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'''James A. Baker''' was General Counsel to FBI Director [[James Comey]] during the [[Trump-Russia collusion hoax]] and [[Clinton email scandal|Hillary Clinton email whitewash investigation]] and served as the liaison with the [[Department of Justice]] (DOJ).<ref name="pressrel">{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/james-a.-baker-appointed-as-fbis-general-counsel|title=FBI — James A. Baker Appointed as FBI’s General Counsel|work=FBI}}</ref> In December, 2017 he was reassigned to a different position within the FBI.<ref>"WaPoDec17"</ref> Baker left the FBI in early April 2018,<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/04/us/politics/james-baker-lisa-page-fbi.html </ref> after Congressional leaders called for prosecution of [[Obama administration]] officials' criminal conduct during and after the 2016 election.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gowdy-goodlatte-call-for-special-prosecutor-to-investigate-fbis-use-of-fisa-warrants/ </ref> Baker moved on to work for to work for the [[Brookings Institute]] and [[Benjamin Wittes]]' Lawfareblog. Wittes was the first to write about an "insurance policy" should Trump win.

'''James A. Baker''' was General Counsel to FBI Director [[James Comey]] during the [[Trump-Russia collusion hoax]] and [[Clinton email scandal|Hillary Clinton email whitewash investigation]] and served as the liaison with the [[Department of Justice]] (DOJ).<ref name="pressrel">{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/james-a.-baker-appointed-as-fbis-general-counsel|title=FBI — James A. Baker Appointed as FBI’s General Counsel|work=FBI}}</ref> In December, 2017 he was reassigned to a different position within the FBI.<ref>"WaPoDec17"</ref> Baker left the FBI in early April 2018,<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/04/us/politics/james-baker-lisa-page-fbi.html</ref> after Congressional leaders called for prosecution of [[Obama administration]] officials' criminal conduct during and after the 2016 election.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gowdy-goodlatte-call-for-special-prosecutor-to-investigate-fbis-use-of-fisa-warrants/</ref> Baker moved on to work for to work for the [[Brookings Institute]] and [[Benjamin Wittes]]' Lawfareblog. Wittes was the first to write about an "insurance policy" should Trump win.

==Career==

==Career==

Baker testified that it was [[Michael Sussmann]], a partner at [[Perkins Coie]], who shared with him information that detailed alleged communications between servers in Trump Tower and servers located in [[Russia]] at Alfa Bank—an allegation that eventually was debunked.<ref>https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/11/the-trump-server-evaluating-new-evidence-and-countertheories.html</ref> Sussmann was also the lawyer who spearheaded the handling of the alleged breach of the [[DNC]] servers.  

Baker testified that it was [[Michael Sussmann]], a partner at [[Perkins Coie]], who shared with him information that detailed alleged communications between servers in Trump Tower and servers located in [[Russia]] at Alfa Bank—an allegation that eventually was debunked.<ref>https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/11/the-trump-server-evaluating-new-evidence-and-countertheories.html</ref> Sussmann was also the lawyer who spearheaded the handling of the alleged breach of the [[DNC]] servers.  

Baker acknowledged that he discovered that Sussmann was also speaking to ''[[The New York Times]]'' regarding that same information. The FBI later contacted ''The New York Times'' and asked the newspaper to hold off on publishing while the bureau investigated the matter. The information that Sussmann passed to Baker appeared in the so-called ''[[Steele dossier]]'', in a memo dated Sept. 14, 2016. Notably, Sussmann met with Baker five days later, on Sept. 19, 2016.<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/transcripts-of-former-top-fbi-lawyer-detail-pervasive-abnormalities-in-trump-probe_2771370.html</ref>

Baker acknowledged that he discovered that Sussmann was also speaking to ''[[The New York Times]]'' regarding that same information. The FBI later contacted ''The New York Times'' and asked the newspaper to hold off on publishing while the bureau investigated the matter. The information that Sussmann passed to Baker appeared in the so-called ''[[Steele dossier]]'', in a memo dated Sept. 14, 2016. Notably, Sussmann met with Baker five days later, on Sept. 19, 2016.<ref name="theepochtimes.com">https://www.theepochtimes.com/transcripts-of-former-top-fbi-lawyer-detail-pervasive-abnormalities-in-trump-probe_2771370.html</ref>

In addition to coordinating the “small group” activity to exonerate [[Hillary Clinton]], Baker was also a recipient for some of the Comey Memos of leaks of privileged conversations with President Trump. Baker has knowledge of, and possibly a co-conspirator in, the “insurance policy” described by FBI Agent [[Peter Strzok]] and FBI Counsel [[Lisa Page]]. Additionally, Baker would be able to identify the level of knowledge and participation of Director Comey, and is therefore perhaps the biggest risk to Comey specifically.   

