Trump and his supporters like punishing those who speak against the president. “Lock her up” is still a common, vicious chant at Trump rallies despite multiple GOP-led investigations that turned up absolutely no evidence of a crime.
In his latest announced punishment against people who dare criticize him, Trump revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, who has been particularly vocal about his opposition and distrust of Trump. Despite the waves of backlash against the decision, Trump has a new target lined up for his next round.
During statements on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday, Trump told reporters to expect more of the same. When asked about a plan for the next name on his list, Justice Department deputy Attorney General Bruce Ohr, Trump replied:
‘I suspect I’ll be taking [his security clearance] away very quickly. For him to be in the Justice Department and doing what he did, that is a disgrace.’
"Let him write his report. We did nothing, there's no collusion."
Pres. Trump lashes out at special counsel Robert Mueller and senior DOJ official Bruce Ohr, alleging conflicts of interest: "Mr. Mueller is highly conflicted," the president claims. https://t.co/BCLUlnmmVe pic.twitter.com/t1zXK4j57O
— ABC News (@ABC) August 17, 2018
Bruce Ohr became a target of Trump’s after the infamous Steele dossier was leaked to the media. Ohr’s wife, Nellie, works at Fusion GPS, the company who hired Steele to do opposition research on the then-candidate Donald Trump. Bruce Ohr was also acquainted with Steele prior to the investigation. Trump has said repeatedly that their marriage is evidence of some conspiracy to prevent his election to the White House.
A fact check by The Washington Post, however, dismantles Trump’s latest victimization claims:
‘There is little evidence to support Trump’s contention that Ohr helped Steele find dirt on Trump. He appears to be only a messenger. At this point, it’s unclear what Ohr even told his friend at the FBI about Steele’s information and whether any of that reporting ended up influencing the Russia investigation. There is also, as yet, no evidence that senior Justice Department officials were even aware of Ohr’s sideline communications with Steele about the Russian probe.’
Of course, facts rarely matter when Trump is angry about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the alleged collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign officials and Kremlin-linked government operatives. He has already lied to the American electorate about the reason for his son’s Trump Tower meeting during the campaigns with several Russian operatives, and he has sent his legal representative Rudy Guiliani out to speak to reporters who has made several conflicting statements.
Many of Trump’s favorite lies about the investigation involve the Steele dossier that so infuriates him. He has repeatedly told his followers that the dossier has already been debunked and that the dossier was used to begin the investigation against him although it was paid for by the DNC.
Fox News host says the Steele dossier did not start the Mueller investigation, contradicting Hannity and Trump https://t.co/jykOks3fsv pic.twitter.com/gSd1KEbXK5
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) August 17, 2018
In fact, many pieces of the dossier have been verified and not one statement has been proven false. As for what sparked the investigation, reports have clearly shown that it was not the Steele dossier at all. The reason for the investigation was reports from an Australian diplomat that Trump campaign staffer George Papadopoulos had too much to drink at a dinner and bragged about incriminating information against Hillary Clinton obtained by Russia days before the DNC and Clinton campaign emails were leaked by Wikileaks.
If evidence exists that prove Trump and his presidential campaign committed crimes, it won’t matter who paid for those crimes to be uncovered or who anyone has married.
Check out Trump’s full Friday morning press conference below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNfWURutfX0
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
