Trump team seeks to control, block Mueller’s Russia investigation

[The Scotsman]

Some of President Trump’s lawyers are exploring ways to limit or undercut special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s Russia investigation, building a case against what they allege are his conflicts of interest and discussing the president’s authority to grant pardons, according to people familiar with the effort.

Trump has asked his advisers about his power to pardon aides, family members and even himself in connection with the probe, according to one of those people. A second person said Trump’s lawyers have been discussing the president’s pardoning powers among themselves.

Trump’s legal team declined to comment on the issue. But one adviser said the president has simply expressed a curiosity in understanding the reach of his pardoning authority, as well as the limits of Mueller’s investigation.

Washington Post story in full

If as everyone in the Trump administration are saying- there is no collusion there is nothing to hide, then why start this dialogue? The direction of travel should surely be "bring it on!" let the investigation have access to everything they want, make the terms or reference as wide as possible get the most anti-trump people on the panel and let them do their worse. Total transparency.

If as the Trump administration say that there is nothing to hide then let the when after such an investigation they find nothing then Trump can stand tall and say "well screw you I told you so!"

Bring it on

 

[dogtowner]

Washington Post story in full

If as everyone in the Trump administration are saying- there is no collusion there is nothing to hide, then why start this dialogue? The direction of travel should surely be "bring it on!" let the investigation have access to everything they want, make the terms or reference as wide as possible get the most anti-trump people on the panel and let them do their worse. Total transparency.

If as the Trump administration say that there is nothing to hide then let the when after such an investigation they find nothing then Trump can stand tall and say "well screw you I told you so!"

Bring it on

Scope creep. Mueller is exceeding his directive. Mainly because he is finding nothing regarding what his job was to find.

 

[The Scotsman]

Mueller is exceeding his directive.

If there's nothing to hide then so what?

 

[dogtowner]

If there's nothing to hide then so what?

So why not expand to investigating fraud associated with climate change or Al Capones ties to Latin America ?
Because it has nothing to do with what he was tasked to do.

 

[Openmind]

If there's nothing to hide then so what?

Mueller is not exceeding his directive. Here are his directive:

What is Mueller’s Jurisdiction?

The order by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointing Mueller states:

(b) The Special Counsel is authorized to conduct the investigation confirmed by then-FBI Director James B. Comey in testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on March 20, 2017, including:

(i) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and

(ii) any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation; and

(iii) any other matters within the scope of 28 C.F.R. § 600.4(a).

(c) If the Special Counsel believes it is necessary and appropriate, the Special Counsel is authorized to prosecute federal crimes arising from the investigation of these matters. . . . .

https://www.lawfareblog.com/initial-reactions-appointment-robert-mueller-special-counsel


by the way. . .it seems that many more people close to Trump are realising that the S. . .is about to hit the fan.

In the last 6 hours, Trump's chief attorney resigned and Spicer resigned.

The rats are leaving the boat!

 

[The Scotsman]

In the last 6 hours, Trump's chief attorney resigned and Spicer resigned.

What, Sean's gone!! Shit who am I going to take the piss out now....

 

[The Scotsman]

The rats are leaving the boat!

...It's actually beyond laughable now.... the next resignation will probably be the wife!

 

[Openmind]

...It's actually beyond laughable now.... the next resignation will probably be the wife!

I don't think so! I am pretty sure she would LOVE to get rid of the old fart. . .but money speaks for her, obviously. And. . .she wouldn't want to be the victim of a bullet!