In a bizarre exchange this week with former State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) was confronted with his relentless promoting of the now debunked Steele dossier in prior years. Schiff surprisingly declared “First of all, whoever lied to the FBI or Christopher Steele should be prosecuted, and they are.” (It is actually not a crime to lie to Christopher Steele under 18 U.S.C. 1001. It is a crime to lie to federal investigators). It was a curious statement from someone who attacked the appointment of the Special Counsel and, with other leading Democrats, did his level best to kill the investigation. If it had been left to Schiff, there would have been no John Durham and no Durham indictments.
I have been writing about the Durham investigation for two years and the need to look into serious questions linking Clinton associates with the advancement of false claims of collusion. There was a constant barrage of ridicule and abuse for those writing on the investigation. Members and legal experts lined up to claim that there was nothing to be found and that Mueller had already revealed all that needed to be known about the scandal. The recent investigations, of course, disprove those attacks by detailing new evidence of a coordinated and concerted effort by the Clinton campaign to create this scandal.
Schiff previously claimed that he had direct evidence of collusion in his Committee despite Mueller finding no such evidence to support criminal charges. Schiff however has never produced that evidence.
Durham has now shown how Clinton associates engineered the scandal and may have even been the true sources for the most salacious details in the dossier. In 2017, American intelligence said that it believed that the dossier may have been used by Russian intelligence to spread disinformation.
Schiff opposed Durham while insisting that Mueller should be allowed to continue his own investigation. Judging from the three indictments by Durham, it is now clear why Democrats sought to kill the investigation.
Schiff told MSNBC that ongoing investigations would constitute “tearing down our democracy” and would serve as a way to “delegitimize” a president. This also included any continued investigation of the Hunter Biden scandal. Schiff denounced the Durham investigation as a “politically motivated” effort despite the fact that Durham suspended any public actions before the election to avoid even the appearance of political manipulation. He resisted demands from Trump to issue a report before the election.
Schiff raised the termination of the Durham investigation by Attorney General Garland before Durham could issue any indictments or reports. He added “The appointment is not consistent with the language of the statute that he’s relying on and can be rescinded, I think, by the next attorney general. I would presume the next attorney general will look to see if there is any merit to the work that John Durham is doing.”
On the campaign trail, Biden also dismissed the “investigation of the investigators.”
Likewise, then Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), sent a letter to Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz to demand the investigation of Durham as a possible political shill. She was joined by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
Notably, the letter from the senators in 2020 raised one of the greatest concerns for Democrats about this investigation: any Special Counsel report. These were the same members demanding not just the release of the Mueller report but some even wanted the release of the unredacted report (including grand jury information that cannot be publicly disclosed absent a court order). However, in 2020 they wanted to kill any report by Durham: “In addition, it remains unclear what rules and authority permit the public release of a ‘report’ by U.S. Attorney Durham, raising additional concerns about the legitimacy of his appointment and work.”
Many of the same members and pundits continued to mock the Durham investigation even after his first indictment. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow (who was one of the chief promoters of the Steele dossier) even called upon fired FBI Special Agent Peter Strzok to discredit the latest indictment.
For his part, Schiff’s sudden belief that people need to be prosecuted over the Steele dossier would be more compelling if he had not done all that he could to end the investigation that uncovered such alleged crimes.
This is all quite swampy, of course. However, Schiff has long been assuring the public that there is nothing to see here and that rodents of unusual size do not reside in this particular swamp:
It seems Turley is being, as usual, a bit disingenuous with his characterization of what Schiff is saying. While Schiff’s statement was a bit odd it bears keeping in mind that he may have misspoken and in turn that statement is being exploited for a bit of sensationalist journalism.
Schiff stating that anyone who lied to the FBI should be prosecuted. That’s par for the course. Michael Flynn certainly was and he admitted guilt in court twice.
Durham’s investigation may turn out a few superficial findings or mistakes that could be just policy violations. Nothing really substantive may come of it.
On one hand it seems that Turley is creating the narrative that there was some sort of collusion to create a scandal but as conservatives and Turley himself have said many times, collusion is not a crime. The mueller report was not complete due to trump’s various obstruction of Justice shenanigans and let’s not forget AG Barr’s own “summary” prior to Mueller’s report. What if Garland ends up doing the same thing? Providing his own “summary” in lieu of the full report wouldn’t be out of bounds.
Svelaz,
Dear Boy….conspiracy is a crime….and if that conspiracy is to concoct a false allegation of collusion by someone who is completely innocent and that conspiracy leads to others committing overt criminal acts…..guess what!
Each person involved in that conspiracy is guilty of…..conspiracy…..and every other underlying crime.
Schiff does not mis-speak….he is congenital liar and does so with malice aforethought.
To deny that or try to mitigate that only goes to show your complete and utter inability to analyze and understand what you see, read, and hear.
Ralph Chappell,
That’s, ummm, cute. In order to level the charge of conspiracy you first have to prove intent. Allegations based on hearsay is not proof of intent. Mere possibility is not enough to charge anyone with conspiracy unless you can provide irrefutable proof that there was intent to commit a crime. An allegation even if false is not a crime. It’s just an allegation. Second. Trump is not completely innocent here. He is also a well established liar. Just by those two criteria it is not nearly enough to even consider a charge. The burden of proof to charge anyone with conspiracy is pretty darn high.
