In late October of 2020 and before the Presidential Election, 45th President Donald Trump sat down with Leslie Stahl for an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes”. Stahl dismissed claims that political operatives spied on Trump’s campaign, when he declared “the biggest scandal was when they spied on my campaign.”
“They spied on my campaign,” Trump said before Stahl told him, “There is no real evidence of that”.
“Of course there is, it’s all over the place,” Trump said as Stahl responded, “No.”
“Lesley, they spied on my campaign and they got caught,” Trump reiterated before Stahl interrupted again.
“Can I say something? You know, this is ’60 Minutes,’ and we can’t put on things we can’t verify,” Stahl claimed.
“You won’t put it on because it’s bad for Biden,” Trump shot back, which prompted Stahl to say, “We can’t put on things we can’t verify”. Video Below
Watch the brief exchange:
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) February 12, 2022
At the time, Trump released his own footage of the interview amid concerns that CBS News’ “60 Minutes” wouldn’t air the president’s claim that he was spied on.
The 2020 interview has since resurfaced on social media after Special Counsel John Durham filed the government’s motion to inquire into potential conflicts of interest on February 11, 2022, in the Michael Sussmann case — alleging that lawyers from Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016 had paid to “infiltrate” servers belonging to Trump Tower and later the White House, in order to establish an “inference” and “narrative” to bring to federal government agencies linking Donald Trump to Russia, as previously reported by The Freedom Times.
A major problem, however, with Stahl’s claim, in that CBS’s ’60 Minutes’ cannot “put on things we can’t verify”, does not pass muster and here’s why: Catherine Herridge and her highlighter.
Catherine Herridge is a CBS News senior investigative correspondent who began her role at CBS in November 2019 after leaving Fox News as Chief Intelligence correspondent. She has reported extensively over the developments surrounding reported government malfeasances on her Twitter account, and also previously on Fox News before joining CBS News. A simple search on her Twitter proves otherwise.
Before the Trump/Stahl interview aired, John Ratcliffe declassified two heavily redacted Russia-related documents in October 2020 when he was the former director of national intelligence, including handwritten notes from former CIA Director John Brennan, which revealed he briefed then-President Barack Hussein Obama in 2016 on an unverified Russian intelligence report. Continued Below
The report claimed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton planned in July 2016 on tying then-candidate Donald Trump to Russia’s hack of the Democratic National Committee to distract from her improper use of a private email server, Swamp Drain reported.
CBS News’ Herridge reported over the matter, weeks before the interview with Stahl and Trump.
TIMING: Brennan notes cite July 28 2016 + 3 days later FBI opens Crossfire Hurricane on Trump campaign team. My margin notations I.D. players. Brennan calls it "selective declassification" + "designed to advance politicial interests" of POTUS + Republicans @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/ZK38dD67M6
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) October 7, 2020
to distract "the public from her use of a private email server." Comey testified under oath 9/30 to senate judiciary + told @LindseyGrahamSC the referral "didn't ring a bell" though FBI was knee deep investigating Russian election interference. @CBSNews https://t.co/xK9E7UbGQH
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) October 7, 2020
Herridge noted on Monday the information is “still relevant 16 months after first declassified by then DNI John Ratcliffe”.
#Durham Heavily redacted + still relevant 16 months after first declassified by then DNI @JohnRatcliffe + after NEW special counsel filing. Fall 2016 CIA “investigative referral” to FBI: Trump, Russian hackers + Clinton emails. https://t.co/28GsjAivkM
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) February 15, 2022
Why is this important? Mr. Ratcliffe explained this week:
.@JohnRatcliffe says @JohnBrennan briefed Obama and Biden about the specific information John Durham has. pic.twitter.com/areseehIC4
— The Dirty Truth (Josh) (@AKA_RealDirty) February 14, 2022
Herridge noted also in October 2020 that Ratcliffe “provided almost 1,000 pages of materials” to Special Counsel John Durham.
#Durham #DeclassifyEverything: Statement from @DNI_Ratcliffe “ODNI has now provided almost 1,000 pages of materials to he DOJ in response to Mr Durham’s document request” + “As the President has made clear, we must be appropriately transparent with the American people” @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/lfftp80q3g
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) October 7, 2020
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She also reported on Durham’s latest filing on Sunday:
(Sussmann’s) Congressional testimony..was knowingly + intentionally misleading..defendant billed work..to Clinton Campaign” + deceptive statements to media NOTE: Durham appears to further lay foundation for more charges/broader conspiracy via @RobLegare https://t.co/nbUCowehM2
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) February 13, 2022
Herridge reported, “May 16, 2022 Jury trial date set for Michael Sussmann — accused of lying to FBI General Counsel in 2016”.
