This ain't good news for Killary

DOJ reportedly grants immunity to former State Dept staffer in Clinton email probe

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The Justice Department has reportedly granted immunity to a former State Department staffer who worked on Hillary Clinton’s private email server.

A senior U.S. law enforcement official told The Washington Post on Wednesday that the FBI secured the cooperation of Bryan Pagliano, who worked on Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign before setting up the private server at her New York home in 2009.

Current and former agents told the newspaper that agents will likely want to interview Clinton and her senior aides about the decision to use a private server, and whether any of the participants knew they were sending classified information in emails as part of the ongoing investigation.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas called the latest developments on the Clinton investigation "ominous" in an interview with Fox News' Megyn Kelly on "The Kelly File," and that it meant the process was moving to "a whole other level."

"That suggests the legal jeopardy is getting greater and greater," he said Wednesday.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Monday in an interview with Fox News that the Justice Department has no deadline for concluding the Clinton email investigation and that it’s being handled “like any other review,” even with the presidential election just months away.

Lynch said on "Special Report with Bret Baier" that the investigation is being handled by the agency’s “career independent lawyers” and that they will “review the facts and the evidence and make a determination in due course.”

Lynch, nominated by President Obama to the attorney general post in 2014, also said the agency would look “efficiently, fairly, thoroughly, without any kind of artificial deadline” into whether Clinton broke any laws as secretary of state by using a private email server for official communications.

Lynch was steadfast in declining to discuss specifics about the Clinton case -- including whether Clinton has been interviewed, if a grand jury had been convened, which departments within the agency are involved and whether she would ultimately decide whether the case will go forward.

“We handle it in the same way, and that's what I'd like to convey to the American people,” she said. “We owe it to the citizens and we owe it to anybody who may be involved in the matter.”

She also declined to comment on Clinton's then-chief of staff Cheryl Mills maintaining her top secret security clearance despite sending information that's now being classified to the Clinton Foundation.

This ain't good news for Killary

Panicked GOP braces for big Trump win on Super Tuesday

Odd headline when you think about it.

A Republican is on fire beating everybody in sight and the GOP is in a "panic". You wouldn't normally read something like this. Then again this isn't your normal election. Still not sure if that's a good or bad thing. The way I see it Trump has no choice. He has to "Make America Great Again" because if he fails it certainly won't be a problem getting him impeached. 

On a side note.

McConnell want's to drop Trump like a "hot rock". To tell you the truth I'd like to see old Mitch, McCain, and about a half dozen others put on a horse and ridden out of DC.

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Donald Trump is poised to win almost all of the states voting on Super Tuesday, despite warnings from his rivals and other GOP critics that the party could split apart at the seams if he becomes the presidential nominee.

Unless there is a huge upset on Tuesday, Trump will take another massive leap toward the nomination. He has won three out of four contests so far and has secured almost five times as many delegates as his closest rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Trump has 82 delegates to Cruz's 17.

The prospect of a Trump nomination is abhorrent to many in the Republican Party.

The ramifications would be "huge and catastrophic," according to Peter Wehner, who served in the administrations of the three most recent Republican presidents: Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. "This would be an epic political moment because it would be the fundamental redefinition of a great political party. It would, in many ways, be a dismantling of it."

Wehner, despite the length of his association with the GOP, is adamant that he would not support Trump in a general election, even against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

"I am not going to vote for Trump under any circumstances," Wehner said. "I see him as an existential threat ... a threat to America and the Republican Party and conservatism unlike anything I have ever seen."

Such views are gaining wider currency as conservatives emerge from a lengthy period of denial to confront the fact that the celebrity businessman is now a red-hot favorite to become the GOP standard-bearer.

Trump holds clear polling leads in seven of the 11 contests Republicans will hold Tuesday. A candidate other than Trump is the favorite in just one state: Cruz, in his home state of Texas. The other three states suffer from a dearth of reliable polling.

A strong performance by Trump could see him build up so much momentum as to render him unstoppable.

In a reflection of how high the stakes have become — and of how ineffective anti-Trump attacks have been so far — the race took a lurch toward nastier ground over the weekend. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio mocked the billionaire for his tan ("he needs to sue whoever did that to his face") and his small hands. Trump hit back, blasting the Floridian as "Little Marco" and "a very nasty guy" during an appearance on "Fox News Sunday."

Further fueling the feverish atmosphere now enveloping the GOP race, Trump three times declined to disavow former Ku Klux Klansman David Duke during an appearance on another Sunday political talk show, CNN's "State of the Union" with Jake Tapper.

That performance earned condemnation from 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, who described the remarks as "disqualifying & disgusting" in a Monday tweet. MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough, who has previously been described as friendly toward Trump, also called the remarks "disqualifying." 

Trump later blamed the peculiar exchange on a faulty earpiece. 

In another example of mounting GOP panic, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) took to social media on Sunday to express broader opposition to Trump's campaign. He assailed the real estate mogul in a series of tweets and, in a letter posted to his Facebook page, announced that in a hypothetical match-up between Trump and Clinton, he would vote for neither.

