Aided by convoluted logic, Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) decided that somehow President was right that the story about a Russian bounty on American soldiers' heads can't be true because there is an "ONGOING" investigation, he tweeted in all caps.
It's as if Banks and the GOP are trying to have it both ways. President Donald Trump called the intelligence false and claimed that he wasn't briefed on the situation because "Intel" didn't find it "credible."
However, it was credible enough for the White House and intelligence community to host a briefing for House Republicans on Monday after the reports came out. According to Banks, there's an "ONGOING" investigation into the bounty, but if the story wasn't "credible" then why is there a need for an ongoing investigation?
An ongoing investigation by whom? Into whom? If this is true, why has the WH claimed the whole thing is a "hoax"? A… https://t.co/2GkIOFmXlT— Asha Rangappa (@Asha Rangappa) 1593463349.0
The confusing take wasn't lost on experts in international policy and who have long monitored or researched Russian aggression against the United States.
University of Texas Law Professor Stephen Vladeck similarly asked the congressman how there could be an investigation if the White House said that the story was fake.
Congressman, if there’s been a secret, months-long investigation into the bounties, why did the White House spend a… https://t.co/57SmZdsAxb— Steve Vladeck (@Steve Vladeck) 1593463192.0
Susan Hennessey, a former attorney in the Office of General Counsel of the National Security Agency similarly asked the congressman how there could be an ongoing investigation into Russian aggression and that Trump was continuing to be tough on Russia, when he just asked Russia to rejoin the G7. She also wondered why Trump and Vice President Mike Pence wouldn't have been briefed if there was an ongoing investigation.
Former FBI agent Asha Rangappa said that she anticipates instead of the White House focusing on the attacks against American soldiers, Attorney General Bill Barr will launch an investigation into whoever leaked the intelligence to the New York Times.
This is NOT how it works. Intelligence is rarely “verified,” and this is just another canard to protect Trump. E.… https://t.co/lppcygBgrw— Ned Price (@Ned Price) 1593455500.0