#Durham May 16, 2022 Jury trial date set for Michael Sussmann — accused of lying to FBI General Counsel in 2016 meeting where Sussmann shared intel on Trump organization and Russia. @RobLegare pic.twitter.com/ypLlHgNu5w
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 15, 2021
We leave you with much more of Herridge’s unbiased and relevant reporting:
#Durham: 39-page indictment Igor Danchenko stands out because it makes the linkage between Clinton campaign/lawyer, opposition research known as “Steele Dossier” used by FBI to obtain surveillance warrants for Trump campaign aide @carterwpage + then Special Counsel Mueller probe. pic.twitter.com/XVGvUpfYnL
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) November 4, 2021
#Durham NEW Indictment: Alleging “Igor Danchenko made false statements regarding sources of certain information he provided to a U.K. investigative firm (Steele dossier) that was then included in reports prepared by the investigative firm + subsequently passed (2016) to the FBI.” pic.twitter.com/PbZQPwpWLO
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) November 4, 2021
third-party. His next court date will be 9/22 at 11am in front of U.S. district judge Christopher Cooper via @JakeMRosen @CBSNews NOTE: Indictment page 2 lays out central allegation and Sussmann clients — tech executive, internet company, HRC presidential campaign. pic.twitter.com/LkZiAZuLuX
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) September 17, 2021
#Durham NEW: Indictment “..on Sept. 19, 2016, Sussman, a lawyer at a large international law firm, met with the FBI General Counsel at FBI HQ… Sussman had requested the meeting to provide the GC with certain data files + “white papers” that allegedly demonstrated a covert… pic.twitter.com/wrQ42tCOes
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) September 16, 2021
#Durham indictment pg 2 alleging lawyer Sussman was acting on behalf of 3 clients not a “good citizen” when he went to FBI. NOTE: Durham “multiple media outlets” reported on purported “secret channel” between Trump Org + Russian Bank 1 days before election https://t.co/d4cqBTLPxf pic.twitter.com/DWVQ6xyTbB
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) September 16, 2021
Herridge also pointed out that it “always pays to read the footnotes”.
(More from footnote 259) The Supervisory Intel Analyst told us that he factored the Alfa Bank/Trump server allegations into his assessment of Steele’s (dossier) reporting.” NOTE: always pays to read the footnotes
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) February 14, 2022
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Our @CBSNews reporting from April 2020 https://t.co/P8sgyzTiny
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) August 14, 2021
was interviewed but "lacked candor" + the other declined to be questioned. #Durham
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) August 3, 2021
"….is authorized to investigate whether any federal official, employee, or any other person or entity violated the law in connection with the intelligence , + counter-intel, or law-enforcement activities directed at the 2016 presidential campaigns…” https://t.co/2mXlJyDfqu
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) February 27, 2021
intelligence product about Russian 2016 election interference. McCabe wrote, "We oppose CIA's current plan to include it (Steele dossier) as an appendix; there are a number of reasons why I feel strongly that it needs to appear in some fashion in the main body of the reporting."
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 28, 2020
government + media circles" + “was likely to leak.” WHY IT STILL MATTERS: Dec 2017 Steele dossier unverified + by Jan 2017 primary source discredited the claims + used again for FISA @carterwpage ICA is significant area interest to Durham probe + @SenRonJohnson @ChuckGrassley
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 28, 2020
was not a value judgement about the quality of the information. Instead it reflected the relatively uncorroborated + incomplete status of the FBI's assessment.” TIMING MATTERS: But two months earlier Comey signed off on using the dossier for @carterwpage FISA #doublestandard pic.twitter.com/CmA9scc700
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) January 3, 2021
#SpecialCounselDurham New POTUS MEMO authorizing use classified info in criminal Durham probe, “In addition, the AG is authorized to use classified information as he deems necessary in connection with his review, including in a GRAND JURY or other PROCEEDING”@CBSNews pic.twitter.com/t4TKh0Pyku
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 22, 2020
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#SpecialCounselDurham: More from recently released @petestrzok texts @ChuckGrassley @SenRonJohnson NOTE: These records stand out because they hit key events, span final days 2016 Clinton email probe + go beyond FBI 2016 Russia case to June 2018 Special Counsel NOTE: This matters pic.twitter.com/r6STR1ijGW
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 22, 2020
back? NEW INSIGHT ON STEELE: September 2016, 1 month before first FISA, “I would definitely say at a minimum Steele’s reports should be viewed as intended to INFLUENCE as well as INFORM” (BOLD my emphasis) REMEMBER: Source Sept 2016 Yahoo News article #CircularReporting
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 22, 2020
#SpecialCounselDurham ICYMI Upper right newly released @petestrzok text messages show discussion “SAP” (intel speak Special Access Program – among mostly highly classified to protect fragile sources + methods) “in HRC’s account.” SAP story broke 2016 @ChuckGrassley @SenRonJohnson pic.twitter.com/fo1Qjgn1dK
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 19, 2020
