What exactly does James Clapper say here?
Via Talking Points Memo, the Former Director of National Intelligence told Chuck Todd on Sunday when asked (my boldface font below):
In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Clapper said that he did not know of any FISA court order to authorize surveillance on Trump Tower.
“Obviously I can’t speak officially anymore, but I will say that for the part of the national security apparatus that I oversaw as DNI there was no wiretap activity mounted against the President-elect at the time, or as a candidate, or against his campaign,” he said. “I can’t speak for other Title III authorized entities in the government, or a state or local entity.”
“If the FBI, for instance, had a FISA court order of some sort for surveillance, would that be information you would know?” Chuck Todd asked.
“Yes,” Clapper said.
“You would be told this, if there was a FISA court order on something like this,” Todd pressed.
“I would know that. Yes,” Clapper replied. “Something like this, absolutely.”
“And at this point you can’t confirm or deny whether that exists?” Todd asked.
“I can deny it,” Clapper said.
“There is no FISA court order?” Todd pressed.
“Not to my knowledge,” Clapper said.
“Of anything at Trump Tower?” Todd asked.
“No,” Clapper said.
When a politician or political appointee uses “Not to my knowledge” in a sentence, seems to me he/she is inserting wiggle room in case an “Alternate Truth” becomes known.
Things that make ya say “Hmmmmm”…
