In a combative exchange at a hearing Friday in Washington, D.C., a federal judge unabashedly accused career State Department officials of lying and signing “clearly false” affidavits to derail a series of lawsuits seeking information about former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server and her handling of the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth said he was “shocked” and “dumbfounded” when he learned that FBI had granted immunity to former Clinton chief of staff Cheryl Mills during its investigation into the use of Clinton’s server, according to a court transcript of his remarks.
“I had myself found that Cheryl Mills had committed perjury and lied under oath in a published opinion I had issued in a Judicial Watch case where I found her unworthy of belief, and I was quite shocked to find out she had been given immunity in — by the Justice Department in the Hillary Clinton email case,” Lamberth said during Friday’s hearing.
The Department of Justice’s Inspector General (IG), Michael Horowitz, noted in a bombshell report in June that it was “inconsistent with typical investigative strategy” for the FBI to allow Mills to sit in during the agency’s interview of Clinton during the email probe, given that classified information traveled through Mills’ personal email account. “[T]here are serious potential ramifications when one witness attends another witness’ interview,” the IG wrote.
On Friday, Lamberth, who was appointed to the bench by President Ronald Reagan, said he did not know Mills had been granted immunity until he “read the IG report and learned that and that she had accompanied [Clinton] to her interview.”
The transparency group Judicial Watch initially sued the State Department in 2014, seeking information about the response to the Benghazi attack after the government didn’t respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Other parallel lawsuits by Judicial Watch are probing issues like Clinton’s server, whose existence was revealed during the course of the litigation.
The State Department had immediately moved to dismiss Judicial Watch’s first lawsuit on a motion for summary judgment, saying in an affidavit that it had conducted a search of all potentially relevant emails in its possession and provided them. The affidavit noted that some more documents and emails could be forthcoming.
But Lamberth denied the request to dismiss the lawsuit at the time — and on Friday, he said he was happy he did, charging that State Department officials had intentionally misled him because other key documents, including those on Clinton’s email server, had not in fact been produced.
“It was clear to me that at the time that I ruled initially, that false statements were made to me by career State Department officials, and it became more clear through discovery that the information that I was provided was clearly false regarding the adequacy of the search and this – what we now know turned out to be the Secretary’s email system,” Lamberth said Friday.
He continued: “I don’t know the details of what kind of IG inquiry there was into why these career officials at the State Department would have filed false affidavits with me. I don’t know the details of why the Justice Department lawyers did not know false affidavits were being filed with me, but I was very relieved that I did not accept them and that I allowed limited discovery into what had happened.”
During a tense exchange with Justice Department lawyer Robert Prince, Lamberth pressed the issue, accusing Prince of using “doublespeak” and “playing the same word games [Clinton] played.”
That “was not true,” the judge said, referring to the State Department’s assurances in a sworn declaration that it had searched all relevant documents. “It was a lie.”
But Prince pushed back sharply, saying he took the judge’s accusations “extremely seriously.”
“It might be that our search could be found to be inadequate, but that declaration was absolutely true,” he said.
“Now, it’s been made clear in rulings by various courts that, basically, the courts are going to expect us to search items that come in afterward in this instance, and that’s understandable, but at the time, that was not at all clear, you know?” Prince continued. “I understand if Your Honor thinks that the searches that were done up to the motion for summary judgment were inadequate, but being wrong about the search being adequate does not make it a false affidavit.”
Lamberth ultimately conceded that he had “misremembered” some details on the issue.
JW v State Benghazi Talking Points Transcript 01242 1 by Fox News on Scribd
In a statement, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, who was present at the hearing, pushed the White House for answers.
“President Trump should ask why his State Department is still refusing to answer basic questions about the Clinton email scandal,” Fitton said. “Hillary Clinton’s and the State Department’s email cover up abused the FOIA, the courts, and the American people’s right to know.”
The hearing was held because Judicial Watch is seeking to compel Clinton and other officials to testify and provide more information as part of its lawsuit.
Clinton has since blamed Republicans and groups like Judicial Watch for derailing her presidential bid in 2016.
