emptywheel

BREAKING: Goodlatte just said Jeannie Rhee is investigating President Trump, seemingly confirming that Trump is Mueller's target.

12 minutes in before Goodlatte gets to 702. I guess hackery is more importanat than dragnettery. Welcome to 2017.

Nadler starts with 702. Bc Dems are now the party of dragnettery. And moves to request for investigation into Trump's predation.

Nadler laying out all the things HJC isn't overseeing. Amazing how much the politicization has ratcheted up in just one week, from already high level of politicization.

Nadler: You can't have a Special Counsel unless someone violated a law. "There is no investigation to which dept could even assign special counsel."

Nadler points out that Strzok just said what we were all thinking.

DAG R notes that two HJC members were his colleague as USA. One--DeSantis--is prepping to ream him.

DAG R is just filibustering right now, listing all the stuff DOJ does.

DAG R: When wrong-doing occurs, we're more likely to discover it, and remedy it. [You can tell DAG R is cool with this Strzok stuff]

Goodlatte out of the gate saying that normal protocols not followed w/Hillary. Not sure that's what Wray said. Remember: Bush and Cheney got special treatment in CIA leak case.

IG mention 1.

IG mention 2.

Note, Goodlatte is suggesting Comey was wrong for public statements about Hillary investigations. DOJ just leaked tons of materials from IG investigation, precisely what Rosenstein said was wrong.

DAG R says it really is necessary to query data. "They're leads not necessarily based on probable cause." So why should you get content w/o probable cause?

Goodlatte: This is a search about US citizen. DAG R: Well, it's a query under Constitution. Talked w/Dir Wray abt hypothetical way to discuss this publicly.

YAYYYYY! We're returning to H2O2 purchases, 8 years after I first IDed their tracking of purchases.

Nadler says minority hasn't gotten same docs as majority has.

Nadler laying out point @matthewamiller keeps making: DOJ can't appoint SC w/o crime.

Mueller removed Strzok same day. Nadler: Have you seen good cause to fire Mueller? DAG R: No.

Nadler: Would you encourage OLC to withdraw May 1 opinion.

Lamar Smith: Concerned SC casting too wide a net, not just "Soviet sharks" Has SC ever asked to expand investigation? DAG R: Consisent w/scope.

DAG R: Consultation must more detailed than that. Scope publicly set forth, specific matters not in order. To extent any ambiguity, received my permission. Not expansion, clarification.

Smith: Personal finances of Trump family members? DAG R: Not going to discuss it. DAG R says 4 people have been charged, all publicly known.

DAG R correcting Lofgren abt when he became political appointee.

Does it bug anyone that DAG R's flag pin is so far right on his lapel??

DAG R: bc he's a special counsel, we'd route bank robbery to approrpriate prosecutor.

Chabot now laying out all political contributions to Dems, but not Trump. I wonder whether Chabot donated to Trump.

DAG R: we recognize we have employees with political opinions. we know how to manage.

IG mention 3.

Jackson Lee: Do you have protection scheme against Saturday Night Massacre?