In addition to coordinating the “small group” activity to exonerate [[Hillary Clinton]], Baker was also a recipient for some of the Comey Memos of leaks of privileged conversations with President Trump. Baker has knowledge of, and possibly a co-conspirator in, the “insurance policy” described by FBI Agent [[Peter Strzok]] and FBI Counsel [[Lisa Page]]. Additionally, Baker would be able to identify the level of knowledge and participation of Director Comey, and is therefore perhaps the biggest risk to Comey specifically.   

James Baker, Comey's top legal advisor in the FBI, told Congressional investigators the FBI [[collude]]d with [[Michael Sussmann]], DNC attorney with [[Perkins Coie]] before [[FusionGPS]] was hired to author false and defamatory allegations against Donald Trump.<ref>https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/409817-russia-collusion-bombshell-dnc-lawyers-met-with-fbi-on-dossier-before</ref> Sussmann reportedly provided Baker with documents and electronic media, tainted evidence that was used to gain a warrant to spy on opposition Republicans without informing the court of its origins in the 2016 elections.<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/04/fbi-dnc-lawyer-russia-2016-election/</ref>

James Baker, Comey's top legal advisor in the FBI, told Congressional investigators the FBI [[collude]]d with [[Michael Sussmann]], DNC attorney with [[Perkins Coie]] before [[FusionGPS]] was hired to author false and defamatory allegations against Donald Trump.<ref>https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/409817-russia-collusion-bombshell-dnc-lawyers-met-with-fbi-on-dossier-before</ref> Sussmann reportedly provided Baker with documents and electronic media, tainted evidence that was used to gain a warrant to spy on opposition Republicans without informing the court of its origins in the 2016 elections.<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/04/fbi-dnc-lawyer-russia-2016-election/</ref>

Baker told investigators that he personally reviewed portions of the Page FISA application, adding that this wasn't something he would usually get involved in. He also admitted that he didn't review the Woods file, which provides underlying documentation for the accuracy of facts represented in the FISA application. Baker testified that he told James Comey at some point that he thought the FISA “was legally sufficient.”<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/transcripts-of-former-top-fbi-lawyer-detail-pervasive-abnormalities-in-trump-probe_2771370.html</ref>

Baker told investigators that he personally reviewed portions of the Page FISA application, adding that this wasn't something he would usually get involved in. He also admitted that he didn't review the Woods file, which provides underlying documentation for the accuracy of facts represented in the FISA application. Baker testified that he told James Comey at some point that he thought the FISA “was legally sufficient.”<ref name="theepochtimes.com"/>

In 1972, opposition researchers working for [[President Nixon]] broke into the [[Watergate]] hotel to spy on Democrat opponents during the [[1972 presidential election]]. Nixon later was forced from office and disgraced for abusing his office by illegal domestic spying on political opponents to influence the outcome of an election. Dozens of [[conspiracy|conspirator]]s - inside and outside of government - were convicted and jailed.

In 1972, opposition researchers working for [[President Nixon]] broke into the [[Watergate]] hotel to spy on Democrat opponents during the [[1972 presidential election]]. Nixon later was forced from office and disgraced for abusing his office by illegal domestic spying on political opponents to influence the outcome of an election. Dozens of [[conspiracy|conspirator]]s - inside and outside of government - were convicted and jailed.

===Corn and Steele===

===Corn and Steele===

In 2017, Sinclair-owned ''Circa News'' reported that Baker was under a Department of Justice [[criminal]] investigation for allegedly leaking classified national security information concerning the [[Trump administration]] to the media.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.circa.com/story/2017/07/26/politics/james-a-baker-fbi-general-counsel-is-allegedly-under-an-investigation-for-leaking-classified-information-to-the-media|title=EXCLUSIVE: A top FBI lawyer is allegedly under an investigation for leaking classified information to the media|access-date=|date=July 27, 2017|language=en|work=Circa News}}</ref><ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/22/trump-dossier-fbi-james-baker-david-corn-mother-jones-316157 </ref>

In 2017, Sinclair-owned ''Circa News'' reported that Baker was under a Department of Justice [[criminal]] investigation for allegedly leaking classified national security information concerning the [[Trump administration]] to the media.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.circa.com/story/2017/07/26/politics/james-a-baker-fbi-general-counsel-is-allegedly-under-an-investigation-for-leaking-classified-information-to-the-media|title=EXCLUSIVE: A top FBI lawyer is allegedly under an investigation for leaking classified information to the media|access-date=|date=July 27, 2017|language=en|work=Circa News}}</ref><ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/22/trump-dossier-fbi-james-baker-david-corn-mother-jones-316157</ref>

