The Senate investigation into Trump-Russia is a hot mess

[babylonsister]

Aaron Rupar
Apr 24
The Senate investigation into Trump-Russia is a hot mess
And so is the House’s, and so is the DOJ’s…


About two months ago, news emerged that Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) had made calls to reporters as part of a White House-directed effort to tamp down reports about contact between Trump campaign members and Russian intelligence officials.

That news rightfully drew into question Burr’s ability to oversee an impartial investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. In late March, however, Burr and Senate Intelligence Committee held a joint news conference where they portrayed themselves as ready to work together in a bipartisan effort to get to the bottom of Trump’s Russia ties.

But on Monday, both the Daily Beast and Yahoo reported that the Senate investigation of Trump-Russia is a mess, in large part because Burr is obstructing things.

Burr’s committee “has yet to issue a single subpoena for documents or interview any key witnesses who are central to the probe,” Yahoo reports, citing multiple sources involved in the probe. It hasn’t “requested potentially crucial evidence — such as the emails, memos and phone records of the Trump campaign — in part because the panel’s chairman, {Burr}, has so far failed to respond to requests from the panel’s Democrats to sign letters doing so.”

“The investigation does not have a single staffer dedicated to it full-time, and those staff members working on it part-time do not have significant investigative experience,” the Daily Beast adds, also citing unnamed sources involved in the investigation. “The probe currently appears to be moving at a pace slower than prior Senate Intelligence Committee investigations, such as the CIA torture inquiry, which took years to accomplish.”

Warner is reportedly getting fed up with Burr’s obstruction, Yahoo reports. But the Democratic vice chair’s handling of the probe has “led to grumbling among some of his Democratic colleagues that he has been too reluctant to challenge Burr and press for more aggressive action — for fear of undercutting the perception that he and the Republican chairman are working cooperatively together.”

The Burr-Warner news conference happened while controversy swirled about House Intelligence Committee Chair Rep. Devin Nunes’ (R-CA) clumsy attempt to validate Trump’s baseless accusation that President Obama wiretapped him. After it became clear that the White House colluded in that effort, Nunes — who joined Burr in calling reporters in February in the White House-led attempt to tamp down reporting about Trump-Russia — recused himself from the House investigation.

more...

https://thinkprogress.org/senate-investigation-trump-russia-mess-dc8c708f8baa

[Chasstev365]

1. OK Democrats: What are you prepared to do?

Before anyone tells me "what can they do?", this is potentially the most treasonous action in America history and we cannot let it stand.

Democrats must fight like hell, using any and all means necessary to get to the truth. Shut down the government if you have to, but no rolling over for treason!

[JudyM]

2. I'm going to call my senator again. Cmon, fellow Virginia DUers! Let's give him some extra urging.

Warner has said this is the most important thing he's ever done in public service. He needs a stronger approach.