Comey began drafting 'exoneration statement' before interviewing Clinton, senators say

Oh, I heard about this -- the whole Comey memo thing.

I was under the impression the OP's story was just a conservative strategy being spread across the internet and media to distract from the real news that dropped today:

Mueller Has Early Draft of Trump Letter Giving Reasons for Firing Comey

WASHINGTON — The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, has obtained a letter drafted by President Trump and a top political aide that offered an unvarnished view of Mr. Trump’s thinking in the days before the president fired the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey.

The letter, drafted in May, was met with opposition from Donald F. McGahn II, the White House counsel, who believed that its angry, meandering tone was problematic, according to interviews with a dozen administration officials and others briefed on the matter. Among Mr. McGahn’s concerns were references to private conversations the president had with Mr. Comey, including times when the F.B.I. director told Mr. Trump he was not under investigation in the F.B.I.’s continuing Russia inquiry.

Notice how conservatives found their own "draft" news story to try and get out ahead of this news. And, unsurprisingly, the news about this draft by Trump hasn't been posted to ATS.

Someone ought to make a topic about this news, as it seems to be the reason the OP's "news" is even being spread around right now.

a reply to: Gryphon66

Mueller was appointed on May 17 and was cleared by the justice department on May 23. By my count, it's been more than 3 months. Keep in mind it's long from May through August, but the rest of the year is going to fly by. I don't mind how long this investigation takes, I want it done properly.

My point is, Trump gets a special prosecutor, so should Hillary. That way it's fair to both of them.

originally posted by: tulermank
a reply to: Gryphon66

Mueller was appointed on May 17 and was cleared by the justice department on May 23. By my count, it's been more than 4 months. Keep in mind an election season is only 1 year. I don't mind how long this investigation takes, I want it done properly.

My point is, Trump gets a special prosecutor, so should Hillary. That way it's fair to both of them.

Trump is not being prosecuted. Hillary hasn't been charged with anything, but has been thoroughly investigated by hundreds of people besides Jim Comey.

ETA: And because I can't help it.

7 days in May
30 days in June
31 days in July
31 days in August
1 day in September.

Three months eight days.

originally posted by: Kettu
Oh, I heard about this -- the whole Comey memo thing.

I was under the impression the OP's story was just a conservative strategy being spread across the internet and media to distract from the real news that dropped today:

Mueller Has Early Draft of Trump Letter Giving Reasons for Firing Comey

WASHINGTON — The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, has obtained a letter drafted by President Trump and a top political aide that offered an unvarnished view of Mr. Trump’s thinking in the days before the president fired the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey.

The letter, drafted in May, was met with opposition from Donald F. McGahn II, the White House counsel, who believed that its angry, meandering tone was problematic, according to interviews with a dozen administration officials and others briefed on the matter. Among Mr. McGahn’s concerns were references to private conversations the president had with Mr. Comey, including times when the F.B.I. director told Mr. Trump he was not under investigation in the F.B.I.’s continuing Russia inquiry.

Notice how conservatives found their own "draft" news story to try and get out ahead of this news. And, unsurprisingly, the news about this draft by Trump hasn't been posted to ATS.

Someone ought to make a topic about this news, as it seems to be the reason the OP's "news" is even being spread around right now.

What is important about this draft memo? What information is new that needs to be got out in front of?

a reply to: Kettu

There were probably dozens of drafts. The one released to the public was the most civil.

It's strange that the day after Senator Graham states that Comey planned on clearing Hillary, before the investigation really got underway, a LEAK comes from Mueller air-tight investigating team, stating that he's investigating why Trump fired Comey.

We'll see which of these two incidents grows wings and flies. My bet is that Comey is in trouble. His buddy Mueller won't be able to save him with false flags and leaks.

originally posted by: carewemust
It's strange that the day after Senator Graham states that Comey planned on clearing Hillary, before the investigation really got underway, a LEAK comes from Mueller air-tight investigating team, stating that he's investigating why Trump fired Comey.

You didn't know that?

Trump did: Twitter

originally posted by: carewemust
It's strange that the day after Senator Graham states that Comey planned on clearing Hillary, before the investigation really got underway, a LEAK comes from Mueller air-tight investigating team, stating that he's investigating why Trump fired Comey.

And it's strange that two days before Senator Graham said that, Muller joined forces with the NY attorney general to combine the state-level investigation into Trump and his associates.

And the day before Senator Graham said that, Muller has enlisted the elite of the elite at the IRS to look into Trump. He's enlisted the 2,500 agent "CI" or "Criminal Investigations" unit. Having the regular IRS after you is bad enough, these guys are the IRS's special forces.

Robert Mueller is reportedly bringing an IRS financial crimes unit into the Russia investigation

Martin Sheil, a retired former agent of the unit, told The Daily Beast’s Betsy Woodruff that the unit’s involvement is a sign Mueller is invested in beefing up a specific rank within his investigative team. Sheil told the publication that while the FBI has broad jurisdiction in counterintelligence and counterterror, “they simply don’t have the financial investigative expertise that the CI agents have.”

“When CI brings a case to a U.S. Attorney, it is done. It’s wrapped up with a ribbon and a bow. It’s just comprehensive,” Sheil told Woodruff.

