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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/24261080
Generated Summary of Video Below:
Archive Link: https://archive.is/DoDCm
Independent journalist Aaron Maté discusses his reporting on the FBI's probe into Donald Trump. #Trump #russia
Generated Summary:
FBI's Investigation into Trump
- The FBI's investigation into then-President Donald Trump, initiated in May 2017, raised significant questions about the agency's justification for probing a sitting president as a potential Russian agent.
- Journalist Aaron Maté highlights that the FBI has not disclosed the specific reasons that led to this investigation, leaving the public in the dark regarding the grounds for suspicion against Trump.
- The investigation followed the initial Trump-Russia inquiry, known as Crossfire Hurricane, which began in July 2016 based on a vague tip about George Papadopoulos, a low-level Trump campaign volunteer.
- In May 2017, shortly after Trump assumed office, FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe decided to expand the investigation to include Trump personally, alleging he might be acting as an agent of Russia.
- The opening communication for this investigation claims there was a factual basis for it, but this basis is entirely redacted, preventing any understanding of the rationale behind the probe.
- McCabe publicly stated that Trump's firing of FBI Director Jim Comey raised suspicions about what Trump might be hiding, which he considered sufficient grounds for the investigation.
Role of the Steele Dossier
- Reports indicate that the Steele dossier, funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign, played a significant role in the FBI's concerns regarding Trump, as it contained various allegations against him.
- In January 2019, it was revealed that the FBI had reopened its investigation into Trump, with the Steele dossier being cited as a contributing factor to the agency's suspicions.
- Aaron Maté notes that before the counterintelligence probe was launched, the FBI re-engaged with Christopher Steele, the dossier's author, despite having previously terminated him as a source due to his media interactions.
- The reliance on the Steele dossier, which has been widely discredited, raises questions about the legitimacy of the investigation and whether it was based on solid evidence.
Criticism of the Investigation
- Maté criticizes the investigation as lacking factual basis, arguing that the reasons provided for probing a sitting president are insufficient and highlight the absurdity of the Russia investigation narrative.
- He believes that the investigation was politically motivated and detrimental to the integrity of the Democratic Party, which became focused on a conspiracy theory rather than addressing substantive policy issues.
- The investigation diverted attention from potential critiques of Trump's policies, instead allowing the Trump administration to frame the narrative around the allegations as a partisan attack.
Impact on Democratic Party Strategy
- The fixation on the Russia investigation, according to Maté, hindered the Democratic Party's ability to engage in meaningful self-reflection about its messaging and campaign strategies.
- He argues that the party's reliance on the investigation as a narrative undermined its potential to connect with voters who were disillusioned with traditional political approaches.
- Maté suggests that instead of embracing anti-establishment figures like Bernie Sanders, the Democrats doubled down on the Clinton wing, which ultimately alienated some voters.
Clinton Campaign's Involvement
- Maté discusses the role of the Clinton campaign in funding the Steele dossier and its implications for the investigation, asserting that this connection raises questions about the FBI's credibility.
- He highlights that the Clinton campaign also hired CrowdStrike, the firm that first accused Russia of hacking the Democratic National Committee, further entangling the investigation with partisan interests.
- Despite CrowdStrike's CEO admitting to Congress that there was no evidence of Russian hacking, the FBI has not released the documents that underpin its allegations, leaving many critical details undisclosed.
- Maté emphasizes the need for transparency regarding the FBI's reliance on information from contractors linked to the Clinton campaign to understand the foundation of the Russia investigation.
Conclusion and Future Implications
- The ongoing concealment of critical details by the FBI regarding the Trump investigation continues to fuel public demand for accountability and transparency from federal agencies.
- Maté suggests that with Republicans controlling Congress and a supportive president, there might be renewed interest in scrutinizing the decisions made during the investigation.
- The discussion surrounding the investigation underscores the importance of understanding the interplay between political narratives and the actions of intelligence agencies in shaping public perception.
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