Nunes presents photographic evidence of Mifsud in close proximity to influential Western political and government officials. Further, in interviews Nunes states that Mifsud served as an intelligence trainer for FBI and CIA agents at the Link Campus in Rome. He points out that if what the Mueller Dossier says is true--that Mifsud was tied to Russian intelligence--then Mifsud's close contact with Western intelligence services such as the FBI and CIA is a major scandal. On the other hand, if what the Mueller Dossier says is not true--and, really, who believed that story?--then Mueller is in trouble on several fronts, including the frame-up of George Papadopoulos.
Nunes states that he's trying to determine how many intelligence operatives were run into the Trump campaign, and clearly believes that the number was significant. Here's his Hannity interview--Devin Nunes Just Caught Robert Mueller Lying to American Public on Joseph Misfud:
AFTERTHOUGHT: Mueller could find himself facing intense questioning from GOPers if he testifies in the Senate (Sen. Graham has invited him--coincidence?) or the House.
UPDATE: National Review is reporting tonight that they have obtained a copy of FBI Deputy assistant director Jonathan Moffa’s testimony. It appears that Moffa's testimony confirms Devin Nunes' claim that there was more going on than the FBI has yet publicly admitted.
Moffa was involved with the Russia–Trump investigation from the start as the section chief over counterintelligence analysis during the period of the election. According to NR:
Moffa’s congressional interview was private, and no transcript has been released. But National Review has obtained a copy. The interview transcript reveals that the FBI’s use of Confidential Human Sources and other counterintelligence assets was far more extensive than has previously been acknowledged.
...
Moffa was asked in the closed-door Capitol Hill interview, “How many CHSs did you have working on this investigation at the time?”
Moffa again conferred with his counsel off the record.
“Okay,” he replied, back on the record. “So I legitimately do not know the total number of CHSs. That’s an operational side decision, but I also don’t want to imply to you that I don’t — I’m not aware of any CHSs, right. So that’s what we were just talking about. But I legitimately can’t tell you the overall number that are engaged. I just don’t know it.”
...
He was clearly involved in meetings where the use of CHSs was discussed, and he appears to assure lawmakers that he isn’t trying to pretend he’s “not aware of any CHSs.” He just “legitimately can’t tell you the overall number that are engaged.” That he can’t tell “the overall number” of Confidential Human Sources — that “I just don’t know it” — leaves open the possibility that there were more than just a few.
Finally! Someone is going right at the heart and the weakest point of this entire story. I was very surprised on reading the Papadopoulos section of the Mueller report that Mueller made that bald assertion about Mifsud being a Russian operative, but then providing literally zero support for that assertion. I mean, here are a great opportunity for Mueller to greatly support a key narrative point- the Russians had Clinton e-mails in April of 2016- to do this, you just have to offer strong support that Mifsud is Russian operative, but there is nothing there but a simple assertion.
ReplyDeleteEven worse, though, is the story about Mifsud's "questioning" during a trip to the U.S. in February 2017. At that time, the narrative being pushed is that it was Papadopoulos that was the origin of Crossfire Hurricane, and that the FBI did detain and question briefly Mifsud, but then let him go because Papadopoulos lied about when Mifsud told him about the e-mails, so they had to let Mifsud go in error. This was always complete BS- the date of Mifsud and GP's meeting is irrelevant in whether or not to detain Mifsud and question him hard- especially if the story about him being a Russian operative is true. No, the only story that ever made any sense here is that Mifsud was sent on his way because the FBI knew Mifsud was a Western intelligence agent, and if that is true, then the entire Papadopoulos narrative is torpedoed and sunk with no chance of denial or resurrection.
Absolutely. The Mifsud episode in particular shows the extent to which CYA has always been a major part of the Russia Hoax. Obviously, and contra sundance, it's not ALL it's about. The Russia Hoax was dreamed up as an offensive weapon, but in bureaucratic intel contests CYA is very important. Yes, they always wanted to "get" Trump, and Mueller did his best. But, when that fell fairly flat--despite the obstruction invitation to impeach--CYA became all important. Now, however, Trump has the nuke and no reason not to use it--declass, and a kickass AG.
ReplyDeleteI suspect all of this is going to dovetail--including the Flood letter, which has all the appearances of an opening salvo against the entire Mueller inquisition which may play a role in the pushback against House subpoenas.
DeleteNow that the Mueller Investigation is over, the Deep State operatives within DOJ/FBI/CIA/SoS can no longer legitimately stonewall the release of information requested by Nunes and other Congressional investigations. And this presents a difficult conundrum for these people. If they release this information, then the whole scandal blows wide open rather quickly. If they attempt to conceal or bury incriminating parts, then they themselves can be later charged with obstructing justice. My guess is that only the most senior culprits in the coup would be willing to take on this additional legal liability. All the lower level players are more likely to flip and cooperate with Horowitz rather than face a prison sentence.
ReplyDeleteThis is where their lawyers start earning their fees.
DeleteIt seems to me that most of the crew knows that the jig is up. Every day now you have had incredible revelations.
DeleteThese people have to know what's ahead.
I suspect that the tempo will continue, because these revelations will play into Trump's resistance to the Dems' documentary demands. Trump will, or should IMO, want to argue that the demands are illegitimate because they're an extension of an abusive and illegitimate investigation. More revelations will strengthen that argument--especially if communication between Team Mueller and the likes of Schiff/Nadler can be shown.
Delete"In his letter, Nunes says it is "still a mystery how the FBI knew to ask Papadopoulos specifically about Hillary Clinton’s emails" if the bureau had not spoken with Mifsud." (https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/devin-nunes-asks-cia-fbi-nsa-and-state-department-for-docs-on-joseph-mifsud)
ReplyDeleteIn the FOX interview he extended this logic to Halper's tasking in 09/16. I don't think his argument is as strong in the latter case, because per Papadopoulos, Halper badgered him about "hacked emails," some of which had already been released by then. But he's over the target concerning Mifsud and the FBI's foreknowledge in questioning Papadopoulos. It's astounding that the only reason Nunes knows what he knows is because Mueller and Co. got snitty about Papadopoulos's wife claiming that he volunteered the "dirt" on Hilary Clinton "in the form of thousands of emails" to his interrogators, in a footnote in the sentencing memo. "Comey's Clown Car Coup," coming soon to a theater near you!
I agree--Mueller/Weissmann made a major mistake there. Painted targets on their backs.
DeleteIt's very hard to sustain a coordinated lie. There are many moving parts and people.
DeleteThis is unraveling more and more everyday. I imagine that some conspirators may come in voluntarily (if they haven't already) to get a good deal.
Comey, Strozk, Page, Brennan, Clapper, they must be very nervous now.
And I suspected an extra dose of arrogance entered into it--convinced they could get away with it because they were smarter than anyone else.
Delete