Politics The Probe

Exclusive: First charges filed in Mueller investigation - CNNPolitics

This goes beyond Trump
This goes beyond the GOP or Dems

This is potentially a crime(s)
This affects our national security
This affects our voting

This is potentially a Constitutional Crisis.

It deserves it's own thread

 

Playing catch up...this is happening fast now.
Geez, it was a slow burn before.

Panic spreads on Trump’s legal team as everyone tries to guess who Mueller will indict

As Mueller Files Criminal Charges, White House Accuses Democrats Of Collusion

A Frustrated Trump Demands GOP 'Do Something' And People Ran With It

Schadenfreude
And more to come, I'm sure.

 

And now we know who...
First guilty plea, indictment of Trump aides in Russia probe

 

It's not the crime...it's the cover up...
Preet Bharara Reads Bob Mueller’s Tea Leaves

And if that's true...it leaves Trump very vulnerable.

 

Well, most are saying that Mueller is "unassailable" - since he's now released the first indictments
BUT Trump has already shown he is perfectly capable of doing things that no one would ever expect.
The Dems have started surrounding Mueller (but they often don't have teeth)
The GOP who's in "control", are hedging their bets. (saying ...don't you "dare"...but doing really nothing to shield Mueller

This is basically a race.
Certainly not a chessmatch...because one side doesn't know even checkers.
Mueller acting fast now. (cornering Trump's associates in)
Trump potentially acting like a rat in a corner (even IF he has done nothing)
It's who blinks first.
Who acts first.

This is going to get very messy
And will be "interesting times" for future generations to think, WTF??

 

10 takeaways from Mueller’s shock-and-awe gambit

If it weren't so disconcerting...this is kind of fascinating to watch.
It's not everyday you get to watch a REAL potential constitutional crisis.

 

Prosecutor to Trump: Shut Up or Face Gag Order From Russia Probe Special Counsel

DO IT!!!
Please.

1. Primarily, it's very appropriate, legally
2. it would piss him off
3. just to see the look on his face

 

Donald Trump Jr. Told Russian Lawyer 'If We Come to Power' an Anti-Russia Law Would Be Reconsidered

Flynn
The Son-in-law
Now the son...

The noose is tightening...whether correct or not
Trump is likely to panic and say something stupid...or even worse do something stupid

No one is above the law, sooner or later it catches up to you.
And there ARE consequences to lying and obstruction.

 

Looks like the probe is expanding...or at least getting into aspects that haven't been revealed before
Russia investigators probe 2016 GOP platform fight

And if they're revealing it...it means that they have something already.
Mueller's team is lock-jawed and only reveal when they want a reaction to get more info from the ruffled feathers.

Bit by bit...

 

Mueller is unassailable, insofar as Trump has no direct path to affect him or his work. Mueller is currently under the authority of Deputy AG Rosenstein, who appointed him and is thus unlikely to dismiss him. Rosenstein, in turn, is under the authority of AG Jeff Sessions, who has shown no desire to dismiss Rosenstein (and may not be able to due to having recused himself from the Russia probe). Most of Trump's ability to surprise has been due to his willingness to completely disregard decorum or tradition, but he doesn't get to ignore the law. Short of pulling a Nixon and just firing AGs until he finds one who is willing to shut down the investigation, he can't touch Mueller; and even that move is limited value, since Congress can and almost certainly will just reappoint him, putting him out of Trump's reach for good. The problem is that the inverse is also true; Mueller has no path to indict Trump, and if Trump does choose to simply pardon those who Mueller indicts there's not much to be done about it. The biggest wrinkle, which I'm sure Trump's legal team has been doing their best to hammer into him over the past few weeks, is that anyone Trump pardons will lose fifth amendment protection and can be compelled to testify. Depending on what they know this could be highly problematic.

Mueller is smart and highly competent and he knows all of this. He's going to do his job regardless. The variable right now is to see who Trump will choose to protect and who he'll leave hanging. I suspect he'll be perfectly willing to let both Flynn and Flynn the Lesser serve as scapegoats; I can't help but think that anyone who doesn't also sign their checks with Trump will find themselves sorely disappointed if they're expecting any loyalty from Don Cheeto.

Personally, I think when and if Mueller indicts one of the Trumplings is when things are going to get real.

 

Trump tweeted about Podesta emails 15 minutes after WikiLeaks asked Trump Jr. to: report

drip, drip, drip...
connecting the dots...bit by bit

 

Special Counsel sends wide-ranging request for documents to Justice Department

Looks like Mueller is trouncing on...step by step
Frankly, I'm surprised they didn't do this before the initial reveal...keep it even more hush-hush and no one can interfere by being aware.
Now they may get more resistance and coverup (maybe that's what they want...a dupe, it's not the crime that gets you...it's the coverup, the obstruction)

Or perhaps they formally had no reason to before...and now they have a "legit" reason legally to be able to request them.
Many don't realize how much you can't review until you have "a need to know" legal and for cause.
Especially, if your judges and go-betweens are in the opposition, formal or not inclined to assist.

It's a maze with a lot of speed bumps and road blocks.
It's why things don't come out in the open often.

 

Flynn legal team no longer discussing special counsel Russia probe with Trump lawyers

Uh oh... *cue the courtroom music*
I think I see cracks in Trump's wall...

 

BTW...

 

Flynn's lawyer meets members of special counsel's team, raising specter of plea deal

In like Flynn...
Dump on Trump??

 

View: https://medium.com/@gregolear/a-complete-list-of-meetings-between-trump-associates-and-russians-50963e332646?ICID=ref_fark


That we know of...
However despite the noted within, which "may" be unconfirmed...what CAN the Mueller probe actually use and leverage legally???

 

Michael Flynn Expected to Plead Guilty to Lying to the F.B.I.

Now definitely in like Flynn...
And you know he's going to flip.

I would love to know Trump's reaction at the moment.

This is the minimal charge they could do...it's almost like Mueller is doing only ONE charge that can stick no matter what.
Leaving any extra charges as a threat (and because they're legally more difficult to prove and stick)
So that makes the perps sweat...and open up.
Leading to an easy...Obstruction of Justice for the bigger players.

Ya gotta admire the brilliant chess-play.

 

Flynn said to have acted in consultation with Kushner, transition team on contacts with Russian ambassador

The dominoes start to fall...

Y'know...Kushner is really going to regret being "forgetful" on his background edit...and all those nice additions after the fact...
Much less, anything else he "forgot" elsewhere
Mueller seems to be a harsh taskmaster on those emmissions.
Those "sticklers"

 

Emails Dispute White House Claims That Flynn Acted Independently on Russia

Cracks are forming on the dam...

AND

Trump's lawyer: I wrote the president's 'sloppy' tweet about Flynn's dismissal

It's not the crime, it's the coverup