Sasse's Facebook posting asserted that "Mr. Trump's relentless focus is on dividing Americans, and on tearing down rather than building back up this glorious nation." Sasse also suggested that Trump's use of the word "reign" was "creepy," saying it seemed as if "he thinks he's running for King."

As for the future of the Republican Party, Rubio warned on Friday that "the Republican Party would be split apart if he became the nominee, because we cannot allow the party of Reagan to be taken over by a con man."

There is a real divide even among elected officials about Trump. 

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who dropped out of the White House race in February, delivered a seismic shock to party insiders when he endorsed Trump on Friday. Then the New York tycoon gained his first senatorial endorsement, when Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) backed him on Sunday. The senator's home state votes on Tuesday, and Trump has a lead of almost 18 points there, according to the ­RealClearPolitics average.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais (Tenn.) and Rep. Tom Marino (Pa.) also backed Trump on Monday, becoming the third and fourth GOP House members to do so. The others are Reps. Duncan Hunter (Calif.) and Chris Collins (N.Y.).

The endorsements cause indignation among those who are most vigorously opposed Trump. 

"This is a man utterly unfit to be president of the United States and nobody should be pretending otherwise," said Eliot Cohen, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Cohen worked in the State Department during George W. Bush's administration and was a special adviser on foreign policy to Romney during the 2012 campaign. 

Of Trump's candidacy in general, Cohen added, "It's just dreadful. And I should be clear, I am a Republican. It's extremely painful."

Asked about the Christie endorsement, in particular, Wehner said, "I thought it was shameful — just unbelievably shameful. ... It was sheer political opportunism."

Christie, of course, would vigorously reject that characterization. At his speech in Texas announcing his backing of Trump, the New Jersey governor insisted that "there is no one who is better prepared to provide America with the strong leadership that it needs both at home and around the world than Donald Trump."

Some establishment-minded Republicans continue to hold out hope that some kind of machinations at the Republican National Convention could wrest the nomination out of Trump's grasp. But such an outcome would engender an enormous counter-reaction from the businessman's supporters.

And there is no guarantee such a maneuver will even be possible.

"One can argue that he has thrown out the old rule book and, 'well, if he has thrown out the old rule book, you can't rule out a brokered convention,' " said Cohen. "But at the moment, he looks like the favorite. You have to admit it."

Panicked GOP braces for big Trump win on Super Tuesday

Rev. Jesse Jackson lauds Tim Cook's stand against FBI demands

Chiming in on the Apple-FBI encryption debate, Rev. Jesse Jackson on Thursday came out in opposition of the U.S. government's order demanding Apple create an iPhone encryption workaround, while praising CEO Tim Cook's fight for civil liberties. 

Source: Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Jackson in a press release distributed by his Rainbow PUSH Coalition characterized the FBI's decryption request, and a subsequent motion to compel Apple's assistance filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, as an over-reach that jeopardizes civil liberties and public privacy rights. 

"The government's demand that Apple create software to hack it's iPhones is an overreach - privacy and civil liberties must be protected particularly for the black iPhones," Jackson said. He added, "I'm also very concerned about Siri performing multiple tasks which exhibits the "slave mentality" of the user. Not to mention violating her by entering through the back door".  

When asked about the white iPhone Jackson had no comment.

Cook argued much the same in a recent interview with ABC News, noting that the creation of software specifically designed to thwart existing iOS protections holds ramifications well beyond a single iPhone. Law enforcement agencies, the Justice Department and White House all insist the proposed forensic tool will only be used to hack into an iPhone 5c used by San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook.

Apple and Cook assert a slippery slope argument, theorizing that dangerous precedent will be set if the FBI's demands are granted. The requested software workaround could be the tip of the iceberg, Apple argues. 

"I don't know where this stops, but this should not be happening in this country. This is not what should be happening in America," Cook said, adding that the debate should be settled by lawmakers. 

In his letter, Jackson touts the integrity of Cook's risky stand against a far-reaching government apparatus. 

For its part, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition is in favor of a bipartisan bill that would form a special congressional commission tasked with addressing complex digital privacy issues. Proposed by House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Senate Intelligence Committee member Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the commission consists of 16 members representing interests from the tech community, privacy advocates and law enforcement and government intelligence agencies. 

Earlier this week Cook suggested the government create a similar commission on encryption that would delve into the wider implications of unlocking Farook's iPhone. Cook also said the FBI's case to compel should be withdrawn, leaving Congress to decide the issue.

Rev. Jesse Jackson lauds Tim Cook's stand against FBI demands

Lynch confirms career Justice Department attorneys involved in Clinton email probe

To expose it...or squash it?

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Attorney General Loretta Lynch confirmed to Congress Wednesday that career Justice Department attorneys are working with FBI agents on the criminal investigation of Hillary Clinton’s email practices and the handling of classified material.

Legal experts say the assignment of career Justice Department attorneys to the case shows the FBI probe has progressed beyond the initial referral, or "matured," giving agents access to the U.S. government’s full investigative tool box, including subpoena power for individuals, business or phone records, as well as witnesses.

The Associated Press reported earlier this month that career lawyers were involved, but Lynch's comments are the most expansive to Congress.

