Mega-Thread: Mueller investigation

[Breccia]

None of that contains information that Stone passed information to Team Trump

Except for the part where he asked for information, got information, and told people the information. You're suggesting he got massive negative intel about Clinton, and somehow, didn't tell Trump about it. That's either a context fail or just plain old "not even you believe that" category, but your defense has been objectively smashed, and it was smashed by Stone himself.

Keep trying until the indictments are filed.

[kaid]

This was used to defend Trump. "We can't let anyone know there's an idiot in the Oval Office."

"But..there's still an idiot in the Oval Office."

"Yes, but we don't need to advertise it."

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Reuters reports that Mueller will accept Trump's written responses to questions.

"What? WHY?"

As round one.

Mueller will then decide if he wants to interview Trump...and the written responses will be kept as evidence. If Trump were to contradict those on the stand later, well, they can't both be true...

Having something in writing also locks trump into one stated story. Right now he has basically been on all sides of the story with what he has said so I can see mueller wanting some at least base line under oath claim as to what trump claims is the fact. That allows meuller to more easily prove/disprove his case.

[Dacien]

Except for the part where he asked for information, got information, and told people the information. You're suggesting he got massive negative intel about Clinton, and somehow, didn't tell Trump about it. That's either a context fail or just plain old "not even you believe that" category, but your defense has been objectively smashed, and it was smashed by Stone himself.

Keep trying until the indictments are filed.

Everyone involved says no information was passed to Stone, including the person he reached out to, Randy Credico. Credico claims he "got tired" of Stone's requests. Now, it could very well be that everyone involved is lying, and that's what the investigation is all about. But we can't say at this juncture that Stone is under investigation because he was passing WikiLeaks info to the Trump campaign. He's under investigation to find out if that was the case, among other things.

I'm talking about this because details like these are often the difference between a federal indictment and a nothingburger.

And as far as the Podesta dump, Stone claims that he had a source who made a "prediction". And as above, he could very well be lying, but we're waiting for that to be revealed.

These are minor distinctions, but important ones. It would be explosive if Roger Stone had received a stolen Podesta email and passed that on to a Trump campaign official before it was released, for example.

[cubby]

Reuters reports that Mueller will accept Trump's written responses to questions.

"What? WHY?"

As round one.

Mueller will then decide if he wants to interview Trump...and the written responses will be kept as evidence. If Trump were to contradict those on the stand later, well, they can't both be true...

Brilliant. Mueller is a class all unto himself.

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Having something in writing also locks trump into one stated story. Right now he has basically been on all sides of the story with what he has said so I can see mueller wanting some at least base line under oath claim as to what trump claims is the fact. That allows meuller to more easily prove/disprove his case.

Precisely. Getting any version of events in writing and signed by Trump is Yuge. Because when they finally get him on the stand, he will word salad/vomit himself into a perjury charge. Probably before they get past his initial background questions.

[Breccia]

Brilliant. Mueller is a class all unto himself.

Yes, but, he mostly shines in context. A senile old man, fresh from what he thinks is a victory on the "written questions" result, is now saying there will be no obstruction questions.

It seems unlikely this demand will also be met. Mueller was hired because Trump fired Comey. A senile old man seems to forget that.

[cubby]

Yes, but, he mostly shines in context. A senile old man, fresh from what he thinks is a victory on the "written questions" result, is now saying there will be no obstruction questions.

It seems unlikely this demand will also be met. Mueller was hired because Trump fired Comey. A senile old man seems to forget that.

Giuliani just gets crazier and crazier every time he opens his mouth. Have you seen the diaper interview? I mean, what the holy fuck?

[Stormspark]

Giuliani just gets crazier and crazier every time he opens his mouth. Have you seen the diaper interview? I mean, what the holy fuck?

He's gone about 5 steps beyond this guy. You know, the "American soldiers are committing suicide 'by the hundreds' outside Baghdad" and "there are no American tanks in Baghdad" (as an M1 Abrams drives by in the background) guy? And to be fair, that guy was just reading stuff that was given to him.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Saeed_al-Sahhaf

[Breccia]

Kavanaugh was asked if he would recuse himself from Trump's impeachment.

He refused to answer. A lot.

[Dacien]

Kavanaugh was asked if he would recuse himself from Trump's impeachment.

