# 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:** 93
**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 23, 2018, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1841 "2018-01-23T06:39:18Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Hard to say without the text of the provision to go by. Does “intelligence spending” mean the FBI, CIA, NSA, or plain off everyone? > > I don’t think it would much matter if the President tried to arrange an intelligence mission for the FBI that lacked Congressional oversight. If they did something hinky, there would be a complaint raised to Congress. > > But the CIA could be used to do something like disappearing Russians that know Trump’s financial dealings. While indirect, that would impact the Mueller investigation, and it’s just as likely that the CIA people wouldn’t even know that it was relevant to Trump’s history, since they’d give them some alternative explanation for why those people needed to be taken out. Well, Pompeo is his attack dog. Not that long ago, Pompeo tried to float the notion that there was no Russian interference and was instantly shamed by all other heads of intelligence to back off promulgating that bald falsehood. I worry how much international evidence of Trump’s criminal activities has been… misplaced. One of the smartest things Obama did before leaving office was to disseminate all that evidence throughout the intelligence community so it couldn’t be permanently “lost.” Wasn’t it you who mentioned Pompeo as a potential Veep candidate in one of these threads? If yes, I urge you to bone up on that ideological prick and reconsider. If no, I apologize for my erroneous recollection. Profusely. In any event, I doubt even Pompeo could disappear _that_ many Russians. They’d probably notice if all their oligarchs suddenly went missing. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1842 "2018-01-23T10:05:03Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Can you be in contempt of grand jury? Some time in jail, perhaps? Just ask [Susan McDougal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_McDougal) about that. Refused to answer questions before grand jury in Clinton impeachment investigation, went to jail for 18 months for that. ---
**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 23, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1843 "2018-01-23T14:59:13Z")
Jeff Sessions met with Mueller last week, NYTimes reports. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1844 "2018-01-23T15:16:43Z")
Mueller questioned Sessions. Nothingburger. > **[Sessions Is Questioned as Russia Inquiry Focuses on Obstruction (Published 2018)](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/us/politics/jeff-sessions-special-counsel-russia.html)** > > The attorney general, as well as James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, were questioned in the inquiry into Russia’s election interference and whether President Trump obstructed justice. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1845 "2018-01-23T15:58:55Z")
And, as usual In the world of Foxnews, this didn’t happen. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1846 "2018-01-23T16:09:18Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > I see the barb of Mueller being played by a woman. A “woman” being the one who to bring down Trump? How that must gall. Yes, but I would rather have him taken down for all his serious crimes. Paying off a porn star with campaign funds does not hold the same weight as bribery, graft, money laundering for drug lords, obstruction of justice, or treason. Melania may have a different opinion. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1847 "2018-01-23T16:13:20Z")
Gratitude, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1848 "2018-01-23T16:17:30Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yes, but I would rather have him taken down for all his serious crimes. That may not happen directly linked, but it’s enough to have him taken down, knowing he’s guilty of serious crimes. > [@](#): > > Paying off a porn star with campaign funds does not hold the same weight as bribery, graft, money laundering for drug lords, obstruction of justice, or treason. Legally no, but in terms of making it stick in the Court of Public Opinion, yes. Never discount the prurience factor in defining the attitudes of the people that will, or won’t, make legal action credible. The outrage at Clinton, manufactured as it was, was still not working until a consensual blowjob was found. This involves more than that. Ms. Daniels’ televised testimony could be a ratings winner. Except on Fox, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1849 "2018-01-23T16:18:02Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yes, but I would rather have him taken down for all his serious crimes. Paying off a porn star with campaign funds does not hold the same weight as bribery, graft, money laundering for drug lords, obstruction of justice, or treason. > > Melania may have a different opinion. He should claim that it’s in the interest in gender equality of pay. In fairness, she did get over 100k for three minutes of work. Though, Mike Rowe might want to feature her on Dirty Jobs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1850 "2018-01-23T16:24:01Z")
😃 You guys are too much. I think, though, that his supporters would see paying off a porn star as “cool dude”, where if they can wrap their minds around obstruction, or treason as a serious crime. Though some may think that treason is pretty cool too. ---