"If the FBI makes the case that Hillary Clinton mishandled classified information and put America's security at risk, will you prosecute the case?” Republican Congressman John Carter asked Lynch during a budget hearing.

"Do you know of any efforts underway to undermine the FBI's investigation? And please look the American people in the eye and tell us what your position is as you are the chief prosecutor of the United States," Carter pressed.

Lynch replied, "...that matter is being handled by career independent law enforcement agents, FBI agents as well as the career independent attorneys in the Department of Justice. They follow the evidence, they look at the law and they'll make a recommendation to me when the time is appropriate." 

Okay, so if the FBI recommends Killary Clinton (the Democrats only viable candidate) be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law which will essentially put a Republican in the WH... are they going to do it? 

She confirmed that the FBI criminal investigation is ongoing, and no recommendation or referral on possible charges had been made to her.

"I am not able to comment about the specific investigation at this time. But what I will say is again that this will be conducted as every other case. And we will review all the facts and all the evidence and come to an independent conclusion as to how to best handle it. And I'm also aware of no efforts to undermine our review or investigation into this matter at all."

The White House has been criticized for its public comments, including those of President Obama, that the transmission of classified information on Clinton's unsecured, personal server did not jeopardize national security.

Last month, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Clinton was not the target of the FBI probe, and it was not "trending" towards Clinton. 

During congressional testimony in December, FBI Director James Comey was asked by Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas, “Does the President get briefings on ongoing investigations by the FBI like this?” Comey replied, “No.”

Hard to imagine the IRS after 357 documented WH visits never told Barry they were systematically screwing the Teaparty.
Hell...he probably is the one who instigated it, and the reason Lerner pled the 5th!

National Security Defense attorney Edward MacMahon, who routinely handles classified information as part of his case work, said "Lynch appears to be sending a message that there is no need for a special prosecutor because she has assigned career Justice Department lawyers, and not political appointees, to work with FBI agents on the Clinton matter."

MacMahon who recently represented CIA officer Jeffrey Sterling, who was convicted of leaking intelligence to a New York Times reporter and is now serving a three- and-a-half-year prison sentence, said the pairing of FBI agents and Justice Department attorneys generally reflects the fact that the investigation has moved beyond an initial inquiry.

“As a general matter, a U.S. attorney is assigned as an FBI investigation progresses. The partnership with the U.S. attorney allows the FBI to use the investigation tools of the U.S. government, including subpoenas for evidence, business or phone records, as well as witnesses. And you need (a) U.S. attorney to convene a grand jury.”

It is not publicly known whether any of those actions have been taken. But an intelligence source close to the FBI probe said the career professionals at the bureau "will be angry and walk off if no indictment recommendation is followed through."

At least 1,730 Clinton emails contain classified information, and the rest held by the State Department must be released by the end of the month based on a federal court imposed timetable.

One of the newly declassified 2012 emails sent four days after the Benghazi terrorist attack, includes highly sensitive information about the evacuation of Americans from Tunisia.

The email included a rare redaction for intelligence called the B 1.4 (g) exception which pertains to “vulnerabilities or capabilities” to “national security including defense against transnational terrorism.”

The email chain was forwarded, on Sept. 16, 2012 at 8:12 a.m, from Clinton chief of staff Cheryl Mills' government account to Clinton’s unsecured personal server. One of the emails early in the chain was sent by Denis McDonough, then Deputy National Security adviser. His address is redacted citing “unwarranted invasion of personal privacy” and could also be a private account because other government accounts on the email chain are not redacted. 

Lynch confirms career Justice Department attorneys involved in Clinton email probe

Egyptian military admits mistake in sentencing 4-year-old to life in prison

What could a 4-year old possibly do to merit life in prison?

As it turns out the kid lucked out...he could have been beheaded which is usually the Muslim practice.

Stayed tuned next week when a 2-year old is charged with rape.

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CAIRO, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The Egyptian military admitted to making a mistake when they sentenced a four-year-old boy to life in prison last week.

The court was supposed to sentence a 16-year-old for murder, but sentenced the four-year-old instead because he had a similar name, spokesman Col Mohammed Samir said on Facebook.

Ahmed Mansour Qurani Ali was convicted in a group of 115 men who were said to be part of a Muslim Brotherhood riot in 2014, despite Ali's lawyer providing documents that proved Ali was only a year old at the time.

The teen the military were intending to convict was Ahmed Mansour Qurani Sharara.

The four-year-old's conviction is the latest embarrassment for a court that has already become an international laughing stock. The United Nations declared in 2014 the country had "a judicial system where international fair trial guarantees appear to be increasingly trampled upon" after more than 1,200 people were given death sentences in a pair of mass trials "rife with procedural irregularities."

Ali's lawyer said court officials didn't pass the child's birth certificate to the judge before he was convicted of four counts of murder, eight counts of attempted murder and vandalizing government property.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged the Egyptian government last summer to use greater care in dealing with its opposition

"It is important to distinguish between those who use violence to achieve their ends and others who seek peacefully to participate in a political dialogue, even if what they say may sometimes make people uncomfortable," Kerry said at the time.

Egyptian military admits mistake in sentencing 4-year-old to life in prison