The Resistance is working hard to downplay the revelation that the FBI had an informant interact with members of the Trump campaign. It seemed shocking at first — Trump demanded an investigation into whether the FBI or Department of Justice had infiltrated or surveilled his campaign for political purposes, triggering meltdowns by former CIA director John Brennan and others.
Like The Federalist’s Sean Davis pointed out, though, those claiming it was OK to have a spy infiltrate the Trump campaign seemed to be the same people who denied the Obama administration had ever spied on the Trump campaign.
However it shakes out, it’s been something to watch the goalposts move so quickly. For example:
Who is Stefan A. Halper, the FBI source who assisted the Russia investigation? An American citizen, a Cambridge professor, a friend of spies, a longtime intel source and aide in former Republican admnistrations. NEW from @costareports me and @shaneharris: https://t.co/SX1983Q1dv
— Carol Leonnig (@CarolLeonnig) May 22, 2018
Old Washington Post: FBI providing classified briefing to Congressional oversight committee would risk the life of FBI source.
New Washington Post: Here's the FBI source's name & bio that FBI leakers provided us. https://t.co/hIHKhwzuz5— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) May 22, 2018
Count Rep. Ted Lieu among those who believe the use of informants is no big thing and that President Trump shouldn’t be so “freaked out” if he has nothing to hide.
Use of informants is a vital & legitimate technique for both counterintelligence & criminal investigations. Why is @realDonaldTrump so freaked out about an informant who interacted with his campaign?
Because Trump fears what that informant may have discovered.#TuesdayThoughts https://t.co/uw5riSg68h
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 22, 2018
My how fast these rats like Lieu shift their narrative. What was considered a conspiracy last week is now totally normal & accepted this week. https://t.co/EF7QJ1PQpx
— Nick Short ?? (@PoliticalShort) May 22, 2018
Didn't you say this was a conspiracy last week and "categorically false"? https://t.co/z0VbNRjKXo
— Antonio Marino (@Antonio93579416) May 23, 2018
Four months ago this joke of a congressman was saying Trump was deranged when Trump tweeted Obama spied on his campaign now Lieu is all “No big deal”
Frauds! All of them. #MAGA https://t.co/yFPjCTt1EJ
— ??John ?? (@DaBearsk35) May 23, 2018
Look how they move the goalposts.
Also, innocent people (not saying Trump is or isn’t) would absolutely be freaked out about being spied on. https://t.co/7wd6J0MU98
— Ashe Schow (@AsheSchow) May 22, 2018
Most people get upset when they are framed. https://t.co/EkpxLPHioP
— Darrell Brock (@DarrellBrockJr) May 22, 2018
Because it was an election not a criminal investigation. How did you ever convince enough people to vote for you. https://t.co/Ep8fKZjzAk
— Wildman (@tim45Prez) May 23, 2018
Brennan/Holder are even more freaked out. POTUS like the rest of us wants to know what/why they did what they did. https://t.co/sfF5tiBa3z
— Alice A McEnroe (@808AAlohalaniMc) May 22, 2018
Counter intelligence is used on enemies
Not on opposition candidates
The DNC weaponized law-enforcement AGAINST THE PEOPLE of AMERICA and YOU EXCUSE IT?!
There is no excuse
You have violated the Constitution & your oath of office #MAGA #Trump ?? https://t.co/ZGWRmdWkd8— MAGA (@RedlinebyDesign) May 22, 2018
Why are you all so freaked out about an investigation into the illegal spying on the Trump Campaign?
Because you all fear what the investigators WILL discover. Tick. Tock. https://t.co/G9OBlgbhVE
— Lisa Mei Crowley (@LisaMei62) May 22, 2018
Today's stupidest tweet thus far. Plenty of time left. https://t.co/BJDyZm23lo
— TheTattedAdolescent (@YankeeCuis) May 22, 2018
"Why do loyal citizens of the Soviet Union fear the KGB? If they do nothing wrong, they have nothing to worry about!" – @tedlieu-opovich, Moscow, 1955 https://t.co/9avfI7rgaD
— Nick Searcy, INTERNATIONAL FILM & TELEVISION STAR (@yesnicksearcy) May 22, 2018
"If you did nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide," that's absolute garbage logic and an abuse of civil liberties. The US government needs to understand that people are innocent until proven guilty and can't be spied on without valid warrants. https://t.co/reUQjkbXeZ
— Tyler McGillz (@TMcGillz) May 22, 2018
Why are all Democrats so willing to simply dismiss this utter abuse of power? Oh wait, because its Donald Trump. Hey Ted, something tells me if this were Bush admin doing this to Barack Obama campaign in 2008 you and your fellow hypocrites would be screaming from the rooftops GFY https://t.co/RewYZh2a1F
— Steve Mieczkowski (@steveatmguy) May 22, 2018
Good thing there was an informant in the Hillary campaign to make sure no emails went missing or servers were bleached ? https://t.co/wuuJgmclQC
— L Lawliet (@kwickymartkidd) May 22, 2018
Looking forward to Trump putting spies into the Democrat nominee’s 2020 campaign, in order to protect it.
Sounds like a sensible precedent. https://t.co/vlwwvmQPkv
— Cocaine Walter (@Bagehot99) May 23, 2018
On the subject of spying and politicians, did you ever figure out who sent the Awan brothers your way? Any specifics on the intel that they gathered from your office? https://t.co/SqcajV8fqP
— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) May 22, 2018
What would they find if they spied on you? #TheresAnIdea #TuesdayThoughts https://t.co/9lpSacRRgt
— Add your name (@corrcomm) May 22, 2018
Related:
Sharyl Attkisson describes 'two possible scenarios' to explain alleged FBI/DOJ spying on Trump https://t.co/0ft9d5fnN8
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 21, 2018