Clinton Stories Stemming The Flood

By Eric Thomsen

This volume collects material from 26 Oct 2018 to 7 Dec 2018.

There was a lot of activity ending with the Flynn sentencing memo which appeared to confirm there was no evidence of illegal collusion between the Trump Campaign and Russia, the question that was to be examined by the Mueller investigation.

Other happenings was the Acosta conflict, the Florida election scandals, with Brenda Snipes pulling the race card, the Matt Whitaker recusal discussion, the Macron patriot vs nationalist attack, saying the United States is the enemy, the aide which caused President Trump not to attend the ceremony at the war cemetery, the Avenatti eviction, client discussion and domestic violence cases, Ivanka Trump email case, the Chief Justice Roberts tiff, firing Sessions as the most important.   

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eric Thomsen
• Release date: Dec 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386449843

Eric Thomsen

Eric Thomsen hat in den Bereichen Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Recht veröffentlicht, Ausstellungen organisiert und Konzerte veranstaltet.

Book preview

Other titles by the author

Tesla

Hybrid Future

Catalonia – Way to Conflict

Catalonia – Legal Procedure

Catalonia – One Year Later

Catalonia – The Recogning

Jamal Kashoggi – What is the Problem?

Arab Oil Money – Toxic Cocktail

Radical Islam and Compliance in Financial Institutions

Hezbollah – Cuckoo in the Nest

Clinton Stories - series

Some of these titles are available in other languages

About the author

––––––––

Eric Thomsen has published in law, science and economics. He holds several law degrees, a degree in economics and was ACAMS certified in 2016.

Clinton Stories Stemming the Flood

Eric Thomsen

2018

Introduction

This volume collects material from 26 Oct 2018 to 7 Dec 2018.

There was a lot of activity ending with the Flynn sentencing memo which appeared to confirm there was no evidence of illegal collusion between the Trump Campaign and Russia, the question that was to be examined by the Mueller investigation.

Other happenings was the Acosta conflict, the Florida election scandals, with Brenda Snipes pulling the race card, the Matt Whitaker recusal discussion, the Macron patriot vs nationalist attack, saying the United States is the enemy, the aide which caused President Trump not to attend the ceremony at the war cemetery, the Avenatti eviction, client discussion and domestic violence cases, Ivanka Trump email case, as the most important.   

Eric Thomsen

NBC News raises eyebrows by sitting on info that contradicted Michael Avenatti client's gang rape claim

By Brian Flood | Fox News

Grassley refers Swetnick, Avenatti for criminal probe

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is asking for a criminal investigation into whether Julie Swetnick and her attorney Michael Avenatti conspire to provide false statements to Congress during the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

NBC News is under fire for sitting on information that would have cast serious doubt on wild claims abut now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh just when the unsubstantiated allegations were rocking the judge's confirmation to the high court.

Controversial attorney Michael Avenatti and client Julie Swetnick claimed last month Kavanaugh took part in high school gang rapes just as Kavanaugh was defending himself against a separate, uncorroborated claim. Avenatti connected NBC News with an anonymous woman he claimed could corroborate Swetnick's allegations, but instead accused the lawyer of twisting her words. Still, NBC went with Swetnick's story without disclosing the exculpatory reporting.

On Thursday, nearly three weeks after Kavanaugh's confirmation, NBC News published an article headlined, "New questions raised about Avenatti claims regarding Kavanaugh, that detailed inconsistencies" with Swetnick’s claims. In the article, NBC News admitted the unidentified woman repudiated the sworn statement Avenatti provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee on her behalf to corroborate Swetnick's claims.

Kavanaugh's polarizing confirmation proceedings ended on Oct. 6, when the Senate voted 50-48 to confirm him to the high court.

Reached by phone independently from Avenatti on Oct. 3, the woman said she only ‘skimmed’ the declaration. After reviewing the statement, she wrote in a text on Oct. 4 to NBC News: ‘It is incorrect that I saw Brett spike the punch. I didn't see anyone spike the punch...I was very clear with Michael Avenatti from day one,’ NBC News reporters Kate Snow and Anna Schecter wrote on Thursday.

I would not ever allow anyone to be abusive in my presence. Male or female, the woman told NBC when pressed about Avenatti and his client’s claims, according to NBC’s report.

NBC’s latest story also noted that Avenatti attempted to thwart the reporting process and the woman changed her mind several times before eventually texting the network a final time.

I will definitely talk to you again and no longer Avenatti. I do not like that he twisted my words, she wrote.

NBC News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As the mainstream media put a focus on alleged misconduct by Kavanaugh prior to his confirmation, NBC News’ reporting was among the most salacious. The network aired an interview with Swetnick on Oct. 1—despite admitting it could not substantiate her claims and that she had changed her story.

