Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues The Trump Administration Justice is coming

Here's a pretty good summary of what Mueller has disclosed so far, from a well-known "ultra liberal news outlet": Court records reveal a Mueller report in plain view (Washington Times). If the Washington Times is willing to publish such information, it bodes ill for Trump.

It seems extremely likely that Donald Jr. lied to the committees about the Trump tower meeting. The question, then, is: were the lies "material"? DoJ guidelines

Trump Jr. claims his father’s associates aren’t being indicted for ‘actual crimes’ (ThinkProgress). At least, he'd like that to be true...What is actually crazy about his statements is, he may actually think that way. I think, really, he thinks in terms of the tax fraud statute of limitations. If you haven't got caught, it's not criminal, you see. But.... according to Trump, his tax returns are still under audit, which tolls the statute of limitations. Ooops.

I have always wondered why reporters have not asked him and others in the Trump orbit what crimes are real crimes. If lying to the FBI or Congress is not a crime, then why did they lie??? Seems like they don't think much of the criminal code, so I have concluded they believe they have not committed any crimes.

I am beginning to wonder. For the last few days folks associated with the FBI have been telling us that the FBI is an organization that investigates. If they find criminal action, and they can prove it, then they charge the violator with the crime. We are now being told, basically, that if there is a crime we will know about it as the charging is public (kinda).

Tomorrow Cohen will publicly talk to congress and, we are told, he is coming with the evidence as well as his mouth. Evidence? I thought Mueller had all of that stuff. On the other hand, how about Mueller is using Cohen to kinda point out some facts we may not be aware of but Mueller thinks we should so he is using Cohen, and the evidence to get that done?

I wonder if there are others that will be coming forward, with the evidence.

I know - pure speculation. On the other hand not quite as crazy as some of the other speculation?

Mueller scores big win as court rejects challenge to his appointment (Politico). "In a unanimous ruling, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals turned aside arguments that Mueller wields so much power as a special prosecutor that he should have been nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate."

What may be more important, at least to Roger Stone, is that the court further determined that Andrew Miller is in contempt of court for not appearing before the grand jury. In Re Grand Jury Investigetion
(Interestingly, there is an implication in the ruling that Whitaker may not have been properly appointed acting AG.)

Mueller obtaining some piece of evidence does not necessarily mean the supplier of that evidence no longer has it. They copy hard drives and documents, not confiscate them. It's not like any of the evidence is a gun or some other physical object.

In this instance, Cohen would need a copy of his books so his accountant can figure out how to handle all the illegal transaction in a way the satisfies the IRS.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder on Twitter:

"A sitting President can be indicted."


MSNBC's Rachel Maddow says that we all need to call in sick tomorrow morning, stay in our jammys, make popcorn and watch the Michael Cohen sh!t show.

Not crazy at all.

I laughed when I read this, from Sarah Sanders: "It’s laughable that anyone would take a convicted liar like Cohen at his word, and pathetic to see him given yet another opportunity to spread his lies.” Is the difference that you haven't been convicted... yet? It certainly isn't that you've not engaged in actively lying...

I love that the former Attorney General of the United States tweeted out what I posted 12 hours earlier.