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司法部根基的一个支柱塌了

(2020-05-09 07:11:20) 下一个

司法部把麦克弗林的案子改为撤销 (Justice Dept. moves to drop case against Michael Flynn) 作者: Spencer S. Hsu, Devlin Barrett and Matt Zapotosky 

司法部在周四撤销对川普总统前国家安全顾问麦克弗林的检控,一个惊人的逆转引起了来自执法官员们和民主党人的指控,刑事司法系统正陷入到这届政府的政治压力中。(The Justice Department moved Thursday to drop charges against President Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, a stunning reversal that prompted fresh accusations from law enforcement officials and Democrats that the criminal justice system was caving to political pressure from the administration.)

解除弗林对FBI说谎的有罪请求是发生在经政治上任命的司法部高级官员认定低阶的检察官们和特工们在特别检察官穆勒进行的调查俄罗斯干预2016年大选的过程中犯了严重错误之后。(The unraveling of Flynn’s guilty plea for lying to the FBI came after senior political appointees in the Justice Department determined lower-level prosecutors and agents erred egregiously in the course of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.)

在周四法庭备案的文件里,司法部说"经过考虑审查所有的事实和这个案子的情况,包括新发现和公开的信息。。。本政府部门的结论是[弗林在2017年1月份与FBI的面谈]是通过FBI对弗林先生进行反情报调查,是不受束缚的,不合理的," 还有"所进行的调查没有任何合法的调查依据." (In court documents filed Thursday, the Justice Department said that “after a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case, including newly discovered and disclosed information . . . the government has concluded that [Flynn’s interview by the FBI in January 2017] was untethered to, and unjustified by, the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn,” and that it was “conducted without any legitimate investigative basis.”)

司法部撤销弗林的案子对川普来说是发了一笔政治横财。他之前已经宣称他在考虑要赦免他的前顾问。司法部的决定意味着他将不需要自己介入到弗林的案子里。(The Justice Department’s abandonment of the Flynn case is a political windfall for Trump, who had already declared that he was considering a pardon for his former adviser. The Justice Department’s decision means he won’t have to become personally involved in the Flynn case.)

川普在2017年2月份逼走了弗林,并当他认罪的时候,总统发了推特:"我必须炒掉弗林将军,因为他向副总统和FBI撒谎。他已经对那些说谎认罪了。这是个耻辱,因为他在过度时期的行为是合法的。没有什么可以隐藏的!" (Trump forced out Flynn in February 2017, and when he pleaded guilty, the president tweeted: “I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!”)

在周四,川普告诉记者们,弗林是"一个更伟大的战士",并把起诉他的资深FBI和司法部的官员们称为"人渣." 总统的律师Jay Sekulow说穆勒"应该为他所允许的,他的特工们和律师们的行为而感到羞愧." (On Thursday, Trump told reporters that Flynn was “an even greater warrior” and called the senior FBI and Justice Department officials who pursued him “human scum.” The president’s lawyer, Jay Sekulow, said Mueller “should be ashamed of the conduct of his agents and lawyers that he allowed.”)

通过一位代言人,穆勒表示拒绝就此事发表评论。司法部的一位女发言人说本司法部并没有把撤销此案的决定通报白宫。(Through a representative, Mueller declined to comment. A Justice Department spokeswoman said the department did not brief the White House on the decision to move to dismiss the case.)

司法部寻求去撤销一个已认罪的案子是非常不寻常的,并且是发生在司法部长[注: 又称总检察长]威廉巴尔就另一起穆勒调查的案件对检察官们施压,要求为总统的朋友和前政治顾问罗杰斯通提出减轻量刑的建议后的几个月。(It is highly unusual for the Justice Department to seek to undo a guilty plea, and comes just months after Attorney General William P. Barr pressed prosecutors in another of Mueller’s cases to soften their sentencing recommendation for the president’s friend and former political adviser Roger Stone.)

"司法部长巴尔的司法政治化是无底线的," 众议院议长南希佩洛西(加州民主党)说"推翻特别检察官的报告是没有先例的,是不尊重法治的." (“Attorney General Barr’s politicization of justice knows no bounds,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). “Overruling the Special Counsel is without precedent and without respect for the rule of law.”)

