Tornado Alley (PROG)

[fuagf]

Part 141, some of Russian meddling, and related, material from F6 big ones. These from
Saturday, 02/10/18, headed, Reaction to President Trump's State of the Union Address
https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=138438046

The second one

Marcy Wheeler on Showdown over Nunes Memo, Mueller Probe & Reauthorization of Mass Surveillance

Published on Feb 1, 2018 by Democracy Now! [ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzuqE7-t13O4NIDYJfakrhw / https://www.youtube.com/user/democracynow , https://www.youtube.com/user/democracynow/videos ]
A showdown is brewing in Washington as the White House prepares to release a controversial Republican memo despite opposition from the FBI, the Justice Department and Democratic lawmakers. The four-page memo, written by House Intelligence Committee chair, Republican Congressmember Devin Nunes of California, purports to show that the FBI abused its power when it began surveilling Trump campaign adviser Carter Page in 2016 due to his dealings with Russia. Supporters of President Trump claim the memo offers proof that the FBI’s investigation was tainted by politics from the start, in part because the FBI won approval of the wiretap by citing a dossier funded by supporters of Hillary Clinton. On Wednesday, the FBI, which is led by Trump appointee Christopher Wray, issued an unusual statement criticizing the imminent release of the memo, saying, “[W]e have grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo’s accuracy.” We speak to independent journalist Marcy Wheeler, who runs the website EmptyWheel.net [ https://www.emptywheel.net/ ].
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/2/1/marcy_wheeler_on_showdown_over_nunes [with embedded video, and transcript]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omeJbn-6QfE [with comments]

We slip into the second third with these four

Rubin: Trump will be on the “world’s dumbest criminal” list
The Beat with Ari Melber
2/1/18
Conservative columnist Jennifer Rubin blasts Trump amid new report that Mueller is zeroing in on a Trump Tower meeting “cover story”.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari-melber/watch/rubin-trump-will-be-on-the-world-s-dumbest-criminal-list-1151781443974

*

Beschloss: Trump’s war with FBI and DOJ unprecedented
The Beat with Ari Melber
2/1/18
Presidential Historian Michael Beschloss joins Ari Melber to put Trump’s attack on the rule of law and abuse of power in historical
context. Beschloss explains why recent history has been “put in the shade” by Trump like “you can’t even imagine.”
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari-melber/watch/trump-s-war-with-fbi-and-doj-unprecedented-1151745603991

*

Humiliating: Watch Nunes demolish himself on surveillance

The Beat with Ari Melber
2/1/18
In a “Beat” special report Ari Melber breaks down republican hypocrisy on the controversial
GOP memo and how GOP leaders overseeing a key surveillance law are now politicizing it.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari-melber/watch/humiliating-watch-nunes-demolish-himself-on-surveillance-1151747651512 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0twnM_cfVI [with comments]

*

Hayes: Nunes memo is a an “insane flop” in real time
The Beat with Ari Melber
2/1/18
MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, who personally interviewed Carter Page on several occasions joins
Ari Melber to discuss Carter Page’s role at the center of the controversial GOP memo.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari-melber/watch/beschloss-trump-s-war-with-fbi-and-doj-unprecedented-1151746115945

These two are found in the first half

Hope Hicks allegedly said Don Jr. emails 'will never get out'
All In with Chris Hayes
2/1/18
Hope Hicks allegedly told President Trump the email exchange setting up the dubious Trump Tower meeting in June 2016 -
perhaps the single most incriminating piece of evidence in the whole Russia collusion story - 'will never get out.'
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/hope-hicks-allegedly-said-don-jr-emails-will-never-get-out-1151813187717

*

What the Nunes memo is really about

All In with Chris Hayes
2/1/18
Paul Ryan says Republicans just want to protect civil liberties. But Trump is telling friends the memo could undermine the Russia probe.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/what-the-nunes-memo-is-really-about-1151815235622 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOmgciEWxPM [with comments]

This bunch slips us into the second half

What is the deal with Devin Nunes?
All In with Chris Hayes
2/1/18
House Intel Chair Devin Nunes has become a national character in the ongoing drama over the Russia
investigation - and it's not playing well with some of the folks back home in his central California district.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/devin-nunes-memo-antics-are-not-playing-well-at-home-1151828547992

