The office of Special Counsel John Durham has confirmed that Igor Danchenko, a key source for British ex-spy Christopher Steele, has been arrested. This is the third arrest by Durham who is moving toward the prosecution stage of his investigation into the origins of the Russian collusion scandal. Durham is variously described as either painfully methodical or positively glacial as a prosecutor. But he is widely credited with being a dogged and absolutely apolitical prosecutor. Danchenko’s arrest is a seismic development and confirmed Durham is far from done with his investigation.
Washington was recently rocked by the indictment of Michael Sussmann, former counsel for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee, for his alleged role in spreading a false Russia conspiracy theory.
Now Danchenko is being charged with five counts of making false statements.
Danchenko is widely referenced as the sub-source for former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele for his controversial dossier. That dossier, funded by the Clinton campaign, served as the basis for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants against Trump campaign aide Carter Page.
Danchenko told the FBI that the dossier was “unsubstantiated” and said that Steele asked him to look for any “compromising” information on Trump. Mr. Danchenko worked for the Brookings Institution, a liberal Washington think-tank that often produced reports critical of Trump.
Danchenko is not someone who immediately comes across as an apex defendant — the highest target in an investigation. He was a key source used by others to advance false or unsubstantiated claims against Trump. He is the type of defendant that prosecutors pressure to flip against those who retained him or used him in this effort. In other words, he strikes me as someone who can be used as a building block to apex defendants.
Potential apex targets above him in the investigation range from Steele himself to Clinton general counsel Marc Elias to Clinton campaign officials.
The indictment circles around an unnamed figure called PR-Executive-1 who was a close Clinton adviser who held high positions in the Democratic party and prior Clinton campaigns. Most embarrassing are references to the Clinton adviser meeting with possible Russian intelligence figures and other Russian sources, including this line:
PR Executive-1 gifted to Russian Sub-Source-1 an autobiography of Hillary Clinton, which he signed and inscribed with the handwritten message, “To my good friend [first name of Russian Sub-Source-1], A Great Democrat.”
That is one book I think Hillary Clinton would like back.
The indictment describes the individual in this way:
“PR Executive-1 had served as (1) chairman of a national Democratic political organization, (2) state chairman of former President Clinton’s 1992 and 1996 presidential campaigns, and (3) an advisor to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 Presidential campaign. Moreover, beginning in or about 1997, President Clinton appointed PR Executive-! to two four-year terms on an advisory commission at the U.S. State Department. With respect to the 2016 Clinton Campaign, PR Executive-! actively campaigned and participated in calls and events as a volunteer on behalf of Hillary Clinton.”
There is no indication if Durham has possible evidence of criminal acts by those figures but there is every indication that he is not done by a long shot with this investigation.
Here is the indictment: Danchenko indictment
The Horowitz investigation flat out said even without the Steele dossier not to investigate Russian involvement would have been a derelict of Duty. Horowitz also said he found no evidence of a deep state. The Mueller investigation said that Russian involvement was widespread and systematic. The Mueller investigation also said it’s swayed the election in Trump’s favor. The intelligence agencies also found widespread Russian involvement. Still calling it a Witch Hunt it’s just a total lack of basic common sense. Russia’s involvement in our elections is it complete danger to our democracy. They might have the most repulsive narcissistic pathological liar who didn’t do a peaceful transition to the presidency with the most debunked proven lie a voter fraud the cause of embarrassing attack on the United States capitol and a direct assault on the most secure election ever again undermining our democracy. Then causing a powder keg of hate that is going to get more people killed.
This is me
I would think this would be the hottest story in the media, with 24/7 coverage about this. But it’s not. It’s barely talked about, despite 4 years of hearing about Russia and Trump colluding together to steal the election. Turns out it’s probably all lies and propaganda, so I guess that’s why the media won’t talk about it: it’s bad for business.
