NYT Report Confirms Obama Administration’s FBI Spied on Trump Campaign
Confirming everyone’s worst suspicions
And here it is.
The New York Times confirms Trump’s claims, which have been frequently dismissed by major media outlets as kooky and conspiratorial, true. Under the Obama administration, the intelligence community DOJ officials spied on Trump’s campaign.
Operation “Crossfire Hurricane” is what they called it. It was a super double secret operation that only a handful of agents and DOJ officials were aware of.
Agents, “obtained phone records and other documents using national security letters — a secret type of subpoena” and “at least one government informant met several times with Mr. Page and Mr. Papadopoulos.”
The timing of the report is…suspect:
Make absolutely NO MISTAKE, today’s NY Times story on #CrossfireHurricane is a timed leak through the NY Times propaganda machine to head off the damaging information about to come out in the IG report. The NY Times is a disgrace, no better than Pravda.
— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) May 16, 2018
Absolutely. It was also confirmation that our intelligence apparatus was being used to spy on a presidential campaign. #CrossfireHurricane will be exposed for what it is and so much more https://t.co/538emjP8qq
— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) May 17, 2018
The NYT report briefly mentions the upcoming IG report in reference to text messages exchanged between agents Strzok and Page:
The inspector general’s upcoming report is expected to criticize those messages for giving the appearance of bias. It is not clear, however, whether inspectors found evidence supporting Mr. Trump’s assertion that agents tried to protect Mrs. Clinton, a claim the F.B.I. has adamantly denied.
The FBI was concerned Trump would be vindicated if the public found out they’d been spying on the now-president.
This NYT story says that FBI was worried that if it came out they were spying on Trump campaign it would "only reinforce his claims that the election was being rigged against him." Yes, I can imagine that would reinforce those claims. I mean, !!! !!! !!! !!!
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) May 16, 2018
Basically:
#FBI OLD AND BUSTED: "we definitely weren't spying on Trump, that's a conspiracy theory"#FBI NEW HOTNESS: "Of course we were spying on Trump! With covert informants and electronic surveillance. It was our patriotic duty. What, you don't like it? You must be a bot or a bigot" https://t.co/wUFqklkFbB
— Undercover Huber (@JohnWHuber) May 16, 2018
Kimberly Strassel, a reporter for the WSJ has a concise breakdown:
1. So a few important points on that new NYT "Hurricane Crossfire" piece. A story that, BTW, all of us following this knew had to be coming. This is DOJ/FBI leakers' attempt to get in front of the facts Nunes is forcing out, to make it not sound so bad. Don't buy it. It's bad.
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 17, 2018
2. Biggest takeaway: Govt "sources" admit that, indeed, the Obama DOJ and FBI spied on the Trump campaign. Spied. (Tho NYT kindly calls spy an "informant.") NYT slips in confirmation far down in story, and makes it out like it isn't a big deal. It is a very big deal.
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 17, 2018
3. In self-serving desire to get a sympathetic story about its actions, DOJ/FBI leakers are willing to provide yet more details about that "top secret" source (namely, that spying was aimed at Page/Papadopoulos)–making all more likely/certain source will be outed. That's on them
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 17, 2018
4. DOJ/FBI (and its leakers) have shredded what little credibility they have in claiming they cannot comply with subpoena. They are willing to provide details to friendly media, but not Congress? Willing to risk very source they claim to need to protect?
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 17, 2018
5. Back in Dec., NYT assured us it was the Papadopoulos-Downer convo that inspired FBI to launch official counterintelligence operation on July 31, 2016. Which was convenient, since it diminished the role of the dossier. However . . .
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 17, 2018
5. Back in Dec., NYT assured us it was the Papadopoulos-Downer convo that inspired FBI to launch official counterintelligence operation on July 31, 2016. Which was convenient, since it diminished the role of the dossier. However . . .
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 17, 2018
6. Now NYT tells us FBI didn't debrief downer until August 2nd. And Nunes says no "official intelligence" from allies was delivered to FBI about that convo prior to July 31. So how did FBI get Downer details? (Political actors?) And what really did inspire the CI investigation?
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 17, 2018
7. As for whether to believe line that FBI operated soberly/carefully/judiciously in 2016, a main source for this judgment is, um . . .uh . . . Sally Yates. Who was in middle of it all. A bit like asking Putin to reassure that Russia didn't meddle in our election.