At the time, Cornell Law School professor and Legal Insurrection blogger William Jacobson told Fox News that outlets like NBC News provide the fuel that feeds the anti-Kavanaugh firestorm that was sweeping the mainstream media ahead of the polarizing confirmation vote.

Avenatti, who recently lost the defamation case he filed against President Trump on behalf of porn star Stormy Daniels, has been evicted from his law offices and owes a former colleague $5 million, has earned a reputation for wild claims. But for NBC News to run with a story that its own hidden reporting showed could be inaccurate is bad journalism, said critics.

That evidence was known to NBC more than three weeks ago, right when Kavanaugh was about to receive a vote on the Senate floor, yet we’re just hearing about it now, The Federalist co-founder Sean Davis tweeted. Why did NBC News withhold that information, which reflects poorly on Avenatti, for three weeks? It would’ve been a bombshell had it been reported at the time.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley announced on Thursday that Avenatti and Swetnick were referred for criminal investigation for an alleged conspiracy to provide false statements to Congress.

The Republican lawmaker cited contradictory statements by both Avenatti and Swetnick in media interviews and pointed to the NBC interview on Oct. 1, where Swetnick backtracked on her central claim that she saw Kavanaugh spiking punch at high school parties in the 1980s.

NBC sat on this information, which would have undermined some of Kavanaugh’s accusers, and is only now releasing it after Kavanaugh was confirmed and its interview was mentioned in a referral to the DOJ, The Daily Wire’s Ashe Schow wrote.

NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck told Fox News that it sure looks like [NBC] did Michael Avenatti a solid and could have sat on information relevant to the Kavanaugh fiasco until after the ugly confirmation fight had ended.

Law & Crime columnist Ronn Blitzer on Friday penned a blistering recap of the situation headlined, Once again, NBC sits on story related to sexual misconduct until after it matters.

That last text was sent on October 5. Kavanaugh wasn’t confirmed until a very close vote on October 6. NBC News published the story on October 25, Blitzer wrote. This, of course, draws suspicion because if NBC had information that showed that allegations against Brett Kavanaugh may not be accurate, that would be pretty important.

Blitzer continued: If I had a bombshell story in my pocket at the time it was most relevant, I wouldn’t wait until weeks after the moment passed.

As Blitzer’s headline points out, this isn’t the first time NBC News has raised eyebrows with its handling of sexual misconduct-related news. The Peacock Network famously refused to air Ronan Farrow’s reporting on now-disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, didn’t air a 1999 interview with Bill Clinton rape accuser Juanita Broaddrick until after he was acquitted and the infamous Access Hollywood tape of Donald Trump making lewd comments about women was leaked from within NBC News to the Washington Post.

Fox News Brooke Singman and Lukas Mikelionis contributed to this report.

Brian Flood covers the media for Fox News. Follow him on Twitter at @briansflood. 

26 Oct 2018

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/nbc-news-raises-eyebrows-by-sitting-on-info-that-contradicted-michael-avenatti-client

––––––––

Michael Avenatti's horrible, very bad week: Lawyer hit with avalanche of legal, financial and personal woes

By Lukas Mikelionis | Fox News

Creepy Porn Lawyer Avenatti's law firm faces eviction

A California court orders the eviction of Michael Avenatti's law firm from its offices for skipping four months of rent.

Michael Avenatti, a presumptive 2020 presidential candidate, is in hot water after being hit with an avalanche of legal, political, financial, and personal troubles, raising questions whether this is the beginning of the end for the firebrand lawyer who gained celebrity status thanks to his opposition to President Trump.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley announced on Thursday that Avenatti and his client Julie Swetnick, who claimed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh engaged in sexual misconduct, were referred for criminal investigation for an alleged conspiracy to provide false statements to Congress.

The Republican lawmaker cited contradictory statements by both Avenatti and Swetnick in media interviews and pointed to an NBC interview on Oct. 1, where Swetnick backtracked on her central claim that she saw Kavanaugh spiking punch at high school parties in the 1980s.

GRASSLEY SENDS CRIMINAL REFERRAL FOR ATTORNEY MICHAEL AVENATTI AND KAVANAUGH ACCUSER

According to an NBC News report on Thursday, Avenatti’s second Kavanaugh accuser, whose sworn statement was provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee to boost Swetnick’s credibility, also walked back on the allegations even before the lawyer could post her statement on social media.

While her statement claimed she saw Kavanaugh spike the punch at the parties, she said I didn't ever think it was Brett in a phone interview with the outlet set up by Avenatti. She also said no to a question if she ever witnessed Kavanaugh acting inappropriately towards women.

