Lest we forget, the Mueller investigation was a Republican creation.

[kentuck]

The Republicans became very involved when their leadership was informed of General Flynn's communications with the Russians. They were as shocked as the Democrats. It was their leadership that decided to appoint a Special Counsel after the firing of James Comey. It was left to Rod Rosenstein to make the decision.

This is a big part of the "origins" that they now question in public. The Mueller Russia probe was a Republican creatiom.

[lapfog_1]

1. As was the Steele "memos" (a collection that became known as a dossier)

initially paid for by Republicans.

[kentuck]

3. How much were Republicans influenced by the "Steele dossier"?

Was it given too much weight or was it fairly weighed with all the other evidence that kept coming out?

As I recall, it did receive coverage at the beginning but it was never the primary motive for continuing the investigation? After Comey was fired and the obstruction became more abundant, it continued to raise suspicions about the Russians, and Trump continued to act like an asset of the Russians, as when he stood on a stage in Helsinki and praised Putin and, in many people's perspective, betrayed America,

[lapfog_1]

5. the counter intelligence activity was initiated by 5 eyes

after the Australian ambassador that met with pappadoupolus (sp) reported back to Australian Security Service his contact and what was said by the inebriated pappadopoulus.

had nothing to do with Steele.

I was just pointing out that the Democrats were not the source of much of the negative information on Trump

[Hoyt]

2. I think when trump/GOPers talk of "origins," they mean the FBI investigations that started in 2016.

I am hopeful that the FBI got the appropriate approvals before investigating Russian interference leading up to the November 2016 election. [Background according to CNN -- FBI - In July of 2016, the FBI launched a counterintelligence investigation into possible links between the Russian government and Trump campaign officials.]

If not, it not only looks bad for the FBI under Obama to be investigating trump's campaign, but it would be wrong. Dog knows trump should have been investigated, but you can't have the opposing party investigating a candidate WITHOUT the proper authorizations. I think the FBI got them, but until we see them, I -- at least -- am somewhat concerned what BS a Barr lead investigation might come up with.

[CrispyQ]

6. Barr can cherry pick the intel info for their show trials.

People think it can't happen here, even as it's happening before our eyes.

[Hoyt]

7. Exactly. I hope all the approvals necessary are well documented, or this could get ugly.

Even if it is documented, Barr can mumble through it and convince white wingers that trump was improperly targeted by the FBI, DOJ, etc.

I think the truth is that Obama was hesitant to get involved in the 2016 election, and believed -- like most -- that Clinton had it no matter what.

[kentuck]

8. Trump is correct in saying that Obama thought Hillary was going to win...

...in my opinion.

And that played a big part in not being as aggressive as they should have been.

[pandr32]

4. Oh my, how they have devolved since then!