emptywheel

Swalwell: Was Sessions involved in decision to release text messages? DAG R: Not to my knowledge. Not aware of any evidence Sessions violated recusal.

Farenthold: Why is warrant requirement so difficult? DAG R: connect the dots connect the dots connect the dots

Lieu: Wray $39K to GOP candidates. You believe Wray can remain fair and impartial? DAG R: Yes. Lieu: Brand $37K to GOP candidates. Can she remain fair and impartial? DAG R: Yes.

Buckle up. DeSantis, who benefitted from RU hack, going to beat up DAG R, having just ridden on Air Force One.

DeSantis says clearly Yates did something that experienced prosecutors would disagree with. DAG IG mention 9.

DeSantis: Did FBI pay for dossier? DAG R: I believe I know answer, but I believe Intel Committee appropriate. DAG R says he spends 30 minutes aday reviewing FISA apps.

DeSantis: How much of investigation has been infected w/Strzok bias? DAG R: No case where any one indiv could make decisions.

Raskin notes that members of HJC gave $$ while serving as prosecutors.

Raskin says Strzok emails like reading Anna Karenina. Notes calling Trump an idiot not original.

Raskin: Precedent for DOJ calling reporters to look in on ongoing investigation. DAG R: Our goal to be as forthcoming w/media as we can.

Raskin: Aware of IG rule on ongoing investigation? DAG R: We consulted w/IG.

Raskin: Any illegal search or seizure? DAG R: No.

Ratcliffe: Have you read texts? I can't read some of them publicly. They're that obscene, they're that offensive. So sickening. These texts are also evidence of vitriolic bias for subject of SC investigation.

DAG R: SC investigation doesn't have any IDed subjects that have already been charged. IG mention 10.

Ratcliffe: These aren't run of the mill conflicts, spouses involved w/corporations, Fusion had 10 employees. DAG R: I never involved Ohr in RU investigation, he had no role assigned by me.

Ratcliffe: Isn't Mueller one that chose them in first place? DAG R: My goal get him in and working, don't know what screening. Ratclifffe: If you set out to create bias, only way to pick this team, have them wear "I'm with her" T-shirts every day.

Jayapal: FBI conducting investigations of Hillary's email, leaks occurred routinely, FBI = Trumpland, FBI viewed Hillary as anti-Christ. These leaks had serious consequences. Arguably swung election.

Jayapal: None of this is about text messages, effort to undermine Mueller. Is it your sense FBI impartiality at risk? DAG R: Reputation damaged by every public incident. Character determined by 35K employees.

Jayapal: Full faith and confidence in Mueller? DAG R: Yes I do.

Jayapal asks abt open civil rights cases. DAG R: Confident that work will go on.

DAG R: Withhold my judgment until investigation reaches conclusion. [11]

DAG R: I believe Mueller and I together when we learned fr IG. I believe July 27. It was known he was removed, reason why just coming out now.

DAG R: Anticipated and hoped report would be completed in Nov. [12]

DAG R: AG and I met with team of FBI agents on elections, some of which are classified, DHS has a role too.

The hearing came back on while I was in a meeting. So I've lost the running count but Biggs and DAG R are discussing the IG report.

Actually fair Q from Handel: were Strzok messages (which had Clinton related headers) put into Sentinel system?

Handel: Text messages sent on DOJ issued cells? DAG R: I believe the answer is yes.

Add Rutherford to the list of HJC members who doesn't understand that most FBI interviews are not recorded.

Whoa. Jim Baker under investigation for leaking?

Gaetz asked how quickly docs relating to tarmac could be released if POTUS declassified them. Remember, he just got off Air Force One flight.