# 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:** 420
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8383 "2018-12-17T21:19:27Z")
I don’t know why the US Department of Justice is acting as Trump’s personal lawyers, but the DOJ has filed an appeal with the 4th Circuit Court to prevent the AGs of DC and Maryland from issuing subpoenas in the emoluments case. [https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/trump-demands-stop-to-emoluments-case-as-state-ags-subpoena-38-witnesses?fbclid=IwAR3RMrTv5rlYMbDPNK6meZKnoMObQ7ZBQAe2RvSjnFFMANYUCmDnjLhvcIY](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/trump-demands-stop-to-emoluments-case-as-state-ags-subpoena-38-witnesses?fbclid=IwAR3RMrTv5rlYMbDPNK6meZKnoMObQ7ZBQAe2RvSjnFFMANYUCmDnjLhvcIY) ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8384 "2018-12-17T21:32:31Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > I don’t know why the US Department of Justice is acting as Trump’s personal lawyers Whitaker, presumably. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8385 "2018-12-17T21:50:18Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Merde-as – everything he touches turns to shit. See Rick Wilson’s latest on amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2018, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8386 "2018-12-17T23:46:48Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > I don’t know why the US Department of Justice is acting as Trump’s personal lawyers, but the DOJ has filed an appeal with the 4th Circuit Court to prevent the AGs of DC and Maryland from issuing subpoenas in the emoluments case. > [Trump Demands Stop To Emoluments Case As State AGs Subpoena 38 Witnesses - TPM – Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/trump-demands-stop-to-emoluments-case-as-state-ags-subpoena-38-witnesses?fbclid=IwAR3RMrTv5rlYMbDPNK6meZKnoMObQ7ZBQAe2RvSjnFFMANYUCmDnjLhvcIY) His lawyers weasel back 225 years for a nice homespun precedent: > [@](#): > > Other elements of the brief descend into early U.S. history, going back to the plantations and land purchases made by the founding fathers and early presidents. > > Trump attorneys cite Washington D.C. land records from 1793 to show that George Washington purchased “several lots of federal land” during his presidency, adding that “no concern was raised that such transactions conferred a benefit.” > > The DOJ goes further, however, and reaches for the slave-run plantations that Washington and Thomas Jefferson ran while in office as examples how the Constitution permits presidents to run private businesses while in office. > > “Several early Presidents owned plantations and continued to export cash crops overseas while in office, including Washington, who exported flour and cornmeal to ‘England, Portugal, and the island of Jamaica,’ and Thomas Jefferson, who exported tobacco to Great Britain,” the filing reads. > > “Yet there is no evidence that they took steps to ensure that foreign governments were not among their customers,” the DOJ adds. Hoped to see muskets and chattel mentioned…Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8387 "2018-12-18T00:03:31Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > I don’t know why the US Department of Justice is acting as Trump’s personal lawyers, but the DOJ has filed an appeal with the 4th Circuit Court to prevent the AGs of DC and Maryland from issuing subpoenas in the emoluments case. > [Trump Demands Stop To Emoluments Case As State AGs Subpoena 38 Witnesses - TPM – Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/trump-demands-stop-to-emoluments-case-as-state-ags-subpoena-38-witnesses?fbclid=IwAR3RMrTv5rlYMbDPNK6meZKnoMObQ7ZBQAe2RvSjnFFMANYUCmDnjLhvcIY) I say let’s just get this ball rolling ASAP. Haul this mess up before the SCOTUS and see if they are actually so corrupt (certain Justices excluded) as to issue a ruling in favor of selling out the USA to the highest foreign bidders. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2018, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8388 "2018-12-18T00:04:47Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > His lawyers weasel back 225 years for a nice homespun precedent: > > Hoped to see muskets and chattel mentioned…Oh well. I wonder if he’s thinking of repealing the Emancipation Proclamation. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8389 "2018-12-18T02:13:42Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > I don’t know why the US Department of Justice is acting as Trump’s personal lawyers, but the DOJ has filed an appeal with the 4th Circuit Court to prevent the AGs of DC and Maryland from issuing subpoenas in the emoluments case. > [Trump Demands Stop To Emoluments Case As State AGs Subpoena 38 Witnesses - TPM – Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/trump-demands-stop-to-emoluments-case-as-state-ags-subpoena-38-witnesses?fbclid=IwAR3RMrTv5rlYMbDPNK6meZKnoMObQ7ZBQAe2RvSjnFFMANYUCmDnjLhvcIY) The DC and MD attorneys general should file challenges to the use of DOJ resources in the case. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8390 "2018-12-18T02:37:07Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > The DC and MD attorneys general should file challenges to the use of DOJ resources in the case. This is long established precedent. The DOJ will (and has) defend any president against suits filed - as long as they are not personal. As posted in a blog comment… > [@](#): > > Because it is a suit against the president in his official capacity. Also because it deals with whether the conduct does, or does not, violate the Constitution. > > In every administration there are literally thousands of suits filed against the president in his official capacity (and very few meritorious suits filed in his personal capacity). The DoJ defends the official capacity suits as a matter of course. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8391 "2018-12-18T02:38:52Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I wonder if he’s thinking of repealing the Emancipation Proclamation. Guessing they are having a hard time finding the Gettysburg address on Google Maps. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8392 "2018-12-18T02:49:01Z")