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Lawyer overhaul raises intrigue in Gates case
The Rachel Maddow Show
2/1/18
Rachel Maddow shares some intriguing new reporting about Paul Manafort co-defendant
Rick Gates changing his legal team in his case being prosecuted by Robert Mueller.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/lawyer-overhaul-creates-intrigue-in-mueller-s-rick-gates-case-1151927363673

*

Reported memo focus on Page won't help Trump

The Rachel Maddow Show
2/1/18
Rachel Maddow notes reporting that the subject of the Nunes memo is Carter Page, who has a long history with
U.S. intelligence and Russia and unfortunately for Trump is not a sympathetic figure for abuse of surveillance.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-faith-misplaced-in-memo-reportedly-focused-on-carter-page-1151907907667 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW2qicsxZVo [with comments]

*

Memo defense of Page ignores U.S. intel facts
The Rachel Maddow Show
2/1/18
Rebecca Ballhaus, White House reporter for The Wall Street Journal, talks with Rachel Maddow about the focus by U.S.
intelligence on Carter Page's ties to Russia before the Trump Russia dossier and after Page had left the Trump campaign.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/nunes-memo-defense-of-carter-page-ignores-facts-of-us-intel-focus-1151899715539

*

Suspenseful Friday before Nixon's Saturday night massacre
The Rachel Maddow Show
2/1/18
Rachel Maddow reminds viewers of the tense Friday before Richard Nixon's infamous Saturday night massacre.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/suspenseful-friday-before-nixon-s-saturday-night-massacre-1151946307812

*

Trump's past raises suspicions about Nunes memo's authorship
The Rachel Maddow Show
2/1/18
Rachel Maddow looks at precedent from Richard Nixon's Stennis compromise as an example of a president trying
to exonerate himself, something Donald Trump has tried to do and may be doing again with the Nunes memo.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-s-past-raises-suspicions-about-nunes-memo-s-authorship-1151953987763

*

Himes: Memo is transparent political hit job
The Rachel Maddow Show
2/1/18
Rep. Jim Himes, member of the House Intelligence Committee, talks with Rachel Maddow
about Donald Trump and Republican political strategy around the Devin Nunes memo.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/himes-nunes-memo-is-a-transparent-political-hit-job-1151892035792?playlist=associated

*

Apparent Trump legal defense fund uncovered

The Rachel Maddow Show
2/1/18
Rachel Maddow reports exclusively on the Patriot Legal Defense Fund Trust, which appears to be a fund set up
to help cover the legal expenses of Trump staffers caught up in the Robert Mueller Trump Russia investigation.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/apparent-trump-staff-legal-defense-fund-uncovered-1151887939693 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ebr9Cl39G8 [with comments]

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New indication ex-Trump official cooperating with Mueller

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell
2/1/18
The clash over the Nunes memo is dominating headlines today, but Lawrence O'Donnell explains the most important development in the Russia
probe is that fmr. Trump campaign adviser Rick Gates has new lawyers and why that could indicate he's cooperating with Mueller.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/new-indication-ex-trump-official-cooperating-with-mueller-1151888963666 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB1pUPQLNEc [with comments]

*

House Intel member: Nunes 'agent of the White House'

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell
2/1/18
House Intelligence Committee member Rep. Mike Quigley tells Lawrence O'Donnell that Paul Ryan and
Devin Nunes are "far more concerned with protecting" Donald Trump "than they are with keeping us safe."
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/house-intel-member-chairman-nunes-agent-of-the-white-house-1151892547552 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kvo3AWEscA [with comments]

Rewrite: John Kelly picks sides in Trump v. truth

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell
2/1/18
In the Rewrite, Lawrence O'Donnell explains how White House Chief of
Staff John Kelly is part of the Trump White House's battle with the truth.
©2018 NBCNews.com
http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/rewrite-john-kelly-picks-sides-in-the-trump-white-house-1151885379785 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsorz-RLJio [with comments]

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Report: Trump wanted Nunes memo released before reading it

The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
2/2/18
With all indications pointing towards Trump approving the release of the controversial Nunes memo on the FBI &
Russia, The Washington Post reports Trump wanted the memo released before he'd even read it. Our panel reacts.
©2018 NBCNews.com
[originally aired February 1, 2018]
http://www.msnbc.com/brian-williams/watch/report-trump-wanted-nunes-memo-released-before-reading-it-1151925827850 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFqaWtPZUU4 [with comments]

