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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTHREAD: Today's NYT revelations aid Mueller's obstruction investigation.
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3/ Why did Trump care so much about whether Sessions recused himself? According to the article, Trump said that he wanted Sessions to safeguard him, as he believed other Attorney Generals had done.
4/ This is really important because Mueller is investigating whether Trump obstructed justice by firing Comey with corrupt intent. In other words, by acting with the intent to unlawfully impede the investigation.
5/ To prove someones intent, prosecutors often ask jurors to make inferences from what the person said or did because we dont have a magical telescope that can look inside their brain.
6/ Trumps statements about Sessions recusal can raise an inference that Trump wanted Sessions to impede or stop the Russia investigation. Mueller could argue that this suggests that Trump had the same intent when he fired Comey.
7/ None of Trumps conversations with McGahn are privileged, and I expect Mueller asked him tough questions about why he followed Trumps order. Even if Trump could argue that he didnt understand recusal, McGahn certainly did and knew that Trumps request was unethical.
8/ McGahns actions are in stark contrast with another White House lawyer, Uttam Dhillon, who withheld information from Trump about whether he could fire Comey in an attempt to prevent him from doing so. As the article notes, that is highly unusual.
9/ It is unethical for a lawyer not to counsel a client regarding his legal options or to mislead a client about his options. Dhillons decision to do so in this instance suggests he was deeply concerned about Trumps desire to fire Comey.
10/ Dhillon could testify about his concern, and more importantly, about the facts that prompted his concern. The article doesnt fully discuss what Dhillon saw and heard, but Mueller could ask him. Dhillons testimony could be very important.
11/ Its worth noting that if Dhillon thought Trump was obstructing justice, the proper course for him to take would have been to inform Trump that firing Comey could be a crime.
12/ Todays article also notes that the first sentence of the original letter firing Comey, which Trump asked Stephen Miller to write, mentioned Trumps claim that the Russia investigation was fabricated and politically motivated.
13/ That also suggests that the Russia investigation was Trumps motivation for the firing, which he famously admitted to Lester Holt in an interview after initially claiming otherwise.
14/ The Times article also notes that after Comeys firing, a Sessions aide looked for dirt on Comey, which the Justice Department now denies. That is interesting because it could show Sessions involvement in an attempt to discredit a witness against Trump.
15/ That would be highly improper, given that Sessions is the head of the agency conducting the investigation and recused himself from the investigation.
16/ Overall, the main conclusion to draw from this article is that the Trumps statements to McGahn strengthen the obstruction case against Trump, and Dhillon could be an important witness for Mueller.
/end
triron
(21,984 posts)I think obstruction evidence is overwhelming.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)Even if it is to protect the client from doing something stupid?
Gabi Hayes
(28,795 posts)That was funny, especially the sane people on the panel responding
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)And multiple counts in some of them.
Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)triron
(21,984 posts)NewsCenter28
(1,835 posts)Let's talk more about this and LESS about Bannon's feud with Trump, OK media?
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)Gabi Hayes
(28,795 posts)Gearing up to use the Oliver North get out of jail free defense for any and all brought to trial, after their congressional testimony is aired/leaked
All they need is another crooked three judge appellate panel like the one ON has
Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)Gabi Hayes
(28,795 posts)Never saw this. its been discussed elsewhere
Jordan, Nunes etal want public testimony to make for appeal basis: any body who talks to congress
Will be very difficult to nail, especially in the appeal process. Initial conviction will be irrelevant
All depends on the politics of the appeals court
In norths case, two pugs, one dem
Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)Bringing me back several decades...
Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)Makes you wonder what goes on behind the scenes.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)triron
(21,984 posts)Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)And how many Trump team members will be indicted for obstruction in addition to Trump?
Link to tweet
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triron
(21,984 posts)ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)I think tRump is done.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)triron
(21,984 posts)Last edited Fri Jan 5, 2018, 02:09 AM - Edit history (1)
Sounds like a line from a song. Oh well I was watching a dumb movie: Freaky Friday
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)Jan 4, 2018
A New York Times story reports Trump told the White Houses top lawyer to stop Jeff Sessions from recusing himself in the Russia investigation.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)Link to tweet
Link to tweet
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Priebus notes confirming Comey another tool for Robert Mueller
Chuck Rosenberg, former U.S. attorney, talks with Rachel Maddow about how former Trump chief-of-staff Reince Priebus's notes corroborating James Comey's notes about meetings with Donald Trump might be used in a court case. Duration: 5:31
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)triron
(21,984 posts)He needs to go to prison for a long time.
Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)Corruption and crime are second nature to some politicians.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)Jun 11, 2017
Former New York U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara sits down with George Stephanopoulos for his first television interview since being fired by President Trump.
Link to tweet
Irish_Dem
(46,426 posts)My jaw dropped, which is becoming permanent I think as long as Trumpwad is in office.