Topic: Carter Page

A detailed 11-page letter from Senator Chuck Grassley to Christopher Wray is cited as a primary factor in the Director's resignation, documenting systemic issues within the FBI. The report highlights the "weaponization" of the bureau against pro-life activists and parents at school board meetings, as well as the doctoring of a FISA warrant against Carter Page. Additionally, data shows the FBI's public approval rating has hit a century low of 41%, with over 600 employees reportedly resigning due to sexual misconduct over the last 15 years.

In a testimony clip, former FBI Director James Comey admits that the Department of Justice only moved forward with the Carter Page FISA warrant after the Steele dossier information was included. Comey acknowledges that the DOJ had previously declined to support the warrant application in the summer of 2016. The hosts highlight this as a "Clip of the Day" for confirming the dossier's central role in the investigation.

Former FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate regarding the Steele Dossier and the Carter Page FISA warrant. Comey repeatedly claimed he did "not recall" key details, though he eventually admitted that the dossier was a significant factor in the DOJ's decision to move forward with the warrant application.

Carter Page appeared on Hannity but struggled to remember the full title of his own book, leading to speculation that he did not write it. Separately, Senator Dick Durbin repeatedly referred to "General Kelly" instead of "General Flynn" when discussing the Russia investigation, a mistake that went uncorrected during his remarks.

Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith has agreed to plead guilty to making a false statement by altering an email used to justify a FISA warrant against Carter Page. This marks the first criminal charge arising from U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the origins of the Russia probe. While CBS provided minimal coverage, the plea is seen as a significant step in uncovering misconduct within the FBI's surveillance of the Trump campaign.

Inspector General Michael Horowitz's report confirmed significant failures and "significant problems" in the FBI's FISA applications for Carter Page. The report revealed that an FBI employee doctored an email and that the Steele dossier played a "central and essential" role in the surveillance warrants. This contradicts years of media claims that the FISA process was handled appropriately.

The Inspector General report by Michael Horowitz reveals 17 "missteps" or irregularities in the FBI's handling of FISA warrants to surveil Carter Page. Senator Lindsey Graham warns that the FISA court risks losing congressional support unless fundamental reforms are implemented to prevent manipulation by "bad actors" within the FBI. The hosts argue that the FBI intentionally lied to a secret court, effectively bypassing Fourth Amendment protections for American citizens.

FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith is accused of altering a CIA email to falsely state that Carter Page was not a source for the agency, which was used to justify continued FISA surveillance. Despite Page's claims that he had reported his Russian contacts to the CIA, the FBI proceeded with wiretaps based on the Steele dossier. The hosts emphasize the danger of a "superiority complex" among federal employees who view the general public with disdain.

Media reports identify FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith as the official who allegedly manipulated an email used to justify surveillance warrants against Carter Page. The New York Times reports that Inspector General Michael Horowitz will criticize the FBI's investigation as "sloppy and unprofessional." The hosts debate whether the final report will be a "dud" due to media spin.

The hosts critique a CBS News report that labeled the Trump campaign spying allegations as a "long debunked conspiracy theory." They highlight the media's attempt to frame legal surveillance of Carter Page as "monitoring" rather than "spying" to protect the existing narrative.

British intelligence agency MI6 is reportedly concerned that President Trump may disclose sensitive information regarding their role in the Russia investigation. Specifically, the agency's involvement in the reports that led to the Carter Page wiretap could be exposed. The hosts discuss the lack of US media coverage on potential British "meddling" in the 2016 election compared to the focus on Russia.

Newly revealed text messages between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page discuss a "media leak strategy" involving the DOJ. Judge Andrew Napolitano criticizes the FBI's use of leaked information to the press as a basis for obtaining FISA warrants. Napolitano notes that the FISA court approves 99.97% of warrant requests due to a lack of transparency and a low legal standard for probable cause.

The discussion focuses on allegations of an "off-the-shelf" illegal intelligence operation initiated in July 2016 to infiltrate the Trump campaign. Reference is made to Peter Strzok's "insurance policy" and the heavily redacted FISA warrant for Carter Page. The theory suggests that Democratic operatives and intelligence leaders never expected these actions to be uncovered because they were certain of a Hillary Clinton victory.

During an interview on The View, James Comey defended his handling of the Clinton and Russia investigations. He explained that the FBI opened counterintelligence investigations into a small group of Americans in July 2016, though he claimed Donald Trump was not initially a target. Critics argue that the use of FISA warrants against individuals like Carter Page lacked sufficient probable cause and represented an overreach of government surveillance powers.

The House Intelligence Committee released a Democratic rebuttal memo to the previously published Republican document regarding alleged FBI surveillance abuses. Representative Adam Schiff and Chairman Devin Nunes issued conflicting statements concerning the origins of the investigation into Carter Page and Russian intelligence. Media coverage from CBS News highlights the partisan nature of the debate over the FISA warrant process.

Carter Page's recent interview with Laura Ingraham is analyzed, with the hosts maintaining their theory that Page is a planted intelligence asset. The interview is described as a "softball" exchange, noting Page's awkward reaction when Ingraham mentioned his presence in Hawaii and his past employment at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Reports from the Daily Caller suggest Carter Page may have been an undercover employee (UCE) or witness in a prior FBI investigation involving Russian diplomats. Page’s vague denials regarding his knowledge of "UCE concepts" and his interactions with Russian official Victor Podobnyy are examined as potential cover for spook activity.

Carter Page’s history as a Trident Scholar and Eagle Scout is reviewed alongside his past work for Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. A theory is proposed that Page’s personal friendship with the late Ambassador Chris Stevens may have influenced his animosity toward the Clinton State Department following the Benghazi attack.

Carter Page has filed a lawsuit against the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) and Oath Inc. (parent of Yahoo and Huffington Post), alleging they disseminated government propaganda against him. The suit centers on the 2013 repeal of the Smith-Mundt Act, which Page claims allowed the BBG to target American citizens with state-funded narratives.

The Nunes memo details allegations of legal process breakdowns within the Department of Justice and the FBI regarding surveillance of Carter Page. The document claims that officials failed to disclose that the Christopher Steele dossier, used to obtain FISA warrants, was funded by the Democratic National Committee and the Hillary Clinton campaign.