Back to the Mueller-Flynn case - Marcy Wheeler has just posted a worthwhile read on emptywheel. Flynn may be in trouble with Judge Sullivan. [Mike Flynn Steps in It: In a bid to feed the frothy right, He Leads to Release of Damning New Details Showing He Lied to Protect Trump](https://www.emptywheel.net/2018/12/17/mike-flynn-steps-in-it-in-a-bid-to-feed-the-frothy-right-he-leads-to-damning-new-details-showing-he-lied-to-protect-trump/) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8393 "2018-12-18T03:27:08Z")
And in other news, the Senate – in a bipartisan effort – released [two reports more finely analyzing Russian intervention in and subversion of our election in 2016 and beyond](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-socialmedia/russia-used-social-media-for-widespread-meddling-in-u-s-politics-reports-idUSKBN1OG257). (Reuters) > [@](#): > > Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election on social media was more widespread than previously thought and included attempts to divide Americans by race and extreme ideology, said reports by private experts released on Monday by U.S. senators from both parties. Post election, the Russians continued their propaganda/disinformation campaign in an effort to discredit James Comey and Robert Mueller, among others. In fact, their efforts increased even more _after_ the election. Hmmm… I wonder if they were still listening to Manafort. Apparently the White House was, according to **JohnT** ’s Vox article earlier linked to in his Post #8333. Gosh. It’s almost as if their efforts were coordinated. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8394 "2018-12-18T03:48:41Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Gosh. It’s almost as if their efforts were coordinated. Gee, if only there was a word that would describe a secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others… ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8395 "2018-12-18T03:55:22Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > Gee, if only there was a word that would describe a secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others… LOL, I hate that word… because it’s not a legal crime, and certain Republicans are trying to pretend it is. Including Trump’s personal lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8396 "2018-12-18T04:19:28Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Back to the Mueller-Flynn case - Marcy Wheeler has just posted a worthwhile read on emptywheel. Flynn may be in trouble with Judge Sullivan. > > [Mike Flynn Steps in It: In a bid to feed the frothy right, He Leads to Release of Damning New Details Showing He Lied to Protect Trump](https://www.emptywheel.net/2018/12/17/mike-flynn-steps-in-it-in-a-bid-to-feed-the-frothy-right-he-leads-to-damning-new-details-showing-he-lied-to-protect-trump/) I found it fascinating that the judge ordered this 302 produced for the Court’s consideration in advance of sentencing, and even more interesting that Judge Sullivan ordered a redacted copy be made available to the public. This, together with **friedo** ’s information regarding new indictments brought against Flynn’s partner naming Flynn as Person A (an unindicted co-conspirator) today, cannot be a coincidence. If they take the time, the public can be educated about just how deep in this spy shit Flynn was. Corrupt to the bone. I hope Judge Sullivan gives him at least a little prison time. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8397 "2018-12-18T04:51:15Z")
It seems only fair. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8398 "2018-12-18T10:38:05Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Merde-as – everything he touches turns to shit. He’s the political equivalent of [Uwe Boll](https://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=637). > [@Aspenglow](#): > > I found it fascinating that the judge ordered this 302 produced for the Court’s consideration in advance of sentencing, and even more interesting that Judge Sullivan ordered a redacted copy be made available to the public. This, together with **friedo** ’s information regarding new indictments brought against Flynn’s partner naming Flynn as Person A (an unindicted co-conspirator) today, cannot be a coincidence. > > If they take the time, the public can be educated about just how deep in this spy shit Flynn was. Corrupt to the bone. I hope Judge Sullivan gives him at least a little prison time. I have to admit I didn’t quite follow that article. What was the connection to Peter Strzok? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8399 "2018-12-18T13:05:45Z")
Strzok was one of the agents who interviewed Flynn, and who prepared the FD-302 report memorializing the interview. ETA: Interestingly, the identity of the other interviewer is [redacted]. Here’s the [302 that was filed](https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/5633264/12-17-18-Redacted-Flynn-Interview-302.pdf) at the order of Judge Sullivan. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8400 "2018-12-18T14:10:28Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > His lawyers weasel back 225 years for a nice homespun precedent: Well, that’s an improvement for Donny Two-scoops; he’s gone from petulant three-year old to seven. “_He_ did it so why can’t I!” ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8401 "2018-12-18T14:18:55Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > “Not above the law” is a principle that many Americans on both the right and the left can get behind… 😕 Cite? Senator Orrin Hatch recently told a reporter he “didn’t care” if Trump were a criminal. Senator Susan Collins is uninterested in Cohen’s charges against Trump because “some of Cohen’s crimes didn’t involve Trump.” Senator Lindsay Graham, once a never-Trumper, is now wearing a MAGA cap and saying he never smelt a fart as sweet as Dear Leader Trumpie’s farts. Millions of Americans still think locking Hillary Clinton up should be the top law-enforcement priority. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8402 "2018-12-18T16:01:39Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > [Giuliani](https://twitter.com/ABCPolitics/status/1074309788983451648): “I know collusion’s not a crime, right? It was over with by the time of the election.” > > Didn’t see that goalpost move coming. Admit to the collusion to win the election, but since that collusion ended at the election, we are all good. Forget where I saw it, but one talking head/late night host said the goalposts have been moved so often and so far that they’re now out in the stadium parking lot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=419) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=421)