This denial not provided nor fact Page had supported CIA work. FBI lawyer pleaded guilty to altering CIA email in 2017 to falsely state Page was not a source to secure final FISA. Clinesmith sentencing Jan 2021 Texts via @ChuckGrassley + @SenRonJohnson https://t.co/EtRfe2r1Ih
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 19, 2020
NEW: Letter @tedcruz to AG Barr + Director Wray about former Director Comey + former Deputy McCabe’s testimony about their knowledge + approval of 2016 Clinton media leak, “One of them is lying under oath-a federal crime. 18 U.S.C 1621. The American people deserve to know who." pic.twitter.com/kIZvVJqY11
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 11, 2020
#Durham #SpecialCousel Intel Chief @DNI_Ratcliffe supports interim Durham report, says Special Counsel statute allows for it + public deserves update on criminal probe into FBI Russia case + whether evidence in 2016 justified opening investigation into political (Trump) campaign pic.twitter.com/uyhshCDgvj
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 7, 2020
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"Fusion GPS put pressure on Orbis (Steele firm) to talk to Mother Jones" + "With the breakdown that the (MJ) interview caused with FBI…that's when they decided to go the McCain/Kramer route" *ALSO SEE FBI Matrix receipt Fusion GPS/Glenn Simpson/Dossierhttps://t.co/u8JgYfpoYz
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 6, 2020
#Durham #KeepDigging 400 pages declassified docs @ChuckGrassley @SenRonJohnson Pg 3 FBI agent/analyst discussion dossier authors + sub-source meeting w/Special Counsel Mueller. Timing: 4 months BEFORE Special Counsel established FBI KNEW (Jan 2017) serious issues w/dossier source https://t.co/Pjk287ZwfT pic.twitter.com/5a2MRQJ7L1
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 6, 2020
#Durham #KeepDigging 400 pages declassified FBI/DOJ/State docs released by @ChuckGrassley @SenRonJohnson Page 2 "London debriefing” on Fusion GPS thumb drive states how unverified opposition research (Dossier) got into the annex of Jan 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) pic.twitter.com/FzTEC05wbV
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 6, 2020
the overall material that fit with that call for information” @CBSNews https://t.co/u8JgYfpoYz
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 6, 2020
+ after 2016 election + “flooding the zone” lent credibility to the opposition research. WHY IT MATTERS: Dossier central to FISA Surveillance + ongoing Special Counsel Durham probe https://t.co/u8JgYfpoYz
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 5, 2020
Trump campaign aide had NOT been a source for CIA, “defendant's offense was a very serious one with significant repercussions..public record also reflects political or personal bias may have motivated or contributed to his offense conduct" @ClareHymes22 https://t.co/vbnoWEESK9
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 4, 2020
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#Durham Special Counsel Durham scope is broad + encompasses recently declassified docs. This may set up interesting dynamic with nexus to then VP Biden. Declassified records include unmasking @GenFlynn + Jan 2017 WH meeting where, according to notes, "VP" raised Logan Act. pic.twitter.com/U59SPX9oFX
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 1, 2020
#FISA 59-page lawsuit, filed late Friday, against multiple, former senior members FBI Crossfire Hurricane team states @carterwpage "suffered the following kinds of harm + damages among others: Receiving death + kidnapping threats; Inability to travel safely + freely, irreparable pic.twitter.com/TtZ95rsRrU
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) November 30, 2020
#FISA The @carterwpage lawsuit (seeks 75million in relief) is well sourced, citing declassified docs, Congressional testimony, IG Horowitz report as well as Strzok/Page texts which are an unfiltered guide to 2016/2017 FBI decision making + apparent media leaks. READ: Page 6 pic.twitter.com/fKpNzh2F2Z
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) November 28, 2020
#FLYNN FLASHBACK: Declassified docs released in May by acting DNI @RichardGrenell show @GenFlynn was the target of widespread “unmasking” during 2016 Presidential transition with +35 intel, FBI + executive branch officials making requests. READ: many household names @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/aCqu0qavtx
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) November 25, 2020
government reiterates, however, the content of those exhibits was not altered in any way.” Records include CI chief Bill Priestap’s handwritten notes on Flynn interview, “What’s our goal? Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?” @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/63V2MHjpn4
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) October 28, 2020
interviews prepared by FBI in connection with the (Special Counsel)…the President's statements related to the authorization he had provided the AG to declassify documents as part of his ongoing review of intelligence activities relating to the 2016 President election..”@CBSNews
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) October 20, 2020
#Subpoena #Deadline Senate Homeland Security + Governmental Affairs committee deadline Wednesday for "all records" from Stefan Halper for Crossfire Hurricane, unmasking, Trump campaign + post 2016 election. SUBPOENA OOOOO5 @SenRonJohnson @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/ugPcl3JKRE
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) October 14, 2020
likely former FBI General Counsel James Baker "How do you assess 18 USC 1001 (lying to federal agents) when you wouldn't prosecute underlying crimes?" @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/zpfRlZtsMW
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) October 8, 2020
