# Trump's ongoing collusion **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 20, 2018, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196 "2018-02-20T13:39:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/101 "2018-02-27T18:50:47Z")
An abundance of caution, despite the defendant’s spotless record and personal integrity. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/102 "2018-02-27T18:53:42Z")
Fool me never, shame on… shame on you… ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/103 "2018-02-27T19:24:17Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Noted from comments: charges were dropped “without prejudice,” so Mueller can always re-file if Gates acts up. Also, it is being [reported](http://www.businessinsider.com/mueller-charges-rick-gates-dismissed-2018-2) that the VA court moves quickly, a potential problem for Mueller. > [@](#): > > Harry Sandick, a former federal prosecutor, said in an email Tuesday that last week’s 32-count indictment, which was filed in the Eastern District Court of Virginia, could be described as a “rocket docket.” > > “Their cases move as or more quickly than cases anywhere else in the country,” Sandick said. “Gates would need to plead guilty to these counts in the next couple of months and then be sentenced promptly — in three or four months.” > > He added that Mueller would most likely need more time than that to “harvest Gates’ cooperation.” > > “Once the cooperating defendant is sentenced, the prosecutor has much less leverage to encourage cooperation,” Sandick said. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/104 "2018-02-27T19:31:09Z")
A quiet word or two to the judge, in chambers, takes care of that, one might think. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/105 "2018-02-27T20:09:52Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Mueller’s team is moving to [drop charges against Gates](http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/robert-mueller-moves-to-dismiss-charges-against-rick-gates-following-plea-deal/article/2650138). At least twenty of the 32 against him & Manafort, so there could still be another dozen pending. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/106 "2018-02-27T20:22:24Z")
[NSA Boss Suggests Trump Lets Putin Think ‘Little Price to Pay’ for Messing With U.S.](https://www.thedailybeast.com/nsa-boss-seems-to-hit-trump-on-russia-putin-believes-little-price-to-pay-for-messing-with-us) “Not just the sanctions but more broadly, my concern is, I believe that President Putin has clearly come to the conclusion there’s little price to pay here, and that therefore I can continue this activity.” - Adm. Mike Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/107 "2018-02-28T14:21:06Z")
How is it that the Roger’s testimony isn’t getting more play? This is the Director of the NSA for gods sake! I admit I haven’t been watching much TV but has Sanders been asked, point blank, why Trump hasn’t given the authority to to Rogers and others to take some sort action? Not that she’d give any kind of direct answer. No direction from the President to combat meddling by an adversary. Its unbelievable but its become the norm. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/108 "2018-02-28T15:42:58Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > How is it that the Roger’s testimony isn’t getting more play? This is the Director of the NSA for gods sake! I admit I haven’t been watching much TV but has Sanders been asked, point blank, why Trump hasn’t given the authority to to Rogers and others to take some sort action? Not that she’d give any kind of direct answer. No direction from the President to combat meddling by an adversary. Its unbelievable but its become the norm. Yeah, I thought that was a big deal, too, one that Trump opponents should be pounding him with. I also thought that it would be even more effective if Rogers were to ask point blank for the authority and then report back the response, “yes,” “no” or “no answer given.” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/109 "2018-02-28T16:12:46Z")
He didn’t say he _wasn’t_ acting, only that Trump is not engaged. The lack of outrage you see is simply trust in the Deep State. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/110 "2018-02-28T17:30:26Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > How is it that the Roger’s testimony isn’t getting more play? This is the Director of the NSA for gods sake! I admit I haven’t been watching much TV but has Sanders been asked, point blank, why Trump hasn’t given the authority to to Rogers and others to take some sort action? Not that she’d give any kind of direct answer. No direction from the President to combat meddling by an adversary. Its unbelievable but its become the norm. “Nobody is denying him the authority.” - [Sarah Huckabee Sanders](https://www.nbcnews.com/video/wh-nobody-is-denying-nsa-chief-the-authority-to-stop-russian-interference-1171882563958) That settles that then. I am also surprised that Roger’s testimony isn’t bigger news. He was basically blowing the whistle on the administration sitting idly by while a foreign power sustains an attack against the United States. ---
