The thing is, what you note above is more evidence that might support the story than just what the docket entries indicate.
I was dreading the non-stop flogging by Trump & Minions during the 60-day “quiet” period in the run up to the election, figuring they would accelerate their efforts to smear Mueller and his investigation in an endless drumbeat. Instead, they’ve been uncharacteristically quiet. Even Trump, apart from his reflexive regurgitations of, “No collusion!” has been surprisingly silent. Whatever Giuliani is up to, it’s behind the scenes.
Sure, there are machinations being perpetrated with brilliant precision <snigger> by surrogates, but that’s different than the direct attacks in which Trump predictably indulges. I wondered why. The subpoena might could be the reason.
I’m not as worried about Trump complying with the subpoena if the courts order him to do so (and they will). He always thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room and probably believes he can bluster his way through the testimony. If it happens, it will be a lengthy and painful process. He will likely interrupt the proceedings after every question to go consult with his attorneys outside the presence of the grand jury. But that won’t protect him from going off when he’s alone in the witness chair in front of the jurors.
This SCOTUS may limit the scope of the questioning (in my view that would be a mistake but I can see them doing it), but he’ll be on the hot seat for awhile, at least. And his resistance to compliance will only demonstrate further to the public how much he has to hide.
That’s why I think Trump’s efforts will be bent toward stopping the investigation before it can get to that point. Mueller will of course have worked out alternative safeguards.
I am half expecting a shitload of indictments to be executed at 8:01 p.m. EST on November 6, 2018, simultaneous with Jeff Sessions being fired. Worse, this would be only the beginning of what Trump might do in response.
I share your concerns exactly with respect to how far Trump will go to save his own skin. The only consolation I take is that Mueller is much smarter, knows what is at stake, is far more experienced than his opposition and has likely outmaneuvered Trump at every turn. I admit I chuckled when I read the part in the Politico piece about a procedural mistake made by the “witness” that required the Appellate Court to dismiss the appeal, requiring a redux. How typical.
Unfortunately, Mueller’s reach extends only to his investigation. For anything outside of that, I fear we must rely on the gutless, craven Republicans in Congress to rein him in, at least until January 3rd. And we know how that goes.
Due to Mueller’s admirable leak-proof silence, I have pretty much stopped reading past the first paragraph of articles purporting to have insight into what might be going on. This one seemed very different from most of what I have read in the past, and that prompted me to share.