
KT McFarland Likened Trump's Transition Interventions to the Iran October Surprise
Back in 2017, KT McFarland rationalized Mike Flynn's efforts to undermine US foreign policy to Nixon's Chennault Affair and Reagan's Iran October Surprise. NYT just confirmed that John Connally is the one who helped Reagan get elected by encouraging Iran to hold Americans hostage.

Beryl Howell's Biggest Secret: Whether Bill Barr Killed the Egyptian Bank Investigation
The biggest secret that Beryl Howell brings with her, as she ends her tenure as Chief Judge of DC, is whether the closure of the investigation into a suspected $10 million donation from Egypt to Trump in September 2016 was political interference from Bill Barr or a legitimate investigative dead end.

Evan Corcoran: You're the Next Contestant on Trump's Crime-Fraud Reality Show
Evan Corcoran is likely at least the fourth Trump lawyer to have his comms crime-fraud excepted in the last five years. The first known such instance, the recording of Trump agreeing to make hush payments in 2016, may lead to an indictment as early as next week.

Guo Wengui Arrested
Steve Bannon's sometime partner, Guo Wengui, was arrested this morning on a sweeping financial fraud and conspiracy indictment.

The New Investigation into Bannon and Boris Buried Under Bannon's Bluster
Buried 22 paragraphs below some flashy quotes from Steve Bannon, NYT reveals that he -- along with the subject of a profile, Boris Epsheyn -- is under legal scrutiny for the crypto currency scam they used to bilk a lot of Trump loyalists.

How Tucker Carlson Duped the People His Producer Called "Dumb ... Cousin-Fucking ... Terrorists"
What we've learned from Tucker Carlson's effort to lie about January 6 is that Tucker is the one lying about what happened. Before Tucker's propaganda gave reason to respond, DOJ, had actually been withholding some of the most damning video from journalists. Tucker's propaganda effort has provided yet another glimpse of how many close calls the police managed to avert on January 6.

Tucker's Putin Envy
Among the new details about the back channel Tucker Carlson had with Russia -- purportedly to set up an interview with Putin -- are that the intelligence community also obtained Signal texts, not just an email setting up a trip to Russia.

Conclusion To Series On The Dawn Of Everything
A few thoughts from a fascinating book.

Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy comes into focus at Proud Boys trial as classified 'spill' roils proceedings
Details on how sending the defense attorneys the wrong "Jencks" file has roiled the Proud Boys trial.

Matt Taibbi Declares John Podesta's Risotto Recipe Was "True"
Matt Taibbi does not know the difference between "true" and "authentic," and it shows in his propaganda.

The Michael Flynn Complaint For Damages Against The US
Michael Flynn has filed a complaint against the government demanding damages for all his grievances. No, it is not going anywhere.

Jenna Ellis Lied and Lied and Lied and Lied and Lied and Lied and Lied and Lied and Lied and Lied
To save her CO bar license, Jenna Ellis stipulated to lying ten times during the period when she was also using those false claims to convince electors and Mike Pence to violate the law. The stipulation may be a useful admission for Jack Smith.

Judge Unseals Details on Cooperating Witness in Douglass Mackey Case
The government just revealed that one of Douglass Mackey's co-conspirators pled guilty and has been a cooperating witness in other investigations since.

The 759 Digital Devices Tucker Carlson Didn't Review
Tucker Carlson has claimed he has access to lots of evidence that others have not reviewed. That's not really true: And all the defense attorneys who have access to more have failed to substantiate the "peaceful tourist" claims that Tucker is spreading.

Proud Boys seditious conspiracy trial enters 32nd day
An overview of the "tools" theory of the Proud Boy prosecution.

Welcome to Brandi Buchman
Welcome to Brandi Buchman for sharing her coverage of the Proud Boys Trial at emptywheel.

Trophy Documents: The Entire Point Was to Make FBI Obedient
The leak to the WaPo about a dispute last summer about the stolen document investigation is concerning for what it reveals about how cowed Washington FBI agents remain by Trump's bullying. But it raises new concerns about a leak to Devlin Barrett in November, which seemed another attempt to preempt further investigation.

Two of Jim Jordan's So-Called Whistleblowers Are Under Investigation for Improper Treatment of FBI Files
Two of the FBI Agents that Jim Jordan claims to be whistleblowers are themselves under investigation for improperly accessing -- and in one case, leaking -- FBI files. Both have been paid money that may be part of the larger Trump investigation.

How Would You Arrest a Former President?
One way Jack Smith might arrest Trump is to arrest him, first, on a limited charge related to the crime scene, then supersede him on the other charges still being investigated.

DOJ Says Inciting a Riot Is Not Part of the President's Job Description
DOJ wrote a cautiously crafted amicus opining that inciting a mob was not within Donald Trump's job description.