Triplei says:
“I would think this would be the hottest story in the media, with 24/7 coverage about this. But it’s not. It’s barely talked about, despite 4 years of hearing about Russia and Trump colluding together to steal the election. Turns out it’s probably all lies and propaganda, so I guess that’s why the media won’t talk about it: it’s bad for business.”
Fox News, Newsmax and OAN talk a lot about the Durham witch-hunt. Like you said, “it’s probably all lies and propaganda,” but it’s good for business!
Durham is engaged in a witch hunt
https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.qrt0LrYQzgGgF1B-k-5X6wHaD4&pid=Api&f=1
If Podesta isn’t sweating profusely, he’s in for a rude awakening. Let’s hope this all leads to the person who authorized — “and wanted to know everything about” — Crossfire Hurricane: Barack Hussein Obama.
Isn’t this a classic prisoner’s dilemma, with Durham raising the ante here on members of the conspiracy who might be tempted to defect?The crimes that he has charged are in each case an illegal overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy. As I understand, anyone who might be ultimately convicted of that conspiracy would also be culpable for these crimes. So members of the conspiracy are suddenly facing 30+ years in prison.
In the indictment, Clinton’s PR guy says he believes that one of the Russian diplomats he was working with on this was an FSB officer. Why was the Clinton campaign working with the Russian embassy at all?
It seems many here think a Grand Jury indictment is a joke. The joke is that Federal Grand Jury’s have a 98% conviction rate.
Since the 1980’s Durham swore a constitutional Oath of Office loyalty oath to follow constitutional due process. So far it seems like he is a loyal guy. That supreme loyalty oath prohibits guilt-by-association that many other prosecutors violate. Prosecutors take no other oaths, only to follow the U.S. Constitution.
When prosecutors are disloyal to their oath it create a “Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine”. When that happens a prosecutor must legally report that illegal cheating to a judge and the Attorney General, usually resulting in a suppression hearing. I’m sure Durham hasn’t done that!
Cranston says:
“Since the 1980’s Durham swore a constitutional Oath of Office loyalty oath to follow constitutional due process. So far it seems like he is a loyal guy. That supreme loyalty oath prohibits guilt-by-association that many other prosecutors violate. Prosecutors take no other oaths, only to follow the U.S. Constitution.”
As did Robert Mueller and all the lawyers and investigators on his team. but that did not stop Trump and his followers smearing them as the corrupt “Deep State.” So much good was their swearing an Oath.
Why should I not distrust Durham just as much as Trumpists distrusted Mueller?
Because Weinstein was Mueller’s #2 guy and Weinstein is so dishonest and crooked that the Courts tossed two major convictions prior to Russiagate. Because Mueller would not know the truth of his oath if it dropped on his head: Obama had an illegal “kill list” to which Obama added the names of two American citizens both named Anwar Al-Awlaki (father and son.) Obama incinerated both, the son being only a 16 year old child, without judicial review of any kind and without criminal charge.
Shortly after Obama incinerated the American child in the ME (Yemen IIRC) then FBI-Chief Mueller told Obama he can do the same on American soil.
Do you agree Obama committed felony murder of an American child and that Mueller approved of the murder, or do you deny such claim? What exact language in the Constitution allows such Kill List and incineration without judicial charge?
After Mueller submitted his final Russiagate report, he said he had not “exonerated” Trump. The police and the FBI never “exonerate” anyone. All they do is charge or not charge.
Fraud and incumbent Trump should hang his face in shame for losing the election, stop lying claiming he won and ask for forgiveness for his past lies.
Had the prosecutor been just a little less methodical and a little more …quick…. the debacle of 6-Jan would not uave happened. Well… because Trump would still be President
Jameson says:
“Had the prosecutor been just a little less methodical and a little more …quick…. the debacle of 6-Jan would not uave happened. Well… because Trump would still be President.”
According to Q, I thought you guys believe Trump still IS President? Or have I got that wrong? Please advise.