**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:** [February 28, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/111 "2018-02-28T17:54:28Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > “Nobody is denying him the authority.” - [Sarah Huckabee Sanders](https://www.nbcnews.com/video/wh-nobody-is-denying-nsa-chief-the-authority-to-stop-russian-interference-1171882563958) > > That settles that then. > > I am also surprised that Roger’s testimony isn’t bigger news. He was basically blowing the whistle on the administration sitting idly by while a foreign power sustains an attack against the United States. Tom Steyer is including it in his latest ad, but since Fox pulls them with regularity none of the base are ever going to see it. The only hope is that there are a lot of independents watching CNN. Looks like Trump’s strategy of dumping the Dem memo on the weekend is working; I haven’t heard word one about it since Monday. Meanwhile, Ken Starr is questioning Mueller’s purview in looking at Orange finances: [Ken Starr says Mueller may be overstepping his mandate](https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/28/politics/ken-starr-special-counsel-mandate-cnntv/index.html) Ah, the sweet irony… ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/112 "2018-02-28T18:04:40Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > “Nobody is denying him the authority.” - [Sarah Huckabee Sanders](https://www.nbcnews.com/video/wh-nobody-is-denying-nsa-chief-the-authority-to-stop-russian-interference-1171882563958) > > That settles that then. > > I am also surprised that Roger’s testimony isn’t bigger news. He was basically blowing the whistle on the administration sitting idly by while a foreign power sustains an attack against the United States. Well then, let’s get on the stick, Admiral. The task appears to be a might too complicated for the Attorney General. ---
**Author:** ![Arizona\_Mike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Arizona\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arizona_Mike)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/113 "2018-02-28T20:08:42Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > That seems huge. Gates must have provided something really substantive to get the charges dropped. Considering Mueller already had enough on Manafort to lock him up for the rest of his life, I doubt he would have bothered dealing with Gates for more dirt on Manafort. So apparently Gates had something pretty important on someone pretty important who isn’t Manafort. I wonder who it is. If I was a betting man, I would say that person is Viktor Yanukovich. The FBI has had a hard-on for him since Manafort’s interview by the FBI in 2014. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/114 "2018-02-28T21:45:29Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Meanwhile, Ken Starr is questioning Mueller’s purview in looking at Orange finances: > > [Ken Starr says Mueller may be overstepping his mandate](https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/28/politics/ken-starr-special-counsel-mandate-cnntv/index.html) > > Ah, the sweet irony… As Ken Starr would be the first to assert, accountability is only for _Democratic_ presidents. Republican presidents are above the law. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/115 "2018-02-28T21:52:25Z")
> [@Arizona\_Mike](#): > > If I was a betting man, I would say that person is Viktor Yanukovich. The FBI has had a hard-on for him since Manafort’s interview by the FBI in 2014. No way in hell Muller would trade someone he could put in jail for someone he can’t put in jail. ---
**Author:** ![Arizona\_Mike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Arizona\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arizona_Mike)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/116 "2018-02-28T22:17:24Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > No way in hell Muller would trade someone he could put in jail for someone he can’t put in jail. They can get his subordinate, Manafort. And they can start trying to seize international assets from Yanukovich. ---
**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:** [February 28, 2018, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/117 "2018-02-28T22:19:22Z")
Hope Hicks, gone. She said too much. I guess her bj’s weren’t good enough. Sorry, no clearance for you, Jared… More beatdowns for Sessions. As Jake Tapper said, Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/118 "2018-02-28T22:38:57Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Republican presidents are above the law. And [Steven Seagal](https://goo.gl/images/GFuC4a). Given how much they both like Putin, it’s surprising that Trump hasn’t offered Seagal a Cabinet post. Nominations, anyone? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/119 "2018-02-28T22:52:20Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > And [Steven Seagal](https://goo.gl/images/GFuC4a). Given how much they both like Putin, it’s surprising that Trump hasn’t offered Seagal a Cabinet post. Seagal’s career collapsed after the director of one of his movies caught him beating up an underage prostitute (somewhere in SEA). So…I nominate him for Staff Secretary. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196/120 "2018-03-01T02:58:12Z")
Up to this moment, I would have doubted I could despise him more. I was wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ongoing-collusion/809196.md?page=7)