CNN Breaking: Transcripts detail how FBI debated whether Trump was 'following directions' of Russia

[wishstar]

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/14/politics/trump-fbi-debate-investigation/index.html

(CNN)In the chaotic aftermath at the FBI following Director James Comey's firing, a half-dozen senior FBI officials huddled to set in motion the momentous move to open an investigation into President Donald Trump that included trying to understand why he was acting in ways that seemed to benefit Russia.

They debated a range of possibilities, according to portions of transcripts of two FBI officials' closed-door congressional interviews obtained by CNN. On one end was the idea that Trump fired Comey at the behest of Russia. On the other was the possibility that Trump didn't have an improper relationship with the Kremlin and was acting within the bounds of his executive authority, the transcripts show.
James Baker, then-FBI general counsel, said the FBI officials were contemplating with regard to Russia whether Trump was "acting at the behest of and somehow following directions, somehow executing their will."
"That was one extreme. The other extreme is that the President is completely innocent, and we discussed that too," Baker told House investigators last year. "There's a range of things this could possibly be. We need to investigate, because we don't know whether, you know, the worst-case scenario is possibly true or the President is totally innocent and we need to get this thing over with — and so he can move forward with his agenda."

CNN has obtained the Congressional transcripts of their closed door interviews with Baker and others of FBI to compile this new article l

[wishstar]

1. NYT story and now this CNN story are based on transcripts leaked from Congress' interviews

Many have speculated that Mueller's team had something to do with leaking this info about FBI's counterintelligence probe of Trump but these articles both make it clear that the new info is based on previously secret closed door testimonies to Congress.

[mucifer]

2. Isn't this the same as the NYT story?

[manor321]

3. These leaks might be coming from Democrats, now that they control the House

Dems might be leaking to change the narrative from the shutdown circus the Trump administration is trying to push.