Senator blasts NSA chief: ‘What you feel isn’t relevant, admiral'

[Jhhnn]

It's obvious that Coates will not reveal classified information in an open hearing.

“I’m willing to come before the committee and tell you what I know and don’t know,” Coats said. “What I’m not willing to do is share information I think ought to be protected in an opening hearing.”

That seems reasonable. Gotta love this bit from King-

“I don’t understand why the special counsel’s lane takes precedence over the lane of the United States Congress,” King said.

Because you'll screw up criminal investigations while grandstanding.

 

[K1052]

Any bets on if/how DSF tries to pretend this is nothing?

I suspect he'll be in denial the entire way though the rapidly upcoming Pence presidency.

 

[HomerJS]

It's obvious that Coates will not reveal classified information in an open hearing.



That seems reasonable. Gotta love this bit from King-



Because you'll screw up criminal investigations while grandstanding.

FTFY
It's obvious that Coates will not reveal any information in an open hearing.

Conversations with Trump involving ending FBI investigation are not classified.

 

[Grooveriding]

The McCain guy showed up the end. Read out the Post story about Trump asking those two to try and interfere. Ended with the older guy having to say even if it's in the post it's still classified and he can't confirm it.

Really a sad state of affairs. How does a government become so dysfunctional and partisan that they enable a degenerate President who has no respect for his country's institutions or the rule of law ? This can be extended to a significant portion of the electorate, that are either similarly no longer caring about their nation's foundations - viewing politics as a football game, or too damn lazy to inform themselves on what is happening. It's a grim forecast of where things will end up going if something doesn't change. It appears to already be so close to the bottom, that what's left is just an abandonment of pretense and democracy being thrown aside for a make-believe one that is just a dictatorship, like you see in Russia.

 

[WHAMPOM]

But we weren't pressured, we were willing. In a sadomasochistic relationship what you hear as screams of pain are really screams of pleasure.

 

[Jhhnn]

FTFY
It's obvious that Coates will not reveal any information in an open hearing.

Conversations with Trump involving ending FBI investigation are not classified.

They're classified if the IC says they're classified. Whether that's justified or not is another matter. In any event the committee can obtain the info they want from Coates behind closed doors. The whole IC is saying as little as possible to anybody outside the Special Counsel's office. Being in the spotlight doesn't help them do their jobs.

 

[WHAMPOM]

The McCain guy showed up the end. Read out the Post story about Trump asking those two to try and interfere. Ended with the older guy having to say even if it's in the post it's still classified and he can't confirm it.

Really a sad state of affairs. How does a government become so dysfunctional and partisan that they enable a degenerate President who has no respect for his country's institutions or the rule of law ? This can be extended to a significant portion of the electorate, that are either similarly no longer caring about their nation's foundations - viewing politics as a football game, or too damn lazy to inform themselves on what is happening. It's a grim forecast of where things will end up going if something doesn't change. It appears to already be so close to the bottom, that what's left is just an abandonment of pretense and democracy being thrown aside for a make-believe one that is just a dictatorship, like you see in Russia.

But! But! Not so bad as a President lying about an oval office blow job? Oh the Republican moral outrage if Donald does something as bad!

 

[Roflmouth]

But! But! Not so bad as a President lying about an oval office blow job? Oh the Republican moral outrage if Donald does something as bad!

Oh, if only Trump could be as fierce a fighter for women's rights as Bill Clinton!

 

[zinfamous]

Oh, if only Trump could be as fierce a fighter for women's rights as Bill Clinton!

yes, that would be nice, actually.

 

[emperus]

They're classified if the IC says they're classified. Whether that's justified or not is another matter. In any event the committee can obtain the info they want from Coates behind closed doors. The whole IC is saying as little as possible to anybody outside the Special Counsel's office. Being in the spotlight doesn't help them do their jobs.

1.) Not how classification works.
2.) Anyhow, at the hearing they stated that the material was not classified. and if you read the OP you would see Coats said he had no legal justification not to answer.
3.) Why does the Special Counsel get more deference than the Senate? The Senate is a separate and coequal branch of government.
4.) Any more attempts at deflection and obfuscation?

 

[Pens1566]

My guess is that Coates/Rogers didn't want to talk about it as it's been requested by Mueller as part of his investigation. They essentially admitted the conversation(s) took place, they just wouldn't repeat the content.

 

[brycejones]

I suspect he'll be in denial the entire way though the rapidly upcoming Pence presidency.

It will probably shift to he knew Trump was a fraud all along and Pence is what he wanted for some BS like that. If there is one thing about DSF he can take all sides of a position and pretend he hasn't changed ever.

 

[emperus]

My guess is that Coates/Rogers didn't want to talk about it as it's been requested by Mueller as part of his investigation. They essentially admitted the conversation(s) took place, they just wouldn't repeat the content.

Again, No. They didn't want to talk about it because it would embarrass Trump.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Isn't this the definition of contempt?

Possibly, but he may have a basis. If details are in fact classified then no one can compel them to be released in open session.

I don't automatically see this as obstruction because there are two things going on. Congress is exploring. It has no legal prosecutorial standing. Mueller however does and spilling things to Congress may subvert Mueller's process. In fact the article mentions people getting upset that Mueller may be given precedence over Congress and if it comes to it I'd say that criminal investigations have priority. Mueller is just as legitimate a person as any or all on that panel. Would I like to know more? Yes, but not at the cost of screwing the pooch.

I'm not going to have a fit when the right thing may be happening.

 

[Pens1566]

Again, No. They didn't want to talk about it because it would embarrass Trump.

If that's the case, it won't fly with the committee. Likely, you won't hear a further peep out of McCain/King/etc. after the closed session.

