# 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:** 442
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8823 "2019-01-10T17:27:16Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > …Amy Klobuchar just said in an interview that she was denied a meeting with William Barr in advance of his confirmation hearing next week “because shutdown.” > … The shutdown is going to be a multipurpose excuse for anything and everything. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8824 "2019-01-10T17:34:49Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > That cliche is really only true about cross examination. In depositions and in discovery, good lawyers ask lots and lots of questions to which they don’t already know the answer. That’s true. I suppose if we’re feeling especially precise, we might say that it’s true about cross examination – and attorney investigators in a Special Counsel’s Office who are questioning primary targets of potential criminal charges at the tail end of their investigations. My apologies for not spelling it out. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8825 "2019-01-10T17:39:24Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > The shutdown is going to be a multipurpose excuse for anything and everything. What a conundrum for Trump! If he declares his “national emergency” and Republicans move to reopen government, then what excuse will Mr. Barr use to avoid meetings with Democrats? And all those federal workers will get back to work prosecuting Trump and his family. (!!!) But if he doesn’t reopen government, his base might continue to turn on him. (!!!) Decisions, decisions. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8826 "2019-01-10T20:02:18Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > The shutdown is going to be a multipurpose excuse for anything and everything. Shutdowns, tax audits, they’ve got this “stopping things from ever moving forward” thing down to a science. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8827 "2019-01-10T21:14:03Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Now, this news comes as a shock: > > [Trump will not answer any more questions from Mueller](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia/president-trump-will-not-answer-any-more-questions-from-mueller-giuliani-idUSKCN1P32FW?il=0). (Reuters) > > > [@](#): > > > > Lawyers for U.S. President Donald Trump have told special counsel Robert Mueller that he will not answer any more questions in the probe of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election, Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani told Reuters on Wednesday. > > > > \ > > > > “As far as we’re concerned, everything is over,” **Giuliani told Reuters. “We weren’t convinced they had any questions they don’t know the answer to.”** > > > > Giuliani said the ball was now in the special counsel’s court. “They could try to subpoena him if they want,” he said. “But they know we could fight that like hell.” > > > > Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment. > > Stunning revelation Giuliani-wise, for sure. :rolleyes: Aren’t competent lawyers famous for ONLY asking questions that they already know the answers to? ---
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8828 "2019-01-10T21:17:59Z")
In cross-examination, yes. But in discovery and elsewhere it’s quite common… even needed… for attorneys to ask questions to get more information. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8829 "2019-01-10T21:41:53Z")
Michael Cohen is going to testify before Congress. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8830 "2019-01-10T22:19:30Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > What a conundrum for Trump! > > If he declares his “national emergency” and Republicans move to reopen government, then what excuse will Mr. Barr use to avoid meetings with Democrats? > > And all those federal workers will get back to work prosecuting Trump and his family. (!!!) > > But if he doesn’t reopen government, his base might continue to turn on him. (!!!) > > Decisions, decisions. :rolleyes: With any luck, [this](https://imgur.com/HE68MhD)will be the result. ---
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8831 "2019-01-10T22:20:47Z")
In court before a jury, you don’t want surprise answers. You want to be presenting evidence that you’ve already ascertained exists. But outside of a court is where you obtain said ascertainment by asking questions you don’t know the answer to and seeing where they lead. Or perhaps more likely, pay someone else to. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8832 "2019-01-10T23:12:59Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Michael Cohen is going to testify before Congress. I hope he has good security. Because he’s particularly dangerous to Trump: he’s already going to jail, so won’t be silenced by the hope of a pardon; and he’s burned all his GOP-cred bridges, so won’t hold back in the hopes of having a lucrative job handed to him when he gets out of prison. And he knows a lot of stuff. A _lot._ ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2019, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8833 "2019-01-10T23:23:39Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Michael Cohen is going to testify before Congress. Public testimony. The GOP is incentivized to end the shutdown to get as many people back to work as possible before these hearings take place. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8834 "2019-01-10T23:42:39Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Public testimony. The GOP is incentivized to end the shutdown to get as many people back to work as possible before these hearings take place. I’ll agree with that. The last thing the GOP or that Trump wants is for the public to be at home with absolutely nothing to do but watch Cohen’s testimony. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2019, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8835 "2019-01-10T23:47:30Z")
Foxnews now agreeing that illegal [collusion/conspiracy took place](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/01/10/napolitano_on_collusion_mueller_can_show_trump_campaign_had_a_connection_to_russian_intelligence.html)between Russia and Trump campaign. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2019, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8836 "2019-01-10T23:54:42Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I’ll agree with that. The last thing the GOP or that Trump wants is for the public to be at home with absolutely nothing to do but watch Cohen’s testimony. Well, if we’re in a state of National Emergency, it would be quite simple to shut down coverage of hearings. Shut down the hearings, for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8837 "2019-01-11T02:04:04Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > That cliche is really only true about cross examination. In depositions and in discovery, good lawyers ask lots and lots of questions to which they don’t already know the answer. I would imagine in an investigation like Mueller is doing you would want a combination of both. You are interested in what they say about the things you don’t know about but you sprinkle in a few questions that you know the answer to so you can tell how honest they are being. > [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Foxnews now agreeing that illegal [collusion/conspiracy took place](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/01/10/napolitano_on_collusion_mueller_can_show_trump_campaign_had_a_connection_to_russian_intelligence.html)between Russia and Trump campaign. The degree of nit-picking they go to to argue that collusion isn’t a crime is astounding. You might as well say that child molesting isn’t a crime because we call it sexual assault of a minor. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8838 "2019-01-11T03:14:33Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Michael Cohen is going to testify before Congress. Feb. 7 for those who were wondering. Cohen, 52, said in a statement on Thursday that he agreed to appear before the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 7 “in furtherance of my commitment to cooperate and provide the American people with answers.” “I look forward to having the privilege of being afforded a platform with which to give a full and credible account of the events which have transpired,” he added. > **[Ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen to testify publicly before Congress in February](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/ex-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-testify-publicly-congress-february-n957321)** > > Cohen was sentenced to 3 years behind bars in December, and will appear before the House Oversight Committee. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8839 "2019-01-11T03:25:26Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Feb. 7 for those who were wondering. > > Cohen, 52, said in a statement on Thursday that he agreed to appear before the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 7 “in furtherance of my commitment to cooperate and provide the American people with answers.” > “I look forward to having the privilege of being afforded a platform with which to give a full and credible account of the events which have transpired,” he added. > [Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen to testify publicly before Congress in February](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/ex-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-testify-publicly-congress-february-n957321) From this [article](https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/10/politics/michael-cohen-testify-congress/index.html), which I posted in another thread: > [@](#): > > Cohen addressed his relationship with Trump at his sentencing, saying he had “blind loyalty to this man that led me to choose a path of darkness over light.” > “Recently, the President tweeted a statement calling me ‘weak,’ and he was correct, but for a much different reason than he was implying,” Cohen said at the time. “It was because time and time again I felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds rather than to listen to my own inner voice and my moral compass.” Do tell, Michael. Do tell. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2019, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8840 "2019-01-11T03:45:38Z")
He has a moral compass? So how did he become a consigliere? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8841 "2019-01-11T03:48:10Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > He has a moral compass? So how did he become a consigliere? It had a certain attraction. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/8842 "2019-01-11T04:05:45Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > He has a moral compass? So how did he become a consigliere? He never said which direction it was pointing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=441) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=443)