US intelligence "whistleblower scandal"

[Jeffersons Ghost]

This story is really complicated, so let's just start at the beginning. A whistleblower inside the intelligence community filed a complaint about communications between President Trump and a foreign leader. The whistleblower was alarmed by a "promise" Trump allegedly made to the foreign leader. The Democratically led House Intelligence Committee wants to see the complaint, but Joseph Maguire, the acting Director of National Intelligence, has blocked that. (He's set to testify before the committee next week.) The White House and Justice Department told the Office of the Director of National Intelligence not to share the complaint because they don't believe it's governed by laws covering intelligence whistleblowers, three sources told CNN.

White House also involved in advising DNI not to share whistleblower complaint
By Pamela Brown, Evan Perez, Kevin Liptak and Manu Raju, CNN
Updated 5:30 PM ET, Thu September 19, 2019

(CNN) - The White House and the Justice Department have advised the nation's top intelligence agency that a controversial complaint involving President Donald Trump isn't governed by laws covering intelligence whistleblowers, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

So far, the director of national intelligence has not allowed lawmakers access to the complaint, which earlier a source familiar with the case said was prompted by communication Trump had with a foreign leader. Trump responded to the reports Thursday, tweeting he would never "say something inappropriate" on a phone call with a foreign counterpart.

"There is an effort to prevent this information from getting to Congress," Schiff said.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/19/politics/white-house-justice-department-dni-whistleblower/index.html?utm_source=CNN+Five+Things&utm_campaign=cb780e5b0e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_09_20_08_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6da287d761-cb780e5b0e-104928233

What a relief, I thought Teflon Don might say or Tweet something "inappropriate!"

[Johnny2X2X]

1. It's way worse than we think

Giuliani last night admitted to crimes by he and the President because what they are hiding is worse than what they admitted to. Common lawyer tactic, get out in front of something else so that can be the focus.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

11. Actually, it's a typical GOP media tactic...

Teflon Don will continue to tweet the most absurd and inflammatory messages imaginable to redirect media attention away from several serious crimes and investigations.

[ScratchCat]

2. If he made "foreign aid" into a bribe

contingent upon election help, that is a federal crime. Therefore, DOJ, not Intelligence, has jurisdiction. This is how they are trying to squash this. Barr already accepts the OLC memo that argues a sitting POTUS can't be indicted, and he has already used that opinion to shut down investigations into Trump. They are also arguing that Congress doesn't have the power to investigate criminal acts, thus I assume this is their flimsy legal argument as to why they wont share this with the House Intelligence Oversight Committee. They will ultimately lose if/when this goes to court, but they are just trying to run out the clock att his point.

[bluecollar2]

5. I hope you're right when you say

"They will ultimately lose if/when this goes to court, but they are just trying to run out the clock att his point."

I'm not as optimistic. Republicans have been stacking the courts at an unprecedented rate since the present White House squatter was installed.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

6. Your reply is a concern I share with you bluecollar2

This could also be a problem with contested presidential vote recounts:

"Republicans have been stacking the courts at an unprecedented rate since the present White House squatter was installed."

[bluecollar2]

9. McConnell releasing funds to ostensibly

Assist in state election security programs roused my suspicions...

[Jeffersons Ghost]

16. Please expand on that news w/ a link...

If you have time, perhaps consider writing an OP on a this topic that I am about to try researching, online.

[bluecollar2]

17. A little too late tonight

Speculation on my part based upon information I read here on the DU over the last few days and a few news stories...

I'll give it some thought overnight and try and put together something over the weekend.

[Docreed2003]

3. How in the hell

Is this not covered under intelligence whistleblowers? Ugh...this administration is so fucking corrupt

[Jeffersons Ghost]

12. Is "Intelligence Whistleblowers" a website?

[Docreed2003]

13. Lol...sorry, forgot to add "laws" after whistleblower

[CousinIT]

4. Ghouliani is involved. Is the "privilege" being asserted attorney-client privilege

rather than Presidential privilege?

Is THAT why they want to say it's "not governed by laws covering intelligence whistleblowers"?

They're still covering Trump's ass legally with this bullshit.

My understanding is that the whistleblower only needs to inform DNI that he intends to go to the media with this story (under whistleblower law) then he can do so.

BUT - if the complaint isn't covered by those laws, then the whistleblower should just go the goddamned media and be done with it. I'm certain they'd be happy to keep his identity confidential. They can be good at NOT revealing their sources.

[ScratchCat]

7. From what I heard last night briefly

It sounds like, according to the opinion of some folks, that:

1) The acting DNI has no authority to dispute the IG's finding that the complaint was "urgent" and

2) Neither the acting DNI nor the IG are under any legal obligation to follow the DOJ's recommendation to not give the complaint to Congress.

Therefore, the IG needs to simply deliver the complaint to the House IOC and be done with it. I assume he is trying to keep his job at this point, but if its "urgent" as defined by the law.. come on, be a patriot.

[PhoenixDem]

8. This is hair raising

Trump has to go as fast as possible

[BSdetect]

10. What if the whistleblower suffers retaliation?

I'm sure Barr knows his or her identity and therefore so does drumph by now.

I'm also sure drumph would be trying to destroy the person somehow.

What rights and protection can they invoke?

[peggysue2]

14. I don't know

What's the definition in 'inappropriate' in mobster circles? Shooting someone on 5th Avenue in broad daylight, perhaps?

This is a criminal enterprise masquerading as a government.

Inappropriate? Ya think?

[malaise]

15. K & R

This should be the last straw