Friday, March 29, 2024
responding-to-fbi-search,-trump-and-allies-return-to-his-familiar-strategy:-flood-the-zone-with-nonsense

Responding to FBI search, Trump and allies return to his familiar strategy: flood the zone with nonsense

Politics

Politics of the Day

David Laufman, the former chief of the Department of Justice’s counterintelligence division who investigated Hillary Clinton’s handling of classified documents, discusses the FBI’s search warrant for former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

” data-duration=”04:30″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”‘Stunning’: Ex-official who investigated Clinton reacts to documents found in Trump’s home” data-index=”idx-0″ data-show-name=”Erin Burnett Out Front” data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/erin-burnett-out-front” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_fb17c56046a6427b42641ba3d4d33aa9-h_1da69bbb48781f8a0a0308066bad8d73@published” data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/13/trump-search-warrant-espionage-act-laufman-ebof-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_fb17c56046a6427b42641ba3d4d33aa9-h_1da69bbb48781f8a0a0308066bad8d73@published”>

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‘Stunning’: Ex-official who investigated Clinton reacts to documents found in Trump’s home

Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman returned to the campaign trail three months after suffering a stroke. CNN’s Eva McKend reports.

” data-duration=”01:13″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”‘Grateful to be here’: Fetterman returns to campaign trail after stroke” data-index=”idx-1″ data-show-name=”” data-show-url=”” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_7abee6d9680b2b3f215fb71657c77ff9″ data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/13/pennsylvania-john-fetterman-campaign-comeback-mckend-ndwknd-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_7abee6d9680b2b3f215fb71657c77ff9″>

John Fetterman

CNN

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‘Grateful to be here’: Fetterman returns to campaign trail after stroke

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) faces a fierce primary challenge from Harriet Hageman, who is embracing former President Trump’s lie about the 2020 election. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny reports.

” data-duration=”03:26″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”Hear what Liz Cheney’s opponent isn’t telling her supporters” data-index=”idx-2″ data-show-name=”Don Lemon Tonight” data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/cnn-tonight” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_7e9890e4691fee47f94676d13d02e522″ data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/13/liz-cheney-primary-harriet-hageman-wyoming-zeleny-pkg-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_7e9890e4691fee47f94676d13d02e522″>

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Hear what Liz Cheney’s opponent isn’t telling her supporters

A federal judge unsealed the search warrant and property receipt from the FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Conservative lawyer George Conway joins CNN’s Erin Burnett to discuss.

” data-duration=”01:49″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”Conway reacts to Trump team blaming government for moving boxes to Florida” data-index=”idx-3″ data-show-name=”Erin Burnett Out Front” data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/erin-burnett-out-front” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_0dfe8b4d623bb8c42beef3ff77aa43d3″ data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/12/george-conway-trump-doj-search-warrant-released-mar-a-lago-ebof-intv-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_0dfe8b4d623bb8c42beef3ff77aa43d3″>

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Conway reacts to Trump team blaming government for moving boxes to Florida

CNN legal analyst Elie Honig details what’s known so far about the FBI’s warrant authorizing a search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

” data-duration=”01:24″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”Honig breaks down what’s in Trump search warrant” data-index=”idx-4″ data-show-name=”” data-show-url=”” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_eb12bab2b45edc7af93868232cf0c315″ data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/12/trump-fbi-mar-a-lago-search-warrant-honig-analysis-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_eb12bab2b45edc7af93868232cf0c315″>

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Honig breaks down what’s in Trump search warrant

Former Nixon White House counsel John Dean joined CNN’s Wolf Blitzer to discuss Attorney General Merrick Garland’s press conference and the Justice Department’s move to unseal the FBI warrant authorizing a search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.

” data-duration=”03:37″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”Watergate whistelblower has warning for Trump” data-index=”idx-5″ data-show-name=”Situation Room” data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/situation-room” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_3bee9cc25a9661c69611aacd6e11d2e2″ data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/11/merrick-garland-attorney-general-doj-press-conference-john-dean-reax-tsr-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_3bee9cc25a9661c69611aacd6e11d2e2″>

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CNN

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CNN’s Daniel Dale looks into the multiple states across the US that have GOP candidates running for either governor or secretary of state where the candidate denies the validity of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory.

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TUCSON, ARIZONA - JULY 31: Republican gubernatorial candidate for Arizona Kari Lake speaks to supporters during a campaign event at the Whiskey Roads Restaurant & Bar on July 31, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. With less than two days to go before the Arizona primary election, candidates continue campaigning across the state. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

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Some top Republicans are claiming that the FBI planted incriminating information in the Mar-a-Lago home of former President Donald Trump after their search. Conservative political activist George Conway reacts to these claims.