就在司法部撤销对弗林的起诉之前没多久,直接负责此案的检察官Brandon Van Grack正式退出 - 这跟负责斯通案子的检察官做的一模一样。(Shortly before the Justice Department abandoned Flynn’s prosecution, the line prosecutor on the case, Brandon Van Grack, formally withdrew — just as the Stone prosecutors had.)

在新的文件里, 哥伦比亚区的联邦检察官谢伊写到"继续起诉这起案子不会为司法公正服务," 但是现在和以前的执法官员们说这个决定是对由来已久的司法部的原则的背叛。谢伊是由巴尔选中来领导联邦检察官办公室的,他是唯一一个在文件上签字的律师; 没有其他的职业律师在文件上加上他们的名字。(In the new filing, Timothy Shea, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, wrote that “continued prosecution of this case would not serve the interests of justice,” but current and former law enforcement officials said the decision was a betrayal of long-standing Justice Department principles. Shea, who was tapped by Barr to lead the U.S. attorney’s office, was the only lawyer to sign the filing; no career attorneys affixed their names to it.)

"司法部和法治根基的另一个支柱已经塌了," 一位匿名的联邦起诉员说,因为他没被授权来公开谈论这个案子。"对此举的辩解是不可信的,而且将来可能会被犯罪分子用来逃脱合法的起诉." (“Another pillar in the foundation of the Department of Justice and the rule of law has fallen,” said one federal prosecutor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because that person was not authorized to discuss the case publicly. “The justification for this move is not credible, and it may be used by criminals in the future to escape legitimate prosecution.")

文章的篇幅有点长,就翻译到这吧。司法部根基的一个支柱已经塌了。以后的犯罪分子的辩护律师们也多了一条道。为全世界人民所崇尚的,也是美国立国之宝之一的司法独立受到了前所未有的挑战。希望世界不要盲从,希望世界依然清醒。

原文请看下面的链接。

 
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北美这点事 回复 悄悄话 回复 '思与行' 的评论 : 谢谢回复!
北美这点事 回复 悄悄话 回复 '落英如雪' 的评论 : 谢谢回复!从1924年第一任FBI Director开始,近百年的FBI的历史里,被川普总统炒掉的前FBI的头James Comey是第六任。FBI(联邦调查局)在美国政体里的重要性和中立性是无容置疑的。选联邦调查局局长绝不是个儿戏的事,一定是有很好的诚信背景,又很有能力,还要被两党基本上认可的人选。记得就在2016年大选前的10月份,James Comey力排众议,坚持原则把希拉里email的事上报国会,我们在电视都看到了。希拉里一直认为自己的败选与这有很大关系。推荐James Comey写的书《A Higher Loyalty》,拜读过,文笔很好,有不少他成长过程的故事。你可以不喜欢他,他的书对了解联邦政府和FBI的运作很有帮助。
思与行 回复 悄悄话 如我之前的所有回复,我的信息不仅仅来源于Fox News, 还来自:National Review, The Hill, Yahoo News, Twitter, 还有其他。确实不能只听一种声音。但是当主流媒体被一个党派操纵,以政治正确为幌子,打压攻击一切不同的政见和声音,那不是言论自由,那是以新闻自由为幌子,向独裁专政的路上狂奔。
北美这点事 回复 悄悄话 回复 '思与行' 的评论 : 特别检察官穆勒曾经是联邦调查局局长,从2001年(小布什当总统时)到2013年,任职12年。老江湖了,他知道根据规程什么可以公开,什么不能公开,什么只能公开到什么程度。如果真是要在其他人发怒的时候才做,那就是见笑了。都是在江湖混的,那位主审法官发怒,再气坏了的身体就不值当了。穆勒的介绍可以看链接:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mueller

您提过“Flynn是三星中将”,那他见过的世面和他的心里素质不是你我这等平民之辈可比的。如果自己真的什么没做,而被别人威胁一下就认罪了,他当时应该一定是知道向FBI撒谎的罪是有多大的。川普总统当时都看不起他,马上把他炒掉并在推特上说:"我必须炒掉弗林将军,因为他向副总统和FBI撒谎。他已经对那些说谎认罪了。这是个耻辱,因为他在过度时期的行为是合法的。没有什么可以隐藏的!" (“I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!”)

不知道您的信息是不是来自Fox News, 全世界都知道这是川普最喜欢的,一直奉承川普总统的。您应该知道谁拥有Fox News? Who own Fox News? 您说的这些媒体,包括《华盛顿邮报》,据我所知,都是引用的原话,电视上看到的也是真人视频讲话。如果有诬陷的话,是可以告他们的。您难道想让美国像中国一样只有一个声音,只有Fox News吗?而这是西方,是不可能的事,因为新闻的自由是西方民主的基石。谢谢回复!
落英如雪 回复 悄悄话 回复 '北美这点事' 的评论 : 你只说川普炒掉了FBI的头,而不提为什么他这么做,岂不是太片面了。他这么做不正是因为FBI高层介入党派之争,违法了吗?过去的总统没有这么做是因为他们没有遇到本应该中立却违法暗箱操作的FBI高层。你只说结果不谈原因是为什么?
思与行 回复 悄悄话 再改正:Who owns The Amazon Washington Post ?
思与行 回复 悄悄话 改正:Who owns The Washington Post?
思与行 回复 悄悄话 Who own Washington Post? Jeff Bezos, amazon owner. Jeff Bezos 和Trump的互相讨厌,人人皆知。
思与行 回复 悄悄话 "2018年12月15号,在主审法官发怒的情况下,特别检察官穆勒被迫上缴了FBI面试福林将军的全部记录。虽然关键部分仍然被掩盖了(redacted),这些官方报告依然展示了一个令人毛骨悚然的画面:美国的司法部设下陷阱,一步一步,把一个老将军逼到了绝境。他们的目的只有一个,利用一个无关紧要的罪名,逼迫福林反咬川普。"
"FBI探员Peter Strzok,情报界反川第一人,就是那位和情人发过一万多条短信,发誓要”阻击”川普的FBI高官。也就是说,即使Peter Strzok这么恨川普的人,都不认为福林是故意撒谎。"
"原律师问题重重,存在明显的利益冲突,甚至向福林隐瞒了很多对他有利的证据,包括FBI自己都不认为福林在故意撒谎的事实."
"福林被迫承认”撒谎“,一个重要原因是司法部威胁他的儿子。福林当时走投无路,为了换取儿子不受牵连,被迫认罪。"
"2020年3月15号:川普发推,说他正在考虑特赦福林将军,因为FBI居然莫名其妙地把福林的文件“搞丢了”。这里面的猫腻太多,需要单写一篇才能说清楚。简单说说就是,现在已经证实,FBI有人篡改了关键证据,另外,一个对福林有利的内部文件,也不翼而飞。"
以上引用自作者“千里走单骑“的文章《美国司法部是这样一步步陷害这位将军的》
思与行 回复 悄悄话 避免Fake News。 如果你的新闻是从ABC, CNN, CBS来的, 那么你应该知道这些媒体都是被有钱人操纵的工具。 ABC news executive producer (Ian Cameron) is married to Susan Rice, National Security adviser of Obama. CBS president David Rhodes is the brother of Ben Rhides, Obama's Deputy National Security Adviser. ABC News correspondent Claire Shipman is married to former Whitehouse Press Sectary Jay Carney. ABC News and Univision reporter Matthew Jaffe is married to Hatie HOgan, Obama's Deputy Press Secretary. Abc President Ben Sherwood is the brother of Obama's Special Adviser Elizabeth Sherwood. CNN president Viginia Moseleyis married to former Hillary Clinton's Deputy Sectary Tom Nides...........看到这, 大多数人都明白为什么ABC, CNN, CBS, NYT 恨Trump, 因为他是一个局外人。当这些媒体报道Trump的新闻时, 找Trump的原话来听, 而不是媒体说Trump 说了什么。
北美这点事 回复 悄悄话 回复 '落英如雪' 的评论 : 川普是第45任美国总统,但他是美国历史上第2个炒掉FBI Director(联邦调查局局长)的。可见绝大多数的美国总统们对FBI的头的敬畏和尊重。美国的军队,FBI,和司法是要保持中立,而不介入党派之争的。
落英如雪 回复 悄悄话 共和党肆无忌惮?那怎么找了三年多才好不容易把证据找出来?公然撒谎违纪违法砸手机漂白邮件记录的戏婆还逍遥法外呢?同罗致罪名诱供违法窃听的那些人相比,共和党实在太弱了。
北美这点事 回复 悄悄话 回复 'PrimeryColor' 的评论 : 期待有一天那些证据能浮出水面。奥巴马已经退休3年多了。
PrimeryColor 回复 悄悄话 越来越多的证据显示, 是哦8和民主党挖塌了这根支柱。 调查还在进行。
北美这点事 回复 悄悄话 回复 'playnice' 的评论 : 就单纯说这件事,您的话换个说法也对:共和党肆无忌惮,太让人害怕了。
北美这点事 回复 悄悄话 回复 'ahhhh' 的评论 : 要按您的说法,以现在这届政府的做事风格,一定会去告那些特工们和检察官们。别忘了在法律上任何人向FBI说谎是触犯法律的,是要判刑的。别忘了川普总统当时是怎么发的推特:"我必须炒掉弗林将军,因为他向副总统和FBI撒谎。他已经对那些说谎认罪了。这是个耻辱,因为他在过度时期的行为是合法的。没有什么可以隐藏的!" (“I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!”)
playnice 回复 悄悄话 民主党肆无忌惮,太让人害怕了。
ahhhh 回复 悄悄话 贼喊捉贼:
“The documents, for example, show the probe of Flynn was about to be put to bed when the lead agent received a text from Strzok stating, “Hey, if you haven’t closed [the case], don’t do so yet.”

Apparently, Page was pleasantly surprised to find the matter had not yet been closed.

On Feb. 10, 2017, Page texted Strzok, “This document pisses me off. You didn’t even attempt to make this cogent and readable? This is lazy work on your part.”

Strzok replied, “Lisa you didn’t see it before my edits that went into what I sent you. I was 1) trying to completely re-write the thing so as to save [the lead agent’s] voice and 2) get it out to you for general review and comment in anticipation of needing it soon.”

Wednesday’s revelation included notes of a meeting conducted a short time after the 2016 election between FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. The notes stated, “What is our goal? Truth and admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?”
北美这点事 回复 悄悄话 回复 '思与行' 的评论 : 谢谢点评!本文只翻译了这篇报道的大约前1/4到1/3,因为文章确实有些长,还有顾及版权问题。如果全翻译的话,可能需要给作者打招呼。这篇报道后面有很多的细节和各方的说辞。我们都知道特别检察官穆勒进行的为期二年多的独立调查不是一般的调查,他的最终调查报道是可以危及到总统的职位的。这篇报道的后面有提到弗林在FBI调查时他认罪并同意与特别检察官的调查合作,以换取减轻量刑的推荐。完事后,弗林换了一批律师,然后去找特别检察官的特工们和检察官们在调查过程中的漏洞。撤销是在川普总统任命的司法部长巴尔和他选的检察官谢伊的合力之下,做出的决定。这是以前没发生过的。这应该相当于事后去查钦差大臣办案过程中的漏洞。
思与行 回复 悄悄话 如果看了全报道,无论你挺川还是反川, 都应该感到脊背发凉。 Flynn是三星中将, “领导美军击破了多个中东恐怖组织”, 他都被肆无忌惮的构陷, 普通民众会如何?万幸法院是独立的机构。
来看看原Flynn案中依据的法律:Logan Act". Logan Act is the last refuge for the American prosecutorial scoundrel, https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/496926-logan-act-is-the-last-refuge-for-the-american-prosecutorial-scoundrel

另外, FOX News 上有Mueller提供的“ Michael Flynn interview documents".
"FBI discussed interviewing Michael Flynn 'to get him to lie' and 'get him fired,' handwritten notes show", https://www.foxnews.com/politics/michael-flynn-fbi-handwritten-notes-get-him-lie-fired
思与行 回复 悄悄话 https://news.yahoo.com/obama-irule-of-law-michael-flynn-case-014121045.html, Exclusive: Obama says in private call that 'rule of law is at risk' in Michael Flynn case
思与行 回复 悄悄话 National Review , May 8, 2020, "Protecting the Rule of Law- Both Here and Abroad"
思与行 回复 悄悄话 Washington Post 的报道本身就只代表了民主党的观点,而且没有报道事件全部真相。 它已经偏离了新闻保持实事求是,保持中立的原则。 Flynn案还有更多内幕。用白宫发言人的原话:The FBI exists to investigate crimes, but in the case of LT. General Michael Flynn, it appears that they might have existed to manufacture one." 再借用推特上的一句话:“Obama knew. Clinton knew. Biden knew. Brenan knew. McCabe knew. Strzok knew. They all knew it was a lie, a witch-hunt & hoax. Hell, we even knew!"
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