Politics

Report Claims Obama’s CIA Used “Five Eyes” Agencies to Spy on Trump in 2016

Published

9 months ago

2024-02-16

Report Claims Obama's CIA Used “Five Eyes” Agencies to Spy on Trump in 2016

According to a source, the US Intelligence Community (CIA) requested that the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance monitor 26 Donald Trump associates in the run-up to the 2016 election, which sparked claims that the former president’s campaign colluded with Russia.

According to a report published Monday on Michael Shellenberger’s Public Substack, former Obama CIA Director John Brennan identified and presented targets to the US’s intelligence-sharing partners in the so-called “Five Eyes” agencies – the intelligence-gathering organisations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Michael Shellenberger, Matt Taibbi, and Alex Gutentag, all independent investigative journalists, authored the report.

Alex Gutentag is an award-winning writer and Tablet columnist from California. Michael D. Shellenberger is an American author and journalist specialising in free speech and censorship, whereas Matthew Colin Taibbi is an award-winning American novelist and journalist.

They cite several anonymous sources, including those close to Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), who chairs the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

The US intelligence community had “identified” the 26 Trump associates “as people to ‘bump,’ make contact with, or manipulate,” according to one source.

In spy jargon, “bumping” refers to creating a pretext to meet a target of interest to create a relationship that could lead to intelligence. “They were targets of our own IC and law enforcement — targets for collection and misinformation,” a source familiar with the matter said.

According to the article, Britain’s Government Communications Headquarters intelligence organisation, or GCHQ, began contacting Trump associates at the request of the CIA in March 2016.

“They were making contacts and bumping Trump people going back to March 2016,” an insider told the newspaper. “They were dispatching personnel around the UK, Australia, and Italy, including the Mossad in Italy.

The MI6 was working at an intelligence school that they had established.

A GCHQ spokeswoman told the newspaper that reports that it was “asked to conduct ‘wire tapping’ against the then-president-elect are nonsense.”

According to the outlet, intelligence relating to the alleged surveillance effort is housed in a “10-inch binder,” which former President Trump, 77, ordered to be declassified at the end of his presidency and may contain evidence that “multiple US intelligence officials broke laws against spying and election interference.” The whereabouts of the claimed thick binder are unknown.

US law expressly prohibits warrantless surveillance of US citizens.

Kevin Clinesmith, a former FBI lawyer, was sentenced to probation in 2021 after admitting that he faked an e-mail to renew a wiretap against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page.

Intelligence sources accused Page of being targeted by Russian operatives, leading to his wiretap. The wiretap, approved by the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, was renewed numerous times after it was first authorised.

Following a four-year assessment, Special Counsel John Durham determined in March that the FBI investigation into Trump’s alleged cooperation with Russia was “seriously flawed” and lacked proof.

In response, the FBI stated that it had “implemented dozens of corrective actions” since the inappropriate Trump probe and that “the missteps identified in the report could have been prevented” if the reforms had been in place in 2016.

Taibbi and Shellenberger were involved in the publication of the Twitter Files exposé in 2022, which documented how the social media giant’s former management team attempted to censor unpopular voices and hide news items like The New York Post’s investigation into Hunter Biden’s laptop.

Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger testified before Congress about their startling revelations from the “Twitter Files,” which are internal Twitter papers that expose censorship and coordination with government agencies.

Their testimony before the House Judiciary Committee shed light on social media platforms’ vast, unrestrained power to censor online expression. But one issue in particular concerned the extent to which current and former government operatives wielded power within the corporation.

The Twitter Files, a collection of internal documents from Twitter (now known as X), emerged in late 2022. They showed the platform’s content management policies, which included suppressing specific opinions and accounts.

Shellenberger highlighted Twitter employees collaborating with other groups to “pre-bunk” the Hunter Biden laptop claim by lobbying media and platforms not to report it despite no evidence that it was false.

The Twitter files also revealed that the social media firm has hired some former FBI agents to work in Twitter’s upper echelons. They included Jim Baker, the FBI’s former general counsel, and the former Deputy Director of the FBI.

“There were so many FBI people at Twitter that they had their own internal group and their own little crib sheet to describe the difference between the terms that they use at the FBI versus at Twitter,” Shellenberger added.