The burden of proof to charge anyone with conspiracy is pretty darn high.
And yet you and your ilk do it every single day to Professor Turley and anyone not of your political stripe. Funny that. But dont let integrity nor moral fortitude stop you. Carry on
Estovir, just because the burden of proof is high doesn’t mean one shouldn’t try to provide it. Turley is fair game and most importantly he’s not immune to criticism just because he chooses to make his views known. Turley has on many occasions been quite a hypocrite and he’s fair game on being called out on it.
Schiff was the lead prosecutor in the first impeachment trial of Donald Trump. If Schiff used evidence that he knew or should have known was false, he may have some problems in the near future.
knew or should have known was false, he may have some problems in the near future.
Not sure what jeopardy your are thinking ?
Impeachment investigations are untethered from the Judicial Branch. They are free to lie all they want. The only check is voters.
If legal consequences could be applied, it would be to the IG that wrote up the anonymous whistleblower. An IG report of hearsay. Its criminal, unfortunately walled off from Judicial scrutiny.
How to catch a cunning, crafty, Schiffty pest……Problem solved!
Check out this unconventional trap from Japan. You can let the pest live or kill it. Every US household should have this. Get everything you’re entitled to….If Biden’s build back better bill passes.
(OT) Rittenhouse Trial
Wisconsin has a strange process for conducting criminal trials. First, the defense presents its case.
Thank the Founders for the American system of jurisprudence — in this case, as a bulwark against mob “justice.”
Likewise, then Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), …. was joined by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
If only these circus clowns did their acrobatic routine without a net.
Schiff is one of the slimiest snakes in the swamp. He should be locked in solitary with Baby Shark playing on a loop.
“Schiff however has never produced that evidence.”
You mean his say-so is not good enough for you? What are you, a domestic terrorist? A white supremacist/conspiracy theorist? Perhaps just a generic enemy of the state?
I see a reeducation camp in your future.
Is the Democratic party trying to derail this investigation because they’re afraid of where Durham will arrive, or because they know where he’ll arrive? Is the whole party implicated in this scandal and cover up? We may not need Trump in 2024 — Durham may bring down the party by himself.
Adam Schiff is a demonic Democrat. It is extremely disconcerting that he has been elected as a member of Congress. Is there a Code of Ethics for members of Congress? Let’s hope that he will not be re-elected.
Let’s hope that Durham keeps working steadfastly to uncover more and more and takes the trajectory to the top. The Clintons have gotten away with too much for too long. Apart from the criminal prosecutions that we will see, it would be interesting to see a civil defamation case brought against the “collusion crew.” Under the New York Times v Sullivan standard, it should be relatively easy to prove “actual malice.”
Taxpayers have paid a huge price for these shenanigans. Now let the “collusion crew” pay.
Love the reference to Rodents of unusual size. So Appropriate for Washington DC. Of course Adam Schiff would be the Godzilla of this rodent class. I would love to see Mr. Schiff leading himself away in manacles. He repeatedly and brazenly lied to the American people about his “evidence”. Of course he was not alone.
We (the taxpayers) spent a lot of money (without being able to choose the best product for the money) on an incomplete investigation done by Mr. Mueller. He would not respond on the issues that caused the 4-year disruption of the last presidency. Of course we are still spending money and hope that our product is better–But at least it is (IMHO) disrupting this presidency. Adam Schiff is so self-righteous sitting on his throne saying: I have the evidence. Well, where is the evidence? I have the evidence. And now he is being brought out in the limelight and wants to go after those who lied! Adam, take a number. How about #1.
Schiff is amoral. For 4 years he knowingly lied about Trump, Page, Flynn, and the entire Trump administration. He created an entirely fake dialogue about a Trump phone call, actually concocting it on the floor of Congress. Schiff lied in almost all of his statements almost nightly on television in his interviews. He has provided false witness against so many people. Those who elected him are equally amoral
Democrats have no moral compass and for them it’s entirely about doing whatever it takes to retain power and massacre your political enemies. How has the US ended up with the most corrupt of government, with a President whose disgusting, corrupt son and family make millions off the American people, a President who everyday lies about himself, his intentions, and his policies – whether he knows he’s lying or not, and an entirely corrupt political party called the Democrats running Congress?
Schiff lied to everyone when he promised he had proof of Russia collusion. Shouldn’t he be prosecuted for withholding it from the Mueller investigation?
Yeh Clinton Machine remains untouchable.
Schiff is cornered, like a RAT, he knows Durham is closing in on the Nest of RATS and now calls for those who lied be prosecuted, perhaps he should look in the mirror for liars. Suggest on the next Durham move the RATS and CLinton/Deep State Crowd will really hit the PANIC button. Suspect if they have not hired Lawyers they SHOULD.
Schiff says: “First of all, whoever lied to the FBI or Christopher Steele should be prosecuted“, well about that time Morgan should have handed this guy 2 sets of cuffs. 1 set for him and 1 set for his toadie Smellsme. Hard to believe the corruption running wild in the government of the United States of America.
