James Baker, a former top FBI lawyer, told congressional investigators on Wednesday that the Russia probe was handled in an “abnormal fashion” and was rife with “political bias” according to Fox News, citing two Republican lawmakers present for the closed-door deposition.
“Some of the things that were shared were explosive in nature,” Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., told Fox News. “This witness confirmed that things were done in an abnormal fashion. That’s extremely troubling.”
Meadows claimed the “abnormal” handling of the probe into alleged coordination between Russian officials and the Trump presidential campaign was “a reflection of inherent bias that seems to be evident in certain circles.” The FBI agent who opened the Russia case, Peter Strzok, FBI lawyer Lisa Page and others sent politically charged texts, and have since left the bureau. –Fox News
Baker, who worked closely with former FBI Director James Comey, left the bureau earlier this year.
Lawmakers did not provide any specifics about the interview, citing a confidentiality agreement signed with Baker and his attorneys, however they said that he was cooperative and forthcoming about the beginnings of the Russia probe in 2016, as well as the FISA surveillance warrant application to spy on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page.
“During the time that the FBI was putting — that DOJ and FBI were putting together the FISA (surveillance warrant) during the time prior to the election — there was another source giving information directly to the FBI, which we found the source to be pretty explosive,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.
Meadows and Jordan would not elaborate on the source, or answer questions about whether the source was a reporter. They did stress that the source who provided information to the FBI’s Russia case was not previously known to congressional investigators. –Fox News
According to Fox, Baker “is at the heart of surveillance abuse allegations, and his deposition lays the groundwork for next week’s planned closed-door interview with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.”
As the FBI’s top lawyer, baker helped secure the FISA warrant on Page, along with three subsequent renewals.
Treason is punishable by death I hope a few of them have their affairs in order in the agency and perhaps a couple in congress, maybe higher.
Surprise person maybe Nellie ? Bruce wasn’t very forth coming in her employment connections, Fusion a FBI contractor having access to the NSA data base because she speaks fluent russian? When that avenue of spying on the competition was shut off, had to get a warrant, now a demand for the woods method used to verify the insurance policy?
The noose is tightening, we knew one would turn to save their own skin.
Pass the popcorn.
@kitt: McCabe is vulnerable, too. He is deathly afraid of conviction. Keep in mind, what these conspirators were relying on to cover their tracks was Hillary winning, not stealth. The reason we are all so well informed on the clear evidence of sedition is because it is ALL OVER THE F**KING PLACE, like a garbage can dogs have rummaged through.
James Baker is a former “top FBI lawyer.” He was demoted from his General Counsel position after being investigated for leaking information unfavorable to the Trump Administration, but was never actually charged with doing so. Perhaps avoiding prosecution and keeping his job has had a price.
As I’ve commented before, everything Trump touches begins to rot, and he’s wormed his way into the Oval Office, from which he can touch everything.
@Greg:
You do know, don’t you, that if you leak classified information, no matter if it salves your butthurt or no, it is ILLEGAL?
This is OBAMA’S rot, not Trump’s. Obama created the corrosion and erosion of ethics in the FBI.
@Deplorable me, #4:
What classified information was he ever proved to have leaked? He was accused of doing so—just like Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault.
Could it be that Trumpists have a double standard about the importance of unproven accusations? That would be a rhetorical question. Hypocrisy is a major part of their normal condition—something as obvious as the grass being green and the sky being blue.
@Greg:
But Kavanaugh vigorously defended himself. Baker is singing like a canary. See the difference?
Oh… you mean like making death threats against someone simply because they were nominated as a judge candidate? Or declaring someone a racist based on NO facts whatsoever? Or DENOUNCING someone making a sexual assault charge against a Democrat because she doesn’t have video proof (only medical records and police reports)?
For Democrats to have double-standards, I guess they would have to have one, first, to mirror image, wouldn’t they? You support SCUM.
@Deplorable me: The rot was there before Obama Some of these are back from Bush and Clinton, how many FBI files were discovered in the WH? They were just better at keeping their garbage out of the MSM. Clintons to many crimesto list, George Jr the patriot act and utter failures to stop 911 if he didnt actually arrange it.
George Sr gawd I think I know what direction that soul is headed.
By the time O took over they were not even bothering to hide it anymore.