In our opinion the content of the diary by former FBI Director James Comey, as outlined in what has formally been called “The Comey Memos”, is devastating to the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI.   How do we know? Because the FBI is fighting like hell to keep even descriptions of the memo(s) content from becoming public.

Here’s something you don’t see CTH say every day…. We’re on the side of CNN !

Rather complex backstory with citations HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE.

In the background of what was The Mueller Investigation, there was a FOIA case where the FBI was fighting to stop the release of the Comey memos.

Within that courtroom fight Mueller’s lead FBI agent David Archey wrote a series of declarations to the court describing the content of the memos and arguing why they should be kept classified.

The FOIA fight shifted.

The plaintiff, CNN, argued for public release of the content of the FBI agent’s descriptions, now known as the “Archey Declarations”.

Hat Tip Techno Fog for the latest court filing update.  As you can see from the filing graphic, the DOJ is requesting more time to file a response to a motion that would force them to release the “Archey Declarations” [detailed explanations of what’s inside the Comey Memos].

After a lengthy back-and-forth legal contest, on June 7th Judge James E Boasberg agreed to allow the FBI to keep the Comey memo content hidden, but instructed the DOJ/FBI to release the content of the Archey Declarations.

On July 5th, the U.S. Department of Justice -under Attorney General Bill Barr- while waiting until the last minute (28 days since prior ruling), filed a motion [full pdf below] to block the release of the Archey Declarations, despite the June 7th court order.

On July 19th, CNN filed a motion against the FBI and DOJ to force the release of the Archey Declarations (full pdf below).

On July 25th, today, the DOJ filed a response requesting more time to reply.

The FBI wants these declarations hidden.

Here’s the righteous filing from CNN which demands the DOJ and FBI to comply with the prior ruling of June 7th, (embed pdf below – cloud pdf link here):

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The DOJ is requested more time, August 2nd, 2019, to respond to the CNN motion.

CNN wants the June 7th ruling enforced and the Archey Declarations, which describe the content of the Comey memos, released.  So do we.

David Archey was the FBI lead agent on Robert Mueller’s team.  Archey replaced Peter Strzok when Strzok was removed.  Yes, Archey’s declarations might possibly describe material evidence the DOJ (either Durham or Howowitz) are using in ongoing matters. However, THIS IS IMPORTANT – the DOJ and FBI have never made that assertion.

Therefore the argument that the DOJ and FBI are holding some current investigative interest in keeping the Comey memos hidden is null on face value.

That’s why we support CNN’s position.

BACKGROUND – Again, if transparency in conduct of the DOJ and FBI during 2016 is the expressed goal of Attorney General Bill Barr, then his current department fighting to keep descriptions of FBI memorandum hidden from public review runs exactly counter to that intent.

This DOJ activity does not bode well for a narrative of Bill Barr is an honest broker. This is an example of how to cover-up material that is damaging to the institution.

To be fair, Attorney General Bill Barr may not be aware the United States Department of Justice Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch, is fighting this court ordered release.

However, the DOJ Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division is Jody Hunt. That name might be familiar to you because Jody Hunt was Jeff Sessions former chief-of-staff.

Asst. AG Jody Hunt most certainly knows his office is fighting to keep the FBI descriptions of the Comey memos hidden from the public.

Despite the original media FOIA lawsuit coming from CNN -vs- DOJ, there is no-one in the MSM covering this story. Here is the July 5th DOJ filing:

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Here’s the background on the June 7th, 2019, ruling as we shared at the time:

Judge Boasberg was deciding what could be publicly released, meaning current redactions removed, based on two connected events: (#1) The content of the Comey Memos; and (#2) the declarations of lead FBI agent for Robert Mueller’s special counsel, David Archey, in describing those memos. CNN had filed a lawsuit to gain full access.

[Note: the descriptions of the Comey memos by FBI agent David Archey are known as the “Archey Declarations” – Read Here.]

For those who may not be aware, there are so many memos (dozens) when assembled they seem to make up an actual diary of moment-by-moment events, during the FBI investigation of Donald Trump, as documented by FBI Director James Comey.

♦ In the issue of the redactions within the Comey Memos, the judge doesn’t remove them. Some are ordered to be removed, some are approved to stay in place. The Comey memo aspect, and the redaction decision, is basically a splitting of the baby 50/50. It will be interesting, but meh, maybe not too much detail. – CNN ARTICLE

(Pdf Link)

The issues argued by the FBI lawyers to keep the Comey memos hidden surround sources and methods. The judge generally agreed to the potential for compromise, but also outlined several sections of redactions within the Comey memos where that argument doesn’t hold up. [The judge has read the fully unredacted memo content.]

