USA: Letter from Senator Wyden from Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to DNI Daniel Coates on possible for state to collect communications (15.06.2017)

OGE Director Shaub letter to Senators – “Regarding Stephen K. Bannon and the Ethics Requirement on him as Presidential Appointee” (13.06.2017)

Attorney General Jeff Sessions Senate Hearing on the Russian Probe was showing planned misuse Executive Privilege!

COTTON: Do you like spy fiction: John le Carre, Daniel Silva, Jason Matthews?

SESSIONS: Yeah, Alan Furst, David Ignatius’ books.

COTTON: Do you like Jason Bourne or James Bond movies?

SESSIONS: No, yes, I do” (Politico, 2017).

Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III or Jeff Sessions, who is the Alabama politician and a vital part of the Campaign of President Donald Trump had his hearing with the Senates Intelligence Committee and the continued Russian probe, as to get the facts of the possible collusion between the Trump Campaign and the Russian external force. This has been the giant obstacle and the sore thumb on the American Democracy since November 2016. Since Trump won and got elected, but while the released documentations and hacking of the opponents of Trump, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton. Therefore, yesterdays hearing was the second one, as the Republican politician and others had positive gains by the release of internal mails. These are well-known by the ones who followed the election.

This hearing is the second one of bigger characters, as the first one was former FBI director James Comey, who addressed his role and his position on the matter. As he was sacked and had his story for how the times has been after the election and during. Therefore, yesterdays hearing could show the public more insights into the Russian Probe. Still, yesterday didn’t give much insights, as Attorney General Sessions tried to say as little as possible and deflect as much as he could. Nevertheless, take the first point that I don’t believe have been given powers too. Since the President and this regard Donald Trump have the knowledge of memo’s and Executive Orders back to the 1980s. He wouldn’t even remember pre-Cleveland basketball team without LeBron James. So first let me introduce the President Ronald Reagan and his Executive memo.

President Ronald Reagan signed a memorandum into law for the trust between state officials and the White House. To certainly make sure the conversations and the discussions would be between the Executive who has the Executive Privilege and can avoid to disclose the information, even if the President is asked. Therefore, this piece of information is important:

2. If the head of an executive department or agency (“Department Head”) believes, after consultation with department counsel, that compliance with a Congressional request for information raises a substantial question of executive privilege, he shall promptly notify and consult with the Attorney General through the Assistant Attorney General from the Office of Legal Counsel, and shall also promptly notify and consult with the Counsel to the President. If the information requested of a department or agency derives in whole or in part from information received from another department or agency, the latter entity shall also be consulted as to whether disclosure of the information raises a substantial question of executive privilege” (Reagan, 1982).

3. Every effort shall be made to comply with the Congressional request in manner consistent with legitimate needs of the Executive Branch. The Department Head, the Attorney General and the Counsel to the President may, in exercise of their discretion in the circumstances, determine that the executive privilege shall not be invoked and release the requested information” (Reagan, 1982).

I doubt that President Trump ever would do this unless Stephen Bannon or someone else of his faulty White House could make him consider this possibility, especially if they kiss the ring and say they will be loyal to the man. Nevertheless, Attorney General Sessions believes that is done. Just take a look!

WARNER: To your knowledge, have any Department of Justice officials been involved with conversations about any possibility of presidential pardons about any of the individuals involved with the Russia investigation?

SESSIONS: Mr. Chairman, I’m not able to comment on conversations with high officials within the white house. That would be a violation of the communications rule that I have to

WARNER: Just so I can understand, is the basis of that unwilling to answer based on executive privilege?

SESSIONS: It’s a long standing policy. The department of justice not to comment on conversations that the attorney general had with the president of the united States for confidential reasons that rounded in the coequal branch.

WARNER: Just so I understand, is that mean you claim executive privilege?

SESSIONS: I’m not claiming executive privilege because that’s the president’s power and I have no power there” (Politico, 2017).

So he said to Senator Warner, that he is following this policy of Ronald Reagan, but says is coequal branch. Which shows that he is guessing more than knowing of it himself. As a legal mind and legal counsel to the President. It is worrying how he is struggling to explain the Executive Order. But he tried to explain it to someone else.

SEN. MARTIN HEINRICH: Attorney General Sessions, has the president ever expressed his frustration to you regarding your decision to recuse yourself?

SESSIONS: Senator Heinrich, I’m not able to share with this committee private communications —

HEINRICH: You’re invoking executive privilege.

SESSIONS: I’m not able to invoke executive privilege. That’s the president’s prerogative.

HEINRICH: My understanding is that you took an oath, you raised your right hand here today and you said that you would solemnly tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And now you’re not answering questions. You’re impeding this investigation, so my understanding of the legal standard is that you either answer the question. That’s the best outcome. You say this is classified, can’t answer it here. I’ll answer it in closed session. That’s bucket number two. Bucket number three is to say I’m invoking executive privilege. There is no appropriateness bucket. It is not a legal standard. Can you tell me why what are these long-standing DOJ rules that protect conversations made in the executive without invoking executive privilege?

SESSIONS: Senator, I’m protecting the president’s constitutional right by not giving it away before he has a chance to review it.

HEINRICH: You can’t have it both ways.

SESSIONS: And second I am telling the truth in answering your question and saying it’s a long-standing policy of the department of justice to make sure that the president has full opportunity to decide these issues” (Politico, 2017).

So AG Sessions tried to go further to avoid answering questions, as he continue to pull the questions and not answer. Which for me implies that he knows more than he says and also that he doesn’t want to disclose. Not because it is classified, but because he fear the implications of his words. That he will entertain and continue to give evidence into the investigation. Therefore, as a prosecutor he tries to avoid the reasoning and also stop the time, so that the ones following it gets little or nearly nothing from the man. He did it to a third Senator as well!

KING: I respect your willingness to be here. You testified a few minutes ago I’m not able to invoke executive privilege. That’s up to the president. Has the president invoked executive privilege in the case of your testimony here today?

SESSIONS: He has not.

KING: Then what is the basis of your refusal to answer these questions?

SESSIONS: Senator king, the president has a constitutional —

KING: I understand that, but the president hasn’t asserted that. You said you don’t have the power to exert executive privilege so what is the legal basis for your refusal to answer the questions?

SESSIONS: I’m protecting the right of the president to assert it if he chooses and there may be other privileges that could apply in this circumstance.

KING: Well, I don’t understand how you can have it both ways. The president can’t not assert it, and you’ve testified that only the president can assert it and yet I just don’t understand the legal basis for your refusal to answer.

SESSIONS: What we try to do, I think most cabinet officials, others that you questioned recently, officials before the committee, protect the president’s right to do so. If it comes to a point where the issue is clear and there’s a dispute about it, at some point the president will either assert the privilege or not or some other privilege would be asserted, but at this point I believe it’s premature

KING: You’re asserting a privilege.

SESSIONS: It would be premature for me to deny the president a full and intelligent choice about executive privilege. That’s not necessary at this point.

KING: You testified a few minutes ago, that quote, we were asked for our opinion. Who asked for your opinion? You testified we were asked for our opinion.

SESSIONS: My understanding is I believe I’m correct in saying the president had said so” (Politico, 2017).

So if he is trying to show it earlier, he suddenly backs down from it. As he was there to testify, but at this point he is avoiding to saying anything. AG Sessions tries to flex power and codes, but at the same time not. Because there is no proof that that the President has given the provisions to him. Instead, he uses it, but avoid it.

Many has focused on the recalling, not remembering as he cannot answer to the Senators about over 20 times during the hours of testimony, but enough people has commented on that. But the powers of using Executive Privilege to avoid answering is a disgrace to do, especially when we possible have a President who has no idea of the provision or even existence. So to grand yourself higher-powers than you possibly can have to avoid questions prove his disregard for the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing yesterday.

He did it yet another time, with yet another senator, as he again plays for time and doesn’t answer, as he himself cannot mention the name of the Executive Privilege. Therefore, take a look at that as well:

HARRIS: And you referred to a long-standing DOJ policy. Can you tell us what policy it is you’re talking about.

SESSIONS: Well, I think most cabinet people as the witnesses, you had before you earlier, those individuals declined to comment, because we’re all about conversations with the president

HARRIS: Sir, I’m just asking you about the DOJ policy you’ve referred to.

SESSIONS: A long-standing policy, a policy that goes beyond just the attorney general.

HARRIS: Is that policy in writing somewhere?

SESSIONS: I think so.

HARRIS: So did you not consult it before you came before this committee knowing we would ask you questions about that?

SESSIONS: Well, we talked about it. The policy is based —

HARRIS: Did you ask that it would be shown to you?

SESSIONS: The policy is based on the principle that the president

HARRIS: Sir, I’m not asking about the principle. I’m asking when you would be asked these questions–

SESSION: Well, I’m unable to answer the quest–

HARRIS: and you would rely on that policy –” (Politico, 2017).

This is just the point about Executive Privilege! The simple point of that AG Sessions on this matter show concern about he see himself and the President. As he has no issues with using the President, but not doing it well. He want to use a policy he doesn’t know the name.

