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DOJ Clamps Down On Mueller Prior To Congressional Testimony

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Just two days before his much anticipated appearance before two congressional committees, the Department of Justice has sent Robert Mueller a letter warning him to be careful about what he says in public.

“Any testimony must remain within the boundaries of your public report because matters within the scope of your investigation were covered by executive privilege, including information protected by law enforcement, deliberative process, attorney work product, and presidential communications privileges,” wrote Associate Deputy Attorney General Bradley Weinsheimer.

Mueller was reminded by Weinsheimer that DOJ policy prevents him from commenting on the legal conclusions his office made “with respect to uncharged individuals, other than information contained within the portions of your report that already have been made public.” Weinsheimer also said Mueller should not testify about portions of the public report that have been redacted or about uncharged third parties.

It’s unlikely Mueller will go outside the four corners of his report in any event, with or without the DOJ’s last minute admonition. He specifically said he would do so in his brief press conference in May.

Democrats on the House committees are hoping Mueller will be more forthcoming than he has stated he would be. But the straight-laced Mueller, who is only testifying because he was subpoenaed to do so, will most likely disappoint those Democrats holding out hope he will go rogue.

About the only suspense on Wednesday will be which Trump congressional lapdog will make the biggest fool of himself trying to discredit the former Eagle Scout and ex-Marine.

The bottom line is even if Mueller only reads from his 448-page report, the damage to Donald Trump could be significant as the American public will hear, many for the first time, the true, unvarnished-by-Barr version of his investigative findings.

Photo | nbcnews.com

 

 

 

 

 

Barr Changes Tune On Mueller Testimony

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You saw it coming, right?

A little over one month ago, AG William Barr made it appear he had no problem with Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifying before Congress. This was at a time when Mueller had not yet been subpoenaed to appear before both the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees.

“It’s Bob’s call whether he wants to testify,” said Barr during a Wall Street Journal interview.

Yesterday, Barr pulled a “Trump,” saying one thing when it is convenient to sound reasonable (i.e. Trump promising to release his tax returns) and then making a complete one-eighty when the moment of truth arrives.

While he did not come right out and say Mueller should not testify, the Attorney General of the United States, told the Associated Press yesterday, he doesn’t believe Robert Mueller should have to “subject himself” to testifying before Congress about the Russia investigation.

“I’m not sure what purpose is served by dragging him up there and trying to grill him,” Barr said. “I don’t think Mueller should be treated that way or subject himself to that, if he doesn’t want to.”

One representative, Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence committee, was not surprised by Barr’s shocking remarks..

“Barr misled the public about Mueller’s report, and wants his own deception to stand,” Schiff tweeted. “The public has a right to hear the truth, from Mueller himself, about Trump’s misconduct and ongoing national security risks.”

Think about this for one moment. The top law enforcement official in the United States is encouraging a fellow lawyer, another officer of the court, to disregard a congressional subpoena!

What needs to happen (but won’t) is for the appropriate bar association(s) to immediately open an investigation into Barr’s unprofessional and unethical conduct with a view towards disbarment.

As of now, it appears Mueller, the reluctant witness, will keep his July 17 date with Congress. But as I’ve stated before, I doubt his testimony will change much of anything. It certainly won’t light a fire under Nancy Pelosi to begin impeachment proceedings ASAP.

I pray I’m wrong.

Photo | cnbcfm.com

 

 

Will Mueller’s Testimony Change Anything? Probably Not

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In less than two weeks, Robert Mueller will testify before Congress.

On July 17, the reluctant witness will answer questions, in open hearings in front of two Congressional committees, about his probe into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible obstruction of justice by Trump.

While many fans of karma, and the rule of law, are excited about Mueller possibly exposing Trump for the criminal that he is, it is more likely they will be sorely disappointed. But whatever Mueller’s testimony, it will probably not change the dynamics of impeachment. It is crystal clear by now that Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders in the House do not want to start impeachment proceedings against Trump.