Avanatti’s action’s during the Kavanagh confirmation process have damaged him in the eyes of many Democrats who perceived his tactics as counterproductive. The outlandish allegations of gang and train rapes at parties merely helped cloud the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford who first came forward with the accusations of sexual misconduct.

Seemingly a permanent fixture on CNN or MSNBC earlier this year only for the appearances to have recently dried up, Avenatti was forced to call a press conference to address Grassley’s referral.

Senator Grassley just stepped in it, to be clear, Avenatti told reporters as he denied the charges. Thank you, Senator Grassley. It is Christmas in October... It is phenomenal. They want to make this an issue? I say, bring it.

AVENATTI DENIES SAYING NEXT DEM PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE 'BETTER BE A WHITE MALE,' CALLS IT 'COMPLETE BULLS—-'

But the referral is just one of the problems Avenatti is currently facing. The same day as Grassley’s announcement, Avenatti came under fire for suggesting the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee should better be a white male.

When you have a white male making the arguments, they carry more weight... Should they carry more weight? Absolutely not. But do they? Yes, Avenatti said, according to a transcript provided by Time magazine.

When you have a white male making the arguments, they carry more weight. .... Should they carry more weight? Absolutely not. But do they? Yes.— Michael Avenatti

Supporters of Democrats condemned Avenatti’s comments – despite his insistence that the quote was made up – in a number of comments on social media.

Let me be unmistakably clear on something. F-—Michael Avenatti, tweeted progressive activist Shaun King, who compared him to Bob Odenkirk's slimy lawyer in the TV show Breaking Bad. This man is a clown. He’s Better Call Saul. And now we are learning he’s also a sexist bigot.

Michael Avenatti is the personification of 'progressives' who still traffic in white supremacy and the patriarchy, wrote Symone Sanders, former spokesperson for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.

On top of that, Avenatti was ordered on Monday to fork out nearly $5 million to an attorney at his former firm. In a separate trial the same day, his law firm was evicted from its offices in Orange County, California for unpaid rent.

MICHAEL AVENATTI ORDERED BY JUDGE TO HAND OVER $4.85 MILLION IN BACK PAY TO ATTORNEY AT HIS FORMER LAW FIRM

The rulings followed a revelation that the lawyer, who boasts of winning over $1 billion in legal cases for his clients, has allegedly been living a luxurious life while owing millions of dollars in unpaid taxes, the Daily Beast reported.

Lisa Storie-Avenatti, his soon-to-be ex-wife, previously told Fox News that she needs to be divorced and if [Avenatti] continues to paint the narrative, he can ignore our case!

She also asked to read their divorce court records and said: Tell me where our money and his time has been spent.

Video

The divorce records reviewed by Fox News show that Storie-Avenatti branded her husband emotionally abusive and angry and vindictive after he allegedly verbally ambushed and threatened her in the wake of their messy divorce.

[Avenatti] is hot tempered and used to having his way – when he doesn’t he gets extremely loud and verbally aggressive, she said, according to court documents.

Avenatti denied his wife’s allegations to Fox News in May. Storie-Avenatti later sent an email – shared with Avenatti – backtracking on her allegations that were made under oath.

PORN STAR LAWYER MICHAEL AVENATTI ‘HOT-TEMPERED,’ ‘LOUD,’ WIFE SAYS IN DOCS DETAILING MESSY DIVORCE

Video

But even the issue that made Avenatti a household name is fizzling out after his legal challenge against Trump on behalf of Stormy Daniels was dismissed on free speech grounds earlier this month.

Daniels sued the president for defamation in April over a tweet in which he denied her claims of being threatened by a man in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011.

Trump teased Avenatti after the case was dismissed and he became entitled to an award of his attorneys’ fees against Stormy Daniels.

I just beat him in a big case. ... Beat him badly. In fact, he has to pay me legal fees, Trump told Fox Business’ Trish Regan. I don’t think he has any money, but he and [Stormy Daniels] have to pay me a lot of legal fees.

Lukas Mikelionis is a reporter for FoxNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @LukasMikelionis.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/michael-avenattis-horrible-very-bad-week-lawyer-hit-with-avalanche-of-legal-financial-and-personal-woes

––––––––

Grassley sends criminal referral for attorney Michael Avenatti and Kavanaugh accuser

By Brooke Singman | Fox News

Avenatti releases name, photo of third Kavanaugh accuser

Julie Swetnick is the third woman to accuse Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Thursday he has referred attorney Michael Avenatti and client Julie Swetnick—who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct —for criminal investigation regarding a potential conspiracy to provide false statements to Congress and obstruct its investigation.

Avenatti, who also is a potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and works as the attorney for porn star Stormy Daniels, represented Swetnick, who accused Kavanaugh during confirmation proceedings of being involved in or present at gang and train rapes at high school parties in the 1980s. He denied it.

Grassley penned a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director Christopher Wray Thursday, claiming Swetnick and Avenatti’s allegations were leveled at a suspicious time.

Video

When a well-meaning citizen comes forward with information relevant to the committee’s work, I take it seriously. It takes courage to come forward, especially with allegations of sexual misconduct or personal trauma. I’m grateful for those who find that courage, Grassley wrote.

But in the heat of partisan moments, some do try to knowingly mislead the committee. That’s unfair to my colleagues, the nominees, and others providing information who are seeking the truth, Grassley continued. It stifles our ability to work on legitimate lines of inquiry. It also wastes time and resources for destructive reasons.

Avenatti fired back within minutes.

This is clearly political, he told Fox News. And fortunately for us, Senator Grassley isn't too smart—or I should say bright. This was a major mistake on his part. He just cracked open the door and I'm going to drive a Mack Truck through it.

Avenatti added that his client Swetnick looks forward to comparing her credibility to that of Judge Kavanaugh's.

In a fiery press conference Thursday afternoon, Avenatti charged that Senator Grassley, nor the White House, would allow the FBI to meet with a single witness relating to my client's accusations. He would not allow the FBI to interview my client, despite our repeated demands.

EX-BOYFRIEND: SWETNICK THREATENED TO KILL MY UNBORN CHILD, WAS 'EXAGGERATING EVERYTHING'

Senator Grassley just stepped in it, to be clear, Avenatti told reporters. Thank you, Senator Grassley. It is Christmas in October. ... It is phenomenal. They want to make this an issue? I say, bring it.

Avenatti also hit back on Twitter.

In the letter, Grassley cited contradictory statements by both Avenatti and Swetnick in media interviews, specifically pointing to an NBC interview on Oct. 1, when Swetnick walked back the claim that she watched Kavanaugh spike the punch at parties.

I saw [Kavanaugh] giving red solo cups to quite a few girls, Swetnick said in the interview, adding that she didn’t know what he did.

Swetnick merely claimed she saw him by the punch—a comment that contradicted her sworn statement to the committee.

Grassley also said that Avenatti and Swetnick provided simply no credible evidence that Ms. Swetnick ever even met or socialized with Judge Kavanaugh, but said there is substantial evidence they did not know each other.

Grassley blasted both Swetnick and Avenatti's credibility, citing past personal and financial dealings.

The Swetnick allegations surfaced during an explosive confirmation process for President Trump’s then-Supreme Court nominee.

Video

Kavanaugh was first accused of sexual assault by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who shared her testimony on Capitol Hill last month. Ford accused Kavanaugh of pinning her to a bed and trying to remove her clothing at a high school party more than 30 years ago.

Following Ford’s allegations, Swetnick and Deborah Ramirez, who claims Kavanaugh exposed himself to her while at a dorm party during their freshman year at Yale University, also came forward.

Kavanaugh vehemently denied the allegations, in sworn written statements and in testimony before the Judiciary Committee.

After bipartisan calls, the allegations were further investigated as part of an FBI supplemental background probe. Republican senators briefed on the findings said there was no evidence to support the allegations.

Earlier this month, Kavanaugh was confirmed by the Senate on a 50-48 margin to the high court, and sworn in by Trump at the White House.

Grassley’s criminal referral of Avenatti and Swetnick was not the first connected to the Kavanaugh confirmation process – last month, Grassley referred an individual who made false sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh.

Thankfully, the law prohibits such false statements to Congress and obstruction of congressional committee investigations, Grassley wrote in his letter Thursday. For the law to work, we can’t just brush aside potential violations. I don’t take lightly making a referral of this nature, but ignoring this behavior will just invite more of it in the future.

Brooke Singman is a Politics Reporter for Fox News. Follow her on Twitter at @brookefoxnews.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/grassley-sends-criminal-referral-for-kavanaugh-accuser-julie-swetnick-and-attorney-michael-avenatti

––––––––

Mueller's Russia probe nears critical post-midterm phase

By Brooke Singman | Fox News

No deal yet on whether Trump will answer Mueller's questions

President Trump's lawyers have not yet reached a deal with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team to submit written answers to questions on Russian meddling and possible collusion; reaction and analysis from Alex Little, former assistant U.S. attorney and prosecutor.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation is nearing a critical phase—as the looming midterms could clear the way for a final set of twists and turns in the long-running probe.

Key sentencing dates are on the horizon. Mueller's team is widely expected to issue findings soon after the Nov. 6 elections. And the case could yet hold some surprises, given the recent statements of central players.

