Well so much for that … 
Ooooh, the Tweeter-in-Chief is not going to be happy today. Pass the popcorn.
*Donald Trump is telling friends and aides in private that things are going great — for him.
Some reasons: He’s decided that a key witness in the Russia probe, Paul Manafort, isn’t going to “flip” and sell him out, friends and aides say. He believes Robert Mueller, who heads the investigation, can be crushed, if necessary, without being fired. Sweeping tax and regulatory cuts will juice the economy and get him re-elected in 2020, he is predicting. *
Since he is apparently cooperating I guess it’s a moot point, but it’s worth pointing out that any criminal defendant has the right to change their plea to guilty and take the consequences (barring some sort of mental disability or something). There’s really not a lot of upside in doing that, especially if you’re holding out on something the prosecution wants from you, but it’s an option. Based on events so far I figured Manafort might just do that and rely on getting pardoned at some point in the future.
Apparantly Manafort is forfeiting $47 million in assets, putting Mueller about $27-40 million in the black.
#Winning
So, it’s sort of like the Benghazi scandal except that it caught actual criminals while turning a profit.
If you can call that “winning.” It’s “assets,” which doesn’t necessarily mean “cash.”
I’m imagining Mueller spending his weekends at swap meets, trying to unload $47M worth of fancy clothes made from the skins of threatened species.
The president’s legal team put out an initial statement that said: “the President did nothing wrong and Paul Manafort will tell the truth.” Minutes later, they put out a new statement that said simply: “the President did nothing wrong.”
I’ve been mostly away from the news since last night, but I caught bits and pieces of the Manafort plea and cooperation deal. This sure does sound like a brown trousers moment for Trump. AIUI, Manafort pleaded guilty to “conspiracy against the U.S. and conspiracy to obstruct justice”.
I’m not a lawyer, so please check my logic here. Conspiracy requires two or more people. Manafort is the most senior offical Mueller has put through the wringer so far. Prosecutors typically get smaller fish to turn on bigger fish. So. There seems to be a fish out there who is bigger than the President’s former campaign manager, who also conspired to obstruct justice. Who could that possibly be?
As much as I am enjoying that image, I think he has a slightly more dignified option (slightly).
I think the president’s diaper will need to be changed:
Sessions: “General Kelly? The president has messed himself again. It’s a bad one this time.”
Kelly: “Nope. Not doing that again. I did it last time. Call up Melania.”
You mean Pence isn’t eagerly standing by with wet wipes?
I’m beginning to think Trump is too stupid to be worried or understand what’s going on.
I’ve come to believe that he doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong and truly believes this is a witch hunt. Or he believes that everyone does this stuff and therefore he’s being unfairly targeted.
“This is the biggest and boldest mess yet by our clear-eyed, broad shouldered President. Moving forward, this great American turd will be the lodestar of our Cabinet meetings, directing us how to Make America Great Again.”
Tongue is more likely.
Beat me by a lick.
If only someone would bring back Fred to give his boy a good spanking.
Eeeeeew …
It is absolutely the second one.
Criminals are convinced everyone’s a criminal. Really. I’ve known common criminals, and to a man they just assume everyone else is the same way, and that the only difference between people is how good they are at getting away with it.
Donald Trump has absolutely, unquestionably committed many crimes, but he is quite certain everyone commits the same crimes he does and that he doesn’t deserve to be punished for his, because some people are worse.