Tornado Alley (PROG)

[fuagf]

Part 134, some of Russian meddling, and related, material from F6 big ones. These from
Wednesday, 01/31/18, headed, WATCH: President Trump, British Prime Minister May meet in Davos
https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=138142680

These four are tucked in the second third

White House lawyer to Trump: I’ll decide if you talk to Mueller
The Beat with Ari Melber
1/25/18
White House lawyer John Dowd says he will decide if Trump actually does Mueller interview after Trump previews
a possible defense saying “If you fight back, oh it’s obstruction.” A Trump ally says an interview
would be a “suicide mission” and Rush Limbaugh says “Don’t do it…there is nothing to gain.”
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari-melber/watch/white-house-lawyer-to-trump-i-ll-decide-if-you-talk-to-mueller-1146243651548

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Watch the MSNBC interview that supports Trump and Stormy Daniels
The Beat with Ari Melber
1/25/18
Adult film star Stormy Daniels breaks her silence in her first TV interview since a lawsuit was filed alleging a payment to her
was a Trump campaign contribution. Ari Melber challenges the lawyer for “stretching” pointing to the “John Edwards defense.”
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari-melber/watch/watch-the-msnbc-interview-that-supports-trump-and-stormy-daniels-1146242115921

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Melber: Nunes memo like Dumbo’s magic feather

The Beat with Ari Melber
1/25/18
A Trump DOJ appointee says releasing a secret FBI memo would be “extraordinarily reckless” and the “secret society” smear
on the FBI is demolished by facts. Ari Melber reveals why these attacks appear to violate the rule of law in two ways.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari-melber/watch/melber-nunes-memo-like-dumbo-s-magic-feather-1146247747510 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYOrBHJLOSM [with comments]

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Debunking Trump’s attack on top FBI official

The Beat with Ari Melber
1/25/18
In a “Beat” special report Ari Melber breaks down Andrew McCabe’s career in
public service and why Trump is reportedly trying to get him fired from the FBI.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari-melber/watch/debunking-trump-s-attack-on-top-fbi-official-1146248771541 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W55rcCIt4c [with comments]

Skip one to these fifteen. Heh, yeah "some of", yet each add a bit of scent (sense) to
this our dwelling on dealing with sleaze. Have only watched all the YouTubes this time.

Republicans' pro-Trump conspiracy theories collapse
All In with Chris Hayes
1/25/18
The Secret Society probably wasn't real, the missing texts have been found, and the
Nunes memo has no credibility. But Trump's allies aren't letting facts slow them down.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/republicans-pro-trump-conspiracy-theories-collapse-1146246723868

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Trump ordered Mueller fired, but backed off: NYT

All In with Chris Hayes
1/25/18
Donald Trump ordered the firing of Special Counsel Robert Mueller last June, reports the
New York Times, but backed down after the White House counsel threatened to resign.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-ordered-mueller-fired-but-backed-off-nyt-1146219587841 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFwG-DcdoK0 [with comments]

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Trump thought Mueller had conflicts of interest: NYT reporter
All In with Chris Hayes
1/25/18
When he ordered the firing of Robert Mueller last June, Donald Trump claimed the special counsel had conflicts of interest
that disqualified him from overseeing the Russia investigation, says reporter Michael Schmidt who broke the story.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-thought-mueller-had-conflicts-of-interest-nyt-reporter-1146252867957

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Trump firing of Mueller stopped by McGahn: NYT
The Rachel Maddow Show
1/25/18
Michael Schmidt, Washington correspondent for The New York Times, talks with Rachel Maddow about breaking new reporting that Donald Trump ordered
the firing of Robert Mueller based on dubious conflict accusations and only held back when Don McGahn threatened to quit over the matter.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-june-firing-of-mueller-stopped-by-mcgahn-threat-to-quit-nyt-1146313283719

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Trump's intent at issue in Mueller firing try
The Rachel Maddow Show
1/25/18
Barbara McQuade, former U.S. attorney, talks with Rachel Maddow about the legal liabilities suggested
by new reporting that Donald Trump ordered the firing of Robert Mueller for dubious reasons.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-s-intent-at-issue-in-effort-to-fire-robert-mueller-1146348611626

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Blumenthal: There is a credible obstruction case against Trump

The Rachel Maddow Show
1/25/18

Senator Richard Blumenthal talks with Rachel Maddow about the revelation that Donald Trump ordered the firing of Robert Mueller over the summer, and the need to protect the special counsel with legislation.