For one, George Papadopoulos, the former Trump aide sentenced to two weeks in prison after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI, has been on a Twitter tear complaining about the investigation. He told Fox & Friends last week he’s even considering withdrawing my agreement with the government after learning certain information.

Video

The Associated Press reported last week that he is seeking immunity to testify before the Senate intelligence committee, after speaking on the House side without that protection. On Twitter, Papadopoulos said cryptically: While I cannot disclose the information publicly, it’s a fact that both me and congress know who the SPY within the campaign was. Congress will likely include it in a report later on. Eyes were everywhere during 2016.

Whether Papadopoulos truly has information damaging to the probe remains to be seen. But the expectations are that Mueller is nearing the final phase of the investigation into Russian meddling and potential collusion with Trump campaign associates in the 2016 presidential election.

Reports suggest that federal investigators are finalizing their conclusions on the collusion issue and whether the president took any actions that could be considered obstruction of justice.

Two sources close to Trump’s legal team told Fox News that the probe is winding down. A spokesman for Mueller’s team declined to comment on their timeline.

Former U.S. Attorney Joseph diGenova, who has advised the president throughout the investigation, voiced confidence in the outcome.

It’s over, he declared while downplaying the prospect of any interview between Mueller and the president—which was the subject of months-long negotiations.

There isn’t going to be an interview, diGenova, who is not an official member of Trump’s legal team, but rather an outside adviser, told Fox News. I don’t even know if they’re going to answer written questions, which is the latest state of play between the special counsel’s office and the president’s lawyers.

He predicted: There aren’t going to be any collusion indictments because there wasn’t any evidence of that—everybody knew that before Mueller was appointed, especially [Deputy Attorney General Rod] Rosenstein. He knew it cold.

Rosenstein appointed Mueller as special counsel on May 17, 2017. Rosenstein oversees the Russia investigation, in place of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from the probe due to his involvement with the Trump campaign during 2016.

Video

At this point, four former Trump campaign associates – former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign adviser Rick Gates and George Papadopoulos – have been charged and pleaded guilty in Mueller’s probe, though none of the charges are directly related to misconduct by the president’s campaign.

On the heels of a conviction in a separate trial, Manafort pleaded guilty in federal court last month as part of a plea agreement that involved cooperation with Mueller’s team. The deal could include interviews with prosecutors and testimony in court. Manafort’s defense attorney told Fox News that the deal includes full cooperation.

Video

Critics of the president have assumed Manafort’s cooperation could in some way undercut the president’s repeated denial of wrongdoing or connection to Russia during the 2016 election.

House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said Trump and his lawyers are terrified at what Manafort could tell prosecutors.

They may think they know what Manafort has to say because he was part of that joint defense agreement, but they have to know that he may not have told them the full truth, Schiff said on NBC’s Meet the Press last month. They’re terrified of what he has to say. I’m surprised that we are where we are, that Manafort is cooperating.

But Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani has blasted that assumption.

Giuliani told Reuters last week that Manafort’s lawyer, Kevin Downing, kept in touch with the Trump legal team regarding his client’s meetings with investigators.

He’s just telling me the conclusion that he’s not in a conflicted position with us, Giuliani told Reuters, adding that Manafort met with Mueller’s team about a half-dozen times and spoke about a lot of things, none of which are incriminating with regard to the president.

Manafort’s sentencing date in connection with his first conviction was recently set for Feb. 8, 2019. He faces a maximum sentence of 80 years in prison for bank and tax fraud as part of Mueller’s investigation.

Video

Another critical date rapidly approaching after the midterms is the sentencing of Michael Flynn.

Mueller’s team has repeatedly delayed setting a sentencing date for the former national security adviser and retired Army general. Flynn has pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI with regard to his communications with Russia’s ambassador. In late 2016, the two allegedly spoke about the U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia. Flynn was fired after he misled Trump administration officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, on his communications.

The special counsel’s office told Fox News that Flynn’s sentencing is slated for Dec. 18—a little over a month after the midterms.

DiGenova told Fox News that the only outstanding matter that he was aware of was some lunatic investigation into Roger Stone for allegedly knowing something about the WikiLeaks leaks.

NBC News reported that the special counsel was investigating whether right-wing commentator Jerome Corsi had advance knowledge that the emails of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta would be stolen during the campaign and shared with WikiLeaks. The report suggested that Corsi could have passed information about the stolen emails to Trump associate, Roger Stone.

If that’s where they are spending all this money, this is more than a national disgrace, diGenova told Fox News. It’s an intergalactic disgrace.

The special counsel’s office declined to comment. Stone did not respond to Fox News’ request for comment.

Stone has repeatedly predicted that Mueller would target him as part of his probe.

