Zapotosky, Matt
From: Zapotosky,Matt Sent: Friday,May5,201711:15AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subject: RE:pitch
Noworries.I’vegotplentyofmaterial,justgivesitmorepunchwithofficialsvoices.Hopefullywecanmakeoneof thesehappensometime.
From: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA)[mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday,May05,201711:14AM To: Zapotosky,Matt
Doesn’tlooklikewecanmakeithappen.Sorry.Ialsothinkalotofthishasbeenbroadlycoveredeveninthepress releaseonSterlingintermsofthelegalrequirements…sohopefullythatgivesyousomethingtoworkfrom.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Zapotosky,Matt[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday,May5,20179:14AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA) < s [email protected]> Cc: Prior,Ian(O PA) < [email protected] > Subject: Re:pitch
Justcheckingin--thissomethingyouthinkwecanmakehappentoday?
SentfrommyiPhone
OMay4,2017,at11:48AM,Flores,SarahIsgur(On PA)< S [email protected]>wrote:
Andwouldthisbeonbackgroundnotforattributionsoyoucanlearnaboutitorareyoulookingfor someoneontherecord?
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Zapotosky,Matt[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday,May4,201711:46AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36178 I’dhopetostrikewhiletheironishot likebeforetheweekend,ifpossible.
From: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA)[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday,May04,201711:46AM To: Zapotosky,Matt< [email protected]>;Prior,Ian(O PA)
Letmeask.IknowthismorningtheyrestilltravelingbackfromBatonRouge.What’syourtimeframe?
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Zapotosky,Matt[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday,May4,201711:44AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA)
HeyIanandSarah
I’mbrainstormingastorythatlooksbroadlyathowharditistosubstantiatecivilrightschargesagainst policeofficers,butI’mwondering,mightIbeabletositdownwithsomeoneintheCivilRightsDivision andtalk(evenifjustingeneralterms)aboutthattopic?Irealizetheycouldn’tcommentonacaselike Sterling,whichhasthatongoingelementwiththestateAG,butmaybetheycouldtalkaboutpastcases andjustthelegalchallengesofbringingprosecutionsininstanceslikethese?
Icanobviouslygetoutsideexpertstodothat andImightdothatanywayifyouwon’tmakesomeone available.Butit’dbealotmorepowerfultoheartheexperiencesofpeopledoingtheworkrightnow.
Manythanks,
Matt Zapotosky | TheWashingtonPost (b) (6) (cell) (202)334-5873(office)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36178 Helderman, Rosalind From: Helderman, Rosalind Sent: Friday, May 5, 2017 4:39 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: WaPo inquiry
Okay, thank you for that. You should know that as we do our reporting, as I mentioned,we've heard from a number ofpeople who have mentioned Gen. Sessions among thoseas involved with thisess. proc That was one reason Ihad thought he might appreciate the pportunity o to c larifyhis role. In any ase, c we'll be finishing this up next week--perhaps cle bac I'll more irc k one time before deadline. Take are,c Roz
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
We’ll decline to comment. Thanks.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Helderman, Rosalind mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Friday, May 5, 2017 4:28 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
Sarah--I wanted to pingyou about the followinginquiry? We'll be workingon this story next week too, if you're still workingon it. But I wanted to be sure you had seen it and ask if you had any questions about it? Many thanks, Rosalind Helderman
From: Helderman, Rosalind Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2017 4:39 PM To: [email protected] ov Subject: WaPoinquiry
Hi Sarah-- I'm workingon a Washington Post story and wanted to reach out for your help. We're attemptingto recreate how the list of informal campaigforeigpolicyn n advisers that President Trump announced in March 2016 came tog ether. Cartere, whosePag name appeared on that list, seems to have injected some perhaps unnecessary mystery into discussions of that process by continually refusingto disclose who was his first contact at the campaign. Our guess is that the process was actually far less mysterious than his reticence would g est,su g we're so trying to reach out to everyone involvedwho was with the campaigatn
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36227 thattime and asktheir memories.
General Sessions was, ofcourse, newlynamed a campaigadvisern around thattime. Afewpeople have told us thattheybelieve he played a role in helpingto compile thatlist. Can you help me understand ifthat's true?Can you walkme throug hhis memories ofwho atthen campaigdiscussed the namingofthatgroup before PresidentTrumppublicized it?Does he recall ifmembers ofthe informal group were interviewed or otherwise vetted?I knowGen. Sessions joined PresidentTrump atthe firstmeetingofthatg roup, held that same dayin Washington. Whatdoes he remember aboutthat ?Specifically, meeting as itrelates toCarter Page, hadGen. Sessions ever heard ofhim to his prior appointmenttothe roup?Who g atthe campaighadn methim and howdid he land on the list?
I'm at(202) 334-9562 in the(b) office (6) an bycell. Thankyou somuch! Rosalind Helderman Staffwriter
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36227 Tucker, Eric
From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Monday, May8, 2017 9:19 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: good morning
Hithere, hopeyou had g a ood weekend. Doyou haveaquicksecondforaphonechataboutsomethingupcoming thisweek?I’m on mycella (b) (6)
Eric
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36336 Zapotosky, Matt
From: Zapotosky, Matt Sent: Monday, May8, 2017 8:17 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Cc: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: appropriations bill/medical marijuana
Tomorrow?I knowI sentitat5 tonight, so it's notfor today.
Sentfrom myiPhone
On May8, 2017, at8:13 PM, Prior, [email protected] Ian (OPA) <>wrote:
Whatis your deadline?
Ian D. Prior Principal DeputyDirector ofPublic Affairs Office: 202.616.0911 Cel(b) (6)
On May8, 2017, at5:36 PM, Matt< Zapotosky, [email protected] > wrote:
HeyIanand Sarah
Alittle late to the partyonthis, butdo youguys/the attorneygeneralhave a positiononthis sectionofthe appropriations bill thatdeals withmedical marijuana?IfI’m understanding itright, itprevents youfrom using funds to preventimplementationofmedical marijuana laws. Thatseems like something theAG mightnotbe too thrilled about.
Canyougive me asense ofwhatyouread as thatstopping youfrom doing? Canyounownotsue states who have these laws, orenforce federallawin those states?Does thatAGhave anystatementonthis?
Here’s the thumbnailsummaryfrom aWhite House doconit:
“DivisionB, section537provides thatthe DepartmentofJustice maynotuse
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36467 anyfunds to preventimplementationofmedical marijuana laws byvarious States and territories. Iwill treatthis provisionconsistentlywithmy constitutional responsibilityto take care thatthe laws be faithfullyexecuted.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/05/statement-president- donald-j-trump-signing-hr-244-law[whitehouse.gov]”
Manythanks,
Matt Zapotosky | TheWashington Post (b) (6) (cell) (202) 334-5873 (office)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36467 Tucker, Eric
From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Monday, May 8, 2017 10:12 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Carr, Peter (OPA) Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: Sessions/Kislyak inquiry
OK, thanks Sarah. I figure this had come up before in some other context.
Eric
From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Monday,M ay08, 20179:05 PM To: Tucker,Eric; Carr,Peter(OPA) Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subj ct: RE: Sessions/Kislyakinquiry
Deep background others have brought up this event as a place where they may well have been at the same event even at the same time, but did not meet. There was a hold room where the Senator was with staff and those staff remember the conversations he had with Jared and some other family members as well as a different ambassador. But they (the staff) were all unaware of whether Kislyak was there and didn’t meet him.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Tucker, Eric [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 8, 2017 7:13 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur
Hi Sarah and Peter, I know you guys were very involved in responding to inquiries in early March regarding meetings between Attorney General Sessions and Sergey Kislyak. Sen. Whitehouse today seemed to make reference to a third such encounter, but I wanted to run this past you and see if it was familiar to you:
OnApril27,2016Trumpandseveralofhisadvisers,includingJeffSessions,metSergeyK islyak, Russia's ambassadortoUnitedStatesbeforeacampaignspeech.ThespeechwhichwashostedbytheCenterfor theNationalInteresthadbeenarrangedbyTrump'ssoninlaw,JaredK ushner . KislyakattendedtheTrump RepublicanconventionandhetoldtheWashingtonPostthathehadmultiplecontactswiththeTrump campaignbothbeforeandaftertheelection.
Document ID: 0.7.22207.14287 Perez, Evan
From: Perez, Evan Sent: Tuesday, May9, 2017 5:49 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Ummm
Can you talk?
Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN (b) (6) o 202.772.2756 @evanperez
Document ID: 0.7.22207.22911 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 6:21 PM To: Tucker, Eric Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: statement from DAG?
White House has it
On May9, 2017, at5:56 PM, Tucker,[email protected] Eric< > wrote:
Higuys, do you havea statementfrom theDAG?I don’tseeit.
Document ID: 0.7.22207.22947 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May9, 2017 7:43PM To: Williams, Pete (NBCUniversal) Subject: Re: I'd sure be grateful for a call
I know! And you knowI'm prettygood at calling you back. Let me getone thing offmyplate andyou're first on mylist.
On May9, 2017, at7:25 PM, Williams, Pete [email protected](NBCUniversal) < >wrote:
(b) (6)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.92436 [email protected]
From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 8:44 PM To : Williams, Pete (NBCUniversa l) Subject: Re: Thanks again
You bet
••ooo Verizon LTE 8:23 PM 31% c:J• ( lnbox (77) < >
------Original message ------ From: FBI_COMMUNICATIONS
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36527 Message from the Atto.rney Generali
The President of the United States has exercised his lawful aut horit y t o remove James B. Corney, Jr., as the. Director of the Federa,1 Bu reau of Investigation. By operation of law and effective immediat ely, Deputy Director Andrew McCa be assumed the position of Acting Director of t he FBI. As you well know, the FBI is a,n exceptional law enforcement and int elligence agency. It is made so by you, the devoted men and women who work tirelessly to keep our country safe. Thank you for your steadfast ded ication and commitment during this time of t ransition.
Jeff Sessions
i [1
OnMay9,2017,at8:34PM,W illiams, Pete(NBCUniversal)< [email protected]>wrote:
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36527 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 8:46 PM To: Tucker, Eric Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: New acting director
Oops--sent to soon. That's from the AG to FBI employees. Not attributable to me. Thanks!
On May 9, 2017, 4 at 8: 4PM, Tucker, [email protected] Eric < > wrote:
Hi, seeing reports that Andy McCabe is the new director. I’m assuming that that’s true just based on the natural line of succession. But just wanted to see if that was contained in some sort of statement or something?
Document ID: 0.7.22207.23015 Tuc:ker, Eric
From: Tucker, Eric Sent : Tuesday, May 9, 2017 8:4 7 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Cc: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject : RE: New acting director
Understood, thanks.
From: Prior, Ian (OPA) [mailo:[email protected]:,v] Sent Tuesday, May 09, 2017 8:46 R-1 To: Tucker, Eric Cc : Rares, Sa-ah Isgur (OPA) SUbjed: Re: New actingdrector
Hands offthatI'm providing:
•••ooVerizon ~ 8:44 PM Done Photo
------Original message ------ From: FBI_COMMUNICATIONS
I
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27508 Mes age from th Attorney General
The President of the United Sta es has exercised his lawful authority to remove am s B. Comey, Jr., as the Director of the Federa l Bureau of Investigation. By operation of law and effective immediately, Deputy Director Andrew McCabe assumed the position of Acting Director of the FBI. As you well know, the FBI is an exceptional law enforcement nd intelllgence agency. It Is made so by you, the devoted men and women who work tirelessly to keep our country sa e. hank you for your steadfast dedication and commitmen during his time of transition .
Jeff Sess ons
Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Office: 202.616.0911 Cel(b) (6)
On May 9, 2017, at 8:44 Eric PM, e [email protected]< Tucker, > wrote:
Hi, seeing reports that Andy McCabe is the new director. I’m assuming that that’s true just based on the natural line of succession. But just wanted to see if that was contained in some sort of statement or something?
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27508 Josh Meyer From: Josh Meyer Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 9:57 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Carr, Peter (OPA); Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA); Raimondi, Marc (OPA); Josh Gerstein Subject: Re: Hi Sarah, Peter, Wyn and Marc
Ok, thank you Sarah.
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
OTR--We’ll leave it at the memo/letter tonight
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Josh Meyer [mailto:jmeyer@politico.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 9:36 PM To: Carr, Peter (OPA)
I know Josh Gerstein (cc'd here)is also trying to reach you but can you please send us comment from DOJ about Comey firing? Or call us? FBI referring all calls your way. Thank you.
Josh Meyer (b) (6)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.11128 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May9, 201710:05 PM To: Barrett, Devlin Subject: RE: ismccabe nowthe acting director ofthe fbi?
yep
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Barrett,Devlin[mailto:Devlin.B [email protected] ] Sent: Tuesday,May9,20176:30PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27516 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 10:11 PM To: Zapotosky, Matt; Prior, Ian (OPA) Cc: Nakashima, Ellen Subject: RE: Will Russia probe continue?
He also didn’t say whether hed stop ed beating p his wife. ••
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Zap otosky, Matt [mailto:matt.zapotosky@washp ost.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 10:09 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
I think this was the genesis: http s://twitter.com/JenniferJJacobs/status/862072340653408256
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2017 10:04 PM To: Zap otosky, Matt m
Off the record--Lol. I’m just seeing this but it was a joke right?
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Zap otosky, Matt mailto:matt.zap [ otosky@washp ost.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 6:43 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [email protected] < >; Prior, Ian (OPA) < [email protected] > Cc: Nakashima, Ellen
Hey Sarah and Ian
I see some Twitter traffic suggesting Justice won’t say now if the Russia probe will continue now that Comey is gone. That can’t be true, right? This isn’t a shutting down of therobe, p is it?
Best,
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27520 MattZap otosky | TheWashington Post (b) (6) (cell) (202)334-5873(office)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27520 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 11:16 PM To: Perez, Evan Subject: RE: Is it improper for AG to play role in this?
Again OTR--In his testimony, hesaidhe’ddo itagain thatis violatelongstandingDOJpolicyaboutongoingcriminal investigations.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Perez , Evan mailto:Evan.Perez [ @turner.com ] Sent: Tuesday, May9, 2017 10:43 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA)
Bytheway.IsthereanyreasontheDAGandAGdidn'twaittoseeresultsofOIGinvestigationintohandling ofelectionyearprobes? ThelistofscrewupstheDAGcitesisexactlywhattheOIGwaslookingat.
EvanPérez Correspondent CNN (b) (6) o 202.772.2756 @evanperez
OnMay9,2017,at10:17PM,Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]>wrote:
Offtherecord butthis is sillyandI thinkyou knowthat. Therecusalappliedto anyexistingorongoing investigations. Theletter/memoisaboutjudgement/leadership from pastactions and his testimony aboutthosepastactions.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Perez , Evan mailto:Evan.Perez [ @turner.com ] Sent: Tuesday, May9, 2017 6:14 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27525 Subject: Is itimproperforAGto playrolein this?
Sinceheisrecused?
EvanPérez Correspondent CNN (b) (6) o 202.772.2756 @evanperez
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27525 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 11:30 PM To: Perez, Evan Subject: RE: Is it improper for AG to play role in this?
That’s aboutOctoberand JBS says hehad no choicebche’d testified underoath previously. I thinkthememo is prettyclearthatthemajorbreach in protocolwastheJulyconference.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Perez , Evan mailto:Evan.Perez [ @turner.com ] Sent: Tuesday, May9, 2017 11:28 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA)
Look https://twitter.com/existentialfish/status/862109387921526784
EvanPérez Correspondent CNN (b) (6) o 202.772.2756 @evanperez
OnMay9, 2017, at11:22 PM, Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]>wrote:
Wealreadyknewthat! Now weneed yourthoughts recomeyin watercolor.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Perez , Evan mailto:Evan.Perez [ @turner.com ] Sent: Tuesday, May9, 2017 11:21 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA) < [email protected] > Subject: Re: Is itimproperforAGto playrolein this?
I'mmultitalented.
EvanPérez
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27529 Correspondent CNN (b) (6) o 202.772.2756 @evanperez
OnMay9, 2017, at11:17 PM, Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]>wrote:
This reads likea veryThis Town•• haiku
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Perez , Evan mailto:Evan.Perez [ @turner.com ] Sent: Tuesday, May9, 2017 10:31 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA) [email protected] < > Subject: Re: IsitimproperforAGto playrolein this?
comingto avenge HillaryClinton's honoris nice. Optics are bad. Didtheynotknow he was outoftown? Didno one care? Neveragoodwayto do somethinglikethis Isuppose. ButTHIS is aboutthe oddestwayto findoutyou're fired.
EvanPérez Correspondent CNN (b) (6) o 202.772.2756 @evanperez
OnMay9, 2017, at10:17 PM, Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27529 Tapper, Jake
From: Tapper,Jake Sent: Tuesday,May9,201711:41PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Subject: Re:RodRosenstein
IthinkitwouldbegoodforyouguysbecausefewpeoplearebuyingthiscamefromRRSoheshouldcome andmakethecaseJustathought
>OnMay9,2017,at11:17PM,Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27531 Savage, Charlie
From: Savage, Charlie Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 8:46 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: request
WouldMr. Rosenstein or aproxy(hischiefofstaff, ofyouor one )please be willing for totalkwith 5 me minutesthismorning toexplain the encesequ ofevents, from his perspective, regardinghowhe came to write the letter?As youknowthere isvariouchatters tWhiteabou Hou se commissioningitetc. Itstrikes me thatitmaybe in his and Main Justice's interesttogethis tthere storyou earlyrather than letting leaks from White House and from FBIsivelyshape exclu the narrative. Thanks for considering it. ______
Charlie Savage The NewYorkTimes
Phone:202-862-0317 Ce(b) (6)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27533 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Wednesday,May10,201711:02AM To: Williams,Pete(NBCUniversal) Subject: Re:Questionforyou
We'llhaveamorespecifictickticksoononthat
OnMay10,2017,at10:44AM,Williams,Pete(NBCUniversal)< [email protected]>wrote:
Sarah
Thisseemtobethequestionoftheday:wheredidtheideatofiretheFBIdirectorcom s efromSom ? e newsorganizationsarereportingthattheDAGwasessentiallytaskedtoofferjustificationsforthefiring, andthat’swhatledtothethree-pagemo. em
Whatguidancecanyouofferonthisquestion? DidtheDAGundertakewritingthemorandum em and proposingthefiringentirelyonhisown?
Manythanks.
Document ID: 0.7.22207.36810 Prior, Ian (OPA)
From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 11:57 AM To: Perez, Evan Cc: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: Qfor DAG
On the record:
Totallyfalse
Ian D. Prior Principal DeputyDirector ofPublic Affairs Office: 202.616.0911 Cel(b) (6)
On May10, 2017, at11:41 AM, Perez,[email protected] Evan < >wrote:
We are told Comeytold senators in a meeting on Mondaythathe had asked DAG Rosenstein for more resources for the Russia probe. The senators Burr and Warner had asked Comeyto tryto accelerate the investigation. Comey agreed and he said he had requested the additional resources. Please advise ifyou have anyobjections or ifyou thinkthis isn'tquite as we sayit.
Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN (b) (6) o 202.772.2756 @evanperez
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27554 Apuzzo, Matt
From: Apuzzo, Matt Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 3:52 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA) Subject: Re: clarity
Got it. Thanks for the patience.
On Wed, May 10, 2017 at 3:49 PM, Flores, (OPA)Sarah Sarah.Isg< Isgur [email protected] ov> wrote: Ausas are resources. So no. These questions are gettingold. I don't know how else to say this story is false. It's just false.
On May 10, 2017, at 3:46 PM, Apuzzo, [email protected] Matt < > wrote:
I'm also not tryingto be cute, and I don't think you're beingcute. I'm genuinely tryingto square these two s. thing Can you ask -- and I suspect you already have -- whether Comey asked for more AUSAs?
On Wed, May 10, 2017 at 3:44 PM, Flores, (OPA)Sarah Sarah.Isg< Isgur [email protected]> wrote: I thought your question was whether he notified him about movinghis ownree guys. Ag if he asked for more ausas that would be resources so the answer is still no. I'm not beingcute here. Th story is just. wrongThere's no g lewi groom. It's wrong .
On May 10, 2017, at 3:17 PM, Apuzzo, [email protected] Matt < > wrote:
But addingAUSAs is addingresources. It's manpower, costs money, etc. There's no change. I'm gettingmore details and tryingto square the on the record Hill story with your on the record denial. If you could ask whether Comey sought more AUSAs for the case, that would be most appreciated.
On Wed, May 10, 2017 at 3:13 PM, Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
Look off the record--If that’s what it was, then its pretty effingdifferent than requestingmore resources. I cant keep interrupting meeting s as the story change s. So I have no idea whether he might have informed him ofa moving of manpower.
***
Sarah Isgur Flores
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27618 Director of Public Affairs
(b) (6) 8
From: Apuzzo, Matt[mailto: [email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May10, 20172:34PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) < s [email protected]> Subject: Re:clarity
Could itbe notified, as opposed to request?Like maybe, "Hey, I'm movingsome guys over for one squad to beefupthe analytical team on Russia?"
Are you guys sayingthatComeynever even raised the idea ofincreasing manpower?
I'm tryingto figure outwhyComeywould tell the Hill that. You see Durbin is sayingon the record?
On Wed, May10, 2017 at2:28PM, Flores, ur Sarah Isg(OPA)
Rod and comeymet on Mondaythe 1st. There were two other people present. No such request or anythinglike itwas raised.
On May10, 2017, at2:18PM, Matt< Apuzzo, [email protected] > wrote:
Hi Sarah,
Charlie said you were askingfor details on the communication thatComeytold the Hill about. Myunderstandingis thatComey told Rod thathe wanted to increase the manpower on the investigation, which means movingpeople around. The meeting, I believe, was lastweek.
Is the objection you have thatthe meetingnever happened?That itwasn'ta request?That manpower isn'tresources/money?
This came upin a SSCI briefingearlythis week.
Thanks,
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27618 Matt
MattApuzzo
The NewYorkTimes
202.862.0304 w
(b) (6) c
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27618 Acosta, Jim
From: Acosta, Jim Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 3:59PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Subject: Re: Comeyasked Rosenstein for more resourcesfor Russia investigation lastweek?
Heyth anks.
Sentfrom myiPh one
>On May10, 2017, at3:42PM, Flores, Isgur Sarah (OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27622 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 4:08PM To: Zapotosky, Matt Subject: Re: I knowyou said pickanyword you wantbut...
