I heard that the four judges were Republican-appointees.
Since the Judges are supposed to be anonymous, how could anyone know that?
And, even if they were... their “destroy Trump” mentality would win out over anything else. Look at Mueller, another “dyed-in-the-wool” Republican, and Comey (what a joke).
I am a fan of Dan Bongino, and he has consistently delivered great explanations for all this.
Whether they are Republican appointees or not, there is no doubt they were on close personal terms with both Strzok and Lisa Page as these texts indicate, calling one of the judges “Rudy” (Rudolph Contreras):
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Page: “Rudy is on the FISC! Did you know that? Just appointed two months ago.” At that point, the pair continues to discuss other issues but comes back to Contreras, “I did. We talked about it before and after. I need to get together with him.”
Page: “Thought of it because you had to Google FISC judges and him there. I’m telling you.”
Strzok: “….She brought up a good point about being circumspect in talking to him in terms of not placing him into a situation where he’d have to recuse himself.”
Page: “I can’t imagine you either one of you could talk about anything in detail meaningful enough to warrant recusal.” Page then goes back to discussing a different issue saying, “Anyway, maybe you meant to, but didn’t.’
Strzok: “Really? Rudy. I’m in charge of espionage for the FBI. Any espionage FISA comes before him, what should he do? Given his friend oversees them?”
Page: “Standards for recusal are quite high. I just don’t think this poses an actual conflict. And he doesn’t know what you do?”
Strzok: “Generally he does know what I do. Not the level or scope or area but he’s super thoughtful and rigorous about ethics and conflicts. (redacted) suggested a social setting with others would probably be better than a one on one meeting. I’m sorry, I’m just going to have to invite you to that cocktail party. Of course, you’ll be there. Have to come up with some other work people cover for action.”
Page: “Why more? Six is a perfectly fine dinner party.”
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That said, my take on the judges given the release of the FISA request...it can ONLY be one of two things, there are no other options:
1.) The FISA judges are incompetent rubber stamp judges
2.) The FISA judges were in on all of this.
There are no other options.