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Comey's Mishandling of Classified Information

Jack Hays

Jack Hays

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Here's an angle yet to be fully explored. This is Steve McIntyre's take. I'll be interested to see whether this issue gets any traction.

[h=2]Comey’s Mishandling of Classified Information[/h]Jul 11, 2017 – 4:29 PM
Recently, there has been controversy over allegations that former FBI Director Comey leaked classified information, an issue that I mentioned on twitter a month ago. The recent news-cycle began with a story in The Hill, leading to a tweet by Trump, followed by a series of sneering “rebuttals” in the media (CNN, Slate, Politico, Vanity Fair). Comey defenders (like Hillary Clinton’s) claim that classification was done “retroactively”:
In fact, the Hill’s John Solomon noted that it’s unclear whether the classified information in the memos was classified at the time the memos were written and Politico’s Austin Wright reports Monday afternoon that some of Comey’s memos were indeed classified only retroactively
​
Thus far undiscussed by either side is Comey’s testimony to the House Intelligence Committee on March 20, which dealt directly with both the classification of details of Comey’s January 6 meeting with Trump and Comey’s understanding of obligations in respect to classified information. (Comey’s questionable briefing and conduct in the January 6 meeting merit extremely close scrutiny, but that’s a story for another day.) The net result is that it seems inescapable that Comey either misled the congressional committee or mishandled classified information. . . .
 
The Hill's story was later retracted. One memo was classified retroactively.

It's important to get the facts.
 
Jack Hays said:
Here's an angle yet to be fully explored. This is Steve McIntyre's take. I'll be interested to see whether this issue gets any traction.

[h=2]Comey’s Mishandling of Classified Information[/h]Jul 11, 2017 – 4:29 PM
Recently, there has been controversy over allegations that former FBI Director Comey leaked classified information, an issue that I mentioned on twitter a month ago. The recent news-cycle began with a story in The Hill, leading to a tweet by Trump, followed by a series of sneering “rebuttals” in the media (CNN, Slate, Politico, Vanity Fair). Comey defenders (like Hillary Clinton’s) claim that classification was done “retroactively”:
In fact, the Hill’s John Solomon noted that it’s unclear whether the classified information in the memos was classified at the time the memos were written and Politico’s Austin Wright reports Monday afternoon that some of Comey’s memos were indeed classified only retroactively
​
Thus far undiscussed by either side is Comey’s testimony to the House Intelligence Committee on March 20, which dealt directly with both the classification of details of Comey’s January 6 meeting with Trump and Comey’s understanding of obligations in respect to classified information. (Comey’s questionable briefing and conduct in the January 6 meeting merit extremely close scrutiny, but that’s a story for another day.) The net result is that it seems inescapable that Comey either misled the congressional committee or mishandled classified information. . . .
Click to expand...

Post the piece in a few more threads and the traction is bound to follow?
 
Parrish said:
The Hill's story was later retracted. One memo was classified retroactively.

It's important to get the facts.
Click to expand...

Materials are sometimes born classified. As the director of the FBI Comey should know better.
 
Parrish said:
The Hill's story was later retracted. One memo was classified retroactively.

It's important to get the facts.
Click to expand...

If facts are important, you should follow your own requirement. Based on your statement, facts don't appear to be as important as you claim.

I've been unable to find any evidence The Hill's story was retracted.

The Fox News claim Comey's leaks contained "Top Secret" information was retracted.

'Fox & Friends' Corrects Story Trump Tweeted Claiming Comey Leaked Classified Information

"Yesterday on this program we aired and tweeted this story saying former FBI Director James Comey leaked memos containing top secret information," host Steve Doocy said. "We were mistaken in that. According to a report, half of the memos contained information classified at the 'secret' or 'confidential' level not 'top secret.' And the markings of the government documents in which Mr. Comey leaked are at this point unclear. Just wanted to straighten that out."​
 
How common is it to retroactively classify a document? And who would make such a decision? Would there be a paper/electronic trail?
 
Jack Hays said:
Here's an angle yet to be fully explored. This is Steve McIntyre's take. I'll be interested to see whether this issue gets any traction.
Click to expand...

Why isn't Trump using his DoJ to investigate this?

What is Trump trying to cover up?

Is Trump secretly working with Comey?

Why else would there be all these awful things going on and Trump is merely complaining about it on the web instead of using his presidential powers to bring an end to them?

It's obvious Trump is a part of the conspiracy.

Thanks for pointing out this angle.



Truthfully, I think Comey covered this during or around the time of his testimony.
There was a particular way that Comey got the info where it needed to go so as to avoid unfortunate illegal behavior.

Read up on the details of how Comey got the info from one place to another.
If you want.
 
Jack Hays said:
Here's an angle yet to be fully explored. This is Steve McIntyre's take. I'll be interested to see whether this issue gets any traction.
Click to expand...

Why would this false narrative get any traction while so much of America is concerned with the actual news of DJT Jr.'s collusion with the Russians?
 
Simon W. Moon said:
Why isn't Trump using his DoJ to investigate this?

What is Trump trying to cover up?

Is Trump secretly working with Comey?

Why else would there be all these awful things going on and Trump is merely complaining about it on the web instead of using his presidential powers to bring an end to them?

It's obvious Trump is a part of the conspiracy.

Thanks for pointing out this angle.



