Mueller Punts, Barr Does Exactly What He Said He Would Do
We STILL haven’t seen the Mueller report, but it appears that it shows all the evidence for and against Trump and his cronies colluding with the Russians, apparently punting an indictment decision to the Justice department. Barr predictably cleared Trump of collusion with the Russians with NO explanation why; on obstruction, he did what he already said he would do, which was to oppose those charges against Trump.
Obviously, Mueller chose to not throw the country into a Constitutional crisis by giving Trump a pass on the legion of lies and the dozens of contacts with the Russians and with Wiki-Leaks. His definition of “obstruction” was so narrow that it was impossible to come to criminal charges because there wasn’t a smoking gun (or pee-pee tape). I mean, for God’s sake, Manafort is in prison, Michael Cohen is going to prison, and George Papadopoulos has already served time, all for lying to investigators about their contacts WITH THE RUSSIANS. Barr’s whitewash doesn’t pass the straight-faced test, and we don’t know yet what we don’t know.
What we do know is that even Barr, who SAID we couldn’t indict a sitting president with obstruction, stated that Trump was not exonerated of this crime. Since Trump actually confessed to obstruction by firing Comey, it’s pretty clear that he did obstruct justice, but Barr is declining to follow through on the charges because Trump is in office.
We all know what’s going on here, right? Trump is guilty as hell, that is clear. To protect the guy who nominated him, Barr is providing legal cover for a period of time so the media can falsely claim that Mueller cleared Trump, which he most certainly did not. When the truth comes out in a year or so, it will be too late as the lies of his innocence will then be ingrained into popular culture, and we’ll then be in danger of electing this walking violation of the Constitution to another 4 years.
God help us.
mantra for the day
From – AG March 24 2019 Letter to House and Senate Judiciary Committees
Excerpt: The Special Counsel states that “while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”
1It appears that Mueller was a Republican partisan after all.
2The evidence of Trump’s conspiracy with the Russians is abundant and Mueller’s decision to avoid responsibility regarding Trump’s obstruction is laughable, given that it occurred in plain sight. Mueller turned out to be another fixer for Trump, and Barr tied it all up with a bow.
Schiff and Nadler, you’re up.
I agree with everything except the part about Mueller punting. He is tenacious, thorough and, I believe, scrupulously honest and honorable. If he had the goods to go higher, he would have.
3One thing he did do is extend his investigation into the convening of the 116th Congress. The House is the body that brings forth impeachment charges and has the power of subpoena to find out if such charges are warranted. The Democrats have power. There is an abomination in the Oval Office who has not been particularly smart about all the shite he’s been up to. I hope it is fortunate that we have people like AOC in place who are less sensitive to respect for their “distinguished colleagues on the other side of the aisle” and who are not worried about spoiling their chances for a cushy K St. job by rocking the boat. Let the House investigations begin.
that is Barrs’ summary — some are speculating that Mueller likely wrote his own summary see https://www.rawstory.com/2019/03/muller-probably-wrote-summary-ex-federal-prosecutor-wants-know-barr-didnt-release/
4I’ve been imagining all the various scenarios this report could have taken – report, not summary. The indictments of all those other people associated with Trump are damning and I am including the prison sentences handed out so far. Plus Trump’s secret meeting with Putin – no translators, no staffers, no Secret Service. For me, that is way past the definition of treason and as obvious as mold on cheese.
I do remember when one had to be damn careful of the appearances of things as well as actual deeds. The “appearance” could be as bad as the actual act. Either many folks never knew about this or if they did, it was conveniently forgotten. It got Nixon out of the White House in disgrace.
I think Congress will succeed in getting the entire report and then run with it for a touchdown.
5I’ve waited from the establishment of the Mueller probe until now. I can wait for the release of the full (as we’re going to get) report. Barr was expected to be a hindrance, so no surprise.
We elected those fine folks in Congress to (in part) exhibit oversight. And the states’ Attorneys General aren’t for show. In the real world complex court proceedings take lots of time (and money).
Meanwhile, what have you done today to help get rid of GOPs in control of our country…
6What will Old Scratch McConnell do? Throw IQ45 under the bus for collusion with Russia and all manners of mischief with Saudi Arabia? We’re back to another post 9/11 FBI and Republicon dilemma.
Here’s what Mueller and the FBI did then: https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/03/25/good-agent-bad-agent-robert-mueller-and-9-11-2/
Again, what will Old Scratch McConnell do? Can the Democrats make it right this time?
7Yes, Barr did what Trump nominated him and the Senate confirmed him to do. We knew that would happen going in.
But then, the Republicans did something totally unexpected and absolutely predictable in a one-two punch: they voted 240 – 0 to release the report in its entirety as far as FBI rules regarding classified information will allow —- and then they took it back.
8Gee, I’m SHOCKED I tells ya! Stop the presses!
Oh, wait:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/03/24/republicans-trapped-by-transparency/?utm_term=.c942b59f4503
What nobody is talking about is WHY the Russians wanted to get Trump elected. It surely wasn’t because they thought that he would make America stronger or better or great again.
9This fellow is expressing the same emotions . . . and he is wearing the most appropriate and honest T shirt to exemplify this ‘resident’s behavior.
Enjoy In his videos he has the most colorful and imaginative appellations for trump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqD63Wzh3ng
10There may be some good news in all of this. Trump now thinks he really can shoot someone and nothing will happen. Embolden he will make a huge mistake in front of the world a and loose the election.
11Gary has a very good point. Trump knows he’s guilty of betraying America out of allegiance to Russia and his pocketbook, covering up the purpose of the Trump Tower meeting, violating campaign finance law, suggesting Cohen should lie to Congress, I’m guessing lying on his Mueller questionnaire, lying to the American people (often), of dirty politics, and general swampiness. Let’s let him get comfortable and cocky again and seriously screw up something. We know he’s got the aptitude for it.
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