Schiff Should Remind DOJ that McConnell Wanted a Jan. 6th Criminal Investigation; Kayleigh's Performance Art; Ominous Omicron
Today, as many know, Adam Schiff went public with his fury and directed it personally at Merrick Garland.
This is a jaw-dropping, though very warranted development. Rarely do intra-party disputes between branches reach the public and perhaps never when involving a law enforcement matter (We don’t consider the Trump administration a legitimate example).
But if there was ever a time or place to express one’s anger about the fact that the country elected a Democrat as president - in part, with the faith that he would clean up the government - and, instead, gets what seems like a concerted effort to not investigate the Trump administration, the time is now.
Schiff said, according to Business Insider:
"I think there's a real desire on the part of the attorney general, for the most part, not to look backward," Schiff said on the podcast. "Do I disagree with that? I do disagree with that, and I disagree with it most vehemently when it comes to what I consider even more serious offenses."
Schiff referenced the 2018 Mueller investigation finding Obstruction of Justice, charges that could be brought today:
"In my view, you don't ignore the crimes that have been committed by a president of the United States. They need to be investigated. You may reach the judgment once you've investigated something that the public interest in not prosecuting a former president outweighs the interests of justice. But I don't think you could ignore the crimes.”
And then the post-election activity:
"For example, a taped conversation of Donald J. Trump on the phone with Brad Raffensperger, the secretary of state from Georgia, trying to coerce him into fraudulently finding 11,780 votes. Because I think if you or I did that, we'd be under indictment by now.”
This is, of course, to say nothing about suddenly opening Rolling Stone magazine, of all things, and learning about the need for burner phones paid for with cash to communicate with people in the White House with the last name “Trump” about the rally that turned into a riot.
I have, in this very newsletter already called for Garland’s resignation or termination. I have already noted the humiliation the Department of Justice should feel chasing misdemeanor trespassing charges when there is public evidence of a plot to steal the election and will not restate those arguments again here.
What I will add, to provide some value to the news everyone has heard today, is that, to the extent that Garland must defend the “unprecedented” investigation, and possible charges flowing therefrom, against a former president, he could and should say that he is enforcing the law and following up upon what the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell clearly advocated after the second impeachment failed.
Senator Mitch McConnell stood at the podium in the Senate and said that he voted no on impeachment because Trump was already out of office but that the entire matter could and should be investigated by the proper authorities in law enforcement. Mitch McConnell was brave enough (at the time) to say that law enforcement should investigate and possibly prosecute Trump, but Merrick Garland is too afraid? Too afraid to do what is in his job description anyway?
The Ghost of George Conway @gtconway3dg
@RepAdamSchiff: "I am concerned that there does not appear to be an investigation, unless it's being done very quietly by the Justice Department" https://t.co/ZPmqVqr1PcAgain, if Republicans blow their minds upon hearing about indictments of the Trumps or Chief of Staff Meadows, Garland need only say that it is his job to enforce the laws on the books and that none other than the leader of the Republican party in the Senate expected him to investigate and prosecute!
Schiff is right and we’ve already lost invaluable time. It is critical for more Democrats to come forward to back Schiff and pressure the White House, which is the only real authority that can force Garland to either move or be removed.
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IS KAYLEIGH DOING PERFORMANCE ART
Ummm, really, Kayleigh?
Kayleigh McEnany, May 22nd, 2020Kayleigh McEnany, May 22nd, 2020"
The president will strongly encourage every governor to allow their churches to reopen, and boy it’s interesting to be in a room that desperately wants to seem to see these churches and houses of worship stay closed.”
Kayleigh McEnany Dec. 10th, 2020
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday admonished Democratic leaders who have sparked controversy after being seen in public despite health restrictions several of them implemented or supported in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Behind me you will see images of Democrat hypocrisy playing on loop,"
Time Magazine: Sept. 10, 2020
No one has done more to sow suspicion or spread lies than President Donald Trump, whose aggressive attacks on mail-in voting and false allegations of widespread voter fraud have capitalized on fear and uncertainty about holding a presidential election in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On television, at rallies and on Twitter, Trump has falsely claimed that mail-in ballots “lead to massive corruption and fraud,” that foreign powers will “forge ballots” and that the “only way we’re going to lose this election is if the election is rigged.” He has falsely implied that ballots are being sent to undocumented immigrants in California and even suggested delaying the election, which he has no authority to do, until Americans can safely vote in person.
Obviously, there are 50-100 more examples but we do not have room, nor the need.
There is simply no explanation for Kayleigh McEnany other than unbridled greed married to a love of performance art. As I’ve said any number of times, please just STFU, Kayleigh. Faith without deeds.
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THE TERRIFYING SCENARIO: OMICRON AND PUBLIC REVOLT, ANARCHY
Imagine:
Omicron is far more contagious than anything seen before, spreads more easily than Delta. Makes people sicker and increases mortality 2-5%. Imagine that it can somewhat evade vaccines.
You are forced to imagine the above because, with the possible exception of number one, none have been proven, yet. But the scientists are showing the same level of concern with Omicron that they did with the Delta variant and Delta cratered hospital systems in Florida, Idaho, and Mississippi, and came very close in many other areas. If the scientists have “that same level of concern,” one could be forgiven for believing they fear it is worse than Delta.
Everyone has COVID fatigue. Everyone.
But let’s imagine for a moment that the CDC believes that Omicron is so dangerous that the only responsible position is to impose a six-week lockdown.
Joe Biden orders the lockdown.
Is your Governor going to use state resources to enforce that lockdown? Is Ron DeSantis going to tell Florida State police to do all they can to ensure the lockdown is enforced? Are the true MAGA warriors in your state staying home?
I think we already know the answer and it’s terrifying.
It is not just terrifying from a public health perspective. It is terrifying from a political-democratic perspective. Once a state or other governmental body ignores executive orders once, it is that much easier the second time, even more so the third, and soon enough, you have people entirely ignoring the results of elections and simply declaring winners. Your country is then in anarchy.
This is obviously the worst-case scenario but it is not at all unimaginable. It is entirely possible and, right now, feels like it’s entirely up to the virus. There is no indication that the MAGAs or MAGA-controlled states will follow orders from President Biden or the CDC that restrict activity (flights, travel, groups, churches, etc.) So, unless the virus is so dangerous that it scares everyone into isolation, this is the future we face. Omicron will make the decision.
We best pray that it makes the right call and is not as serious and well-controlled by the vaccine.
Sorry to leave on an awful note, but it is best to acknowledge reality beforehand and be pleasantly surprised than the other way around.
I answer all correspondence: jmiciak@yahoo.com and on Twitter @JasonMiciak, Substack Website: (Much easier on the eyes) Much Ado About Everything.
Biden Should FIRE Garland, Who Seems To Have Resentment Towards Democrats For Not Getting A Seat On SCOTUS. Hell, PUT OBAMA IN AS AG, At This Point WHY NOT?