GOP panics as signs point to imminent Mueller blockbuster

[DonViejo]

BY BRENT BUDOWSKY, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 01/25/18 10:15 AM EST 1,233 THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL

The scorched-earth attacks against the FBI by a growing number of House and Senate Republicans demonstrate a high degree of fear that special counsel Robert Mueller will make blockbuster moves in the coming days and weeks that will define the fate of ongoing investigations of the Russian attack against America.

In recent days, there have been an unusually high number of revelations and disclosures, with rapid-fire speed, of upcoming meetings between Trump and Trump associates with Mueller and his special counsel team. Most likely, these revelations are coming from Trump associates who will be questioned by Mueller, or their attorneys, which is within their right whether or not this move is legally or politically wise.

The news that the special counsel and Trump’s attorneys are negotiating the terms of Mueller’s questioning of Trump, which appears poised to occur within three weeks if terms are agreed upon, suggests that some potentially decisive moves by Mueller are likely to happen in February and potentially could begin this month. The prospect of Trump’s testimony under oath will be a precipitating event for either a climactic moment for the investigation or a true constitutional crisis if Trump refuses to agree to terms and Mueller moves to subpoena Trump to testify before the grand jury and an intense legal battle waged with high odds of a national political firestorm.

I have long warned readers that there is a strong chance that Trump will never voluntarily agree to testify under oath, no matter what he says. What Trump said to reporters on Wednesday, that he yearns to testify under oath, was totally meaningless because he also said his testimony is contingent upon the advice he receives from his lawyers.

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http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/370658-gop-panics-as-signs-point-to-imminent-mueller-blockbuster

[napi21]

1. I think he will testify, even if his attorneys tell him no.

As he was telling his story about testifying he continuously said DID HILLARY TESTIFY UNDER OATH? I WILL. He sees this as an opportunity to show how much better he is than Hillary, and he takes every opportunity to do that.

[YessirAtsaFact]

4. He will probably do the opposite of what his lawyers suggest

The question is what will it take to get the GOP congress to move against him.

He has clearly obstructed justice already.

[Mr.Bill]

8. If Mueller came up with video

of Trump chopping a baby's head off, Congress will do nothing. Just about all of them are complicit in this whole mess.

[procon]

2. How many Republicans are complicit in the Russian scandal?

How many of these loudmouthed prophets of doom enabled Trump to cozy up to Putin and his henchmen? If Mueller (PBUH) takes down Trump, how many Republicans will be so badly tainted by the Russian conspiracy that they will fall too?

[SWBTATTReg]

3. tRUMP will continue to lie, lie, lie, lie, ...

and lie, under oath even. Why expect anything else from tRUMP?

No president of mine coward got caught w/ his hand in the cookie jar and he's got to pay the piper...

In spades I hope, as he well deserves.

[mvd]

5. I hope so!

I don't think our country can take much more of Trump.

[marylandblue]

6. I watched his 2016 deposition

There were several occasions where his attorney objected to a question but Trump ignored the objection and answered anyway.

[OnDoutside]

7. In the worst case scenario, what do people see happening ?

From the article :

Finally, America has now entered a very dangerous zone. If Trump ultimately intends to fire Mueller, grant preemptive pardons to those who have not yet been charged or grant pardons to those who have already been charged, those actions will be triggered by the imminent fact that Trump will either soon testify before Mueller under oath or refuse to testify.

This would set off a constitutional crisis and a huge political backlash against Trump and Republicans who defend him by attacking the FBI.

If Trump fires Mueller, you're at that point where either the GOP go all in and disband the investigations or they finally stand up for Democracy. I don't think the odds are that high that the GOP will stand up, and if they don't, surely the next step is a silence all opposition ?