# Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions vs. the Senate Intelligence Committee **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 11, 2017, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667 "2017-06-11T04:10:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/21 "2017-06-12T17:43:59Z")
I wonder how much the prosecutions and jail time for the “Watergate Seven” is playing in the minds of Trump’s advisors these days? I note that Nixon did not spend a minute in jail, but his Attorney General, chief of staff, White house counsel and various aides did spend significant amounts of time in Club Fed. How many folks are willing to serve serious jail time in defense of the Cheeto-faced Shit Gibbon? He’s certainly shown time and time again that he’ll throw you under the bus in a moment. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/22 "2017-06-12T18:55:08Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I wonder how much the prosecutions and jail time for the “Watergate Seven” is playing in the minds of Trump’s advisors these days? > > I note that Nixon did not spend a minute in jail, but his Attorney General, chief of staff, White house counsel and various aides did spend significant amounts of time in Club Fed. > > How many folks are willing to serve serious jail time in defense of the Cheeto-faced Shit Gibbon? He’s certainly shown time and time again that he’ll throw you under the bus in a moment. I’m guessing that Sessions also has a few allies on Capitol Hill - at least in his own party. I wonder how much whispering is going on when the Trumpster fire’s not looking. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/23 "2017-06-12T19:37:59Z")
If JeffBo is going to testify in public, it is probably because he has been advised that he can play the executive privilege card, or some variation thereof. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/24 "2017-06-13T01:53:31Z")
[It looks like they’re laying the groundwork for Trump to fire SC Mueller: > [@](#): > > As Mueller builds his legal team, Trump’s allies have begun raising questions about the former FBI director’s impartiality, suggesting he cannot be trusted to lead the probe. > [@](#): > > “Republicans are delusional if they think the special counsel is going to be fair. Look who he is hiring,” tweeted former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, an informal Trump adviser. > > Just weeks ago, Gingrich had heaped praise on Mueller, hailing him as a “superb choice” for special counsel whose reputation was “impeccable for honesty and integrity.” > > But after the testimony of former FBI Director James Comey last week, Gingrich said he’d changed his mind. > [@](#): > > Conservative commentator Ann Coulter offered a similar message, tweeting, “Now that we know TRUMP IS NOT UNDER INVESTIGATION, Sessions should take it back & fire Mueller.” > > Going even further was Trump friend Chris Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax, who suggested the president was already thinking about “terminating” Mueller in an interview with Judy Woodruff of “PBS NewsHour.” > > “I think he’s considering perhaps terminating the special counsel,” said Ruddy. “I think he’s weighing that option.” > > The talk about dismissing Mueller appeared to be coming from Trump allies - including some close to White House strategist Steve Bannon - who are increasingly frustrated with the prospect of a long and winding probe. ]([http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_TRUMP\_MUELLER?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-12-21-31-53](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRUMP_MUELLER?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-12-21-31-53))Seems to me like they’re running the idea up the flag pole to see what the reaction is, to see if they can get away with it. The immediate question, then, is will this happen before tomorrow’s testimony? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/25 "2017-06-13T02:40:18Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [It looks like they’re laying the groundwork for Trump to fire SC Mueller:](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRUMP_MUELLER?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-12-21-31-53)Seems to me like they’re running the idea up the flag pole to see what the reaction is, to see if they can get away with it. > > The immediate question, then, is will this happen before tomorrow’s testimony? If the Prez does this it seems to me the best moment would be at the exact minute Session’s starts his testimony. Perfect distraction from any bombshells that may drop during the hearing. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/26 "2017-06-13T03:04:52Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > If the Prez does this it seems to me the best moment would be at the exact minute Session’s starts his testimony. Perfect distraction from any bombshells that may drop during the hearing. Actually, that’s my take on it as well. If Mueller is fired before he testifies, anything negative he says later can be portrayed as coming from a guy who’s mad because he got fired. If they let him talk at all and it isn’t 100% positive, then he got fired because he was about to blow Trump’s cover. The former would seem to be easier to deal with, I’d wager. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/27 "2017-06-13T05:16:38Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Actually, that’s my take on it as well. > > If Mueller is fired before he testifies, anything negative he says later can be portrayed as coming from a guy who’s mad because he got fired. > > If they let him talk at all and it isn’t 100% positive, then he got fired because he was about to blow Trump’s cover. > > The former would seem to be easier to deal with, I’d wager. Are you conflating AG Sessions, who will testify Tuesday AM, with Special Counsel Mueller? If not then I don’t know that I follow… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/28 "2017-06-13T06:15:24Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Are you conflating AG Sessions, who will testify Tuesday AM, with Special Counsel Mueller? If not then I don’t know that I follow… Yes… Sessions not Mueller. Sorry. Been awake about 34 hours now. Sleep soon. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/29 "2017-06-13T06:30:41Z")
