#impeach barr

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Gabe Fleisher at Wake Up To Politics:

There is much I could tell you about Kash Patel, who President-elect Trump announced on Saturday as his pick to become FBI director in his second term. But instead, I’ll allow some of the people who worked with him in Trump’s first term to give you an introduction. First, some background: Patel entered Trump’s orbit via Devin Nunes, who was then a Republican congressman and now leads Truth Social’s corporate parent. As a congressional aide, Patel was the author of the so-called “Nunes memo,” which sought to pick apart the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties with Russia.

He entered the White House in 2019 and quickly grew to wield “unique access” to the president, feeding information to him — including false claims about Ukraine that helped lead to Trump’s first impeachment. Over the next two years, Patel would quickly rise through the ranks of the administration, jumping from the National Security Council to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to the Department of Defense. In the expansive library of books that have been written about Trump’s first administration, Patel is a frequent character. We’ll start with “A Sacred Oath,” the memoir by Trump-era Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who wrote that Patel’s hiring marked the emergence of “a darker, more aggressive evolution of the Trump White House.”

In Esper’s book, the main episode involving Patel is the 2020 military operation to rescue Philip Walton, an American who had been kidnapped and was being kept in Nigeria. According to Esper, the operation was in a holding pattern to ensure that the U.S. had received permission to enter the airspace of the countries it would need to fly over. Eventually, Patel — then at the NSC — told a Pentagon official that then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had received the necessary permissions. Armed with that information, Esper gave the operation his green light. A few hours later, though, Esper learned some “disturbing news”: the U.S. apparently hadn’t received permission to enter the airspace of one country — and the military planes were now only fifteen miles away from that country’s border. Esper called Pompeo to figure out what had happened. As it turned out, not only had Pompeo not told Patel — as Patel had claimed — that the permissions had gone through, but apparently the two had never even spoken. Esper’s staff, he wrote, suspected that Patel simply “made the approval story up.” 

[...] Whether Patel will be allowed to “serve at the highest level of the world’s preeminent law enforcement agency,” as Barr put it, will be up to the Republican-led Senate. So far, reactions are mixed — several GOP senators have expressed approval of Patel; others have been more hesitant. The bureau’s current director, Chris Wray — who Trump would have to fire in the middle of his 10-year term in order to install Patel — is well-liked among most Republican lawmakers; his dismissal could ruffle some senatorial feathers, but so far most Republicans seem, at the very least, open to the swap. For clues on what Patel might do as FBI director, there’s one more book to consult: his. In “Government Gangsters,” Patel is quite explicit about his vision for the bureau. “Most importantly,” he writes, “we need to get the FBI the hell out of Washington, D.C.” Once the FBI’s D.C. headquarters is emptied, Patel continues, agents can be spread out across the country, away from “the swamp.” Patel also calls for the FBI’s authority to be “dramatically limited,” refocused on “real, physical threats” instead of “ideological witch hunts.” In interviews, though, he has called for a number of ideologically-tinged investigations, including against Trump critics in the government and media.

Yesterday’s Wake Up To Politics has detail on potential FBI head Kash Patel’s enemies list.

See Also:

HuffPost: Who Is On Kash Patel's 'Random Enemies List'?

[meandmybigmouth]

Trump neuters the watchdogs

Trump neuters the watchdogs

Trump neuters the watchdogs

After spending much of his first term and all of his post-presidency under investigation, President-elect Trump is moving to ensure that doesn't happen again.

Now more familiar with the levers of power — and his own points of vulnerability — Trump is attempting to insulate himself.

Breaking it down: Trump and his allies have telegraphed unprecedented steps to put loyalists in roles that have historically been apolitical.

FBI Director: Trump has signaled he will fire Christopher Wray, whose 10-year term would run into 2027.

Trump sparked a firestorm in his first term by firing James Comey and replacing him with Wray.

Firing Wray would be norm-smashing yet unsurprising, given Trump's antipathy for Wray and the bureau more generally, particularly after its raid on Mar-a-Lago to recover classified documents.

Attorney general: The nomination of Pam Bondi, who represented Trump at his first impeachment trial, would put a close ally in a position that by tradition (though not always in practice) has a level of independence from the president.

"For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans — Not anymore," Trump said in announcing the pick.

Trump castigated and eventually fired his first AG, Jeff Sessions, for recusing himself from the Russia investigation, and later fell out dramatically with his successor, Bill Barr, for not endorsing his claims of widespread election fraud.

