This is your reminder that Merrick Garland's investigation of Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols and the Unabomber had zero leaks before indictments, 100% convictions and no turnovers on appeal.
On another Substac I have several times commented on the libs pissing and moaning about Garland doing nothing or going too slow. My comment has been that it is easy to comment from the couch and that doing it right is better than doing it fast.
I remember my old boss complaining that something was taking too long and my response to him was, "Do you just want it done, or do you want it done right?"
My imagination runs away with me when I think about what the dullest, most intellectually stunted, and uncurious man-child to occupy the office of President did while he had documents labeled TS/SCI. Personally I suspect that the Saudis didn't cough up $2 billion to Jared Kushner because he's a good risk. Similarly, they didn't make a stop on the "Bonesaw Tour" at Bedminster because it's prestigious.
As to serving Graham his serving of crow South Carolina style, my preference would be to shove a live crow down his throat.
TC - Facts don't change but they do eventually emerge.
Also, you wrote: "The inventory list reveals that some of the classified documents removed were marked with the top classification of TS/SCI. There is no way any president has any authority to remove such documents from the secure installation where they are stored."
It's worth reminding readers that, despite tfg claims that he declassified all of the Classified material he took to Mar-a-Lago (ignoring, of course, that he had no legal right to take anything whether or not Classified), that there are procedures for declassification and that certain highly Classified documents cannot be declassified by the president or at all. It's not at all like signing an Executive Order.
A former president’s residence was legally searched for government documents, some of a highly sensitive nature regarding national security. Does such a scenario not boggle the mind??!! A president is supposed to protect the country and faithfully execute the laws of the United States. Instead, Trump abused his office and us as citizens of this country. Abusers generally do not take responsibility for the harm they cause. Trump proves that point.
But I wonder about the details of how those documents came to be at Mar-a-Largo. Who moved them? How were the documents moved out of their secure location? When were they moved? Why were they moved? How were they transported? Who participated in this nefarious project? I’m sure the DOJ has even more questions than I do. Others found in possession of such documents would be arrested and taken to jail. That some people are willing to defend these indefensible actions is more than I can understand.
Carol, I had just copied the same to paste - "The scandal isn’t that federal agents went to Mar-a-Lago to retrieve government documents from Trump. The scandal is that they had to." I have a feeling I will be repeating that a lot in the next few days.
I stopped about six months ago, and I actually do feel a lot calmer. but it wasn't easy. my late wife was a three pot Moca Express person through her twenties, but had to stop cold turkey (colitis...a problem I've shared) and said she had that caffeine withdrawal pile driver headache for many months...mine just lasted half a week. but it IS a genuinely horrible headache.
full transcript of Merrick Garland’s comments on the F.B.I.’s search of Trump’s home.
Aug. 11, 2022, 3:46 p.m. ETAug. 11, 2022
The New York Times
Good afternoon.
Since I became attorney general, I have made clear that the Department of Justice will speak through its court filings and its work.
Just now the Justice Department has filed a motion in the southern district of Florida to unseal a search warrant and property receipt relating to a court-approved search that the F.B.I. conducted earlier this week.
That search was a premises located in Florida belonging to the former president. The department did not make any public statements on the day of the search. The former president publicly confirmed the search that evening, as is his right. Copies of both the warrant and the F.B.I. property receipt were provided on the day of the search to the former president’s counsel, who was on site during the search.
The search warrant was authorized by a federal court upon the required finding of probable cause. The property receipt is a document that federal law requires law enforcement agents to leave with the property owner. The department filed the motion to make public the warrant and receipt in light of the former president’s public confirmation of the search, the surrounding circumstances, and the substantial public interest in this matter.
Faithful adherence to the rule of law is the bedrock principle of the Justice Department and of our democracy. Upholding the rule of law means applying the law evenly, without fear or favor. Under my watch that is precisely what the Justice Department is doing. All Americans are entitled to the evenhanded application of the law, to due process of the law, and to the presumption of innocence.
