What we now know after the Committee hearing?

[kentuck]

First of all, we know that Sally Yates visit to the White House was more than a "heads up", as Sean Spicer has stated on several occasions. If she had only made a phone call, instead of two visits, one requested by WH Counsel, then it could have been called a "heads up". But with the meetings and follow-up phone calls, it would more appropriately be called a warning.

She also stated that Russia knew more about the phone calls than did Vice President Pence. That is how she came to the conclusion that Flynn had been compromised. Although she did not say it directly, it was apparent that Flynn had lied to the FBI.

There were contradictions about when Donald Trump knew about the warning from Sally Yates. Sean Spicer had stated in a February 14th conference that the President did know.

Also, General Clapper had responded to a question about "masking" that there were two individuals, one in the Trump transition and one in Congress, that had been "unmasked" in the investigation? We do not know who they might have been?

Clapper also said that the paramount issue was the Russian interference in our election and that "leaks" and "unmasking" were smaller tangential issues. That was an important point for him to make.

Also, we discovered that Sally Yates was a very competent and intelligent witness who was not intimidated by Cornyn, Cruz, or Kennedy (R-LA). She showed that she was very familiar with the law in the questioning by Cruz, Cornyn, and Kennedy. Those Republican Senators seemed more intent on trying to score political points than getting at the truth?

Also, we learned that Flynn was in on the phone call between Putin and Trump, after the White House had been warned that he had been compromised. Trump kept him in his position, after the facts, for 18 days, and had had access to intelligence during those days.

As for information purposes, this was the most important hearing that we have witnessed thus far.

[lindysalsagal]

1. Rachel's been onto the 18 days since the get-go. She suspected that Flynn had ample time to transfer

U.S. secrets then, and has kept asking Why Flynn was allowed to remain in the job. I bet she k nows why but needs someone else to reveal it.

[Wounded Bear]

15. That was always a HUGE alarm bell...

When someone informs them of such a connection, as Malcolm Nance just said in Chris Hayes, it should have been a 5 alarm, hair on fire moment. Any Russian ties to someone that high in the administration is down right scary. Well, it is if you're not being paid off by them, or handled by them. Waiting almost 3 weeks to resolve it is damning in a normal situation. We'll see how it works out.

[NightWatcher]

2. Flynn's going to prison, who else goes with him?

He, at least, lied to the FBI and is being investigated and most likely will be prosecuted soon.

Who else is going down?

[calimary]

7. Lock. Him. Up.

[wiggs]

16. Big question...because even if dozens more are involved in some way, it is

possible that the IC and gang of 8 will not go so far as to take down the entire administration, create a constitutional crisis, generate instability, and diminish our place as the only superpower. There's a lot on the line, and those few who know the secrets may choose to take down just a handful instead...for instance take down everyone who is compromised but not everyone who knew about it. There may be a deal that involves some prosecutions, some resignations, and some public statements of regret.

Don't know...they may give the administration a black eye and then choose instead to give let the american people, in 2018, sweep the gop out of congress and perhaps then there would be impeachment based on a whole bunch of things that don't have much to do with Russia. This would be using rules and processes everyone understands...

I'm personally for impeachment and jail for the most corrupt, dishonest, and incompetent administration ever in my long life...but I'm also not one of the ones responsible for the big picture of world stability.

[FakeNoose]

3. Sally has more under her sleeve

...probably Clapper does too.

Sally refused to answer questions about "classified" stuff, but she DOES know the answers. She just can't give answers in front of the media. When they ask her behind closed doors (no media) she'll tell more than she did today.

It kind of sounds like Clapper will do the same. All in all - it was a very good day!

[underpants]

4. Thanks for the recap

I spent this important day hitting a ball and cussing.

[ecstatic]

5. We also re-confirmed that none of us is safe with Trump in that White House

For whatever reason, thump decided to leave an incompetent & compromised guy in the top position, with no concern for any of our safety. Were it not for "the leaks," Flynn would still be in that fcking white house! ALL of them need to be removed from office, like yesterday. I really hope the FBI/CIA will move faster on their investigation.

[iluvtennis]

13. Yet per Dumpty, it's the immigrants and Muslims that are endangering our safety. What a POS.

[calimary]

6. Seems to me it's WAAAAAAY beyond just a casual "heads up" if you have to go into the

maximum high-security room inside the White House to discuss this.

[WhiteTara]

8. Nixon had an 18 minute problem...

45 has an 18 day problem. Nixon went down and I'll bet 45 does too.

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Well, golly!

Bet they expected a woman to not have any idea what was going on.

Surprise guys!

[KTM]

10. Ncie summary, thank you! nt

[spanone]

11. absolutely. K&R...

[Ccarmona]

12. Not That We Needed Confirmation

But we learned again the Repubs are putting their collective fingers in their ears and screaming. All they "cared" about was the leak to the WaPo. Traitors.

[iluvtennis]

14. Thanks for this concise summary. I only got to listen to bits an pieces at work today.