I’ve been expecting something to hit regarding Trump Jr for some time now. But I also realize that move will need to be very carefully timed because it would be explosive.
But I think the whole Trump Tower meeting emails thing is extremely serious, regardless of the outcome of the meeting. It’s incredible and the Traitor Tot is the dumbest person ever. Because that e-mail was deliberately phrased to be incriminating. For almost a year, the Trump Crime Family and a bunch of Russians with government ties were the only people that knew about that e-mail. It’s a classic kompromat situation.
I hope Mueller is as steely and uncompromising as he’s been made out to be. Because if he indicts Don Jr., Jared , or Ivanka (pleasepleaseplease) it’s going to be like kicking a rabid bear in the nuts. It’s the right thing to do, it needs to be done, but no one in their right mind would WANT to do this.
He’s still got another sentencing hearing in DC to content with. And the possibility that he’ll be re-tried on his mistrial charges as a result of breaking his plea agreement.
I think the only hope at this point is that Manafort has state charges that are already in place to be unsealed in the event that he skates on the federal charges – whether by Judge Corrupt Squirrel and/or pardon by Trump – that are beyond Trump’s pardon power.
They most assuredly are. And usually the ones that are screaming loudest about “activist” judges are the ones who appreciate it most when judges are activist.
Could the prosecutors appeal? I’m under the impression that they can. I thought that was at the heart of the Hammond Arson case that got the sovereign citizen types all riled up.
The other question is “Would they appeal?” Especially now with Barr running DOJ. And the analogy I used earlier about kicking a rabid bear in the balls. I mean, the rabid bear deserves to get kicked in the nuts and everyone wants to watch. But I can understand being reluctant to be the one that does the actual ball-kicking.
A month shy of four years in a Club Fed. Not exactly Shawshank, I’ll bet. Hopefully, the sentence on violating his plea agreement will add a couple of years and be done consecutively.
Still, even the Watergate Seven didn’t do that much time…
The important thing here is “Convicted Felon”. It does suck about the sentence, but even if it was the max “president” Bastard is likely to pardon him. He’s a convicted felon now, and thay can never take that away from him.
Peace.
Mueller investigation commentary jargon - uncommon phrases that have become common among Mueller probe commentators across the media:
“Audience of one”
When someone says something publicly to a wider audience, but the content of their message is understood to be intended for the ears of just one person - invariably Donald Trump. Usually a demonstration of obsequiousness or servility. Google shows this phrase to have been used in connection with statements made by Lindsey Graham, Brett Kavanaugh, Ty Cobb, Steve Mnuchin, Mike Pompeo, “Fox & Friends”, and others. I feel, though, that the phrase reached peak usage when Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker testified before the House Judiciary Committee.
“Tea leaves” or “Mueller tea leaves”
With Robert Mueller steadfastly maintaining a silent and leak-free ship, like some mysterious ancient mariner sea captain lurking beneath the waves in a stealth megalodon submarine*, all guesses that Mueller probe commentators make about what his investigation might do do next are gleaned from the few lines of indictments that are unredacted and boxes being moved in or out of offices. These clues are known as “tea leaves” and usually lead to wild-assed guesses.
Anyone spotted any other phrases for our time gaining traction through the Mueller probe commentary (Muellersphere?)?
I might have got carried away with this part of the sentence.
Serious question - would it be illegal to call Judge Ellis’s chamber and leave a message calling him a major prick of a douchelord? I know he is (or was) under Federal Marshall protection for a previous threat but I wouldn’t threaten him. Yes I really want to do this and prob wouldnt care if the FBI knocked on my door. [Edited out phone number]
[Moderator Note: I have edited out the phone number. See my note below.
Colibri]
IANAL, but I think what distinguishes Manafort’s case from the Hammond case is that the Hammond case was by law an incorrect sentence. As outrageous as Manafort’s sentence is from Judge Corrupt Squirrel, it is a lawful sentencing. AIUI, he is not required to follow the sentencing guidelines.
Either way, I suspect Mueller will shake this abominable dust from his shoes and just move forward. He foresaw this as a potential outcome – which is why he asked for Judge Amy Berman Jackson to postpone her sentencing to after that of Judge T. S. Ellis’s. IOW, he knew this might happen.
I will also say that I’m pretty sure Mueller is not done with Manafort yet. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.
You are absolutely right, and there is solace in that. Thank you.
Also the fact that if Manafort cheated on his federal taxes, we can take it to the bank (hurr!) that he cheated on his state taxes, too. There is much more in store for Manafort from many different directions.
So it’s Friday tomorrow. Will it be a… #MuellerFriday?
Don Jr must find it hard to get to sleep every Thursday night knowing that he may get woken up by a knock at the door before even his alarm goes off. He’s certainly been busy today on Twitter lashing out at the world.
Did anyone see John Brennan talking a day or so ago? He thought that there might be indictments coming tomorrow. Being a man of wide knowledge, he also said that he didn’t think indictments would occur next week as that would coincide with the Ides of March (15th of March). That was an interesting thing to bring up as the analogy is clear - Julius Caesar was assassinated on that day in 44 BC after attempting to assume greater power for himself and because of his increasing monarchical behaviour, having been declared dictator perpetuo (“dictator in perpetuity”) just weeks previously. His assassins were mostly senators who feared that Caesar would end the Roman Republic, something that had existed for nearly half a millennium, and restore the monarchy with Caesar as king. So the Ides of March might not be an auspicious time for indictments.