Much of our work is by necessity conducted out of the public eye. We do that to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans and to protect the integrity of our investigations. Federal law, longstanding department rules, and our ethical obligations prevent me from providing further details as to the basis of the search at this time.
There are, however, certain points I want you to know.
First, I personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant in this matter.
Second, the department does not take such a decision lightly. Where possible, it is standard practice to seek less intrusive means as an alternative to a search and to narrowly scope any search that is undertaken.
Third, let me address recent unfounded attacks on the professionalism of the F.B.I. and Justice Department agents and prosecutors. I will not stand by silently when their integrity is unfairly attacked. The men and women of the F.B.I. and the Justice Department are dedicated, patriotic public servants. Every day they protect the American people from violent crime, terrorism, and other threats to their safety while safeguarding our civil rights. They do so at great personal sacrifice and risk to themselves. I am honored to work alongside them.
This is all I can say right now. More information will be made available in the appropriate way and at the appropriate time. Thank you.
On another Substac I have several times commented on the libs pissing and moaning about Garland doing nothing or going too slow. My comment has been that it is easy to comment from the couch and that doing it right is better than doing it fast.
I used to have a sign on my office wall: Why is there never time to do it right and always time to do it over?
I remember my old boss complaining that something was taking too long and my response to him was, "Do you just want it done, or do you want it done right?"
My imagination runs away with me when I think about what the dullest, most intellectually stunted, and uncurious man-child to occupy the office of President did while he had documents labeled TS/SCI. Personally I suspect that the Saudis didn't cough up $2 billion to Jared Kushner because he's a good risk. Similarly, they didn't make a stop on the "Bonesaw Tour" at Bedminster because it's prestigious.
As to serving Graham his serving of crow South Carolina style, my preference would be to shove a live crow down his throat.
TC - Facts don't change but they do eventually emerge.
Also, you wrote: "The inventory list reveals that some of the classified documents removed were marked with the top classification of TS/SCI. There is no way any president has any authority to remove such documents from the secure installation where they are stored."
It's worth reminding readers that, despite tfg claims that he declassified all of the Classified material he took to Mar-a-Lago (ignoring, of course, that he had no legal right to take anything whether or not Classified), that there are procedures for declassification and that certain highly Classified documents cannot be declassified by the president or at all. It's not at all like signing an Executive Order.
Of course, Trump was so ignorant of how the government works that he likely did believe he had the right to declassify any document he wanted to.....
A former president’s residence was legally searched for government documents, some of a highly sensitive nature regarding national security. Does such a scenario not boggle the mind??!! A president is supposed to protect the country and faithfully execute the laws of the United States. Instead, Trump abused his office and us as citizens of this country. Abusers generally do not take responsibility for the harm they cause. Trump proves that point.
But I wonder about the details of how those documents came to be at Mar-a-Largo. Who moved them? How were the documents moved out of their secure location? When were they moved? Why were they moved? How were they transported? Who participated in this nefarious project? I’m sure the DOJ has even more questions than I do. Others found in possession of such documents would be arrested and taken to jail. That some people are willing to defend these indefensible actions is more than I can understand.
It boggles the mind.
"The scandal isn’t that federal agents went to Mar-a-Lago to retrieve government documents from Trump. The scandal is that they had to."
That sums it up!!! TY, TC!
Carol, I had just copied the same to paste - "The scandal isn’t that federal agents went to Mar-a-Lago to retrieve government documents from Trump. The scandal is that they had to." I have a feeling I will be repeating that a lot in the next few days.
TC,
I think most of us who are substackers have been impatient with AG Garland. We, in our collective wisdom, would have busted TFG long ago.
But here we have a wise old judge pursuing justice with experience and brilliance. Kudos to him.
Exactly right.
I am not one for a lot of patience but this time there was so much to distract me that it seemed to come just at the right moment.
Well done TC. Add my apologies to the list going to AG Garland.
"The scandal isn’t that federal agents went to Mar-a-Lago to retrieve government documents from Trump. The scandal is that they had to."
Thank you for this TC.