Special counsels: Jack Smith moved to dismiss his cases against Trump after the election and is likely to resign before Inauguration Day.

In Trump 2.0, we're unlikely to see a repeat of the Mueller probe, with an autonomous team investigating the sitting president — though Trump last year floated the idea of a special counsel to investigate the Biden family.

Inspectors general: Watchdogs for government agencies could also be on the chopping block, with Trump's allies calling for their removal, Politico reports.

Project 2025 — which Trump disavowed on the campaign trail before naming some of its architects to his administration — calls for a much wider culling of career civil servants in favor of loyalists.

Between the lines: Conservatives now control all three branches of government, neutralizing many potential challenges to Trump at least until 2026.

[maturemenoftvandfilms]

Do you remember former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr (from back during the Clinton impeachment days)? Saw him recently and he’s grown hotter with age. Back then I fantasized about those lips of his. What I wouldn’t give to be each other’s Monica. 😈🤣 #pilf

Oh yeah, I remember this guy. Wow. He did grow hotter with age.

[trmpt]

“One consequence of this development is the convergence of Republican Party messaging with Russian propaganda. The GOP has spent the past four years repeating a Russian-invented story that Joe Biden as vice-president had pushed to fire a Ukrainian prosecutor in order to protect the energy company Burisma, which had hired his son Hunter. (Biden was actually urging Ukraine to install a tougher prosecutor in accordance with the position advocated by democracy advocates inside and outside Ukraine.) An allegation by an FBI informant that Biden had accepted bribes, which the FBI now charges was a lie influenced by Russian intelligence, was hyped up by Republicans including former attorney general William Barr and Representative James Comer and formed the basis of an effort to impeach the president.”

[worldofwardcraft]

Donald and the Giant Impeach.

September 21, 2023

Last week, temporary Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy announced he was ordering an inquiry into impeaching President Joe Biden. This despite Bill Barr's Justice Department issuing a legally binding opinion in 2020 that impeachment inquiries are invalid without an official vote of the House. Spoiler: Kev didn't have the votes. He also doesn't have any specific offenses with which to charge the president. But never mind.

This isn't the first time Republicans have used impeachment — normally a serious and rarely used constitutional remedy — as a partisan weapon. They were absolutely giddy over impeaching Bill Clinton in 1998 for the "High Crime" of lying about an affair with a White House intern. But then they were totally fine about excusing crime boss Donald Trump for (1) extorting the head of a foreign country for personal political advantage and (2) attempting to overturn a legitimate election, thwart the peaceful transfer of power and end American democracy. You know, unimportant stuff.

Now, after eight months of combined investigations by their Oversight, Judiciary and Ways and Means committees, House Republicans in their search for any wrongdoing by the president have turned up exactly zilch. Regardless, the MAGA clown caucus remains dead set on impeaching him (Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has already filed articles). But who's behind this crusade to impeach yet another Democratic president for no reason? Take a wild guess.

While you're guessing, CNN has the answer: Donald Trump is coordinating the sham impeachment scheme with two key members of the House Republican Conference. On Sunday, prior to the announcement, Trump dined at his Bedminster golf motel with McCarthy's puppetmaster, congresswoman Greene, during which they discussed making the impeachment inquiry “long and excruciatingly painful for Joe Biden.” He also reportedly spoke by phone with Republican Conference chair Elise Stefanik to discuss "impeachment inquiry strategy."

Trump has been pushing Biden's impeachment for months in all-caps tirades on Truth Social, his failing social media platform. Like this one from July.

So, they impeach me over a "perfect" phone call, and they don’t impeach Biden for being the most corrupt president in the history of the United States???

Trump thinks impeaching Biden will minimize the stigma of his own impeachments, divert attention from the 91 felonies charged against him, and help him win in 2024. Plus, as always, he wants revenge. Last month, his message to congressional Republicans was “Either impeach the bum, or fade into oblivion. They did it to us!” And as Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries says, "When Donald Trump says jump, extreme MAGA Republicans say how high."