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 17, 2018
8. On that, if u r wondering who narrated this story, note paragraphs that assure everybody that hardly anybody in DOJ knew about probe. Oh, and Comey also was given few details. Nobody knew nothin'! (Cuz when u require whole story saying u behaved, it means u know you didn't.)
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 17, 2018
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Comments
It’s not a swamp.
It’s a cesspool!
People are clueless as to just how awful Washington DC and political hucksters are.
It’s Water Closet.
And it seems that Deep Plunger is still on the job.
Why are all these lawless bastards still walking around free? I don’t get it? Where is the AG? I’m really ashamed of my Government for the first time in my life. And Trump better get off his asss too and order the Justice Dept to release everything, unredacted, they got on this Russian collusion BS. He has the authority all he has to do is give the order. I wonder why he’s hesitant to do this? He just seems to not want the truth to come out just like the GD Dumpacraps.
“Crossfire Hurricane” – from “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
Of course. It was the FBI’s way of signalling that the operation was approved by the Hildabeast herself.
After all, although the first line of the first verse is, “I was born in a cross-fire hurricane”; the first line of the second verse is, “I was raised by a toothless bearded hag” …
Perfectly Hillary-ous!
The NY Times: Pravda on the Hudson. Nothing has changed since the end of the USSR. As long as there are Democrats, the USSR will live on.
“Nothing has changed” with the NYT since Alger Hiss/Whitaker Chambers in the 1930s and 1940s. Read “Witness” by Chambers.
Nowadays substitute Obama for Hiss and Trump for Chambers.
History repeats itself. Exactly.
I am waiting for someone to write – “What if the NYT covered Watergate the same way they cover the CIA/FBI’s domestic spying on the Trump Campaign for the Democratic Party.”
Wonder when Mueller will start indicting Obama people/Democrats for trying to manipulate an election?
Oh, look at that. Can you believe I typed that crap? Haha! Hoo-boy. Mueller investi-HAHAHA-invest-HAHAHA I can’t even say it again. Inv-HAHAHAHA! WAIT! WAIT! It’s hard to even…HAHAHAHAHA! Like he’s ever gonna look at Demo-HAHAHAHAHAHA, OMG I can’t breathe! HAHAHAHAHA!
This just in! Satan orders snowblower! LOL.
I am wondering if Rinos are colluding with the far left to try and oust Trump?
“I am wondering if…”
LOL, good one, John.
Can a Special Prosecutor indict himself?
I think he already has.
so was Trump Deranged FBI/DoJ secret spying “Crossfire Hurricane” the ‘insurance policy’?? asking for a friend
I’m pretty sure that the “Insurance Policy” in the event of the failure of Operation Crossfire Hurricane was/is a plan to have one or more “lone gunmen” [the traditional phrase in this country] change the makeup of the US government. Look at the people we are dealing with. Killing Americans does not faze them a bit. They already are traitors to the Oath. And more loyal to foreign interests than American.
Yes, I hear only one thing when I read “insurance policy” and that’s it. Though I have a feeling that an unfortunate aviation mishap is more maybe likely than lead poisoning. Plans are doubtless afoot in dank, swampy places.
They’re mortally terrified of something, even if it’s not clear exactly what. I suspect it involves more than just those Washington perennials, money and control. Hillary’s fear of nooses around necks may not have been hyperbole.
The House softball practice game is a perfect example. Look at the number of Republicans who could have been taken out.
Pretty sad state of affairs. This will be standard operating procedures for the rest of my life. I would really like to see some heads roll, especially that jughead with the big ears and his Iranian girlfriend 🙂
‘hate to dash your hopes, but keep in mind who the AG is.
So it’s a “modified limited hangout” story?
Funny, but, as I recall, the press was pretty upset about Nixon spying on his political enemies and using the FBI to cover it up. Now, not so much. I wonder what could be different?
With apologies to Tom Wolf…
The mantle of Tyrant is always descending on Trump but landing on Obama.
And does it seem like the Never Trumpers make themselves scarce or feeble in these kind of threads.
Let’s play another round of ARE YOU AN AMERICAN?
100 Americans were asked if they support an outgoing President using the FBI to spy on the incoming President.
We’re looking for the #1 answer. Team NeverTrump has selected Rags to field this one. What say you Rags?
The time of Judge approved warrants are over. We must use this to get our government back.
So what will the NYT say when Trump admin does this to any number of deserving democratic opponents?
We need to abolish the FBI and start over from scratch.
Can you imagine how wackadoo tinfoil crazy that would have sounded just 6 months ago?
