Natasha Bertrand: IC would *not* have told Sanders to remain silent about campaign meddling

[H2O Man]

30. Actually, the IC

could not declassify it, as this would require the backing of one of two people -- Trump and/or Barr (Trump "gave" Barr this power over the entire IC in 2019). It falls into "Counter-Intelligencewhich is remarkably difficult to declassify. Thus, for example, The FBI/Mueller counter-intelligence information isn't public. That's not only due to DOJ/FBI rules, but because it is part of a larger counter-intelligence investigation, coordinated with the CIA and ONI.

The recent debate included Senator Sander's coming right up to the line, hinting that the most aggressive and divisive "campaign supporters" might have an agenda distinct from the actual campaign. He even brought up Russian interference in the 2016 election. I assume that a number of us had already recognized it for what it is, and hoped more people -- no matter which candidate they support -- would catch on.

The manner in which it was released is fairly obvious. That a large group of good Democrats don't get it is sad, but not surprising.