[reportafrique]

Ekpeye Ethnic Nation Raises Alarm Over Alleged Intimidation and Threats by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike against Fubara's Cos, Ehie edison

Ekpeye Ethnic Nation, an ethnic formation of the Ekpeye People of Rivers state, has staged a Protest over the police declaration of Hon. Ehie Edison wanted, lambasting the FCT minister for having a hand in the case. In a press briefing held today, the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation, comprising traditional leaders, elites, women, and youths, addressed the ongoing accusations, threats, and intimidation faced by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the Government of Rivers State. The Ekpeye Ethnic Nation claims that these actions are orchestrated by Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The accusations against Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie include his alleged involvement in the murder of late Divisional Police Officer SP Bako Angbashim in Ahoada on September 8, 2023. However, the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation argues that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated, emphasizing that other suspects have already confessed to the crime. Ekpeye Group Accuses Wike of Witch-hunting Fubara's Cos The Ekpeye Ethnic Nation disputes the timing of the accusations, stating that they escalated when Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie opposed a plot to impeach the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Sim Fubara, GSSRS. They assert that the distinguished High Chief, holding the title of Eze Ugboji Ekpeye (The King of the Youths), is not associated with criminal activities, such as plotting to burn down the Rivers State Assembly Complex. Apostle Jonathan Solomon, Convener of the Ekpeye Movement for Peace and Growth, signed the press briefing. Solomon expresses concern over the alleged attempt by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to undermine the sociopolitical relevance of the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation in Rivers State. The Ekpeye Ethnic Nation declares its commitment to resisting any form of harassment or intimidation of Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and his supporters. In a show of solidarity, the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation thanks the Executive Governor, His Excellency Sir Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, for appointing Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie as the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers State. The ethnic group pledges unwavering support for Governor Fubara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHlY3RAI3RA As tensions rise, the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation vows to protect its sons and stands firm against what they perceive as political maneuvers to discredit and undermine the Ekpeye community in Rivers State. REPORT AFRIQUE had earlier this week reported that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The warrant is in connection to his alleged involvement in the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Read the full article

[pscottm]

Maine GOP Sen. Collins Says Trump Removal From Ballot 'Should Be Overturned' - The Messenger

Fuck Susan Collins!

[marcel334]

A partial list of people who served in the trump Admin, and have spoken out against the twice-impeached, 91-felony count, deranged and disgraced former president trump:

Mike Pence

Bill Barr

James Mattis

Mark Esper

Gen. Mark Milley

Rex Tillerson

Nikki Haley

Chris Christie

HR McMaster

John Bolton

Gen. John Kelly

Mick Mulvaney

Michael Cohen

Stephanie Grisham

Betsy DeVos

Elaine Chao

Richard Spencer

Ty Cobb

Cassidy Hutchinson, a trump aide who testified against him to the January 6th Committee and recently warned America about trump, endorsed President Biden instead: “Everybody should vote for him if they want democracy to survive.”

Lastly, even trump spoke out against someone under indictment being the President, when in 2016 he said a president under indictment would “cripple the operations of our government” and create an “unprecedented constitutional crisis.”

He suggested that Hillary Clinton merely being investigated, not even indicted, meant that she "has no right to be running."

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade BREAKING; Suspected armed Men invade Speaker's residence Suspected political thugs have attacked the residence of Rivers factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, in Port Harcourt, the state capital. Ehie, who was removed as Assembly Leader during the move to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara, later announced himself as the House Speaker. Details of the incident on Ehie’s residence were still sketchy but it was gathered that security details of Ehie foiled the attack. A source simply identified as Ken described the attack as an assassination attempt. He alleged that the attempted assassination was led by head of a security tactical unit in the state. He warned that some senior security officers in the State should be held responsible if anything happens to the Ehie and his household. He assured the public that footages of the act as captured by CCTV camera would be made public for confirmation and record purposes. According to him: “Around 11pm on Sunday the 19th day of November, 2023, a group of Armed thugs and rogue security officers attacked the private residence of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, DSSRS, fully armed with an intention to assassinate Mr. Speaker and his family. “However, the thugs and rogue security officers were vehemently repelled in a gun battle by the official security details attached to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Barr. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, DSSRS. “It is imperative to note that the armed rogues and officers were properly and fully captured by CCTV footage in the residence, which shall be made available to all media Houses, including the CNN, Aljazeera and other National and International media outlets for the records. “Let it be on record that Rivers people, boys, girls, women, men including the aged shall in our numbers occupy the streets stark naked in demonstration against the Nigerian Police and those sponsoring violence in Rivers State, no matter how highly placed, Rivers people will resist them.”