©2018 NBCNews.com

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/blumenthal-trump-obstruction-case-credible-1146324547709 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRvV25D6cmI [with comments]

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McGahn oddly central in recent Trump stories
The Rachel Maddow Show
1/25/18
Bob Bauer, White House counsel to President Barack Obama, talks with Rachel Maddow about what can be inferred about the relationship between
Donald Trump and White House counsel Don McGahn from reports including the New York Times story about Trump's order to fire Robert Mueller in June.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/white-house-counsel-mcgahn-oddly-central-in-recent-trump-stories-1146332227963

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Trump evokes Nixon again with Mueller firing
The Rachel Maddow Show
1/25/18
Michael Beschloss, NBC News presidential historian, talks with Rachel Maddow about parallels between Donald Trump's desire to fire Robert Mueller and Richard Nixon's criticism of his investigation.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-evokes-richard-nixon-again-with-june-order-to-fire-mueller-1146342979856

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Trump tried to fire Mueller; biggest news since Trump fired Comey?

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell
1/25/18
Robert Mueller wants to interview President Trump in his investigation into possible obstruction of justice by the president and now new reports reveal that
one piece of evidence of obstruction of justice is that the President tried to fire the investigator. Lawrence is joined by a panel including Ari Melber and Joy Reid.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/trump-tried-to-fire-mueller-biggest-news-since-trump-fired-comey-1146344515775 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbwFzNeztuY [with comments]

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Trump tried to fire Mueller, so will Trump answer Mueller’s questions?

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell
1/25/18

President Trump’s lawyers are negotiating terms for an interview with the special counsel’s office but after revelations
that the President tried to fire Mueller, the stakes for Trump just got higher. Lawrence discusses with a panel.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/trump-tried-to-fire-mueller-so-will-trump-answer-mueller-s-questions-1146350147944 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MPTvsMUjx8 [with comments]

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Big Russia news breaks (again) with Trump overseas

The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
1/26/18
Seemingly every time Pres. Trump leaves the country on a big overseas
trip, huge news breaks on the Russia investigation. Eli Stokols reacts.
©2018 NBCNews.com
[originally aired January 25, 2018]
http://www.msnbc.com/brian-williams/watch/big-russia-news-breaks-again-with-trump-overseas-1146376771782 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d55Wbu_6198 [with comments]

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What if Trump denies ordering Mueller to be fired?

The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
1/26/18
How will Trump react to the reports that he ordered Robert Mueller to be fired in June 2017 and backed
down when White House Counsel Don McGahn threatened to quit? Jeremy Bash breaks it down.
©2018 NBCNews.com
[originally aired January 25, 2018]
http://www.msnbc.com/brian-williams/watch/what-if-trump-denies-ordering-mueller-to-be-fired-1146378819827 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-0BZksU5SE [with comments]

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How will Congress react to news Trump ordered Mueller fired?
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
1/26/18
Kimberly Atkins breaks down how lawmakers on Capitol Hill will react to the reports that in June 2017 Trump
ordered Robert Mueller to be fired and only backed down with White House Counsel Don McGahn threatened to quit.
©2018 NBCNews.com
[originally aired January 25, 2018]
http://www.msnbc.com/brian-williams/watch/how-will-congress-react-to-news-trump-ordered-mueller-fired-1146379843835

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What ordering Mueller to be fired means legally for Trump

The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
1/26/18
Two FBI veterans & legal experts look at what the news Trump ordered Russia Special Counsel Robert
Mueller to be fired in June 2017 could mean for the president legally in the Russia investigation.
©2018 NBCNews.com
[originally aired January 25, 2018]
http://www.msnbc.com/brian-williams/watch/what-ordering-mueller-to-be-fired-means-legally-for-trump-1146384963639 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moCvRoVcBEk [with comments]

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Trump vs. The FBI: Republicans Investigate the Investigation: The Daily Show

Published on Jan 25, 2018 by The Daily Show with Trevor Noah [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwWhs_6x42TyRM4Wstoq8HA , https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwWhs_6x42TyRM4Wstoq8HA/videos ]
Conservatives push a conspiracy theory that FBI agents have a "secret society" trying
to bring down President Trump under the guise of investigating his Russian ties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d169_pZ-8C4 [with comments]

Aw, what the heck we'll take the comedy stuff today, too. These three are in the final third.