**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 23, 2018, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1851 "2018-01-23T16:25:00Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > He should claim that it’s in the interest in gender equality of pay. In fairness, she did get over 100k for three minutes of work. Though, Mike Rowe might want to feature her on Dirty Jobs. > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Remember that Mike has a go at performing the Dirty Job himself. Let’s hope he’s better than he usually is. ---
**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:** [January 23, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1852 "2018-01-23T16:48:43Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I try to write what I intend to say too. Is that a bad thing now? Actually, when people are unable to understand simple exchanges that they’re commenting on, it’s probably a better idea that they cease writing altogether, as what they intend to say is likely to be a net negative. > [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Mueller questioned Sessions. Nothingburger. > > [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/us/politics/jeff-sessions-special-counsel-russia.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/us/politics/jeff-sessions-special-counsel-russia.html) I suppose that might be big news for those who expected that Mueller would never interview Sessions. I don’t know who that might be, though. Speaking of nothingburgers, Sen. Ron Johnson is [quoted] ([https://www.iheart.com/podcast/477-WISN-Clips-28429450/episode/sen-ron-johnson-drops-a-bombshell-28860177/](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/477-WISN-Clips-28429450/episode/sen-ron-johnson-drops-a-bombshell-28860177/)) as saying Trump-hating FBI agent Peter Strzok expressed (via text, to his mistress) some ambivalence about joining the Mueller team because “_You and I both know the odds are nothing. If I thought it was likely, I’d be there no question. I hesitate in part because of my gut sense and concern that there’s no big there there_”. (Admittedly, some further context would be useful.) ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1853 "2018-01-23T16:57:34Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Jeff Sessions met with Mueller last week, NYTimes reports. Probably just setting up the Super Bowl pool. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1854 "2018-01-23T16:59:59Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Who is the guy front row, second from left, with a bad haircut staring at the young woman’s bosom? In fairness, he might be trying to read whatever is in front of her. I searched around but couldn’t find the names of the other people at the table. I’d assume he is a diplomat or translator. ---
**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 23, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1855 "2018-01-23T17:07:40Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Probably just setting up the Super Bowl pool. I admit I was surprised to learn that the interview lasted for hours. How long does it take to say, “I don’t recall,” fifteen hundred times? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1856 "2018-01-23T17:23:10Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I admit I was surprised to learn that the interview lasted for hours. How long does it take to say, “I don’t recall,” fifteen hundred times? Have you heard Jeff Sessions’ cadence when he wants to stall? It could take weeks. > [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I suppose that might be big news for those who expected that Mueller would never interview Sessions. I don’t know who that might be, though. It’s not important because it’s expected is a novel goalpost, but I’m still gonna stick with a special council investigation questioning a top cabinet member as being “big news”. Mostly based on the premise that it is quite obviously big news. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1857 "2018-01-23T18:01:08Z")
> [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](#): > > In fairness, he might be trying to read whatever is in front of her. I searched around but couldn’t find the names of the other people at the table. I’d assume he is a diplomat or translator. Hey, I’m a guy, I know what he is looking…well, maybe we should give him the benefit of the doubt. :dubious: ---
**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:** [January 23, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1858 "2018-01-23T18:12:01Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I admit I was surprised to learn that the interview lasted for hours. How long does it take to say, “I don’t recall,” fifteen hundred times? If it’s three seconds to say, then one hour and fifteen minutes. But, presumably, that would always be in response to a question, each time, so adding in the question asking time and we would expect to at least double or triple that amount, which would put it in the multi-hour bucket. ---
**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 23, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1859 "2018-01-23T18:17:32Z")
“Attorney General interviewed in Criminal Investigation of the President” is _nothing_ compared to the revelation that a Senator gave a second-hand, uncorroborated quote. Wake up, sheoples! Wake up! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/1860 "2018-01-23T18:20:38Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > …speaking of nothingburgers, Sen. Ron Johnson is > [quoted] > ([https://www.iheart.com/podcast/477-WISN-Clips-28429450/episode/sen-ron-johnson-drops-a-bombshell-28860177/](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/477-WISN-Clips-28429450/episode/sen-ron-johnson-drops-a-bombshell-28860177/)) as saying Trump-hating FBI agent Peter Strzok expressed (via text, to his mistress) some ambivalence about joining the Mueller team because “_You and I both know the odds are nothing. If I thought it was likely, I’d be there no question. I hesitate in part because of my gut sense and concern that there’s no big there there_”. (Admittedly, some further context would be useful.) The FBI is in cahoots with a plot to bring down a right-wing authoritarian administration. You can take me now, Lord. Seen it all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=92) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=94)