So it turns out there was Russia collusion — with Clinton, to frame Trump.
And as night follows day, as the Left accuses, so it’s doing.
Sam says:
“So it turns out there was Russia collusion — with Clinton, to frame Trump.”
The Durham Investigation is a Deep State Hoax, you moron. Don’t you believe in the Deep State? You Trumpists have been complaining about it for years. I believe it now. The Durham Investigation is a witch-hunt just like the Mueller Investigation. Don’t be a sap.
Why, with all the time, money, resources, etc, could the Mueller investigation find NOTHING tying Hillary Clinton’s campaign to Russia collusion? Hmmmm. It’s just a mystery.
Good point. Gee, it’s almost like it was a sham investigation from the get go…..
First, this is all happening too late. Why has this taken so long?
Second, why do the “news organizations” that received Pulitzers for this story continue to exist? They should have apologized by now for having been duped. They are pure propagandists and should be forced to shut their doors.
Thirdly, why is Christopher Wray or anyone else even tangentially associated with this rogue persecution not forced to resign in disgrace?
Lastly, this is all a waste of time if Hillary and her minions and Comey and anyone who had hand in signing a FISA warrant do not die in prison.
Time to play hardball. Fire anyone even remotely associated with this case and put the principle actors in prison to rot and die.
Stratton expresses his rage:
“Time to play hardball. Fire anyone even remotely associated with this case and put the principle actors in prison to rot and die.”
Have you always been this like this or do Leftists just bring it out in you?
“principal”
Ron: thank you. I smile again at Mr. Jeff.
(although silberman was quoting “Eric”—still, silberman missed it.)
Anonymous says:
“although silberman was quoting “Eric”—still, silberman missed it.)”
I was under the impression it was considered small ball to point out and correct misspellings and typos. We give Turley a pass for his constant stream of mistakes in his articles which he does not bother to proofread before posting,
Lin says:
“principal”
Ron: thank you. I smile again at Mr. Jeff.”
Just for the record, I did not make that misspelling. I was quoting someone who had.
It is not about rage, but a desire for justice. A corrupt cabal of politicians and bureaucrats have worked against our Republic, with the help of a compliant media that has lost its way. This should concern all Americans.
Severe punishment is merited! Not merely for the sake of vengeance, but to serve as a deterrent to the next group of sociopaths who try to engineer a coup against a duly elected President.
Eric: nice comment, thank you!
Stratton says:
“Severe punishment is merited! Not merely for the sake of vengeance, but to serve as a deterrent to the next group of sociopaths who try to engineer a coup against a duly elected President.”
I feel the same way as you do except about lying Trumpists. At least we share the same sense of outrage if not the same targets of our rage!
with the help of a compliant media that has lost its way.
The “media” is nothing but Democrat operatives with a by-line. The have only one agenda. Pushing the leftist narrative.
We know from the DNC emails, the leftists have dozens of propaganda scribes that will eagerly publish something written by the Democrats and attach their personal by-line.
In the Russia hoax, the media were players, not dupes.
Dozens of times “leaked” information was soon proven wrong. Has the media, even once burned their source for the phony intel? No. The lined up to be next to publish the next phony leak.
Iowan2 says:
“In the Russia hoax, the media were players, not dupes.
Dozens of times “leaked” information was soon proven wrong. Has the media, even once burned their source for the phony intel? No. The lined up to be next to publish the next phony leak.”
And the same could be and will be said of the hoax that Durham is perpetrating and being propagandized by Fox News, Newsmax, OAN and the other Alt-Right websites pushing this scam. If you can play that game, so can the Left.
Thanks to you lying Trumpists, nothing and no one is believable anymore. It’s utter chaos.
So true.
Once they got Trump out and could be pretty sure plug’s AGINO (Attorney General In Name Only) wouldn’t actually prosecute any of these people, they are going through the motions and can say “they addressed it.”
Sadly, you are probably correct.