Former CIA workers, who had a large presence in the corporation, reportedly formed their internal organisation.

Source: The New York Post

Geoff Thomas

Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.

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Politics

Concerned About Matt Gaetz’s Campaign, Senate Republicans Call for a House Ethics Investigation.

Published

22 hours ago

2024-11-14

Salman Ahmad

Mario Tama/Getty Images/Getty Images North America

(VOR News) – Given that a growing number of Republican senators are seeking access to the investigation of Matt Gaetz conducted by the House Ethics Committee, Gaetz’s nomination for the position of attorney general may encounter significant opposition in the Senate.

On Thursday, Matt Gaetz submitted his resignation from the House of Representatives, one day after President-elect Trump announced his acceptance of these positions.

The House Ethics Committee has completed its investigation into allegations that Matt Gaetz was involved in drug use and sex trafficking.

Similar allegations were levied against Matt Gaetz.

The investigation commenced in 2021. Dick Durbin, a Democratic senator and current chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement on Thursday requesting that the House ethics panel “preserve and share” their report along with any additional evidence collected regarding Gaetz.

Durbin’s statement was made in relation to his ongoing tenure in his current role. Durbin’s remark was made public on Thursday.

Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee who recently lost the Senate Majority Leader race, informed reporters on Thursday that the Senate “should obtain all pertinent information by any means necessary,” potentially including a subpoena for the ethics report.

Cornyn is a prominent member of the Judiciary Committee. Cornyn is a senior member of the committee that supervises the Judiciary. Cornyn is hired by the organization tasked with overseeing the Judiciary.

“None of us desire to operate without guidance,” he stated to the reporters in the Capitol, and his assertion was entirely accurate. It was an entirely accurate assertion. “This serves to safeguard the president from unforeseen information or revelations that he and his team may not have anticipated.”

While other senators are inquiring about the particulars of the investigation undertaken by the Ethics Committee during the confirmation hearings, Cornyn is aligning with those senators who are insisting on this information.

Cornyn has conceded that he lacks definitive clarification over the Senate’s ability to request data from the House; still, this is the current situation.

A source familiar with the process, who requested anonymity to discuss confidential deliberations, indicated that the House Ethics Committee’s meeting was scheduled for Friday. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether the meeting will occur without additional clarification.

That meeting may have been the committee’s vote on Matt Gaetz’s disclosure.

This may have been the committee’s plan. Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, stated that Matt Gaetz’s candidacy “will be one of those that will be well-scrutinized.”

According to Tuberville’s account on Thursday, his response to the press was: “It will be a fine-tooth comb, and they were aware of that beforehand.” “It will be a meticulously crafted product.”

Tuberville remarked, “I have known Matt Gaetz for an extended period and have consistently admired him.”

In reaction to the inquiries directed at Matt Gaetz, other Republican senators chose to abstain from commenting. Representative Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, delivered a clear statement declaring, “no comment.”

When queried about Gaetz, Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa responded by commending Elise Stefanik, a congresswoman from New York and a nominee for the Trump administration. Stefanik is a candidate for the role of Secretary of State. Ernst made the statement to National Public Radio while commuting on the Senate subway.

He characterized the situation as “highly intriguing.” “Elise is exceptional!” She remarked about Gaetz as the metro vehicle departed the station: “He faces a formidable challenge.” She stated this while the vehicle was leaving the station.

Cornyn stated to the reporters, “I am unfamiliar with the individual.” That was his observation. In response to the inquiry on any worries about Matt Gaetz candidacy, this reply was made.

SOURCE: NPR

Politics

President-Elect Trump Picks Matt Gaetz to Be Attorney General

Published

2 days ago

2024-11-14

Geoff Thomas

Matt Gaetz's experience as a lawyer and member of the House Judiciary Committee.

President-elect Donald Trump has named Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, 42, his attorney general. This position doubles as the country’s top prosecutor and the director of the Department of Justice.

Trump announced the nominee in a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, noting Matt Gaetz’s experience as a lawyer and member of the House Judiciary Committee.

He also stated that Gaetz’s nomination would be part of his strategy to rid the government of perceived opponents. Trump has frequently accused Democrats of “weaponizing” the Justice Department against him, a charge he reiterated in Wednesday’s statement.

