Editor’s note: The views expressed by guest columnists are not necessarily those of The Costa Rica Star, its advertisers, or its staff.

 

There is much to read-between-the-lines with FBI Director Christopher Wray’s testimony before congress centering on the FBI’s special investigation into Trump-Russian connections and Minnesota Sen. Al Franken’s defiant resignation speech before the U.S. Senate. Both these events happened simultaneously early last week but their conclusions are a long way off. Anything can happen in this fast-changing, politically-charged atmosphere gripping the nation’s capitol.

In the past few weeks Franken has been accused of sexual misconduct that allegedly occurred in the past 15-years by numerous women whose numbers grew day after day, who claimed inappropriate touching, kissing and basically he acted like a jerk. In the past few days several other members of the U.S. Congress have resigned due to sexual misconduct complaints in a wave of political-sexual correctness sweeping through Washington. Franken admits to a few claims but not all calling some of the accusations outright lies.
In Franken’s 11-minute speech here’s the words to ponder.

“Today I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the Unites States Senate,” he said. “ … Let me be clear. I may be resigning my seat, but I am not giving up my voice.”

This resignation statement is loaded with leeway. First its “I will be resigning” and then its “I may be resigning.” That leaves plenty of wiggle room to change his mind “in the coming weeks” since he’s “not giving up.”

Franken just might back out of his resignation and here’s why. On Tuesday comes the special Alabama U.S. Senate race to replace former Sen. Jeff Sessions, who is now the U.S. Attorney General.

Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore — a Republican — is pitted against Democrat Doug Jones, a Birmingham lawyer seeking his first elected office. During his senate campaign Moore, 70, has also faced a long-line of female accusers dating back 40 years that only came forward recently complaining of similar sexual misconduct — the worst of which involved underage women. Moore continues to deny all their claims calling them outright lies.

President Donald Trump on Friday night held a spectacular campaign-style rally in Pensacola, Florida — a mere 20-or-so miles from the Alabama state line. The arena was packed with enthusiasm. Trump asked the crowd how many were from Alabama and a huge roar of applause arose. Trump also asked for Alabama voters to support Moore and deny his ultra-liberal Democratic opponent, because Trump needs Moore’s vote for his ‘America First’ agenda.

Republicans hold a slim majority in the U.S. Senate with 52 out of 100 seats. If Moore wins — as polls indicate he might — that leaves the U.S. Senate is it is. If Jones wins over Moore then Franken very well may carry through with his resignation chancing the Democrats losing his Democratic seat next year. But if Moore wins, Franken should stay and fight it out with a senate ethics-committee investigation that he would more than likely survive with a ‘slap-on-the-wrist’ censure. That ethics committee will be plenty busy if Moore wins.

If Franken does resign that leaves open the possibility that a Republican could win that Democratic seat because the Minnesota governor would appoint a Democratic temporary replacement for Franken that would face open election this November. If Franken stays that senate seat would remain Democratic until January 2021 – maybe longer if Franken fights, shows the ‘right stuff’ and wins a third term.

No matter what happens with Moore, the Democrats should come to their senses and tone down their rhetoric urging Franken to quit. They should offer encouragement for him stay even if Moore or Jones wins Tuesday night. This November the Republicans will begin an all-out assault to win that Minnesota senate seat.

Meanwhile, FBI Director Wray walked on egg shells with his answers to questions coming from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. Wray was asked repeatedly about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged Trump/Russian campaign collusion and the removal of an FBI agent for anti-Trump statements, President Trump’s firing of former FBI Director James Comey and Comey’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email practices dating back to her serving as President Obama’s secretary of state up through last year’s presidential campaign.

With each question came the same answer from Wray. He would not comment about these matters because all these topics are under independent investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice’s office of U.S. Inspector General. Wray along with everyone else is awaiting the IG’s investigative findings that are sure to contain some eye-popping, jaw-dropping — bombshell revelations.

Wray said he was grateful for the IG’s investigation into any and all possible past wrongdoings on the part of the FBI. He also said proper measures would be taken if the IG’s report contains probable evidence needed to proceed with enforcement actions.

“Do we make mistakes? You bet we make mistakes just like anybody who’s human makes mistakes,” Wray commented. “So I think these matters are being looked at as they should be by somebody outside the FBI. And when those findings come to me, I will take appropriate action if necessary.”

By definition – in the United States – a local, state or federal inspector general is charged with examining the actions of another government agency. They are there to discover the possibilities of misconduct, waste, fraud, theft or other criminal activity by individuals related to the agency’s operation — similar to a Grand Jury investigation. If they find probable cause a crime has been committed that information will be provided to the proper authorities such as the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice for possible federal indictments.

The current U.S. Inspector General is Michael E. Horowitz, a Harvard Law School graduate appointed by former President Obama in 2012. He is an ‘Obama holdover.’ Let’s hope he has no political leanings — as he and his staff — consider this barn full of accusations and suspicions of the FBI and how it conducted business under Comey’s leadership — especially the ‘hands-off’ treatment Hillary Clinton and her campaign staff apparently received.

One thing is for sure. It might not be a good year to hang that Mistletoe for the annual office Christmas party. No more waiting for that sweet secretary to walk under the Mistletoe.

About the Author Britt Nelson relocated to Costa Rica in 2011 from Florida, where he served as news editor for the Palatka Daily News, a newspaper owned by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group (NYT-RNG) for 20 years.

Nelson served the NYT-RNG for 18 years in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida as a correspondent, reporter, staff writer, senior staff writer training new reporters, copy editor, page designer, editorial writer, editorial page editor and editorial board member.