*

Are Trump's attacks on the FBI doing irreversible harm?
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
2/2/18
Two former FBI officials with over 50 years of agency experience between them discuss the contentious
relationship between the Trump White House and his own FBI and Justice Department.
©2018 NBCNews.com
[originally aired February 1, 2018]
http://www.msnbc.com/brian-williams/watch/are-trump-s-attacks-on-the-fbi-doing-irreversible-harm-1151927875733

*

NYTimes: New scrutiny for Hope Hicks in Mueller probe
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
2/2/18
Fmr. federal prosecutor Joyce Vance discusses the scrutiny facing longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks after The New York Times reported Mueller is
probing what the story given by Trump's White House concerning the July 2016 Trump Tower meeting Trump campaign officials had with Russians.
©2018 NBCNews.com
[originally aired February 1, 2018]
http://www.msnbc.com/brian-williams/watch/nytimes-new-scrutiny-for-hope-hicks-in-mueller-probe-1151935043647

*

Fmr. CIA Dep. Director: Russia has us arguing over the truth

The 11th Hour with Brian Williams
2/2/18
John McLaughlin, the former Deputy Director of the CIA, talks about the national security concerns he sees from the discord between
the White House, the Dept. of Justice, the FBI, and members of Congress over Russia, the Nunes memo, & the Mueller investigation.
©2018 NBCNews.com
[originally aired February 1, 2018]
http://www.msnbc.com/brian-williams/watch/fmr-cia-dep-director-russia-has-us-arguing-over-the-truth-1151933507884 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqWwve4aZTw [with comments]

To "stashed February 1, 2018:"

Trump Clears the Way for Release of Secret Republican Memo
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/us/politics/republicans-secret-memo-nunes.html

Nunes Memo Could Be Released Friday Following Nod From Trump
https://www.npr.org/2018/02/01/582379669/dems-charge-gop-secretly-altered-snooping-memo-sent-to-white-house-for-release

Furor grows over Nunes intel memo
http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/371891-furor-grows-over-nunes-intel-memo

Rising White House fear: Nunes memo is a dud
https://www.axios.com/rising-white-house-fear-nunes-memo-is-a-dud-1517518110-483bac89-a164-4aa9-8841-97f6d3329005.html

Some Republicans uneasy with Trump releasing the Russia memo
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/some-republicans-uneasy-trump-releasing-russia-memo-n843866

The Republican Plot Against the F.B.I.
Editorial
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/opinion/nunes-memo-fbi-trump.html

Nancy Pelosi calls for Devin Nunes to be removed as chairman of House Intelligence Committee
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-essential-washington-updates-nancy-pelosi-calls-for-devin-nunes-to-be-1517502814-htmlstory.html

Trump's approval will ensure controversial memo will see the light of day despite warnings from intelligence officials
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-memo-release-20180201-story.html

This is exactly how America tumbles into a constitutional crisis
https://qz.com/1196020/donald-trump-robert-mueller-nunes-fbi-memo-us-constitutional-crisis-looms/

Republicans rally for memo release at retreat, as Dems savage Nunes
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/01/republicans-rally-for-memo-release-at-retreat-as-dems-savage-nunes.html

How the Nunes memo became the latest political football in the Russia investigation
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/01/nunes-memo-fbi-russia-investigation-383172

Republican 'Release The Memo' Conspiracy Ignores How Difficult It Is To Get A FISA Warrant
http://www.newsweek.com/how-get-fisa-warrant-797323

The director of the FBI seems prepared to publicly dispute the Nunes memo once it is released
FBI Director Christopher Wray is prepared to refute the unverified memo written by Rep. Devin Nunes that alleges misconduct on the part of the FBI and the Department of Justice.
President Donald Trump has stated that he is prepared to release the memo, despite claims from both sides of the aisle in Congress that it omits crucial details and distorts key facts.
Wray has previously butted heads with Trump on issues relating to the FBI.
http://www.businessinsider.com/fbi-director-will-publicly-dispute-the-nunes-memo-2018-2

Ryan, McConnell talk Intel memo at GOP retreat
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ryan-mcconnell-hold-press-conference-at-gop-retreat-live-stream/

Why Washington is inflamed over the Russia probe memo
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-document-explainer/why-washington-is-inflamed-over-the-russia-probe-memo-idUSKBN1FL652

more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dHfnElYxHwGKVSMHGkVxP7dKXHeAM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en