“Take the Benghazi tragedy—you know, I have one of the top Republicans, Kevin McCarthy, admitting we’re going to take that tragedy—because, you know, we’ve lost people, unfortunately, going back to the Reagan administration, if you talk about recent times, in diplomatic attacks,” Clinton said on NBC’s “Today” in an interview last year. “But boy, it was turned into a political football. And it was aimed at undermining my credibility, my record, my accomplishments.”
BENGHAZI MASTERMIND SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS IN PRISON ON FEDERAL TERRORISM CHARGES
Four Americans were killed in the attack on the Benghazi embassy, and the Clinton State Department was faulted for ignoring security concerns in the run-up to the attack, contributing to the poor defense posture at the post.
The independent government Accountability Review Board that examined the tragedy concluded there were “systemic failures and leadership and management deficiencies at senior levels” at the department that “resulted in a Special Mission security posture that was inadequate for Benghazi and grossly inadequate to deal with the attack that took place.”
Then-national security adviser Susan Rice claimed on several talk shows that the attack was caused by a YouTube video, even as e-mails uncovered after the fact revealed that administration officials knew the incident was the result of terrorism. Officials at the State Department were stunned by Rice’s appearances, according to the emails, with one State Department employee suggesting Rice had gone “off the reservation.”
Rice has since openly suggested she is considering running against Maine moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins because of her vote to support Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Rice called Collins’ speech announcing her vote a “paean to disingenuousness and incoherence.”
But Collins has downplayed any potential challenge from Rice.
“As far as Susan Rice is concerned, her family has a home in Maine, but she doesn’t live in the state of Maine,” Collins said earlier this month. “Everybody knows that.”
Poster Comment:
What are you waiting for Donnie boy?
#5: A K A Stone To: VxH (#3)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-10-21 11:58:53 Reply Private Reply
#6: A K A Stone To: sneakypete (#4)
Lol
A K A Stone posted on 2018-10-21 12:00:41 Reply Private Reply
#7: Fred Mertz To: A K A Stone (#5)
What would you know about a wife, you homer sexual queer.
Fred Mertz posted on 2018-10-21 12:32:19 Reply Private Reply
#8: A K A Stone To: Fred Mertz (#7)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-10-21 12:36:09 Reply Private Reply
#9: Hondo68 To: Fred Mertz, Hillary has suffered enough, Trump Homer Sexuals (#7)
The dRumpf nation is covering up for their D wing affiliates, Hillary & Obongo.
Hondo68 posted on 2018-10-21 14:07:11 Reply Private Reply
#10: nolu chan To: hondo68, hondoyukon, i wuz hacked (#9)
nolu chan posted on 2018-10-21 15:06:41 Reply Private Reply
#11: buckeroo To: A K A Stone, Fred Mertz (#8)
I will too, Stone. You are fucking up your own channel with your continual nonsense.
buckeroo posted on 2018-10-21 15:47:37 Reply Private Reply
#12: GrandIsland To: buckeroo (#11)
GrandIsland posted on 2018-10-21 16:47:37 Reply Private Reply
#13: sneakypete To: hondo68 (#9)
You used to be a LOT sharper than this.
You may have had a mini-stroke,and not even realize it. You should see a doc for a checkup to be safe.
sneakypete posted on 2018-10-21 19:39:41 Reply Private Reply
#14: sneakypete To: buckeroo, A K A Stone, Fred Mertz (#11)
I agree.
sneakypete posted on 2018-10-21 19:41:12 Reply Private Reply
#15: sneakypete To: GrandIsland (#12)
I have no doubt that you are a major fan of rules.
Unlike LP, I’ve not seen Stone punish any poster who didn’t deserve it.
Then again,you think everybody deserves to be punished,and you probably pay extra for it.
sneakypete posted on 2018-10-21 19:42:59 Reply Private Reply
#16: Hondo68 To: sneakypete, Deep State lives matter (#13)
I've had a checkup and I'm fine.
Hillary & Obongo aren't in jail yet, lock her up. IMO, they ain't going to jail ever, the D&R party team protects their own.
The Bush Bros & BLM will see to that...
It's a big club, and you ain't in it.
Hondo68 posted on 2018-10-21 20:23:01 Reply Private Reply
#17: Fred Mertz To: buckeroo, sneakypete (#11)
Well said, buckeroo. This is my single reply of the day.
