GOP Shifts From Russia Revelations To Attack On Leaks
Canada Goose online WASHINGTON When the top Republican and Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee announced earlier this month that it would investigate Russian interference in the canada goose outlet reviews 2016 election, the parameters of their probe clearly represented a compromise. The committee would investigate links between Russia and individuals associated with political campaigns. But it would also dig into the leaks of classified information that informed months of news stories about a separate FBI led probe of Russian intelligence officials and people affiliated with President Donald Trump. Canada Goose online
cheap Canada Goose The House panel canada goose outlet in chicago held the first public hearing canada goose outlet in toronto related to its probe on Monday, during which lawmakers had the opportunity to question FBI Director James Comey and National Security Agency head Adm. Michael Rogers. cheap Canada Goose
Rep. Tom Rooney (R Fla.) asked Rogers if The Washington canada goose parka uk Post’s bombshell report last month that former national security adviser Michael Flynn had discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Trump’s inauguration could damage national security. Rep. Rep.
canada goose clearance Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R Calif.)asked the FBI last month to investigate leaks to reporters, suggesting those leaks came from government officials loyal to former President Barack Obama. canada goose clearance
canada goose uk outlet The Obama administration charged nine individuals with disclosing classified information to journalists under the Espionage Act, more than all previous administrations combined, but it did not prosecute gooseoutletvip.com the journalists themselves. Some lawmakers, like King, have called for such prosecutions. But it has been generally agreed across partisan lines that journalists shouldn’t be charged with crimes for disclosing information in the public interest. canada goose uk outlet
Gowdy, however, noted canada goose coats uk on Monday that there isn’t a legal exception that allows reporters to divulge classified information. Comey responded that he couldn’t recall a reporter being prosecuted in his lifetime. response to it, he said such matters may not “rise to the level of a crime.” But “the felonious dissemination of classified material most definitely is a crime,” the congressman told Comey.
Canada Goose Parka Such arguments are especially troubling given that Attorney General Jeff Sessions declined during his confirmation hearing to rule out prosecuting journalists for doing their jobs. Canada Goose Parka
cheap canada goose uk The Republican lawmakers’ focus on leaks echoes the Trump administration’s tactic of repeatedly attempting to shift attention from the revelations in news reports such as the claim thatFlynn misled canada goose outlet in new york Vice President Mike Penceand, by extension, the American public to the fact that information was leaked to the news media. cheap canada goose uk
canada goose coats on sale “The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by ‘intelligence’ like candy,” Trump tweeted on Feb. 15 after The New York Times reported that members of his campaign team had repeated communication with Russian intelligence officials. canada goose outlet “Very un American!” canada goose coats on sale
Just ahead of Monday’s hearing, the president similarly tweeted:
The real story that Congress, the FBI and all others should be looking into is the leaking of Classified information. Must find leaker now!
Donald J.
canada goose black friday sale The GOP’s approach to Monday’s hearing sends a chilling message to journalists. It is also an early indication that the House Intelligence Committee is unlikely to fulfill a growing demand from lawmakers for a serious probe into Russian interference in last year’s election. canada goose black friday sale
Comey made two surprising revelations early in the hours long hearing: that the FBI is investigating links between the Trump team and Moscowand that there is no evidence that Obama wiretapped Trump Tower, as Trump alleged in a series of tweets. But few Republicans pressed the FBI director to elaborate on those disclosures unless it was in an attempt to discredit the conclusions.
Democrats on the committee went into the investigation skeptical that a body headed by Nunes, a member of Trump’s transition team, was capable of conducting a probe that could produce damning findings against the president. If the House committee’s effort were to unravel, however, it canada goose outlet toronto address would likely prompt calls for creation of a special select committee to canada goose jacket outlet store handle the investigation.
Five hours into Monday’s hearing, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D Md.) accused Republicans of focusing “on the false issue of leaks rather than asking serious questions about Russia’s assault on our democracy.”
buy canada goose jacket cheap “This further demonstrates that it is past time to establish a bipartisan, independent commission,” Hoyer said in a statement. “Our national security and the foundations of our system are at stake. buy canada goose jacket cheap
The House panel is set to hold another hearing on Russian election interference on March 28, when members will have the chance to canada goose outlet uk fake question former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates.
