DOJ to look into Trump's claims Obama WH may have directed campaign 'infiltration'

As it's become know, especially after the news from The Daily Caller that the FBI informant in fact being University of Cambridge professor Stefan Halper, President Trump demanded that the DOJ investigate to get all the facts official. Demand met.

"The Justice Department asked its watchdog to look into any alleged "impropriety or political motivation" in the FBI's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, the DOJ said Sunday night -- hours after President Trump ordered a review looking into whether federal agents infiltrated or surveilled his campaign for political purposes.

"I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes -- and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!" the president tweeted."

The Department has asked the Inspector General to expand the ongoing review of the (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) application process to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election. As always, the Inspector General will consult with the appropriate U.S. Attorney if there is any evidence of potential criminal conduct," DOJ spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores told Fox News.

She also released a response from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein: "If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action."

As I said before, ever since the NY Times story broke of Operation Cross Hurricane, they, and the rest of the media have been trying to backpeddle, disavow and generally change the story to say that it was basically a nothingburger, with John Brennan - a known perjurer - attempting to convince us that it was all for our own good.

The heat of the Russian investigation has now switched now that it's become apparent that the entirety of the situation was manufactured to discredit Candidate Trump, and then ramped up after he beat the odds and became President. Now apparently we'll find out the truth.

If Mueller is looking at Obstruction - He Backed Himself into a Corner

If this Washington Post story is true - and there is doubt it is, After all, look at how many of their bombshells have bombed, he's likely just glancing over it.  But if he charges Trump with obstruction, Republicans will cry "foul", as it' already been reported that he has surrounded himself with Clinton fans.  Can you say, "Fix was in?"

Another is the lack of evidence.  First, the only real "evidence" is a memo that Comey wrote that details Trump asking him if he could just let Flynn go.  Using the word "hope" isn't obstruction, no matter how Comey felt about it, and no legal sources I've talked to would say so.  If fact during questioning from Sen. James Risch.

“Do you know of any case where a person has been charged for obstruction of justice, or for that matter any other criminal offense where they said or thought they hoped for an outcome?” Risch asked. 

“I don’t know well enough to answer,” Comey replied. “And the reason I keep saying his words is, I took it as a direction. I mean this is the president of the United States with me alone saying ‘I hope this,’ I took it as this is what he wants me to do.” 

“You may have taken it as a direction but that’s not what he said,” Risch shot back.
“Correct,” Comey replied. 

“He said, I hope,” Risch responded. “You don’t know of anyone that’s ever been charged for hoping something. Is that a fair statement?” 

“I don’t as I sit here,” Comey answered. 

 Additionally, unless there are tapes, it's Comey's word against Trump as they were the only two in the room.  Therefore in-admissable in a court of law.

Then there is also the DNI, NSA Directors testimony, to the Senate Intelligence Committee that they never felt any pressure to end the investigation.

In other words, there is nada evidence for obstruction, and even if Mueller tries to apply it he falls under suspicion of motive.  That's not something that Mueller in the twilight of his career wants as his curtain call.

Lastly, even if he finds obstruction it's up to the DOJ to move for an indictment, and they could pull a Comey and say that there wasn't any real intent.

Addition thought from Hot Air's John Sexton.

But don’t forget, according to Comey’s own testimony, Trump also said he would be happy to see the investigation go forward even if some “satellite” associates of his were shown to have done something wrong. That was on a phone call after the Oval Office discussion about Flynn. So it didn’t sound as if Trump was trying to stop the Russia investigation at that point.

Indeed.