Turley says:
“Danchenko’s arrest is a *seismic* development and confirmed Durham is far from done with his investigation.”
(My emphasis)
Turley says:
“Washington was recently *rocked* by the indictment of Michael Sussman…”
(My emphasis)
This sensationalism, that is, the words “seismic” and “rocked,” has been paid for by Fox News, Turley’s company. I don’t know it’s a fact, but I know it’s true that Turley has never described any surprising developments concerning Trump employing the hyperbolic words “rocked” and “seismic.”
As we all know, big money makes one say and do things one really ought not to say or do. Sadly, Turley is no exception. It’s becoming apparent that he is no longer an impartial and unbiased legal commentator; rather, he is ineluctably resigning himself to be a Fox propagandist.
Does Hillary pay you? Or, do you do her bidding for free?
Eric asks:
“Does Hillary pay you? Or, do you do her bidding for free?”
Like Turley, I don’t defend persons or organizations for free.
Jeffsilberman: shame on you. If you do not like Turley’s blogs, please go elsewhere. The only “sensationalism” involved here is the pseudo-perception that you know what you are talking about. I smile each time I come across one of your comments
Lin says:
“Jeffsilberman: shame on you. If you do not like Turley’s blogs, please go elsewhere. The only “sensationalism” involved here is the pseudo-perception that you know what you are talking about. I smile each time I come across one of your comments.”
If you don’t like my comments, why don’t YOU go elsewhere because I’m staying. Got it?
I understand that my exposing Turley’s hypocrisies makes you uncomfortable.
Don’t try to cancel me. Give me more speech. Make Turley proud of you!
Dear jeffsilberman: Unlike you, I don’t return to comb through all the comments every few hours on a daily basis, rudely disparaging anyone who disagrees with your pseudo-condescension. You seldom offer an intelligent, thoughtful point, it’s mostly your anti-Trump nonsense. Others have pointed out your silly posts; I merely join them. Unless you can add some substantive content to your posts, I would suggest that it is you who should move on. Fragile ego, perhaps?
Lin throws down the gauntlet:
“You seldom offer an intelligent, thoughtful point, it’s mostly your anti-Trump nonsense. Others have pointed out your silly posts; I merely join them. Unless you can add some substantive content to your posts, I would suggest that it is you who should move on.”
I don’t suffer Trumpist fools gladly, but
since you asked, behold one of my substantive comments IF your fragile constitution can handle it:
————-
Natacha says:
“Pick a side and stick with it. Turley has picked a side–Trump–but he still wants to try to keep his finger in, I guess, by criticizing Trump for, by way of example, lying about his father being born in Germany.”
I believe that Turley knows that Trump is a fraud, but he works for Fox so he can’t say so if he wants to retain his job. I was doing some research and I discovered this interesting article about Turley from over 20 years ago:
https://www.gwhatchet.com/1998/08/24/as-seen-on-tv/
Certainly, not the same Turley then as today who appears on Fox for less than 5 minutes simply to buttress legally whatever Hannity, Carlson or Ingraham are lying about.
Indeed, Turley’s Fox sell-out is not going over well at GW:
https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/12/17/jonathan-turleys-trump-takes-are-not-going-over-very-well-at-gw-law/
This shaming at GW might explain why Turley is pre-occupied with defending every Conservative academic anywhere from any repercussions for anything they have ever said! He may be feeling the heat himself.
Turley tries not to pick a side in order to hold himself out as objective and impartial. Though he has criticized Trump, Turley never criticizes Fox’s journalism nor Newsmax nor OAN. He unmistakably has picked a side when it comes to the media. I suppose he would simply say that he is just doing his job st Fox because he has no other credible explanation for his blind spot.
I anticipate that he will eventually have to take a side on Trumpism. The day will come when those at Fox will demand that he endorse the Big Lie publicly or insist he claim Trump’s criminal prosecution is a “witch-hunt.” Silence will not do. You are either with them 100% or against them.
Turley won’t do either, and he’ll depart quietly. However, he will never wash off the stench of having had a hand in enabling Fox’s lies by giving them legal cover, by profiting from Fox’s marketing of rage, and by his craven refusal to condemn Trump’s Big Lie.
Despite his life long advocacy that good speech is the best antidote to bad speech, when it mattered most to do so, Turley spoke not.
——————-
Lin,
Instead of telling me to just go away, why don’t you TRY to provide your “good speech” to rebut my “bad speech” as Turley would insist?
Silberman, I love it. This must be your first comment without the phrase “lying Trumpist.” And I thought you were a one-trick pony.
Bob compliments me:
“Silberman, I love it. This must be your first comment without the phrase “lying Trumpist.” And I thought you were a one-trick pony.”
“Lying Trumpist” is redundant. All Trumpists ARE goddamn liars because they push the Big Lie.
Do you believe the election was stolen? Well, do you?
One thing I remember about the Mueller investigation is that Mueller did not actually sit down with Trump to ask him questions. So he never had the opportunity to lie under oath. Durham also did not ask Trump to sit down and ask him questions. So I am unimpressed with an indictment which says someone lied about Trump without Trump being forced to undergo the same risk about topics he has lied about repeatedly.
Yet you can’t name one lie.
Dems seem to be having trouble with their left wing prosecutors. Mueller produced a tasteless nothing burger and AG James seems to be abandoning her task for loftier goals.
At some point you need to realize you’ve been played. Nearly everything you’ve been told by the dems was propaganda.
Greg says:
“At some point you need to realize you’ve been played. Nearly everything you’ve been told by the dems was propaganda.”
And virtually everything said by Trump was a blatant lie. Life sucks and then you die.
Durham is a Deep State Political Hack! If he had a modicum of integrity he could, would and should have made the indictments prior to the fraudulent Election and save America from the Communist insurgency. His investigation was nothing more than political theater produced by the criminal and treasonous William Barr to placate the masses during the cabal.
Hope your wrong about Durham but your argument is valid. Seems like it is taking way too long.
Ed says:
“Hope your wrong about Durham but your argument is valid. Seems like it is taking way too long.”
The search for Truth takes half the time it does to manufacture a HOAX.
It is hard to fathom why this took so long.
It will have been a giant waste of time if Hillary and her crew and Comey and the FISA signers do not spend large periods of time incarcerated.
No one outside of right wing media thinks John Durham is an apolitical prosecutor. He was appointed by Barr to carry Trump’s water and distract from Trump’s crimes, and that is what he is doing here.
It would be like saying Turley is apolitical.
Get a mirror, Justin.
Mespo says:
“Get a mirror, Justin.”
What have you mind? You gonna cut some lines?
Jeff, I have been away for a while. Hope you are doing well. Not going to comment on subject matter. But, I enjoyed your cocaine reference.
Hi Paul! How ya doin? Yeah, I can’t help acting like a bit of a troll. Can’t be serous all the time. Good to hear from you!
Playing the Troll….and admitting it….now we know for sure to just skip right over every one of your posts from now on….assuming one has not done that already.
Ralph says:
“Playing the Troll….and admitting it….now we know for sure to just skip right over every one of your posts from now on….assuming one has not done that already.”
Most lying Trumpists would have figured that out without my having to admit it. I hope you do skip over my posts because you are too obtuse to realize I was busting balls. I can’t be serious all the time.
The only balls you are busting with your comments are your own.
Don’t want to get into a big back and forth. Trying to keep it light. But let’s just say having a World Series victory parade today in the town that gutless Manfred moved the All Star game out of , the Colts covering last night and the election results from Tuesday, so far I am having a GREAT week!!!
Good for you!
Yeah – like barr was SUCH a Trump supporter!! LOL!!
