Russiagate/Unmasking Investigations: Democrats Blocking Testimony of Witnesses Before Congress

I can't even rise to the level of some good old fashioned snark for this. It's just so darn despicable on so many levels. "Russia! Russia! Russia! Oh noes!!!" It's all doom and gloom porn when it's about real and/or imaginary Russia collusion... but when it's about illegal "unmasking" by the Obama administration in the name of that real and/or imaginary collusion then it's delay delay delay... In both the House and Senate.

Schiff Clams Up About Blocking Witness Testimony In Russia Probe
House Russia probe puts witness interviews on hold
Democrats Block Witnesses from Testifying in House Intel Probe
Schumer uses Senate rule to scuttle meeting on ‘unmasking’ by Obama officials

Among those witnesses who have reportedly been blocked and/or delayed are Carter Page, Paul Manafort and Roger Stone, along with several more unnamed witnesses.

Adam Schiff, House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member, has refused to address the question directly:

House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Adam Schiff refused to give a reason why he reportedly blocked witnesses related to his committee’s Russia probe from testifying.

When first asked by The Daily Caller Tuesday about blocking witnesses scheduled to testify, Schiff only responded, “I don’t agree with the premise of your question.”

TheDC asked Schiff again on Wednesday and mentioned Carter Page as an example of a witness who was scheduled to testify but was blocked by Schiff from doing so.

Schiff later referred to "policy":

...as a practice we’re not talking about any witnesses we’ve scheduled or what our communications are, so that’s our policy — both mine and Mr. Conway’s,” he replied.

As for Schumer in the Senate:

A national security briefing for Senate Judiciary Committee members was scuttled Wednesday after a top Democrat invoked a procedural rule to delay the closed-door meeting.

Committee members had expected to use the briefing to press for further details about the Obama White House’s steps to “unmask” of members of the Trump campaign and transition officials. Lawmakers on the committee said Tuesday they intended to use the briefing to press for more information on the process by which intelligence agencies identified Americans whose communications were picked up as part of monitoring of foreigners outside the United States. The delay earned rebuke from Sen. Charles Grassley, the head of the committee that had expected to be briefed.

“The Judiciary Committee was set to hear from senior intelligence officials about highly sensitive intelligence gathering authorities that will soon require action from Congress,” Mr. Grassley said. “It’s disturbing and reckless for the Minority Leader to block the briefing. We’ve seen too many recent reminders of how unsafe the world is today. This is no time to play politics with our national security.”

One possible kinda sorta semi-reasonable explanation, according to Politico and anonymous sources:

The embattled House investigation into Russia’s election meddling is once again beset by sniping and strategy disagreements, with Democrats now blocking key witness interviews, according to two sources familiar with the probe.

The House Intelligence Committee, which is exploring allegations of collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign, was set to interview 10 witnesses this month. But the committee has put the interviews on hold after the panel’s top Democrat objected, the two sources said. A third source said the panel wasn't yet ready to conduct the interviews, since some of the witnesses have not fully complied with the committee's requests for documents.

And just in case anyone's wondering, the witnesses are not the problem --

The interviews would have included former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page and longtime Trump confidant Roger Stone, who both say they’re eager to appear before the panel, along with former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

So it would seem, based upon all available information, that it is the Democrats who are preventing witnesses from facing their accusers and testifying on their own behalf.... and in the process, turning these investigations into political footballs with no end in sight.

If this is all they've got then shame on them. Again

Of course they're trying to block testimony. God forbid they run the risk of anybody taking their foot of the gas about Trump.

originally posted by: Shamrock6
Of course they're trying to block testimony. God forbid they run the risk of anybody taking their foot of the gas about Trump.

Well... yeah...

I am hoping against hope that the initial investigations are actually opening other doors and shining lights on real corruption and criminal acts.... that this isn't just about dragging out a faux investigation for any imaginary Russia collusion... That this isn't all just smoke and mirrors...

I'm a dreamer

Has "We have something to hide" written all over it.

originally posted by: The GUT
Has "We have something to hide" written all over it.