Oh thatmakes me sad thatI missed a joke. Nota good sign:(
On May10, 2017, at4:00PM, Zapotosky, [email protected] Matt< >wrote:
Lol Iwasjusttryingtomakeajoke. ButIguesswhatyou’resayingis, ifI used theword nothing, you’d stilldeny!
From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May10, 20173:59PM To: Zapotosky, Matt< [email protected]> Subject: Re:Iknowyou saidpickanywordyou wantbut...
Look--nothingcouldincludeadvice, inputoranynumberofthings. Thisiswherethesemanticsgets annoying. You knowwhatI'mtryingtocommunicate--resources.
On May10, 2017, at3:55PM, Zapotosky, [email protected] Matt< >wrote:
You know, you said thatI could chooseaword, butwhatifI saidComeyaskedMcCabefor “nothing”?
From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May10, 20173:48PM To: Zapotosky, Matt< [email protected]> Subject: Re: Iknowyou saidpickanywordyou wantbut...
Yes
OnMay10, 2017, at2:10PM, Zapotosky, [email protected] Matt< >wrote:
…and alsodenied “agents,”butwouldyou alsodenythatComeyaskedDAG Rosenstein formore“staff”ontheRussiainvestigation?
MattZapotosk y | TheWashington Post (b) (6) 5 (cell) (202) 334-5873(office)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27628 Tucker, Eric
From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 5:10 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: ticktock
Heythere Iunderstandyou uysmig g hthaveasortoftick-tocknarrativethatyou’reprepared todistribute. We’re tryingtosquaresomethingupwith s whattheWHsaid today.
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27651 Wilber, Del
From: Wilber,Del Sent: Wednesday,May10,20175:25PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA);Prior,Ian(OPA);Ballhaus,Rebecca Subject: question
SarahandIan,
WhydidSessionsinvolvehimselfinComey'sfiringandreplacement,givenhisrecusalpledge? Wehaveanethicsexpertsayingthatcrossedtheline. IhaveaJusticeDepartmentofficialwhosaidtherecusalappliedtotheinvestigationandnottobroaderpersonnelmatters.Buton - the-recordwouldbenice.
Thanks!
Del
-- DelQuentinWilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O:(202)862.6624| (b) (6) DOJ:(202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NW,Suite800| Washington,D.C.20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27679 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 5:34 PM To: Williams, Pete (NBCUniversal) Subject: Re: Have you addressed the recusal issue?
This was a personnel decision aboutserious concerns aboutDirector Comey's leadership. Not aboutan ongoing or future investigation--which is whatrecusals applyto.
On May10, 2017, at5:27 PM, Williams, Pete [email protected](NBCUniversal) < >wrote:
Asyou mayknow, someDemocratsin CongressareaskingwhethertheAGviolatedhisrecusalpledge byrecommendingComey’sfiring. I’vereadlotsoflegalscholarsweighingin on this. You have anything?
Document ID: 0.7.22207.99741 Nakashima, Ellen
From: Nakashima, Ellen Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 5:48 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE: tic toc
OK, tx
From: Flores, Sarah sgur I (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 5:48 PM To: Nakashima, Ellen
Itll be soon
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Nakashima, Ellen mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 5:37 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [email protected] < > Subject: tic toc
Are you able to provide anything? Soon? Thanks, Ellen
Ellen Nakashima The Washington Post [email protected] 202 334 4419 (work) (b) (6) (mobile) @nakashimae Recent Articles: http://tinyurl.com/ojxvdps[tinyurl.com] PGP: 505E782 4D3E9B45915C452 C66912 46E6FDB06319
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27677 Ballhaus, Rebecca
From: Ballhaus,Rebecca Sent: Wednesday,May10,20176:55PM To: Prior,Ian(OPA) Cc: Wilber,Del;Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Subject: Re:question
Thanks,Ian!
OnWed,May10,2017at6:51PM,Prior,Ian(OPA)< [email protected]>wrote:
TherecommendationtoremoveDirectorComeywasapersonneldecisionbasedonconcernsaboutthe effectivenessofhisleadershipassetforthintheAttorneyGeneral’sletter.Therecommendationhadnothingtodo withthesubstanceofanyinvestigation.
IanD.Prior
PrincipalDeputyDirectorofPublicAffairs
Office: 202.616.0911
Cel(b) (6)
From: Wilber,Del[mailto: [email protected]] Sent: Wednesday,May10,20175:25PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA)
SarahandIan,
WhydidSessionsinvolvehimselfinComey'sfiringandreplacement,givenhisrecusalpledge?
Wehaveanethicsexpertsayingthatcrossedtheline.
IhaveaJusticeDepartmentofficialwhosaidtherecusalappliedtotheinvestigationandnottobroaderpersonnelmatters.Buton - the-recordwouldbenice.
Thanks!
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27769 Del
--
DelQuentinWilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O: (202)862.6624 | (b) (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NW,Suite800| Washington,D.C.20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan
-- Rebecca Ballhaus REPORTER □ M(b) (6) O: 202 862 9239 E: [email protected] @rebeccaballhaus
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27769 Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 8:24PM To: Nakashima, Ellen Subject: RE: tic toc
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Walters, LindsayE. EOP/WHO"
Asyou requested.
From: Walters, LindsayE. EOP/WHO Sent: Wednesday, May10, 20176:4 1PM To: Walters, LindsayE. EOP/WHO< [email protected]> Cc: Hicks, CatherineF. EOP/WHO< [email protected]> Subject: FORPOOLDISTRIBUTION//timelineofthePresident’sdecision
Hi, All –
Forpool distribution. We have received several inquiries to clarifythe timeline ofthe President’s decision. We are providingthe belowinformation onbackg round.
· ThePresident,overthe lastseveral months,lostconfidence in DirectorComey.
· Afterwatching DirectorComey’stestimonylastWednesday,the Presidentwasstrong lyinclinedto remove him.
· On Monday, the Presidentmetwith the AttorneyGeneral and the DeputyAttorneyGeneral and theydiscussed reasons forremovingthe Director.
· The nextday, TuesdayMay9, the DeputyAttorneyGeneral senthiswritten recommendation to the AttorneyGeneral and theAttorneyGeneral senthiswritten recommendation tothePresident.
Thankyou andhave g a ht.ood nig
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Nakashima, Ellen[mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Wednesday, May10, 20178:22PM
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27771 To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
Has it come out yet?
Ellen Nakashima Reporter, Washington Post 202-334 -4 4 19 Sent from my iPhone
On May 10, 2017, 7 at PM, 5:4 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
Itll be soon
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Nakashima, Ellen mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 5:37 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [email protected] < > Subject: tic toc
Are you able to provide anything? Soon? Thanks, Ellen
Ellen Nakashima The Washington Post [email protected] 202 33 44 19 4 (work) (b) (6) (mobile) @nakashimae Recent Articles: http://tinyurl.com/ojxvdps[tinyurl.com] PGP: 505E 7824 D3E9 B459 15C4 52C6 6912 46E6 FDB0 6319
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27771 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 8:46PM To: Brown, Pamela Subject: RE: HeySarah
From: W alters,LindsayE.EOP/WHO S nt: Wednesday,May10,20176:41PM To: Walters,LindsayE.EOP/WHO< [email protected]> Cc: Hicks,CatherineF.EOP/WHO< [email protected]> Subj ct: FORPOOLDISTRIBUTION//timelineofthePresident’sdecision
Hi, All
For pool distribution. We have received several inquiries to clarify the timeline of the President’s decision. We are providingthe belowinformation on background.
· ThePresident,overthe lastseveral months,lostconfidence in DirectorComey.
· Afterwatching DirectorComey’stestimonylastWednesday,the Presidentwasstrong lyinclinedto remove him.
· On Monday, the Presidentmetwith the AttorneyGeneral and the DeputyAttorneyGeneral and theydiscussed reasons forremovingtheDirector.
· The nextday, TuesdayMay9, the DeputyAttorneyGeneral senthiswritten recommendation to the AttorneyGeneral and theAttorneyGeneral senthiswritten recommendation tothePresident.
Thankyou andhave g a ht.ood nig
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Brown, Pamela[mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Wednesday, May10, 20175:00PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)
HeySarah -I am imagine the last24hourshasbeen justascrazyfor you asithasbeen for me. We're trying toputtogether a timeline and wondering when AttorneyGeneral Sessionsordered the reviewofComeyand when Rosenstein gotinvolved. Doyou mindproviding me with those details?Thankyou! Pamela
Pamela Brown CNN Justice Correspondent (b) (6)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27775 From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)
Probablyafterconfirmation (b) (6)
>OnApr6,2017,at11:08AM,Brow n,Pamela< [email protected] >w rote: > >I'msobummedIcan'tmakeittoda (b) (6) MycolleagueLauraJarrett w illbethereinmystead.Woulditbepossiblefor metomeetw iththemanothertime?I'dbehappyto comeovertoDOJw heneveritisconvenientforthem.Pleaselet me know . > >Thankyou! >Pamela > >SentfrommyiPhone
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27775 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 8:49 PM To: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Subject: RE: NBC News
Notthatanyoneisawareof
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Dilanian, Ken NBCUniversal)[mailto:[email protected] ( ] Sent: Wednesday, May10, 20176:33PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)
Istheresomeotherrequesttheycouldbetalkingabout? Written, orwhatever?
Ken Dilanian NationalSecurityReporter, InvestigativeUnit
O:(202)885-5107 (b) (6) @KenDilanianNBC
From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Wednesday,May10, 20176:30PM To: Dilanian,Ken(NBCUniversal) Subj ct: Re:NBCNews
Theyweren'tin themeetingwthedagand comeyon Mondaymay1. 4peoplewere. I'vetalked to2. Itdidn't happen.
On May10, 2017, at6:13PM, Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) [email protected] < >wrote:
Sarah,
Ijustwanted tocheckin Ididn’thaveyourcontactinfountilIfounditon Twitterjustnow. I understandyou aredisputingtheComeyrequestforresources, andI am sureyou sawDurbin and Feinstein assertingiton therecord thisafternoon. Ifyou figureoutwhattheymaybetalkingabout, I amallears. Thanks.
Ken Dilanian NationalSecurityReporter, InvestigativeUnit
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27781 (b) (6) @KenDilanianNBC
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27781 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 9:05PM To: Herridge, Catherine; Prior, Ian (OPA) Cc: Navas, Nicole (OPA) Subject: RE: renewing interviewrequest
We’reVERYbigfansofyouhere. Includingthepowersthatbe. Butheisn’tdoinganyinterviewsrightnow. You are onthelistfordown theroadthoughforsure.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Herridge, Catherine[mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Wednesday, May10, 20174:46PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA)
Irecognizeyou areflooded with requests, butwantedtorenewmyinterest, asthelongestservingTVbeatreporter onDOJ/FBI andIntelligence. Idid averyfair, directand newsyinterviewwithSecretaryKellyin themidstofthetravel ban and wallreporting.
Includingthelink
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/02/02/dhs-secretary-border-wall-should-be-finished-in-two-years.html
Thanksforgivingitconsideration andforthehelptoday. Catherine
From: Herridge, Catherine Sent: Tuesday, April11, 20176:44PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) < [email protected] >; [email protected] Cc: [email protected] ;Herridge, Catherine< [email protected]> Subject: FoxNewsQuery
HiIan andSarah,
Thankyou forsendingtheembargoed copyoftheAttorneyGeneral’sArizonaannouncement. Itgoesalongto helpingusdigestthematerialbeforetheevent.
Iworked onaregularbasiswiththen SenatorSessionson terrorismrelatedissues. Iamrespectfullyrequestingasit down interviewwiththeAttorneyGeneraltoexploretheTrumpadministration’sstrategyforcombattingterrorism, anditsapproachtointerrogations.
TakingthelibertyofincludingmyrecentprofilewithSecretaryKellyon borderissues. Thisreportwith theAGwould
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27845 takeasimilarapproach, and alsoaironSpecialReportwithBretBaier.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/02/02/dhs-secretary-border-wall-should-be-finished-in-two-years.html
Thankyou fortheconsideration. Happytodoaquickcalltofurtherdiscuss.
CatherineV. Herridge ChiefIntelligenceCorrespondent FoxNewsChannel Thismessageanditsattachmentsmaycontainlegallyprivilegedorconfidentialinformation.Itisintendedsolely forthenamedaddressee.Ifyouarenottheaddresseeindicatedinthismessage(orresponsiblefordeliveryof themessagetotheaddressee),youmaynotcopyordeliverthismessageoritsattachmentstoanyone.Rather, youshouldpermanentlydeletethismessageanditsattachmentsandkindlynotifythesenderbyreplye-mail. Anycontentofthismessageanditsattachmentsthatdoesnotrelateto theofficialbusinessofFoxNewsorFox Businessmustnotbetakentohavebeensentorendorsedbyeitherofthem.Norepresentationismadethatthis emailoritsattachmentsarewithoutdefect.
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27845 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 10:53PM To: Horwitz, Sari; Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE:
I will provide comment. Please donotpostuntil I've had a fewminutes todraft.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director ofPublic Affairs (b) (6)
-----Original Message----- From: Horwitz, Sarimailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May10, 201710:49PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur [email protected]>; (OPA) < Prior, Ian (OPA) [email protected]> < Subject:
We have a storyabouttogoupin a fewminutessaying that, according toa source close tothe White House, DAG Rod Rosenstein threaten toresign after the false narrative from the White House abouthim and the decision tofire Comey.
Can I please geta commentfrom either ofyou?
Sari
Sentfrom myiPad
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27887 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May10, 2017 11:46PM To: Tucker, Eric Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: Postalert
I'm saying I can'tdenyituntil I've talked toRodbc I obviouslywasn'twithhim for everycall today. Sothey basicallyran a storyknowing I couldn'tcommentyet. I don'tunderstandhowyou can call thislate and think that'sactuallyreaching outfor comment. It'sbullshitand unprofessional.
>On May10, 2017, at11:45PM, Tucker, [email protected] Eric <> wrote: > >Are you saying thisisnottrue?Or you're sayingyou don'tknow? > >Sentfrom myiPhone > >> On May10, 2017, at11:43PM, Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27907 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Thursday,May11,20179:33AM To: Wilber,Del Subject: Re:interview
Ha!Definitelynot.Isleptintil5!
OnMay11,2017,at9:32AM,Wilber,Del< [email protected]>wrote:
Thanksfortheanswer!
Youareatrueprofessional.
Hopeyourdaydidn'tstartat4a.m.likeminedid!
OnThu,May11,2017at9:29AM,Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]> wrote: Theanswerisnoandgoingdirectlytohimwillmakeitharderformetogetyoutime--not easier.
OnMay11,2017,at9:06AM,W ilber,Del
DeputyAttorneyGeneralRosenstein,
Asyouarewell-aware,thereisa tremendousamountofinterestinthefiringofJamesComey.W e havemanyquestionsaboutthesequenceofeventsthatledtohisterminationandyourroleinit.
IcoveredyouwhenIwas attheW ashingtonPost(wealsohungoutin theBaltimoreFBIofficewhenI wasdoingaprofileofKevinDavis),andIknowmanyofthosewhoworkedwithyou.Theyhaveall describedyouasastraight-shooterandsomeonewhoisnotafraidtospeakhismind.
Ifyoueverwishtotalkaboutwhattranspired,Iam happytointerviewyouaboutitfortheW SJ.On background,oron-the-record.
Iwouldnormallynotreachoutdirectly,butthingsaremovingsoquicklythatIfigureditcouldn't hurt.
Thanksforyourtime.
-Del
-- DelQuentinW ilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O: (202)862.6624 | (b) (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] |T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NWSuite800| , Washington,D.C.20036
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27980 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan
-- DelQuentinW ilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O:(202)862.6624|M (b) (6) DOJ:(202)216-0860 E: [email protected] |T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NWSuite800| , Washington,D.C.20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27980 Wilber, Del
From: Wilber, Del Sent: Thursday, May11, 2017 9:36 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA) Subject: Re: interview
makes total sense.
On Thu, May11, 2017 at9:31AM, Flores, (OPA) SarahIsgur Sarah.Isg < [email protected] ov>wrote: And I absolutelyappreciate thatyou did btw. AndI'll never yell atyou for callingstaff.- They're adults- that's upto them whattheywantto do with that. And you can email too. Butifyou email them with a request, I'm told notto reward thatand thatmakes itharder for me to getyou time. That's whyI sentmy email.
On May11, 2017, at9:30AM, Wilber, [email protected] Del < >wrote:
justfyi:Iknowthis was a totallong shot& unlikely.
cc'dyou bcI respecthowyou operateanddidn'twantyou surprisedbythem oing g :whythehellis heemailing us?!?!?!?
Also, when you tookthatphoneI appreciated thatyou didn'tscream atmelikeTracy would have(shewas an obama era flack). You handled thatveryprofessionally.
Ifyou hear whom Rosenstein toldhewouldquitiftheWHdidn'tbackoff, Iwouldloveto uess know. Myg is Priebus or McGahn.
------Forwarded messag------e - From: Wilber, Del
Duplicative Material (Document ID: 0.7.22207.27980)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27982 Wilber, Del
From: Wilber,Del Sent: Thursday,May11,201710:26AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Subject: sorryyouhavefourwsjreporterspingingyou
-- DelQuentinWilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O:(202)862.6624| M (b) (6) DOJ:(202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NW,Suite800| Washington,D.C.20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27992 Prior, Ian (OPA)
From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 10:28 AM To: Williams, Pete (NBCUniversal); Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE: DAG's memo
Yes. On he recordt he did not hreat t o en resign.t
Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Direct or of Public Affairs Office: 202.616.0911 Cel (b) (6)
From: Williams, Pete (NBCUniversal) [mailto:pet [email protected]] Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 10:15 AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA)
Ian
Can you provide some guidance on the Post’s reporting, which saidhat t Rod einRosenst t ened hreat t o resign unless his role in drafting t he Comey memo t erwas explained? be t
And would itbe possible talko t t o him ly?direct
Many hanks.t
-Pete (b) (6)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.110729 Zapotosky, Matt
From: Zapotosky, Matt Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 10:38 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Rosenstein threatened to resign?
Hey Sarah
Sorry if Sari already reached out and has this, but I understand you guys are on-the-record denying that DAG Rosenstein threatened to resign over the characterization over his role in the firing. Do you have a statement on that?
And just so I don’t have to do this all day long… Are you denying he threatened to resign, period? Are you denying that he threatened to resign particularly over the WH characterization of his role? Are you denying every iteration of the word “resign” (quit, step down, leave the department, I’m sure I’m leaving some out)?
And … Can you offer any more clarity on his role…did he initiate the meeting with the WH where this was discussed? At that meeting, did he bring up the topic of Comey? If not, who did?
Many thanks,
Matt Zapotosky | The Washington Post (b) (6) cell) (202) 334-5873 (office)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27994 Acosta, Jim
From: Acosta, Jim Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 10:42 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: Rosenstein threatened to resign?
Got it. Wow.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 11, 2017, at 10:36 AM, Flores, [email protected] Isgur (OPA) < > wrote:
On the record--didn't happen
On May 11, 2017, at 8:09 AM, [email protected] Acosta, Jim <> wrote:
roger that.
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected] < > Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 7:50:00 AM To: Acosta, Jim Subject: Re: Rosenstein threatened to resign?
DB--As best I can tell, it didn't happen. But I don't feel like I can give a flat denial.
>On May11, 2017, at7:09 AM, Acosta,[email protected] Jim < >wrote: > > What about the resignation threat on deep bgrd > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On May 11, 2017, at 7:08 AM, Flores,OPA) [email protected] < Sarah Isgur ( > wrote: >> >> We aren't commenting on that. Sleep sounds good. >> >>> On May 11, 2017, at 6:55 AM,[email protected] Acosta, Jim <> wrote: >>> >>> Thanks. I fell asleep too. Is he considering naming a special prosecutor? >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>>> On May 10, 2017, at 11:45 PM, OPA)Flores, [email protected] < Sarah Isgur ( > wrote: >>>> >>>> Off the record--they reached out a couple minutes before they posted with an anonymous source and rods asleep so can't deny it. I asked for more time so I could talk to him and deny it...but they just couldn't possibly wait. I think it's crappy journalism. Call the White House--I'm confident they'll firmly push back. >>>> >>>>> On May 10, 2017, at 11:29 PM,[email protected] Acosta, Jim <> wrote: >>>>>
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27995 >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>> >>> >
Document ID: 0.7.22207.27995 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Thursday, May11, 201710:55AM To: Savage, C harlie Subject: Re: NYTqueryon dutiesofDAG
On the record--didn'thappen
On May11, 2017, at10:45AM, Savage, [email protected] Charlie < >wrote:
We're looking atthe WPreportthatRR threatenedtoresign. Are you able toshed anylighton whetherthatistrue ordistortedinanyway?
______
Charlie Savage The NewYorkTimes
Phone:202-862-0317 Cel (b) (6)
OnWed, May10, 2017at10:15PM, Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)
Reallyappreciatethat seriously.Thankyou.
***
Sarah Isgur Flores
Director of Public Affairs
(b) (6)
From: Savage,C harlie[mailto: [email protected]] Sent: Wednesday,May10,20179:26PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]> Subject: Re:FW:NYTqueryondutiesofDAG
I will askhertochannel potential questionstoDOJ through me or Rebecca Ruiz, especially during the currenthighlyfraughtand stressful circumstances.
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28003 ______
Charlie Savage
The NewYorkTimes
Phone: 202-862-0317 e(b) (6)
On Wed, May10, 2017at9:17PM, Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA)
ThisisembarrassingwhensomeonefromtheNewYorkTimescan’tcalloneoftheirbeatreporters toaskaquestionaboutthe“relationship”betweentheFBIdirectorandthepersonhereportstoon everypublicorgchartofthedepartmentofjustice.
***
Sarah Isgur Flores
Director of Public Affairs
(b) (6)
From: Qiu,Linda[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday,May10,20174:19PM To: Press< [email protected]> Subject: Re:NYTqueryondutiesofDAG
Hello, justcirclingbacktothis. Doyou thinkyou'll be able torespondby deadline?Thanks!
On Wed, May10, 2017at3:20PM, Qiu, Linda
Hithere,
Wejustspokeon thephone.Hopingtogetsomeinfoon thegeneraldutiesofthedeputy attorneygeneral.Questionsbelow:
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28003 -Whatarethetypicalduties?
-Whatistherelationshipbetween theDAGand theFBIdirector?
-IsitroutinefortheDAGtoconductreviewsoftheFBIdirector?And can you pointmetoan instanceprioryesterdaywherethishashappened?
