# A Thread for the Mueller Investigation Results and Outcomes (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 28, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093 "2017-10-28T20:14:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 245
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4882 "2018-05-31T15:44:26Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I look forward to seeing Putin locked up in Leavenworth for that. He probably already has a pardon for his buddy Vlad all filled out and ready to sign. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4883 "2018-05-31T22:32:36Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > If you want to get pedantic, and the defenders will, it is legal for the President to declassify anything. The Secretary of State doesn’t have that authority… Actually, while the President is vested with classification authority, the President can delegate that authority. [Executive Order 13526](https://www.archives.gov/isoo/policy-documents/cnsi-eo.html), signed by Obama in 2009, delegates this authority to agency heads (like the Secretary of State). > [@](#): > > ec. 1.3. Classification Authority. > (a) The authority to classify information > originally may be exercised only by: > (1) the President and the Vice President; > (2) agency heads and officials designated by the President; and > (3) United States Government officials delegated this authority pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4884 "2018-06-01T00:25:40Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Actually, while the President is vested with classification authority, the President can delegate that authority. [Executive Order 13526](https://www.archives.gov/isoo/policy-documents/cnsi-eo.html), signed by Obama in 2009, delegates this authority to agency heads (like the Secretary of State). So you’re saying Clinton could just say those emails are declassified, and nothing bad ever actually happened? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4885 "2018-06-01T01:06:17Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > So you’re saying Clinton could just say those emails are declassified, and nothing bad ever actually happened? No, no, no. Of course not. When Democrats do it it’s bad. A crime, even. Possibly treason. A hangin’ offense. Understand now? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4886 "2018-06-01T01:19:38Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > No, no, no. Of course not. When Democrats do it it’s bad. A crime, even. Possibly treason. A hangin’ offense. > > Understand now? Have I told you lately that I love you? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4887 "2018-06-01T03:18:08Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Have I told you lately that I love you? Awww shucks… _\_ ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4888 "2018-06-01T04:40:50Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > His password is probably MAGA. You’re assuming he bothers with a password at all – such a stupid useless bother, why even have one slowing you down when the latest rage-tweet is hot to trot? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4889 "2018-06-01T13:01:10Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > You’re assuming he bothers with a password at all – such a stupid useless bother, why even have one slowing you down when the latest rage-tweet is hot to trot? his password is password - because thats what the box told him to put in - and its ‘remembered’ since he can’t bother to type it in. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4890 "2018-06-01T13:11:24Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Actually, while the President is vested with classification authority, the President can delegate that authority. [Executive Order 13526](https://www.archives.gov/isoo/policy-documents/cnsi-eo.html), signed by Obama in 2009, delegates this authority to agency heads (like the Secretary of State). Classification authority is different than declassification authority. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4891 "2018-06-01T14:40:32Z")
And the white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4892 "2018-06-01T17:30:27Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Classification authority is different than declassification authority. Fair enough. [The](https://www.archives.gov/isoo/policy-documents/cnsi-eo.html#three) same order also discusses declassification. > [@](#): > > Sec. 3.1. Authority for Declassification. (a) Information shall be declassified as soon as it no longer meets the standards for classification under this order. > (b) Information shall be declassified or downgraded by: > (1) the official who authorized the original classification, if that official is still serving in the same position and has original classification authority; > (2) the originator’s current successor in function, if that individual has original classification authority; > (3) a supervisory official of either the originator or his or her successor in function, if the supervisory official has original classification authority; or (4) officials delegated declassification authority in writing by the agency head or the senior agency official of the originating agency. > (c) The Director of National Intelligence (or, if delegated by the Director of National Intelligence, the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence) may, with respect to the Intelligence Community, after consultation with the head of the originating Intelligence Community element or department, declassify, downgrade, or direct the declassification or downgrading of information or intelligence relating to intelligence sources, methods, or activities. I think she could still declassify State Department stuff, I guess. If I understand it correctly, the real controversy with regards to the classification system is the fact that different departments have their own authority, so something not classified by, for example, the State Department, could still be classified by, for example, the Defense Department. I believe that the controversy surrounding Clinton was a lot of second guessing by other people in other departments; much of the speculation in articles came from “intelligence officials”, for example. (And over classification is a [huge problem](https://documentmedia.com/article-2368-The-Problem-with-Over-Classification-and-Email.html) in government) Ultimately, though, she might as well as be dead and gone, as far as politics go. I