# 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:** 296
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5902 "2018-07-26T14:05:43Z")
Cohen argued in court he had only three clients: Trump, Eliot Broidy, and Sean Hannity. My “client 3” crack above referenced Hannity. If he has more, then perjury. WOMP WOMP! But if Cohen gets caught in a perjury trap, I really don’t care. Do u? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5903 "2018-07-26T14:10:24Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Cohen argued in court he had only three clients: Trump, Eliot Broidy, and Sean Hannity. My “client 3” crack above referenced Hannity. > > If he has more, then perjury. WOMP WOMP! > > But if Cohen gets caught in a perjury trap, I really don’t care. Do u? If he hangs them and then hangs himself, that’s just BETTER. ---
**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:** [July 26, 2018, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5904 "2018-07-26T14:10:50Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > … > > But if Cohen gets caught in a perjury trap, I really don’t care. Do u? I think I’ll get that printed on a pair of socks. Wait…no…\* \\* ---
**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:** [July 26, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5905 "2018-07-26T14:17:34Z")
The assumption that the Cohen tapes are necessarily related to any sort of client is highly questionable. Based on the minuscule percentage of seized material determined to be protected by a/c privilege, it would seem that very little of what Cohen did was client work of any sort. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5906 "2018-07-26T14:20:49Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Cohen argued in court he had only three clients: Trump, Eliot Broidy, and Sean Hannity. My “client 3” crack above referenced Hannity. > > If he has more, then perjury. WOMP WOMP! > > But if Cohen gets caught in a perjury trap, I really don’t care. Do u? Cohen’s _lawyers_ said that. There could be repercussions if it was false, but it wouldn’t be perjury ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5907 "2018-07-26T14:28:09Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Their reasons, of course, are straight bullshit. The first couple are that Rosenstein didn’t indulge their petty whims and conspiracy theories. > > Eventually they straight up lie about the dossier and FISA application. > > In a just world both of them would see some repercussions, so don’t hold your breath. I keep hearing from Trump supporters about how the Mueller investigation has gone on too long. It’s been what, barely over a year? How long did Ken Starr have free rein to dig into all the Clintons’ dirt? How many pointless Benghazi investigations did we have? ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5908 "2018-07-26T14:41:01Z")
This is pure, irresponsible speculation, supported by no evidence, but: does anyone else have a sneaking suspicion that Melania is somehow a part of Russia’s connection to Trump? The prevailing view of her seems to be that she hooked up with Trump for her own reasons (actual affection, money, immigration issues, whatever) and got roped into his political adventure against her wishes. And she does seem to be unhappy both in the relationship and in the role as First Lady. But, I dunno. A beautiful woman from a former Soviet republic turns up in the US and hooks up with Trump at a time when the Russians were trying to establish a connection with him, and shortly before he starts his first run at the Presidency. And she stays with him through his serial affairs, and as he barrels toward senescence. And, as First Lady, she mainly cribs from Michelle Obama and stays out of view. Yeah, maybe it’s all down to money and a punitive prenuptial agreement. Or maybe she was a more successful version of Mariia Butina, staying with a man she secretly loathed to advance some political agenda. Like I said, I know of no evidence of this. I just keep expecting her name to turn up in a Mueller filing. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5909 "2018-07-26T14:52:10Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > A beautiful woman from a former Soviet republic turns up in the US and hooks up with Trump… Nitpick: Slovania was part of the Eastern Bloc but not actually part of the Soviet Union. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5910 "2018-07-26T15:18:26Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Cohen’s _lawyers_ said that. There could be repercussions if it was false, but it wouldn’t be perjury That’s right, appreciate the clarification. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5911 "2018-07-26T15:52:17Z")
I will give Jefferson Beauregard Sessions credit for one thing: he apparently still believes in the rule of law. I’m not saying he’s apolitical and that he hasn’t injected his own politics into the Department of Justice, but in that regard, he doesn’t appear to be appreciably different than previous attorneys general, such as Gonzalez or Ashcroft. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5912 "2018-07-26T16:12:36Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Nitpick: Slovania was part of the Eastern Bloc but not actually part of the Soviet Union. Slovenia or Slovakia. In Melania’s case, Slovenia. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5913 "2018-07-26T16:33:13Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > This is pure, irresponsible speculation, supported by no evidence, but: does anyone else have a sneaking suspicion that Melania is somehow a part of Russia’s connection to Trump? The prevailing view of her seems to be that she hooked up with Trump for her own reasons (actual affection, money, immigration issues, whatever) and got roped into his political adventure against her wishes. And she does seem to be unhappy both in the relationship and in the role as First Lady. But, I dunno. A beautiful woman from a former Soviet republic turns up in the US and hooks up with Trump at a time when the Russians were trying to establish a connection with him, and shortly before he starts his first run at the Presidency. And she stays with him through his serial affairs, and as he barrels toward senescence. And, as First Lady, she mainly cribs from Michelle Obama and stays out of view. Yeah, maybe it’s all down to money and a punitive prenuptial agreement. Or maybe she was a more successful version of Mariia Butina, staying with a man she secretly loathed to advance some political agenda. > > Like I said, I know of no evidence of this. I just keep expecting her name to turn up in a Mueller filing. ehhh… I don’t think there is any doubt that she loathes him. Someone may have their hooks into her though. That wouldn’t be a surprise at all with this group of stupid crooks. Melania may be the smartest one of the bunch. Or Tiffaney. She has at least stayed out of the public eye. Personally, I think Malenia is nothing more than a common gold-digger, caught up in a world of international intrigue, wealth, power and side notes of quite interludes with handsome spies. We should write a book. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5914 "2018-07-26T18:56:14Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Paper ballots can be scanned very easily. In Washington State we have complicated ballots, but they’re all paper (and all via mail—no trips to the polling place) True, but I took the comment as being paper only; no machine involvement, so no possibility of hacking the machine in any way. Would it be easy in your electoral system to have paper ballots, no machines, counted by hand? The scanners presumably have software in them to do the counting; that software likely needs to be updated, from time to time. What’s the security of the software and the updating process? Counting paper ballots by hand leads to other accuracy concerns, of course. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5915 "2018-07-26T19:12:20Z")