Matt will halt weaponized government, secure our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore Americans’ severely eroded faith and confidence in the Justice Department, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Donald Trump has sent shockwaves across Washington by appointing former Democratic congressman Tulsi Gabbard as the new director of national intelligence.

The moves sparked quick criticism that the president-elect ignores qualifications to put his most fervent followers in charge of the country’s most important government agencies.

Even before Gaetz and Gabbard were named, Trump aroused eyebrows by naming Pete Hegseth, an army veteran and Fox News commentator, as his contender for defense secretary.

Trump has also made more conventional picks for prominent jobs, such as choosing Florida Senator Marco Rubio to be Secretary of State.

Gaetz’s planned appointment as attorney general comes as President Trump threatens to restructure the US Department of Justice in retaliation for criminal investigations and indictments initiated against him by federal prosecutors in recent years.

Tulsi Gabbard at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Tulsi Gabbard was the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) Vice-Chair from 2013 to 2016 when she resigned to support Bernie Sanders for the Democratic presidential candidacy.

Tulsi is an Iraq War veteran and Army reservist. Three years ago, she received the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

“As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican!” According to Trump’s remarks.

“I am confident that Tulsi will bring the courageous attitude that has distinguished her remarkable career to our intelligence community, championing our constitutional rights and securing peace through strength. “Tulsi will make us all proud!”

Once confirmed, Tulsi Gabbard will advise Trump, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council on national security issues.

Geoff Thomas

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Politics

Trump Shakes Up Pentagon Names Pete Hegseth Defence Secretary

Published

2 days ago

2024-11-13

Geoff Thomas

Pete Hegseth Trump Defence Secretary - VOR News

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. David Walsh and Pete Hegseth - U.S. Marine Corps image

US President-elect Donald Trump has picked Pete Hegseth, a decorated Army veteran and Fox News broadcaster, as his defense secretary. The announcement sent shockwaves across the Pentagon and defense industry.

Many in Washington expected the nominee to be a seasoned legislator or someone with defense policy experience. Trump’s choice of Hegseth caught them completely off guard.

In his first political post, 44-year-old Pete Hegseth will be in charge of the world’s most powerful military. He previously served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

When he announced his decision on Tuesday, Trump praised it as “tough, smart, and a true believer in America First.” He also emphasized the former soldier’s schooling at Princeton and Harvard institutions and his combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – our military will be great again, and America will never back down,” the president wrote on Facebook.

The president-elect also highlighted Hegseth’s work as a published novelist. He stated that The War on Warrior “reveals the leftwing betrayal of our warriors and how we must return our military to meritocracy, lethality, accountability, and excellence.”

Hegseth was a major in the Minnesota National Guard who worked as a prison guard in the Guantánamo Bay detention camp and Iraq and Afghanistan and has been an outspoken critic of what he calls “woke” policies inside the US military and its leadership.

“The dumbest phrase on planet earth in the military is our diversity is our strength,” Hegseth stated on a webcast last month.

One of his responsibilities as defense secretary could be to carry out Trump’s campaign vows to remove US generals accused of supporting progressive agendas within the military.

Trump stated that entrepreneur Elon Musk, another political novice, would help the administration decrease costs.

Trump’s government is taking shape following his victory in last week’s presidential election. Hegseth was part of a flurry of security appointments, including Trump’s selection of John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.

If confirmed by the US Senate, Hegseth will arrive at the Pentagon with decisions to make on topics such as military aid to Israel during its fight in Gaza and backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion.

Trump wants the United States to distance itself from foreign conflicts in general. During the election campaign, he criticized the Biden administration’s spending to aid Ukraine.

Also on Tuesday, Trump stated that he wanted South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to play a key role as homeland security secretary. Trump appointed another military veteran, Michael Waltz, as national security advisor, which means he will counsel the president on international dangers.

According to sources at the BBC’s US partner CBS News, Senator Marco Rubio, who shares Waltz’s strong views on China, is anticipated to be Trump’s future secretary of state. However, the selection has not yet been verified.

Republicans have regained control of the Senate and the upper chamber of Congress and are closing in on a majority in the House and the lower chamber as vote counting continues.