Schiff Issues Subpoena for Whistleblower Complaint Being Unlawfully Withheld

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Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,686
136
He's not bringing Comey into this. He's bringing the system into this where a lot of people, like Comey and probably this Maguire fellow, find themselves trapped doing the right thing through the law and proper channels, under the realization that the "absolute right thing" is going to be corrupted and damaged by going through the proper channels, but it is still "the right thing--the system must be honored."

Our system works best when you don't put a band of self-serving, craven, inhuman swamp trash at every level of check & balance that serve no other purpose than to to obfuscate and spread chaos in order to cover up what the other swamp trash is doing. It's a relatively good system, so long as the system that empowers these people does so, consistently, with the understanding that these are actually honorable, duty-bound people. None of this applies to team TrumpTrash.

The corruption and self-dealing essentially hit ludicrous speed after Barr oozed his way in.

Excuse me, but Comey exposed malfeasance. Maguire tried to hide it. Only Atkinson going around him directly to Congress prevented it from happening.
 

HomerJS

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
39,640
33,214
136
You're only dealing with half the issue here. Yes we need to protect whistleblowers, that's what the law was intended to do. Sure it might need to be changed.

The bigger picture issue we need to deal with was creating a mechanism for malfeasance in government to be reported to another independent branch where it can be investigated. This whistleblower complaint was sorta a back way of doing that and even so wasn't really a great avenue for doing that. The concern that needs to be addressed isn't the whistleblower being fired (although that's something we need to do for moral reasons) but rather the existing laws and checks and balances could prevent someone trying to prevent alerting others about a POTUS doing this stuff altogether. Separation of powers and executive privilege was almost successful in having Trump's actions never seen daylight.
You mean a 4th branch of govt? Good luck creating that even though it is a good idea in principle
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,946
31,481
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I 100% agree as I mean US v. Nixon says it doesn't cover criminal activity yet here were are, with it covering criminal activity. Courts and rules don't work when the branch that enforces them decides it no longer cares.

I think what we really need is some sort of amendment giving Congress enhanced law enforcement powers when it comes to the executive like some explicit carve out of inherent contempt powers and an enforcement mechanism like their own police force, etc. that can be used to arrest executive branch officials.

yes, but as we saw from 2017-2019, GOP Congress was fully on-board covering for Trump team Treason. Hell, look at Nunes losing his shit today. This stuff has been going on since day 1 with Trump, and only when those traitors were deposed from their seats in 2018, did Congress remember that it had any kind of power to deal with executive overreach.

I'm not sure that giving Congress increased power addresses the known problem of an Congress that is unwilling to prosecute serious violations and dereliction of duty...even when national security is at stake, as it clearly is here.
 

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,952
3,941
136
You mean a 4th branch of govt? Good luck creating that even though it is a good idea in principle

The executive branch has become way too powerful in the last few decades. Moving DOJ under the Legislative branch wouldn't be a bad idea. Even makes sense that law creation and law enforcement would be under the same branch.
 
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ivwshane

Lifer
May 15, 2000
33,666
17,270
136
I 100% agree as I mean US v. Nixon says it doesn't cover criminal activity yet here were are, with it covering criminal activity. Courts and rules don't work when the branch that enforces them decides it no longer cares.

I think what we really need is some sort of amendment giving Congress enhanced law enforcement powers when it comes to the executive like some explicit carve out of inherent contempt powers and an enforcement mechanism like their own police force, etc. that can be used to arrest executive branch officials.

So basically extend the duties of the sergeant of arms? I could agree with that so long as it’s limited in scope and abuse can be minimized.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
yes, but as we saw from 2017-2019, GOP Congress was fully on-board covering for Trump team Treason. Hell, look at Nunes losing his shit today. This stuff has been going on since day 1 with Trump, only only when those traitors were deposed from their seats in 2018, to Congress remember that it had any kind of power to deal with executive overreach.

I'm not sure that giving Congress increased power addresses the known problem of an Congress that is unwilling to prosecute serious violations and dereliction of duty...even when national security is at stake, as it clearly is here.

Man, if Dems didn't overtake house in 2018, the level of abuse would be off the charts. We don't have a functioning government with only one out of three being operated by adults, but it's way better than the alternative.
 

[DHT]Osiris

Lifer
Dec 15, 2015
17,466
16,797
146
I'm not sure that giving Congress increased power addresses the known problem of an Congress that is unwilling to prosecute serious violations and dereliction of duty...even when national security is at stake, as it clearly is here.
How about a financial incentive to whistleblowing, funded from congress salaries?
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
53,300
47,683
136
Whistle-Blower Is a C.I.A. Officer Who Was Detailed to the White House


The whistle-blower who revealed that President Trump sought foreign help for his re-election and that the White House sought to cover it up is a C.I.A. officer who was detailed to work at the White House at one point, according to three people familiar with his identity.

The man has since returned to the C.I.A., the people said. Little else is known about him. His complaint made public Thursday suggested he was an analyst by training and made clear he was steeped in details of American foreign policy toward Europe, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of Ukrainian politics and at least some knowledge of the law.

oh shit
 
Jan 25, 2011
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Whistle-Blower Is a C.I.A. Officer Who Was Detailed to the White House




oh shit
Yup. My money's been on Sue Gordon since this started but that says his. Wonder if that's known or assumed.
 

hal2kilo

Lifer
Feb 24, 2009
26,369
12,513
136
Man, if Dems didn't overtake house in 2018, the level of abuse would be off the charts. We don't have a functioning government with only one out of three being operated by adults, but it's way better than the alternative.
It's scary to think about that what if.
 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
4,268
126

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,946
31,481
146
Dead man walking? It does seem that Trump endorsed someone offing the whistleblower.

"Mike, I can't believe one of your people betrayed me. They betrayed me, Mike! I need you to do something.

Uh...

"You need to do something about this, Mike. Something needs to be done."
 

ewdotson

Golden Member
Oct 30, 2011
1,295
1,520
136
You mean a 4th branch of govt? Good luck creating that even though it is a good idea in principle
I can't speak for him, but it's pretty much what I meant. Maybe a third and a half branch, so to speak. It'd be impossible under normal circumstances, but imagine the fallout if Trump and Pence actually wound up being removed from office. (Which, for the record, is still not even close to a given.) I feel like we could toss a lot of our assumptions about how things work out should we find ourselves living in that world.
 

hal2kilo

Lifer
Feb 24, 2009
26,369
12,513
136
Yup. My money's been on Sue Gordon since this started but that says his. Wonder if that's known or assumed.
My aunt and uncle (since past), my father (since past}, and my 2 brothers (living) have been or currently in the community. Let me tell you, one of my brothers is questioning his purpose. Quote "it's hard to do your work when you obviously aren't appreciated". Works Cyber security, in charge of what he calls kids "off campus".
 

[DHT]Osiris

Lifer
Dec 15, 2015
17,466
16,797
146

VRAMdemon

Diamond Member
Aug 16, 2012
7,965
10,491
136
Trump threatening anyone providing whistleblower information. Calling them spies.


How is not a clear case example of fascist rule? BTW - We were told by someone here we didn't know the definition of treason


Trump really is nothing more than a third rate mob boss.

I guess his next plan is to rub out squealers and stool pigeons.