Please tell Pebbles to go Eff himself. Thanks.
Fred Mertz posted on 2018-10-22 00:19:45 Reply Private Reply
#18: A K A Stone To: Fred Mertz (#17)
Grow up.
A K A Stone posted on 2018-10-22 07:55:47 Reply Private Reply
#19: Deckard To: A K A Stone, Fred Mertz (#18)
Oh, the irony!
If you were consistent, you'd chastise the foul-mouthed cretin and former cop for his abusive scatological posts.
Not to mention toning down your own abusive rhetoric.
Deckard posted on 2018-10-22 08:24:02 Reply Private Reply
#20: sneakypete To: hondo68 (#16)
Are you REALLY so stupid you think Trump can just order "Lock her up!",and away she goes?
Really?
Neither she nor Bubba will ever be arrested,never mind sent to prison. If some president were to try,the DNC would order their vote for pay voters to riot and kill people in the streets.
sneakypete posted on 2018-10-22 22:18:14 Reply Private Reply
#21: GrandIsland To: Deckard (#19)
I love how you Paultards (who coincidentally were the trash that drove away any and all posters that weren’t Paultards from LP) normalize, trivialize and condone a poster that intentionally, deliberately and knowingly insults and slanders the OWNER of this site.
Do you feel if Fred didn’t like or agree with you, he should be allowed to stand in your living room and tell you to go fuck yourself?
I don’t insult the site owner, regardless if I like him, hate him, agree or disagree with him. It’s his site. If I disagree with him or dislike him enough to say anything like Fred has said, I’d just simply stop fucking posting here.
And just to point out, you Paultards (namely BUCKY) has a history of being banned and finding creative ways to come back and shit all over the site again. So DID YOU, infobuger. What is it with you fucking paultard anarchist assholes, that when you aren’t wanted you can’t grasp that reality?
GrandIsland posted on 2018-10-22 22:46:18 Reply Private Reply
#22: GrandIsland To: sneakypete (#20)
I’ll answer that for you, YES, Hondope really is that stupid.
He’s also stupid enough to not realize that when his choice for president campaigns on what 6% of the American voting populace wants, and this candidate is NOT VIABLE, then all the good things they could do... IS FOR NOT.
GrandIsland posted on 2018-10-22 22:50:41 Reply Private Reply
#23: Fred Mertz To: A K A Stone (#18)
Fred Mertz posted on 2018-10-23 06:13:03 Reply Private Reply
#24: Deckard To: GrandIsland (#21)
Typical fascist mindset.
Deckard posted on 2018-10-23 06:56:19 Reply Private Reply
#25: A K A Stone To: Deckard (#24)
Why do you lie so much dicktard?
Willie Green, Hondopedo, Dicktard, Jamesfag, vxnazi, and others don't support Trump.
Get your head out of libertarian doo. Wash your face. Quit lying. Quit being a dick. Get out of the buffet of libertarian shit you eat.
A K A Stone posted on 2018-10-23 09:08:17 Reply Private Reply
#26: Hondo68 To: Fred Mertz (#23)
You're a Great American.
Hondo68 posted on 2018-10-23 14:50:12 Reply Private Reply
#27: nolu chan To: Deckard (#0)
What do you expect the President to do?
Convene a court-martial in the oval office?
nolu chan posted on 2018-10-23 16:32:37 Reply Private Reply
#28: Fred Mertz To: A K A Stone (#25)
Fred Mertz posted on 2018-10-24 03:18:35 Reply Private Reply
#29: VxH To: A K A Stone (#5)
Cause of Death:
Complications from AIDS
{ golf clap } for Golf Hat "conservatism"
VxH posted on 2018-10-25 11:07:03 Reply Private Reply
#30: VxH To: A K A Stone (#5)
I see.
So basically your dysfunctional "solution" is to send anybody who dares contradict the opinions and modes of (group)thinking of the emperor and his imperial underwear weavers to the Gulags for reeducation.
Is that how Comrade First Father in law climbed so high on the Soviet manure pile?