Marc E. Elias @marceelias tweeted:
‘Jonathan Turley is the Mike Lindell of Alan Dershowitz’s’
To which @mrddmia replied:
‘And @marceelias is the @MichaelAvenatti of Democrat election lawyers’
“And @marceelias is the @MichaelAvenatti of Democrat election lawyers’”
*********************
Beautiful!
Right on!! Has avenatti started on his latest trial, yet?
Marc E. Elias @marceelias tweeted:
‘Jonathan Turley is the Mike Lindell of Alan Dershowitz’s’
Turley has insinuated illegal and unethical conduct on Elias’ part and Elias has pushed back with these I’ll-mannered taunts.
Apparently, there is some bad blood between them to which we are not privy. Turley has made it a point to point his finger at Elias in numerous articles, and Elias is not taking it lying down.
I don’t know who to trust.
You don’t know who to trust?
As your illegit senile prez would say, Come on, man.
Elias is a slimy sleezy who worked with Hillary to spread the lie that Trump stole the election by colluding with Russia. It was all a LIE.
But you just don’t know who to trust. You should be embarrassed.
Alan Dershowitz’s what?
“Think of all the lies and crimes we’ve learned about in the last 4 years that were the foundation of the entire Russian collusion hoax perpetrated against us by our own government.
And then think about the number of DOJ/FBI whistleblowers who came forward to tell the truth: 0.
Remember this next time someone tells you DOJ and FBI are perfectly fine institutions and the only problem is with a handful of people in leadership. Not one whistleblower in the entire agency stepped forward to disclose what they were doing. Not one.”
~@seanmdav
Never EVER ever say ONE word to an FBI agent who comes knocking on your door, except for: “LAWYER, I want a lawyer.”
The FBI is *full* of corrupt. lying pieces of you-know-what. (see Andrew McCabe, James Comey, Bob Mueller, ET AL)
PROVE me wrong.
Same goes for the corrupt, politicized Biden DOJ under Merrick Garland who doubled down after labeling parents DOMESTIC TERRORISTS.
We are coming for YOU, Garland.
seanmdav says:
“Remember this next time someone tells you DOJ and FBI are perfectly fine institutions and the only problem is with a handful of people in leadership. Not one whistleblower in the entire agency stepped forward to disclose what they were doing. Not one.”
Correct. You can’t trust Durham’s Deep State DOJ and FBI. It’s a witch hunt!
Silberman garbage will always be garbage.
Jeff, Who are you??????
Trolls need to be left to starve. Its been working well for a week or so.
Iowsn2 says:
“Trolls need to be left to starve. Its been working well for a week or so.”
What’dya mean? You Trumpists have convinced me about the Deep State! Durham and his DOJ and FBI thugs have entrapped Sussman and Danchencko. Durham is conducting a witch-hunt just like the Mueller investigation. I get it now!
Seriously, I’ve seen the light!
Iowan2:
“Trolls need to be left to starve. Its been working well for a week or so.”
****************************
Really has.
Mike Mike asks:
“Jeff, Who are you??????”
I’m crazy, and it’s the one thing for which I’m not taking pills…..
And then think about the number of DOJ/FBI whistleblowers who came forward to tell the truth: 0.
This is the observation I have had for years. It all started for me when the FBI was exposed for lying to the FISA court. Those warrant requests go through a lengthy internal approval system. It was all short circuited to spy on a political campaign and then the President of the United States. Not a single DoJ are FBI low level grunt saw the need to call attention to the violation of laws.
Yes it is always a good idea to get lawyer when talking to law enforcement. Double with the FBI that has motivation to doctor their 302’s to advance what ever hidden agenda they are working towards.
Any guesses who the PR Executive 1 is….two minutes of research surfaced a very likely candidate whose Bio read almost identical to that of the Indictment.
Forget Google….or Safari….or the other Big Tech Search engines……they showed nothing or took you to a now closed page at a particular firm’s website.
FOX named the guy last night. I forgot his name already