Lawyers for Rick Gates withdraw from Russia case
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/01/lawyers-for-rick-gates-withdraw-from-russia-case-383422

Rick Gates attorneys seek to withdraw from the case
https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/01/politics/rick-gates-attorneys-withdraw/index.html

more: https://www.google.com/search?q=rick+gates

Trump Is Expected to Approve Release of Classified Surveillance Memo
White House official says approval of document could come as early as Friday
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-reviews-classified-gop-memo-but-no-decision-yet-on-its-release-1517512378

Trump to approve release of GOP memo Friday over objections from law enforcement, intelligence community
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/trump-expected-to-approve-release-of-memo-following-redactions-requested-by-intelligence-officials/2018/02/01/a55210e6-0757-11e8-8777-2a059f168dd2_story.html

Former Trump Aide Carter Page Was on U.S. Counterintelligence Radar Before Russia Dossier
Court documents, testimony show foreign-policy adviser was known to authorities as early as 2013
https://www.wsj.com/articles/former-trump-aide-carter-page-was-on-u-s-counterintelligence-radar-before-russia-dossier-1517486401

Law Firm Representing Kushner Appoints Public-Relations Veteran
Peter Mirijanian will handle press calls for Kushner and other clients of Norton Rose Fulbright
https://www.wsj.com/articles/law-firm-representing-kushner-appoints-public-relations-veteran-1517532137

While You Are Tweeting About the Nunes Memo, Russia Is Plotting Its Midterms Attack
The point is distraction. And it’s working dangerously well.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/02/while-you-are-tweeting-about-the-nunes-memo-russia-is-plotting-its-midterms-attack/

Don’t Believe the Liberal F.B.I.
By Michelle Goldberg
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/opinion/dont-believe-the-liberal-fbi.html

James Comey Defends FBI, Says History Will Catch Up To ‘Weasels And Liars’
“Not a lot of schools or streets named for Joe McCarthy,” the ex-FBI director said.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/comey-nunes-fbi-memo_us_5a739ba3e4b06ee97af107ac

more: https://news.google.com/news/story/dlvzLjCaWlkftoMF9OjjKKI5KfycM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en

Paul Ryan is tarnishing the House
Editorial
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/paul-ryan-is-tarnishing-the-house/2018/02/01/48968bca-0798-11e8-8777-2a059f168dd2_story.html

Nancy Pelosi To Speaker Paul Ryan: Devin Nunes Must Go
His “deliberately dishonest actions make him unfit to serve” as House Intelligence Committee chair, Pelosi said.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nancy-pelosi-devin-nunes-paul-ryan_us_5a7377f9e4b01ce33eb0fb1c

5 seconds that tell you everything you need to know about Paul Ryan

( https://youtu.be/pM8mXAvHcCY )
Asked if he's concerned about the politicization of the FBI, Ryan talks about tax cuts.
https://thinkprogress.org/ryan-trump-fbi-nunes-5-seconds-f2e981fceb4f/

Paul Ryan On Removing Devin Nunes: ‘The Tax Cuts Are Working’
What it’s really all about for the speaker of the House.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/paul-ryan-devin-nunes-memo-tax-cuts_us_5a7382cee4b06ee97af0e124

more: https://www.google.com/search?q=wapaul+ryan

Paul Manafort co-defendant’s attorneys leaving defense team in Mueller probe - Rick Gates
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/ex-trump-chair-paul-manaforts-co-defendant-shakes-up-defense-team-in-mueller-probe/2018/02/01/434a7702-07a3-11e8-94e8-e8b8600ade23_story.html

more: https://news.google.com/news/story/d6G56iada1W7g0MRLWd7R2ZForSSM?ned=us&gl=US&hl=en

Apparent Trump legal defense fund uncovered
The Rachel Maddow Show
2/1/18
Rachel Maddow reports exclusively on the Patriot Legal Defense Fund Trust, which appears to be a fund set up to help cover the legal expenses of Trump staffers caught up in the Robert Mueller Trump Russia investigation.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/apparent-trump-staff-legal-defense-fund-uncovered-1151887939693?playlist=associated , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ebr9Cl39G8

Rachel Maddow may have discovered the legal defense fund for Trump staffers caught up in the Russia probes
https://www.rawstory.com/2018/02/rachel-maddow-may-discovered-legal-defense-fund-trump-staffers-caught-russia-probes/