As I reported yesterday, the Barr-Durham probe into the origins of the Russia investigation has now transitioned into a full blown criminal investigation. What this means is the ability to compel testimony, empanel a grand jury, and subpoena documents. Before this change, cooperation was essentially voluntary.

There are some dots to connect here, which while still speculative, are becoming clearer as the days pass. This change to a criminal investigation came at exactly the same time the Inspector General announced his report was nearly ready for release. It’s fair to assume that it likely contains some criminal referrals. There’s also the news that broke earlier today that Lisa Page helped edit and retroactively date Flynn’s interview 302s. Was something illegal done with that? To the layman, it certainly seems improper and it’s a trail that will likely be followed.

Aside from the details, much of which have been reported by RedState over the past few days, one of the more humorous aspects of all this is seeing Democrats begin to soil themselves at the thought of possible corruption dealing with the Trump-Russia investigation.

Let’s start with the committee chairs at the forefront right now.

Nadler/Schiff: These reports, if true, raise profound new concerns that the Department of Justice under Attorney General William Barr has lost its independence and become a vehicle for President Trump’s political revenge.

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 25, 2019

Yes, that’s Jerry Nadler and Adam Schiff, who are currently leading highly partisan investigations of the President complaining that Bill Barr is somehow a partisan. Keep in mind as well that John Durham is Barr’s top guy here and that he was appointed by Eric Holder to prosecute torture cases. He’s also got a history of mob busting. In other words, Durham is as far from a partisan as you’ll find at the DOJ. Democrats are purposely not attacking him directly, instead going after Barr, but the fact is that Durham is the one running this investigation on the ground.

Serious Q. Durham is historically apolitical & not a Trump appointee. He always seems to have uncovered the truth in his high visibility cases.

Why are @RepJerryNadler & @RepAdamSchiff so sure it will blow back on Democrats? Me thinks they protest to much. #GuiltyDogsBarking

— Stacey – Collectively Guilty of Nothing (@ScotsFyre) October 25, 2019

Mark Warner, also known as Republican Sen. Burr’s boss, chimed in.

Senate Intel is wrapping up a three-year bipartisan investigation, and we've found nothing remotely justifying this.

Mr. Barr's "investigation" has already jeopardized key international intelligence partnerships.

He needs to come before Congress and explain himself. https://t.co/hl9qM86QrM

— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) October 25, 2019

Notice the indication here that corruption should be brushed aside because it may somehow jeopardize “key international intelligence partnership.” He doesn’t expound of course, but his complaint seems rather hollow. If those partnerships include foul behavior, then they need to be jeopardized and if they are so weak that they can’t simply answer questions, then they weren’t worth much to begin with.

Barr has been before Congress many times. I’m sure he’d be happy to go again and embarrass those questioning him.

Here’s Dick Blumenthal, famous for lying about his service in Vietnam, ranting a bit.

Trump&AG Barr are politically weaponizing DOJ—threatening a return to it’s darkest days. Targeting law enforcers as enemies—simply because they have the spine to stand up to corrupt power—is deeply dangerous, indeed chilling. This line must not be crossed. https://t.co/nt9TJZsX9I

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) October 25, 2019

Are you starting to see the trend? These people are nervous and their responses actually may be changing my mind a bit about whether something is going to come from this. People are starting to lawyer up and the political ramifications are obviously not good for Democrats. I do not think Durham would have moved to a criminal investigation if he didn’t have evidence in hand.

I’m old enough to remember when Democrats loved investigations until they suddenly didn’t. Many are on record asserting that if someone has nothing to hide, they should welcome being investigated. That was a very common theme throughout the Mueller ordeal. Now that the Obama administration is the target, including figures like Brennan, Clapper, and Comey, the flailing and consternation has begun.

The media are obviously losing it as well, doing their level best to the lay the groundwork for an “improper bias” narrative involving Barr’s work. You could see that in the Times report on this change last night. It’s all nonsense and should be ignored. While the left are going to do everything they can to muddy the waters, a lot of people are sleeping a little worse tonight.

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