Shout out to any honorable FBI agents left in the building, I get why it’s hard for you to police your organization, but we are fast approaching the point where staring down at your shoelaces is no better than the evil you are enabling.
Act soon or the Corruption will pull you down with it.
I think we are past that phase. For several decades, the corrupt ones have been deciding who gets hired and promoted. The absolute silence from the rank and file from 2016 on is damning. It is kind of like members of the Allegemeine-SS claiming no knowledge of or involvement in the activities of the SS-Totenkopfverbände.
I’m afraid you are right. I’ve been very slow admitting just how bad it is. The corruption of the FBI is systemic. Mueller is the kind of man it produces.
Maybe I was naive or idealistic. I thought of these guys as Boy Scouts with laser rifles.
Remember in the movies when an agent would walk into the room and say “John Smith, FBI” and everyone in the room would pause to look up and witness the Jedi in their midst, like he was a Texas Ranger? Those days are over. Really sad. And an own goal for the rule of law.
“I’m talking about a dishonest cop – a crooked cop who got mixed up in the rackets and got what was coming to him” – Micheal Corleone
I am naive. I am deeply saddened. For a long time I suggested to my nephew that he consider the FBI. Smart, strong, good guy, now I am glad that he is doing IT for a new and growing engineering firm… SMH.
Another limited hangout.
If Trump had lost, not one word of this would have ever seen the light of day. The deep state would have burrowed deeper. Talk about a close thing.
Not this part of it anyway.
But you can bet your sweet bippy that a President Pantsuit would have used the full power of the government to prosecute to prosecute Trump with the fake information.
The Clintons have never been happy with just beating someone politically.
They want their political opponents personally and financially destroyed.
The Clintons live by The Politics Of Personal Destruction
We ain’t seen nothing yet. When will the MSM and associated establishment pols call this the attempted coup it is? Popcorn.
I stated a year ago that the fact that the Federal government had spied on the Trump campaign was going to be bigger than Watergate. It is already at that point and we still have not even gotten to the evidence that it was known to, and very possibly authorized by, the Obama white House and, possibly, by the President himself.
This is not the end of the matter. It is only the beginning. And it has to be followed as far as it goes.
Sadly, we all have this suspicion that noting is going to happen.
If it comes down to Obama or Jarrett….and we know it is Obama, I’ll bet he fingers her.
Yuck
“The [FBI] has been turned away from the mission of Justice and now exists almost entirely to serve as the Armed Wing of the Democrat Party.” – Ace of Spades
Ain’t nobody here but us chickens!
Ain’t nobody here but us chickens!
It seems that Trump’s nominee for head of the CIA, Gina Haspel, was station chief in London while Papadopolous was being set up.
https://twitter.com/JackPosobiec
Our government spied on the campaign of the presidential nominee of a major party. That is incredible all by itself.
Surely our ethical and apolitical federal law enforcement officers had good cause to suspect some threat to national security or some serious criminal activity to do such a thing. Right?
Nope.
Well, then their activities must have been directed from the highest levels with the knowledge and approval of the President. Right?
Not according to Obama.
They were spying on the potential next POTUS and Obama didn’t even know???
Allegedly.
Assume you are the FBI Director. How do you conduct an investigation of the GOP nominee (or his inner circle) without the full knowledge and express approval of the President? Is there any scenario where that makes sense?
Ah, let me think – No!
O: Will no one rid me of this meddlesome person?
C: Gotcha boss, nudge nudge, say no more, wink, wink.
Fast Forward
O: We never ordered anyone to spy on THAT man.
Although there are “true believers” who operate in furtherance of a leader’s agenda without receiving specific orders, these people tend to be foot soldiers, at a distance from the seat of power (e.g. Lois Lerner). This permits plausible deniability.
When the true believers are as close to the center of the universe as some of these actors are, even their “true believer” status is unlikely to lead them to act without authorization, because they are too close to the principles to permit deniability. This make orchestration more likely, because principles wouldn’t tolerate such activity by lone gunmen so close that its exposure would threaten them directly. People in high circles wait for orders/permission, because everybody needs to be on the same page or they’re all at risk (e.g. Fast and Furious). This group hoped to minimize or eliminate the risk with a Clinton victory. Their heads have been exploding since the Clinton loss.
So will Congress start holding people at FBI and DoJ in contempt NOW? Maybe an impeachment or 3, just for grins?
No. I don’t think so either. I wish I could believe they would do SOMETHING meaningful but I’m just not that new.