” data-duration=”02:01″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”‘Appalling coward’: George Conway reacts to video of Lindsey Graham” data-index=”idx-7″ data-show-name=”Anderson Cooper 360″ data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/ac-360″ data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_a31f057030d114c690eff7aad04d574a” data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/11/george-conway-lindsey-graham-gop-trump-fbi-ac360-intv-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_a31f057030d114c690eff7aad04d574a”>

Lindsey Graham George Conway Splity August 11

Getty Images/CNN

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‘Appalling coward’: George Conway reacts to video of Lindsey Graham

Former President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, reacts to the Wall Street Journal report that an informant tipped off investigators about more material at Mar-a-Lago before the FBI searched the former president’s residence.

” data-duration=”02:03″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”Trump’s ex-Chief of Staff reacts to new report about informant tipping off FBI” data-index=”idx-8″ data-show-name=”New Day” data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/new-day” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_698259d17b37da50c6ef29f4951f9803″ data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/11/mick-mulvaney-fbi-search-mar-a-lago-donald-trump-newday-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_698259d17b37da50c6ef29f4951f9803″>

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Trump’s ex-Chief of Staff reacts to new report about informant tipping off FBI

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton responds to the US Justice Department announcing criminal charges against a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for allegedly trying to orchestrate his assassination.

” data-duration=”02:21″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”‘Embarrassed at low price’: Bolton reacts to alleged Iranian murder plot against him” data-index=”idx-9″ data-show-name=”Situation Room” data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/situation-room” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_3050f9249aad4075f1d9dfdb8c8d5ce8″ data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/11/john-bolton-doj-charges-iran-assassination-plot-reaction-tsr-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_3050f9249aad4075f1d9dfdb8c8d5ce8″>

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CNN

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Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R-GA) responds to the FBI’s search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and its potential impact on the midterm and 2024 elections with CNN’s Brianna Keilar.

” data-duration=”01:21″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”FBI’s search has ‘changed calculus’ going into 2024, GOP official says” data-index=”idx-10″ data-show-name=”New Day” data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/new-day” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_d8285f134dc05c6ff00bf564dbb9ad87″ data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/10/geoff-duncan-georgia-mar-a-lago-fbi-doj-trump-desantis-2024-newday-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_d8285f134dc05c6ff00bf564dbb9ad87″>

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President Joe Biden took a moment to honor comedian Jon Stewart’s advocacy of veterans ahead of signing the PACT Act, which will expand health care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.

” data-duration=”01:01″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”‘We owe you big’: See how Biden honored Jon Stewart before signing bill” data-index=”idx-11″ data-show-name=”Newsroom” data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/newsroom” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_9956d218580f7594b92add6aa2674a11″ data-video-id=”politics/2022/08/10/biden-jon-stewart-pact-act-burn-pits-signing-white-house-nr-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_9956d218580f7594b92add6aa2674a11″>

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CNN

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CNN’s Randi Kaye speaks with Trump supporters in Palm Beach, Florida, as they’re rallying for the former president over the FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago residence.

” data-duration=”01:45″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”‘Trump has never lied’: Supporter protests outside Mar-a-Lago over FBI search” data-index=”idx-12″ data-show-name=”” data-show-url=”” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_e77f0a21de7a72cb4507084a4e518d76″ data-video-id=”us/2022/08/10/trump-supporters-palm-beach-pkg-kaye-nr-ldn-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_e77f0a21de7a72cb4507084a4e518d76″>

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‘Trump has never lied’: Supporter protests outside Mar-a-Lago over FBI search

“Lock and load” was one of the top comments on an online forum dedicated to former President Donald Trump, soon after it emerged his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort had been searched by the FBI. CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan reports.

” data-duration=”02:32″ data-editable=”settings” data-headline=”Hear what pro-Trump forums are saying after FBI search Mar-a-Lago” data-index=”idx-13″ data-show-name=”New Day” data-show-url=”https://www.cnn.com/shows/new-day” data-source=”CNN” data-uri=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_7eb5d810c290f71890c2af7afde1d583″ data-video-id=”media/2022/08/10/trump-fbi-warrant-osullivan-ldn-vpx.cnn” data-video-instance=”archive.cms.cnn.com/_components/video-resource/instances/h_7eb5d810c290f71890c2af7afde1d583″>

DALLAS, TEXAS - AUGUST 06: Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Hilton Anatole on August 06, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. CPAC began in 1974, and is a conference that brings together and hosts conservative organizations, activists, and world leaders in discussing current events and future political agendas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

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CNN’s Elie Honig breaks down what we know and what we don’t know surrounding the FBI search at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

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cnn.com

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Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb joins CNN’s Erin Burnett to discuss the FBI’s search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

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Former Trump White House lawyer reacts to FBI’s Mar-a-Lago search

Washington CNN  — 

In response to the FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s home in Florida on Monday, Trump and his allies in Congress and right-wing media have returned to his preferred strategy for communicating in a crisis: say a whole bunch of nonsense in rapid succession.

