ is turned into a clearinghouse and blocking mechanism for any detail on any given administration scandal from reaching Congress.

[Henry Ford 57,996]

11 hours ago, whoknew said:

 

Who is going to stop him? Who is going to stand up to the constant law breaking of this Administration?

I hear Stallone is making another Rambo movie.  Timing seems right. 

[Mile High 3,855]

11 hours ago, whoknew said:

 

Who is going to stop him? Who is going to stand up to the constant law breaking of this Administration?

As I said before,  Trump has shown that  our supposedly checks and balances are just words.

[SaintsInDome2006 41,521]

>>>>>>>>Acting director of national intelligence Joseph Maguire has until Tuesday to turn over a whistleblower complaint regarding a “serious or flagrant” abuse involving an intelligence activity and possibly the White House.

If he fails to do so, he will be ordered by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) to explain publicly on Thursday his reasons for refusing.

Last week, Schiff subpoenaed Maguire for the complaint, accusing him of violating whistleblower law by failing to have done so earlier. Maguire’s stated reasons have to do with the material involving “confidential” and “potentially privileged communications,” Schiff said in a letter Friday.

Schiff has said he is unable to discuss the complaint’s content.

The unprecedented standoff raises concerns that the White House, Justice Department or other executive branch officials are trying to block Maguire from transmitting the complaint to cover up serious misconduct, Schiff said.

“A director of national intelligence has never prevented a properly submitted whistleblower complaint that the [intelligence community inspector general] determined to be credible and urgent from being provided to the congressional intelligence committees,” Schiff said in a statement Friday. “Never.”

In his letter to Maguire, Schiff said: “The committee — and the American people — must know why, in violation of law, a whistleblower complaint is being concealed, whether the underlying conduct involves the president or those around him, and whether the White House is involved in trying to cover up this authorized disclosure.”

A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in a statement Monday: “We are currently reviewing the request and will respond appropriately. ODNI and Acting DNI Maguire are committed to fully complying with the law and upholding whistleblower protections and have done so here.”

Steven A. Groves, a White House spokesman, declined to comment.

Maguire was named acting director in August following the announced departure of Daniel Coats and when it became clear that President Trump would not put Coats’s deputy, Sue Gordon, in the position. Maguire was not angling for the job — he had hoped Gordon would be tapped, and it is unclear if Trump will seek to nominate him as director.

A member of the intelligence community submitted the complaint to the inspector general, Michael Atkinson, on Aug. 12. The individual once worked on the staff of the White House National Security Council, which frequently borrows intelligence community personnel. Atkinson reviewed the complaint and determined it was credible and met the law’s definition of an “urgent concern,” according to Schiff’s letter. On Aug. 26, Atkinson submitted it to Maguire, who is his boss.

At that point, Maguire had seven days to transmit the complaint and the inspector general’s determination to Congress, according to the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act.

“Yet in violation of the statute’s explicit command,” Maguire refused to share the complaint and supporting material, Schiff said in his letter. He said this “marks the first time” a director of national intelligence has sought to conceal from Congress a whistleblower complaint.

In a further departure from the law, Schiff said, Maguire consulted the Justice Department about the complaint, “even though the statute does not provide” him discretion to review or reverse the inspector general’s determination or to involve another executive branch entity.

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment.

Schiff, speaking Sunday on the CBS News program “Face the Nation,” said Maguire told him “essentially that he is answering to a higher authority” in refusing to turn over the complaint. Schiff added that “there are only a few people above the DNI.” Maguire, by law, reports only to the president.

On Friday, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence sent a letter to Schiff asserting that, because the complaint involves “confidential” and “potentially privileged communications” by one or more people outside the intelligence community, the director lacks authority to send the complaint to the intelligence committees, a committee aide said. That prompted the subpoena.

Said Schiff: “It’s a pretty narrow group of people that it could apply to that are both above the DNI in authority and also involve privileged communications. So I think it’s fair to assume this involves either the president or people around him or both.”

<<<<<<<<<<

WaPo

[Sinn Fein 29,574]

The Trump Administration gives zero ####s about Congressional oversight.

And, thus far, there is nothing Congress will do about it.

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

https://twitter.com/natashabertrand/status/1174447709736058883?s=21

IG agreed to testify behind closed doors tomorrow, and so acting DNI will testify publicly September 26. Depending what’s in that whistleblower report, things could get interesting. I think we’ll get a gist of how significant prior to DNI testimony.

[Biff84 1,585]

1 hour ago, Mr. Ham said:

https://twitter.com/natashabertrand/status/1174447709736058883?s=21

IG agreed to testify behind closed doors tomorrow, and so acting DNI will testify publicly September 26. Depending what’s in that whistleblower report, things could get interesting. I think we’ll get a gist of how significant prior to DNI testimony.

So what will the IG be able to say? Either he give all the info or nothing. My guess is that he won’t be able to say anything, DNI will come in next week and claim some ridiculous privilege and release nothing.  

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

6 minutes ago, Biff84 said:

So what will the IG be able to say? Either he give all the info or nothing. My guess is that he won’t be able to say anything, DNI will come in next week and claim some ridiculous privilege and release nothing.  

Hoping IG will describe the nature of the report tomorrow. If it is serious, I expect DNI is met with an assault from the left and make believe conspiracies from the right. 

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

https://apple.news/AzvOmtbIhQ8C6gP3Cl0UyrA

Not surprisingly, complaint is against Trump, and concerns a promise he made to a foreign leader. 

Trump. Needs. To. Go.

Edited September 19 by Mr. Ham

[snitwitch 825]

3 minutes ago, Mr. Ham said:

https://apple.news/AzvOmtbIhQ8C6gP3Cl0UyrA

Not surprisingly, complaint is against Trump, and concerns a promise he made to a foreign leader. 

Trump. Needs. To. Go.

THANKS, OBAMA! 

[Biff84 1,585]

10 minutes ago, Mr. Ham said:

https://apple.news/AzvOmtbIhQ8C6gP3Cl0UyrA

Not surprisingly, complaint is against Trump, and concerns a promise he made to a foreign leader. 

Trump. Needs. To. Go.

I wonder if Dan Coats and/or Sue Gordon were pushed out because this information.

[snitwitch 825]

it was putin, mark it down

[moleculo 6,563]

36 minutes ago, Mr. Ham said:

https://apple.news/AzvOmtbIhQ8C6gP3Cl0UyrA

Not surprisingly, complaint is against Trump, and concerns a promise he made to a foreign leader. 

Trump. Needs. To. Go.

Meh.  Probably some liberal spouting off fake news.  Isn't the president supposed to be talking to other heads of state?

[Mr. Ham 7,706]

13 minutes ago, Biff84 said:

I wonder if Dan Coats and/or Sue Gordon were pushed out because this information.

Figured that was the two unnamed officials.

[Biff84 1,585]

4 minutes ago, snitwitch said:

it was putin, mark it down

There’s lots of horses in this race. Can’t rule out KJU or one of the leaders in the Middle East. Almost a guarantee that Trump will be personally getting something in return.

[snitwitch 825]

Just now, Biff84 said:

There’s lots of horses in this race. Can’t rule out KJU or one of the leaders in the Middle East. Almost a guarantee that Trump will be personally getting something in return.

my money's on vladdy daddy, my marker has been placed. 

[Biff84 1,585]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Ham said:

Figured that was the two unnamed officials.

Gordon could be the whistleblower too. It was submitted after her resignation and before her last day.

[dozer 1,249]

4 minutes ago, snitwitch said:

my money's on vladdy daddy, my marker has been placed. 

Yep, but I’d put a little on the kid running Saudi Arabia.