♦ However, on the issue of the Archey Declarations there’s an opportunity for some very interesting information to surface. Here’s an example of currently existing redactionswithin the Archey Declarations:

And stunningly, yes, STUNNINGLY, Judge Boasberg has ordered the Archey declarations to be fully released to the public WITHOUT REDACTIONS. See pages 34 and 35 of the ruling.

That means all those black boxes in the example above will be removed and CNN will be allowed the fully unredacted content of the declarations by FBI Agent David Archey.

CTH remains very interested.

The Comey Memos cut to the heart of the issues Special Counsel Robert Mueller said were outside his purview.  The Comey Memos describe the FBI operation and intent during the 2016 election.  The Archey Declarations describe the Comey Memos.

The content could be very revealing.

What happened yesterday with Robert Mueller’s testimony was a public fiasco. However, for those who have followed the construct of the scheme team assembly from the outset, it was not surprising.

After watching how the special counsel couldn’t respond to appropriate questioning, I sat down to summarize three years of review against the backdrop of Mueller’s appearance and realized everything I was writing was previously written.  Almost word for word.

Then I became angry.  Not angry in the outrage sense of the word, but angry at the obvious construct to the fraud.  A frustrating sense of anger; because if we could see all of this back in early 2018 it must be obvious to those much closer to the epicenter in DC, and yet this fraud just continues.

Responding to reader questions in March 2018 I wrote an article specifically about Robert Mueller and why he was essentially irrelevant in the larger picture.  I don’t often request a review of prior research, but this time it’s important.  Please read what was written on March 31st, 2018, [SEE HERE]

If we could see the issues, including the cognitive incapacity with Robert Mueller, a full year-and-a-half ago, well, the leadership in around the institutions of government (specifically the DOJ and FBI) would obviously be able to see it; yet nothing was done.

In March 2018 Jeff Sessions was U.S. Attorney General, Rod Rosenstein was Deputy Attorney General, Chris Wray was FBI Director and David Bowditch was Deputy FBI Director.

March 2018 was also eight months before the mid-term election.

That March 2018 article about Robert Mueller was written before the first IG report on Andrew McCabe was released (April ’18). That March 2018 article was written before the IG report on DOJ/FBI bias in the Clinton investigation was released (June ’18); and that article about Robert Mueller’s purpose was written two months before the IG investigation of FISA abuse even began (May ’18).

CTH is not gifted with any foresight or special insight, so if we could see Robert Mueller and his purpose within the “small group” obviously those closest to the issues at hand would know even more and yet…

Hence the frustrated anger.

Here we sit…. in the same place we were in March 2018… waiting, once again for another DOJ Inspector General Report… sometime in the “near” future.

Meanwhile, all of the people in/around the current investigative review of the Inspector General are exactly the same people in/around the prior two investigative reviews of the Inspector General.  In essence, the IG investigation that began on January 17th, 2017, is one long continuum of the same IG review still ongoing thirty-one months later.

The only difference in IG report #3 is the subject matter, this time FISA abuse.  All of the central characters are exactly the same.  All of the institutions being reviewed are exactly the same.  It’s one long IG review into exactly the same suspects, and..

…Every minute spent outraged at what Muller did yesterday, is one minute less that Bill Barr has to be worried about being held accountable for what he is not doing today…

♦ President Trump can prove the July 31st, 2016, Crossfire Hurricane counterintelligence operation originated from a scheme within the intelligence apparatus by exposing the preceding CIA operation that created the originating “Electronic Communication” memo. Declassify that two-page “EC” document that Brennan gave to Comey.  [The trail is found within the Weissmann report and the use of Alexander Downer – SEE HERE]

♦ Release and declassify all of the Comey memos that document the investigative steps taken by the FBI as an outcome of the operation coordinated by CIA Director John Brennan in early 2016.  [The trail was memorialized by James Comey – SEE HERE]

♦ Reveal the November 2015 through April 2016 FISA-702 search query abuse by declassifying the April 2017 court opinion written by FISC Presiding Judge Rosemary Collyer. Show the FBI contractors behind the 85% fraudulent search queries. [Crowdstrike? Fusion-GPS? Nellie Ohr? Daniel Richman?]  This was a weaponized surveillance and domestic political spying operation. [The trail was laid down in specific detail by Judge Collyer – SEE HERE]

♦ Subpoena former DOJ-NSD (National Security Division) head John Carlin, or haul him in front of a grand jury, and get his testimony about why he hid the abuse from the FISA court in October 2016; why the DOJ-NSD rushed the Carter Page application to beat NSA Director Admiral Mike Rogers to the FISA court; and why Carlin quit immediately thereafter.

