Why the Page-Strzok Revelation Should Terrify Trump

[DonViejo]

Conspiracy theories like Senator Johnson’s “secret society” can only protect the president for so long.

BY ABIGAIL TRACY
JANUARY 25, 2018 12:03 PM

As Robert Mueller inches closer to a conclusion in his obstruction of justice probe, Donald Trump’s allies have become deeply invested in the idea that the president is the victim of an F.B.I. plot. “We learned today about information that in the immediate aftermath of his election, that there may have been a secret society of folks within the Department of Justice and the F.B.I.—to include [Lisa] Page and [Peter] Strzok—that would be working against him,” Republican Rep. John Ratcliffe said Monday on Fox News, referring to anti-Trump texts between an F.B.I. lawyer and investigator who had worked on Robert Mueller’s Russia probe. The following day, Senator Ron Johnson went further, suggesting that the alleged reference to a “secret society” in the Page-Strzok texts represented not just bias, but rather “corruption of the highest levels” within the bureau. “The secret society—we have an informant talking about a group that was holding secret meetings off-site.”

Link to tweet

From a political standpoint, their efforts have been effective—the explosion of conspiracy theories has Trump’s base practically foaming at the mouth. Sean Hannity and Lou Dobbs warn nightly that there is a coup underway. If Mueller’s probe ends with an impeachment trial, Republicans in Congress and their constituents will have been primed to resist the conclusions of what they believe is a tainted investigation. From a legal standpoint, however, the conspiratorial frenzy may be working against the president. On Wednesday, Trump boldly promised to sit down with Mueller, telling reporters that he is “looking forward” to speaking with the special counsel “as soon as possible”—a promise that his lawyer quickly walked back.

Trump’s confidence is understandable, given the way Fox News and his Republican allies are portraying the F.B.I. House Republicans continue to claim that the classified memo compiled by House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes and his aides contains damning evidence that the F.B.I. and D.O.J. abused a federal surveillance program to target the Trump campaign, even though there is little evidence to suggest the document is anything more than a political ploy. The supposed Page-Strzok scandal has only fueled the hysteria.

Outside the bubble however, Trump’s house of cards is already falling apart. On Wednesday, ABC News got its hands on the full context of the “secret society” text, which suggests the comment was just a joke: “Are you even going to give out your calendars? Seems kind of depressing. Maybe it should just be the first meeting of the secret society.”

Link to tweet

more
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/01/donald-trump-lisa-page-peter-strzok-russia-investigation

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. This country has gone insane.

[HipChick]

4. Exactly..what good are these elected folks?

[Thunderbeast]

2. The only evidence I see of a "Secret Society" is in NYC

The political manipulation fostered by the NYC office of the FBI, Rudy Giuliani, and the NYC Police Dept. is emerging as an interesting sub-plot. I believe that Comey was cornered by a renegade group of alt-right FBI agents, encouraged by Giuliani, and the Nunez/Gowdy actors in Congress to validate the "Crooked Hillary" narrative. Comey acted to try to limit the damage threatened by this cabal. He was not successful. The lid blew off, and his reputation was sullied by his disclosures and subsequent
public decision not to press charges against HRC.

What was NEVER said was that evidence was in hand at the time linking the Trump campaign to the Russian Mafia. The Papadopolis bragging had already started the investigation. The Steele dossier opened additional lines of inquiry. Nobody seemed to coerce Comey to make THAT investigation public. McConnell made clear that any shade thrown at the Trump campaign would be spun to HRC's detriment. With the election a foregone conclusion for HRC, Obama and Loretta Lynch opted to succumb to the blackmail.

[ancianita]

6. This is the most succinct review of this tawdry, petty, trifling drama I've read yet. May I borrow?

[Lucinda]

3. TY KNR

[mgardener]

5. This like the Secret meeting.....

That were held in Trump towers with the Russians?

Like that secret meeting?

[BSdetect]

7. They are determined to ignore whatever Mueller reveals that is negative re drumph and his GOP

traitors