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Julian Englis

(2,309 posts)
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:28 PM Aug 2018

Scoop: Republicans secretly study their coming hell

Source: Axios

Congressional Republicans are getting ready for hell. Axios has obtained a spreadsheet that's circulated through Republican circles on and off Capitol Hill — including at least one leadership office — that meticulously previews the investigations Democrats will likely launch if they flip the House.

Why this matters: Publicly, House Republicans are putting on a brave face about the midterms. But privately, they are scrambling to prepare for the worst. This document, which catalogs requests Democrats have already made, is part of that effort.

It has churned Republican stomachs. Here are some of the probes it predicts:

President Trump’s tax returns
Trump family businesses — and whether they comply with the Constitution's emoluments clause, including the Chinese trademark grant to the Trump Organization
Trump's dealings with Russia, including the president's preparation for his meeting with Vladimir Putin
The payment to Stephanie Clifford — a.k.a. Stormy Daniels
James Comey's firing
Trump's firing of U.S. attorneys
Trump's proposed transgender ban for the military
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's business dealings
White House staff's personal email use
Cabinet secretary travel, office expenses, and other misused perks
Discussion of classified information at Mar-a-Lago
Jared Kushner's ethics law compliance
Dismissal of members of the EPA board of scientific counselors
The travel ban
Family separation policy
Hurricane response in Puerto Rico
Election security and hacking attempts
White House security clearances

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2018-midterm-elections-republicans-preparation-investigations-180abf7b-0de8-4670-ae8a-2e6da123c584.html