This will be fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/30 "2017-06-13T08:17:59Z")
I can practically guarantee he won’t say a damned thing worthwhile. It’s going to be the Excuses For Why I Can’t Talk show. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/31 "2017-06-13T08:38:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > I can practically guarantee he won’t say a damned thing worthwhile. It’s going to be the Excuses For Why I Can’t Talk show. He can’t say too much. If he lets too much truth slip, his devil horns pop up. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/32 "2017-06-13T10:07:34Z")
His “What, Me Worry?”-ness comes from the confidence he has that he can straight up lie at will, no matter the audience. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/33 "2017-06-13T13:02:20Z")
I predict we get a lot of “I cannot recall at this time Senator.” ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/34 "2017-06-13T14:28:48Z")
I understand that Mueller probably thought he was hiring good people but how do you not vet people and consider even the slightest appearance of impartiality? I’m afraid he’s potentially handing Agent Orange and his defenders some cover. Firing Mueller would be stir up another controversy and the overall scandal itself wouldn’t go away but the worry is public fatigue over a scandal and having people conclude that we’ll never really know the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/35 "2017-06-13T14:36:35Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Actually, that’s my take on it as well. > > If Mueller is fired before he testifies, anything negative he says later can be portrayed as coming from a guy who’s mad because he got fired. > > If they let him talk at all and it isn’t 100% positive, then he got fired because he was about to blow Trump’s cover. > > The former would seem to be easier to deal with, I’d wager. Not even close. Trump is not firing him, that was just a threat. Much the same as the threat Trump gave Comey with the “he’s a good guy, work it out” line. Trump is just making the obstruction of justice case against him stronger, one brick at a time. He’s too stupid to see it because he can do whatever he wants. Firing the Special prosecutor is like screaming “I’m very, very guilty.” ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/36 "2017-06-13T14:50:15Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Not even close. Trump is not firing him, that was just a threat. Much the same as the threat Trump gave Comey with the “he’s a good guy, work it out” line. > > Trump is just making the obstruction of justice case against him stronger, one brick at a time. He’s too stupid to see it because he can do whatever he wants. > > Firing the Special prosecutor is like screaming “I’m very, very guilty.” It’s also screaming “_Oh yeah? Well guess what? I’ve got Republicans in the Congress, and they know I’ve got legions of vicious supporters, and I dare anyone to try and fucking stop me_” I could absolutely see it happening. Yes it would seem like a batshit insane move, but so did firing Comey. From Trump’s point of view, this checks and balances, this Constitutional law thing is too complex. So that leaves him with two choices: he can either try to adapt to the complexities of the system he has been sworn to uphold…or he can adapt the system to fit him – don’t think he isn’t trying. This is the same guy who was caught on tape saying he can just walk up and grab women by the pussy, the same guy who boasted that he could murder someone on 5th Avenue, who has openly and in plain view of everyone fired people who were ostensibly trying to investigate him. Make no mistake about where we are: this is a clear and present danger to our country and its political system as we’ve known it. The Congress is no longer protecting and defending the Constitution. People like James Comey and Preet Bhahara are. It remains to be seen who else will. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/37 "2017-06-13T14:53:35Z")
25,000 Quatloos on the Committee. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/38 "2017-06-13T14:54:22Z")
Mueller can always work for the NY AG as many of the actions occurred within NY and the AG already has a case open against Trump. Focus of the investigation may change some, but he won’t be subject to being fired by the person he is investigating. My prediction (s): 1. Sessions claims Exec Privilege for all questions he doesn’t want to answer. 2. Trump claims EP at start of hearing in a tweet. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/39 "2017-06-13T15:15:19Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I understand that Mueller probably thought he was hiring good people but how do you not vet people and consider even the slightest appearance of impartiality? I’m afraid he’s potentially handing Agent Orange and his defenders some cover. Other than trash-talk on Twitter from Newt Gingrich, what is the substance of the claim that Mueller hasn’t been hiring the right people? (And who thinks that there is _anyone_ Mueller could hire to assist in the investigation that the Trumpists wouldn’t claim were biased? Mueller could hire King Solomon, Sherlock Holmes, and Perry Mason, and people like Newt Gingrich would still claim Mueller’s team was biased.) ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/40 "2017-06-13T15:19:49Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > Other than trash-talk on Twitter from Newt Gingrich, what is the substance of the claim that Mueller hasn’t been hiring the right people? (And who thinks that there is _anyone_ Mueller could hire to assist in the investigation that the Trumpists wouldn’t claim were biased? Mueller could hire King Solomon, Sherlock Holmes, and Perry Mason, and people like Newt Gingrich would still claim Mueller’s team was biased.) The substance is that, according to the information I’ve read, the lawyers working the case are contributors to the Democratic party, so that they are being framed as impartial partisans. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667.md?page=3)