I'm basing my opinion on Coates/Rogers stating they can't talk about it in open session. Ongoing investigation related info, they can disclose in the closed session. Only thing that makes sense really.

 

[interchange]

Possibly, but he may have a basis. If details are in fact classified then no one can compel them to be released in open session.

I don't automatically see this as obstruction because there are two things going on. Congress is exploring. It has no legal prosecutorial standing. Mueller however does and spilling things to Congress may subvert Mueller's process. In fact the article mentions people getting upset that Mueller may be given precedence over Congress and if it comes to it I'd say that criminal investigations have priority. Mueller is just as legitimate a person as any or all on that panel. Would I like to know more? Yes, but not at the cost of screwing the pooch.

I'm not going to have a fit when the right thing may be happening.

I feel differently having read the full testimony instead of the very selective excerpt by the OP. I should have known better. Hopefully in closed session Coats can clarify what was classified and justify his refusal to elaborate openly. Unfortunately, the public will never know what is said privately to judge for themselves.

 

[Sunburn74]

1.) Not how classification works.
2.) Anyhow, at the hearing they stated that the material was not classified. and if you read the OP you would see Coats said he had no legal justification not to answer.
3.) Why does the Special Counsel get more deference than the Senate? The Senate is a separate and coequal branch of government.
4.) Any more attempts at deflection and obfuscation?

I really did not understand why Coats and rodgers felt they could not answer the US senate. I just don't get it. You work for them too...

 

[Roflmouth]

Again, No. They didn't want to talk about it because it would embarrass Trump.

LOL, how are those mind-reading powers working out for you?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Again, No. They didn't want to talk about it because it would embarrass Trump.

I don't think so. At least one came out and said Trump was absolutely wrong about Obama's wiretapping and that even if he wanted to Obama could not have pulled it off. A direct challenge against Trump seems to suggest that he isn't worried about embarrassing him. These are not Trump's friends.

 

[Jhhnn]

1.) Not how classification works.
2.) Anyhow, at the hearing they stated that the material was not classified. and if you read the OP you would see Coats said he had no legal justification not to answer.
3.) Why does the Special Counsel get more deference than the Senate? The Senate is a separate and coequal branch of government.
4.) Any more attempts at deflection and obfuscation?

1- I'm sure Coates knows more about it than we do.

2- false. listen to the testimony at 00:50.

3- because the Special Counsel takes testimony in private & Coates offered to do the same for the Senate. See 2.

4- attacking Coates merely discredits the IC unfairly. Tear 'em down far enough & Trump will be believed rather than them should it come to a showdown. I doubt that's what you want.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

1- I'm sure Coates knows more about it than we do.

2- false. listen to the testimony at 00:50.

3- because the Special Counsel takes testimony in private & Coates offered to do the same for the Senate. See 2.

4- attacking Coates merely discredits the IC unfairly. Tear 'em down far enough & Trump will be believed rather than them should it come to a showdown. I doubt that's what you want.

People are not thinking about who these people are and what's been said before. These people are Nazis according to Trump and they won't do dishonorable or illegal acts when he tells them to. They have no use for Trump, don't like or trust him.

But they aren't forthcoming and therefore they are protecting Trump. That makes absolutely no sense. So why not tell Congress everything?

Mueller. You can bet your ass that he hasn't been standing around with his thumb up his ass. He's known for an almost frightening attention to detail. There's virtually no chance that the members being questioned have not had communication with and have been advised by Mueller on the possible legal issues.

I can understand the Congressman's anger, but yes he and his committee have a lower priority when it comes to justice than Mueller's authority in potential criminal matters.

We can have all the gory details or we can have justice. Pick one and only one.

 

[emperus]

1- I'm sure Coates knows more about it than we do.

2- false. listen to the testimony at 00:50.

3- because the Special Counsel takes testimony in private & Coates offered to do the same for the Senate. See 2.

4- attacking Coates merely discredits the IC unfairly. Tear 'em down far enough & Trump will be believed rather than them should it come to a showdown. I doubt that's what you want.

Again, read the first post. All your answers are there. Coats says he had no legal justification for not answering the questions posed by the Senate commitee. Meaning it's not classified and the White House didn't try to exert executive privilege.

 

[Maxima1]

1- I'm sure Coates knows more about it than we do.

2- false. listen to the testimony at 00:50.

3- because the Special Counsel takes testimony in private & Coates offered to do the same for the Senate. See 2.

4- attacking Coates merely discredits the IC unfairly. Tear 'em down far enough & Trump will be believed rather than them should it come to a showdown. I doubt that's what you want.

Uh, there is no justification. Don't take the BS talking point that somehow if info on this is revealed, that the investigation will be foiled. That makes no sense. It's just a BS talking point by Republicans to try to keep the mess hidden for as long as possible, so they have a chance with some legislation.

This is a good thread on it by someone on twitter.

https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/872495694308925440

 

[Pulsar]

Before I forget...

This might as well be treated as part 1. Lets see what happens after the closed session.
Might get buried by the Comey testimony...

Yep. It got buried. Just the same - telling them he would answer their questions behind closed doors means just that. Their REFUSAL to stop and ask those questions behind close doors really just makes this for show. Who knows - the FBI may have opened an investigation (I'd be shocked if they hadn't) and they don't want to give answers to the public while that investigation is ongoing.

Really there isn't much to see here.

 

[Pulsar]

Again, read the first post. All your answers are there. Coats says he had no legal justification for not answering the questions posed by the Senate commitee. Meaning it's not classified and the White House didn't try to exert executive privilege.

No - he said he's not SURE if he has a legal basis. It's not the same thing. Even the smallest nuance is important in politics.