Durham prosecution argues FBI was used as ‘political tool’ to create ‘October surprise’ against Trump Durham prosecution argues FBI was used as ‘political tool’ to create ‘October surprise’ against Trump

Durham prosecution argues FBI was used as ‘political tool’ to create ‘October surprise’ against Trump

On the opening day of Michael Sussmann’s trial, the prosecution alleged the former Clinton campaign lawyer used FBI connections against Donald Trump, creating an “October surprise” for the Republican’s 2016 candidacy.

In opening arguments in the trial on Tuesday, Special Counsel John Durham’s team contended that Sussmann used the FBI as a “political tool” in order to “manipulate” the bureau heading into the 2016 presidential election in a plan that “largely succeeded” against Trump, Fox News reported.

This was mostly successful, according to the prosecution, in regard to the consequences and challenges Trump had to face during his tenuous presidential term, despite winning against Clinton, who delivered a surprisingly weak performance on election night.

Sussmann has been charged with delivering a false statement to the FBI when he promised he was not working for “any client” when he requested and attended a meeting where we showed an alleged connection between Trump and a Russian bank. Sussmann pleaded not guilty.

Deborah Brittain Shaw, a federal prosecutor, gave the prosecution’s opening, claiming this was a case about the “privilege of a lawyer who thought he could lie to the FBI without consequences; who thought that, for the powerful, normal rules didn’t apply.”

“No one should be so privileged as to have the ability to walk into the FBI and lie for political ends,” Shaw stated.

Shaw reportedly admitted quickly that federal prosecutors were aware of the proverbial elephant in the room, and referenced it carefully.

“Some people have very strong feelings about politics…about Russia; many have strong feelings about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton,” she said. “We are not here because these allegations involve either.”

“We are here because the FBI is our institution that shouldn’t be used as a political tool for anyone, not Republicans, not Democrats, not anyone,” Shaw continued. “A plan that used and manipulated the FBI…a plan the defendant hoped would trigger news outlets and trigger an FBI investigation.”

The prosecution also made reference to the anti-Trump dossier, which included allegations of potential collaboration between the Russian Kremlin and Trump. Perkins Coie, Sussmann’s employer at the time, is the legal firm that funded the dossier, along with the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign.

However, after a two-year investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller, no evidence of criminal conspiracy or coordination between Trump and Russia was discovered during the 2016 presidential election.

Shortly after the prosecution ended their opening arguments, Sussmann’s defense presented its opening, which came from defense attorney Michael Bosworth.

He said Sussmann, “didn’t lie to the FBI” and “wouldn’t lie to the FBI” based on his years of experience as a high profile legal figure, his connections with national security agencies, and “his character,” Fox News reported.

Bosworth requested that the jury ask themselves several questions when reviewing evidence and testimony during the upcoming trial.

“What did Sussmann actually say to the FBI?” he said. “Is what he said false? Did he intend to say something false? Did it matter? The government has to prove all of these beyond a reasonable doubt. They’re going to stumble at every turn.”

Bosworth continued, calling the charge “nonsensical.” Then, he began calling Sussmann “a good man, a family man” and an “honest man.”

Durham is expected to present a text message Sussmann sent, which allegedly made a request for the September 2016 meeting. Prosecutors referenced that text on Tuesday morning.

Trump’s Attorney General William Barr appointed Durham as special counsel in October 2020, to make sure he would be able to continue investigating, regardless of the 2020 presidential election final result or controversies.

Judge Cooper is presiding over the trial, an appointee by former President Barack Obama in 2014; he received unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate at that time.

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14 thoughts on “Durham prosecution argues FBI was used as ‘political tool’ to create ‘October surprise’ against Trump

  1. IMO, the “FIX” is already in given the judge hearing the case. Judges used to rule according to the law, now some of their rulings are made to appease the the political party of the one who appointed them. Obama appointed this judge—

  2. No News Here! The whole world knows this already and is enjoying the stupidity of the American people (voters) who allow this to happen to themselves.

  3. You watch America, nothing and I predict nothing
    will come from this investigation.
    The wheels will fall off the bus as always.

  4. Durham is about to find out how corrupt our government has become under Biden, Wray and Garland. Nothing is going to happen to any Democrats.

  5. Sussmann, Clinton, Obama and many others committed numerous acts of treason. When they are all found guilty they should all be publicly hanged. Death is the punishment for treason. They are all criminals trators and terrost.

  6. Truly think FBI be disbanded. Who can trust them? They may not get a prosecution, but the entire world know what a bias political hack they are.

    1. Wray is the most partisan and corrupt FBI Director ever, and Garland is the most biased head of the DOJ – nothing but a puppet of the Left.

  7. Durham is correct. Now, what can be done to fix the rotten, dem controlled FIB?

    1. Nothing, it is staffed from top to bottom with loyal Democrat Bureaucrats with lifetime jobs, just like every major agency in our federal government. They run the government no matter who is in power at the very top, and when Democrats control all 3 branches-we have 1 party rule in this country where Democrats make huge gains in their agendas, and the GOP is rendered utterly powerless.

  8. The left has and is continuing to attack the very fabric of this country. If they succeed, We will no longer be a Democratic Republic. We will look a lot like Venezuela, that is unless the patriots rise up and stop their efforts.

    1. It is already happening. Did you ever think this country could fall to where we are in just 17 months. I am 76 and NEVER seen this nation as bad as it is on every level, and every area as it is today. Criminals rule the streets, not our police. Thugs go into stores and just take whatever they want. Shootings everywhere. Highest prices for EVERYTHING in our history, highest inflation, highest gasoline prices, food prices you name it. Then we have a virtual open border with 18,500 illegals invading our border each and every week. Democrats are destroying this country and the Great Silent Majority is doing NOTHING.

  9. Comey did the same thing. He used the FBI and DOJ as a tool to undermine Trump.

    1. The corrupt FBI for over 10 years has been nothing but the personal KGB of the Democrat Party – they only go after Republicans and Trump supporters.

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