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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMueller teams prepare to move forward without presidential interview (no necessity)
The presidents lawyers wanted any interview to last only a few hours, according to one person familiar with the matter. They also wanted Mueller to agree to write a report within at least three or four months after completing the interview, this person said.
Prior to Mondays raid, Muellers team had been aiming to finalize a report on its findings on whether the president has tried to obstruct justice in the Russia investigation in the coming months, as early as May or as late as July, three sources said. That timeline hinged in part on reaching a decision on a presidential interview, these people said. One person familiar with the investigation described a decision on an interview as one of the last steps Mueller was seeking to take before closing his investigation into obstruction.
Now, according to two sources, Muellers team may be able to close the obstruction probe more quickly as they will not need to prepare for the interview or follow up on what the president says.
The raid on Cohen significantly complicated any negotiations for the presidents legal team, according to a person familiar with the discussions, who also cautioned that you never say never in terms of a possible interview. This person said the presidents legal team is still in frequent contact with Muellers team on other issues related to the investigation.
White House Counsel Ty Cobb said it was untrue that talks had broken down.
I have agreed with the historically cooperative, disciplined approach that we have engaged in with Robert Mueller (Unlike the Clintons!). I have full confidence in Ty Cobb, my Special Counsel, and have been fully advised throughout each phase of this process.
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2018
Three sources familiar with the investigation said the findings Mueller has collected on Trumps attempts to obstruct justice include: His intent to fire former FBI Director James Comey; his role in the crafting of a misleading public statement on the nature of a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between his son and Russians; Trumps dangling of pardons before grand jury witnesses who might testify against him; and pressuring Attorney General Jeff Sessions not to recuse himself from the Russia investigation.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-mueller-teams-prepare-move-forward-without-presidential-interview-n865421
Xipe Totec
(43,872 posts)syringis
(5,101 posts)Yes, but the obstruction has to be proven too.
I suppose Mueller has enough material to prove it, from what was seized in Cohen's office.
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)I don't even get the reference, nor am I THAT big a fan, but -- isn't that ancient history by now?
Sheesh.
syringis
(5,101 posts)TwittLer can't help...
His acrimony, hatred and jealousy toward Hillary and Obama, are bottomless !
orangecrush
(19,237 posts)my guess.
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,539 posts)Not being center of the Universe -- finding out that the investigation does not live or die based on him giving an interview -- must crush Trump's oversized ego.
joshdawg
(2,638 posts)psssh. Nothing to see here. Move along.
syringis
(5,101 posts)For once, I'm gladly thanking Adolf Agolf TwittLer for his tweeting fury, and begging him not to stop !
FailureToCommunicate
(13,989 posts)"Three sources familiar with the investigation said the findings Mueller has collected on Trumps attempts to obstruct justice include:
His intent to fire former FBI Director James Comey;
his role in the crafting of a misleading public statement on the nature of a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between his son and Russians;
Trumps dangling of pardons before grand jury witnesses who might testify against him;
and pressuring Attorney General Jeff Sessions not to recuse himself from the Russia investigation."
forgotmylogin
(7,496 posts)"Do you have anything to say on your behalf?"
(microphone pushed away with a shake of the head)
uponit7771
(90,225 posts)Volaris
(10,260 posts)We don't need you to show up and lie to us. We have everything we need, but thanks anyway.
My guess is that obstruction is going to be the LEAST of the charges leveled.
iluvtennis
(19,758 posts)to interfere in the election
Dopers_Greed
(2,640 posts)TRUMP IS FUCKED
TRUMP IS FUCKED
TRUMP IS FUCKED
TRUMP IS FUCKED
TRUMP IS FUCKED
TRUMP IS FUCKED