MURDER, POLITICS, AND THE END OF THE JAZZ AGE
by Michael Wolraich
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Mueller Report Coming Soon?
By Michael Wolraich on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 1:35pm |President Trump’s lawyers and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III are hurtling toward a showdown over a year-long investigation into the president’s conduct, with Mueller pushing to write up his findings by summer’s end and Trump’s lawyers strategizing how to rebut a report that could spur impeachment hearings.
...
If the president agreed to a sit-down, the special counsel has told Trump’s lawyers that he could finish within roughly 90 days a report on whether Trump sought to obstruct a probe into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, according to two people familiar with the discussions. A separate report outlining Mueller’s broader findings on Russian attempts to bolster Trump’s candidacy is expected to take longer.
URL:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/prepared-for-war-as-mueller-moves-to-finalize-obstruction-report-trumps-allies-ready-for-political-battle/2018/06/16/ec3a4cfe-650c-11e8-a69c-b944de66d9e7_story.html
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Comments
Stupid question: Why would Mueller choose to release the obstruction report before completing the investigation into Russia meddling?
by Michael Wolraich on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 1:37pm
It's a good question, not a stupid one.
One can, as I do, decode the language of this article to suggest that the obstruction report is coming first to accuse or clear Trump of "criminal wrongdoing" as regards obstruction, after he meets with them. And that the second report will not involve accusing him of "criminal wrongdoing", but possibly members of his campaign and Russians.
But then, what are the reporters of this article (and a number of others like it) basing this on? As far as I can see, they are basing it on leaks from Trump operatives saying that they are preparing for the war happening soon. And also what I see in this article is a suggestion that some of those same people want to get the president's culpability question over and done with in adequate time before midterm elections. Cavaet emptor? We don't really know.
by artappraiser on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 3:50pm
This sounds plausible. Giuliani previously said as much, and Mueller doesn't leak. So it may be just wishful thinking or propaganda from the Trump team.
by Michael Wolraich on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 5:39pm
major evidence of Trumpies freaking out, i.e. "let's get this torture over with":
by artappraiser on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 10:00pm
There's also a good chance that they're doing a flambe to deflect from less appetizing offerings currently on the table.
by barefooted on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 10:34pm
My guess is it's a fake breakwater - to get Trump to think he can withstand the obstruction, and thus discredit the collusion/treason. So he'll testify. I don't think Mueller has any intention of making it so easy, but anything that promotes Trump's optimism...
by PeraclesPlease on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 3:54pm
That's another possibility
by Michael Wolraich on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 5:53pm
Since the obstruction charges relate to behavior by Trump's allies in Congress and the Executive branches, many of their efforts to dismiss the investigation will force them to fish or cut bait in regards to their "concern" that the whole thing is merely a scam versus being revealed to be interested parties. Nunes, in particular, may have to drop his chew toy. Also, maybe all the evidence needed has already been gathered regarding intent. It only has to be proven enough to compel conviction.
The trials of Manafort are still to get underway. The issues of jurisdiction and admissible evidence are not complete. How that plays out will influence how and how quickly other indictments go forward. If Manafort ends up cooperating, that could lead to new information.
And there is Cohen. If he flipped, who knows where the trail will lead.
by moat on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 4:29pm
My concern is that a critical report on obstruction without a report on other collusion-related crimes would undermine the obstruction charge. Sure, you can be guilty of obstruction without another crime, but it's harder to sway a jury/Congress that way. If the main investigation doesn't produce any charges, I can imagine a prosecutor going with the obstruction charge alone. But it seems odd to hurry up the obstruction charge while the main investigation is still ongoing.
by Michael Wolraich on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 6:01pm
It is putting the cart before the horse. Maybe it is a mistake.
But to continue my argument that it is not, I bring up the following.
The report is to be delivered to the DOJ and shared with the leadership in Congress. There will be a battle over what should be revealed or not. What is included may not be overwhelming from the point of view of winning a court case but may make those busy undermining the investigation uncomfortable about continuing their histrionics. An arrangement could happen where the report is not fully disclosed in exchange for the G.O.P. stepping back from the deep state puppet show. That could buy time for the more thorough processes to unfold. Typical investigations do not have this kind of effort being put forward by very powerful people to shut the whole thing down.
Since the report is not an indictment, per se, revealing the evidence gathered may weaken the case in a court of law later on but does not preclude there being one. It is not like revealing the results of discovery in this situation is subject to double jeopardy.
by moat on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 7:00pm
Moat, your prediction of a battle over releasing the report is astute, but I don't see how this thing remains under wraps. The stakes are too high and the public's interest too keen. If it's not released, it will be leaked.
When that report comes out, the impeachment debate will begin in earnest. Democrats will go on offense, Republicans will go on defense, and Trump will go berserk. But unless the report includes incredibly damning information that we don't already know, the Republicans will prevail. Once they do, Trump will be emboldened to shut down the "tainted" investigation, and his friends and flunkies in Congress won't stop him. The only hope for justice at that point will be for Democrats to win both houses in November. Even then, it would require enough Republican support to overcome a veto.
For Mueller's report to end Trump's presidency, shock-and-awe is required. It should include startling revelations and, more importantly, the full story of Russian machinations, the campaign's participation, and Trump's efforts to cover up the crimes. Starting with the cover up would be a spoiler that undermines the power of the story.
by Michael Wolraich on Tue, 06/19/2018 - 10:35am
You are right. The first punch has to be a knockout blow.
I just hope the boxer survives long enough to deliver it.
by moat on Wed, 06/20/2018 - 4:31pm
Manafort has appealed the detention:
by artappraiser on Mon, 06/25/2018 - 4:06pm