FISA Warrant Means Agents are Trying to Catch Spies - Former U.S. Attorney

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Former U.S. Attorney for North Dakota, Tim Purdon, joined me on “Afternoons Live” to break down the bombshell report that Donald Trump’s former campaign chair, Paul Manafort, was under surveillance. According to multiple sources, Paul Manafort was the subject of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant in 2014 and again in the later part of 2016. The revelation is the latest in the ongoing investigation whether any Americans assisted Russia in their interference of last year’s election.

All too often people try to interject politics into this form of law enforcement. The investigation has been dubbed a “witch hunt” and a “nothing burger.” It has been dismissed as Obama leftovers with a vendetta against Trump for losing the 2016 election. Purdon debunks that claim by explaining the FISA court – which meets in secret – is made up entirely of judges who were appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts is an appointee to the Supreme Court by former Republican President George W. Bush.

Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my “wires tapped” in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

In March, President Trump made the claim that former President Obama had his “wires tapped.” Some avid defenders of the President say this FISA warrant on Manafort justifies Trump’s claims. Wrong. First, Presidents don’t have the authority to order a wiretap. Second, It wasn’t Trump who was wiretapped, it was Paul Manafort in a counter-intelligence effort. If Trump was incidentally picked up in the wiretap it was because he was conversing with Manafort and is perfectly legal.

Career agents who have spent their life trying to catch spies. – Tim Purdon, Former U.S. Attorney

This is a big deal and will no doubt lead to more reports. If there is nothing there related to the Trump campaign, I hope it is publicly disclosed quickly. If there is something there, it will lead to so many more questions.

Editors Note: I host “Afternoons Live” on KFGO. The show airs 2-4, Monday through Friday on 790AM and streams worldwide at KFGO.com. I will continue to write and manage ND xPlains. When I have guests involved in North Dakota or national politics, I will try and share the podcast right here on ND xPlains. I hope you’ll listen!