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 13:15:22 Reply Private Reply
#31: A K A Stone To: VxH (#30)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 13:24:43 Reply Private Reply
#32: VxH To: A K A Stone (#31)
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 13:33:27 Reply Private Reply
#33: A K A Stone To: VxH (#32)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 13:36:02 Reply Private Reply
#34: VxH To: A K A Stone (#33)
Oh, which "causes" are those, according to the glob of coagulated sand lodging atop your shoulders?
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 13:38:17 Reply Private Reply
#35: Fred Mertz To: A K A Stone (#33)
You've got no traffic here. And GFY dickwad.
Fred Mertz posted on 2018-11-01 13:39:39 Reply Private Reply
#36: VxH To: A K A Stone (#33)
Which Quote, Liar?
Although that panel does contain clues that lead to the Virginia Act - a mental reprobate like you would more likely take the needle off the compass and use it for a toothpick... rather than use it for any fruitful navigational purpose.
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 13:41:27 Reply Private Reply
#37: A K A Stone To: Fred Mertz (#35)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 13:42:11 Reply Private Reply
#38: A K A Stone To: VxH (#36)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 13:45:05 Reply Private Reply
#39: VxH To: A K A Stone (#38)
The Jefferson Memorial was my favorite site too.
I don't get the impression that (D)onaldo The Magnificent has managed to wobble over there and digest what's written on the walls.
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 13:47:55 Reply Private Reply
#40: A K A Stone To: VxH (#39)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 13:52:36 Reply Private Reply
#41: VxH To: All (#39)
And, it seems I'm not alone in that observation, either.
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 13:54:25 Reply Private Reply
#42: VxH To: A K A Stone (#40)
And yet, here you are - with your fallible and uninspired delete button.
{ golf clap }
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 13:58:05 Reply Private Reply
#43: A K A Stone To: VxH (#41)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 13:58:17 Reply Private Reply
#44: VxH To: A K A Stone (#43)
Tsk Tsk.
Your adhominem impotence is as flacid as the Toad Warrior's performance with the Porn Star.
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 14:01:07 Reply Private Reply
#45: A K A Stone To: VxH (#44)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 14:05:12 Reply Private Reply
#46: VxH To: A K A Stone (#43)
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 14:07:40 Reply Private Reply
#47: VxH To: All (#46)
Putin's Russia isn't anti-semitic.
What's he talking about?
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 14:11:03 Reply Private Reply
#48: A K A Stone To: VxH (#47)
He makes it a crime to evangelize.
He has religious worship zones.
You worship men. Jefferson and Putin. Probably others too.
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 14:15:53 Reply Private Reply
#49: VxH To: A K A Stone (#48)
Anybody who recognizes the fact that under him, the Russia is reforming within her Orthodox Christian traditions.
Where does that leave (D)onald and Felix's organized criminal cult?
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 14:24:46 Reply Private Reply
#50: A K A Stone To: VxH (#49)
Can you prove otherwise? Because if I am correct on that that means you are wrong.
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 14:27:57 Reply Private Reply
#51: VxH To: A K A Stone (#48)
Anybody who gives a shyte about what (D)onaldo the Magnificent was and IS really colluding with.
And it ain't Putin.
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 14:28:31 Reply Private Reply
#52: A K A Stone To: VxH (#49)
Russia's Newest Law: No Evangelizing Outside of Church
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2016/june/no-evangelizing-outside-of- church-russia-proposes.html
In America we are free to worship as we choose. In Russia Putin says no to spreading the word.
I like trumps America better than Putins Russia.
You may like the fact that if Putins law was in affect here we would be arrested for spreading Gods word.
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 14:31:20 Reply Private Reply
#53: A K A Stone To: VxH (#51)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-11-01 14:32:33 Reply Private Reply
#54: VxH To: A K A Stone (#50)
Why is that surprising, given the traditional role of the Orthodox state- establishment?
The KGB began as the Orthodox Church's Oprichni Secret Police.
Putin is recognized by many as, effectively, the new Tzar.
Too bad (D)onaldo the Magnificent and his cult can't articulate the related FIRST PRINCIPLES codified in the Virginia Act, and further constituted in the 1st Amendment.
But why waste these pearls on a pig like you with your mighty delete button.
VxH posted on 2018-11-01 14:33:40 Reply Private Reply