When will a courageous Democrat finally come forth and speak against the corruption that occurred.
Too many invested personally in Obama and are unable to face the truth about how he acted, and how he made things worse and gave us Trump, because of what it says about them and their judgment.
Obama was able to hide who he was. His brand of corruption rubbed off well on Clinton. How fortunate she lost and the facts will come to light. There is far to go before the effects are truly reversed. When you deal with people convinced you’re irredeemable, you can’r expect they will ever succumb to facts and reason.
Once again, the right side of the political spectrum sucks when it comes to properly phrasing things. The left understands much better how to frame things.
This isn’t just “the DOJ” or “the FBI”, like these were rogue agents acting independently of the White House. These were Obama’s people, appointed by him, consulted by him, and working for him. Who was head of the DOJ again? Oh, yeah, the woman who met with Bill Clinton on the tarmac while Comey, the cop, was overstepping his authority to make a legal judgement that DOJ lawyers were supposed to be making. The right has to stop referring to these agencies–including the IRS with its scandals–as somehow floating above Washington, untouched by the White House. Every time the DOJ is mentioned, it should be phrased: “Obama appointees within the DOJ.” Every time the FBI is mentioned, it should be “Obama appointees within the FBI.”
I appreciate all of the outrage here, and I agree with it, but the biggest issue is that the far left is now conducting ALL their business this way.
They have no connection to the American values and principles we do at all.
The voter fraud is out of control on the Dem side, the use of OUR OWN government to attack and silence their opponents truly is the communist tactic they’re using, the willingness to use ‘nuclear option’ in Congress when they have majority, the unrelenting and constant irresponsibility coupled with unaccountability….
I’m not much for conspiracy theories but what these far left communist Democrats are doing countrywide is treason in broad daylight…with no fear of being challenged.
We can not play by the rules anymore with them.
They need to be taken out.
Oh, and I love how these jackasses think that transparency will damage respect for institutions like the FBI.
“I only lied about cheating on you because I didn’t want to lose your trust”
Fire them all.
So what we now know and what an honest headline should say… “Obama administration, FBI colluded with British and Russian sources to stop Trump”
They have now told on themselves with a soft spin article in NYT. Trump has been right to let it play out.
So, the government spied, and the media (most of it) helped them every step of the way. Media was part of this, in a big way.
And where is Jeff Sessions?
Sessions should change his name to Waldo.
Hibernation!
Get out the Handcuffs and Prison Orange Jumpsuits, otherwise NO American citizen should EVER be charged with any crimes because of the INCOMPETENCE of the Fumbling Bumbling Idiots – FBI !!!
Hardly surprising that Barry was behind all this stuff.
What is surprising is that Barry did not do more since Trump won.
Bet Kamala or Cory or Pocahontas or maybe Opra or Michelle won’t be as timid in future.
Now the problem will be to find someone with the balls to identify, prosecute and imprison every POS involved with this disgustingly anti-American OP.
…someone with balls…,that eliminates Sessions
“Not even a “smidgen” of corruption.”
Barack Obama 2/3/2014
How do you define Smidgen ??/
My take John Brennan made this crap up and convinced Comey that it was real.
Remember, Comey wanted to do an Op ed about the Russian influence and O said no.
I really believe people like Evelyn Farkas and others were taken in and fooled .
Strzoks texts indicate he was all in at first but later said there was no there there .
He played to their confirmation bias and the only thing harder than fooling people is for them to admit they were fooled .
OK. First, the tweet about Schneiderman in 2013. Then, in 2017, the assertion that he was wiretapped, easily understood as spied upon.
Is there anything the President does not know?
“Beyond the pale” is the accurate description here, outside of known law and mores.
This story is an attempt to frame the discussion for the upcoming IG report which will be much worse than this half-fictional story, falsely portraying FBI as secretive heroes.
As Buck Sexton posted earlier, we are now at the “I was sure he was guilty so I dropped a gun with his prints on it at the crime scene” level of deep state anti-Trump scheming.
Hey Yellow Chicken just saying hi…lurker.
It is believed that Stephen Halper was a classmate of Bill Clinton. He did work for the Clinton administration. Looks like they know each other well since Oxford.
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/05/obamas-deep-state-plant-in-trump-campaign-was-bill-clinton-classmate-and-later-advisor-to-clinton-administration/
A Google News search for “crossfire hurricane” yields only stories about where the name came from.
I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag, — Jumpin Jack Flash
Who knew there was a reference to Hillary Clinton ?