I realize some here aren't fond of Bongino and that's fine but he describes a plausible theory that the Flynn call with the Russian was a result of an operation set in motion by Obama himself to trigger that call by expelling a bunch of Russian diplomats from the US.
Here are some of the facts that support this:
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Flynn's name was never masked, and no unmasking requests occurred between 12.28.16 and 1.4.17.
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Comey stated that they already had the call in late December.
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Flynn's call with the Amb was on 12.29.16, when he was out of the country in Dominican Republic.
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Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats from the US the EXACT SAME DAY 12.29.16
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McCabe testified that they obtained the call transcripts through "an effort to respond to a tasking from [redacted] and so the results of what we found were communicated to the Agency"
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FISA law has an exception whereby POTUS may authorize electronic surveilance to acquire foreign intelligence for 1 year WITHOUT a FISC order.
From Epoch Times:
Comey said the calls were “turned up … at the end of December, beginning of January.”
Then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper requested copies from Comey and then briefed Obama, his Vice President Joe Biden, and Obama’s senior staff about the calls, Comey said.
As McCabe described the origin of the transcripts, “They came up—we found them through an effort—without getting into too long of an explanation—in an effort to respond to a tasking from [redacted] and so the results of what we found were communicated to the Agency, who I think had the pen on that response.”
35 Russian diplomats expelled from US:
https://www.npr.org/2016/12/29/507436692/obama-expels-35-diplomats-imposes-retaliatory-sanctions-against-russia-for-hacki
Flynn was never masked:
https://www.theepochtimes.com/flynns-name-never-masked-in-call-transcripts-briefed-to-obama-records-indicate_3350021.html
Bongino show (from 5-25min mark)
https://youtu.be/VZ9cqYSMWFs