Democrats are carrying a degree of anger about the Flynn decision that we haven’t seen since the beginning of the Ukrainian matter, and appropriately so. The decision to drop charges against Flynn goes directly to the heart of the Russian matter and is a predicate to clearing Trump entirely. It makes no sense that Flynn would lie in such a position, especially when everyone – everywhere – knows that the number one rule is to never lie to the FBI. Either don’t say anything at all or if you must answer their questions, you are better off admitting to some of the criminal behaviors than you are in lying. (The best approach is to get an attorney if you’re going to talk to the FBI). Yet Flynn lied.

And he got charged, as does everyone who lies to the FBI about a material fact.

Adam Schiff took deep offense to Bill Barr’s answer about how history will view his decision, that “history is written by the winners.” It would seem that very few answers would have offended Schiff more: From Mediaite:

“First of all, I would say to Bill Barr, you can’t gaslight history,” Schiff responded, addressing Barr. “I don’t think the fact that you tried to create this false narrative is ultimately going to succeed. Over much of the obstruction of the administration, we have uncovered a great deal of the president’s misconduct vis-a-vis Russia and Ukraine, and we will uncover the misconduct going forward.”

Ouch. Nice job, Congressman. Remind Barr and Trump that you’re still digging. Indeed, can I ask why you have not called John Bolton as a witness yet?

“So I don’t think he is right about that, as brash as it is and ugly to hear from an attorney general In terms of the president and his threats of vengeance and whatnot. None of that, Ari, as you know is new. And we’re going to have to defend the institutions of this democracy until this threat no longer persists. There is reason why this case is being dismissed under the cloak of a pandemic, under the cloak of night, because they don’t want these things to see the light of day.”

If there is one damned thing we know about Trump it is that he doesn’t want things to see the light of day – ever. Whether it’s taxes, evidence in Ukraine, whistleblower complaints, all of it – he wants it all hidden, forever. That’s how Trump stays out of jail, and how democracies die, by hiding the information that people need.

Bill Barr dropped the case against Flynn. Here's what that means:

If you're a friend of the president, then justice doesn't apply to you.

And yet, it doesn't change the facts, or that Flynn committed a serious crime, and pled guilty to it. Twice.

You can't gaslight history. pic.twitter.com/QfESgqMZOS

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) May 8, 2020

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Peace, y’all

Jason

[email protected] and on Twitter @MiciakZoom