Into Trump Associates Actually Begin? Guy Benson Posted: Jun 04, 2018
Let's begin by reviewing a few points as a backdrop to this post: First, as I've written numerous times, Robert Mueller's team must be allowed to complete its work without interference -- though I've also said that it would behoove the special counsel not to stray too far from the core mission, and I agree with ranking Senate Intelligence Committee Democrat Mark Warner that it's likely in the nation's interest for the probe to wrap up sooner rather than later. I also analyzed Rep. Trey Gowdy's significant public comments last week regarding the "spy gate" controversy surrounding the Trump campaign informant with whom the FBI worked during the early stages of the Russia/collusion probe Mueller inherited. In short, I thought it was meaningful that Gowdy, who was one of the few members of Congress to receive a classified briefing on the matter, effectively endorsed the Bureau's actions on that front, also highlighting that investigators were not targeting Donald Trump. I'll turn to my skepticism of the feds' official account in a moment, but first, I'd like to address a few criticisms of Gowdy I've seen:
(1) I find the more outlandish line of accusation that Gowdy has been taken in by the "deep state' to be utterly ludicrous on its face. Gowdy is a fair-minded and committed conservative who gave the Obama administration fits over his pursuit of the truth on Benghazi and other issues. It's true that as a former federal prosecutor, he may be more defensive of the FBI than other observers. But let's not forget his intense cross-examination of then-FBI chief James Comey about his controversial decision not to recommend criminal charges over Hillary Clinton's email scandal. He was hardly obsequious or overly deferential during that exchange. I also find this comment from Gowdy's former close colleague and friend Jason Chaffetz to be an important contribution to the debate about the South Carolinian's credibility. Bear in mind that Chaffetz has been an outspoken Trump defender in many cases and hasn't pulled punches about the Russia matter and the FBI:
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(1) I find the more outlandish line of accusation that Gowdy has been taken in by the "deep state' to be utterly ludicrous on its face. Gowdy is a fair-minded and committed conservative who gave the Obama administration fits over his pursuit of the truth on Benghazi and other issues. It's true that as a former federal prosecutor, he may be more defensive of the FBI than other observers. But let's not forget his intense cross-examination of then-FBI chief James Comey about his controversial decision not to recommend criminal charges over Hillary Clinton's email scandal. He was hardly obsequious or overly deferential during that exchange. I also find this comment from Gowdy's former close colleague and friend Jason Chaffetz to be an important contribution to the debate about the South Carolinian's credibility. Bear in mind that Chaffetz has been an outspoken Trump defender in many cases and hasn't pulled punches about the Russia matter and the FBI:
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