[bobby76love]

These are the exact same documents that Rudy Giuliani planted at the DOJ back before 2020 during the presidential elections that Trump wanted Zelensky to say to get weapons that was all a LIE that Trump got impeached for that Barr Told Rudy these documents R not legitimate at all

👇

#BreakingNews President Biden for the first time speaks out on allegations he accepted bride money as total malarkey. He goes on to say he has not suggested what the Department of Justice should do because he is honest.

This comes after Fox News has sources familiar with the 1023 document that they claim doesn't mention President Joe Biden.

They go on to say the document doesn't show if the informant was American or not. The allegations came from Burisma, and the informant says he has no evidence to back up second hand information.

The FBI states they found nothing to substantiate these claims.

[wmproprt]

Ex-Trump White House lawyer predicts bad news for former president

"Drumbeat against Trump louder: Barr tells corporate media Trump is Exposed, then Cobb says he's going to jail--while for almost eight years, the corrupt DOJ and FBI conspired and worked with the Clinton campaign, DNC and intel agencies to falsify documents and federal records, violate FISA laws to block Trump's candidacy, then to overthrow his Presidency--2 impeachments, lies upon lies, conspiring with Intel agencies to elect Joe Biden. Not a one of the bad guys going to jail." #TheGreatAmericaShow @LouDobbs

@realDonaldTrump

#EightYearPersecution

[xtruss]

Kentucky Dem Suggests Biden Be Impeached For War Crimes in Ukraine

© Sputnik/Stringer/Go to the mediabank

— Ilya Tsukanov | Sputnik International | Saturday January 14, 2023

The US has committed over $110 Billion in military and economic aid and intelligence support to Kiev for the conflict in Ukraine, which Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has characterized as a Western “proxy war” against Russia.

Kentucky progressive Democrat and gubernatorial candidate Geoffrey Young has proposed that President Joe Biden be “Immediately” thrown out of office for a series of war crimes committed by his administration.

“I think Joe Biden (D-War Criminal) should be impeached immediately for war crimes in Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, Iraq etc,” Young tweeted, specifying that reasons for impeachment include “the illegal proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.”

Geoffrey M Young's tweet. © Photo: Tweet

Young, 66, calls himself as a “Peace Democrat,” and is an outspoken critic of imperious US foreign policy who has savagely criticized the sending of US taxpayer money to Kiev by both parties, and slammed the conflict in Ukraine as a lost cause for the US and NATO.

His candidacy for governor and challenge of incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear in the governor’s race has been largely ignored by mainstream media, which has dubbed him the "perennial candidate" or failed to mention him at all, with individual outlets trying to smear him, including over his "controversial" stance on the Ukraine conflict.

The party primaries in the Kentucky gubernatorial race will take place on May 16, while the election itself will be held November 7.

Young ran as a Democratic Party candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives in the November midterms, but was defeated by incumbent Republican Andy Barr. He also ran in the Democratic primaries in gubernatorial elections in 2019 and 2015, and the Democratic primaries for a House seat in 2018 and 2014.

In the 2022 race for the House, Young focused his campaign on three issues - slashing the Pentagon's budget by "at least 60 percent," abolishing the Central Intelligence Agency, which he blamed for getting America into needless wars, and reducing the impact of big money in politics by publicly financing all elections.

[contemplatingoutlander]

There is a lot of evidence that Trump's campaign coordinated with the Russians. Of course, it was hard to prove "collusion," but that doesn't mean there wasn't coordination. And if a Democrat had done similar "coordination" with Russia, you know they would have been impeached by the GOP.

But Bill Barr's "executive summary" of the Mueller Report put a misleading spin on what was discovered by the Mueller investigation. Republicans have run with that for years until it is now canon in GOP circles that the Mueller investigation was just a political "witch hunt" without merit.

Trump's MAGA followers don't want to know the truth, so they just keep being reassured by right-wing media of what they want to believe.

It's frustrating when the GOP keep dishonestly spinning about the connections between Trump and Russia.

Reminder: Trump’s campaign manager conspired and coordinated with Russian spies.

Then got a pardon.

[reportafrique]

Ekpeye Ethnic Nation Raises Alarm Over Alleged Intimidation and Threats by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike against Fubara's Cos, Ehie edison

Ekpeye Ethnic Nation, an ethnic formation of the Ekpeye People of Rivers state, has staged a Protest over the police declaration of Hon. Ehie Edison wanted, lambasting the FCT minister for having a hand in the case. In a press briefing held today, the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation, comprising traditional leaders, elites, women, and youths, addressed the ongoing accusations, threats, and intimidation faced by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the Government of Rivers State. The Ekpeye Ethnic Nation claims that these actions are orchestrated by Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The accusations against Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie include his alleged involvement in the murder of late Divisional Police Officer SP Bako Angbashim in Ahoada on September 8, 2023. However, the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation argues that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated, emphasizing that other suspects have already confessed to the crime. Ekpeye Group Accuses Wike of Witch-hunting Fubara's Cos The Ekpeye Ethnic Nation disputes the timing of the accusations, stating that they escalated when Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie opposed a plot to impeach the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Sim Fubara, GSSRS. They assert that the distinguished High Chief, holding the title of Eze Ugboji Ekpeye (The King of the Youths), is not associated with criminal activities, such as plotting to burn down the Rivers State Assembly Complex. Apostle Jonathan Solomon, Convener of the Ekpeye Movement for Peace and Growth, signed the press briefing. Solomon expresses concern over the alleged attempt by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to undermine the sociopolitical relevance of the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation in Rivers State. The Ekpeye Ethnic Nation declares its commitment to resisting any form of harassment or intimidation of Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and his supporters. In a show of solidarity, the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation thanks the Executive Governor, His Excellency Sir Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, for appointing Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie as the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers State. The ethnic group pledges unwavering support for Governor Fubara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHlY3RAI3RA As tensions rise, the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation vows to protect its sons and stands firm against what they perceive as political maneuvers to discredit and undermine the Ekpeye community in Rivers State. REPORT AFRIQUE had earlier this week reported that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The warrant is in connection to his alleged involvement in the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Read the full article

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade Akeredolu vs Deputy; Faction emerges in House of Assembly, 12 Lawmakers write Chief Judge to discontinue Impeachment process The crisis has hit the Ondo State House of Assembly over the move by the lawmakers to continue the impeachment process against the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, despite the political solution preferred by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The speaker of the Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, had written to the Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct leveled against Aiyedatiwa. Olamide said the restraining order by a Federal High Court in Abuja had elapsed. However, twelve lawmakers led by the spokesman of the Assembly, Oshati Olatunji, in a letter addressed to Justice Odusola, urged him to disregard the recent letter by speaker Oladiji. The twelve lawmakers, in the letter, said the speaker’s letter did not emanate from any of the sittings of members of the Ondo state House of Assembly. They said the order of interim injunction of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court still subsists, saying it was neither vacated nor set aside. The lawmakers said it would be contemptuous for them to act in contravention of the subsisting order of the Court The letter read: “The decision to transmit the purported letter of Ondo State House of Assembly dated 23rd October 2023, signed by Rt. Hon Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi was taken without a formal sitting of the House and our knowledge as members of the 10th Assembly. “It is our considered view that we should be honourable indeed by standing with our acceptance at the Abuja meeting to suspend the impeachment process and allow for an amicable and political solution to the issue for the benefits of governance and peace of Ondo State. “In the light of the foregoing, we the undersigned members of Ondo State House of Assembly, wish to dissociate ourselves from the letter titled: Request to Constitute a Seven-man panel, to investigate the Allegation of Gross Misconduct Against the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.” Those that signed the letter were Hon. Japheth Oluwatoyin, Hon. Jide Oguntodu, Hon. Tiamiyu Fatai Atere, Hon. Gbegudu Ololade, Hon Allen Oluwatoyin, Hon. Abitogun Stephen, Hon. Tope Komolafe, Hon. (Barr) Afe Felix, Hon. Oladapo Biola, Hon. Fayemi Olawumi, Hon. Oshati Olatu Oshati, who confirmed the contents of the letter, said they were not properly consulted. He said: “The letter is true. It actually emanated from us. If you look at the content of the letter, it addressed a particular point—the last letter sent to the Chief Judge of Ondo State by the Speaker. “The speaker did not consult well. It has to be a collective responsibility because we have lawyers among us who normally advise us on the implications of some of the things we do when it comes to legal issues. That’s why they hammered on the last letter being contentious as long as the vacation on the injunction has not been removed.” “It is just an inter-house conflict, but unfortunately, people coloured it and gave it so many meanings. But the content of that letter said it all. “We are after due process, as we promised the people of Ondo State. And since the national body of our party (APC) has intervened, we believe in exploring the reconciliatory move because the two gladiators are our fathers; they are the leaders”.