Michael Atkinson transcript, just going to add notes about things I see. May take a while, there's 450 pages.
This is the first part, which is 151 pages.
intelligence.house.gov/wp-content/upl…
This is the first part, which is 151 pages.
intelligence.house.gov/wp-content/upl…
Michael Atkinson brought with him Robin Ashton and [REDACTED], good start.
He says he sent two letters to Schiff and Nunes on September 9, 2019 and September 17, 2019.
He says he sent two letters to Schiff and Nunes on September 9, 2019 and September 17, 2019.
"I am not authorised to discuss the specific or the general subject matter of the allegations at issue."
"I will not discuss any specific steps taken or any sources or methods..."
"I will not discuss any specific steps taken or any sources or methods..."
Complaint received on August 12, 2019.
14 calendar days of investigation.
14 calendar days of investigation.
On August 26, 2019, Michael Atkinson forwarded the details to the Acting Director of National Intelligence (Joseph Maguire, who was appointed August 16, 2019).
Michael Atkinson expected Joseph Maguire to pass on the details to Congress on or by September 2, 2019, but when that did not happen, Atkinson contacted Congress himself on September 9, 2019.
On September 13, 2019, Jason Klitenic (ODNI) sent a letter saying the complaint did not need to be disclosed after Maguire consulted with DOJ.
This led to Michael Atkinson's 2nd letter on September 17, 2019, where he disagreed with ODNI.
Michael Atkinson states he disagreed with DOJ conclusions.
Michael Atkinson keeps refusing to answer questions relating to White House classification or potential privilege.
Michael Atkinson says this particular complaint was the very first that matched the credibility of "urgent concern".
Michael Atkinson never spoke with Dan Coats (last day August 12, 2019).
Michael Atkinson said it was an urgent concern based entirely on his own decision.
Michael Atkinson, in his personal opinion, thinks the whistleblower would be under great personal risk if the whistleblower spoke with the committees.
Michael Atkinson says that Joseph Maguire did not know the identity of the whistleblower.
Michael Atkinson states nobody in his office was the source for either the NBC News or Washington Post articles at the time.
Redacted.
John Brennan's comments on the Obama "I will have more flexibility" comment, according to Dr. Wenstrup.
Ratcliffe questions.
Michael Atkinson talks about the 14 day period, whether he would charge somebody with a crime (so you would think he'd appreciate DOJ getting involved but whatever) and then says he refuses to talk sources and methods.
A small group of people saw this complaint.
A small group of people saw this complaint.
"I also just want to make one thing clear. As part of our 14-day preliminary review, we did not - our responsibility was not to corroborate every single point that was made or alleged."
Okay, but then you disagreed with everything?
Okay, but then you disagreed with everything?
Oh, the man of the hour.
Complainant has a lawyer.
More statements that nobody knew the name of the complainant.
Atkinson clarifies later - Acting DNI does not know the identity of the complainant, but people in the ODNI do.
Atkinson denies he and his office told anybody at ODNI the name of the complainant.
Michael Atkinson says he did not share any information to the DOJ that would have led them to the same conclusion he did as he did want to reveal sources and methods.
Sources and methods, sources and methods, sources and methods...
Sources and methods, sources and methods, sources and methods...
Ratcliffe takes a moment to point out that if an issue falls outside the jurisdiction of Michael Atkinson, then surely it must have been picked up by another IG.
Michael Atkinson says he did no investigation work and does not even know if what is being talked about is true.
The complainant was the one who told Michael Atkinson that people in ODNI knew his identity.
Michael Atkinson again denies his office as being responsible to leaking to two former officials leading to the NBC News and Washington Post articles.
The complainant told the ODNI people what he was planning on doing, then went to visit Michael Atkinson, then told Atkinson that he had done this, then requested confidentiality.
This is presumably the reason why Michael Atkinson said earlier that it is about public harm to the complainant. Apparently he knew the information since August 12, 2019.
Apparently the complainant's lawyer was not authorised to discuss classified information.
Off the record discussion.
Schiff wants Michael Atkinson to say that Trump is subject to SOMEBODY's jurisdiction when it comes to the various Inspector Generals.
Michael Atkinson reached out to DOJ 2 days before this testimony.
Complaint came in through the hotline, was not a walk-in.
Speier pushes Constitutional crisis line.
Castro rampantly revealing his bias.
Adam Schiff mistakes somebody for Stefanik.
Glad he's the Chairman during all of this.
Glad he's the Chairman during all of this.
Whoever since Stefanik lookalike is knows Michael Atkinson.
"I wrote the Acting DNI a letter, I believe - I am fairly certain I did - to let the Acting DNI know that if this was not - if this matter was not reported to the congressional Intelligence Committees by a certain date, then I would do it."
"I am also responsible for coordinating the activities of the Intelligence Community inspectors general forum."
Rudy Giuliani mention, Trump Tower Moscow mention, et cetera.
Okay, that's it for Part 1.
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