I'mworkingon a rathertightdeadline,6pm.Apologiesfortheshortnessbutthankyou!Email orca (b) (6)
--Linda
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28003 Wilber, Del
From: Wilber, Del Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 11:05 AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA); Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: when will you announce interim director?
is mccabe's testimony a try out?
-- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU O: (202)862.6624 |(b) M (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T: @delwilber A: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 800 | Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month for Murder Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28005 Wilber, Del
From: Wilber, Del Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 1:45 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: our more fair version
of what transpired
https://www.wsj.com/articles/rosenstein-pressed-white-house-to-correct-the-record-on-comey-firing- 1494523639
-- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU O: (202) 862.6624 (b)| (6) M DOJ: 202) ( 216-0860 E: [email protected] | T: @delwilber A: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 800 | Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month for Murder Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28345 Del Wilber
From: DelWilber Sent: Thursday,May11,20174:12PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Subject: Re:Idon'tknowifanyonehasaskedthis
Ask?
DelWilber (b) (6) (cell) 202-862-6624(w) Twitter:@delwilber AGoodMonthforMurder: http://amzn.to/22vNLu4 RawhideDown: http://amzn.to/29H1l8I
OnMay11,2017,at4:05PM,Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]>wrote:
Notsure
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: Wilber,Del[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday,May11,20173:35PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA) Subject: Idon'tknowifanyonehasaskedthis
But --Who atdoj authorized jim comey to release the information in March aboutthe fbi investigating possible collusion between trump associates and the russians? Was thatBoente?Ifhe didn'tdo it, did comeypulla fastone?Ihave no idea. Ican'tsee comey lying. ButIthoughtIwould askbc Ineverfollowed up on it.
-- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28357 O: (202) 862.6624 (b) (6)| M DOJ: (202) 216-0860 E: [email protected] | T: @delwilber A: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 800 | Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month forMurder Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination ofRonald Reagan
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28357 Wilber, Del
From: Wilber, Del Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 4:53 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA) Subject: Re: basically
I understand.
On Thu, May 11, 2017 at 4:51 PM, Flores, (OPA)Sarah Sarah.Isg< Isgur [email protected]> wrote: I've otg 5 zillion of these minute by minute questions. I to trackwon't them be able all down. This is why we put out the bullets last night. At some point, it has to be enough. I'm sorry. I have to move on to other stuff today.
On May 11, 2017, at 4:35 PM, [email protected] Wilber < > wrote:
Ok, is there a way to check? g I g am rilled ettinabout it. g :)
Del Wilber (b) (6) (cell) 202-862-6624 (w) Twitter: @delwilber A Good Month for Murder: http://amzn.to/22vNLu4 Rawhide Down: http://amzn.to/29H1l8I
On May 11, 2017, at 4:33 PM, Flores, (OPA)Sarah IsgurSarah.Isg< [email protected]> wrote:
Actually I don’t feel comfortable with that on background. I don’t know that’s 100% accurate.
***
Sarah Isgur Flores
Director of Public Affairs
From: Wilber, Del [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 4:27 PM
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28392 To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Subject: basically
Mr. Sessions was havinglunch with Mr. McGahn on an unrelated matter when the topic ofMr. Comeycame up.
Theysummoned Mr. Rosenstein to discuss their issues with the FBI director.
Theymeetin oval.
accordingtojustice departmentofficial. close enough
--
Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU O: (202)862.6624 |M (b) (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T: @delwilber A: 1025 ConnecticutAve. NW, Suite 800|ton, Washing D.C. 20036 AGood Month for Murder Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination ofRonaldReagan
-- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O:(202)862.6624| (b) (6) DOJ:(202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve. NW, Suite800| Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month for Murder RawhideDown:TheNear Assassination ofRonald Reagan
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28392 Wilber, Del
From: Wilber, Del Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 5:00 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: basica lly
A real mildcat would not complain about getting five zillion queries. will ie is too fierce for that.
why do we have such a cuddly mascot?
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28399 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Sent: Thursday, May11, 20176:39PM To: Williams, Pete (NBCUniversal) Subject: RE: Gottime for a check-in call or are you still on the road?
Ah!I’msorry justsawthisand nowI’vemissedyourhit. Callmycellnexttimeifyou need me. Iwasn’tatmydesk anddidn’tseeyou’d called!!!
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Williams, Pete(NBCUniversal)[mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Thursday, May11, 20176:02PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)
I’m (b) (6)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.108090 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 6:58PM To: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Subject: RE: reaction to this?
I think I’m a little confused. So he agreed that he didn’t ask for any of these things but that he wanted them but didn’t get the chance to ask?
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Dilanian, Ken NBCUniversal) ( [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 5:04 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
Fired FBI Director James Comey told the heads of the Senate intelligence committee that the Russia investigation had slowed because of a lack of prosecution resources from the Justice Department, in part because the job of deputy attorney general had been vacant for so long, Congressional and law enforcement officials tell NBC News.
Comey did not say he asked Justice for more money or FBI agents for the Russia investigation, as one official told NBC News Wednesday and as was reported by the New York Times and the Washington Post.
“What he wanted was basically more prosecutors, more support from the Department of Justice for writing subpoenas and warrants and things like that,” one Congressional aide briefed on the matter said.
Ken Dilanian National Security Reporter, Investigative Unit
O: (202) 8 5-5107 8 (b) (6) @KenDilanianNBC
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28411 Zapotosky, Matt
From: Zapotosky,Matt Sent: Thursday,May11,20177:07PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Subject: Notfornothing...
...LesterHoltcan'thelpbutsayRosen-steen,also.
Sentfrom myiPhone
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28421 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Sent: Thursday, May11, 20177:27PM To: DilanianKen , (NBCUniversal) Subject: RE: ComeyAsked for More Prosecutor Resourcesfor Russia Probe -NBC News
Ihave guess....ana dits twoletterslon g.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director ofPublic Affairs (b) (6)
-----Original Message----- From: DilanianKen , (NBCUniversal) [mailto:Ken .Dilanian bcun @n i.com] SenThursday,t: May11, 20177:25 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur [email protected]> (OPA) < Subject: Re: ComeyAsked for More Prosecutor Resourcesfor Russia Probe -NBC News
Iactuallythin kwhathappen ed wasthatthe con gressionsourcesal mischaracterized whathe itially.said, in Comeyon lyspoke toBurr an dWarn er, an dthen the game oftelephonene sued. Iwon der ifthen ewspapers will clarifytheir accounts.
KenDilan ian National SecurityReporter NBC News (b) (6)
>OnMay11, 2017, at7:18PM, Flores, Sarah Isgur [email protected]> (OPA) < wrote: > >Offthe record--Interestin g. dslikeSoun Comeyis backingwayoffwhathe originallyhad saidin the sen ate briefing. An dbased on mccabe neven ot clear even thathe did that. > >*** >Sarah Isgur Flores >Director ofPublic Affairs (b) (6) > > >-----Origin al Message----- >From: DilanianKen , (NBCUniversal) [mailto:Ken .Dilanian bcun @n i.com] >SenThursday, t: May11, 20177:11 PM >To: Flores, Sarah Isgur [email protected]> (OPA) < >Subject: ComeyAskedfor More Prosecutor Resources for Russia Probe -NBC News >
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28505 >Here'sthe final. Please let me me kn ow ifyou wantto commen t. > > http://www.nbcnews.com/n ews/us-news/comey-asked-more-prosecutor-resources-russia-probe-n 758176 > > >KenDilan ian >Nation al SecurityReporter >NBC News (b) (6)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28505 [email protected]
From: [email protected] Sent: Friday, May12, 2017 7:26 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subject: Fwd: Reuters queryon a third meeting between AttorneyGeneral Sessions and Russian Ambassador Kyslayakin April 2016 atthe Mayflower Hotel
This was addressed repeatedlymonths ago. Theydid notmeet.
From: ned.park [email protected] [mailto:ned.park [email protected] ] Sent: Thursday, May11, 20179:14PM To: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) whornbuck < [email protected]> Subject: Reutersqueryon athird meetingbetween AttorneyGeneralSessionsandRussian Ambassador Kyslayakin April2016attheMayflowerHotel
Hello,
Iaman nt rpris r port rwithRW havut rs.curr ntandform rofficialsinformingusofa privat m tingb Russiantw Ambassador n S rg Kislyaky at th Mayflow Hotr onlApril 27, 2016th night of th Prn sid ntialcandidat Donald Trump’s policy addr ssv atntth hot I l. wouldb grat fulforany comm ntonwhy this m hastingnot b disclosn anddwhat was discuss d.Mynumb r(b) (6) Thanksso much, N Parkd r
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28547 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 7:29 AM To: ne d. [email protected] Cc: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subject: Fwd: Reuters query on a thir d meeting between Attorney General Sessions and Russian Ambassa dor Kyslayak in April 2016 at the Mayflower Hotel
Deep background--This event was addressed repeatedly months ago. They did not meet. This was a speech the senator attended. There was a hold room where the Senator was with staff and those staff remember the conversations he ha d with Jared and some other family members as well as a different ambassador. But they (the staff) were all unaware of whether Kislyak was there and the senator didn't meet him.
From: ned [email protected] [mailto:ned.parker@thomson reuters.coml Sent: Th ursday, May 11, 2017 9:14 PM To: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28553 Perez, Evan From: Perez, Evan Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 1:43 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: can you talk for a minute?
i know we're all glued to Spicey. but just want to ask a quick Q. (b) (6)
Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN mobi (b) (6) office 202.77 2.2756 Twitter @evanperez
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28765 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 1:45 PM To: Ma t tApuzzo Subject: RE: Can you help?
Yeah ive been t ingge ot t her emails his likewhich t is dumbjust since I addressed his rumort back in march oo. Itt ’s always possible hey t were bot ht ta he speech t here’s be no wayo have for known JBS t t t endee he list a t obviously bu t they didn’tmeet .
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Ma t tApuzzo [mailto:ma t t [email protected]] Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 12:34 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
And it's really going around apparently
Matt Apuzzo The New York Times 202.862.0304 w (b) (6) c
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
Yeah really range st t o me
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8
From: Apuzzo, Mat mailtt[ o:ma t .apuzzo@nytt imes.com] Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 11:52 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) < [email protected] > Subject: Re: Can you help?
Thanks. Helpful. Let me take it back to the folks here and see wtfis up.
On Fri, May 12, 2017 at 11:49 AM, Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28768 Correct. JBS firstmethiminJulywhenhe walkedup afteraspeechandintroducedhimselfinfrontofhalfa dozenpeople.
OnMay12, 2017, at11:43 AM, Apuzzo, [email protected] Matt< >wrote:
Thanks. Iknow the Mayflowerissuehasbeenoutthere, butwe are toldaboutaseparate meetingatthatsame event. Justwantto make sure we are nottalkingpasteachother. You're sayingtherewasno meetingbetweenTrump/Sessions/Kislyak/Kushner?I'mtryingto be precise. CanyousayontherecordthatSessionsandTrump nevermetwithKislyak?
OnFri, May12, 2017 at11:36AM, SarahIsgur(OPA)
OnMay12, 2017, at11:33 AM, Apuzzo, [email protected] Matt< >wrote:
Sarah,
WearepreparingastoryonameetingthatoccurredinApril2016between Trump, Kislyak, SessionsandKushneratthe MayflowerHotel. Weare toldthat thiswas aprivate meetingthatwas separatefromthepreviouslyreportedmeet - and-greetatthe receptionforTrump'sforeignpolicyspeechthatday. Canyou help mesquare thiswithwhatthe AGhassaidaboutRussiameetings, his and letterto Congresssupplementinghis testimony. Ifthismeetingwasn'tcampaign related, canyoutellme whatitwasabout? Thankyou.
AndIswearatsomepointwhenthiscalmsdown(itwillatsomepoint, right?) weshouldgo getcoffee.
Matt
MattApuzzo The New YorkTimes 202.862.0304 w (b) (6) c
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28768 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Friday,May12,20171:59PM To: Dilanian,Ken(NBCUniversal) Subject: RE:Readthis
Wow--yeahdefinitelynomeeting.ItsofcoursealwayspossibletheybothwereattheMayflowerthatday- - butJBSwouldhavehadnowaytoknowtheattendeelist--andtheydidn'tmeet.Thisall cameupinMarch andI dealtwithitthenaswell.
*** SarahIsgurFlores DirectorofPublicAffairs (b) (6)
-----Original Message----- From:Dilanian,Ken(NBCUniversal)[mailto:Ken.D [email protected]] Sent:Friday,May12,20171:50PM To:Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)
USgovernment.Intel agencies.FBI.
KenD ilanian National SecurityReporter NBCNews (b) (6)
>OnMay12, 2017,at1:48PM,Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28775 >Sarah,Ihavetwosourceswhotell metheUSG haslearnedthroughclassifiedmeansthatAGSessions attendedaprivatemeetingwithSergei KislyakinApril 2016atthemayflowerhotel,onthesidelinesofa largermeetingthatalreadyhasbeenreportedon. Couldyoupleaseletusknowasapwhathewouldliketo tell usaboutthis.Thiswouldbeathirdmeetinginadditiontothetwohedisclosed. Thanks. > >KenD ilanian >National SecurityReporter >NBCNews (b) (6)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28775 Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal)
From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Sent: Friday, May12, 2017 2:06 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: Read this
Ok. Will keepyou posted.
Ken Dilanian National ecurityReporter S NBC News (b) (6)
>On May12, 2017, at2:00PM, arah Flores, Isgur S (OPA) [email protected]> >Oh definitelynot > >*** >S arah Isgur Flores >Director ofPublic Affairs (b) (6) > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Dilanian, (NBCUniversal)Ken [mailto:[email protected]] >S ent: Friday, May12, 2017 1:49 PM >To: Flores, arah S Isgur (OPA) > >> Deepbackground--This eventwas addressed repeatedlymonths ago. Theydid notmeet. This was a speech the senator attended. There room was aholdwhere enatorthe S was with staffand those staff remember the conversations he had with Jared and some other familymembers as well as a different ambassador. Butthey(the staff) were all unaware ofwhether Kislyakwas there and the senator didn'tmeet him. >> >> ***
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28783 » Sarah Isgur Flores » Director of Public Affairs
>> >> » -----Original Message----- » From: Dilanian, Ke n (NBCUniversa l) [mailto:[email protected]] » Sent: Fri day, May 12, 2017 1:46 PM » To: Flores, Sa rah Isgur (OPA)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28783 [email protected]
From: [email protected] Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 4:02 PM To: Williams, Pete (NBCUniversal) Subject: Re: Regarding our conversation
Really appreciate! Thank you!!
On May 12, 2017, at 3:54 PM, Williams, Pete [email protected] (NBCUniversal) < > wrote:
Nothing is imminent. The person we discussed is now well aware of your concerns.
Document ID: 0.7.22207.37190 Zapotosky, Matt From: Zapotosky,Matt Sent: Friday,May12,20176:11PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Subject: Rodseesnoreasonfora specialprosecutor?
HeySarah- -
Justlookingintothis.Isthistrue?DoesRodseenoreasonforaspecialprosecutor?
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/12/politics/rosenstein-special-prosecutor-russia-investigation/index.html
Best,
Matt
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28945 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 7:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Call me if you can
(b) (6)
Document ID: 0.7.22207.105973 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Friday, May12, 20177:38PM To: Rebecca O'Brien Subject: RE: WSJ article on investigationsintoPaul Manafort
Noway!Aftertheweekivehad,anyemailthatdoesn’tstartwith‘gofuckyourself’isprobablyagoodthing ••
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: RebeccaO'Brien[mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Friday,May12,20177:35PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)
Well,thankgoodnessyouhaveasenseofhumoraboutit. WhenIsentthatemailforclarificationIthoughtto myself:"IfsomereporterIdidn'tknowsentmeanemailonaF ridayevening -afterthiscrazyweek-askingan obviousquestionaboutof/or,Iwouldtellhertobuzzoff."
Haveaniceweekend!
-- RebeccaDavisO'Brien cel(b) (6)
OnMay12,2017,at7:28PM,F lores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected] >wrote:
Lol yesmovingtoofasttoday
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: RebeccaO'Brien[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday,May12,20176:07PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]> Subject: Re:WSJarticleoninvestigationsintoPaulManafort
Thankyouforyourresponse. Justclarifying(becauseaneditorasked): belowyoumeantosay "theexistenceORnonexistenceofinvestigations," right?Not"of."
-- RebeccaDavisO'Brien
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28964 cel(b) (6)
OnMay12,2017,at5:49PM,F lores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected] >wrote:
Wedon’tconfirmtheexistenceofnonexistenceofinvestigations.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: O'Brien,R ebecca[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday,May12,20175:46PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) [email protected] < > Subject: WSJarticleoninvestigationsintoPaulManafort
HiMs. lores, F
I'mareporteratTheWallStreetJournal-mycolleaguesandIareseekingDOJ commentforastoryaboutseveralinvestigationsintoPaulManafortonthefederaland NewYorkstatelevels. WearereportingthattheDepartmentofJusticesubpoenaed Manafort'sbankingrecordslastmonth,inconnectionwithprobesrelatedtoPresident Trump'sformercampaignassociates. Specifically, DOJaskedforbankingrecords fromCitizensFinancialGroup,Inc.,whichgaveMr.Manaforta$2.7millionloanlast yeartorefinancedebtonaManhattancondominium.
CanDOJcommentforourstory?Icanbereachedat212.416.2739,cellis (b) (6) ,orbyemailofcourse.
Thankyou, Rebecca
-- RebeccaDavisO'Brien REPORTER □ M(b) (6) O: +1 2124162739 E: [email protected] m @rebeccadobrien A: 1211 Avenue ofthe Americas, NewYork,NY10036 □
Document ID: 0.7.22207.28964 Wilber, Del
From: Wilber, Del Sent: Saturday, May13, 2017 0:48 AM 1 To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: lunch today? since are both we stuckworking?
hah!
On Sat, May13, 2017 at10:46AM, Flores, (OPA) SarahIsgur Sarah.Isg < [email protected] ov>wrote: Probablylunchingw the hubbytoday. htbe Mig bring your husband toworkdayin the afternoon too:)
On May13, 2017, at10:38AM, Wilber, [email protected] Del < >wrote:
or you chillingwith theboss?
-- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O: (202)862.6624 |M (b) (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve. NW, Suite800| Washington, D.C. 20036 AGood Month for Murder RawhideDown:TheNear Assassination ofRonald an Reag
-- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O: (202)862.6624| (b) M (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve. NW, Suite800| Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month for Murder RawhideDown: TheNear Assassination ofRonald Reagan
Document ID: 0.7.22207.29063 Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal)
From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Sent: Saturday, May13, 2017 3:23 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE: other media
Noted. AndI am.
Ken Dilanian NationalSecurityReporter, InvestigativeUnit
O:(202)885-5107 (b) (6) @KenDilanianNBC
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Saturday, May13, 2017 3:20 PM To: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Subj ct: Re: other media
No. Becauseitdidn'thappen. Ihavehisscheduleforeverydaylastyearand spoketoallrelevantstaffand theAG backwhenthisrumororiginallysurfaced. Nothingtoit. Andbtwthisisn'ttheonlycrazyrumorthatwasrunning around--offolkswith supposedlyclassified meetingsand midnightrendezvous. SoI'd reallytakewhateveryou're hearingwith abiggrainofsalt. I'vebeen dealingwiththisformonths.
On May13, 2017, at3:17PM, Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal)
Sarah, I’m told othersareworkingonthisstory. Justwondering, doyou havean newlighttoshed? Again, whatI amhearingisthattheFBIpossessesclassified evidencethatDonaldTrump, JeffSessions andJaredKushnermetsecretlywith theRussian ambassadorin Washington lastSpring, analleged meetingthathasbecomeafocusofboth thefederalandCongressionalinvestigations.
Ken Dilanian NationalSecurityReporter, InvestigativeUnit
Document ID: 0.7.22207.29134 Carrie Johnson
From: Carrie Johnson Sent: Sunday, May14, 2017 12:11 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA); Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: FBI director interviews
Hi there I'm bac(b) (6) and on morning edition before sunrise Monday. Justwanted to checkin to see whether there BI are director additional interviews F todayand a whether decision maybe likelybyF riday. Can you characterize arole howbig AGSessions is playinghere? Finally-I thinkyou all have denied the Comey-Rosenstein "resources" conversation and have suggested Rosenstein's unease with some explanations pinning the firing on him but wanted to checkmy understanding is accurate. Thanks Carrie Johnson Cjohnson2@npr.org (b) (6) cell
Sentfrom myiPhone
Document ID: 0.7.22207.29694 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Sunday, May14, 20174:51PM To: Herridge, Catherine Cc: Prior, Ian(OPA);Navas, Nicole(OPA) Subject: Re:Special Reporttonight--Query
Correct. 8yesterday. Noupdatestoday.
OnMay14, 2017, at4:47PM, Herridge, Catherine< [email protected]>wrote:
Confirming8interviewed. Aretheinterviewsongoing. Thankyouforresponding.
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)mailto:[email protected] [ ] S nt: Sunday, May14, 2017 4:43 PM To: Herridge, Catherine Cc: Prior, Ian(OPA); Navas, Nicole (OPA) Subj ct: Re: Special Reportton ight Query
Wedon'thaveanyupdatestoday.
OnMay14,2017,at4:18PM,H erridge,Catherine< [email protected] >wrote:
WearedoingaspecialeditionofSpecialReport,andhadaquestionaboutwherethings stand. Letmeknowwhoisondeck,andcouldtakeacallbefore530?
Thanksforthehelp/consideration.
Thismessageanditsattachmentsmaycontainlegallyprivilegedorconfidential information.Itisintendedsolelyforthenamedaddressee.Ifyouarenottheaddressee indicatedinthismessage(orresponsiblefordeliveryofthemessagetotheaddressee), youmaynotcopyordeliverthismessageoritsattachmentstoanyone.Rather,you shouldpermanentlydeletethismessageanditsattachmentsandkindlynotifythe senderbyreplye-mail.A nycontentofthismessageanditsattachmentsthatdoesnot relatetotheofficialbusinessofFoxNewsorFoxBusinessmustnotbetakentohave beensentorendorsedbyeitherofthem.Norepresentationismadethatthisemailor itsattachmentsarewithoutdefect.
Document ID: 0.7.22207.29707 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)
From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 10:12 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: FBI interviewees
Adding Ian on the names from Saturday.
Beyond that, no updates s poi at thi nt.
*** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6)
From: [email protected] [mailto:juli a.ai [email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 10:07 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected]> HiSarah, Thanks forhelpingmycolleagues overtheweekend. I’m backfrom areportingtri p and jumpi ngi n on thisfullti me now. We know that Judge Henry Hudson, FBI special agent Adam Lee,a, FBIJudge acti Michael rector Garci Andrew ng di McCabe, Senator John Cornyn and former Assistant Attorney sher General have Alice all Fi i ewed. ntervi But I’m also aware that at least four othersntervi have i ewed and there are more scheduled. Could you update me on who else has interviewed sos scheduled far? And to who i iew today nterviand i ng n comi days? And is there a different nteri pool fordates i m vs. candi permanent dates candi who wi ll be sent to the Senate for confirmati on? Thank you, Julia Julia Edwards Ainsley ReutersNews Thomson Reuters Mobil (b) (6) [email protected] Reuters.com Document ID: 0.7.22207.76161 Prior, Ian (OPA) From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Monday, May15, 2017 11:02 AM To: Carrie Johnson; Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE: FBI Readout Noupdatesrightnow Ian D. Prior Principal DeputyDirector ofPublic Affairs Office: 202.616.0911 Cel(b) (6) From: CarrieJohnson mailto:[email protected]] [ Sent: Monday, May15, 201710:57AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Hithere - AnydateyetforDAGRosenstein briefingtotheSenate?Anytopics? - Anyreadoutofstatusofsearch fornewFBI Director?Moreinterviewstoday?Potusstatementthatpick could comebyFridaystill seem operative? - THANKYOU - CarrieJohnson - [email protected] - (b) (6) cell Document ID: 0.7.22207.30158 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 1:11 PM To: Tucker, Eric; Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: Seeking clarity on the process Nothingadditional *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Tucker, Eric[mailto:etuc [email protected]] Sent: M onday, May15, 2017 1:08PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA) Whatabouton someofthosequestions, though?Someofthatisjustseekingclarityversus adescription oftheshort list. From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Monday, M ay15, 20171:08PM To: Tucker,Eric; Prior,Ian(OPA) Subj ct: RE: Seekingclarityontheprocess No updates atthispoint *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Tucker, Eric[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: M onday, May15, 2017 11:53 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA) Higuys, is eitherofyou around todayfora kc quicall abouttheinterviewproc ess?We’retryingtogetsomebetter visibilityinto theproc ess. _Willtheotherpeoplewhosenames werementioned on Fridayalso beinterviewed, oriftheywerenotinterviewed on Saturday, arethey no longerconsidered andidates?I’mc thinkingofRayKellyandLarryThompson, amongothers. Basically, wewentfrom 12 possiblecandidates on Fridayto 8interviews on Saturday, and thoseliststly didn’texac match up. Justtryingto geta senseofhowexhaustivethelists are. _Is therestill a plan to appointan interimtor, oris direc thatno longerthethinking? _Who elsebesides theAG and theDAGis in theroom duringtheinterviews? Document ID: 0.7.22207.30177 _Whatstageoftheproc ess arewein?Aresec ond-roundinterviews beingdonetodayorthis week? _Whatis theroleoftheAGand theDAGin thisess proc given thatit’s ultimatelythepresident’s c all?Aretheymaking a recommendation, oris itsomethingmoreaggressiveormorepassive? I’m (b)a (6) fora veryquic kphonec allto run through someofthis ess-stuffon proc bac kground. Thanks alot, Eric Document ID: 0.7.22207.30177 Wilber, Del From: Wilber, Del Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 3:07 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: you warn me against thank you On Mon, May 15, 2017 at 3:04 PM, Flores, [email protected] Sarah Isgur (OPA) <> wrote: I have no information on this *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Wilber, Del [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 3:02 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur < (OPA)[email protected] > Subject: you warn me against reporting that the short list is rogers, cornyn and garcia? That's what I'm hearing. -- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU O: (202) 862.6624 | M (b) (6) DOJ: (202) 216-0860 E: [email protected] | T: @delwilber A: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 800 | Washington, D.C. 20036 Document ID: 0.7.22207.30393 A Good Month for Murder 1 ____Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination _ of Ronald Reagan -- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU O: (202) 862.6624 (b) | (6) DOJ: 202) ( 216-0860 E: [email protected] | T: @delwilber A: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 800 | Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month for Murder Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan Document ID: 0.7.22207.30393 Prior,Ian(OPA) Subject: Brown Bag Lunch w/OPAand DOJ Reporters Location: DOJ Andretta Room -1stFloor Start: TuesdayMay, 16, 20172:00PM End: TuesdayMay, 16, 20172:30PM ShowTimeAs: Tentativelyaccepted Recurrence: (none) MeetingStatus: Noty et responsed Organizer: Prior, Ian (OPA) RequiredAttendees: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Hornbuckle, n Wy(OPA); Horwitz, Sari; ZapotoskyMatt;, Wilber, Del; Viswanatha, Aruna; Ruiz, Rebecca; Josh Gerstein; Woodruff, Betsy; Andrea Noble; Chris Strohm; [email protected]; Levine, Mike; Jarrett, Laura; Reid, Paula; Tucker, Eric; Gurman, Sadie; Kevin; Johnson, [email protected]; RyReillyan Tobediscussed rulesre:hardpassholdersgoingforward. Thx! Document ID: 0.7.22207.37278 Tucker, Eric From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 7:01 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA); Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE: Brown Bag Lunch w/ OPA and DOJ Reporters Sorry guys, l I’ lunfortunately be out of town. But otherwise I’d be there. Original Appointment From: Prior, Ian (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] S nt: M onday, M ay 15, 2017 4:38 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA); Horwitz, Sari; Zapotosky, att; M Wilber, Del; Viswanatha, Aruna; Ruiz, Rebecca; JoshGerstein; Woodruff, AndreaBetsy; Chris Noble; [email protected], Strohm; ; M ike; Jarrett, Laura; Reid, Paula; Tucker, Eric; Gurman, Sadie; Johnson, [email protected] Kevin; ; Ryan Reilly Subj ct: Brown Bag Lunch w/ OPA and DOJ Reporters Wh n: Tuesday, M ay 16, 2017 2:00 PM 2:30 PM (UTC 05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada). Wh r DOJ: Andretta Room 1st Floor To be discussed es rulre: hard passders holgoing forward. Thx! Document ID: 0.7.22207.30434 Carrie Johnson From: Carrie Johnson Sent: Tuesday, May16, 20175:59 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Comey Is doj puttingoutstatementon nytComeyreport?Did Comeytell doj leadership or anyone else in doj before this storyabouttrump's ed alleg remarks? Carrie (b) (6) Sentfrom myiPhone Document ID: 0.7.22207.30573 Flores,Sarah Isgur(OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May16, 2017 6:40 PM To: Zapotosky, Matt Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: Justice aware ofthis? Decline On May16, 2017, at6:13PM, apotosky, Z Matt< [email protected]> wrote: HeySarah andIan I’m sureyou’regettingbombedwithinquiriesaboutthis, butwantedtosendyou myown. WasJusticeawareofthisrequestthattheTimeshasreported, ofthepresidentaskingJimComeyto shutdown theFlynn investigation? https://t.co/7nlT6gaY1G Ifso, can you talkaboutwhat, ifanything, you did aboutit? Manythanks, MattZapotosky | TheWashington Post (b) (6) (cell) (202)334-5873(office) Document ID: 0.7.22207.30575 Acosta, Jim From: Acosta, Jim Sent: Tuesday, May16, 2017 8:15 PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Subject: Re: Cornyn withdraws? oh goodness.. gotcha From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Notsure wh atyou mean. Butthdecline e tocommentisgoing tobe operative h ere for wha ile yet. On May16, 2017, at7:02 PM, Acosta,[email protected] Jim < >wrote: What's Sessions doing regarding this? From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Declinetocomment *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Acosta, Jim[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, May16, 20175:26PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) [email protected] < > Subject: Re:Cornyn withdraws? Isth isreportaccurate in NYTaboutComey memo regardingPOTUSrequesttoendFlynn investigation? From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) I Don't have anything on this On May16, 2017, 42 at1: PM, Acosta, [email protected] Jim < > wrote: Document ID: 0.7.22207.30614 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20178:54AM To: Horwitz, Sari Bcc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: Today No. Todayisn'tgood. And I thinkmore time tocool offwould be helpful atthispoint. Also--and apologiesifI haven'tmentioned thisbefore--buteither textor email when you need me. Doing both justclog myinbox. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director ofPublic Affairs (b) (6) -----Original Message----- From: Horwitz, Sarimailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20178:28AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur [email protected]> (OPA) < Subject: Today Can I please meetwithyou for a couple minutes today? Sari Sentfrom myiPhone Document ID: 0.7.22207.30621 Tucker, Eric From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 12:16 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Cc: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: Mueller atWH? Can you give a better sense oftiming?Optimistic thatit'll be done this week? Sentfrom myiPhone >On May17, 2017, at12:14PM, Prior, [email protected]> Ian (OPA) < wrote: > >Eric, > >We're justnotgoing to commenton whether he is a newadd to the list. > >Ian D. Prior >Principal DeputyDirector ofPublic Affairs >Office: 202.616.0911 (b) (6) >Cel > > >-----Original Message----- >F rom: Tucker, Ericmailto:[email protected] [ ] >Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 12:05 PM >To: Prior, Ian (OPA)[email protected]> < >Cc: lores, F Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected]> < >Subject: Re: Mueller atWH? > >I'm sorry, totallynottrying to be a pestbutcan you please explain more?On Saturdaythere was a listof candidates distributed to us. Is Mueller a newadd or not. Ifyou're going to decline comment, I thinkit's onlyfair toexplain why, please. > >Sentfrom myiPhone > >> On May17, 2017, at10:30AM, Prior, [email protected]> Ian (OPA) < wrote: >> >> HeyEric, >> >> Decline comment. >> >> Thx >> >> Ian D. Prior >> Principal DeputyDirector ofPublic Affairs >> Office: 202.616.0911 >> Cell: 202.532.3954 >> >> -----Original Message----- Document ID: 0.7.22207.30630 >> From: Tucker, Ericmailto:[email protected] [ ] >> Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 10:25 AM >> To: lores, F Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected]>; < Prior, Ian (OPA) [email protected]> < >> Subject: Mueller atWH? >> >> Hi guys, BobMueller has been spotted todayatthe White House. Is he BIunder consideration for the F director job?Is he one ofthe candidates?Thanks a lot. >> >> Eric >> >> >> Sentfrom myiPhone >> >> > > Document ID: 0.7.22207.30630 Wilber, Del From: Wilber, Del Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 5:01 PM To: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subject: Re: Meeting at 5:30 p.m TODAY What's the topic? On Wed, May 17, 2017 at 4:57 PM, Hornbuckle, [email protected] Wyn (OPA)< > wrote: Sarah would like to meet with all of you that are available at 5:30 p.m. in the Andretta room today. Please make an effort to attend. -----Original Appointment----- From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 4:39 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA); Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA); Horwitz, Sari; Zapotosky, Matt; Wilber, Del; Viswanatha, Aruna; Ruiz, Rebecca; Josh Gerstein; Woodruff, Betsy; Andrea Noble; Chris Strohm; [email protected] ; Levine, Mike; Jarrett, Laura; Reid, Paula; Tucker, Eric; Gurman, Sadie; Johnson, Kevin; [email protected] ; Ryan Reilly Subject: Brown Bag Lunch w/ OPA and DOJ Reporters When: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 2:00 PM-2:30 PM (UTC-05:00)Eastern Time (US & Canada). Where: DOJ Andretta Room -1st Floor To be discussed – rules re: hard pass holders going forward. Thx! -- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU O: (202)862.6624 |(b) M (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 800 | Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month for Murder Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan Document ID: 0.7.22207.51368 Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) From: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 5:01 PM To: Reid, Paula; Prior, Ian (OPA); Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Horwitz, Sari; Zapotosky, Matt; Wilber, Del; Viswanatha, Aruna; Ruiz, Rebecca; Josh Gerstein; Woodruff, Betsy; Andrea Noble; Chris Strohm; [email protected]; Levine, Mike; Jarrett, Laura; Tucker, Eric; Gurman, Sadie; Johnson, Kevin; [email protected]; Ryan Reilly Cc: Creighton, Kelly M (OPA) Subject: RE: Meeting at 5:30 p.m TODAY I am told you need to mportantbe there. It’s i From: Reid, Paula lto:Rei[mai [email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 4:59 PM To: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) There s i a lot of newsn g happenitoday- i s c?there Wi a s topibe followi ll thi ng-up onon? yesterday’s conversati From: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) mai lto:[email protected][ ] Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 4:57 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Ian.Pri Viswanatha, Aruna; z, RuiRebecca; Josh n;Gerstei Woodruff, Betsy; Andrea Noble;s Strohm; Chri [email protected] ; Levine, Mike; Jarrett, Laura; d, ReiPaula; Tucker, c; Gurman,Eri Sadi e; Johnson,n; Kevi Document ID: 0.7.22207.30815 Acosta, Jim From: Acosta, Jim Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20175:27PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Subject: is Sessions here atWH? confirmable? Document ID: 0.7.22207.30817 [email protected] From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 5:31 PM To: Williams, Pete (NBCUniversal) Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: 5:30 conf call? I'll putyou on my phone On May 17, 2017, at5:28 PM, Williams,e (NBCUniversal) Pet pet [email protected]< > wrote: Is herea t DOJphonebriefingforreport ers? Iheard aboutfrom it someoneelsebuthadn’tseen anythingon ,t ithanks. Document ID: 0.7.22207.37308 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20176:02 PM To: Carrie Johnson; Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: Special counsel confirm *** SarahIsgurFlores DirectorofPublic Affairs (b) (6) -----Original Message----- From: arrie C Johnson[mailto:C [email protected] ] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20176:02PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Seeking toconfirm Carrie (b) (6) Sentfrom myiPhone Document ID: 0.7.22207.30831 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 6:05PM To: [email protected] Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: special prosecutor confirm *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: [email protected][mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20175:48PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) HiSarah andIan, Can you pleaseconfirmthatDOJ willbeappointingaspecialprosecutortoday? Thankyou, Julia From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Monday, M ay15, 201710:12AM To: Ainsley,JuliaE. (ReutersNews) Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subj ct: RE: FBIinterviewees AddingIan on thenamesfromSaturday. Beyond that, noupdatesatthispoint. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May15,201710:07AM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) HiSarah, Thanksforhelpingmycolleaguesovertheweekend. I’m backfromareportingtripandjumpingin onthisfulltime now. Document ID: 0.7.22207.30840 WeknowthatJudgeHenryHudson, FBI specialagentAdamLee, JudgeMichaelGarcia, FBI actingdirectorAndrew McCabe, SenatorJohn Cornyn andformerAssistantAttorneyGeneralAliceFisherhaveallinterviewed. ButI’m also awarethatatleastfourothershaveinterviewed andtherearemorescheduled. Couldyou updatemeonwhoelsehasinterviewed sofar?And whoisscheduled tointerviewtodayandin coming days?Andisthereadifferentpoolforinterimcandidatesvs. permanentcandidateswhowillbesenttotheSenatefor confirmation? Thankyou, Julia Julia Edwards Ainsley ReutersNews Thomson Reuters Mobil (b) (6) [email protected] Reuters.com Document ID: 0.7.22207.30840 Carrie Johnson From: Carrie Johnson Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 6:08PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA); lores, F Sarah Isgur (OPA); Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subject: I need statementfrom rod Sentfrom myiPhone Document ID: 0.7.22207.30845 Acosta, Jim From: Acosta, Jim Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 6:14 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Was WH given heads up on Mueller? Sent from my iPhone Document ID: 0.7.22207.30848 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 6:50 PM To: Horwitz, Sari; Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: Special Counsel Anything related toMueller is a question for Mueller *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director ofPublic Affairs (b) (6) -----Original Message----- From: Horwitz, Sarimailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20176:44PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA)[email protected]> < Cc: Flores, Sarah Isgur [email protected]> (OPA) < Subject: Special Counsel Ian, The question has come uphere aboutwhether Mueller should recuse himselfon anything regarding Manafort. We understand thathe has resigned from hislawfirm, Wilmer Hale. ButWilmer Hale represented Manafortand some sayhe should recuse himselfbecause ofanypossible involvementwith thatcase. Thanks, Sari Sentfrom myiPad Document ID: 0.7.22207.31019 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 6:58 PM To: Tucker, Eric Subject: RE: The mandate ofthe special counsel You havethelanguagein theorder. That’sallI canreallysayonthat. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Tucker, Eric[mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20176:42PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Sarah doyou knowhowfarthiscouldgo?Itsays“anymattersthataroseormayarisedirectlyfromthe investigation.”ThatpresumablywouldincludethecircumstancesofComey’sfiringand thememothatComeywrote abouthisFebruaryencounter?Thanks. Document ID: 0.7.22207.31028 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Wednesday,May17, 20177:14PM To: Horwitz, Sari;Prior, Ian(OPA) Subject: RE:Special Counsel Youhavethelanguageintheorder. That'sall Icanreallysayonthat. *** SarahIsgurFlores DirectorofPublicAffairs (b) (6) -----Original Message----- From:Horwitz, Sari mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent:Wednesday, May17, 20176:50PM To:Prior, Ian(OPA) [email protected]> < Cc:Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) [email protected]> < Subject:FW:Special Counsel Also, IsMuellertaskedwithinvestigatingtheleaksrelatedtotheRussia probe? -----Original Message----- From:Horwitz, Sari Sent:Wednesday, May17, 20176:44PM To:IanPrior Document ID: 0.7.22207.31032 Barrett, Devlin From: Barrett, Devlin Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 7:23 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE: does the special counsel investigation include leaks, or should we thinkofthatas separate/staying in DoJ proper? Imean, I’mrootingforfun?Butalso, kinda, youknow, goodluckwiththat? From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)[mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20177:18PM To: Barrett, Devlin IHAVETOMAKETHISJOBFUN ;) *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Barrett, Devlin mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20177:15PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]> Subject: RE:doesthespecialcounselinvestigationincludeleaks, orshould wethinkofthatasseparate/stayingin DoJ proper? You’retryingtomakememakeaForrestGumpjoke. Notcool, Sarah, notcool. From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:Sarah.Isgur.Flores@u sdoj.gov ] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20176:57PM To: Barrett, Devlin [email protected] < > Subject: RE:doesthespecialcounselinvestigationincludeleaks, orshould wethinkofthatasseparate/stayingin DoJ proper? Youhavethelanguagein theorder. That’sallI canreallysayonthat. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Barrett, Devlin mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20176:48PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]> Subject: doesthespecialcounselinvestigation includeleaks, orshould wethinkofthatasseparate/stayingin DoJ proper? Document ID: 0.7.22207.31038 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20178:00PM To: Barrett, Devlin Subject: RE: sorry, anotherone -doyou knowwhere thisMuellerstatementis? Idon’t! *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Barrett,Devlin[mailto:Devlin.B [email protected] ] Sent: Wednesday,May17,20177:54PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Doyouhaveacopy? Document ID: 0.7.22207.31045 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 9:00 PM To: Acosta, Jim Subject: RE: was Sessions over here earlier this evening c when down? the news ame Deepbac kground--yes *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Ac osta, Jim mailto:Jim.Ac [ [email protected] om] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 8:59 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA) Document ID: 0.7.22207.31164 Savage, Charlie From: Savage,Charlie Sent: Wednesday,May17,20179:12PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subject: Re:lawquestion RethequestionIsentbytextbtwonceIsawtheletterIsawheexplicitlysaystheregapplies,sohe'snot delegatinganyextraauthoritylikeFitzgeraldhad,sothatqanswered. ______ CharlieSavage TheNewYorkTimes Phone:202-862-0317 Cel(b) (6) OnWed,May17,2017at9:08PM,Savage,Charlie< [email protected]>wrote: Thenerdinmewouldstill lovetoseethatemail.thelongerthebetter.Mmmm. Bythewayalongthoselinesbutshorter,acrimlawprofessorthinksit'snottruethattheregletstheAG overridespecial counsel decisions.ShethinksitjustletstheAGcomplaintoCongressthathedisagreed withaspecialcounsel decision,butthedecisiongoesforwardunlesstheAGfiresthespecialcounselover it.Butothersarereadingitasanoverridepowerthatdoesn'trequirethedrasticstepoffiring.It's probablyneverbeentested,butdoesDOJhaveadefinitiveinterpretationofwhatthismean? (b) The Special Counsel shall not be subject to the day-to-day supervision of any official ofthe Department. However, A the ttorney General may request that the Special Counsel provide an explanation for any investigative or prosecutorial step, and may after review conclude that the action is so inappropriate or unwarranted under established Departmental practices should that it not be pursued. In conducting that review, ttorneythe A General will give great weight to the views of the Special Counsel. IftheA ttorney General concludes that aproposed action by a Special Counsel should not be pursued, A the ttorney General shall notify Congress as specified in§ 600.9(a)(3). ______ CharlieSavage TheNewYorkTimes Phone: 202-862-0317 Document ID: 0.7.22207.31188 Ce(b) (6) OnWed,May17,2017at8:57PM,Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]>wrote: BtwIhadthisamazinglongemailthatIwasabouttohitsendonthisafternoononallofthis….ha . *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Savage,Charlie[mailto: [email protected]] Sent: Wednesday,May17,20172:42PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA) Ihaveaspecialprosecutorquestionthatisaboutthelaw,notthepolicy.Iwaswonderingifsomeoneat OLCorifsomeoneintheDAG'sofficehasalreadybeenlookingatthis,ifthereisananswertoitand you'dbewillingtopassitontome,atleastonbackgroundplease. UndertheDOJregulationforspecialcounsels,thecounsel hastobeanonUSgovernmentemployeeand hisorherdecisionshavetobebriefedtotheattorneygeneral andcanbeoverridenbytheattorney general. However,thereisprecedentforappointingadifferentkindofspecial counsel bywaivingthose regulations.In2003/04,ComeywastheDAGandwasactingAGforthepurposeoftheValeriePlame leakinvestigationbecauseAshcroftwasrecused.HeappointedPatFitzgeraldtobespecialcounsel,even thoughFitzwasasittingUSattorney,andhedelegatedhisAGoversightpowerstoFitz,suchthatFitz didn'thavetobriefComeyaboutchargingdecisionsandwasn'toverruleablebyhim.TheGAOdecided thisarrangementwasokay. http://www.gao.gov/decisions/appro/302582.htm BackduringtheSallyYates/DanaBoentemoment,IremembertryingtogetmyhandsaroundVacancies ActissuesvizneedingsomeonewhowasSenateconfirmedtobeabletosignoffonwiretapapplications. Document ID: 0.7.22207.31188 TherewasacomplicatedinterplaybetweenwhattheVacanciesActsaidandaverydenseOLCmemo interpretingit.Basedonthat,hereismyquestion: Isitthecase,inDOJ'sview,thatifRosensteinweretodelegatehisAGoversightpowersasactingAGfor theRussiainvestigationtoahypotheticalspecialcounsel,tomakeonemoreindependenttheway Fitzgeraldwasmoreindependent,thehypotheticalspecial counselwouldhavetobeaSenate-confirmed DOJofficial?Ifthatisthecase,doesthatmeanthattoday,onlyDanaBoente(astheonlySenate - confirmedofficialinDOJotherthanSessionsandRosenstein)couldbethespecial counselandhe'dhave towaivetheregstoappointhimassuch? ______ CharlieSavage TheNewYorkTimes Phone: 202-862-0317 Ce(b) (6) Document ID: 0.7.22207.31188 Zapotosky, Matt From: Zapotosky, Matt Sent: Wednesday, May17, 2017 10:39 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: waiver ofethics rules? Sure. Sentfrom myiPhone On May17, 2017, at10:38PM, Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Sarah.Isgur.Flores@u < sdoj.gov > wrote: OkI've gotan answe(b) (6) .Can Igive youacall in abit? On May17, 2017, at8:44PM, Zapotosky, [email protected] Matt< >wrote: Well, ofcourse though obviouslythesoonerthebetter. From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:Sarah.Isgur.Flores@u sdoj.gov ] Sent: Wednesday, May17, 20178:35PM To: Zapotosky, Matt< [email protected]> Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) [email protected] < > Subject: Re:waiverofethicsrules? I don'tknow. Can Igetbacktoyou? OnMay17, 2017, at8:33PM, Zapotosky, [email protected] Matt< >wrote: HeySarah Theethicsrules atleastfrommysmartercolleagues’ reading seem to suggestMr. Muellerwou ld need a waivertohandlethecasebecauseofhis firm’sinvolvementin variousaspectsoftheRussiacase(Manafort, etc). His resignation, atleastaccordingtooneoftheseexamples, ldn’tbeenouwou gh. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/5/2635.502[law.cornell.edu] Hashegotten awaiverfromtheDAGorsomeoneelse? Thanks, Matt Zapotosky | TheWashington Post (b) (6) (cell) (202) 334-5873(office) Document ID: 0.7.22207.31197 [email protected] From: [email protected] Sent: Thursday,May18,20179:14A M To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA ) Subject: Re:Backgroundonspecial counsel appointment Okthankyou.SothiswasadecisionmadebyRosensteinalone? Sentfrom myiPhone OnMay18, 2017,at9:09A M,Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA< ) [email protected] > wrote: TheWHandA Gwereinformedofthedecisionaftertheorderwassignedandineffect. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday,May18,20178:54A M To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA< ) [email protected] > Subject: Backgroundonspecialcounselappointment HiSarah, Crazytimes,huh!Icanonlyimaginehowlittlesleepyou’regettingthisweek.IfIcouldpileononemore request,I’djustliketogetbackgroundonwhosedecisionitwastoappointaspecialcounsel?Wasthat allRosenstein?DidherunitbySessions?WastheWhiteHouseaware? I’vereachedouttotheWhiteHouseaswell,butIthinkyoumaybebettersituatedtorespond. Thankssomuch. Julia Julia Edwards Ainsley ReutersNews Thomson Reuters Mobil (b) (6) [email protected] Reuters.com Document ID: 0.7.22207.31224 Carrie Johnson From: Carrie Johnson Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2017 11:04 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Prior, Ian (OPA) Cc: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subject: Can someone call me I have a question about how things went down last night. Thanks (b) (6) Carrie Document ID: 0.7.22207.31227 Charlie Savage Subject: Invitation: Lunch withSarahFlores@Thu May25, 201712:30p-m 1:30p m (EDT) ([email protected]) Location: TBD Start: Thursday, May25, 201712:30PM End: Thursday, May25, 20171:30PM Show Time As: Tentativelyaccep ted Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Notyetresp onsed Organizer: Charlie Savage Required Attendees: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Attachments: invite.ics Lunch with Sarah Flores more details » When Thu May25, 201712:30pm –1:30pm EasternTime Where TBD( map) Videocall https://plus.google.com/hangouts//nytimes.com/sarah-isgur-flo Calendar [email protected] Who • CharlieSavage organizer • [email protected] Going? Yes - Maybe - No moreoptions » Invitationfrom GoogleCalendar Youarereceivingthiscourtesyemailattheaccountsarah.isgur.flores@usdoj.govbecauseyouareanattendeeofthisevent. Tostopreceivingfutureupdates forthis event, declinethisevent.AlternativelyyoucansignupforaGoogleaccountat https://www.google.com/calendar/andcontrolyournotificationsettings foryourentirecalendar. Forwardingthis invitationcouldallowanyrecipienttomodifyyourRSV Presponse. LearnMore . Document ID: 0.7.22207.37336 LunchwithSarahFlores TBD 20170525T163000Z CONFIRMED PRODID -//Google Inc//Google Calendar70.9054//EN Version 2.0 CALSCALE GREGORIAN METHOD REQUEST StartDate/Time 20170525T163000Z EndDate/Time 20170525T173000Z DTSTAMP 20170518T193040Z ORGANIZER (CN=Charlie Savage) mailto:[email protected] Attendee mailto:[email protected] Role REQ-PARTICIPANT RSVP TRUE Attendee mailto:[email protected] Role REQ-PARTICIPANT RSVP TRUE CREATED 20170518T193039Z Description This event has aGoogle Hangouts video call. Join: https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/nytimes.com/sarah-isgur - flo?hceid=c2F2YWdlQG55dGltZXMuY29t.lqi1qnsf2uvm8sa820h60gnlvo&hs=121 View your event at https://www.google.com/calendar/event?action=VIEW&eid=bHFpMXFuc2YydXZtOHNhODIwaDYwZ25sd m8gc2FyYWguaXNndXIuZmxvcmVzQHVzZG9qLmdvdg&tok=MTgjc2F2YWdlQG55dGltZXMuY29tNDNjN WM4M2RjNjRmNGQwYWJiNDBjM2U5MWEwMzNiOTdkMzc3YT E2YQ&ctz=America/New_York&hl=en. Document ID: 0.7.22207.37336-000001 LastModified 20170518T193039Z Location TBD SequenceN umber 0 Status CONFIRMED Summary Lunch withSarahFlores TimeTransparency OPAQUE Document ID: 0.7.22207.37336-000001 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2017 8:27 PM To: Carrie Johnson Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA); Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subject: RE: Mueller conflicts q Nope! Just oversight on a busy day. The reg covers thatal counselsspeci undergo appropriate background and COI checks. t, Asthose I readcome i after the appointment i s gned.si *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Carrie Johnson lto:[email protected]][mai Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2017 7:05 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected]> Are you guys trying to freeze me i out or ngjust that br illiant at on?leavi mpressi I saw the Wapo got an answer ketoday. one Wouldtoo. li Carrie Johnson Sent from Phonemy i Begin forwarded message: From: Carrie Johnson Hithere Lots of questions from li steners and torsedi about Mueller b leand confli possi ng cts. a I’mweb doistory to spell everything out from legalcs andethi government c s ethiperspecti ve. Can you say f whoanyone i at DOJ evaluateds work athi Wi lmerHale under csgovernment rules? ethi Perhaps t i was Deputy AG Rod n, orRosenstei perhaps it was Lee Lofthus. Just wanted to check on who at DOJ made that determination. I know s thineli was n youri news release ght: Speciallast“ ni Counsel Mueller has agreed to resign Document ID: 0.7.22207.31301 fromhis private law firmin orderto avoid any conflicts ofinterestwithfirmclients orattorneys.” Manythanks Carrie Johnson NPR [email protected] Document ID: 0.7.22207.31301 Del Wilber From: DelWilber Sent: Friday,May19,201710:40AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subject: Re:question Ohcool.Thankyou DelWilber (b) (6) (cell) 202-862-6624(w) Twitter:@delwilber AGoodMonthforMurder: http://amzn.to/22vNLu4 RawhideDown: http://amzn.to/29H1l8I OnMay19,2017,at10:40AM,Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]>wrote: We’llreleaseRR’sopeningstatementfromyesterdayandtodayatsomepointthisam *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Wilber,Del[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday,May19,201710:23AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA) Sotherewasneveraconcernthatheshouldrecusehimselfbecausethepresidentsaysitwasabout RussiaandRosenstein'scritiquewasaboutClinton? Anythingbrewingtoday? OnF ri, May19,2017at10:20AM, lores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< F [email protected]> wrote: TherecommendationtoremoveDirectorComeywasapersonneldecisionbasedonconcerns abouttheeffectivenessofhisleadershipassetforthintheAttorneyGeneral’sletter.The recommendationhadnothingtodowiththesubstanceofanyinvestigation. *** Document ID: 0.7.22207.31504 Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Wilber,Del[mailto: [email protected]] Sent: Friday,May19,20179:56AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA) So--thepresidentsaysRussiainvestigationplayedaroleinhisdecisiontofireComey RosensteinsayshewasunhappywithhowComeyhandledtheClintoninvestigation. Sessionswasrecusedfrombothmatters. WhywasitokayforhimtorecommendComey's termination?Ifthosearethetworeasonsbeingcited? -- DelQuentinWilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O: (202)862.6624 |M (b) (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A: 1025ConnecticutAve. NW,Suite800|Washington, D.C. 20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown: TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan -- DelQuentinWilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O: (202)862.6624|M (b) (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T: @delwilber A: 1025ConnecticutAve. NW, Suite800|Washington,D.C. 20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan Document ID: 0.7.22207.31504 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Friday,May19,201711:03AM To: Williams,Pete(NBCUniversal) Subject: RE:LatestfromourWhiteHousefolks,fyi Wellfuntimes *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: W illiams,Pete(NBCUniversal)[mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Friday,May19,201710:44AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) WHofficialsaysannouncementofFBInominee“appearsmuchmurkier,”meaninglesslikelytoday.Soundslikeare divisionsinternallyabouttryingtogetFBIannouncementoutbeforethetripandgettingapositiveheadline…and concernsaboutrushingit.So,wewait. Document ID: 0.7.22207.99708 Carrie Johnson From: CarrieJohnson Sent: Friday,May19,201711:04AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Subject: RE:Rosensteinstatement 104willbeonthelookoutthankyou From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Friday, May19, 2017 11:03 AM To: Carrie Johnson; Prior, Ian (OPA) Subj ct: RE: Rosenstein statement We’llsendoutshortlyafterhe’sdone butIdon’tthinkhe’sactuallyout *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: CarrieJohnson[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday,May19,201710:50AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA) Yousendingthatoutshortlysincehe’sdonebriefingHouse? Thanks CarrieJohnson Document ID: 0.7.22207.31643 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Friday, May 19, 2017 11:30 AM Cc: Prior, Ian(OPA); 'Hornbuckle, Wyn(OPA)'; O'Malley, Devin(OPA); Carr, Peter (OPA) Bcc: Reid, Paula; Horwitz, Sari; Zapotosky, Matt; Wilber, Del; Viswanatha, Aruna; Ruiz, Rebecca; Josh Gerstein; Woodruff, Betsy; Andrea Noble; Chris Strohm; [email protected]; Levine, Mike; Jarrett, Laura; Tucker, Eric; Gurman, Sadie; Johnson, Kevin; [email protected]; RyanReilly; Carrie Johnson; Zoe Tillman; Chris Geidner; Williams, Pete (NBCUniversal); Thomas, Pierre; Barrett, Devlin Subject: DAG open ing statementto Senate and House--noembargo BRIEFING FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ROD J. ROSENSTEIN WASHINGTON, DC MAY18 th and 19th , 2017 Good afternoon. I welcome he opportt y unito t discuss my he roleremoval in tofFBI Director James Comey, although I know you andunderst t I hatwill not discuss he t special counsel’s ongoingigat invest ion. Most important ly, I want t o emphasize my unshakeable m ent commit o prot t ing ectt he egrit int y ofevery federal criminal investigation. There never has been, and never willical be,int any polit t e erferencer under in any ma t my supervision in the Unitedat Stes mentDepart ice. ofJust * * * Before I discuss the eventsoft he past wo t weeks, t tI wan o provide some background aboutmy previous relationship wit h former Direct or Comey. I have known Jim Comey elysince 2002. approximat In 2005, when Mr. Comey wasy tADeput t orney General,icipat he part ing me ed t in select o serve as a U.S. At orney.t As a federal or,prosecut he was a role model. His leadershipspeeches aboutand public service inspired me. On July 5, 2016, orDirect Comey held his press conference heconcerning federal grandt jury investigat ion ofSecret ary Clinton’s emails. t h e A st t oft art he press heconference, Direct att hat or sted t he had “notcoordinat ed or reviewed his stementt at in any h wayt withe ment Depart ice…. ofJust They kdonow not whatI am about o say.” t Director Comey wenton o tdeclare t hat he would publicly disclose we “whatdid; whatwe found; and whatwe are recommending o t the Depart ment ofJust ice.” He proceeded o discloset det ailst abou he evidence; t assert t tha the American people “deserve” o know t det ails; hat declare t no “reasonable”or would prosecut file charges; and icizecrit Secret ary on.Clint I hought t t he July 5 press conference was profoundly wrongh the andDepart unfair ofJust boto t ment ice and Secretary Clint on. explicitIt ly usurped he rolet oftt he orneyA t General,he Deput t t orney y GeneralA t and the entire Department ofJust ice; it violat ed deeply engrained rulesradit and t guarant ions; and hat it eed t some people would accuse he FBIt ofint erfering hein electt ion. There are lawful and appropriate mechanisms t o deal h unusual wit ancescircumst in which public confidence inhe t rule oflaw may be jeopardized. Such mechanisms he t preserve ional balance t raditofpower between investigat ors and prosecutors, and prott ec t he sright ofcit izens. Document ID: 0.7.22207.31685 Director Comey t endeda t t he Maryland t orney’s U.S. OfficeA rainingt t seminar onober Oct 27, 2016, and gave a detailed explanation ofhis reasons for making at public s aboustementt t he conclusion he oft Secretary Clinton email investigat ion. ronglyI st disagreed h withis analysis, I butbelieve t hathe made his decisions in good h. fait The nextday, October 28, Mr. Comey his senttle t o er t the Congress haannouncingt t t he FBI was reopening the Clinton email investigat ion. He subsequently has said t hathe believed heed was t obligat o send the le t ter. I completely disagree. He again heusurped aut t y oft horit hement Depart ice, ofJustby sending he t le t ert over het object ion oft he Depart ment ofJust ice; flout ed rules and deeply radit engrained t ions; and guaranteed that some people would accusehe FBI t ofint erfering he inelect t ion. Before het Senat e Judiciary Commit ee on t May 3, 2017,or ComeyDirect tified estunder oat h hisabout public atstement s concerning he t Secret ary Clint on email invest igat ion. I ronglyst disagreedh his wit explanations, particularly his assertion that maintaining confidentialit y criminalabout invest ions igat tcons ites ut concealment. Nonet heless, I respected him personally. Former Department ofJust ice officials fromh politbot ical ies havepart crit icized orDirect Comey’s decisions. Itwas not just an isolat ed mist ake; he t series ofpublic at sstement about t he email invest igat ion, in my opinion, departed from het proper rolehe FBIoft Direct or and damaged public confidencehe Bureau in andhe t t Department . In one ofmy firstmeetings withen-Senat h t or JeffSessions wint last er, we hediscussed need fort new leadership t ahe t FBI. Among he concernst t hatI recall were o t rest ore het credibilit y oft he t heFBI, respec t established aut horit y heoft Depart ment ofJust ice, limit public stement at s and e eliminatleaks. On May 8, I learned thatPresident Trump int ended o removet orDirect Comey and soughtmy advice and input.Notwit andinghst my personal affect ion for orDirect Comey, I t houghtwas it appropriato e t seek a new leader. I wrotea briefmemorandum tot he orneytA Generalt summarizing my longstanding concerns about Director Comey’s public ementstat s concerning he Secrett ary onClint email invest igation. I chose he t issues t o include in my memorandum. Before finalizing the memorandum on May 9, I asked t a senior careerafft a torney . on my st o review it Thatat t orney is hicsan expertet who has heworked Office in oft t t y A he t Deput orney ipleGeneral during mult administions.rat He was familiar h t withe issues. I heinformed senior t t a t t ha orney t t he Presidentwas going to remove Director Comey, Ithat was writ ing a memorandum o t t the orney A Generalt summarizing my own concerns, and hat t I ed want t o confirm hat t hing everyt in my memorandum e.was He accurat concurred h withet points raised in my memorandum. I also asked several otherment careert orneys Depart t a he t o review t memorandum and provide s. edit My memorandum is notalegal brief; hese t are not issues oflaw. My memorandum is notafinding ofofficial misconducthe; t orInspect General will render his judgment about hat t issue in due course. My memorandum is atnota stement ofreasons t o ify just a for-cause erminat t ion. My memorandum is notasurvey ofFBI morale or performance. My memorandum is nota press release. Document ID: 0.7.22207.31685 Itis a candid ernalint memorandum about he FBI t Direct or’s public at stement s concerning a high-profile criminal investigat ion. I sentmy signed memorandum o t thet orney A Generalt er aft noon on Tuesday, May 9. I wrote it. I believe . I st it and . by it * * * Finally, I t wano address t t he media ha t claims t t he FBIional asked resources for addithefor t investigat ion ofRussian erferenceint in t he 2016 ialpresident elect ion. awareI am notofany such . request Moreover, I consulted my staffand Acting FBI Direct or Andrew McCabe, and hem none recalls oft such a request. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 Document ID: 0.7.22207.31685 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Friday, May19, 2017 11:42 AM To: Tucker, Eric Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA); Carr, Peter (OPA); Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subject: RE: DAG opening statementtoSenate and House--noembargo Yes *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Tucker,Eric[mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday,May19,201711:40AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Thanks.Alsotoclarify:isthisastatementthathereadtothemembersattheoutsetofhisappearances? From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)mailto:[email protected] [ ] S nt: Friday, May19, 2017 11:39 AM To: Tucker, Eric Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA); Carr, Peter (OPA); Hornbuckle,n Wy(OPA) Subj ct: RE: DAG opening statementto Senate and House no embargo Thatinformationispublicbasedonthisfiling: https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/JqNrBdfner3KcM? domainpolitico.com *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Tucker,Eric[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday,May19,201711:32AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]> Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) [email protected] < >;Carr,Peter(OPA) [email protected] < >;Hornbuckle, Wyn(OPA) Isthisamisstatementre:“thefederalgrandjuryinvestigation”oftheClintonemailcase,ordidhemeantousethis language? Document ID: 0.7.22207.8665 From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)mailto:[email protected] [ ] S nt: Friday, May19, 2017 11:30 AM Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA); Hornbuckle, n Wy(OPA); , O'MalleyDevin (OPA); Carr, Peter (OPA) Subj ct: DAG opening statementto Senate and House no embargo Duplicative Material (Document ID: 0.7.22207.31685) Document ID: 0.7.22207.8665 Nakashima, Ellen From: Nakashima, Ellen Sent: Friday, May 19, 2017 11:54 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE: DAG statement Thanks, Sarah From: Flores, Sarah Isgur(OPA) [mailto:[email protected] ov] Sent: Friday, May 19, 2017 11:53 AM To: Nakashima, Ellen BRIEFING FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ROD J. ROSENSTEIN WASHINGTON, DC MAY18 th and 19th , 2017 Good afternoon. I welcome he opportt y unito t discuss my he roleremoval in tofFBI Director James Comey, houghalt I know you andunderst t I hatwill not discuss he t special counsel’s ongoingigat invest ion. Most important ly, I want t o emphasize my unshakeable m ent commit o proting t t ect egrit he int y ofevery federal criminal investigation. There never has been, and never willical be,int any polit t e erferencer under in any ma t my supervision in the Unitedat Stes mentDepart ice. ofJust * * * Before I discuss the eventsoft he past wo t weeks, t tI wan o provide some background aboutmy previous relationship wit h former Direct or Comey. I have known Jim Comey elysince 2002. approximat In 2005, when Mr. Comey wasy tADeput t orney General,icipat he part ing me ed t in select o serve as a U.S. At orney.t As a federal or,prosecut he was a role model. His leadershipspeeches aboutand public service inspired me. On July 5, 2016, orDirect Comey held his press conference heconcerning federal grandt jury investigat ion ofSecret ary Clinton’s emails. t h e A st t oft art he press heconference, Direct att hat or sted t he had “notcoordinat ed or reviewed his stementt at in any h wayt withe ment Depart ice…. ofJust They kdonow not whatI am about o say.” t Director Comey wenton o tdeclare t hat he would publicly disclose we “whatdid; whatwe found; and whatwe are recommending o t the Depart ment ofJust ice.” He proceeded o discloset det ailst abou he evidence; t assert t tha the American people “deserve” o know t det ails; hat declare t no “reasonable”or would prosecut file charges; and icizecrit Secret ary on.Clint I hought t t he July 5 press conference was profoundly wrongh the and Depart unfair ofJust boto t ment ice and Secretary Clint on. explicitIt ly usurped he rolet oftt he orneyA t General,he Deput t t orney y GeneralA t and the entire Department ofJust ice; it violat ed deeply engrained rulesradit and t guarant ions; and hat it eed t some people would accuse he FBIt ofint erfering hein electt ion. There are lawful and appropriate mechanisms t o deal h unusual wit ancescircumst in which public confidence inhe t rule oflaw may be jeopardized. Such mechanisms he t preserve ional balancet radit ofpower Document ID: 0.7.22207.31799 between investigat ors and prosecutors, and prott ec t he sright ofcit izens. Director Comey t endeda t t he Maryland t orney’s U.S. OfficeA rainingt t seminar onober Oct 27, 2016, and gave a detailed explanation ofhis reasons for making at public s aboustementt t he conclusion he oft Secretary Clinton email investigat ion. ronglyI st disagreed h withis analysis, I butbelieve t hathe made his decisions in good h. fait The nextday, October 28, Mr. Comey his senttle t o er t the Congress haannouncingt t t he FBI was reopening the Clinton email investigat ion. He subsequently has said t hathe believed he ed was t obligat o send the le t ter. I completely disagree. He again heusurped aut t y oft horit hement Depart ice, ofJustby sending he t le t ert over het object ion oft he Depart ment ofJust ice; flout ed rules and deeply radit engrained t ions; and guaranteed that some people would accusehe FBI t ofint erfering he inelect t ion. Before het Senat e Judiciary Commit ee on t May 3, 2017,or ComeyDirect tified estunder oat h hisabout public atstement s concerning he t Secret ary Clint on email invest igat ion. I ronglyst disagreed h his wit explanations, particularly his assertion that maintaining confidentialit y criminalabout invest ions igat tcons ites ut concealment. Nonet heless, I respected him personally. Former Department ofJust ice officials fromh politbot ical ies havepart crit icized orDirect Comey’s decisions. Itwas not just an isolat ed mist ake; he t series ofpublic at sstement about t he email invest igat ion, in my opinion, departed from het proper rolehe FBIoft Direct or and damaged public confidencehe Bureau in andhe t t Department . In one ofmy firstmeetings withen-Senat h t or JeffSessions wint last er, we hediscussed need fort new leadership t ahe t FBI. Among he concernst t hatI recall were o t rest ore het credibilit y oft he t heFBI, respec t established aut horit y heoft Depart ment ofJust ice, limit public stement at s and e eliminatleaks. On May 8, I learned thatPresident Trump int ended o removet orDirect Comey and soughtmy advice and input.Notwit andinghst my personal affect ion for orDirect Comey, I t houghtwas it appropriato e t seek a new leader. I wrotea briefmemorandum tot he orneytA Generalt summarizing my longstanding concerns about Director Comey’s public ementstat s concerning he Secrett ary onClint email invest igation. I chose he t issues t o include in my memorandum. Before finalizing the memorandum on May 9, I asked t a senior careerafft a torney . on my st o review it Thatat t orney is hicsan expertet who has heworked Office in oft t t y A he t Deput orney ipleGeneral during mult administions.rat He was familiar h t withe issues. I heinformed senior t t a t t ha orney t t he Presidentwas going to remove Director Comey, Ithat was writ ing a memorandum o t t the orney A Generalt summarizing my own concerns, and hat t I edwant t o confirm hat t hing everyt in my memorandum e.was He accurat concurred h withet points raised in my memorandum. I also asked several otherment careert orneys Depart t a he t o review t memorandum and provide s. edit My memorandum is notalegal brief; hese t are not issues oflaw. My memorandum is notafinding ofofficial misconducthe; t orInspect General will render his judgment about hat t issue in due course. My memorandum is atnota stement ofreasons t o ify just a for-cause erminat t ion. My memorandum is notasurvey ofFBI morale or performance. My memorandum is nota press release. Document ID: 0.7.22207.31799 Itis a candid ernalint memorandum about he FBI t Direct or’s public at stement s concerning a high-profile criminal investigat ion. I sentmy signed memorandum o t thet orney A Generalt er aft noon on Tuesday, May 9. I wrote it. I believe . I st it and . by it * * * Finally, I t wano address t t he media ha t claims t t he FBIional asked resources for addithefor t investigat ion ofRussian erferenceint in t he 2016 ialpresident elect ion. awareI am notofany such . request Moreover, I consulted my staffand Acting FBI Direct or Andrew McCabe, and hem none recalls oft such a request. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Nakashima, Ellen mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Friday, May 19, 2017 11:51 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [email protected]< ov> Subject: DAG statement Hey Sarah, Can you send me the DAG statement? Thanks, Ellen Ellen Nakashima The Washington Post [email protected] 202 334 4419 (work) (b) (6) (mobile) @nakashimae Recent Articles: ht p://tt inyurl.com/ojxvdps[tinyurl.com] PGP: 505E 7824 D3E9 B459 15C4 52C6 6912 46E6 FDB0 6319 Document ID: 0.7.22207.31799 Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Sent: Friday, May 19, 2017 4:38PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: call me re mayflower hotel asap -- need a quote from you Great. Sorry, was not planning to go tonight. Ken Dilanian National Security Reporter NBC News (b) (6) On May 19, 2017, at 4:36 PM, Flores, Sarah [email protected] (OPA) < > wrote: I will have a statement. Give me a few minutes. On May 19, 2017, at 4:34 PM, Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) [email protected] < > wrote: Dont really have one. We may have to publish soon. Just asap. Ken Dilanian National Security Reporter NBC News (b) (6) On May 19, 2017, at 4:31 PM, Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Ok. What's your deadline? On May 19, 2017, at 4:11 PM, Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Ken Dilanian National Security Reporter, Investigative Unit Document ID: 0.7.22207.32155 Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Sent: Friday, May19, 2017 5:12 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: letters Attachments: 03-02-17 Franken Letter toAG Sessions.pdf; 3-20-17 Leahy-Franken toComeyre Russia.pdf TheLeahyFrankenlettertotheFBI citestheHuffPo acco unto ftheMayflo wermeeting. Sayshe“mayhavehad contact.” Tobeclear,thisis no tco nsistentwithwhatIhavebeen to ldtheevidencesuggests. ldthereis I’mto evidenceo faprivatemeeting. KenDilanian NationalSecurityRepo rter, InvestigativeUnit O:(202)885-5107 (b) (6) @KenDilanianNBC Document ID: 0.7.22207.32286 AL FRANKEN SUITE MINNESOTA SH-309 202-224-5641 tinitcd ~rates ~cnatc WASHINGTON, DC 2051 0-2309 March 2, 2017 The Honorable Jeff Sessions Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 Dear Attorney General Sessions: Reports indicate that you communicated with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak while serving as a prominent member of President Trump's campaign team-conversations you failed to disclose during your confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. 1 During that hearing, I asked you, "if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course ofthis campaign, what will you do?" You answered, "Senator Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians." We now know that statement not to be true, and if it is determined that you lied under oath to the Committee and the American people, it is your responsibility to resign. , The American people deserve a fuHand fair accounting of the facts . I therefore request that you respond by the end of Friday, Mar.ch 3, 2017, to the following two questions: 1. In the seven weeks following your confirmation hearing , why did you fail to clarify that you had indeed communicated on more than one occasion with the Russian Ambassador during the 2016 presidential campaign until the Washington Post exposed those interactions? 2. Describe in detail any and all communications between yourself and Russian officials and their associates during the presidential campaign of 2016, including but not limited to in person conversations, phone calls, meetings, and electronic communications. Also include any such communications between members of your staff, including your Senate staff and any staff that assisted you during the campaign, and Russian officials and their associates. The Washington Post has reported that you twice met with Russia's ambassador to the United States during the presidential campaign, meetings that were confirmed by Department of Justice 1 Adam Entous, Ellen Nakashima, & Greg MiUer, Sessions met with Russian envoy twice last year, encounters he later did not disclose, WASH. POST, Mar. 1, 20 17, available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national security/sessions-spoke-twice-with-russian-ambassador-during-trumps -presidential-campaign-justice-officials say/2017/ 03/0 l/77205eda-feac-l l e6-99b4-9e6 l 3afeb09f_ story. htm I. WWW.FRANKEN.SENATE.GOV Document ID: 0.7.22207.32286-000001 officials. 2 In response, you issued a statement explaining that you "never met with any Russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign," a claim made implausible by the circumstances in which each meeting took place . In July 2016, more than four months after endorsing then candidate Trump, you delivered remarks during the Republican National Convention at an event hosted by the Heritage Foundation. Following your speech, you were approached by a small group of ambassadors, including Ambassador Kislyak. The ambassador later pulled you aside and engaged you in private conversation. The notion that this conversation, which took place during your party's nominating convention, would not have touched upon issues related to the campaign strains credulity. On September 8, 2016, you met privately with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in your Senate office- a discussion your spokesperson characterized as a meeting taken in your capacity as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. However, despite ongoing public debate about Russia's involvement in the hacking of American political organizations, an issue of national importance and a topic widely discussed at the time of your meeting , a Justice Department official is quoted as saying "[t]here's just not strong recollection of what was said" during that exchange. However, a Justice Department spokesperson also claimed that the meeting was in no way related to the 2016 presidential election. The fact that these statements are at odds with one another only raises suspicion about the content of your conversations. Moreover, even if your private meeting with Ambassador Kislyak was conducted in your capacity as a member of the Armed Services Committee, I find it hard to believe that you would not have discussed Russia's efforts to interfere in the election. Russian interference in the most fundamental feature of our democracy is a ma_tter of national security, and the American people deserve to know the truth about what transpired and the extent to which associates of the Trump c;ampaign and Trump organization were involved. In order to get a full and fair accounting of the facts, the public must have confidence that the FBI's investigation into these matters is not just thorough, but impartial. However, the questions raised by your previously undisclosed communications with the Russian ambassador cast doubt upon the impartiality of those investigations . Furthermore, the Wall Street Journal has reported that investigators have examined contacts between you and Russian officia ls as "part of a wide ranging U.S. counterintelligence investigation into possible communications between members of Mr. Trump's campaign team and Russian operatives."3 Setting aside any political allegiances that might cloud your supervision of the probe , the public simply cannot have faith that a potential subject of the investigation would be capable of impartially overseeing the inquiry. In light of these revelations, I call upon you to recuse yourself from any and all investigations related to Russian interference in our elections, including investigations into contacts between the Russian government and associates of President Trump. In order to assure the American people that this matter will be resolved with integrity and impartiality, the Department of Justice 2 Department ofJustice official s have also confirmed that on September 13, 2016, you spoke with Russian Ambassador Kislyak by phone from your Senate office. See Howard Koplowitz, Jeff Sessions denies impropriety over Russian ambassador controversy, ALABAMA M EDIA, Mar . I, 201 7, available at http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017 /03/jeff_ sessions_ denies _improprie.html. 3 Carol E. Lee, Christopher S. Stewart, Rob Barry, & Shane Harris, Investigators Probed Jeff Sessions ' Contacts With Russian Officials, WALL ST. J., Mar. 2 , 20 17, available at https://www.wsj.com/articles/investigators-probed jeff-sessions-contacts-with-russian-officials- I 488424871. 2 Document ID: 0.7.22207.32286-000001 should appoint a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation. However, in recognition of the fact that the attorney general is responsible for appointing a special prosecutor, you must also recuse yourself from that responsibility. If it is determined that you lied to the Committee and the American people under oath during your confirmation hearing, it is incumbent upon you to resign from your position as attorney general. Sincerely, &·______... Al Franken United States Senator 3 Document ID: 0.7.22207.32286-000001 tlnitrd ~tatrs ~rnatr WASHINGTON, DC 20510 March 20, 2017 The Honorable James B. Corney, Jr. Director Federal Bureau of Investigation 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20535 Dear Director Corney: We are writing you in regards to Attorney General Jeff Sessions' representations to the Senate Judiciary Committee, both at his confirmation hearing and subsequent to it. In a written question after the hearing, Senator Leahy asked him: Several of the President-Elect's nominees or senior advisers have Russian ties. Have you been in contact with anyone connected to any part of the Russian government about the 2016 election, either before or after election day? Under oath, Attorney General Sessions responded with an unequivocal "No," and provided no further explanation. During his confirmation hearing on January 10, 2017, Senator Franken also asked him, "if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?" Rather than respond to the question asked, he instead testified that "[he has] been called a surrogate a time or two in that campaign and [he] did not have communications with the Russians." On March 1, 201 7, the Washington Post reported that Attorney General Sessions had at least two meetings with the Russian ambassador during the 2016 elections. 1 According to the report, then-Senator Sessions had a private meeting in 1 https:/ /www. wash ingtonpost. com/world/national-secmit v1scss io11s-spo~ e-tw icc-w it h-russ ian-a rn bassador-d uri ng trurnps-pres identia l-campai Qn-i ust ic~~~9Jfic ia ls-sav/20J7/QJ/DJD]2Jl_~\:Jlg:foac- I Ie6-99l?~-9e6 I Jafob09f story.htrn I Document ID: 0.7.22207.32286-000002 The Honorable James B. Corney, Jr. Page 2 of 3 March 20, 2017 his personal office with the Russian ambassador on September 8, 2016, and they also had a conversation following an event at the Republican National Convention in July 2016. Following this revelation, the Attorney General issued a statement that claimed he "never met with any Russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign. I have no idea what this allegation is about. It is false." The Attorney General then confirmed he had met with the Russian ambassador on these two occasions during a press conference on March 2, 201 7, during which he said the September meeting took place "in campaign season, but [he did not] recall any political conversations."2 He also claimed that he "[did not] remember a lot of [the conversation]." The Attorney General later confirmed both meetings in a letter to the Judiciary Committee on March 6, 201 7. Given his own admissions regarding contacts with the Russian ambassador, including at the Republican National Convention, and particularly in light of his description of his lack of recollection of what was said during the conversations, Attorney General Sessions' written testimony to Senator Leahy appears to be discernably false. His testimony to Senator Franken also appears to be unequivocally false. We are concerned by Attorney General Sessions' lack of candor to the Committee and his failure thus far to accept responsibility for testimony that could be construed as perjury. We are also disturbed that the Attorney General has not been forthcoming about his contacts with the Russian ambassador since he was forced to disclose the two meetings following press reports. The press has now reported that there was a third undisclosed instance in which the Attorney General may have had contact with the Russian ambassador during the 2016 elections, which occurred at a small, private campaign event in April 2016 with then-candidate Trump in attendance. 3 In light of Attorney General Sessions' failure to provide truthful and complete responses to the Judiciary Committee - in his sworn testimony, in his explanation for his false statements, and in his subsequent March 6 letter purporting to provide "supplemental" testimony - we ask that you investigate all contacts the Russian ambassador, or any other Russian officials, may have had with Attorney General 2 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/201 7/03/02/transcript-of-- jeff--scssionss--rccusa 1-prcss- conference--annotated/?utm term 00.96a4d24c5af2 3 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jeff-sessions-scrgey-k islvak-mavflower us 58c05639e4b0d I078ca3 7225? sectiow"'politics Document ID: 0.7.22207.32286-000002 The Honorable James B. Corney, Jr. Page 3 of 3 March 20, 2017 Sessions or with his staff, and whether any laws were broken in the course of those contacts or in any subsequent discussion of whether they occurred. We also request that you brief us on the results of that investigation. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, PA TRICK LEAHY AL FRANKEN United States Senator United States Senator Document ID: 0.7.22207.32286-000002 Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Sent: Friday, May19, 2017 5:49 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE: letters Great, thanks. Wewillstanddown on thispendingfurtherreporting. Ken Dilanian NationalSecurityReporter, InvestigativeUnit O:(202)885-5107 (b) (6) @KenDilanianNBC From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Friday, May19, 2017 5:45 PM To: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Subj ct: RE: letters Itdidn’thappen. Thisisanother“anonymoussource”whowillneverbeheldtoaccountforpeddlingafalsestoryand whosecredibilitywillnevergetpublicscrutiny. Soletmebeclear:I’mputtingmynameon thisbecauseI’vetalkedto thepeoplewhostaffed then-SenatorSessionsthatday, Ihavehisprivatescheduleforthatday, andI’vetalked to him myself. Therewasnoprivatemeeting. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal)[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, May19, 20175:12P M To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OP< A) [email protected] > Subject: letters TheLeahyFrankenlettertotheFBI citestheHuffPaccountoftheMayflowermeeting. o Sayshe“mayhavehad contact.” Tobeclear, thisisnotconsistentwith whatIhavebeen told theevidencesuggests. I’mtoldthereis evidenceofaprivatemeeting. Ken Dilanian NationalSecurityReporter, InvestigativeUnit O:(202)885-5107 C(b) (6) @KenDilanianNBC Document ID: 0.7.22207.32315 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Friday, May19, 201719 PM6: To: Zapotosky, Matt Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: FW: Attachments: NDAAPress Release on SessionsCharging and Sentencing Memo.pdf Thispersonobviouslyneverbotheredtoreach outforcomment butcanyou askherwhyshenotetheNDAA’s statementattached? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/05/19/prosecutors-are-pushing-back-against- sessions-order-to-pursue-most-severe-penalties/?tidss_tw&utm_term .f47b4cb80ac0 Document ID: 0.7.22207.32366 NATIONAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION FOR IMM DIAT R L AS Date May 15, 2017 National District Attorneys Association statement on charging and sentencing memo to federal prosecutors ARLINGTON, Virginia – On Friday, May 12, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo to federal prosecutors outlining updated charging and sentencing guidelines for the Department of Justice (DOJ). The National District Attorneys Associatio n (NDAA), representing America's 2500 elected and appointed state and local prosecuto rs, stands with its federal counterparts in doing all that we can to protect the communities we serve. Federal prosecuto rs, like the thousands of state and local assistant prosecutors across the country, reserve the toughest sanctions for those who have been given second chances and continue to profit off criminal activity, and those that commit offenses severe enough to warrant correspo nding punishment, such as serious drug trafficking offenses and other violent felonies. We are in the middle of an opio id epidemic that threatens the lives of many across this country, whether preyed upon by the disease of addiction, or those preyed upon by drug traffickers peddling drugs across our borders and into our neighborh oods. State and local prosecuto rs deal with the vast majority of drug cases, and have developed numerous preventative measures to differentiate between the addict and the dealer and have attempted tobalance treatment versus punishment when appropriate. State and local prosecuto rs also have a long track record of recognizing the need topartner with federal prosecuto rs. Most drug cartels or conspirato rs do not concern themselves with county or even national borders. These purveyors of poiso n only recognize profit and have no concern for the heartache and misery that are a direct consequence of their actions. The balance struck by state and local prosecuto rs can also be achieved at the federal level. DOJ’s updated charging and sentencing guidelines reserve the harshest punishments for those committing the most serious offenses, instructing federal prosecuto rs to seek the most serious charge they can prove, a commo n sense principle for prosecuto rs. At the same time, the directive allows federal prosecutors to deviate from the federal sentencing structure should circumstances in a case warrant a lesser sentence. That flexibility is of the utmost importance as the circumstances in every case are unique. It is a myth that low level, non-vio lent drug offenders are languishing in federal prisons. Yet we must be smart about the way we use prison and prosecuto rs must continue to learn how best to handle certain types of cases, such as human trafficking, where the victims too often have been treated as criminals. Prosecuto rs and law enforcement have the mutual goal of ensuring the safety of all Americans. It matters little how much we spend on education or health care or infrastructure if a young person in Document ID: 0.7.22207.32366-000001 one of our inner cities cannot walk to a corner store without being harassed by drug dealers or dodging bullets from warring gangs. Prosecuto rs must go after criminals directly causing harm to others and communities, while also using discretion torecognize when an individual played a lesser role in a situation, warranting a less severe punishment. The updated guidelines do just that, and NDAA l ooks forward to working with Attorney General Sessions to ensure that those whotruly deserve the most severe punishment in order to seek justice receive it, while still allowing prosecutors the discretion and flexibility to consider other factors warranting a less severe punishment in certain cases. The N tion l District AttorneysAssoci tion(NDAA), www.nd , .orgis the l rgest prosecutor org niz in thetion country, representing 2,500 elected nd ppointedDistrict Attorneys crossthe United St tes, wells 40,000s Assist ntDistrict Attorneys. Contact: Nelson Bunn, Director of Policy and Governmental Affairs, National District Attorneys Associatio n (703) 519-1666 ### Document ID: 0.7.22207.32366-000001 Zapotosky, Matt From: Zapotosky, Matt Sent: Friday, May 19, 2017 6:45 PM To: Bever, Lindsey Cc: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Sessions story Attachments: NDAA Press Release on Sessions Charging and Sentencing Memo.pdf Hey Lindsey The Justice Department spokespeople (copied here) sent me a message aining today that compl we didn’t reach out to them for this story. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/05/19/prosecutors-are-pushing-back-against- sessions-order-to-pursue-most-severe-penalties/?tid ss_tw&utm_term .f47b4cb80ac0 I think they’re particularly concerned it udedidn’t this incl National District Attorneys Association statement which they feelis a better representation of the views of prosecutors on the ground. I don’t take any position on that, but if you’re ease,writing pl Justice ease stories, send pl them ease,a et notepl and l them weigh in. You can also feelfree to reach out l en,to me, or Devlor Sari, or E l l y, in,it’s but I can say for me persona l good enough for me if you just want to reach out right to Justice. (If you did here and it somehow didn’t get routed to the right e, peopl l et me know ked who to andyou l I’ tall try to sort it out). They might justine decl to comment. They often do. But they’ree, and nice they peopljust want to make sure their viewpoint is represented, lespeciay in Thel Post. Sarah ic is affairsthe publdirector and Ian is her deputy, and they have a few e peoplunder them toe specifichandl areas of inquiry who I’m happy to give you contact info for. Al lthe best, Matt Zapotosky Document ID: 0.7.22207.32767 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Monday, May22, 2017 9:54AM To: Carrie Johnson Subject: RE: Mueller conflicts Illcheckupstairs *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: CarrieJohnson mailto:[email protected]] [ Sent: Monday, May22, 20179:51AM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Hithere Doyou expectresolution todayon Muellergovtconflictsprocess?Oristhattoosoon? Thanks CarrieJohnson Document ID: 0.7.22207.33138 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Monday, May22, 2017 6:30PM To: Tucker, Eric Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: Canceled Senate appearance? Yeah butthat’sbeenthecasesinceFebruaryandwe’vecertainlydoneplentyofmedia.Sonotsurewhythat’s relevant. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Tucker,Eric[mailto:[email protected]] Sent: M onday, May22,20175:59PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Fairpoint!Ijustmeantthatthere’dinevitablybeRussiarelatedquestions. From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Monday, M ay22, 20175:32PM To: Tucker,Eric Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subj ct: Re: CanceledSenateappearance? IguessIdon'tunderstand.Youmean howwillheanswerquestionsonwhathe'srecusedfrom? OnMay22,2017,at5:09PM, Tucker,Eric< [email protected]>wrote: Obviously, thequestionarisesaboutwhetherhe’dbelookingtoavoidfacingRussiaquestionsforthe entirehearing.Anythingyoucan sayonthat? From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Monday, M ay22, 20175:07PM To: Tucker, Eric; Prior,Ian(OPA) Subj ct: RE: CanceledSenateappearance? Yeah,schedulingconflictarose.Weexpectthiswillberescheduledshortly. Onbackground-theAGisnowtravelingthisweek. Ithinktherescheduleddatewillbeannouncedtoday. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Document ID: 0.7.22207.33214 Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Tucker,Eric[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday,May22, 20175:03PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) [email protected] < >;Prior,Ian(OPA) [email protected] < > Subject: CanceledSenateappearance? Higuys, seeingsomereportingoutthereabouttheAGnotattendinghisscheduledtestimonybefore SenateAppropriations. Anyclarityyoucan lendon that,andwhyhe’snotappearing?T hankssomuch. Eric Document ID: 0.7.22207.33214 Tucker, Eric From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Monday, May 22, 2017 8:49 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Manchester attack Hi. Has AG been briefed on the attack? Sent from my iPhone Document ID: 0.7.22207.33228 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 10:02 AM Cc: Prior, Ian(OPA); O'Malley, Devin(OPA); Carr, Peter (OPA); 'Hornbuckle, Wyn(OPA)' Bcc: Reid, Paula; Horwitz, Sari; Zapotosky, Matt; Wilber, Del; Viswanatha, Aruna; Ruiz, Rebecca; Josh Gerstein; Woodruff, Betsy; Andrea Noble; Chris Strohm; [email protected]; Levine, Mike; Jarrett, Laura; Tucker, Eric; Gurman, Sadie; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Williams, Pete (NBCUniversal); Thomas, Pierre; Barrett, Devlin; Carrie Johnson; Brown, Pamela; [email protected]; Ditto, Jessica E. EOP/WHO; Shah, Raj S. EOP/WHO; Short, Michael C. EOP/WHO; AM (b) (6) ; JL(b) (6) Subject: Special coun sel updates What is thet answer er on hthe et ethics s waiver: v : GOVERNMENT ETHICS REGULATION 5CFR § 263502.5 Government ethics regulations permit the Department ofJustice to authorize an employee to participate in a matter where their former employer represents a party. While we cannot confirm or deny the applicability ofthe regulation to the matters to which Special Counsel Mueller was appointed, we can confirm that the Department ethics experts have reviewed the matters and determined that Mr.Mueller’s participation in the matters assigned to him is appropriate. PROFESSIONALRESPONSIBILITY ISSUE DC and Virginia do not impute to a former firm lawyer all ofthe clients ofthe firm. Under the Rules ofProfessional Responsibility, Mr.Mueller is permitted to participate in matters involving his former firm’s clients so long as he has no confidential information about the client and did not participate in the representation. While we cannot confirm or deny that Mr.Mueller’s former firm represents an individual or individuals who are within the scope ofthe Special Counsel appointment, the Department’s ethics experts have considered the relevant issues and determined that Mr. Mueller’s appointment as Special Counsel is consistent with the Rules ofProfessional Responsibility. Whereh will ll the h specials ec counselc un el team eam bbe loca located: d Patrick Henry Building located at 601 D Street, N.W. Who is thet best press es contact:c n The special counsel team has not announced their press person. We will update you when we have more information and inquiries can continue to come to OPA. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) Document ID: 0.7.22207.33305 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 11:08 AM To: [email protected]; Savage, Charlie Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: Q from NYT re Mueller Here is what we are saying about this: Whata is s tthe a sanswer r t on e ithe ethics : waiver: GOVERNMENT ETHICSREGULATION 5 CFR § 2635.502 Government ethics regulations permit the Department of Justice to authorize an employee to participate in a matter where their former employer represents a party. While we cannot confirm or deny the applicability of the regulation to the matters pecial to Counselwhich S Mueller was appointed, we can confirm that the Department ethics experts have reviewed the matters and determined that Mr. Mueller’s participation in the matters assigned to him is appropriate. PROFE S IONALS RES PONS IBILITY S IUE S DC and Virginia do not impute to a former firm lawyer all of the clients of the firm. Under the Rules of Professional Responsibility, Mr. Mueller is permitted to participate in matters involving his former firm’s clients so long as he has no confidential information about the client and did not participate in the representation. While we cannot confirm or deny that Mr. Mueller’s former firm represents an individual or individuals arewho within the scopepecial ofCounsel the S appointment, the Department’s ethics experts have considered the relevant issues and determined that Mr. Mueller’s appointment S as pecial Counsel is consistent with the Rules of Professional Responsibility. Whereer wiwill h pthe special s l counsel e team d be located: Patrick Henry Building located at 601 Dtreet, S N.W . Whoo is is h the est ebest s press t contact: The special counsel team has not announced their press person. We will update you when we have more information and inquiries can continue to come to OPA. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Wi amson,lli Eli zabeth mai lto:eli [ zabeth.wi amson@nytilli mes.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 10:26 AM To: Press < [email protected]> Subject: Q from NYT re Mueller Hello, I am writing (deadline: 3pm today) an editiorial about the question raised by the White House on whether Document ID: 0.7.22207.33342 Robert Mueller would need an ethic s waiver before serving spec as c ial ounsel in the FBI Russia investigation, because his former firm has Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort c as lients, presenting c apotential t of onflic interest. I am aware that Mr . Mueller neither represented nor hadc ess a c to c onfidential information about those representations, thus learing c DC bar rules regarding potential c onflic ts. --Did DoJ explore the potential for thisonfliconc c t c erning WilmerHale c lients before the Mueller nomination? --What is the opinion ofDoJ--will Mueller require awaiver, not? Ifthat or dec ision is oming,upc when will it be released? --Given that AG Sessions usedhas fromrec the Russia investigation, who did or will make the waiver decision? All my ontacc t information is below. Many thanks fore the assistancon this. Elizabeth Williamson Elizabeth Williamson Editorial Board, National sPolitic o: 202 862 0382 (b) (6) https://twitter.com/NYTLiz Document ID: 0.7.22207.33342 Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) From: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May23, 201711:09AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA); Savage, Charlie; Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Cc: Abueg, Mark(OPA) Subject: RE: 4th circuitsurveillance ruling ThisisactuallyCIV, soaddingMark From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May23, 201711:08AM To: Savage, Charlie Wyn ishandlingNSDnow Ian D. Prior Principal DeputyDirector ofPublic Affairs Office: 202.616.09 11 Cel(b) (6) From: Savage,Charlie[ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, May23, 201711:02AM To: Prior, Ian(OPA) Hithere-I'daskMarc Raimondithis buthe'satNSC now. DoesDOJhave reactto the a 4 thCircuitruling on upstreamsurveillance?Willthe USG appealto enbanc orSupreme Court? Thanks! CharlieSavage TheNew YorkTimes Phone: 202 862 0317 Ce(b) (6) Document ID: 0.7.22207.33656 Savage, Olarlie From: Savage, Charlie Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 11:10 AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Cc: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subject: Re: 4th circuit surveillance ruling Oh yeah Wyn you told me that at that hacks and flacks thing the other week. Sorry - Any comment Wyn? Charlie Savage The New York Times Phone: 2 02-862-0317 Cel On Tue, May 23, 2017 at 11:07 AM, Prior, Ian (OPA) Document ID: 0.7.22207.33345 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 11:22 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Mueller waiver Here’s what we areng: sayi What is thet answer er on hthe et ethics s waiver: v : GOVERNMENT ETHICS REGULATION 5CFR § 263502.5 Government ethics regulations permit the Department ofJustice to authorize an employee to participate in a matter where their former employer represents a party. While we cannot confirm or deny the applicability ofthe regulation to the matters to which Special Counsel Mueller was appointed, we can confirm that the Department ethics experts have reviewed the matters and determined that Mr.Mueller’s participation in the matters assigned to him is appropriate. PROFESSIONALRESPONSIBILITY ISSUE DC and Virginia do not impute to a former firm lawyer all ofthe clients ofthe firm. Under the Rules ofProfessional Responsibility, Mr.Mueller is permitted to participate in matters involving his former firm’s clients so long as he has no confidential information about the client and did not participate in the representation. While we cannot confirm or deny that Mr.Mueller’s former firm represents an individual or individuals who are within the scope ofthe Special Counsel appointment, the Department’s ethics experts have considered the relevant issues and determined that Mr. Mueller’s appointment as Special Counsel is consistent with the Rules ofProfessional Responsibility. Whereh will ll the h specials ec counselc un el team eam b be loca located: d Patrick Henry Building located at 601 D Street, N.W. Who is thet best press es contact:c n The special counsel team has not announced their press person. We will update you when we have more information and inquiries can continue to come to OPA. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: [email protected] [mailto:juli [email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 11:19 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected]> Hey Sarah, I see the Post has this. Can you send me an update? nvestiDoes this mean he f hican i ous gate anyone, even i s previ law rmfi represents them? Thank you, Julia From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] S nt: M onday, M ay 22, 2017 3:51 PM To: Ainsley, Julia E. (Reuters News) Document ID: 0.7.22207.33349 Subj ct: RE: uellerwaiverM I don’t have an update ll yet. hopefully We wi have a press contact for you shortly as well. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: [email protected] [mailto:juli a.ai [email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 22, 2017 3:00 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected] < > Subject: RE: Mueller ver wai HiSarah, Just checking inon this. Can you vemean gi update?Has ver thewai been granted or i sMuellersti ll under ew? revi From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Friday, ay19,M 201711:20AM To: Ainsley,JuliaE. (ReutersNews) Subj ct: RE: uellerwaiverM The regulation spells thi s out and the mi sting post i appoi ntment *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: [email protected] [mailto:juli a.ai [email protected]] Sent: Fri day, May 19, 2017 11:05 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected] < > Subject: Re: Mueller ver wai Thanks! And one follow-up: Why s wasn't done beforethi the announcement? If DOJ mdoes the not wai grant hi ver, won't he be unable to work? Sent from Phone my i On May19, 2017, at11:03 AM, Flores, Sarah [email protected] Isgur(OPA) < >wrote: Confirmed! *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: [email protected] [mailto:juli a.ai [email protected]] Sent: Fri day, May 19, 2017 10:48 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected] < > Subject: Mueller waiver Document ID: 0.7.22207.33349 HiSarah, Can you rmconfi for me what rmed you confi for the Post ght? last ni Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said Thursday that the agency will conduct a background investigation and detailed review of conflict-of-interest issues,a process outlined in the regulation governing special counsels under which he was appointed. Julia Edwards Ainsley ReutersNews Thomson Reuters Mobil(b) (6) [email protected] Reuters.com Document ID: 0.7.22207.33349 Savage, Charlie From: Savage,Charlie Sent: Tuesday,May23,20171:18PM To: Abueg,Mark(OPA) Subject: RE:4thcircuitsurveillanceruling Ty OnMay23,201712:02PM,"Abueg,Mark(OPA)"< [email protected]>wrote: Hi, Charlie. DOJ declines tocomment. Best, Mark Mark Abueg Public Affairs S pecialist U.S. Department ofJustice OfficeofPublic Affairs Office: (202)353-6836 Cell:(b) (6) Email: [email protected] Website: www.justice.gov From: Savage,Charlie[mailto: [email protected]] Sent: Tuesday,May23,201711:02AM To: Prior,Ian(O PA) Duplicative Material (Document ID: 0.7.22207.33656) Document ID: 0.7.22207.6804 Perez, Evan From: Perez, Evan Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 6:52 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: AG Sessions - SF86 thanks. i'll check back Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN mobil (b) (6) office 202.77 2.2756 Twitter @evanperez From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) So the only person who would know is his executive assistant who has definitely left for the day. So I wont even know who to talk to until tomorrow am at this point. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Perez, Evan mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 6:40 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) not immediate. i know it's 640p. ifyou can reach folks let me know. Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN mobil (b) (6) office 022.772756 .2 Twitter @evanperez Document ID: 0.7.22207.33592 From: Flores, SarahIsg ur(OPA) Sarah.Isg < [email protected] ov> Sent: Tuesday, May23, 20176:31:11PM To: Perez, Evan Subject: RE: AGSessions-SF86 I’m notsurewhotoaskabouthisSF86. Whatsyourdeadline?I can trytofind out. Butofftherecord, theone“meeting”wasahandshakeafteraspeech with alotofotherfolksstandingaround and alsoshakinghishand andintroducingthemselvesbeforewalkingaway. I don’tthinktheSF86 would requireaUS Senatortoberesponsibleforrememberingeveryperson whointroducesthemselvesafteraspeech withincidental contact. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Perez, Evan mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Tuesday, May23, 20176:16PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) [email protected] < ov> Subject: AGSessions-SF86 Hi, can you talkfor a minute? Can you advise ifthe AG disclosed the Russia ones contacts otall [the the hotandheavyattention thatg backin February] on his SF86form? We're told atleastone ofthose was leftoff. anythingyou can share? Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN mobil(b) (6) office 02 2.772756 .2 Twitter@evanperez Document ID: 0.7.22207.33592 Adam Goldman From: Adam Goldman Sent: Wednesday, May24, 2017 9:58 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Youfree for a quickchat? Adam Adam Goldman Reporter The NewYorkTimes (m(b) (6) (o) 202.862.0362 Document ID: 0.7.22207.33834 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 11:04 AM To: Wilber, Del Subject: RE: wainstein You mean last week? *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Wi lber, Del lto:del.wi [mai [email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 10:40 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)[email protected]> I'mtoldheinterviewedwithsessions/rosensteinnextweek. anyoneelseinterviewedyouwanttothrowoutthere?goingtodoablogpostaboutthatandthenewsthat liebermanisdone. -- DelQuentinW ilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O:(202)862.6624|M (b) (6) DOJ:(202)216-0860 E: [email protected] |T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NWSuite800|W , ashington,D.C.20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan Document ID: 0.7.22207.33837 Wilber, Del From: Wilber,Del Sent: Wednesday,May24,201711:27AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Subject: Re:wouldMullaney usuallytheyblamepublicaffairs.butweshallsee.figuredit'sworthatry OnWed,May24,2017at11:24AM,Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)< [email protected]>wrote: Noobjectionhere.Hemaynotwanttothough. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Wilber,Del[mailto: [email protected]] Sent: Wednesday,May24,201711:20AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(O PA) isthissomethingyouwouldgofor? ThisguyisverysharpandIthinkit'simportanttoremindpeopleaboutterrorism. everyoneiswayfocusedonrussia. Document ID: 0.7.22207.33844 ------Forwardedmessage------From: Wilber, Del eversitdownforaQ/A?Iwouldaskabunchofquestionsandthenpickthebestfivetorunonourwebsite intheformatof"FivethingsIhavelearned."Itwouldfocusonwhathehaslearnedaboutterrorismsince beinginsuchakeyjob--fromAl QaedatoISIS. Itwouldbetimelynow.Mostlyjustbroadthings.Educationalformyreaders(andmybosses). Figureditwasworthashot. -- Del QuentinWilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O: (202)862.6624 |M (b) (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NW,Suite800| Washington,D.C.20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan -- Del QuentinWilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O: (202)862.6624 | (b) (6) DOJ: (202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NW,Suite800| Washington,D.C.20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan Document ID: 0.7.22207.33844 -- DelQuentinWilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O:(202)862.6624| M (b) (6) DOJ:(202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NW,Suite800| Washington,D.C.20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan Document ID: 0.7.22207.33844 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 1:44 PM To: Perez, Evan Subject: here's what ive been saying Therecommendation to removeDirectorComeywas a personnel decision based on concerns abouttheeffectiveness ofhis leadership as setforth in theAttorneyGeneral’s letter. Therecommendation had nothingto do with the substanceofanyinvestigation. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 Document ID: 0.7.22207.33852 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May24, 2017 1:48PM To: Wilber, Del; Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: where did the interim search lead? Noupdateson this *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Wilber, Del[mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Wednesday, May24, 201712:47PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) did it end? sticking with mccabe until you name a full-tine replacement? -- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU O: (202) 862.6624 (b) (6)| M DOJ: (202) 216-0860 E: [email protected] | T: @delwilber A: 1025ConnecticutAve. NW, Suite 800|Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month for Murder Rawhide Down: The NearAssassination ofRonald Reagan Document ID: 0.7.22207.33853 Tucker, Eric From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 6:04 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: CNN report? Hi, do you have a statement about Sessions? Document ID: 0.7.22207.33870 Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 6:08 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Fwd: CNN: AG Sessions did not disclose meetings with Russian officials, DOJ says This true? Ken Dilanian National Security Reporter NBC News (b) (6) Begin forwarded message: From: "Rodriguez, Janelle (NBCUniversal)" [email protected] < > Date: May 24, 2017 at 6:07:05 M PEDT To: "Greenberg, Richard (NBCUniversal)" [email protected] < >, "Williams, ete P (NBCUniversal)" [email protected]< >, "Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal)" CNN: AG Sessions did not disclose meetings with Russian officials, DOJ says Washington (CNN)Attorney General JeffSessions did not disclose meetings he had last year with Russian officials p liedwhen for he his a p security clearance, the Justice artmentDep told CNN Wednesday. Document ID: 0.7.22207.33872 Sessions, who met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak at least two times last year, didn't note those interactions on the form, which requires him to list "any contact" he or his family had with "foreigna government" or itsresentatives" "rep over the ast p seven years, officials said. The new information from the Justice Department is the latest example of Sessions failing to disclose contacts he had with Russian officials. He has come under withering criticism from Democrats following revelations that he did not disclose the same contacts with Kislyak during his Senate confirmation hearings earlier this year. Sessions initially listed a year's worth of meetings with foreign officials on the security clearance form, according to Justice artment Dep sp okeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores. But she says he and his staffwere then told by FBI an emp loyee who assisted in out filling the form, known as the SF-86, that he didn't need to list dozens of meetings with foreign ambassadors that ha p ened p in his capacity as a senator. The FBI declined to comment for this story. A legal expert who regularly assists officials in filling out the form disagrees with the Justice artment's Dep exp lanation, suggesting that Sessions should have disclosed the meetings. "My interpretation is that a member of Congress would still have to reveal the ap prop riate foreign government contacts notwithstanding it was on official business," said Mark Zaid, a Washington attorney who specializes in national security law. Zaid added that in a similar circumstance he advised a member of Congress to list all foreign contacts -- including those made during official US government business. To obtain a security clearance, a federal official is not required to list the meetings if they were part of a foreign conference he or she attended while conducting government business. Sessions' meetings, however, dop notear a to be p tied to foreign conferences. The omission comes after p roblems that Trump adviser Jared Kushner and the President's ex-national security adviser, Michael Flynn, have had on their own security forms. Kushner rematurely p submitted his SF-86 form without listing foreign contacts and had to notify the FBI the next day that he was willing rovide to p the information. Flynn is under investigation for not properly disclosing p ayments linked to Russia for his foreign trips. Lawmakers have raised questions about Sessions' meetings with Russian officials while he p layed a p rominent role in the Trump camp aign -- meetings that he only disclosed after The Washington Post revealed them. He is under scrutiny as well for his role in the firing of FBI Director James Comey despite his recusal from the Russia investigation. Sessions could be a witness before the House and Senate intelligence p anels as p art of their ongoing robes p into otentialp Trump camp aign Document ID: 0.7.22207.33872 collusion with Russia, lawmakers said. And attendees at a classified House briefing last week with theuty attorneydep general, Rod Rosenstein, said Sessions' name was raised when lawmakers asked if the attorney general had a role in the Comey firing. Rosenstein, sources said, declined to comment, but noted that such matters could be investigated by Robert Mueller, the recently named ecial spcounsel in the Russia robe. p Manafort turns over hundreds ages of of p documents to Senate intel Flores said the "recommendation to remove Comey p was a ersonnel decision based on concerns about the effectiveness of his" leadershipat the bureau and that it had "nothing to do with the substance of the investigation." Since the firing, President Donald Trumpacknowledged in an interview with NBC News that the Russia investigation was on his mind as he dismissed Comey. Sessions' meetings with Kislyak have become major p a roblem olitical p for the new attorney general. At his confirmation hearing January 1 0, Sessions testified that he "did not have communications" with the Russians duringaign. the He camp made the same assertion in an official questionnaire. He was sworn in as attorney general February 9 and subsequently received a security clearance, even though he didn't mention the Kislyak meetings on his p erwork. ap The Washington Post orted rep March 1 that Sessions two had undisclosed meetings with Kislyak during theaign, campwhich brought Sessions into the widening Russia scandal for the first time. Sessions recused himself from overseeing the FBI's Russia investigation one day later. "Let me be clear," Sessions said before announcing his recusal, "I never had meetings with Russian eratives op or Russian intermediaries about the Trumpcamp aign." Trump's su porters p aren't abandoning him in this Pennsylvania town He then amended his Senate Judiciary Committee testimony to note the two reported interactions he had with Kislyak. In the amended testimony, the former Alabama senator said he spoke "briefly" in July 201 6 to the Russian ambassador during the ublicanRep National Convention in Cleveland. He also said thatoke he with sp the Russian ambassador in September 201 6 in his Senate office with his staffmembers. He said he Document ID: 0.7.22207.33872 did not initially list those meetings because he did not think they were relevant to the questions asked during the confirmationroceedings. p He added: "I do not recall any discussions with the Russian ambassador or any other representative of the Russian government, regarding the p olitical camp aign on these occasions or any other occasion." Lawmakers on the House and Senate intelligence committees say it is possible that Sessions could be questioned about those meetings and his role in theaign camp as -- well as the circumstances around the Comey firing. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, told ApCNN in an ril 28 interview, "I'd bep y ha if they p brought him before the committee and had him testify." "Look, there are a lot of questions about Jeff Sessions," the New York Democrat said of his former colleague. "That's why I called on him to resign." CNN's Brian Rokus and Marshall Cohen contributed to this report. Document ID: 0.7.22207.33872 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 6:42 PM To: Carrie Johnson Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re:CNN:First on CNN:AG Sessions did not disclose meetings with Russian officials, DOJ says Check in w Ian I'm on a plane. Off the record--They're story is sloppy and wrong. Last paragraph tells you what you need--instructed to take it off. On May 24, 2017, 41 atPM, 6: Carrie Johnson [email protected] < > wrote: Can you confirm? Send statement? Thanks Carrie (b) (6) Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Muthoni Muturi [email protected] < > Date: May 24, 2017 36: at 6: 43 PM EDT To: Carrie Johnson [email protected] < > Subject: CNN: First on CNN: ons AG diSessi sclosed not meeti di th Russi ngs wi an offials,ci DOJ says Seeing this now. First on CNN: AG Sessions d not di di sclose meeti ngs wi th Russian offials, ci DOJ says CNN Attorney General Jeff Sessions did not disclose meetings he had last year with Russian officials when he applied for his security clearance, the Justice Department told CNN Wednesday. Read the full story Shared from Apple News Document ID: 0.7.22207.33880 Tucker, Eric From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Wednesday, May24, 2017 6:58 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: CNN report Ok. Ian, justtried you again. Please call me as soon as you can. I need topublish something Sentfrom myiPhone On May24, 2017, at6:46PM, arah Flores, Isgur S (OPA) [email protected] < >wrote: To start--he did disclose all ofit. To the investigator. Who then told him notto putiton the form bc routine contacts as part ofyour senate jobisn'tto be included. On May24, 2017, at6:46 PM, Tucker,[email protected] Eric <>wrote: Thanks. I did speakwith Ian brieflyand he’sgoingtocallmeback. Whatpartofitiswrong exactly? From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Wednesday,May24, 20176:36PM To: Tucker,Eric Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subj ct: Re: CNNreport Checkin wIan I'm on aplane. Offtherecord--They'restoryissloppyand wrong. Last paragraph tells you whatyou need--instructed totakeitoff. On May24, 2017, at6:14PM, Tucker, [email protected] Eric< >wrote: http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/24/politics/jeff-sessions-russian-officials- meetings/index.html?adkey bn Document ID: 0.7.22207.33887 Tucker, Eric From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 7:06 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: CNN report I’m sorry, Ireally have to publish. Can Ijust say that he omitted his contacts with foreign ambassadors from his security clearance form, but that he reported them all to the FBIofficial who was helping him with the form and was told that he didn’t need to include them because they were routine contacts as part of his Senate job. Is that all accurate for starters? From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Wednesday,May24, 20176:56PM To: Tucker,Eric Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subj ct: Re:CNNreport No. Wait for Ian. On May 24, 2017, at 6:50 Eric PM, e [email protected]< Tucker, > wrote: OK, thanks. Is that publishable and attributable to you? So basically, he revealed all of his meetings with foreign ambassadors to the FBIofficial who was helping him with the form. But the official told him not to include it. And that’s the reason why all of the meetings, including with Kislyak, were excluded? Also, do you know when he submitted it? From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Wednesday,May24, 20176:47PM To: Tucker,Eric Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subj ct: Re:CNNreport Duplicative Material (Document ID: 0.7.22207.33887) Document ID: 0.7.22207.33889 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 8:12 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Fwd:STATEMENT ON CNN STORY Let me know if y'all are going to cover this at all--it's a nothing burger of a story Begin forwarded message: From: "USDOJ-Office of Public Affairs Ex(SMO)" [email protected] < > Date: May 24, 2017 45:at 6: 52 PM CDT To: "USDOJ-Office of Public Affairs [email protected](SMO)" < > Subject: STATEMENTONC NSTORYN ...... ,.,. . ilepurlm.eut of J1111tic.e FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AG WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2017 (202) 514-2007 WWW.JUSTIC E.GOV TTY (866) 544-5309 STATEMENT ON CNN STORY WASHINGTON Deputy Director ofPublic Affairs Ian Prior issued the following statement in response to this evening’s CNN story: “As a United States Senator, the Attorney General met hundreds ifnot thousands of foreign dignitaries and their staff. In filling out the SF-86 form, the Attorney General’s staff consulted with those familiar with the process, as well as the FBI investigator handling the background check, and was instructed not to list meetings with foreign dignitaries and their staff connected with his Senate activities.” # # # DO NOT REPLYTO THIS MESSAGE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR C ALL THE OFFIC E OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 202- Document ID: 0.7.22207.107298 514-2007. Document ID: 0.7.22207.107298 Prior, Ian (OPA) From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 10:13 AM To: [email protected]; Barrett, Devlin Subject: FW: Oops I knew one of these days Iude was Devl going to incl udein Devin!when I meant to incl Ian D. Prior PrincipalDeputy Director of Public Affairs Office: 202.616.0911 Ce(b) (6) From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 10:13 AM To: sarah.isgur.fl [email protected]; 'Barrett, Devlin' http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal .aspx?SavedEditID 687fac79-0b81-419b-b0b4-4722da94d984 Ian D. Prior PrincipalDeputy Director of Public Affairs Office: 202.616.0911 Ce(b) (6) Document ID: 0.7.22207.78458 CarrieJohnson From: Carrie Johnson Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 10:33 AM To: Prior, Ian (OPA);Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Fwd: REPORTABLE: White House statement on intelligence sharing Hey there WH just put out this statement on leaks. You guys have anything to add? We have a local reporter on the ground to see AG Sessions today. Thanks! Carrie Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Tamara Keith [email protected] < > Date: May 25, 2017 at 10:29:51 AM EDT To: NewsDesk [email protected] < > Subject:REPORTABLE:WhiteHousestatementon intelligencesharing Sean Spicer just sent this to me (probably assuming I am still pool today) The alleged leaks coming out of government agencies are deeply troubling. These leaks have been going on for a long time and my Administration will get to the bottom of this. The leaks of sensitive information pose a grave threat to our national security. I am asking the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies to launch a complete review of this matter, and if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is no relationship we cherish more than the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. Sent from my iPhone Please pardon my clumsy thumbs. This message was sent from my iPhone. Tamara Keith White House Correspondent NPR (b) (6) Document ID: 0.7.22207.34306 Wilber, Del From: Wilber, Del Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 11:16 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Re: anything new on the uk leaks stuff? yep. we used a paraphrased version for space. On Thu, May 25, 2017 at 11:12 AM, Flores, [email protected] Sarah Isgur (OPA) <> wrote: Did you ever use my quote from yesterday? On May 25, 2017, at 9:21 AM, [email protected] Wilber, Del >< wrote: -- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU O: (202) 862.6624 | M(b) (6) DOJ: (202) 216-0860 E: [email protected] | T: @delwilber A: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 800 | Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month for Murder Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan -- Del Quentin Wilber WASHINGTON BUREAU O: (202) 862.6624 (b)| (6) M DOJ: 202) ( 216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A: 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 800 | Washington, D.C. 20036 A Good Month for Murder Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan Document ID: 0.7.22207.34435 Wilber, Del From: Wilber, Del Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 11:19 AM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: anything new on the uk leaks stuff? nobody in the media? Hahl On Thu, May 25, 2017 at 11:15 AM, Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) On May 25, 2017, at 9:21 AM, Wilber, Del Duplicative Material (Document ID: 0.7.22207.34435) Document ID: 0.7.22207.34442 Tucker, Eric From: Tucker,Eric Sent: Thursday,May25,201711:21AM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA);Prior,Ian(OPA);Keshwani,Sonya(OPA);Hornbuckle,Wyn (OPA) Subject: SeekingcommentonTrumpcomments thismorning Higuys,justseeingifthere’sanycommentfromthedepartmenton TrumpdemandingaDO JInvestigationinto apparentleaksintheManchesterbombinginvestigation?Thanksalot. Eric Document ID: 0.7.22207.34453 Wilber, Del From: Wilber,Del Sent: Thursday,May25,20171:10PM To: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA);Prior,Ian(OPA) Subject: questiononleakinvestigations isthereanyonetherewhocanprovideguidanceonwhathappensifpresidentasks/ordersone? itappearspotushasaskedforoneregardingthemanchesterstuff. leakinvestigationsareanightmare! -- DelQuentinWilber WASHINGTONBUREAU O:(202)862.6624| M (b) (6) DOJ:(202)216-0860 E: [email protected] | T:@delwilber A:1025ConnecticutAve.NW,Suite800| Washington,D.C.20036 AGoodMonthforMurder RawhideDown:TheNearAssassinationofRonaldReagan Document ID: 0.7.22207.34561 Tucker, Eric From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 1:40 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: STATEMENT FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS ON LEAKS FOLLOWING THE MANCHESTER TERROR ATTACK Thanks, but what does that last sentence mean then? From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)mailto:[email protected]] [ S nt: Thursday, May 25, 2017 1:39 PM To: Tucker, Eric Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subj ct: Re: STEMENTAT FROM TA ORNEY T GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS ON LEAKS FOLLOWING H E T MANCHEST ER TERROR AT ACKT We don't confirm or deny the existence or non existence of investigations On May 25, 2017, at 12:38 PM, Tucker, Eric Hi. Does this last sentence mean a leak investigation is underway? From: USDOJ Office of Public Affairs mailto:USDOJ(SMO) [ [email protected]] S nt: Thursday, May 25, 2017 1:28 PM To: USDOJ Office of Public Affairs (SMO) Subj ct: STATEMENT FROM ORNEYTA T GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS ON LEAKS FOLLOWING THE MANCHESTER T ERROR AT ACKT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AG THURSDAY, MAY25, 2017 (202) 514- 2007 WWW.JUSTICE.GOV TTY (866) 544-5309 STATEMENT FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS ON LEAKS FOLLOWING THE MANCHESTER TERROR ATTACK WASHINGTON Attorney General JeffSessions today issued the following statement on the recent leaks following the Manchester terror attack: “I share the president's deep concern and talked to Home Secretary Rudd yesterday about this matter. These leaks cannot be tolerated and we will make every effort to put an end to it. We have already initiated appropriate steps to address these rampant leaks that undermine our national Document ID: 0.7.22207.34672 security.” ### 17-575 DONOTREPLYTOTHISMESSAGE. IFYOUHAVEQUESTIONS, PLEASEUSETHE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE ORCALLTHE OFFICE OF PUBLIC - AFFAIRS AT 202 514-2007. Document ID: 0.7.22207.34672 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores,SarahIsgur(OPA) Sent: Thursday,May25,20172:42PM To: Williams, Pete(NBCUniversal) Cc: Prior,Ian(OPA) Subject: Re:Responseto4thCircuitruling Yes OnMay25,2017,at1:41PM,W illiams, Pete(NBCUniversal)< [email protected]>wrote: Willyouallhaveastatementthisafternoon? Manythanks. Document ID: 0.7.22207.109308 Flores,Sarah Isgur(OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Thursday, May25, 2017 2:49PM To: Zapotosky, Matt Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: Re: commenton travel ban ruling? We will On May25, 2017, at1:14PM, Zapotosky, [email protected] Matt< >wrote: Hey Nottotallymyissuetoday, butdoyou guyshaveastatementon thetravelbanruling? Best, MattZap otosky | TheWashington Post (b) (6) (cell) (202)334-5873(office) Document ID: 0.7.22207.35081 Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 3:01 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE:do you have time for a call Yes, thanks 202 885 5107, (b) backup(6) Ken Dilanian NationalSecurityReporter, InvestigativeUnit O:(202) 885-5107 (b) (6) @KenDilanianNBC From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Thursday, May25, 20173:00PM To: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Subj ct: Re: do you have time for a call Yeah--can I call in 20 minutes or so? On May 25, 2017, 59 atPM, 1: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) It’s about person of interest. Can you break free for 5? Ken Dilanian National Security Reporter, Investigative Unit From: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA)[ mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Thursday, May25, 20172:57PM To: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Subj ct: Re: do you have time for a call I'm traveling w the boss until 7ish tonight. On May 25, 2017, 56 atPM, 1: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) < [email protected] > wrote: Ken Dilanian National SecurityReporter, InvestigativeUnit Document ID: 0.7.22207.35296 (b) (6) @KenDilanianNBC Document ID: 0.7.22207.35296 Tucker, Eric From: Tucker, Eric Sent: Friday, May26, 20179:31 AM To: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Subject: RE: Appointmentfor Peter? Oops, sorry! From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] S nt: Friday, May26, 2017 9:31 AM To: Tucker, Eric Subj ct: RE: Appointmentfor Peter? Checkyourinbox •• *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Tucker, Eric[mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Friday, May26, 20179:30AM To: Flores, SarahIsg ur(OPA) Higuys, justsawon TwitterthatPeterhasbeen named thespokesman forthespecialcounsel. Isthatindeedtrue? Thanks, Eric Document ID: 0.7.22207.35400 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, SarahIsgur (OPA) Sent: Friday, May26, 20179:35 AM To: Carrie Johnson Subject: RE: Special Counsel Team press contact(and newfolks intro) Thankyou!You too! *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: CarrieJohnson mailto:[email protected]] [ Sent: Friday, May26, 20179:32AM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) THANKSFORTHIS. Hopeit’sapeacefulweekend. And thatyou can seesomelivemusictheretoo. Carrie From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)mailto:[email protected] [ ] S nt: Friday, May26, 2017 9:30 AM To: Carr, Peter (OPA) Cc: Prior, Ian (OPA); O'Malley, Devin (OPA); (OPA);Laco, Kelly Hornbuckle, n Wy(OPA) Subj ct: Special Counsel Team press contact(and new folks intro) Theemailyou’veallbeenwaitingfor… StartingTuesday, PeterCarrwillbemovingovertothespecialcounselteam tohandletheirpressinquiriesand media requests. Hisemailandcontactinfowillstaythesame aswillhissunnydisposition. Wyn willnowhavethecriminal andNSDportfolios. In othernews, Iwanttomakesureyou’veallmetDevin O’MalleyandKellyLacowhohavejoinedourteam. Devin will bedoingpressadvanceon ourtrips, handlingcivilrightsdivision, and overallhelpingIandealwith allyou. Kellyjoined usthisweekasourpressassistant, makingsurethetrainsarerunningon time sogointroduceyourselves! HopeeveryonehasawonderfulMemorialDayweeken (b) (6) S *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) Document ID: 0.7.22207.35404 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May31, 2017 2:16PM To: Perez, Evan Subject: RE: Call Plsemail *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Perez, Evan mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May31, 20172:14PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) it's about a CNN story that my colleagues are doing. I can give you a rundown via email ifyou prefer. let me know how you want to handle. Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN mobil(b) (6) office 02 2.772756 .2 Twitter@evanperez From: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) < [email protected] > Sent: W ednesday, May31, 20172:08:09PM To: Perez, Evan Subject: RE:Call Abouttostepintomeetings. Whatisitregarding? *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Perez, Evan mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May31, 20171:57PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) < [email protected] > Document ID: 0.7.22207.36859 Subject: Call Can I call you for a couple mins? or you can tryme (b) (6) Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN mobil(b) (6) office 02 2.772756 .2 Twitter@evanperez Document ID: 0.7.22207.36859 Perez, Evan From: Perez, Evan Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 5:02 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: Fwd: story about April 27 Mayflower meeting Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN (b) (6) o 202.772.2756 @evanperez Begin forwarded message: From: "Perez, Evan" [email protected] < > Date: May 31, 2017 at 4:20:09 PM EDT To: Sarah Isgur Flores [email protected] < > Subject: Re: story about April27 Mayflower meeting my apologies. the intention is to do this story at 6pm. please advise if the earlier statement from you has changed. or if you have any thoughts or concerns. thanks, Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN mobil (b) (6) office 202.772.2756 Twitter @evanperez From: Perez, Evan Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 4:03:25 PM To: Sarah Isgur Flores Subject: Re: story about April 27 Mayflower meeting fyi. here's the language we have from you previously on this event, when it was first raised in February. Document ID: 0.7.22207.36893 we have you saying on the AG's behalf that while the then-Senator was there, you couldn't confirm that Kislyak was there and then added: Flores said that the aide who was with Sessions at the event “remembered many other people who were there and specific conversations with them” but that the aide “can’t even confirm that ambassador was in the room.” “But ifhe was, he didn’t meet the Senator as far as she knows and she was with him throughout the hold room time,” Flores said. Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN mobil (b) (6) office 202.77 2.2756 Twitter @evanperez From: Perez, Evan Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 2:46:16 PM To: Sarah Isgur Flores Cc: Perez, Evan Subject: story about April 27 Mayflower meeting As discussed, my CNN colleagues are doing a story that says the following: - congressional investigators are examining whether the Attorney General last year [while he was still senator and supporting the Trump campaign] had an additional meeting with Russian officials. This is sourced to Republican, Democratic and intelligence sources. - the meeting in question would be the April 27, 2016 event at the Mayflower Hotel, where the then-candidate Trump was delivering a foreign policy address. - the congressional investigators are seeking information from the AG, including schedules and other documents, that may shed light on the event. [[as you may recall, I asked you about whether the AG has received a preservation of records request from lawmakers, and you said you'd check with OLA]] - in addition, FBI investigators are trying to determine the extent of interactions between people associated with the campaign and Russian officials at the event, including a smaller gathering at the Mayflower on the same day. - we are saying thing that DOJ has previous said that the AG has no recollection of any interaction between the then-Sen Sessions and Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador, at the event. [[ As I recall, an aide who was with the senator at the time doesn't recall whether the two men even shook hands.]] - the congressional and FBI investigators haven't established whether there was a private meeting or whether, as has been described by DOJ, the contact was incidental. If you want to talk about this, please let me know. Document ID: 0.7.22207.36893 thanks, Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN mobil (b) (6) office 202.77 2.2756 Twitter @evanperez Document ID: 0.7.22207.36893 Prior, Ian (OPA) From: Prior, Ian (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 5:08 PM To: Carrie Johnson;Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Subject: RE: March for Life sends letter to DOJ pushing for Planned Parenthood investigation Checking Ian D. Prior Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs Office: 202.616.0911 Cel(b) (6) From: Carrie Johnson mailto:[email protected]] [ Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 1:45 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) You guys have anything on this? I’m still in the press room for a few more hours. Thanks Carrie Begin forwarded message: From: Mari [email protected] < > Date: May31,2017 at1:42:50 PMEDT To: Hi Sarah, Lastnight, MarchforLifesentbothAttorneyGeneral JeffSessions andActingDirectoroftheFBI Andrew McCabea letter urgingthem andtheirrespectivedepartments toinvestigatePlannedParenthoodforpast paidfetal tissuetransfers. Thecoalitionletter, co-signedbyleadingpro-lifeorganizations includingSusan B. AnthonyList, Americans UnitedforLife, American C onservativeUnionandFamilyResearchC ouncil, requests thattheJusticeDepartmentcontinuetheinvestigativeworkofthe114 th C ongress’ SelectPanel – whichmade15criminal andregulatoryreferrals oftissueprocurementofPlannedParenthoodandits affiliates. This lettercomes justas anewundercover video continues tosparkcontroversyafterits footage, which shows PlannedParenthoodDirectors andothers admittingtogross illegalities like“pull[ing] offalegortwo, soit’s notPBA[partial-birthabortion]”and“certainlydo[ing] D&Es [dilationandextraction, amethodthatis illegal underfederal law]”, pulled was from YouTubehours afterits releaseatC ADistrict JudgeOrrick’s order. Full letterattached. MarchforLifeis availableforfurthercomment. All thebest, Mari Buttarazzi [email protected] - ;703-683-5004x1120 Document ID: 0.7.22207.37165 IfyouwouldrathernotreceivefuturecommunicationsfromMarchforLife,letusknowbyclicking --here. MarchforLife,2760EisenhowerAve.,Alexandria,VA22314UnitedStates Document ID: 0.7.22207.37165 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 6:47 PM To: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Subject: Re:letters Will send you something very shortly On May 31, 2017, 35 atPM, 6: Flores, Sarah Isgur [email protected] (OPA) < > wrote: No. Please do not use. On May 31, 2017, at 6:22 PM, Dilanian, Ken [email protected] (NBCUniversal) < > wrote: This is your on the record statement, right? From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA)mailto:[email protected] [ ] S nt: Friday, May19, 2017 5:45 PM To: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Subj ct: RE: letters It didn’t happen. This is another “anonymous source” who will never be held to account for peddling a false story and whose credibility will never get public scrutiny. So let me be clear:I’m putting my name on this because I’ve talked to the people who staffed then- Senator Sessions that day, I have his private schedule for that day, and I’ve talked to him myself. There was no private meeting. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) mailto: [[email protected]] Sent: Friday, May 19, 201712 PM 5: To: Flores, Sarah Isgur < (OPA)[email protected] > Subject: letters The Leahy Franken letter to the FBI cites the Huff Po account of the Mayflower meeting. Says he “may have had contact.” To be clear, this is not consistent with what I have been told the evidence suggests. I’m told there is evidence of a private meeting. Ken Dilanian National SecurityReporter, InvestigativeUnit Document ID: 0.7.22207.37187 @KenDilanianNBC Document ID: 0.7.22207.37187 Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) From: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 20175 6: 5PM To: [email protected]; Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA); Prior, Ian (OPA) Subject: RE: Confirming Weissmann to team Muller Julia, On background, confirming that Weissmann is being detailed to the office of special counsel, and Sandra Moser will be acting head of the fraud section. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 1:46 PM To: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Ok thanks. Wyn, can you confirm? From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) [mailto:[email protected]] S nt: W ednesday, May 31, 2017 1:45 PM To: Ainsley, Julia E. (Reuters News); Prior, Ian (OPA) Cc: Hornbuckle, Wyn (OPA) Subj ct: RE: Confirming W eissmann to Muller team Wyn has the criminal portfolio now *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 1:44 PM To: Prior, Ian (OPA) Hi Ian and Sarah, Can you confirm that Andrew Weismann, head of DOJ’s fraud section, is joining Muller’s investigation, as Bloomberg has reported? And where does this leave the fraud section? Thank you, Julia Julia Edwards Ainsley Reuters News Thomson Reuters Mobil (b) (6) Document ID: 0.7.22207.37189 Reuters.com Document ID: 0.7.22207.37189 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May31, 2017 7:50 PM To: Perez, Evan Subject: RE: statement AndI gotyours! Huge! *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) From: Perez, Evan mailto:[email protected] [ ] Sent: Wednesday, May31, 20177:49PM To: Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) Gotit. Thanks Evan Pérez Correspondent CNN (b) (6) o 202.772.2756 @evanperez On May31, 2017, at7:45PM, Flores, SarahIsgur(OPA) [email protected] < >wrote: On the record from me: The DepartmentofJustice appointed special counsel toassume responsibilityfor thismatter. We will allowhim todohisjob. Itis unfortunate thatanonymous sourceswhose credibilitywill never face public scrutinyare continuouslytrying tohinder thatprocess bypeddling false stories tothe mainstream media. The factshaven'tchanged; the then-Senator did nothave any private or side conversations with anyRussian officialsatthe Mayflower Hotel. Document ID: 0.7.22207.37201 Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) From: Flores, Sarah Isgur (OPA) Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 8:02 PM To: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) Subject: RE:letters No *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 201701 PM 8: To: Flores, Sarah Isgur Did they publish yet? Ken Dilanian National Security Reporter NBC News (b) (6) On May 31, 2017, at 7:44 PM, Flores, Sarah On the record from me: The Department of Justice appointed special counsel to assume responsibility for this matter. We will allow him to do his job. It is unfortunate that anonymous sources whose credibility will never face public scrutiny are continuously trying to hinder that process by peddling false stories to the mainstream media. The facts haven't changed; the then-Senator did not have any private or side conversations with any Russian officials at the Mayflower Hotel. *** Sarah Isgur Flores Director of Public Affairs (b) (6) 8 From: Dilanian, Ken (NBCUniversal) mailto: [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 201722 PM 6: To: Flores, Sarah Isgur < (OPA)[email protected] > Subject: FW:letters Duplicative Material (Document ID: 0.7.22207.37187) Document ID: 0.7.22207.37222 Cc: Prior,Ian(O PA) Subject: Fwd:wouldMullaney