CNN beclowned themselves last week after the hiring of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe while whining about former Trump press secretaries getting new TV gigs. Well, the self-proclaimed “facts first” network were in for another round of ribbing on social media Monday, after new information surfaced that McCabe could be close to facing federal charges for lying under oath to the Justice Department’s inspector general.
“A source close to the matter tells Fox News that federal prosecutors appear close to a decision over whether to charge former FBI Deputy and acting Director Andrew McCabe for lying to investigators,” reported Fox News chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge during Special Report.
Herridge reminded viewers that McCabe “was fired last year after the Justice Department’s Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz found he lacked candor under oath over his role in a media leak about the Clinton Foundation case.”
After noting that McCabe “recently joined CNN as a contributor”, she played a soundbite of McCabe telling CNN host and faux tough guy Chris ‘Fredo’ Cuomo he was innocent, back in February:
I never lied, never deliberately misled anyone, not in the IG's office, not in the FBI, and certainly never a director of the FBI under any circumstances at any time.
With another update on accountability investigations, Herridge reported “Senator Lindsey Graham....told Fox he recently met with Attorney General William Barr over the forthcoming inspector general report into alleged surveillance abuse and targeting of the Trump campaign.” And “all three” were apparently “on the same page and want the records declassified to the fullest extent possible.”
Although, there was a reminder that things could go in an unexpected direction. Despite previous information that former FBI Director James Comey and “a handful of FBI executives” who “violated ethics rules by accepting gifts from journalists, misleading investigators, or leaking,” it’s possible they wouldn’t face charges.
This was far from the first time CNN had hired a notorious liar to be a contributor for their news organization. Back in 2017, CNN hired former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. His most infamous lie was about the NSA’s massive domestic spying operation. As The Federalist reported on Clapper’s lies:
In March 2013, Sen. Ron Wyder [sic] asked Clapper under oath if the U.S. government was collecting “any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans.” Clapper paused and said, “No, sir. … Not wittingly.” Three months later, Edward Snowden leaked documents revealing that the National Security Agency was in fact collecting in bulk domestic call records and other various internet communications on millions of Americans.
Clapper would spend the next few years lying about his lies, proving that he would fit right in on CNN. And so far, McCabe seemed to be right at home on the network. This is CNN.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
Fox News Channel’s Special Report
August 26, 2019
6:07:37 p.m. EasternBRET BAIER: We have new information tonight on the investigation into the investigators who ran the probes into Hillary Clinton's email case and then-candidate Trump and the Russian interference in the 2016 election case. Chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge has an update tonight.
[Cuts to video]
CATHERINE HERRIDGE: A source close to the matter tells Fox News that federal prosecutors appear close to a decision over whether to charge former FBI Deputy and acting Director Andrew McCabe for lying to investigators.
McCabe, a frequent critic of the President, was fired last year after the Justice Department’s Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz found he lacked candor under oath over his role in a media leak about the Clinton Foundation case. McCabe is now suing the FBI and Justice Department for wrongful termination and recently joined CNN as a contributor. McCabe told the network earlier this year if the allegations are false.
ANDREW MCCABE: I never lied, never deliberately misled anyone, not in the IG's office, not in the FBI, and certainly never a director of the FBI under any circumstances at any time.
HERRIDGE: Senator Lindsey Graham, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told Fox he recently met with Attorney General William Barr over the forthcoming inspector general report into alleged surveillance abuse and targeting of the Trump campaign. Senator Graham said all three are on the same page and want the records declassified to the fullest extent possible.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM: I want as much of that out, and I think the Attorney General shares that view. We want transparency and that would serve the American people well. I want to know the good, the bad, and the ugly so this never happens again.
HERRIDGE: Even before the pending investigation, Inspector General Horowitz included a handful of FBI executives violated ethics rules by accepting gifts from journalists, misleading investigators, or leaking. Among the former director, James Comey. But earlier this month media reports suggest of the Justice Department would not go after Comey.
GRAHAM: Attorney General Barr will do what's right according to the rule of law. We’re not after revenge, we’re after accountability.
[Cuts back to live]
HERRIDGE: The IG investigation into surveillance began over a year ago, and like the IG’s Clinton email report, it was basically done when new information came to light late in the process, delaying the public release. The IG FISA report is now expected sometime in September, Bret.
BAIER: We will follow it all. Catherine. thank you.
HERRIDGE: You’re welcome.
