Yep. To be clear, this is just how myself and apparently most others in this thread understand the process. There’s a real chance your assessment is correct, just not according to the various “experts” we’re reading or hearing from (who may all be regurgitating someone pulling something out of thin air).
It’s pretty clearly Schiff’s understanding of the process. Seems like he ought to know. Is anyone anywhere saying that Maguire followed the law? Other than Maguire, I mean?
Skipper
4421
I believe Maguire said at some point, “there was no precedent for this, so I was doing this to the best of my understanding.” Which could probably get him some slack. That being said, going TO the White House and Office of Legal Affairs considering the subject is an awfully bad optic.
He also could have just asked the IG or Congress directly.
Oh, totally. Then again, it seems like the acting DNI should have as well, lol. I’m pretty confident Schiff is in the right, but I’m just leaving a little room for reasonable doubt.
I don’t think it’s an optics problem. I just can’t credit that arriving at I’ll just take this complaint to the boss, who is himself the subject of the complaint, so he can tell me what to do with it is the end point of a good faith effort. No way.
Skipper
4425
Nor can I, but speculating that’s about the only way I could see grace given for his actions. Or I guess we could also add to it, he’s acting DNI and not far into the job. He started August 19th, and this complaint was filed on the 12th so probably came from the IG not long after Maguire started.
I don’t want to give the guy any leeway, but there are some factors there.
ShivaX
4426
Yeah, that is so obviously wrong that it is akin to admitting you’re a complete incompetent or an idiot.
Timex
4427
Giuliani just literally screamed at an Atlantic reporter that the whistleblower isn’t the hero, that HE is the hero, and that when all this is over, HE WILL BE THE HERO.
Quaro
4428
How many more times can the bar be raised?
“Well the Quid pro quo wasn’t in writing, so it doesn’t count.”
“Okay so it was in writing, but wasn’t signed.”
“Okay it was signed, but was it signed in blood?”
“Okay it was signed in blood but everyone knows blood contracts are not enforceable!”
“You’ll see!” You’ll all see!"
RichVR
4430
Given Giuliani’s mental state I believe that, if he goes down, he will throw Trump under the bus.
vyshka
4431
Waiting for breaking news to cut in with Rudy preparing to jump
If that’s what I think it is I love it!
Rightbug
4434
The goal post will inevitably end up being, “this was not actually illegal.”
Strollen
4435
I imagine in the history of whistleblower complaints in the intelligence community, no more than one and likely zero have been about the President. Certainly in his 6 weeks in the job Maquire had never seen one. I hate executive privilege with a passion and I think this president, in particular, has FUBARed. Never the less, executive privilege is a thing in the US and since Maquire and most of us aren’t lawyers I hardly blame the guy for consulting with actual lawyers before making such an important legal decision. I wouldn’t mind getting fired over my action, but when you are dealing with national security stuff, you are facing serious jail time.
I also think it is extraordinarily arrogant to call a Navy SEAL a coward, they aren’t all angels, but cowards really?
Skipper
4436
Imagine that landing on your desk one month into your new job as -acting- DNI. Talk about a hot potato.
Menzo
4437
Imagine agreeing to the position and being so naive to think that you wouldn’t get a whistleblower complaint about Donald Trump at some point.
Strollen
4438
Hell it would be a hot potato, if you been confirmed in your job by 99-0 senate vote, and had been doing the job for 8 years. Many of Trump’s appointees are incompetent, and most have no spine. But even the most honorable, competent folks, like Mattis are constantly put in a position having to second case orders by the President of the United States, and have the courage to think you know more about the law and the constitution, then team full of lawyers in the justice department. It seems like an absolutely nightmare to navigate.