Sounds as if they're just scratching the surface.
73 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Scoop: Republicans secretly study their coming hell (Original Post) Julian Englis Aug 2018 OP
Well, they sold out to (a really stupid) Satan thegoose Aug 2018 #1
True. "Even those who think they are elect* will be suckered." - Jayzuz Achilleaze Aug 2018 #30
Doubtful that they would follow Jesus keithbvadu2 Aug 2018 #42
Wuerker's one of our best! CrispyQ Aug 2018 #70
Shredder alert! not fooled Aug 2018 #2
Perhaps this is why they are hoping Putin interferes again th election kimbutgar Aug 2018 #3
Yes, "...just scratching the surface..."It has only just begun." Stuart G Aug 2018 #4
Hope they add to the list: NCjack Aug 2018 #5
NRA money from Russia stopwastingmymoney Aug 2018 #41
THIS. SunSeeker Aug 2018 #63
trump and or putin paying talk radio gods, fox heads? certainot Aug 2018 #72
Awesome! That oughta shrivel some skin and tighten some sphincters donkeypoofed Aug 2018 #6
Devin Nunes, please ... Auggie Aug 2018 #7
He's already under investigation. 2naSalit Aug 2018 #20
Not confirmed, unlikely grantcart Aug 2018 #21
I'd be surprised if he isn't being investigated. 2naSalit Aug 2018 #23
DOJ guidelines against investigating sitting members of Congress grantcart Aug 2018 #35
I thohgt I heard something 2naSalit Aug 2018 #36
FEC citations you listed are equivalent to a parking ticket grantcart Aug 2018 #38
That may have been it... 2naSalit Aug 2018 #40
Tell that to Chris Collins and Duncan Hunter! lagomorph777 Aug 2018 #59
"they are scrambling to prepare for the worst" BumRushDaShow Aug 2018 #8
"check and balance"? - Not 'works for the President'? keithbvadu2 Aug 2018 #43
It boggles the mind. BumRushDaShow Aug 2018 #47
Fixed it. Thanks. keithbvadu2 Aug 2018 #48
Thanks for reminding me about that fiasco!! BumRushDaShow Aug 2018 #49
Sounds like a good reason to vote blue in november. jay1124 Aug 2018 #9
They're doing fine. Tell them to stay the course. dalton99a Aug 2018 #10
Now we are seeing the truth Wellstone ruled Aug 2018 #11
Nothing to worry about for them as long as we keep up our winning strategy of boat stabilization LiberalLovinLug Aug 2018 #12
What they need to be asking themselves is "WHY THE HELL AREN'T REPUBS DOING THIS?" groundloop Aug 2018 #13
How about shredding the careers and reputations of the FBI and the intelligence community? FakeNoose Aug 2018 #14
I wouldn't be surprised they leaked this in an attempt to get their base motivated. nt chowder66 Aug 2018 #15
Me Neither Raphe M Aug 2018 #19
Many of those topics will be a surprise to their Fux-munching base. lagomorph777 Aug 2018 #60
Election Day is More than Two Months Away Raphe M Aug 2018 #16
Beware empedocles Aug 2018 #17
I would like Congress to have the FBI start an investigation into how many people are knowingly cstanleytech Aug 2018 #18
Every one of those seriously needs investigating. Kablooie Aug 2018 #22
I agree with you, but Haggis for Breakfast Aug 2018 #44
They're going to need a bigger spreadsheet. n/t Yavin4 Aug 2018 #24
excel can only have 1M rows.... getagrip_already Aug 2018 #57
May have to loop in Amazaon on this Yavin4 Aug 2018 #68
Maybe if they did their FUCKING JOB dbackjon Aug 2018 #25
All that corruption in a year and a half TeamPooka Aug 2018 #26
Sweet. Gidney N Cloyd Aug 2018 #27
And their solution? Tha same as always: sandensea Aug 2018 #28
Did i miss the Russian money going to the NRA investigation? dem4decades Aug 2018 #29
Mariia Butina's #NRAROUBLES will destroy many a Russiapublican. lagomorph777 Aug 2018 #61
Sorry, but the Axios piece doesn't list the source grumpyduck Aug 2018 #31
Yeap. That about sums up conservatives. kyburbonkid Aug 2018 #32
Thanks for giving US our agenda. Wonder how many Laura PourMeADrink Aug 2018 #33
I have NO sympathy for the devil - and his spawns. Chemisse Aug 2018 #34
This abomination of a Presidency can never bronxiteforever Aug 2018 #37
AKA: List of things the Republicans should be doing ThoughtCriminal Aug 2018 #39
They WISH this was the list. It should be twice as long, at least. RockRaven Aug 2018 #45
Great additions. N/T lagomorph777 Aug 2018 #62
Nothing on Wilbur Ross, Betsy DeVos, EriKKK Prince, etc. Julian Englis Aug 2018 #46
Kick ck4829 Aug 2018 #50
To the GOP, I can only offer up the words of CeeLo Green Docreed2003 Aug 2018 #51
None of it will matter if we don't show up to VOTE... regnaD kciN Aug 2018 #52
They need to add an investigation of radical noodle Aug 2018 #53
They should be studying duforsure Aug 2018 #54
Investigate Devin Nunes SteveMO Aug 2018 #55
K&R! Omaha Steve Aug 2018 #56
"scratching the surface" - add: obstruction (Devil Nunes, Gym Jordan, Lyin Ryan, Mitch McConman),... lagomorph777 Aug 2018 #58
actually rtracey Aug 2018 #64
That list is reminiscent of how the Nazis acted when the Allies were marching into Berlin. Texin Aug 2018 #65
Doesn't matter unless we actually flip the House. And we have to win by a LANDSLIDE to overcome Neema Aug 2018 #66
This feels like a psych ops kimbutgar Aug 2018 #67
They left off Giuliani and the NY FBI office, and Putin's BFF, Dana Rohrbacher, Grins Aug 2018 #69
The #1 concern of the GOP, that they don't want anyone to talk about: CrispyQ Aug 2018 #71
They've already been dragged down to hell by trump, duforsure Aug 2018 #73
 

thegoose

(3,115 posts)
1. Well, they sold out to (a really stupid) Satan
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:31 PM
Aug 2018

And the majority of us aren't interested. What the fuck do they expect? Lyin' Ryan and McLipless can cower all they want, but we're gonna barbecue their asses, come hell or high water.

Achilleaze

(15,543 posts)
30. True. "Even those who think they are elect* will be suckered." - Jayzuz
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 06:49 PM
Aug 2018

to paraphrase a famous prophet that republicans "claim" they respect, and whose teachings they "claim" to follow.


* especially KGOP scumbags who took the filthy darkside russian moneybucks pumped through the NRA

not fooled

(5,801 posts)
2. Shredder alert!
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:32 PM
Aug 2018

Working' overtime, methinks.

