CNN is reporting that the feds recently seized John Eastman’s cell phone:
Huh. This is in addition to the executed search warrant last week of Jeffrey Clark’s place where they seized all his electronics.
For those who don’t know how this works, it means that the FBI had to present sufficient evidence to a federal judge to persuade that judge it is more likely than not that evidence of crimes exist that are within the scope of the warrant(s) they are seeking. If they can’t present such evidence, no warrant. They got their warrants.
Which also means the DOJ has been working their cases as I believed they would – from the bottom up. We’re now up to the ‘Lieutenants’ layer of Trump corruption. The ones in direct and regular contact with Trump.
DOJ is still squeezing from the bottom.
So the seizure of Eastman’s phone and Clark’s records and electronics took place last Thursday. These searches were done by the DOJ. Would there be enough time for the DOJ to go over all the records seized, and get any pertinent information over to the Jan 6 committee by today?
I suspect not. I think there are even more shoes to drop, once Eastman and Clark’s records are gone over with a fine toothed comb.
Agree though that the DOJ is working their way up the ladder, to Trump’s lieutenants.
The Committee and DOJ/FBI (the FBI is the law enforcement arm of the DOJ) aren’t meant to be working together. It is appropriate for them to share information if it has bearing on the tasks of each, but I doubt DOJ has shared any information with the Committee at this point. They will want to protect the integrity and secrecy of their investigations.
This is normal.
If it’s a flipped consiglieri, I hope they got a taped disposition. I don’t want cold feet [someone getting to the flipper or family] or a Jack Ruby situation. [Nah Steve, never happen, guards would prevent anything from going down]
Hearing that it’s neither Pence nor Cippilone. There is also this…
You may be on to something. Here is what the Washington found regarding why the nature of the surprise hearing is being kept secret (gift link)
The news was so closely guarded that even some senior committee staff and aides to lawmakers were kept out of the loop as of Monday afternoon. Three people familiar with the investigation said that the secrecy is in part due to credible security threats to a witness.
Thanks for sharing the gift link.
Based on reading that article, it’s hard to think it’s anyone but Cipollone.
An anonymous witness wearing a full ski mask and electronically altered voice?
Credible threats of harm are pretty awful.
Maybe the Don will bring in the witness’ brother to sit in the gallery during the testimony.
I’ve heard that the rationale for rushing the hearing is to get it in before the witness changes his/her mind. I think we’ve got some must-see tv tomorrow. I’ll be very cross if I’m called into a meeting during this.
I’m thinking Mo Brooks, there is reporting that he’s agreed to testify but only publicly.
It’ll be interesting, at least I’ll be able to watch this one comfortably at home without wrangling a toddler. It’s been frustrating, I generally have lots of free time but so far all the hearings have happened while I’m either traveling or babysitting.
I’ll be very surprised if it is Brooks. Every attorney knows to not put a witness on to testify publicly before they know exactly what they are going to say first by way of a deposition in private.
And Mo Brooks is in no position to dictate terms to the Committee. Can’t hurt to ask, but probably a no go, Mo.
What mystifies me is the rushed nature of the unscheduled hearing. No matter what bombshell they may have discovered, why couldn’t it wait until the next scheduled session of the committee? What is it about this that makes it time sensitive? And if it doesn’t meet the dramatic expectations that are being rumoured, it will just make the committee look foolish. I don’t get it.
ETA: Maybe this. I didn’t see this before.
There are a number of concerns.
Barbara McQuade, a former US attorney, says this:
Concern about a leak;
Concern about witness tampering/witness itimidation;
The witness might get cold feet;
The witness is being threatened with harm which might result in the cold feet.
Like toothpaste.
Wow! This sounds like stuff you might associate with the trial of a major mobster. Which I guess in a sense it is.
IMO, that’s exactly what it is.
Thank you for sharing the link!
From June 7: