Knives Are Out For Chief Of Staff John Kelly, They Say

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Political Scandals, Sex Scandals, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

The media seems to be in a frenzy about the Rob Porter-wife beating scandal, as the White House enters Day 7 of being unable to explain the timeline of events about Porter’s firing, and why he was allowed to stay on as the right-hand man to President Trump even though he couldn’t get a security clearance. To recap….. Rob Porter, … Read More

Rachel Brand Out At DOJ

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand was the third most powerful person in law enforcement, right behind Attorney General Jeff Session and Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein. And since Sessions had recused himself from any actions related to the Trump-Russia investigation, Brand was much more high profile, especially since reports were being floated that Trump was seeking to remove Rosenstein. That all … Read More

The New NEW Russia Probe Pushback

Ken AshfordClinton Email Faux Scandal, L'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Moments ago, Trump tweeted this: NEW FBI TEXTS ARE BOMBSHELLS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2018 Oh, Lord. What is Fox feeding him now? Newly revealed text messages between FBI paramours Peter Strzok and Lisa Page include an exchange about preparing talking points for then-FBI Director James Comey to give to President Obama, who wanted “to know everything we’re doing.” … Read More

Republican Support Of Failed Nunes Memo Shows Their Cowardice

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Republicans, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Sure, Nunes loved his memo.  And Trump loved it because Nunes was doing his bidding. But where were the principled Republicans?  Nowhere.  Michael Gersen: With the blessing of Republican leaders, the lickspittle wing of the GOP is now firmly in charge. The existence of reckless partisans such as Nunes is hardly surprising. The nearly uniform cowardice among elected Republicans is … Read More

Trump’s Lawyers Think Trump Shouldn’t Submit To Mueller Interview

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Yes, well… I don’t think you need a legal degree to come to this conclusion.  Trump, who wouldn’t know the truth if it landed in his pants, would perjure himself. Greg Sargeant points out the real fear: President Trump’s lawyers are urging him to avoid an interview with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III because he is a pathological liar … Read More

Nunes Forced To Admit Central Point Of His Memo Was… Er…. Wrong

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Yesterday, Devin Nunes and the slapstick co-conspirators who hoped to bring down the FBI and Justice Department with a 4-page memo were foiled by their own incompetence. Nunes and company hinged the entirety of their hopes on stating that the FBI failed to disclose the political origins of the Trump-Russia dossier, used to secure the initial FISA warrant on a … Read More

Breaking: More Trump Insisting On Loyalty From DOJ/FBI

Ken AshfordBreaking News, L'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

CNN: Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein visited the White House in December seeking President Donald Trump’s help. The top Justice Department official in the Russia investigation wanted Trump’s support in fighting off document demands from House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes. But the President had other priorities ahead of a key appearance by Rosenstein on the Hill, according to sources familiar … Read More

The Nunes Memo Likely To Be Released Soon – Massive Fail Expected

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Republicans, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

In an incredibly transparent display of partisanship, the House Intelligence Committee voted on Monday to: (1) Release the Nunes memo (2) Ignore requests from the FBI and the DOJ to vet the Nunes memo before any release; and (3) NOT release the Democratic memo explaining why the Nunes memo is bullshit Although the White House has five days to review … Read More

The Chess Pieces Are Moving

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Republicans, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

New York Times: A secret, highly contentious Republican memo reveals that Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein approved an application to extend surveillance of a former Trump campaign associate shortly after taking office last spring, according to three people familiar with it. The renewal shows that the Justice Department under President Trump saw reason to believe that the associate, Carter … Read More

Trump Tried To Fire Mueller In June 2017

Ken AshfordL'Affaire Russe, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

First the New York Times, then the Washington Post and then NBC News reported this big bombshell Thursday night: President Trump wanted to fire special counsel Robert Mueller back in June 2017 — but then backed off. Trump, in Switzerland, responded to last night’s news: “Fake news folks, fake news. Typical New York Times fake stories.” The story is simple: President Trump ordered the firing … Read More