Of course, you can't shred electronic communications.





And the list? Sanity and patriotism might just prevail, after all. And after we all vote.



kimbutgar

(21,188 posts)
3. Perhaps this is why they are hoping Putin interferes again th election
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:36 PM
Aug 2018

And I hope they get caught in the act and someone tapes them discussing how they did it the previous times.

I really want Mitch mcConell to go down with this sinking ship and is indicted, convicted and jailed.

NCjack

(10,279 posts)
5. Hope they add to the list:
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:41 PM
Aug 2018

What did Trump and Repugs do to protect elections?
Who in Congress took Russian money?
Selling of Federal properties, esp. by Interior.
Malfeasance in EPA.

 

certainot

(9,090 posts)
72. trump and or putin paying talk radio gods, fox heads?
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 02:22 PM
Aug 2018

if his paying for inquirer help is campaign related then what about paying limbaugh - he says "trump" an average of once every second.... good branding

grantcart

(53,061 posts)
35. DOJ guidelines against investigating sitting members of Congress
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:08 PM
Aug 2018

Would be very high, for good reason.

The previous Twitter leak about it was from a dubious source months ago.

2naSalit

(86,775 posts)
36. I thohgt I heard something
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:11 PM
Aug 2018

more solid about it in the past three or four days, can't recall where. Hell there's been so much to sift through this week... Maybe I didn't hear it but thought that I heard that he and someone else.

I think that the guidelines are for normal times which these are not, so I hope that the guidelines are no observed at this time. Haven't other members been investigated and charged while in office?

ETA: Oh look here... https://www.govtrack.us/misconduct

Alleged misconduct & resolution

In 2018, the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) announced it was investigating Nunes for receiving campaign contributions in excess of limits and from prohibited entities.
Mar. 20, 2018 Federal Elections Commission sent a letter to Nunes' campaign treasurer

In 2017 Nunes was investigated for unauthorized disclosures of classified information. The investigation is closed as of 12/07/2017.
Apr. 6, 2017 House Committee on Ethics opened an investigation
Dec. 7, 2017 House Committee on Ethics concluded that the information was not classified


Hmmm.

grantcart

(53,061 posts)
38. FEC citations you listed are equivalent to a parking ticket
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:26 PM
Aug 2018

Many if not all campaigns get contributions from people who a) should not contribute but the campaign doesn't know it in real time and b) lawful contributors who unintentionally contribute past the maximum (think of a husband and wife who make regular contributions and lose track of the amounts). The campaign is tasked with keeping track and returning the money but if you don't do it in time you get a fine. This is what Trump is talking about when he talks about the FEC fine for President Obama.


I am guessing that you saw this thread:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211045074

Which posted an old rumor from an unsupported source from June but still got 85 recs

It actually has been getting easier to figure out what rumors are valid and which are not because whoever is leaking these are using the well established media to leak them, NYT, WSJ, WP, LAT as well as CNN MSNBC etc
Usually they are citing "multiple sources".

The whole point of having DOJ SOP is to give guidelines in the difficult situations, not when it is easy.

Any investigation of an elected Congressman or Senator would have severe Constitutional ramifications and Sessions and Rosenstein would be following the established guidelines to a "T".

2naSalit

(86,775 posts)
40. That may have been it...
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:29 PM
Aug 2018

I didn't check the link. Oh well, won't be long until they are. I'm expecting/hoping a bunch of Congress to be in jumpsuits by the end of the year.

BumRushDaShow

(129,440 posts)
8. "they are scrambling to prepare for the worst"
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:44 PM
Aug 2018

If they would do their fucking job as a check and balance to THIS Executive Branch, then maybe, just maybe, they wouldn't have to "prepare for the worst".

They certainly found enough time to not only investigate the previous administration, but to actually manufacture fictional things TO investigate against that previous administration when they decided they had nothing better to do... AND they did so at an inordinate waste of taxpayer dollars.

keithbvadu2

(36,906 posts)
43. "check and balance"? - Not 'works for the President'?
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:56 PM
Aug 2018

"check and balance"?