Baker admitted he received a version of the ''[[Steele dossier]]'' from leftist reporter [[David Corn]] of ''[[Mother Jones]]'' magazine, and then forwarded it to [[Peter Strzok]]'s team. Corn says that occurred in November 2016, right after the [[2016 presidential election]]. Baker admitted to having received parts of the ''Steele dossier'' from Corn. Baker testified that these sections were different than the ones already in the FBI's possession: "My recollection is that he had part of the dossier, that we had other parts already, and that we got still other parts from other people, and that — and nevertheless some of the parts that David Corn gave us were parts that we did not have from another source."

Baker admitted he received a version of the ''[[Steele dossier]]'' from leftist reporter [[David Corn]] of ''[[Mother Jones]]'' magazine, and then forwarded it to [[Peter Strzok]]'s team. Corn says that occurred in November 2016, right after the [[2016 presidential election]]. Baker admitted to having received parts of the ''Steele dossier'' from Corn. Baker testified that these sections were different than the ones already in the FBI's possession: "My recollection is that he had part of the dossier, that we had other parts already, and that we got still other parts from other people, and that — and nevertheless some of the parts that David Corn gave us were parts that we did not have from another source."

On June 7, 2017 ''Vox'' reported: {{quotebox|FBI Director James B. Comey pulled aside three of the bureau’s top officials for private chats. In calm tones, he told each of them about a private Oval Office meeting with [[President Trump]]...Those three officials, according to two people with detailed, firsthand knowledge of the matter, were [[Jim Rybicki]], Comey’s chief of staff and senior counselor; James Baker, the FBI’s general counsel; and [[Andrew McCabe]], then the bureau’s deputy director, and now the acting director...<br>One senior law enforcement official familiar with the matter said that Comey specifically sought legal advice from Baker about when and how to tell the DOJ about Trump pressing Comey to shut down the Russia probe. The same official said that Comey and Baker had more than one discussion about the matter, and that Baker almost certainly made extensive notes about those deliberations.

On June 7, 2017 ''Vox'' reported: {{quotebox|FBI Director James B. Comey pulled aside three of the bureau’s top officials for private chats. In calm tones, he told each of them about a private Oval Office meeting with [[President Trump]]...Those three officials, according to two people with detailed, firsthand knowledge of the matter, were [[Jim Rybicki]], Comey’s chief of staff and senior counselor; James Baker, the FBI’s general counsel; and [[Andrew McCabe]], then the bureau’s deputy director, and now the acting director...<br>One senior law enforcement official familiar with the matter said that Comey specifically sought legal advice from Baker about when and how to tell the DOJ about Trump pressing Comey to shut down the Russia probe. The same official said that Comey and Baker had more than one discussion about the matter, and that Baker almost certainly made extensive notes about those deliberations.

Both Comey and Baker sought the advice of Rybicki and McCabe as to whether to inform the Justice Department of Trump’s pressure of Comey to shut down the Russia probe, according to this same official. All four of them had reservations about doing so because they did not fully trust [[Attorney General]] [[Jeff Sessions]] — and because the events were unprecedented in their experience.<ref>https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/7/15751336/fbi-trump-russia-comey-trump-flynn </ref>}}

Both Comey and Baker sought the advice of Rybicki and McCabe as to whether to inform the Justice Department of Trump’s pressure of Comey to shut down the Russia probe, according to this same official. All four of them had reservations about doing so because they did not fully trust [[Attorney General]] [[Jeff Sessions]] — and because the events were unprecedented in their experience.<ref>https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/7/15751336/fbi-trump-russia-comey-trump-flynn</ref>}}

''NY Mag'' repeated the substance of classified information: {{quotebox|within two days of Comey’s fateful meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, he relayed his account of what Trump asked him to do (or undo) to three top FBI associates: Deputy Director (and now Acting Director) Andrew McCabe; Chief of Staff Jim Rybicki; and General Counsel James Baker.<ref>http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/06/3-fbi-officials-can-support-comeys-account-of-trump-meeting.html </ref>}}

''NY Mag'' repeated the substance of classified information: {{quotebox|within two days of Comey’s fateful meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, he relayed his account of what Trump asked him to do (or undo) to three top FBI associates: Deputy Director (and now Acting Director) Andrew McCabe; Chief of Staff Jim Rybicki; and General Counsel James Baker.<ref>http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/06/3-fbi-officials-can-support-comeys-account-of-trump-meeting.html</ref>}}

==See also==

==See also==