(National Sentinel)Â Full Disclosure: Fired FBI Director James Comey told reporters on Friday after testifying — sort of — behind closed doors in front of two House committees that any claims he, the bureau, or the Justice Department abused the FISA courts in obtaining a warrant to spy on a Trump campaign official are “nonsense.”
But Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-N.C., isn’t buying that, and he has vowed to get to the bottom of what he believes was a series of FISA court abuses during the Obama administration’s “Spygate” scandal to spy on campaign adviser Carter Page.
“I look forward to having an in-depth discussion with former FBI Director Comey about his assertion that challenges against the FISA warrant process – based on the Steele dossier – are ‘nonsense,’†Graham said Saturday in response to Comey’s statement.
Graham is expected to take over the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The Daily Caller reported:
Republicans have accused the FBI and Justice Department of misleading FISA Court judges by relying heavily on the Steele dossier in applications for four warrants to spy on Page. They assert that the dossier was unverified when the FBI cited it extensively in its warrant applications and that the bureau failed to fully disclose that the dossier was the product of an opposition research project funded by the DNC and Clinton campaign.
The dossier, authored by former British spy Christopher Steele, accuses the Trump campaign of conspiring with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election. Page is featured prominently in the 35-page document but vehemently denies its allegations.
I look forward to having an in-depth discussion with former FBI Director Comey about his assertion that challenges against the FISA warrant process – based on the Steele dossier – are ‘nonsense.’https://t.co/cntpzQQFE5
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 8, 2018
Republicans have also called on POTUS Donald Trump to declassify several documents and email chains that appear to indicate that some members of the FBI and DoJ had concerns about relying on the dossier — which Comey and Obama knew was ‘opposition research’ paid for by the Hillary Clinton campaign — in order to obtain a FISA court warrant against Page.
Several GOP lawmakers have said they believe Comey’s FBI purposely mislead the FISA court in order to obtain the warrant, which was renewed at least three times — one of which was signed off by Comey.
As for Comey’s House testimony Friday, he was mocked by POTUS Trump on Twitter for “not recalling” details when asked by House members 245 times.
On 245 occasions, former FBI Director James Comey told House investigators he didn’t know, didn’t recall, or couldn’t remember things when asked. Opened investigations on 4 Americans (not 2) – didn’t know who signed off and didn’t know Christopher Steele. All lies!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2018
Leakin’ James Comey must have set a record for who lied the most to Congress in one day. His Friday testimony was so untruthful! This whole deal is a Rigged Fraud headed up by dishonest people who would do anything so that I could not become President. They are now exposed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2018
Ordinarily, we’d be skeptical about this. But clearly, Democrats destroyed any goodwill they had with him because of the way they attempted to destroy Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings earlier this fall, as evidenced by his expressed outrage during those hearings and a return to his conservative bona fides in the weeks since.
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Lindsay Graham vows…bla bla bla. Sound and fury signifying nothing.
Graham is just a loudmouth, does not have the courage or convictions. He is not serious. He has never mentioned or demanded that the DOJ act. That is where the action is.
There is plenty of evidence that laws were broken in the FISA anti-Trump fake dossier fiasco. We’ll see if Senator Graham can bring the culprits to justice, but the Deep State won’t stop fighting to protect and try to save it’s corrupt puppets. Go for it, Senator Graham! Gitmo is ready and waiting
Graham is deep state, supports any and all military operations.
I will believe it AFTER I see it happen. Until then, it is all bull$hit
Too Late Sen. Graham. The Dems have succeeded in running out the clock, again.
Any action against Dems by Repubs is only Kabuki Theater. Meanwhile the Dems may succeed in jailing your President. This is OK with you and your colleagues?
Repubs are going the way of the Whigs.
Say what? The RINOs and GOP have had two years of Congress and W.H. yet done nothing to bring the rule of Law back to our country.. next month, the House will be again ruled by the Socialists and Never-Trumpards. Becoming VERY hard to believe any of them want Justice…
You seem to have very little understanding of the House of Representatives and the Senate and the fact that the Senate can conduct its own investigation using all of the information gathered by the Republicans in the House. Now, if Graham is up to the task, he will insure that the Senate gets all the investigation materials from the House before January 1, so they do not have to re-invent the wheel come January when the Dems control the House.
There are 2 years of precedent showing that the anti-Trump RINO senate will not pursue justice. The senate spent much more time investigating Trump with the Burr witch hunt committee than the actual criminals. Burr intends to continue. Trump hater Ryan will not assist. He blocked subpoenas, impeachment and contempt votes, was the key Congressional obstacle to the investigation. Thinking that republicans are on our side lack a basis.
And of course Graham has never suggested serious DOJ action on the criminal scandals.
Give it up Lindsey – you guys had your chance and you blew it over and over again. You ain’t gonna get to the bottom of anything – the sooner you admit it to yourself the better.
I agree the FISA court warrants probably not what they’re supposed to be, but will that get anyone behind bars. I doubt it in Washington. Andy McCabe was apparently part of “insurance policy” but even though he was apparently referred to the Justice Dept. by the IG, Horowitz, that’s probably a year ago at least and I haven’t heard anything since. I think in congressional testimony, Andrew McCabe said the Steele dossier was an essential part of the FISA warrant applications, but it doesn’t look like that case is going anywhere. It doesn’t looks like anyone in the Justice Dept.… Read more »
The clock’s running. These guys are just in campaign mode, stirring up the base. The Democrats will not be charged with any of their crimes. The Republican Party has self-neutered, and they have no marbles.
Lindsey saw polls showing he is in trouble with his election in 2 years. So he is gong to make noise and play a conservative, but not well.
Excuse me Mr Graham? Did you in fact take 50,000 dollars from Hillary? And if you did, why would you care about this?