Issa: Trump-Russia probe requires a special prosecutor

[mobeau69]

Last edited Sat Feb 25, 2017, 10:43 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: POLITICO

A Republican congressman who aligned with President Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign called Friday for a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation into Trump associates' contacts with Russia.

Rep. Darrell Issa said on HBO's "Real Time" that Attorney General Jeff Sessions who Trump appointed as the nation's top law enforcement officer should not handle the problem.

"You cannot have somebody, a friend of mine Jeff Sessions, who was on the campaign and who is an appointee," the California Republican said in response to a question from host Bill Maher. "You're going to need to use the special prosecutor's statute and office to take not just to recuse. You can't just give it to your deputy. That's another political appointee."

Issa emphasized that "there may or may not be fault" with Trump's associates but said Russian President Vladimir Putin's brutality toward political enemies highlighted the need for such a probe.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/issa-trump-russia-probe-special-prosecutor-235387

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Weird. Posting for what, if anything, it's worth.

[FarPoint]

1. At this point...

I don't care if the republicans want to save their political asses....They must do their job and sincerely go after tRump and Putin connection..

[poli3]

2. It's just a dog & pony show

The republicans like chaffetz & comey conspired knowing about Trump long beforehand, and they kept their mouths shut. They would be convicted as co-conspirators if they actually did anything, which is why they'll cover it up like iran-contra. They'll just say, "we did a thorough investigation, and found nothing wrong".

[FarPoint]

9. Maybe....

If so, they will not survive politically... It's going to be a long, hot summer.

[tableturner]

29. I don't agree.

Comey briefed both Senators and Congress members on his investigation. The reaction was portrayed as stunned silence by those who publicly talked about it, and by those who didn't. Comey would not have told the apparently disturbing news to those tasked with Congressional oversight if he were planning to whitewash the investigation.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Cleaning the cesspool for 2018

Puts it on the side burner then they can say we did something
nothing to see move along we're great guys

Republicans are TERRIFIED of the town hall crowds, they've never
seen anything like it

[cstanleytech]

13. The Repugnants panicked in a similar way back during the Watergate scandal

and decided to be careful about messing with a hornets nest but its a lesson that clearly faded and now they are risk of anaphylactic shock, I'm just hoping in their case that its fatal this time for them.

[barbtries]

4. Issa said that on the record.

bad news for trump. I would have expected Issa to be the last person to tell Sessions to recuse and get a prosecutor. it really makes me hopeful that the rats will start jumping the trump ship sooner than later. writing on the wall. i wish it happened right now, but i am starting to believe for real that trump will not make it through his 1st term.

RESIST to the end

[mobeau69]

7. Yes, on the record. That's what surprised me.

Let us pray.

[DeminPennswoods]

19. Issa barely squeaked out a win in Nov

and he now has a big fat electoral target on his back. I guess I'm not really surprised he would say this for the record.

[KingCharlemagne]

21. He won by fewer than 1% of voters (1,000-some votes) and HRC won his

district by 7.5%. Dem Applegate will probly run against him again in 2018.

[Cosmocat]

24. Ahh

THAT explains his performance last night ...

[stuffmatters]

34. Thank you, Doug Applegate, was my first thought!

Yes, Issa lost by a lot in San Diego County...only the Orange County portion of the 49th squeeked him through. And yes, yes, Hillary won the 49th handily. Issa knows 2018 is going to be his last campaign here and his connex (as early, adament supporter) to Trump is especially toxic.

I hope the new DNC puts some support into SoSoCa ...the Issa Applegate fight for the 49th was a textbook example to study for everything the DNC did wrong down ballot. Applegate was truly a 'grass roots" candidate who, after the primaries, was clearly positioned to take Issa. Applegate relied pretty much on our small Dem donations in the 49th and solidified a great and diverse coalition of support from the coastal libs to the idealistic, young Camp Pendleton military to our ever increasing Hispanic constituents. It was a beautiful coalition to see and be part of. It will only be stronger and defeat Issa in 2018.

Yet no support from the DNC or D Cong funds until ads at the very end. And their Applegate ads more anti Trump ads than anti Issa. Applegate's own ads, intelligently, focused more on Issa's own failings and were way more effective. But again, too little money/support from the DNC/DCC & too late.