Robert Mueller is coming for me, Stone reportedly wrote in an email asking supporters to donate to his legal fund over the summer. I’m next on the crooked special prosecutor’s hit list because I’ve advised Donald Trump for the past 39 years.

Video

The special counsel’s team has also charged Dutch attorney Alex van der Zwaan for lying to federal investigators—he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 days in prison—and Richard Pinedo, a California man who allegedly sold bank accounts to Russians meddling in the 2016 election. He pleaded guilty and was given six months in prison, six months of home confinement, and two years of supervised release.

Mueller’s team also charged 13 Russian nationals who allegedly waged information warfare on the U.S. during the election; and 12 Russian intelligence officers for allegedly hacking the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and Hillary Clinton’s campaign during the 2016 election. All 12 are members of GRU, the Russian intelligence agency.

The tea leaves suggest ... it's winding down, former independent counsel Ken Starr, who led investigations of the Clinton administration, said on Fox & Friends. Some of the indicators ... suggest that we are at a wind-down situation.

Video

While the president’s legal team and experts expect the special counsel’s probe to come to an end in the weeks following the midterms, Democrats have promised a congressional investigation will continue if they take back the majority in the House.

Republicans walked away from the investigation, the Democratic minority has continued, Schiff told CNN. And that work won’t stop when we take the majority.

Schiff added: We will be able to get answers the Republicans were unwilling to pursue.

Fox News’ John Roberts, Alex Pappas, Jake Gibson, and Peter Doocy contributed to this report.

Brooke Singman is a Politics Reporter for Fox News. Follow her on Twitter at @brookefoxnews.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mueller-probe-nears-critical-phase-its-over

––––––––

Exclusive: Trump blamed ex-counsel McGahn for Mueller investigation

By Evan Perez, Kara Scannell, Pamela Brown and Ariane de Vogue, CNN

© Getty Images President Donald Trump, left, and former White House counsel Don McGahn

Former White House Counsel Don McGahn ended his tumultuous tenure at the White House with one last encounter in which President Donald Trump blamed him for Robert Mueller's appointment, sources close to McGahn tell CNN.

In a face-to-face meeting Oval Office meeting, the President groused to McGahn about Mueller's appointment made on McGahn's watch as White House counsel, and the cloud the investigation has continued to cast over the presidency, the people familiar with the conversation said.

Sources say while the President was fixated on Mueller, he also gave McGahn high marks for other matters during his time as the top White House lawyer, as CNN previously reported. One source said the President's continued frustration about Mueller is another example of him shifting blame for the ongoing Russia investigation.

McGahn had decided it was time to go and he left before the background investigation was complete for the incoming White House counsel Pat Cipollone, one source familiar said.

Typically you would have the incumbent stay until the successor was ready to take his place. But in this case, McGahn was tired of the President and the President was tired of McGahn. The source added while the departure was positive, both men recognized it was time for McGahn to go. He didn't want to stay on and the President didn't want him to stay.

The President had surprised McGahn months ago in announcing McGahn's planned departure on Twitter and surprised him again in announcing his successor in an Associated Press interview, so the final meeting fit with the deteriorated state of their relationship.

McGahn has cooperated extensively with special counsel Robert Mueller's probe, participating in several interviews spanning 30 hours. The conversations unnerved Trump, who didn't know the full extent of McGahn's discussions, two people familiar with his thinking told CNN in August.

He has also been the key architect of Trump's efforts to stack the federal courts with conservative judges and successfully steered Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Trump has repeatedly cited the successes of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh as part of his appeal to Republicans, and they will be a lasting legacy of the President.

Previous arguments with McGahn

This wasn't the first time McGahn found himself in Trump's crosshairs. The two butted heads at the start of the administration as Attorney General Jeff Sessions faced pressure to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. Trump enlisted McGahn to urge Sessions not to take that step — which he eventually did anyway. Trump remains furious at his attorney general for the recusal.

Later, Trump ordered McGahn to fire Mueller, an entreaty the White House counsel refused to carry out. Instead, McGahn threatened to resign.

The slew of incidents involving the President and McGahn amid the Russia investigation made the White House counsel an important witness in Mueller's investigation, with McGahn sitting for interviews with Mueller's team in December.

CNN's Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.

31 Oct 2018

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/exclusive-trump-blamed-ex-counsel-mcgahn-for-mueller-investigation/ar-BBPaEW8?ocid=spartanntp

––––––––

Pelosi subpoena threat 'illegal,' Trump says, will take to Supreme Court

By Bradford Betz | Fox News

FILE: President Donald Trump speaking during a campaign rally at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minn. (AP)

President Donald Trump—in an exclusive interview with The Washington Times on Thursday—denounced House Minority Leader Nancy’s threat to subpoena the president if Democrats win Congress—calling the threat 'illegal,' before vowing to take the fight to the Supreme Court.