[Oops!](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/399015-trump-organization-finance-chief-called-to-testify-before-jury-in) In one of the original 12 tapes, the name of Allen Wesselberg was referenced by Cohen: > [@](#): > > “I’ve spoken with Allen Weisselberg about how to set the whole thing up,” Cohen says on the tape. > > Weisselberg has served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Trump Organization for decades, according to the Journal, which added that he was Trump’s longtime personal financial adviser, and even helped compile Trump’s tax returns for years. Now the man, unknown to the general public (and, it seems, every reporter) has been subpoenaed by the SDNY to appear before the grand jury investigating Cohen. Also… the theory gaining credence about just _why_ these tapes were released is that, though attorney-client, the Special Master was going to rule they did not qualify as privileged because of the crime/fraud exception. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5916 "2018-07-26T19:20:21Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > True, but I took the comment as being paper only; no machine involvement, so no possibility of hacking the machine in any way. Would it be easy in your electoral system to have paper ballots, no machines, counted by hand? > > The scanners presumably have software in them to do the counting; that software likely needs to be updated, from time to time. What’s the security of the software and the updating process? > > Counting paper ballots by hand leads to other accuracy concerns, of course. 🙂 That’s what auditing is for. Take a random sample, and count it by hand, and see if those number match the machine counting. If not, then you probably made an error, count again. But, if the error persists, you can assume the machine is not counting properly. Also, cross check ballots. Run them through two different machines, ensure that those totals match. Personally, I don’t really trust any voting method that does not have at some point in it a human readable ballot that has been seen and approved of by the voter. But then, I don’t trust mail in ballots all that much either, does concern me that many states are going to that as a default. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5917 "2018-07-26T19:21:47Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > This is pure, irresponsible speculation, supported by no evidence, but: does anyone else have a sneaking suspicion that Melania is somehow a part of Russia’s connection to Trump? The prevailing view of her seems to be that she hooked up with Trump for her own reasons (actual affection, money, immigration issues, whatever) and got roped into his political adventure against her wishes. And she does seem to be unhappy both in the relationship and in the role as First Lady. But, I dunno. A beautiful woman from a former Soviet republic turns up in the US and hooks up with Trump at a time when the Russians were trying to establish a connection with him… Well, we’ve got a few problems already; 1. As pointed out, Slovenia wasn’t the Soviet Union and does not even border it, 2. In fact, it wasn’t even in the Warsaw Pact, and Slovenia was one of the most Western parts of the Communist European countries. It would have been scarcely less odd for the Russians to have recruited a phony wife from Australia, 3. Trump’s love of Eastern European women far predates Melania. I think the simplest explanation is the right one; the reason a beautiful young woman married a gross old pervert is she wanted the money. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5918 "2018-07-26T19:25:55Z")
[Nothing to see here!](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/399005-mueller-reviewing-trumps-tweets-as-part-of-obstruction-investigation?) **Mueller reviewing Trump’s tweets as part of obstruction investigation: report** "Special counsel Robert Muelleris reviewing President Trump’s tweets as he pursues an investigation into whether the president obstructed justice, The New York Times reportedThursday. The Times, citing three people briefed on the matter, reported that Mueller is particularly interested in Trump’s tweets about Attorney General jeff Sessions, former FBI Director James Comey qnd former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. The president has used the social media platform to fiercely criticize each official. Mueller’s office declined to comment to the Times." ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5919 "2018-07-26T19:33:42Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Nitpick: Slovania was part of the Eastern Bloc but not actually part of the Soviet Union. > [@RickJay](#): > > 1. In fact, it wasn’t even in the Warsaw Pact, and Slovenia was one of the most Western parts of the Communist European countries. Thanks for the corrections. I still have nagging suspicions about her, which I suppose are mostly driven by guilt by association. But it just seems like _everyone_ in his circle is up to no good. And here’s Melania, whom everyone pities. In the hack political thriller that real life seems to be imitating these days, she’d be the linchpin of the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5920 "2018-07-26T19:34:05Z")
I don’t understand how a federal investigator “reviewing” someone’s public social media is newsworthy. So, Mueller is scrolling through his Twitter feed like anyone else can do? Uh, ok? Isn’t this sorta low-hanging fruit that he probably assigned an intern to do on Day 1? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/5921 "2018-07-26T19:41:22Z")
Because it’s getting steadily closer to His Trumpness himself. Sean Spicer said that the President’s tweets are official statements from the Prez himself. It may be an indication that Mueller is moving on from investigating the Russians and Flynn and the campaign folks like Monafort, and now thinks it’s worth investigating Trump himself in detail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=295) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=297)