Schiff is one of the greatest liars in Washington.
The Lefty posters here often mention Trump’s lies (of which there are many).
Let’s see these Lefties acknowledge Schiff’s malevolent lying and the damage that it has done to the country.
Schiff is close to Joe McCarthy in the damage to our system, the human cost, and the divisiveness resulting.
Schiff is a sanctimonious AH.
McCarthy is slandered again. There is a $50,000 reward offered to anyone who can show that anybody he named a communist, is not. Even the person that the reporter interviewed when the ” have you no shame” comment was made,was a communist. Now we have openly admitted communists in our government in the news media and teaching our children.
At least Joe McCarthy was right.
Schiff is talking out of both sides of his mouth as usual. I don’t trust a word that man says, absolutely nothing, in my opinion he’s a compulsive liar.
Some may say liar…I’ve consistently used the word deranged! I really believe he knew what he was doing all the time. He either chose the role of the agitator or was sanctioned to begin that role by the likes of the hack Pelosi, but took it to a whole new level. There are several in Congress who ought to be, truly, tarred and feathered in the tradition of disgraced public servants. If anyone believes that Nancy Pelosi didn’t have knowledge of all this I have a bridge to sell you. This Multi Trillion $$ expenditure push is her last hurrah. She should be done next election and it appears that she’ll get out with her corrupt trades in tact to live her life as a very rich beneficiary of public office. If the past 4.9 yrs hasn’t roiled this country (the true source of January 6th, the election just the culmination) we are really in trouble. Schiff was not just a mouth piece for a political party slighted by a non-politician elected to the highest office, he is part of the cabal that has a history of being manipulated by foreign adversaries. Harris was just too stupid to have known what she was doing, thus her polls. Biden is a buffoon. All those that signed the letter to rid us of the Durham investigation knew exactly what they were doing. Creating chaos inside the Government, Impeachment x2. They made this country look like a disorganized and corrupt mess. They ultimately achieved the public’s anger on both sides, summer of love and January 6th. While Durham indicts the Jan 6th committee is, in popular opinion, a hack job in the making. God save this country!
Schiff is nothing more, or less, than a cutout for the intelligence agencies.
I’m not sure why Schiff thinks it is a crime to lie to Christopher Steele.
Durham’s focus needs to be on senior operatives in the Clinton campaign, such as Elias and Sullivan, and senior leadership of the CIA, FBI, DOJ and Special Counsel’s office. The latter initiated and proceeded with an investigation after learning that:
1. It was based on information that was part of a Clinton operation to tie Trump to Russia to deflect attention from her emails;
2. The dossier was prepared for the Clinton campaign;
3. Steele was unreliable and biased, and had no network of high level Russian sources;
4. Exculpatory evidence in abundance was provided by confidential human sources and through the investigation;
5. Steele’s primary source was not based in Russia, had been suspected of being a Russian agent and disavowed the information in the dossier; and
6. No significant information in the reports in the dossier that was not public knowledge at the time they were prepared was ever corroborated.
If Durham fails to prosecute any of these senior operatives and leaders he will have failed.
The Professor is being far too kind in his description of Schiff and his fellow Democrats.
As usual, Adam Schiff is full of bovine fecal matter and adds to his well known proclivity to ignore the truth and offer up his own conjured up version.
Does he actually believe what he spouts….if so then he makes Joe Biden look akin to a rocket scientist.
Durham should investigate the Investigators….specifically the Mueller Investigation staff to include Mueller himself….who appears to have been as addled brained as Biden.
That multiple year long investigation never attempted to address the entire Russia Collusion Case…..elsewise they would have followed the same road as has Durham.
They did not…..and we deserve to know why.
Theirs was the political prosecution of the century yet the kind Professor gives them a pass.
Until the Justice System in this Country finds a way to be devoid of such rank raw partisanship as the Mueller Team and those Democrats listed by Professor Turley there shall be utter contempt for that System of Justice by the American People.
Republicans too must live up to the concept of Rule of Law but for sure we are no where as tainted as the Democrats today.
So far….we see neither the Mueller Investigation or the Durham Investigation examine the actual crimes. that were committed by the FBI and DOJ.
That is proof positive there is a different justice system for the rich and powerful and the common man in this Country.
Prove me wrong…..I shall wait.
One of the failed aspects of our great experiment is that politicians lie with impunity and don’t care that they do.
The idea that Schiff one upped Morgan Ortagus is amazing; but that The View for you. I only once listened to that show while in a medical waiting room, very much shutting them out with a book I was reading. It was once too many times. They and he are so self-righteous. We have to worry about people “who lied to Christopher Steele”? How about all the lies to the American citizens?
This is one rights enjoyed by all Americans. It s called free speech. And political speech is given even more protected. Lying under oath is different. The 57 people under oath finally admitted after publicly accusing Trump for years that they had no personal knowledge. The only two legal ways of getting rid of them are the ballot box or impeachment.
And the fault for that lies with the voters. Remember that old adage – In a democracy you don’t get the government you want, you get the government you deserve.