GOP Rep. Defends Devin Nunes By Claiming ‘He Works For The President’

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/devin-nunes-ted-yoho-trump_us_58dd24b8e4b05eae031dad44

When MSNBC host Craig Melvin asked Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) if it was appropriate for Nunes, the House Intelligence Committee chairman, to meet with a source on White House grounds the day before announcing he had reason to believe the Trump team was subject to “incidental” surveillance, Yoho insisted it was fine because Nunes “works for the president.”

“You’ve got to keep in mind who he works for,” Yoho said. “He works for the president. He answers to the president.”

jay1124

(29 posts)
9. Sounds like a good reason to vote blue in november.
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:46 PM
Aug 2018

if we do take the senate, I'm sure all of that would be included plus putting the brakes on any judgeship and cabinet nominees that dope 45 puts forth!

 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
11. Now we are seeing the truth
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:51 PM
Aug 2018

behind Little Lindsey Graham's comments as well as what Nunes has been peddling. ie: our Criminal operation is abut to end if lose in November.


Lot's of special Elections in 2019.

LiberalLovinLug

(14,176 posts)
12. Nothing to worry about for them as long as we keep up our winning strategy of boat stabilization
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:53 PM
Aug 2018

Its all off the table!



Because we might frighten off the elusive fence sitting Republican, for 2020, that would be insulted by our insistence on making his party look bad.

groundloop

(11,522 posts)
13. What they need to be asking themselves is "WHY THE HELL AREN'T REPUBS DOING THIS?"
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:59 PM
Aug 2018

If they gave one iota of a shit about America they'd already be looking into all of these things instead of stonewalling and burying their heads in the sand.

FakeNoose

(32,748 posts)
14. How about shredding the careers and reputations of the FBI and the intelligence community?
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 05:59 PM
Aug 2018

There's a lot missing from this list. But don't worry, we've got it all written down and it can't be deleted.

cstanleytech

(26,319 posts)
18. I would like Congress to have the FBI start an investigation into how many people are knowingly
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 06:07 PM
Aug 2018

working with the Russians to tamper with our elections.
Most in Congress should be safe but Mitch, Nunes, Ryan and Cruz might want to obtain the services of a good defense lawyer.

Kablooie

(18,641 posts)
22. Every one of those seriously needs investigating.
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 06:36 PM
Aug 2018

None of them feel like partisan political fake investigations.

Haggis for Breakfast

(6,831 posts)
44. I agree with you, but
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:58 PM
Aug 2018

The people in Puerto Rico are still living amongst the ruins of that hurricane. That American citizens are deprived of the basic necessities STILL, is shameful. If this had happened in Arizona or Virginia, and the government dragged their way (of coourse, they wouldn't have) in the same fashion, the outrage would be national and constant. But brown people . . . Hispanic in origin . . . on an island (in a BIG ocean) . . . out of sight . . . out of mind, not so much.

This should sicken every one of us.

getagrip_already

(14,837 posts)
57. excel can only have 1M rows....
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 08:21 AM
Aug 2018

they are going to need a real database server. A spreadsheet won't hold all the crimes.

 

dbackjon

(6,578 posts)
25. Maybe if they did their FUCKING JOB
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 06:41 PM
Aug 2018

Voters wouldn't be so angry with them.

Would love to see every sitting GOP Congresscritter arrested for treason. Because they all have committed it.

grumpyduck

(6,255 posts)
31. Sorry, but the Axios piece doesn't list the source
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 06:53 PM
Aug 2018

or indicate specifically where it's been circulated. I want to believe this story because it sounds "right," but, as of right now, I have to consider it hearsay. I'm not putting any stock in it until they cough up some specifics.

kyburbonkid

(251 posts)
32. Yeap. That about sums up conservatives.
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 06:56 PM
Aug 2018

All the GOP like to brag how conservative they are in the who is the most conservative pissing matches they like to have. But after 2 years, look at the pile of broken laws left to clean up and correct. And look at how conservatives are so pleased with having a Russian agent in charge. Come Nov, we need both houses cleaned out.

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
33. Thanks for giving US our agenda. Wonder how many
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:04 PM
Aug 2018

We'd even think of pursuing. Never heard a Dem talk about most of this

Chemisse

(30,817 posts)
34. I have NO sympathy for the devil - and his spawns.
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:07 PM
Aug 2018

They richly deserve to roast in the hell of their own making.

bronxiteforever

(9,287 posts)
37. This abomination of a Presidency can never
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:20 PM
Aug 2018

happen again. Accountability, painful and thorough and transparent, is the only remedy to the Cons infection and that can only happen with the Democratic Party in power. The GOP groveling before this giant bone spur has created this hell.

