A Thread for the Mueller Investigation Results and Outcomes (Part 1)

[Greathouse]

Out of curiosity…

I doubt Trump ends up in jail, despite how much I would enjoy seeing that. But let’s say he does end up in prison. It is my understanding that former presidents get SS protection forever (at least that’s what the movies tell me). If this is true, would they have to protect him in prison? Would he be in solitary? I’m wondering how it would work.

[The_Tooth]

@Defensive_Indifference

She will be missed.

Don’t lead her as long, and allow for windage.

[Happy_Lendervedder]

@Aspenglow

I really discount the notion of Pence pardoning Trump. First, I don’t think he is going to become president. I think he’ll be lucky to avoid an indictment himself. Remember, he’s never been interviewed by the Mueller team – was actually soliciting an interview publicly not long ago. I hate to break it you, Mike, but it’s like a game of musical chairs. If you haven’t already been interviewed, you’re likely a target and have found yourself without a chair.

But let’s assume for argument’s sake that somehow Pence threads the needle and finds himself as a succession president. It will not be because he has popular support. He is not a natural leader (witness his performance at the Chuck 'n Nancy Show on Tuesday), he is not quick on his feet and he does not have the rogue allure to Trump’s constituency of crazies. His sole reliable support is among the evangelical nutjobs. This is a tiny sliver of the national electorate. With at least 60% of Americans despising him and his whackadoodle policies, if he has any remaining political ambitions whatsoever, he won’t be able to pardon Trump.

I think many people in this country are about to receive a valuable experience lesson in the old saw that the wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.

From all indications, I think Mueller waits only for January 3rd, when he will receive some real protection from the Democratic majority in the House, before unleashing indictments. There is no way to gauge what the public reaction will be to real solid evidence and charges coming from Mueller.

I think the House Dems are waiting for Mueller to do his stuff before pursuing impeachment or anything else. First, out of courtesy and respect for Mueller, who has given his all to this investigation, and second, in order to bolster the House pursuit of impeachment with the best possible evidence of all criminal activity. There is much more than just what is known at this point: Money laundering schemes, pay-to-play, bribery, possible conspiracies with not just Russians but also Saudis and/or Turks… the well is nearly bottomless. We’re already seeing fine cracks among Republican senators. Imagine how much harder it is going to be for them to continue their support in the face of massive, provable criminal activity on a dozen different fronts. The public must demand their appropriate response from the Senate. Any Republican senator who hopes to have a future in politics will be forced to vote for removal.

But even assuming all this somehow fails, yes! There are other U.S. Attorneys’ offices: New York Southern District, D.C. District, Virginia Eastern District, etc. Then there are the state investigations/prosecutions. New York, New Jersey, Virginia, D.C., Florida, California… it’s a long list. There is the IRS and their criminal division. There is the Federal Election Commission. There is the City of Manhattan. Every single one of these entities are pursuing potential civil and criminal violations of not just Trump himself, but those of his Trump Organization, Trump Foundation and the kids. SDNY is having a blast just now, but all of the above will also have their moment in the sun.

And this is before we even get to the Emoluments cases being pursued by members of Congress and the State of Maryland.

Grind, grind, grind, grind. One day, there will be only dust. You can count on it. Mike Pence will not provide salvation.

Sooo…you’re sayin’ there’s a chance?

Thanks for the breakdown. Sometimes I need to be reminded that a diabolus ex machina isn’t gonna come sweeping in and save Trump.

[Aspenglow]

@Greathouse

Out of curiosity…

I doubt Trump ends up in jail, despite how much I would enjoy seeing that. But let’s say he does end up in prison. It is my understanding that former presidents get SS protection forever (at least that’s what the movies tell me). If this is true, would they have to protect him in prison? Would he be in solitary? I’m wondering how it would work.

Just hazarding a guess, because we’re obviously in uncharted territory, but…

He’d probably end up in some sort of Administrative Segregation unit, with Secret Service agents posted around his cell/facility for window dressing.

I wonder how many of those unlucky persons thought they were signing up for that when they endured the rigors to join the Secret Service. What a waste of resources.

[Aspenglow]

@Happy_Lendervedder

Sooo…you’re sayin’ there’s a chance?

Thanks for the breakdown. Sometimes I need to be reminded that a diabolus ex machina isn’t gonna come sweeping in and save Trump.

LOL, you know I’m incapable of short posts, even when addressing someone’s rhetorical questions.

[simster]

@Greathouse

Out of curiosity…

I doubt Trump ends up in jail, despite how much I would enjoy seeing that. But let’s say he does end up in prison. It is my understanding that former presidents get SS protection forever (at least that’s what the movies tell me). If this is true, would they have to protect him in prison? Would he be in solitary? I’m wondering how it would work.