As for me, I'm having A1 sauce with my crow this weekend.
It's too late to comment other than to say, thank you. I was glued to MSNBC yesterday and failed to complete my usual reading "assignments"!
Thanks for this, TC. I wonder what spin the chowderheads will put on this.
Thank you TC - another really well written expose on the issues at hand. Nancy
The time line you posted was much appreciated; it cleared up many questions. Well done!
What does TS/SCI stand for?
And the TS is "top secret."
Sensitive compartmented information - requires both security clearance AND security clearance for that specific type of information.
What the heck is a Vente🐈
A ridiculous name for the size of a cup of overpriced coffee. But it is good.
Thanks! I make a pot of coffee every morning and drink it! Vermont Cofee.
I make mine using a 5-step process that is kinda demanding, kinda fun. My 2 cups last through Heather, Hubbell and TC, if I don’t comment. Bottoms up!
I’m in the “make a pot” (3 decent sized cups) club. Sometimes I need an extra cup.
Only 3??
Large cups…
Heather, Hubble, and TC… the trifecta!!
I'm an outlier here. I don't drink coffee anymore.
I stopped about six months ago, and I actually do feel a lot calmer. but it wasn't easy. my late wife was a three pot Moca Express person through her twenties, but had to stop cold turkey (colitis...a problem I've shared) and said she had that caffeine withdrawal pile driver headache for many months...mine just lasted half a week. but it IS a genuinely horrible headache.
Irish Tea for me!
To MaryPat,
full transcript of Merrick Garland’s comments on the F.B.I.’s search of Trump’s home.
Aug. 11, 2022, 3:46 p.m. ETAug. 11, 2022
The New York Times
Good afternoon.
Since I became attorney general, I have made clear that the Department of Justice will speak through its court filings and its work.
Just now the Justice Department has filed a motion in the southern district of Florida to unseal a search warrant and property receipt relating to a court-approved search that the F.B.I. conducted earlier this week.
That search was a premises located in Florida belonging to the former president. The department did not make any public statements on the day of the search. The former president publicly confirmed the search that evening, as is his right. Copies of both the warrant and the F.B.I. property receipt were provided on the day of the search to the former president’s counsel, who was on site during the search.
The search warrant was authorized by a federal court upon the required finding of probable cause. The property receipt is a document that federal law requires law enforcement agents to leave with the property owner. The department filed the motion to make public the warrant and receipt in light of the former president’s public confirmation of the search, the surrounding circumstances, and the substantial public interest in this matter.
Faithful adherence to the rule of law is the bedrock principle of the Justice Department and of our democracy. Upholding the rule of law means applying the law evenly, without fear or favor. Under my watch that is precisely what the Justice Department is doing. All Americans are entitled to the evenhanded application of the law, to due process of the law, and to the presumption of innocence.
Much of our work is by necessity conducted out of the public eye. We do that to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans and to protect the integrity of our investigations. Federal law, longstanding department rules, and our ethical obligations prevent me from providing further details as to the basis of the search at this time.
There are, however, certain points I want you to know.
First, I personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant in this matter.
Second, the department does not take such a decision lightly. Where possible, it is standard practice to seek less intrusive means as an alternative to a search and to narrowly scope any search that is undertaken.
Third, let me address recent unfounded attacks on the professionalism of the F.B.I. and Justice Department agents and prosecutors. I will not stand by silently when their integrity is unfairly attacked. The men and women of the F.B.I. and the Justice Department are dedicated, patriotic public servants. Every day they protect the American people from violent crime, terrorism, and other threats to their safety while safeguarding our civil rights. They do so at great personal sacrifice and risk to themselves. I am honored to work alongside them.
This is all I can say right now. More information will be made available in the appropriate way and at the appropriate time. Thank you.
***
🌿🌻🍎 🟥⬜🟦
Thank You for this wonderful gift Fern! Christmas in August!!
…hand to heart.
Mim- I told a look at your profile because I’m in GA, too. Your photography is beautiful!
It seems they're running out of excuses.