He refused to answer. A lot.

"But Kavanaugh demurred, saying he would not make a commitment on how he could decide or resolve a case that might come before him on the Supreme Court."

This is standard Ginsburg Rule practice in these confirmation hearings.

[Dontrike]

"But Kavanaugh demurred, saying he would not make a commitment on how he could decide or resolve a case that might come before him on the Supreme Court."

This is standard Ginsburg Rule practice in these confirmation hearings.

Gee, I wonder why he would do such a thing? Couldn't be because everyone sees him for what he is, a Trump stooge.

[Elegiac]

"But Kavanaugh demurred, saying he would not make a commitment on how he could decide or resolve a case that might come before him on the Supreme Court."

This is standard Ginsburg Rule practice in these confirmation hearings.

It's obvious to anyone who isn't an idiot that the answer is that he wouldn't recuse himself and would do everything in his power to ensure that Trump Co. got away with as much as possible.

[Breccia]

A senile old man, fresh from what he thinks is a victory on the "written questions" result, is now saying there will be no obstruction questions.

(12 hours pass)

A senile old man backtracks. "Turns out, when the Special Counsel was formed to investigate obstruction, the defendant can't just refuse to answer obstruction questions," he said. "Who knew defending a criminal could be so complicated?"

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He's gone about 5 steps beyond this guy.

Some quotes stand out more than others.

"They fled. The American louts fled. Indeed, concerning the fighting waged by the heroes of the Arab Socialist Baath Party yesterday, one amazing thing really is the cowardice of the American soldiers. we had not anticipated this."

At least Giulliani hasn't tried "Trump was found innocent in a court of law" yet.

[Cerilis]

At least Giulliani hasn't tried "Trump was found innocent in a court of law" yet.

I could totally see that happen though.

[Breccia]

A tear-stained, slurring Trump begged a rally crowd for votes so he doesn't get impeached.

President Donald Trump sought to heighten the sense of urgency for his base Thursday when he told supporters that if he is impeached, "it's your fault, 'cause you didn't go out to vote."

Trump has discussed the prospect of being impeached before, but his comments come after a whirlwind week raised fresh questions about his fitness for office and control over his administration.

"You didn't go out to vote -- that's the only way it could happen," Trump said during a rally in Billings, Montana.

"I'll be the only President in history they'll say: 'What a job he's done! By the way, we're impeaching him,'" Trump said.

Upon hearing that last part, Bill Clinton lowered his copy of the NYTimes, glanced over at the wall hung with accolades and honors, as well as headlines like "surplus", chuckled once, then resumed reading.

[cubby]

A tear-stained, slurring Trump begged a rally crowd for votes so he doesn't get impeached.



Upon hearing that last part, Bill Clinton lowered his copy of the NYTimes, glanced over at the wall hung with accolades and honors, as well as headlines like "surplus", chuckled once, then resumed reading.

Lol.

I think that's the only call the GOP has at this point, vote Red or they'll impeach your Dear Leader. Pelosi outright denied even considering impeachment when asked just a few weeks ago. Makes me think she might actually still have the brains to lead a bit longer.

[Breccia]

Trump tells reporters an interview with Mueller would be a waste of time.

"Why?"

Because there was no collusion. In other words, because he says he's innocent of one of the charges.

[draynay]

Trump tells reporters an interview with Mueller would be a waste of time.

"Why?"

Because there was no collusion. In other words, because he says he's innocent of one of the charges.

Reminds me of a Kids in the Hall sketch where the judge dismisses the cases of everyone who pleads not guilty and tells the DA he's too cynical for not believing them.

[Breccia]

Papadoupolous is begging for probation for lying to federal investigators. We'll see if he gets it. A more lenient sentence could be read as implied cooperation of value.

[Stormspark]

Papadoupolous is begging for probation for lying to federal investigators. We'll see if he gets it. A more lenient sentence could be read as implied cooperation of value.

I thought Mueller already gave him one hell of a plea deal.

[Breccia]

I thought Mueller already gave him one hell of a plea deal.

He did, six months for the last remaining charge isn't bad. He can always try to negotiate for better, of course, as long as the information is good. I mean, what does he have to lose? It's not like he's going to lie to Mueller to try to reduce the sentence he got for lying to Mueller. OH GOD INCEPTION