And, once again as expected -- this bit of news didn't make it to ATS readers either. It's head-in-sand ostrich time!

a reply to: RickinVa

Nothing to see here people... Forget the real collusion between the DNC, the mainstream media, and "the top people in agencies like the FBI"... let's focus on the fake "Russia-Trump collusion"...

a reply to: Kettu

That's more like "left-wing forces alongside RINOs" trying to get Trump impeached meanwhile ignoring that Obama and Hillary had Russian connections and deals...

Aside from simple expressions of emotional distaste, the calls for impeachment of Mr. Trump seem to focus on his attempts to obstruct justice, which practically, if not legally at this point, are clearly evident.

In terms of impeachment, I've always believed that would arise from actual complicity with foreign powers in illegal acts. (My personal bet was on money-laundering.)

As the reality of the Trump Presidency has become plain, I think invocation of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment is far more likely.

originally posted by: Pyle

originally posted by: Justoneman

originally posted by: Sillyolme
Right around the time most of us had accepted that there was nothing prosecutable there. Sounds like he was on the ball to me.

You know what I hear a lot from you guys since the election. Get over it.

To you I say the same.

Get over it.

How can you say that when Comey did this before taking the evidence from the witnesses?

Maybe because he had all the physical evidence already examined and, barring a confession from one of the witnesses, no charges were going to be brought?

By my last check the FBI never reviewed the files on that server. How can they know the facts?

originally posted by: soberbacchus

originally posted by: zikzak
a reply to: soberbacchus

If Comey didn't do interviews it would have been too obvious. He had to make it look it it was a real investigation.

If Comey hadn't announced he was re-opening the investigation ONE WEEK before election day, Trump and the GOP would not have been able to dominate the news media beating the crap out of her right before voting.

If Comey had wrapped up the investigation in the Spring...It would not have been "Clinton Email Server" dominating headlines for months..

The Premise that he was trying to help Clinton is ultra-contrary to what occurred in reality.

Well based on the fact the polls were always wrong for reasons of making people think Hill had it so no need to even think about voting against her, IMO that was being challenged logically by neutral parties but the media was and still is in brainwash mode, (your eyes didn't see that, your ears didn't hear that).

a reply to: Gryphon66

Trump cannot be impeached for crimes he did before becoming president. As for obstruction of justice, that's a long shot. Firing Comey for refusing to recuse himself and hiring a special prosecutor instead doesn't sound like obstruction of justice to me, or anyone else for that matter.

originally posted by: tulermank
a reply to: Gryphon66

Trump cannot be impeached for crimes he did before becoming president. As for obstruction of justice, that's a long shot. Firing Comey for refusing to recuse himself and hiring a special prosecutor instead doesn't sound like obstruction of justice to me, or anyone else for that matter.

Well, aside from admitting that Trump probably committed crimes before assuming the Presidency, you may want to re-read the Constitution. The Congress decides what constitutes "high crimes and misdemeanors."

You don't speak for anyone else, and your opinion is merely your opinion.

originally posted by: tulermank
a reply to: Gryphon66

Hillary should be investigated by a special prosecutor to avoid conflict of interest. Perhaps Mueller can do the job after he's done with his current investigation.

Mueller is a well known Clinton operative. I wouldn't put him in charge of an ant farm.

www.youtube.com...

originally posted by: Doctor Smith

originally posted by: tulermank
a reply to: Gryphon66

Hillary should be investigated by a special prosecutor to avoid conflict of interest. Perhaps Mueller can do the job after he's done with his current investigation.

Mueller is a well known Clinton operative. I wouldn't put him in charge of an ant farm.

Is there anyone who ISN'T a Clinton operative in your estimation?

I mean, the President himself only a few short years ago praised both Hillary and Bill for their abilities and successes.



Is Mr. Trump really a "Clinton operative" too?

Talk about the Deep State*.



*of the feculent pile being shoveled here.

a reply to: Gryphon66

Congress is guided in its decision by the supreme justice. All 3 branches keep each other in check. It's not like Congress can decide stepping on an ant is a high crime or misdemeanor.

If Trump took money from Russians before the election, that's a donation, not a crime, let alone a high crime.

originally posted by: tulermank
a reply to: Gryphon66

Congress is guided in its decision by the supreme justice. All 3 branches keep each other in check. It's not like Congress can decide stepping on an ant is a high crime or misdemeanor.

If Trump took money from Russians before the election, that's a donation, not a crime, let alone a high crime.

You seem primarily intent on protecting Mr. Trump; my apologies, but that's just boring.

The fact is that Articles of Impeachment comes from the House, the trial is conducted in the Senate, overseen by the Chief Justice to be technically correct. There's no limitation on what constitutes "high crimes and misdemeanors" in the Constitution.

originally posted by: Gryphon66

originally posted by: tulermank
a reply to: Gryphon66

Trump cannot be impeached for crimes he did before becoming president. As for obstruction of justice, that's a long shot. Firing Comey for refusing to recuse himself and hiring a special prosecutor instead doesn't sound like obstruction of justice to me, or anyone else for that matter.

Well, aside from admitting that Trump probably committed crimes before assuming the Presidency, you may want to re-read the Constitution. The Congress decides what constitutes "high crimes and misdemeanors."

You don't speak for anyone else, and your opinion is merely your opinion.

And you speak for the very few in my humble opinion Gryphon or I hope so.

ETA

In fact I also think you speak for something that would be written about as a "foul bane".