♦ Prove the Carter Page FISA application (October 2016) was fraudulent and based on deceptions to the FISA Court. Declassify the entire document, and release the transcripts of those who signed the application(s); and/or depose those who have not yet testified. The creation of the Steele Dossier was the cover-up operation. [SEE HERE]

♦ Release all of the Lisa Page and Peter Strzok text messages without redactions. Let sunlight pour in on the actual conversation(s) that were taking place when Crossfire Hurricane (July ’16) and the FISA Application (Oct ’16) were taking place.  The current redactions were made by the people who weaponized the intelligence system for political surveillance and spy operation.  This is why Page and Strzok texts are redacted!

♦ Release all of Bruce Ohr 302’s, FBI notes from interviews and debriefing sessions, and other relevant documents associated with the interviews of Bruce Ohr and his internal communications. Including exculpatory evidence that Bruce Ohr may have shared with FBI Agent Joseph Pientka. [And get a deposition from this Pientka fella] Bruce Ohr is the courier, carrying information from those outside to those on the inside.

♦ Release the August 2nd, 2017, two-page scope memo provided by DAG Rod Rosenstein to special counsel Robert Mueller to advance the fraudulent Trump investigation, and initiate the more purposeful obstruction of justice investigation. Also Release the October 20th, 2017, second scope memo recently discovered.  The Scope Memos are keys to unlocking the underlying spy/surveillance cover-up. [SEE HERE and SEE HERE]

Please.

Appearing this morning to give their perspective on the testimony of special counsel Robert Mueller, Jim Jordan discusses:

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Trey Gowdy is below:

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An unusually giddy and excited Carter Page appears on Fox News with Martha MacCallum to discuss the information within today’s testimony of Robert Mueller.   Page notes the mention of Steven Schrage as the contact point from Cambridge University.

h/t Michael Sheridan for the video:

Representative Michael Turner, R-Ohio, questions former special counsel Robert Mueller about the location of the “DOJ Office of Exoneration”.  Apparently, it is two doors away from the DOJ Office of Figment, and across the hall from the Department of Wishes.

It’s almost like watching elder abuse; Mueller haz confused.

Today at 1:00pm EST former Special Counsel Robert Mueller will continue his testimony before congress. After a morning of complete embarrassment, the House democrats are now desperate to save their plan.  It’s a hot mess, bigly.

All eyes are on DC as Democrats and Republicans are expected to grill Mueller on connections between Trump, Russia and the DOJ officials who initiated the probe.

The event is being broadcast live via satellite around the world and there are hundreds of options to watch on network, cable TV and Livestream broadcast:

Fox Business Livestream – Fox News Livestream – CSPAN Livestream Link – Global News Livestream Link – PBS Livestream Link – CNBC Livestream Link – CBSN Livestream

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Representative John Ratcliffe questions how Robert Mueller presented an investigative finding with no evidence of guilt, yet simultaneously states the investigation “would not exonerate” the President.  Ratcliffe crushed the construct of Mueller and left the biased special counsel speechless and jaw-agape.  WATCH:

“Donald Trump is not above the law, but he damned sure also shouldn’t be below the law”…

Rep. W. Steube, R-Fla., did a masterful job of exposing Mueller’s intentional bias and political scheme through a series of questions that former special counsel Robert Mueller refused to answer.  WATCH:

After a few rounds of questioning it is now clear that Robert Mueller was selected by a pre-existing group of DOJ and FBI officials.

Mueller didn’t pick his team; the DOJ/FBI team that was already carrying out the “insurance policy” against Trump, selected him.

During questioning from Representative Louie Gohmert, special counsel Robert Mueller said he was not in the Oval Office May 16th, 2017, for a meeting with President Trump as “a candidate” to be the FBI Director.   And thus a picture gains clarity…

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Unfortunately Louie Gohmert did not follow up with questions about why Robert Mueller was in the Oval Office on May 16, 2017, or whose idea it was for the meeting. However, putting together the information previously provided by Andrew McCabe it’s now likely DAG Rod Rosenstein guided Mueller to the meeting – by telling President Trump one reason; and telling Robert Mueller something completely different.

Mueller implies in his testimony his appearance was to discuss the general qualifications of an FBI Director. Mueller specifically says he was not there as “a candidate” for the position. However, President Trump and Vice-President Pence were advised that Robert Mueller was applying for the job of FBI Director.