Pelosi, 78, made the comment during a CNN campaign forum last week.

Subpoena power is interesting, to use it or not to use it, Pelosi said. It's a great arrow to have in your quiver in terms of negotiating on other subjects.

TRUMP SAYS GOP WANTS 'STRONG BORDERS, NO CHAOS AND NO CARAVANS' AT MISSOURI RALLY

Trump accused Pelosi of trying to leverage her role as speaker to negotiate.

Trump shrugged off the Democrat's threat of impeachment, noting that the process would take two years to get to the Supreme Court.

That alone takes two years to get it to the Supreme Court—that statement—before you do anything, Trump said, vowing to meet any threats with litigation.

They can play that game, but I can play that game also, he said.

The heated rhetoric comes amid a final push by Republicans and Democrats to control Congress after the midterm election. Forecasts indicate Democrats will take back the House while Republicans will retain control of the Senate.

Trump launched an eight-state campaign tour on Wednesday in a final push to endorse Senate Republicans and GOP gubernatorial candidates. Trump will tour the nation, landing him in Senate battlefields such as Indiana, Missouri, and Florida along with contests for governor in Georgia and Ohio.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bradford Betz is an editor for Fox News. Follow him on Twitter @bradford_betz.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-subpoena-threat-illegal-trump-says-will-take-to-supreme-court

––––––––

Kavanaugh accuser referred to DOJ for false statements, Grassley’s office announces

By Matt Richardson | Fox News

Chairman Grassley: Not wise to impeach Justice Kavanaugh

Senate Judiciary Committee chairman speaks out on 'The Story' after the contentious confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley on Friday referred a woman who'd accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of raping her several times in the backseat of a car to the Justice Department for materially false statements and obstruction.

Kavanaugh, confirmed to the high court on Oct. 6, was infamously accused by multiple women of sexual assault and misconduct before the confirmation.

Judy Munro-Leighton, according to Grassley’s office, alleged that Justice Kavanaugh and a friend had raped her ‘several times each’ in the backseat of a car.

Those accusations were made via a Jane Doe letter provided to Sen. Kamala Harris, a California Democrat and committee member, Grassley’s office wrote.

Upon further investigation, however, inconsistencies in the story emerged.

Given her relatively unique name, Committee investigators were able to use open-source research to locate Ms. Munro-Leighton and determine that she: (1) is a left-wing activist; (2) is decades older than Judge Kavanaugh; and (3) lives in neither the Washington DC area nor California, but in Kentucky, Grassley’s office wrote.

Under questioning by Committee investigators, Ms. Munro-Leighton admitted, contrary to her prior claims, that she had not been sexually assaulted by ... Kavanaugh and was not the author of the original 'Jane Doe’ letter, Grassley’s office wrote in a Friday referral to the DOJ.

When directly asked by Committee investigators if she was, as she had claimed, the ‘Jane Doe’ from Oceanside California who had sent the letter to Senator Harris, she admitted: ‘No, no, no. I did that as a way to grab attention. I am not Jane Doe . . . but I did read Jane Doe’s letter. I read the transcript of the call to your Committee. . . . I saw it online. It was news.

In short, during the Committee’s time-sensitive investigation of allegations against Judge Kavanaugh, Ms. Munro-Leighton submitted a fabricated allegation, which diverted Committee resources. When questioned by Committee investigators she admitted it was false, a ‘ploy,’ and a ‘tactic,’ Grassley’s office wrote. She was opposed to Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

Friday’s referral to the DOJ was not the first time Grassley has asked for an investigation into Kavanaugh’s accusers.

Last week, Grassley referred attorney Michael Avenatti and client Julie Swetnick—who'd accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct—for criminal investigation regarding a potential conspiracy to provide false statements to Congress and obstruct its investigation.

Avenatti is also a potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and works as the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels, who maintains she had a sexual encounter with President Trump years before his election. Avenatti represented Swetnick, who accused Kavanaugh during confirmation proceedings of being involved in or present at gang and train rapes at high school parties in the 1980s.

Kavanaugh denied all the claims against him.

Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Matt Richardson is an editor for Fox News. Follow him on Twitter @MRichardson713.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kavanaugh-accuser-referred-to-doj-for-false-statements-grassleys-office-announces

––––––––

Trump challenges Dems after Kavanaugh accuser allegedly admits to making false rape claim

By Adam Shaw | Fox News

Justice Kavanaugh settles into his role on the Supreme Court

In his second week of oral arguments as the 'new guy' on the bench, Justice Brett Kavanaugh is keeping it simple: Asking short, textual questions in the public sessions, deferring to his colleagues and avoiding soliloquies or harsh rhetoric.