It sure does! Maybe even "we have everything to hide"

a reply to: Boadicea

Weird how this action/inaction is taking place after that closed door interview with Podesta? I wonder.....

originally posted by: Boadicea

originally posted by: The GUT
Has "We have something to hide" written all over it.

It sure does! Maybe even "we have everything to hide"

That's why they accused POTUS of working with russia. For months now they've hammered it into everyones minds via MSM that russia is bad, and associated with POTUS.
Now, even if the truth comes out that the other side really was working with the russians.... they could play it on national TV and people would still associate any findings with POTUS, and not the real criminals.

It's effective when you have control of the media.

originally posted by: Guyfriday
a reply to: Boadicea

Weird how this action/inaction is taking place after that closed door interview with Podesta? I wonder.....

Yeah, it is... good catch. That whole Podesta testimony behind closed doors was weird by itself. He gives me the creeps. I really think he's the one we need to watch...

a reply to: lordcomac

That's why they accused POTUS of working with russia. For months now they've hammered it into everyones minds via MSM that russia is bad, and associated with POTUS.

I agree... but I think there's much more to it. Or maybe one very specific thing. I don't know. Just something not setting right with me.

Now, even if the truth comes out that the other side really was working with the russians....

Yup. We already know about Hillary and Podesta, and there's this that I read a couple days ago: Claire McCaskill Used Undisclosed Foundation to Pay for Dinner at Russian Ambassador’s House

Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill (Mo.) used a personal foundation to pay for a dinner she attended at Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak's Washington, D.C., residence. The senator had failed to disclose her role in the foundation until earlier this month.

McCaskill came under fire this March after she told the Washington Post she never had a "call or meeting" with Kislyak even though she had publicly announced both a call and meeting with him. This week, CNN reported that McCaskill also attended a black-tie reception at Kislyak's D.C. residence in November 2015.

McCaskill's attendance at the dinner was accompanied by an $873 payment to the American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation, where Kislyak serves on the board of directors as honorary chairman.

If there was nothing to hide, she wouldn't have hidden it... but on the surface this is no big deal and no reason to hide it... so what was she really trying to hide? My imagination can think of all kinds of things. I've even wondered if there was an effort by some to get Russia to set up and entrap Trump and his peeps.

a reply to: Guyfriday

LOL! Speaking of the devil himself:

John Podesta Loses It During Russia Debate with Maria Bartiromo

a reply to: Boadicea

If the real truth came out Democrats would be in big trouble.

So, it is delay, deflect and keep 'We the People' in the dark.

Democrats are no more than a criminal organization exposed since elections.

I am fascinated because the real story, of course, is being told by Anti...whoever, on channel 2.

Still the party of Hope and Change
Hope they can avoid testifying and Change the subject whenever it comes up.
Forward unto obfuscation.

originally posted by: Asktheanimals
Still the party of Hope and Change
Hope they can avoid testifying and Change the subject whenever it comes up.
Forward unto obfuscation.

How do Mods keep coming up with the best stuff ?

originally posted by: Metallicus
a reply to: Boadicea

If the real truth came out Democrats would be in big trouble.

Yeah, they would....a whole lotta them! And if the whole truth came out, a bunch of RINOs would be in big trouble too. I think it might actually happen too. New Sheriff in town and all that...

So, it is delay, deflect and keep 'We the People' in the dark.

We should be used to being treated like mushrooms by now, but I don't think it's working out so well for them these days. Tee hee hee!

(And I really hope I'm not just setting myself up for the same old disappointment...)

originally posted by: Trueman
Democrats are no more than a criminal organization exposed since elections.

I hope it gets worse.... or better -- all depends on how one looks at it.

Perspective is everything, eh?

originally posted by: Jonjonj
I am fascinated because the real story, of course, is being told by Anti...whoever, on channel 2.

I'd like to be fascinated too... but I googled "real story + anti + channel 2" and got a big nothing. So how about a real ATS worthy comment so we can all be fascinated?

Pretty pretty please?

originally posted by: Asktheanimals
Still the party of Hope and Change
Hope they can avoid testifying and Change the subject whenever it comes up.
Forward unto obfuscation.

But now I have hope for change too!!!

Where are all the Dem sympathizers to help with the deflection?
But Russia!!...but Trump!!
Strangely quiet so far........