...James does care about confirming the facts or whether it was someone else who raised the issue. She simply declares "this is an act of sedition. This president is engaging in illegality." This is consistent with James' raw politicization of her office. jonathanturley.org/2020/08/10/the…
...Many of us immediately denounced Flynn for his suggestion of martial law. jonathanturley.org/2020/12/03/fly… It was a shocking and reckless suggestion. However, not only would Congress and the courts bar such a declaration, but the military has declared that it would not play such a role
I have been writing for two years about Manafort's obvious pardon strategy. It just paid off. However, Manafort ranks as one of the least compelling candidates for pardon. He makes Marc Rich look like a pious, repentant petitioner. jonathanturley.org/2018/08/24/137…
...Manafort was convicted of crimes unrelated to the Russian investigation after a life of criminal, conspicuous consumption. He joins others on a virtual rogue's gallery of corrupt Beltway figures on the pardon list.
The pardoning of Jared Kushner's father is equally objectionable. Charles Kushner was convicted of preparing false tax returns, witness retaliation, and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. Kushner's pardon was the triumph of familial over legal criteria.
President Trump just issued new pardons, including for ex-Rep. Duncan Hunter. Prosecutors described Hunter as someone who"abused his position from the very beginning" of his political career." jonathanturley.org/2017/08/31/the…
In March of this year, the DOJ issued a statement on Hunter: “Rather than admit his guilt and resign his seat when the charges came to light, or even when he was originally charged, Hunter chose to mislead the more than 700,000 people who live in the 50th congressional district.”
...It added "As we now know, Hunter lied to the people about his guilt. Not once, but countless times." justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/f… That was just a few months before he was given a full pardon by the President.
Biden just mocked a reporter for asking about his son Hunter and seemed to say that stories are forms of "Russian disinformation." foxnews.com/politics/biden… A grand jury now appears to be a Russian hoax. I preferred the comedic to the ironic approach. jonathanturley.org/2020/12/18/com…
The Russian disinformation claim of figures like Adam Schiff has been debunked by U.S. intelligence and now the Justice Department. Yet, Biden mocked Peter Doocy for breaking the media embargo with a substantive question, saying "God love ya, man. You are a one-horse pony."...
...That "one trick" used to be called journalism back in the day when reporters doggedly demanded answers, particularly on questions like influence peddling. The tricks are a bit more complex and convert today. jonathanturley.org/2020/12/14/lar…
There are new reports discussing martial law and the possible appointment of Sidney Powell as a Special Counsel. jonathanturley.org/2020/12/03/fly… This is why the loss of Bill Barr as AG is so significant. He has been the stabilizing force in this Administration. jonathanturley.org/2020/12/17/bil…
I am confident Barr would refuse to appoint Powell as Special Counsel or to sign off on a martial law plan. Even if these reports are false, Barr was viewed as the reliable firewall for both Justice and the cabinet. He has only a few days left at DOJ, leaving a dangerous vacuum.
...The concern is not that there is a plan for martial law, which would quickly collapse in the courts. The concern is that the President is not receiving mature counsel from figures like Barr. That function will now fall entirely on White House Counsel Pat Cipollone.
Aa previously noted, the Congressional Medal of Honor recognizes brave corporals, not corporeal bravery. Just in case there is a need for the distinction, consider Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. jonathanturley.org/2020/12/16/for…
...Even as hyperbole, Woodhouse’s statement shows the level of spin required to dismiss this story, which is being buried by most of the media. Notably, Swalwell was particularly adamant to in calling for the investigation of an alleged Russian asset meeting with Don Trump Jr..
... Swalwell was also one of those calling for more investigations into an accused Russian asset seducing a NRA official. Indeed, at the time, Brad Woodhouse was not handing out CMHs but charges for a FEC investigation.
Sen. Johnson and Sen. Peters just went into a full contact exchange in the hearing on alleged voting fraud. Johnson accused Peters for falsely accusing him of spreading Russian disinformation that is now being investigation by the Justice Department.
...The fact is that the hearing has been very interesting to hear a full discussion of these allegations from both sides, including excellent contributions from Krebs to rebut the Dominion allegations. The Wisconsin counsel also offered some interesting points on rule changes.
...Krebs just suggested that his staff was asked take down or change his office's public statements on conspiracy theories and disinformation. He said that he was never directly to do so, but suggested that pressure may have been put on his staff.