Hopefully Perez pays attention to this lesson and puts some support into what really are easier pick up Congressional Seats in SoSoCa. Yes Hilllary won the 49th by a lot, but I think Hillary also won the Orange County vote of all things!

Hello, DNC, SoSoCa is majority Democratic Territory. California does not end at Wilshire Blvd. Refocus and pick the lowest hanging fruit.

[roscoeroscoe]

5. If Darrell Issa is jumping off the Trump train...

Let's just say Trump futures are down.

[Mendocino]

6. Darrell leave Donny alone,

it's not like he stole a car or something.

[paleotn]

10. Grand theft Issa.

[no_hypocrisy]

8. No shit!

[cstanleytech]

11. Question is what kind of special prosecutor does he want?

Is it a special prosecutor who if they find something illegal that the Repugnants will give their full support to and impeach and then fill criminal charges against Trump and anyone in his administration that were involved if thats what the prosecutor recommends or does he want a real "special" special prosecutor that will help cover it up?

[DeminPennswoods]

20. Special prosecuters are like a box of chocolates,

you never really know what you're going to get once you appoint one.

[NewRedDawn]

12. Just bullshit

Ole Darrell just did not want to be booed by the audience. Just cowards. Deep down he does not really give a shit as long as they maintain power. If he was at cpac or some other fascist gathering he would be defending putins puppet.

[cstanleytech]

14. Oh I agree, if there was an investigstion and they found something they would put up just enough

token votes to impeach but there wouldnt be enough to actually do it in the end.
After all the Repugnants have proven they will protect their own like when Bush Sr pardoned all those involved in Iran/Contra and when Jr protected Libby.

[FakeNoose]

30. GOP protects their own

Don't forget about Gerald Ford.

As soon as Nixon resigned and Ford was inaugurated, the first thing he did was "pardon" Nixon.

[cstanleytech]

32. Thanks, I did forget about that one. NT

[Achilleaze]

15. Support America. Prosecute the illegitimate KGOP

[riversedge]

16. I am glad he said this. give credit where credit is due (I do not think I have ever agreed with

Issa EVER EVER EVER, in the past)

[Pluvious]

23. I think even Bill was a bit shocked

The interview also left me with the impression that the two "bits" discussed were expected by Issa, perhaps such notice was part of the arrangement for him to come on the show.

IMHO this exchange was not insignificant.

[Stuart G]

26. Neither have I...

[tiptonic]

17. I know

Lets have Carl Rove handle this for us. He knows all about this kinda of thing. Or let issa himself do it. He is quite well versed in DA's and run ins with the law.

[FakeNoose]

31. Ken Starr - is he still around?

What a great job Ken Starr did for them in 98-99. 'Memba him?

[SHRED]

22. When is Issa going to face his constituents?

[Stuart G]

25. No matterer who said it, or why, or when, "Special Independent Prosecutor" is the answer..

Everyone knows it. Issa, at that moment, told the truth. He knows it, as do we. Don't get into why he told the truth, or is that going to be the "only time" It doesn't matter...It was/is the truth...even if a Puke like that says it..and note too....Independent..

and I believe ..Special Prosecutor... needs to be someone who is beyond reproach, respected and reliable. If that happens, and that person is who he/she should be..then this mess, however far it goes in the U.S.A. will be dealt with as best as can be...
And the chips will fall as they may fall...

I recall so clearly the Watergate hearings and investigations. Wondering, will it get to where it is supposed to get.? Where does it go? Is John Dean telling the truth? anybody around who can verify all this?

so....it came out, and the truth prevailed, and it will prevail if it is given the chance... This country deserves the very best in the solution to this awful problem. So, let us see...???

[pbmus]

27. How far could I throw Issa .... Out of office for all the rats.

[Cicada]

28. Issa moving left

He won by only one point in 2016 in a district Hillary won. So he is moving left.

[TomCADem]

35. Hardly Moving Left. His District Has a Lot of Military...

...and the sucking up to the Russians routine is pissing a lot of folks off.

[Cicada]

37. Hillary won the 49th by 7.5 points

So I think Issa has no choice but to move left. He is a very smart man. Staying on the right would be dumb.

[Rustyeye77]

33. If anyone buys that bulls**t,

I have a bridge to sell you.

[briv1016]

36. Who gets to appoint this special prosecutor?

Trump? Sessions? Congress?