Anyone else thinking of “Dale the Whale” ???

Hoppefully not just me…

[enipla]

@Aspenglow

Just hazarding a guess, because we’re obviously in uncharted territory, but…

He’d probably end up in some sort of Administrative Segregation unit, with Secret Service agents posted around his cell/facility for window dressing.

I wonder how many of those unlucky persons thought they were signing up for that when they endured the rigors to join the Secret Service. What a waste of resources.

I hope that they would be kind enough to the SS guys that you would only have to pull one week of that duty and then get rotated out with some sort of additional time off.

Personally, I think we should give him a trailer somewhere on the grounds of Area 51. Or a test bombing range.

[Happy_Lendervedder]

@Aspenglow

LOL, you know I’m incapable of short posts, even when addressing someone’s rhetorical questions.

(You’re specifically the person I was hoping would come in and answer my question. I didn’t address you directly because I didn’t want to make the rest of the world feel left out.)

[Aspenglow]

@Happy_Lendervedder

(You’re specifically the person I was hoping would come in and answer my question. I didn’t address you directly because I didn’t want to make the rest of the world feel left out.)

That’s very kind of you to say and I am glad you find my opinions useful. Thanks for the 'atta boy.

I love to hear thoughts from lots of other people and also welcome my own notions to be challenged to be sure I am able to defend my conclusions.

I believe this is the biggest assault against our Constitutional democracy ever launched in history, dwarfing Watergate. I hope our citizens are able to rise to the challenge.

[llcoolbj77]

@Fiveyearlurker

I was kinda hoping that when the Republicans reached the “acceptance” phase of the five stages of grief, that it would be acceptance that they had made a mistake about electing a criminal as president, and not accepting that we now have a criminal president.

Stealing this…

[ThelmaLou]

@enipla

I would like to see Putin accept him to continue to serve Putin.

Cleaning toilets.

@Aspenglow

Food taster.

Umbrella wrangler.

[GrandWino]

Trump inauguration spending under criminal investigation by federal prosecutors

Breaking news without any details yet but I’ve been wondering when something might come of the inauguration shenanigans.

[Aspenglow]

@ThelmaLou

Umbrella wrangler.

I was thinking nuclear fallout victim test subject.

He’s always wondering why we have nukes but don’t use them. Perhaps it would be easiest just to demonstrate.

[GrandWino]

@GrandWino

Trump inauguration spending under criminal investigation by federal prosecutors

Breaking news without any details yet but I’ve been wondering when something might come of the inauguration shenanigans.

More:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-inauguration-spending-under-criminal-investigation-by-federal-prosecutors-11544736455

[Try2B_Comprehensive]

A couple of us in rl were making a game of calculating the value of a business with the rights to images of Trump in an orange jumpsuit. Screen savers, posters, bumper stickers and flags for your car, all kinds of stuff. Probably a $billion at least.

[Defensive_Indifference]

@GrandWino

Trump inauguration spending under criminal investigation by federal prosecutors

Breaking news without any details yet but I’ve been wondering when something might come of the inauguration shenanigans.

From the article:

The criminal probe is also looking into whether some of the committee’s top spenders traded money for access to the incoming Trump administration, as well as “policy concessions or to influence official administration positions,” sources tell the Journal.

Ahh, the Trump administration, where everything is for sale. I know I’ve said this before, but I like saying it: Republicans for years have been telling us they want to run the government like a business. They got their wish. Everything is now directed toward maximizing wealth for a small group of stakeholders. Congrats!

[Railer13]

@Defensive_Indifference

Ahh, the Trump administration, where everything is for sale. I know I’ve said this before, but I like saying it: Republicans for years have been telling us they want to run the government like a business. They got their wish. Everything is now directed toward maximizing wealth for a small group of stakeholders. Congrats!

Jeebus. We all know that Trump himself is an ignorant, crooked dumbass, but is there not one honest person in his administration?

[Snowboarder_Bo]

This is prolly gonna upset Trump: Pelosi says House Dems will start seeking Trump tax returns.

[simster]

@Railer13

Jeebus. We all know that Trump himself is an ignorant, crooked dumbass, but is there not one honest person in his administration?

Took a little while, but Cohen, Flynn, Manafort all are more honest now than they were.

Mueller is also apparently above board.

[Anny_Middon]

[quote=“Buck_Godot, post:8269, topic:800093”]

I think you’re off by a factor of 10. Should be close to 100 Scaramuccis.

You’re right, of course. I mistyped.