Why would there be such a distinct difference?

Answer: Rod Rosenstein.

There is simply no-one else who could create two distinct reasons; other than the man who brought Mueller to the meeting.

It seems clear now that Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein created a fictitious explanation for Mueller’s meeting with President Trump.

Rod Rosenstein told the White House Mueller was coming for a candidate interview. Meanwhile Rosenstein told Mueller he was going to the White House to discuss general qualifications.

Rosenstein and McCabe were essentially carrying out a sting.

FBI Director James Comey was fired on Tuesday May 9th, 2017. According to his own admissions (NBC and CBS), Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe immediately began a criminal ‘obstruction’ investigation the next day, Wednesday May 10th; and he immediately enlisted Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

These McCabe statements line up with with text message conversations between FBI lawyer Lisa Page and FBI agent Peter Strzok – (same dates 5/9 and 5/10):

(text message link)

It now appears that important redaction is “FLYNN”, “POTUS” or “TRUMP”.  [Yes, this is evidence that some unknown DOJ officials redacted information from these texts that would have pointed directly to the intents of the DOJ and FBI. [WARNING: Don’t get hung on it.]

The next day, Thursday May 11th, 2017, Andrew McCabe testifies to congress. With the Comey firing fresh in the headlines, Senator Marco Rubio asked McCabe: “has the dismissal of Mr. Comey in any way impeded, interrupted, stopped, or negatively impacted any of the work, any investigation, or any ongoing projects at the Federal Bureau of Investigation?”

McCabe responded: “So there has been no effort to impede our investigation to date. Quite simply put, sir, you cannot stop the men and women of the FBI from doing the right thing, protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.”

However, again referencing his own admissions, on Friday May 12th McCabe met with DAG Rod Rosenstein to discuss the issues, referencing the criminal ‘obstruction’ case McCabe had opened just two days before.  According to McCabe:

… “[Rosenstein] asked for my thoughts about whether we needed a special counsel to oversee the Russia case. I said I thought it would help the investigation’s credibility. Later that day, I went to see Rosenstein again. This is the gist of what I said: I feel strongly that the investigation would be best served by having a special counsel.” (link)

Recap: Tuesday-Comey Fired; Wednesday-McCabe starts criminal ‘obstruction’ case; Thursday-McCabe testifies to congress “no effort to impede”; Friday-McCabe and Rosenstein discuss Special Counsel.

After the weekend, Monday May 15th, McCabe states he and Rosenstein conferred again about the Special Counsel approach. McCabe: “I brought the matter up with him again after the weekend.”

Now, overlaying what we know now that we did not know in 2018, to include the John Dowd interview and McCabe admissions, a very clear picture emerges.

On Tuesday May 16th, Rod Rosenstein takes Robert Mueller to the White House to talk with the target of the ‘obstruction’ criminal investigation, Donald Trump, under the ruse of bringing Mueller in for a meeting about becoming FBI Director.

Knowing McCabe launched a criminal obstruction investigation six days earlier (May 10th); and knowing Mueller was ineligible for the position of FBI Director; this “meeting” looks entirely different.  This meeting looks like an opportunity to gather evidence for the obstruction case.

The next day, Wednesday May 17th, 2017, Rod Rosenstein and Andrew McCabe go to brief the congressional “Gang-of-Eight”: Paul Ryan, Nancy Pelosi, ¹Devin Nunes, Adam Schiff, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Richard Burr and Mark Warner.

… […] “On the afternoon of May 17, Rosenstein and I sat at the end of a long conference table in a secure room in the basement of the Capitol. We were there to brief the so-called Gang of Eight—the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate and the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. Rosenstein had, I knew, made a decision to appoint a special counsel in the Russia case.”

[…] “After reminding the committee of how the investigation began, I told them of additional steps we had taken. Then Rod took over and announced that he had appointed a special counsel to pursue the Russia investigation, and that the special counsel was Robert Mueller.” (link)

Immediately following this May 17, 2017, Go8 briefing, Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein notified the public of the special counsel appointment.

According to President Trump’s Attorney John Dowd, the White House was stunned by the decision. [Link] Coincidentally, AG Jeff Sessions was in the oval office for unrelated business when White House counsel Don McGahn came in and informed the group.  Jeff Sessions immediately offered his resignation, and Sessions’ chief-of-staff Jody Hunt went back to the Main Justice office to ask Rosenstein “what the hell was going on?”….

What was “going on” was a sting.