Still, the August 1982 Memo for the President show’s how he could have explained it:

The privileges available to protect the confidentiality of the Attorney General’s communications with the Office of the President can be roughly categorized into three classes, depending upon the nature of the communications for which the privilege is asserted, the interests which are sought to be protected by the claim of privilege, and the persons against whom the claim is made. This memorandum represents an effort by this Office to provide the Attorney General with a general outline of the privileges available to him to protect his confidential communications and working papers from compulsory disclosure when he believes that disclosure would be against the interests of the Department, the President, or the broader “ public,” and to provide guidelines for the assertion of those privileges. While the foregoing discussion should prove helpful in providing a framework for analysis of potential claims of privilege, we would caution that the applicability of any privilege to a given set of circumstances will almost always involve a judgment of competing values. While the Attorney General or the client must decide initially whether to assert the privilege, the task of resolving conflicts arising out of such competing values, in the final analysis, is one that is reserved to the courts” (Politico, 2017).

This here says it all. But that is just what I recall and recollect of this matter. Since AG Sessions oblivious did what he could to abstain and not say anything. This is proven by his recollection and his remembering of the affairs during the Trump campaign. Since most of the hearing went-on like this! Peace.

Reference:

Deputy Attorney General Theodore B. Olson – ‘Confidentiality of the Attorney General’s

Communications in Counseling the President – MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’ (02.08.1982)

President Ronald Reagan – ‘Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies – Subject: Procedures Governing Responses to Congressional Requests for Information’ (04.11.1982)

Politico – ‘Transcript: Jeff Sessions’ testimony on Trump and Russia’ (13.06.2017) link: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/13/full-text-jeff-session-trump-russia-testimony-239503

USA: Attorney General Jeff Sessions Prepared Remarks to the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (13.06.2017)

USA: Feinstein letter to Committee on the Judiciary with recommendation on continued investigation on the #RussianProbe (09.06.2017)

USA: Senate Committee of Judiciary letter as a subpoena to Prof. Richman for the Comey Memo’s (08.06.2017)

Former FBI Director James Comey’s prepared opening statement to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (08.06.2017)

Ban Ki-moon: “Devastating Impact” of withdrawal from Paris Agreement (Youtube-Clip)

Trump cannot ride a golf-cart away from the Russian Probe

While President Trump been apart of the G-7 in Taormina on Sicily in Italy. This while it is a mounting speculation and revealing stories into the Russian Probe, which is into the Trump Campaign 2016. Surely, we can mock the man who doesn’t have the energy to walk by road of the conference and had to ride in a golf-cart while rest of the world was walking together. Also, the impressive act of not having a press conference after the G-7 conference as the rest of the world leaders did. He had nothing to report of his work. President Trump could have spoke about how he didn’t wanted to commit to Paris Agreement on Climate Change, but he doesn’t have the courage to do so.

The United States President had to act special, that is because he is special. So special that the more you look into his campaign team and his cabinet, the more support and help from Russia. The intelligence that he leaks to friends and foes has to come while he is gone. Since the leaks of revelations are coming. Even that the Trump Organization doesn’t want to disclose the revenue they are getting from Foreign Government Entities because of the different nature of the billing. Like a giant Limited Liabilities Companies want to keep their revenue secret. Because the Trump Organization got it all to hide. Like the IRS Tax Returns of President Trump has also never been released and seems forgotten in all the scandals, but the truths in the earnings of the President would reveal lot of ghosts that he cannot hide.

President Trump and his team has had many of them either been connected, been in talks or been on paid visits in honors of Russian delegations. When Jared Kushners planned a back-channel of secret communication with Moscow, proves there are so many stories not told. Because there enough known people who has been implicated in the Russian Probe and had connections with them. This being Donald Trump Junior, Paul Manafort, Carter Page, Ivanka Trump, Jeff Sessions, Michael Flynn, Rex Tillerson, Roger Stone, Wilbur Ross, Steve Bannon, Michael Caputo, Michael D. Cohen and Felix Sater.

So when you such a giant group of people either connected or having conversations during the election. While new revealing damaging stories and allegations keeps pumping to the public sphere. You can wonder what sort of damage control and plans the President has other than being in Europe driving a Golf Cart. There has to be other ways to figure it out. He has hired a lawyer and planned a war-room in the White House. While he has sent his sons from the Trump Organization to figure out how the Republican Party can deal with the hazardous situation. Which, is special since the father and their sons shouldn’t be connected through their blind-trust. But that is just a lie, a big fat-lie and he takes the American as big-fat jack-asses. Who he can play around with the “No Comment” McMaster who got the job Flynn had for 20 days.