Truthfully, I think Comey covered this during or around the time of his testimony.
There was a particular way that Comey got the info where it needed to go so as to avoid unfortunate illegal behavior.

Read up on the details of how Comey got the info from one place to another.
If you want.
Click to expand...

I suspect Mueller has this episode on his list. This is from the OP link.

[h=3]Conclusion[/h]Comeys defenders have argued that the content of the memoranda was classified “retroactively”, thus supposedly rebutting any fault on Comey’s part or, alternatively, that Comey wrote his memoranda so that no classified material was included.
However, neither applies to the January 6 meeting (and perhaps others). The January 6 meeting is easier because of Comey’s own evidence. In his evidence to the House Intel Committee, Comey unequivocally stated that any and all details about the January 6 meeting were “classified” and used this as an excuse to refuse to answer questions on the meeting, thereby concealing his unique role in the briefing from the committee. Having taken this position before the Committee, Comey is on the horns of a dilemma: either the details were classified (as he told the Committee) or he lied to the Committee. Neither explanation is to Comey’s credit.
 
Jack Hays said:
I suspect Mueller has this episode on his list. This is from the OP link.

[h=3]Conclusion[/h]Comeys defenders have argued that the content of the memoranda was classified “retroactively”, thus supposedly rebutting any fault on Comey’s part or, alternatively, that Comey wrote his memoranda so that no classified material was included.
However, neither applies to the January 6 meeting (and perhaps others). The January 6 meeting is easier because of Comey’s own evidence. In his evidence to the House Intel Committee, Comey unequivocally stated that any and all details about the January 6 meeting were “classified” and used this as an excuse to refuse to answer questions on the meeting, thereby concealing his unique role in the briefing from the committee. Having taken this position before the Committee, Comey is on the horns of a dilemma: either the details were classified (as he told the Committee) or he lied to the Committee. Neither explanation is to Comey’s credit.
Click to expand...

So why isn't Trump having Comey prosecuted?
Because Trump is in on it?

Trump keeps playing the victim.
But he's the PotUS now.

He has the power to take care of law-breakers.
Whenever Trump feels froggy, he can jump.
If he doesn't jump, I'll assume he never actually felt froggy.

Comey told us that he took some specific action to avoid running afoul of the law.
As an FBI guy he may have an inkling of how to do that.
But if Comey did break the law, then let's get him prosecuted.

When will Trump have his DoJ charge Comey?
 
Simon W. Moon said:
So why isn't Trump having Comey prosecuted?
Because Trump is in on it?

Trump keeps playing the victim.
But he's the PotUS now.

He has the power to take care of law-breakers.
Whenever Trump feels froggy, he can jump.
If he doesn't jump, I'll assume he never actually felt froggy.

Comey told us that he took some specific action to avoid running afoul of the law.
As an FBI guy he may have an inkling of how to do that.
But if Comey did break the law, then let's get him prosecuted.

When will Trump have his DoJ charge Comey?
Click to expand...

As I said, this would seem to be within Mueller's purview.
 
Fake news. The email Comey released had NO classified info in it.. Another nothingburger drowned in relish.
 
Jack Hays said:
As I said, this would seem to be within Mueller's purview.
Click to expand...

Is it possible that what Comey did was not actually illegal?
Can we conclusively rule that out yet?

I mean we do have some really solid speculation from a columnist that it's "possible" that what Comey did may have violated a law.
And that's pretty damning evidence and all, but could it be possible—even if astronomically improbable—possible that no law was actually broken?
Have we conclusively ruled out that possibility?

Cause if we can rule out the possibility that Comey did not break the law, it'll help make the case that Mueller is in on the conspiracy to get Trump when Comey is not even charged.
 
Simon W. Moon said:
Is it possible that what Comey did was not actually illegal?
Can we conclusively rule that out yet?

I mean we do have some really solid speculation from a columnist that it's "possible" that what Comey did may have violated a law.
And that's pretty damning evidence and all, but could it be possible—even if astronomically improbable—possible that no law was actually broken?
Have we conclusively ruled out that possibility?

Cause if we can rule out the possibility that Comey did not break the law, it'll help make the case that Mueller is in on the conspiracy to get Trump when Comey is not even charged.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what or with whom you believe you are debating. Unlike the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland​ I prefer to have the trial first, then the verdict. And I have every confidence that Mueller will do a fine job. It is nonetheless true that McIntyre has identified a potential problem for Comey.
 
Jack Hays said:
I'm not sure what or with whom you believe you are debating. Unlike the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland​ I prefer to have the trial first, then the verdict. And I have every confidence that Mueller will do a fine job. It is nonetheless true that McIntyre has identified a potential problem for Comey.
Click to expand...

You might oughta should back things up a smidge.

We should probably have some charges named and filed before we start the trial.

Hypothetically, if Mueller persists in not filing charges against Comey, will it be more likely that:
  • Comey used his experience with the law and law enforcement to avoid committing a criminal act?
OR
  • Mueller is not bringing charges against Comey for some other reason(s)?
 
Simon W. Moon said:
You might oughta should back things up a smidge.

We should probably have some charges named and filed before we start the trial.

Hypothetically, if Mueller persists in not filing charges against Comey, will it be more likely that:
  • Comey used his experience with the law and law enforcement to avoid committing a criminal act?
OR
  • Mueller is not bringing charges against Comey for some other reason(s)?
Click to expand...

No charges will be filed against anyone for many months, if ever.
 
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