And if the issues on this list are like the cowbell in the song “Don’t fear the Reaper”, I say we need more cowbell!

ThoughtCriminal

(14,049 posts)
39. AKA: List of things the Republicans should be doing
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 07:28 PM
Aug 2018

if they weren't complete cowards and deeply colluding with efforts to cover it all up.


RockRaven

(14,998 posts)
45. They WISH this was the list. It should be twice as long, at least.
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 08:04 PM
Aug 2018

just a few of the items missing from the above list:

Nunes - coordination w/ WH to derail HPSCI investigation and mishandle classified info
Wilbur Ross - insider trading, and the Bank of Cyprus and money laundering
Kushner - Saudis, UAE, Qatar and Jared's desperate 666 bailout effort (goes beyond ethics law, involves classified intel handling and unduly influencing US foreign policy)
Pence - Manafort's role in convincing Trump to select as VP, his brother's business connections to Russia
Trump Foundation - tax fraud and self-dealing
Trump kids' charities - also tax fraud and self-dealing
Hatch Act violations - Trump routinely conducts campaign actions during official Presidential trips
Stormy Daniels beyond the payment - someone *threatened her life* in Las Vegas
Flynn - the kidnapping-the-Turkish-cleric plot, and the plan to build nuclear reactors for several ME nations

radical noodle

(8,013 posts)
53. They need to add an investigation of
Sun Aug 26, 2018, 11:33 PM
Aug 2018

Wilbur Ross. Looks like they will be very busy and may have to pick priorities. VOTE Democratic!

duforsure

(11,885 posts)
54. They should be studying
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 04:50 AM
Aug 2018

How to get by in prison because that's where some are going to be heading after they're exposed and indicted.

lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)
58. "scratching the surface" - add: obstruction (Devil Nunes, Gym Jordan, Lyin Ryan, Mitch McConman),...
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 09:21 AM
Aug 2018

kickbacks for the tax scam (every Greedy Old Pervert in Congress), NRA Roubles (every Russiapublican took either financial or sexual favors from Mariia Butina), ...

 

rtracey

(2,062 posts)
64. actually
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 09:55 AM
Aug 2018

Actually, the sad part is......LOOK AT THIS FUCKING LIST... THATS THE FUCKING SAD PART, THE RIGHT WINGERS ARE UP TO THEIR ASSES IN CORRUPTION.....VOTE THEM OUT, PUT HIM IN JAIL

Texin

(2,597 posts)
65. That list is reminiscent of how the Nazis acted when the Allies were marching into Berlin.
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 10:09 AM
Aug 2018

They went into maximum overdrive with the gas chambers and crematoriums to cover up evidence of their human slaughter.

Neema

(1,151 posts)
66. Doesn't matter unless we actually flip the House. And we have to win by a LANDSLIDE to overcome
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 10:44 AM
Aug 2018

Russian interference, GOP dirty tricks, and the idiocy of MAGA-ites, third party voters, and non-voters.

kimbutgar

(21,188 posts)
67. This feels like a psych ops
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 10:55 AM
Aug 2018

The repukes know Russia will help them retain the house and they are doing this to lull us into not voting.

Grins

(7,228 posts)
69. They left off Giuliani and the NY FBI office, and Putin's BFF, Dana Rohrbacher,
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 12:38 PM
Aug 2018

And if Dana Rohrbacher loses getting reelected in Nov., he will be a private citizen with NO FRIENDS in Washington.

God, you could add so much more tho this list....!

CrispyQ

(36,509 posts)
71. The #1 concern of the GOP, that they don't want anyone to talk about:
Mon Aug 27, 2018, 01:13 PM
Aug 2018
What did the Russians get on GOP leadership & lieutenants when they hacked the RNC?


duforsure

(11,885 posts)
73. They've already been dragged down to hell by trump,
Tue Aug 28, 2018, 06:02 AM
Aug 2018

now they've realized they don't like it. He has destroyed their party. The American people are running from them now.

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