truly believe that the only people who want to keep her alive in political discussions are Republicans who need their various “scary libruls” to fire up the base. So I’ll say no more, except to note that Trump doesn’t give a fuck about maintaining security now that it’s inconvenient for him to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4893 "2018-06-01T18:34:52Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > So I’ll say no more, except to note that Trump doesn’t give a fuck about maintaining security now that it’s inconvenient for him to do so. ISTM that the actual picture is a bit more complex - and simultaneously also a bit simpler, oddly - than this. I highly doubt if Trump could articulate exactly what it is that HRC did which endangered national security. I think he has some very vague idea that it had to do with emails and a server, but that’s probably about it. (At least on a regular basis - it’s possible that he’s seen a Fox show on the subject within the last half hour that he might be able to add a bit more detail.) So he’s consistently concerned about national security in the sense that he genuinely believes his foggy notion that HRC did VERY BAD stuff which ENDANGERED NATIONAL SECURITY. By contrast, his own actions seem benign to him, and don’t seem to be endangering national security as far as he can tell, and who would know better? Of course, all the above just relates to the extent to which Trump is a hypocrite. For everyone else it’s kind of moot, because no one should be basing their opinion on what is or isn’t a national security concern on anything Trump thinks, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4894 "2018-06-01T18:53:15Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > And the white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone. We both know perfectly well what this is about. You want me to have an abortion. ---
**Author:** ![SaneBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SaneBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaneBill)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4895 "2018-06-01T19:03:17Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > We both know perfectly well what this is about. You want me to have an abortion. Yes. Now go lying down on the bottom of the quarry and we throw some stones on you. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4896 "2018-06-01T19:37:52Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > And the white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone. Message received, compadre… the pigeon poops on the highway to the danger zone. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4897 "2018-06-01T19:50:11Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > We both know perfectly well what this is about. You want me to have an abortion. > [@SaneBill](#): > > Yes. Now go lying down on the bottom of the quarry and we throw some stones on you. > [@digs](#): > > Message received, compadre… the pigeon poops on the highway to the danger zone. **CurtC** totally fucking rocks! Everyone else gets a tepid and obviously disappointed “attaboy” for their contribution. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4898 "2018-06-01T19:52:22Z")
Oh, by the way, let’s talk about [Jared Kushner’s friend Rick Gerson](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/jared-kushner-close-friend-rick-gerson-now-under-scrutiny-mueller-n876361): > [@](#): > > Richard Gerson, a hedge-fund manager in New York, was in the Seychelles in January 2017, less than two weeks before President Donald Trump’s inauguration and around the time Trump associate Erik Prince secretly met with Russian and United Arab Emirates officials, including Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, four of the people said. > > While in the remote Indian Ocean island nation, Gerson met with Prince Mohammed — also known by his initials as MBZ — and communicated with a Lebanese-American businessman with close ties to the UAE, George Nader, who had organized the Erik Prince meeting, according to text messages Gerson sent at the time and a person familiar with the meeting. > > Gerson had met Nader just weeks earlier when Trump officials, including Kushner, gathered for a secret meeting with MBZ at a Four Seasons hotel in New York, four people familiar with the meeting said. Trump’s incoming national security adviser Michael Flynn and chief political adviser Steve Bannon, as well as the UAE’s ambassador to the U.S., Yousef Otaiba, also attended the meeting. > > Gerson’s presence in the Seychelles and at the Four Seasons meeting has not been previously reported. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4899 "2018-06-01T20:04:40Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > **CurtC** totally fucking rocks! Everyone else gets a tepid and obviously disappointed “attaboy” for their contribution. It’s really the only sensible thing to do. If its done safely, therapeutically, there’s no danger involved. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4900 "2018-06-02T01:00:37Z")
Put the _Airplane!_ down and look at this: > [@BobLibDem](#): > > Of course, nobody should try to actually hack into his accounts. Looks as though someone might be doing just that: > [@](#): > > _ **Signs of sophisticated cell-phone spying found near White House, say U.S. officials** _ > > “This admission from DHS bolsters my concern about stingrays and other spying devices being used to spy on Americans’ phones,” [Senator Ron] Wyden said in a statement on Thursday. “Given the reports of rogue spying devices being identified near the White House and other government facilities, I fear that foreign intelligence services could target the president and other senior officials.” > **[Signs of sophisticated cell-phone spying found near White House, say U.S....](https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/01/white-house-spy-technology-found/)** > > A federal study found signs that surveillance devices for intercepting cellphone calls and texts were operating near the White House and other sensitive locations in the Washington area last year. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4901 "2018-06-02T01:35:31Z")
All of this concern about cell-spying devices assumes he’s not deliberately giving Putin classified info. I’m not convinced he’s actually working as an agent, witting or unwitting, but I’m not convinced he’s not, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=244) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=246)