Just as GRAHAM says Sally Yates appeared to act properly, Trump says she has no credibility.
YATES is sworn in virtually. 
YATES says Obama on Jan. 5 explicitly said he didn't want to know any more about the substance of the investigation into Flynn but wanted to know whether he could continue to share sensitive information with the incoming administration.
YATES: "During the meeting, the president, the VP, the natsec adviser did not attempt to in any way to direct or influence any investigation."
"No such thing happened."
"No such thing happened."
GRAHAM keeps falsely saying that the FBI closed its Flynn case on Jan. 4 and Yates keeps reminding him that, no, the closure of the case was never effectuated and was in fact put on hold, in part because the FBI had learned of Flynn's calls with Kislyak.
NEW: Sally YATES used a Republican-led hearing to, under oath, counter claims that have become Trumpian gospel:
That Obama/Biden influenced the Flynn investigation, that there was no basis for the FBI to interview Flynn, and that Flynn was spied on.
politico.com/news/2020/08/0…
That Obama/Biden influenced the Flynn investigation, that there was no basis for the FBI to interview Flynn, and that Flynn was spied on.
politico.com/news/2020/08/0…
GRAHAM seemed to misunderstand what I think was Yates saying that Mifsud was connected to Russian intelligence.
The crosstalk was convoluted and he seemed to think she was saying Papadopoulos was connected to Russian intelligence.
The crosstalk was convoluted and he seemed to think she was saying Papadopoulos was connected to Russian intelligence.
SEN. KENNEDY: You don't like Donald Trump?
YATES: I don’t respect the manner in which he has carried out the presidency.
KENNEDY: Do you despise Donald Trump?
YATES: I don’t despise anyone.
YATES: I don’t respect the manner in which he has carried out the presidency.
KENNEDY: Do you despise Donald Trump?
YATES: I don’t despise anyone.
YATES emphasizes that the FBI didn't need an open investigation specifically against Flynn in order to interview him.
It already had the broader, open counterintelligence investigation (Crossfire Hurricane) on Russian interference.
It already had the broader, open counterintelligence investigation (Crossfire Hurricane) on Russian interference.
YATES agrees with Graham that there was "widespread system failure" in the Carter Page FISA warrant process.
She has repeatedly said any officials who intentionally altered docs or misled the FISA court should be punished for it.
She has repeatedly said any officials who intentionally altered docs or misled the FISA court should be punished for it.
NOTABLE: Trump began the hearing urging Republicans to ask Yates whether she leaked the Flynn call.
No Republican asked her.
No Republican asked her.