President Trump on Saturday challenged Democrats to speak up after Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee referred a woman to the FBI for materially false statements when she accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of raping her.

A vicious accuser of Justice Kavanaugh has just admitted that she was lying, her story was totally made up, or FAKE! he tweeted. Can you imagine if he didn’t become a Justice of the Supreme Court because of her disgusting False Statements. What about the others? Where are the Dems on this?

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley referred Judy Munro-Leighton to authorities after his office said she alleged that Kavanaugh and a friend raped her in the backseat of a car—only for that story to fall apart.

KAVANAUGH ACCUSER REFERRED TO DOJ FOR FALSE STATEMENTS, GRASSLEY'S OFFICE ANNOUNCES

The accusations were initially made via a Jane Doe letter to Sen. Kamala Harris’, D-Calif., office in September. Kavanaugh was asked about the allegations in an interview with investigators, where the future Justice called the allegations a crock and a farce.

That allegation came amid Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing and during a firestorm over allegations that he sexually assaulted women in high school and college. Kavanaugh fiercely denied all the allegations, and both Kavanaugh and Republicans blasted Democrats for their handling of the allegations. Democrats have promised to keep investigating some of the claims made against Kavanaugh.

In early October, committee staff received an email from Munro-Leighton saying that she was the Jane Doe from California who sent the letter and that Kavanaugh raped me. But investigators went on to determine that Munro-Leighton was a left-wing activist, decades older than Kavanaugh and lives in Kentucky.

Under questioning by Committee investigators, Ms. Munro-Leighton admitted, contrary to her prior claims, that she had not been sexually assaulted by Judge Kavanaugh and was not the author of the original 'Jane Doe’ letter, Grassley’s office wrote in a Friday referral to the Department of Justice.

When directly asked by Committee investigators if she was, as she had claimed, the ‘Jane Doe’ from Oceanside California who had sent the letter to Senator Harris, she admitted: ‘No, no, no. I did that as a way to grab attention. I am not Jane Doe...but I did read Jane Doe’s letter. I read the transcript of the call to your Committee...I saw it online. It was news.

According to the referral, she also admitted she had never even met Kavanaugh.

In short, during the Committee’s time-sensitive investigation of allegations against Judge Kavanaugh, Ms. Munro-Leighton submitted a fabricated allegation, which diverted Committee resources, Grassley’s office said.

Trump was not the only White House official to weigh in on the development. White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway tweeted that Those who imbued her with  automatic credibility share her shame in trying to destroy a decent man.

The good guy won, she added, a reference to Kavanaugh's eventual confirmation in October.

Friday’s referral is the latest made by Grassley’s offices against some of those accusing Kavanaugh of sexual assault.

Last week, Grassley referred attorney Michael Avenatti and client Julie Swetnick—who accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct—for criminal investigation regarding a potential conspiracy to provide false statements to Congress and obstruct its investigation. Avenatti represented Swetnick, who accused Kavanaugh during confirmation proceedings of being involved in or present at gang and train rapes at high school parties in the 1980s.

Kavanaugh denied all the claims against him.

Fox News' Matt Richardson and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Adam Shaw is a reporter covering U.S. and European politics for Fox News.. He can be reached here.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-challenges-dems-after-kavanaugh-accuser-allegedly-admits-to-making-false-rape-claim

––––––––

'No evidence' to back Kavanaugh accusers' claims, Senate panel's report on FBI probe finds

By Louis Casiano | Fox News

Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee.  (Fox News)

An investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh by multiple women found that no witnesses could provide evidence to substantiate their claims, a letter to Senate Republicans from the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman said Friday.

According to the 414-page report released by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, investigators interviewed more than 40 people, monitored social media and news reports and reviewed evidence provided by the judge and his accusers.

Following the separate and extensive investigations by both the Committee and the FBI, there was no evidence to substantiate any of the claims of sexual assault made against Justice Kavanaugh, the report states.

Following the separate and extensive investigations by both the Committee and the FBI, there was no evidence to substantiate any of the claims of sexual assault made against Justice Kavanaugh.

— Report by Senate Judiciary Committee

The sexual misconduct allegations came during the committee's hearings to decide whether Kavanaugh, whom President Trump nominated in July to succeed retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, would be confirmed. Kavanaugh's nomination set off a battle between Republicans, most of whom defended the judge, and Democrats, who pushed for a large-scale investigation into the women's allegations.

Among those questioned, the report said, were Mark Judge, PJ Smyth, and Leland Keyser, the three individuals whom accuser Christine Blasey Ford claimed were present in the house when Kavanaugh allegedly threw