Editor’s note: This post has been updated.
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) is calling for a congressional investigation of Omarosa after this morning big reveal on “Meet the Press” that the former White House adviser had secretly taped chief of staff John Kelly firing her in the super-secure White House Situation room:
Breaking: @RepCummings plans to look into the national security issue of Omarosa taping conversations in places where cell phones are not allowed like the Situation Room and the Oval Office among other places. This is potentially a national security issue!
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) August 12, 2018
But it’s not just a possible national security issue. GOP chair Ronna McDaniel called for criminal prosecution of Omarosa if “she broke federal law”:
Secretly recording conversations in the Situation Room isn't just wildly inappropriate, it's a threat to our national security. If she broke federal law, she should be prosecuted.
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) August 12, 2018
Although it’s not exactly clear if Omarosa did break any laws, Norm Eisen, President Obama’s ethics czar, says her tapes are property of the U.S.:
https://twitter.com/NormEisen/status/1028769105250332677
But it doesn’t sound like Omarosa is in any real legal jeopardy:
I actually didn't realize Omarosa didn't hold any kind of security clearance. That makes it hard to understand why they were in Situation Room but also means it is far less than "likely" that she violated federal law as opposed to just breaking dozens of rules and regulations.
— Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) August 12, 2018
IMHO, no, it’s not a crime in and of itself
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) August 12, 2018
As I said. #AJAlwaysRight Nonetheless, embarrassingly high number of Twitter-lawyers and real-life lawyers shrieking that Omarosa better “lawyer up.” I saw one tweet claim she would be in federal custody by next week https://t.co/siswC3GOC8
— A.J. Delgado (@AJDelgado13) August 12, 2018
But it was an incredible “disregard for our national security.” The latest from Sarah Sanders:
Per pool, new quote out from Sarah Sanders about Omarosa's appearance on Meet The Press this morning: pic.twitter.com/3Qv3a3GAmU
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) August 12, 2018
Update. Sources tell ABC News that the White House is exploring legal options:
White House exploring legal options against Omarosa Manigault Newman for making secret recording in Situation Room. https://t.co/1Ie4veUqVc pic.twitter.com/TNvTFnpkgI
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 12, 2018
It seems they want to keep her from releasing more tapes:
NEW White House looking to stop Omarosa Manigault Newman from releasing more tapes – https://t.co/P8m0EU8AbG w/ @meridithmcgraw
— Tara Palmeri (@tarapalmeri) August 12, 2018
***
Related:
SHOTS FIRED: Sarah Sanders tells Omarosa EXACTLY what she thinks of her https://t.co/iuyXZKUFyz
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 10, 2018
WHOOPS! Omarosa just contradicted HER OWN BOOK on Trump and the N-word in a big way https://t.co/y4rlUKo6AE
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 10, 2018
'FLAT-OUT FALSE'! Frank Luntz SHOOTS DOWN Omarosa's 'N-word' claim involving him and Trump https://t.co/eQXqauMFxX
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 10, 2018
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