A Member Of The FBI's 'Secret Society' Speaks Out

Published on Jan 26, 2018 by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMtFAi84ehTSYSE9XoHefig , https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMtFAi84ehTSYSE9XoHefig/videos ]
One brave FBI agent was willing to speak on camera about the top-secret group that encompasses the majority of Americans.
[originally aired January 25, 2018]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ULgAZ2NNDA [with comments]

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Trump Is Up For 'Doing It Under Oath' With Mueller

Published on Jan 26, 2018 by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
President Trump told reporters he was 'looking forward' to his interview with Robert Mueller. Same.
[originally aired January 25, 2018]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRGXdVZSmZk [with comments]

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The Secretive FBI Secret Society Is No Longer A Secret

[y]tq8XzWBadFiU[/yt]
Published on Jan 26, 2018 by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Newly released text messages between FBI agents show an elaborate plan to joke about creating a secret society.
[originally aired January 25, 2018]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8XzWBadFiU [with comments]

To "stashed January 25, 2018:"

Senate panel to release interviews with Trump Jr., others involved in meeting with Russian lawyer
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/senate-judiciary-committee-to-release-transcripts-of-interviews-with-trump-tower-meeting-participants/2018/01/25/3f8f12a0-01e3-11e8-bb03-722769454f82_story.html

Senate to release transcripts on Russian lawyer meeting
A US Senate committee plans to release transcripts of interviews with Trump aides who attended a 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42825428

Grassley plans to release Trump Jr. interview transcript
The Senate Judiciary Chairman agreed with a Democratic request to release several transcripts related to a 2016 Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/25/trump-jr-interview-transcript-release-368605

Stormy Daniels Smirks When Asked If She Had Affair With Donald Trump
Daniels was reportedly paid $130,000 to stay silent on an alleged 2006 affair with the president.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/stormy-daniels-donald-trump-inside-edition_us_5a6a2851e4b01fbbefafe20e
.. more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dyAnqCdgMHhDkHMeacdpuYjARyDPM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en

The Daily 202: Trump surprises his lawyers and alarms his friends by saying he will talk with Mueller
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/01/25/daily-202-trump-surprises-his-lawyers-and-alarms-his-friends-by-saying-he-will-talk-with-mueller/5a69487330fb0469e8840390/

Seeing Through the Fog in the Mueller Russia Probe
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/opinion/trump-mueller-russia.html

Trump Says He’s ‘Looking Forward’ To Speaking With Special Counsel Under Oath
“I would do it under oath, absolutely.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-mueller-testify-under-oath_us_5a691125e4b0022830093b87
.. more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d7WdyKL5koLiBkMt7iuFmtICl94uM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en