From his battles against impeachment to his effort to limit the political fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, Trump has attempted to flood the zone with such a quantity and variety of lies, conspiracy theories and distractions that Americans will tune out, turn away or cease to know what is true and not. And he has regularly been joined by a large cast of eager defenders.

Using his familiar just-asking-questions style of promoting conspiracy theories, Trump posted on his social media platform on Wednesday a suggestion that the FBI could have planted evidence. His legal team had already been suggesting the same thing. One Trump lawyer, Alina Habba, said on Fox on Tuesday: “I’m concerned that they may have planted something; you know, at this point, who knows?”

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky echoed this question on Wednesday, wondering on Fox how we know “they won’t put things into those boxes to entrap him.” Fox host Jesse Watters had gone further on Tuesday, saying the FBI was “probably” planting evidence, and Paul’s campaign had adopted the “probably” by Friday.

There is just zero basis for any of this.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida offered up a different baseless conspiracy theory about federal malfeasance, saying on Fox on Tuesday that he didn’t think they were looking for documents at all but were probably using that as an “excuse” to root around Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence for “whatever they could find.” Rubio’s comments were at least more plausible than the hogwash offered up Tuesday by Anna Perez, a host for right-wing media outlet Real America’s Voice, who uttered a QAnon-style monologue, falsely claiming the search was a conspiracy to prevent Trump from carrying out a (nonexistent) plan to expose criminals serving in government.

Another Real America’s Voice host, right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, claimed Thursday that the FBI “occupied Trump’s home – a military occupation.” Though it’s odd to describe the execution of a search warrant as an “occupation” of any kind, it’s flat false to claim the military was involved in this search.

The former President’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump delivered an impressive variety of claptrap in a single sentence, saying on Fox on Tuesday that the searchers were “a bunch of people unannounced breaking into your home like this and taking whatever they want for themselves.” A source told CNN that the FBI gave the Secret Service about an hour’s advance notice of the search and that the Secret Service met up with the FBI agents as they arrived and ensured they had uninhibited access. And a search warrant does not allow searchers to take “whatever they want,” certainly not “for themselves”; the Department of Justice asked a court to unseal a document listing what was taken, and Trump consented.

Republican Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the House minority whip, went on Fox on Thursday and said that “it concerns everybody if you see some agents go rogue.” There is no sign that any agent went rogue. Even Trump-friendly Fox host Steve Doocy challenged Scalise, noting that agents were simply executing a search warrant. Scalise then invoked an inaccurate report that Attorney General Merrick Garland hadn’t known about the search, falsely saying Garland himself had said he hadn’t known about it. (Later on Thursday, Garland said he personally approved the decision to seek the search warrant.)

As usual, Trump and his defenders tried some whataboutism – pointing a finger, dishonestly, toward prominent Democrats.

Trump baselessly suggested former President Barack Obama had mishandled presidential records after leaving office by, Trump claimed, keeping more than 30 million documents, many of them classified, and taking them to Chicago. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) issued a Friday statement explaining it has “exclusive legal and physical custody” of the Obama-era records, that NARA itself moved about 30 million pages of unclassified records to one of its own facilities in the Chicago area, that the classified Obama-era records are maintained in a separate NARA facility near Washington, and that “former President Obama has no control over where and how NARA stores the Presidential records of his Administration.”

Trump and some of his media defenders went back to his old chestnut about how former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had been permitted to “acid wash” emails, a fabrication loosely based on the fact that an email-deletion software program happens to be called BleachBit; Fox’s Watters was especially literal, falsely claiming Tuesday that Clinton had “poured acid” on emails.

Trump also suggested that there was something suspicious about the fact that, he said, his lawyers had not been allowed to witness the search, posting on his social media platform on Wednesday: “Why did they STRONGLY insist on having nobody watching them, everybody out?” But there is nothing unusual about this; lawyers don’t have a right to be in the room to monitor a search.

For good measure, Trump lawyer Christina Bobb threw in a transparently false claim about Trump’s popularity. She said on Right Side Broadcasting Network on Tuesday that the Department of Justice was trying to find an easy way to prosecute “the most popular president, and probably the most famous president, in American history.”

Trump’s average Gallup approval rating over his term, 41%, was by far the lowest for any president since Gallup began measuring presidential approval in 1938.