Thread by @TheLastRefuge2

1. Understanding "Spygate", the Big Picture.

[staying out of the weeds]

2. In the aggregate, the President Obama administration's "Spygate" (as it's being called) is not a difficult operation to understand.

3. As it originated, the intelligence apparatus, the Intelligence Community or "IC", both domestic and foreign, was used to conduct political opposition research against those who the former administration viewed as their *adversaries*.

4. It is what the political opposition research turned into that eventually becomes "Spygate".

5. The essential elements, the history of government using the intelligence apparatus to conduct political opposition research, is well established; so much so, it's no longer even debated. From FBI spying on MLK (60's) to the IRS sending 21 CD ROMS to the DOJ (2010).

6. The current "spygate" debate centers around the modern weaponization of that process using advances in technology for surveillance. See: Edward Snowden (NSA) *whistleblower* and/or even Reality Winner (NSA *contractor*) for a more modern context.

7. Oddly enough, the questions of "who", "what", "when" and "where", are not part of the argument. Even those defending the -clearly outlined and evidenced- activity cannot debate the events took place. They did.

8. The unresolved issue being debated is "why"?

9. Those who defend the action of IC surveillance on political opponents are reduced to saying government surveillance is necessary and it was done to protect the political target. It seems absurd, but that's their story/narrative and they're sticking to it.

10. This is where good old fashioned American common sense comes into play. If the IC objective was to protect their political opponent, then why didn't they protect their political ally with as much surveillance enthusiasm?

11. So here's a recap of how the process appears to have taken place. I shall endeavor to provide citations for every assertion of fact. The who, what, where and when. You can debate the "why". (Though the answer seems rather obvious)

12. In 2015 and 2016 political operatives within the intelligence community, known as *contractors*, as labeled by the IC and FISA Court, had "deliberate access" to NSA and FBI databases. scribd.com/document/34954…

13. In March 2017 the FISA Court, published a 99-page opinion (declassified w/ redactions in April '17) by Presiding FISA Court Judge Rosemary Collyer. In her opinion, Judge Collyer outlines the scope of the issue. scribd.com/document/34954…

14. According to Judge Collyer review, based on NSA compliance reporting, 85% of all database searches, "About Queries", that took place in 2015 through March 2016 (reporting period) were unauthorized unlawful violations of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

15. Access to these databases was how some people within the intelligence apparatus [FBI, DOJ-NSD (National Security Div) etc.] were doing political opposition research. This access was given to *contractors* by FBI and DOJ officials.

16. An example of a contractor doing this type of work was later identified as Daniel Richman, the unpaid contractor and personal friend hired by FBI Director James @Comey and granted special access (swipe cards etc.) to conduct "special projects". foxnews.com/politics/2018/…

17. While Richman might not have been paid by the FBI, the information he was able to extract would have been very valuable. "had a security clearance as well as badge access" ... "Richman’s portfolio included the use of encrypted communications".

18. The term *contractors* is all over the Sypgate story. Stefan Halper was a contractor; Christopher Steele was a contractor; Fusion GPS was a contractor; crowdstrike was a contractor; Oleg Deripaska was an FBI contractor. Nellie Ohr, contractor. Etc.

19. In March 2016, right as the GOP nomination was narrowing to Donald Trump, NSA Director Mike Rogers was alerted to a frequency *uptick* in unauthorized FISA-702 searches within the FBI and NSA database.

20. A quick review showed FISA 702(16) "To/From" and FISA 702(17) "About" were the two audit queries of concern. On April 18th NSA Director Mike Rogers shut down contractor access to the system and ordered a full compliance audit. scribd.com/document/34954…

21. Oh snap. APRIL 2016 - Now the Spygate race begins. The political operatives (contractors) who were dependent on access to the database for their oppo-research have to start getting creative. Take the time and review this graphic, it is a flow-chart of what happened.

22. Contractor FusionGPS and its founder, Glenn Simpson, is a solution. Glenn Simpson, Fusion GPS, Bruce and Nellie Ohr, become critical aspects of the next phase. They know each other and have worked collaboratively on projects for years. ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/…

23. On April 19th, 2016, the day after the FBI stopped allowing access to the FISA database, the wife of Fusion-GPS founder Glenn Simpson, Mary B Jacoby, went to the White House. white-house-logs.insidegov.com

24. After months of oppo research, including what appears to be access to FISA-702(17) “Search Queries“, the wife of Glenn Simpson (Fusion GPS), Mary B. Jacoby, with years of Russia-angled reporting –including Donald Trump– visits the White House 4/19/16 tabletmag.com/jewish-news-an…

25. Clinton Campaign hires FusionGPS April 2016.
Fusion GPS hires Nellie Ohr wife of DOJ-NSD Bruce Ohr.
Bruce Ohr has access to FBI/NSA database.
Bruce Ohr is #4 in DOJ
Bruce Ohr can hire contractors.
Fusion GPS then sub-contracts Christopher Steele.

26. In 2016 DOJ-NSD has no oversight. In 2015 the OIG requested oversight and Sally Yates responded with a lengthy 58-page legal explanation saying, essentially, ‘nope – not allowed.’ All of the DOJ is subject to oversight, except NSD.
see pdf -> ignet.gov/sites/default/…

27. Again, look at the flow chart noting the approximate timeline for #Spygate events.

28.
April '16 Clinton hires Chris Steele
May '16 Nellie Ohr gets HAM radio license.
June/July '16 FBI Agent Strzok meets w/Steele
June '16 FISA warrant denied (?)
July 31st '16 FBI counterintelligence op begins
Oct. '16 Strzok+Ohr meet w/Steele
Oct. 21st '16 FISA warrant granted

29. And all of this *activity*, doesn't yet even outline/involve the use of spies or intelligence agents, yet it is being sold as an operation to protect candidate Donald Trump from possible Russian interference with his campaign and the 2016 election?

30. #Spygate is an outcome of FBI/DOJ authorized contractors being impeded in their database access, and combined with 'Crossfire Hurricane' the need for the weaponized intelligence community to *justify* enhanced and targeted surveillance and political spy operations. /END

Addendum for clarity.

1. "Spygate" is the evolution of going from passive collection of opposition research to the active creation of something, "Russian Collusion", that didn't exist in the observation.