Republicans Claim Surveillance Power Abuses in Russia Inquiry
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/19/us/politics/republicans-surveillance-trump-russia-inquiry.html
Trump and the great GOP abdication
Something remarkable is happening in our politics right now. On multiple fronts, it has fallen to Democratic elected officials to step up and defend the integrity and basic functionings of our government — against Republican efforts to pervert and manipulate them in service of the goal of shielding President Trump from accountability.
At the same time, in some cases Democrats have escalated their tactics in a kind of guerrilla operation designed to smuggle as much basic information about this great GOP abdication out to the public as possible.
Today, I’m told, Sen. Mark Warner (Va.) — the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee — will publicly say that classified information debunks the arguments reportedly made in the now-notorious secret memo by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), which bolsters the idea that the Russia investigation is a Deep-State Coup against Trump. Nunes has made this memo available to members of Congress, in what Democrats charge is a selective cherry-picking of intelligence designed to arm Republicans with talking points to discredit the Russia probe.
“Senator Warner will say publicly that unlike almost all of the 200 GOP congressmen who’ve seen the memo, he has actually read the underlying documents,” Rachel Cohen, a spokeswoman for Warner, emailed me this morning. “He is confident that there was nothing improper like what this memo seems to allege.”
Nunes, at the urging of Trump’s allies, may soon release the memo, which purports to show that the FBI and Justice Department abused the surveillance process to target the Trump campaign, apparently to show that the Russia probe is an illegitimate abuse of power. The memo by Nunes — the chair of the House Intelligence Committee — reportedly says the application for a FISA surveillance warrant to target campaign adviser Carter Page was improperly based on information from former British spy Christopher Steele that was bankrolled by Democrats.
But it appears that the underlying application undermines this case. Warner is prepared to say this today, and the New York Times also reports new information on this front:
People familiar with the underlying application have portrayed the Republican memo as misleading in part because Mr. Steele’s information, which was also compiled into a notorious dossier, was insufficient to meet the standard for a FISA warrant. The application, they said, drew on other intelligence that the Republican memo misleadingly omits — but revealing that other information to rebut the memo would risk blowing other sources and methods of intelligence-gathering about Russia.
If this is true, then the Nunes memo not only falsifies the role of the “Steele dossier” in securing the warrant; it also self-secures its own cherry-picking against outside scrutiny. That’s because the underlying information that would reveal why the warrant was granted cannot be revealed for national security reasons.
In another effort to counter the apparent Nunes disinformation campaign, Rep. Adam Schiff — Nunes’s Democratic counterpart on the House Intelligence Committee — announced that he would produce his own report purportedly debunking the Nunes memo and will ask the committee to allow members of Congress to view it, too, in effect (again) smuggling bits of counter-information out to the public.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department released a letter to Nunes arguing that the memo’s release would compromise intelligence operations and would deviate from a “good faith” arrangement on the terms of access to classified info negotiated between the Justice Department, the House Intelligence Committee and House Speaker Paul Ryan’s office. It is unclear whether Ryan has blessed the “release the memo” strategy, but it probably wouldn’t go forward without his tacit approval. Given that the Justice Department says its release would be dangerous and would violate a deal Ryan himself entered into, I asked Ryan’s office today whether he disputes that claim and whether he supports the memo’s release. I got no response.
[...]
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2018/01/25/donald-trump-and-the-great-gop-abdication/

Republicans full steam ahead on surveillance memo release despite DOJ rebuke
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/25/republicans-full-steam-ahead-on-surveillance-memo-release-despite-doj-rebuke.html

Devin Nunes’ Anti-FBI Memo Names James Comey, Rod Rosenstein, and Andrew McCabe
The Department of Justice called the plan to release it to the public ‘extraordinarily reckless.’
https://www.thedailybeast.com/doj-warns-that-releasethememo-would-be-extraordinarily-reckless
.. more: https://www.google.com/search?q=nunes+memo

Trump Ordered Mueller Fired, but Backed Off When White House Counsel Threatened to Quit - Donald F. McGahn II
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/us/politics/trump-mueller-special-counsel-russia.html

GOP panicking as signs point to imminent Mueller blockbuster
http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/370658-gop-panics-as-signs-point-to-imminent-mueller-blockbuster

No, Trump’s interview with Mueller wouldn’t be a ‘perjury trap’
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/no-trumps-interview-with-mueller-wouldnt-be-a-perjury-trap/2018/01/25/cbe60e8c-01db-11e8-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html

The Justice Department stands up to a reckless Republican
By Jennifer Rubin
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/01/25/the-justice-department-stands-up-to-a-reckless-republican/

How Trump’s big mouth could be his undoing
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2018/01/25/how-trumps-big-mouth-could-be-his-undoing/

GOP leaders’ complicity grows as their members undermine the rule of law
Editorial
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/congressional-republicans-stay-silent-as-partisans-undermine-the-rule-of-law/2018/01/25/03a69370-0211-11e8-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html

It’s looking more and more like there is a coordinated GOP effort to discredit the Trump-Russia investigation
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/01/25/its-looking-more-and-more-like-there-is-a-coordinated-gop-effort-to-discredit-the-trump-russia-investigation/

There are bigger issues underlying the anti-FBI ‘secret society’ conspiracy theory
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/01/25/there-are-bigger-issues-underlying-the-anti-fbi-secret-society-conspiracy-theory/
.. more: https://www.google.com/search?q=trump+mueller

F.B.I. Texts and Dueling Memos Escalate Fight Over Russia Inquiry
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/us/politics/devin-nunes-fbi-russia.html
.. more: https://www.google.com/search?q=duelling+memos