While we do know that the sacked former FBI director James Comey after he asked for more funds into the FBI Probe, after leaks of Trumps asking for loyalty and calling for the same. Trump also had the arrogant feature of asking Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, also Director of National Security Agency Michael Rodgers was asked about the Russian Probe and working into the Flynn case. Therefore, he has tried his best to stifle two cases, as they are damaging to him. This all leaves behind all sort of obstruction of justice.

As you thinking this is bad enough, Mitch McConnell the Majority Leader of the Senate, has himself gotten massive donations from Russian donors, as well as Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and even John McCain. Scott Walker of Wisconsin also got a massive donation from Pro-Putin backers. So there are so many people involved and having their own issues to explain over no-problem money from Russia. Former Trump appointee like Flynn, who has had his connections to the Russian under scrutiny as well.

Like the leaked conversation between GOP leaders from June 2016 meeting at Capitol Hill:

Ryan: Russia is trying to turn Ukraine against itself.

Rodgers: Yes. And that’s…it’s sophisticated and it’s, uh…

Ryan: Maniacal.

Rodgers: Yes.

Ryan: And guess…guess who’s the only one taking a strong stand up against it? We are.

Rodgers: We’re not…we’re not…but, we’re not…

McCarthy: [unintelligible]…I’ll GUARANTEE you that’s what it is.

[Unintelligible]

McCarthy: The Russians hacked the DNC and got the opp research that they had on Trump.

McCarthy: laughs

[Crosstalk]

Ryan: The Russian’s hacked the DNC…

McHenry: …to get oppo…

Ryan: …on Trump and like delivered it to…to who?

[Unintelligible]

McCarthy: There’s…there’s two people, I think, Putin pays: Rohrabacher and

Trump…[laughter]…swear to God.

Ryan: This is an off the record…[laughter]…NO LEAKS…[laughter]…alright?!

[Laughter]

Ryan: This is how we know we’re a real family here.

Scalise: That’s how you know that we’re tight.

[Laughter]

Ryan: What’s said in the family stays in the family”

Certainly this transcript is one conversation is damaging for the Republican party. Together with the revelation of donations, as well as the new stories coming. Day after day, the peeling of onion continues. This together with the use of a non-sanctioned phone-line and with an Android might also make the reveling stories coming. Also, that like Clinton, President Trump had no issues having his own private server. With the knowledge of the back-channel to Moscow through the Russian Embassy in United States. It is clearly a lot of questionable actions and activity, as well as the undisclosed meetings and funding. That will surely say much more about the connection between Russian and the Trump Campaign. Together with the already exposed memos, conversations and payments to the Trump-aides.

Even an article in July 24, 1987 said this:

Do Russians have a Trump Card?

The Soviets are reportedly looking a lot more kindly on a possible presidential bid by Donald Trump, the New York builder who has amassed a fortune through real-estate speculation and owns a controlling interest in the notorious, organized-crime linked Resort International. Trump took an all-expenses paid jaunt to the Soviet Union in July to discuss building the Russians some luxuries hotels. The Soviets “treated me beautifully,” he told reporters. “The government would like me to build a major hotel in Moscow in quality and in style like Trump Tower” – the garnish structure which Trump built on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue” (Kathleen Klenetsky – ‘Elephants & Donkeys’ – 24.07.1987).

That Trump possibly will re-hire campaign managers like Cory Lewandowski and others wouldn’t be surprising, as well as he is hiring Marc Kosowitz to fight his cause and external information from the White House. Certainly, the Trump administration has so many leaks and so little control. That they need to find a way to control, because the running investigations both at the Hill from the Senate and the Special Investigator Robert Mueller. Who cannot be fired by the President like he did with James Comey and might do to others.

There aren’t indications that the Republican Party didn’t know and hasn’t stopped Trump to do this. As Paul Ryan wanted to keep it in the family. As well as the Trump Administration and his men has met with Russian ambassador and even cashed in on their connections to Russia. That might be the most important reason for the secrecy of all the revenue of the Trump Organization and the tax returns of the President. Who cannot hide it anymore, as there will clearly be asked to deliver it to either the investigation at the Hill or the one by Mueller. We can also see when the leaked documentations will come for more flesh to the bone.

We don’t know much yet, but what we do know.. is that this will get ugly. It will get nasty and the Presidency will not back-down. When it comes to Trump and investigations he uses all tricks and finding ways in courts to not answer questions. The transcripts of the his interrogation there, showed that he was not interested in giving any information or trying to be honest to the judge. Therefore, expect the same behavior when it comes to colluding, collaborating and direct communication with the Russians. Peace.

USA: Joseph Lieberman letter to President Trump asking to be withdrawn as a nominee for FBI Director (24.05.2017)