hno:
Muellers been quiet for a few days, does he wait til Xmas eve to bring his next criminal? I think he is a nice guy and waits until after Xmas
and New Years. Though I could be wrong. Jared is Jewish so Xmas won't mean anything to him. The apple does not fall farm the tree.
(Ben Shapiro)
The biggest problem with the Mueller investigation has always been its scope. What, exactly, was Mueller investigating? Andrew McCarthy at National Review always suggested that the investigation wasn’t criminal — it was a counterintelligence investigation. What’s the difference? A criminal investigation would pursue proof of crime — and collusion with Russia isn’t a crime (conspiracy is, but it has not been close to proved), nor can the President of the United States be criminally charged with obstruction of justice for firing employees of the executive branch for any reason at all. So what’s all this about? Thus far, it appears to be a fishing expedition designed to elicit charges of lying to the FBI.
Mueller’s investigation was not a criminal investigation. It started out as a fishing expedition, under the vaporous heading of “collusion,” into “contacts” between Russian officials and Trump associates — notwithstanding that collusion is not conspiracy and that it was perfectly legal for Trump associates to have contacts with Russia (just like Clinton associates did). It was to be expected that the Trump campaign and transition would have such contacts once it was apparent that Trump could well become — and did in fact become — the next president of the United States.
No collusion has been shown. Zero criminal activity has been charged beyond lying to the FBI (which is, of course, a crime) — and it seems so far that Team Trump’s lies to the FBI had less to do with lying over criminal behavior and more to do with lying out of ignorance of the law. That’s still lying, but it’s Scooter Libby-type lying, not Richard Nixon-type lying. At least Watergate involved underlying criminal activity. There’s no proof of any underlying criminal activity here whatsoever (and please, spare me the Logan Act commentary — that probably-unconstitutional piece of law has never earned a single conviction).
Nonetheless, if push comes to shove, Trump will be hard-pressed not to treat anyone indicted for lying to the FBI over non-crime the same way George W. Bush treated Libby: by pardoning or commuting sentences. And Trump will be hard-pressed not to fire Mueller if Mueller continues racking up weak indictments based on lying to the FBI, rather than on any serious underlying criminal activity. Would doing so amount to “obstruction of justice”? For political impeachment purposes, perhaps. But not for legal purposes. Here’s what I wrote about that back in June:
There are three separate federal laws, as The New York Times points out, that could deal with this situation. None clearly does.
1. 18 USC 1503: This “omnibus” clause covers “corruptly or… by any threatening letter or communication influenc[ing], or imped[ing] or endeavor[ing[ to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice.” But the clause also requires a pending judicial proceeding – and as far as we are all aware, there is none. Furthermore, the Supreme Court is quite exacting on the application of this law – a prosecutor would need to prove that Trump’s conduct materially impeded the investigation, which even Comey has said didn’t happen.
2. 18 USC 1512(c): This provision of law covers anyone who “obstructs, influences, or impedes an official proceeding, or attempts to do so.” It is not clear that an FBI investigation is an “official proceeding,” and proving intent is difficult in any case. And it’s not enough to show intent to violate the subsection – you have to take a “substantial step toward the accomplishment of that goal.”
3. 18 USC 1519: This provision covers destroying evidence related to a federal investigation. There are no accusations that Trump destroyed evidence. Unless Trump had tapes and destroyed them, the statue simply doesn’t apply.
So, we may end up with an impeachment based on the president exercising his power under law, based on a special counsel exceeding his brief and charging people who lied to him for no good reason. It’s hard to imagine a proceeding more damaging to the country than that.
Obviously I don't know what is going to happen. The President is a reflection of the country and his success only serves to benefit all of us. A failed President benefits no one. I joke around and post stupid shit, just like everyone else, it's funny. I suspect some take it seriously, which is hysterical.
Clinton's special prosecutor stated out with Whitewater and found nothing. He searched for 8 years and finally turned up sex in the WH, which Clinton lied about. Yes he was impeached for breaking the law as he should have been.
Mr Mueller is no knee jerk liberal. He was appointed by Trumps assistant attorney general to do exactly what Ken Starr did. Investigate and hold people accountable. He is doing his job. I understand people calling him corrupt and biased that is how Ken Star was treated.
Mueller is moving forward as he should and if Trump is guilty of a crime he should be held accountable. Our system will collapse if it turns into a dictatorship. If Trump ends up in an orange jumpsuit the country will move on and continue to prosper.
Clinton's special prosecutor stated out with Whitewater and found nothing. He searched for 8 years and finally turned up sex in the WH, which Clinton lied about. Yes he was impeached for breaking the law as he should have been.
Mr Mueller is no knee jerk liberal. He was appointed by Trumps assistant attorney general to do exactly what Ken Starr did. Investigate and hold people accountable. He is doing his job. I understand people calling him corrupt and biased that is how Ken Star was treated.
Mueller is moving forward as he should and if Trump is guilty of a crime he should be held accountable. Our system will collapse if it turns into a dictatorship. If Trump ends up in an orange jumpsuit the country will move on and continue to prosper.