Republicans on both the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees think Mueller’s appearance will be a disaster for him because they plan on exposing him as an incompetent, political hack. They, somehow, will try to get at the former Eagle Scout’s credibility.

Good luck with that!

No, Mueller’s testimony will be ineffective not because a few Republican attack dogs, while making fools of themselves, will show he is a flawed individual and that members of his staff were biased against Trump. Mueller will likely disappoint because he will simply stick to the facts we already know.

Mueller has stated he plans on confining his testimony to the “four corners of his report.”

So don’t expect the ex-Marine to answer some serious questions, such as:  whether he or his team thought there was sufficient evidence to charge Trump with obstruction, were he not president.

But even if Mueller reveals some new information harmful to Trump, it is unlikely to be the game changer that will spark impeachment proceedings the next day, or week or month.

Nancy Pelosi wants Trump to be the Republican presidential candidate in 2020 no matter what we may learn from Mueller.  In her perfect world, the Democratic candidate will trounce Trump at the polls and Democrats will flip the Senate.

Good luck with that!

The American people, Madam Speaker, need for you to do your job, Mueller or no Mueller! If you do not, you run the serious risk of demoralizing your base and helping Trump to a second term.

Photo | bostonherald.com

 

No, Mueller Has Not “Agreed” To Testify Before Congress

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The breaking news is everywhere: “Mueller agrees to testify before House committees.”

Former Special Counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, will testify in open session before the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees on July 17.

Yet Robert Mueller is not the upstanding patriot some are portraying him to be. What Mueller has done is to simply agree to honor two subpoenas.

After weeks of negotiations between Mueller and House Democrats for his voluntary testimony, House Committee Chairmen, Jerry Nadler and Adam Schiff, were forced to issue subpoenas for Mueller’s testimony.

Mueller made it clear in a rare public statement in May that he did not wish to testify publicly about his investigation. He said his report spoke for itself … my “report is my testimony.”

“He was and is deeply reluctant to come testify, but nonetheless he has agreed to respect the subpoena,” said Schiff.

Schiff made it clear this is not a “friendly” subpoena.

“I don’t think the Special Counsel’s Office would characterize it as a ‘friendly subpoena,'” said Schiff. “He did not want to testify. He made that very clear.”

Chairman Nadler, during an interview on CNN Tuesday night, said that he is not worried that the White House or Department of Justice will block Mueller’s testimony.

“No, I’m not really worried about that because Mueller is an honest, upstanding citizen and he will testify in response to the subpoena that we issued,” Nadler said.

So the best that can be said of “Bobby Three Sticks” Mueller is that he is not defying a subpoena as many other potential witnesses have done.

After all, Mueller is a former Eagle Scout!

Yet it should never have come to this (subpoena).

Photo | theatlantic.com/REUTERS/Jim Bourg

 

 

 

Stoic, Reserved Mueller Finally Talks … In “Lawyerspeak”

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The publicity shy, by-the-book Special Counsel, Robert Mueller, delivered a surprise speech yesterday in which he, in the most indirect of ways, called his boss, Attorney General, William Barr a liar.  During his nine-minute press conference, Mueller shot down both William Barr’s and Donald Trump’s “no collusion, no obstruction” mantra.

Mueller explained, under a long-standing DOJ policy, a President cannot be charged with a federal crime while in office.  “Charging the President with a crime was, therefore, not an option we could consider,” said Mueller.

The mild-mannered Mueller, however, disappointed many listeners by delivering a speech devoid of bombshells, filled more with implications, hints and innuendos. It was a speech more for professionals to decode than for the American public to consume.

Bottom-line? While he couldn’t complete the job he was assigned to do, the ball is now squarely in the hands of Congress to begin impeachment proceedings for perhaps the most brazen criminal ever to occupy the White House.

Photo | smerconish.com

 

 

Bobby … Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!

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Mr. Mueller (may I call you Bobby? Thanks) it has now been over two months since you handed over your Trump-Russia report to your boss, AG William Barr, and it appears you have gone into hiding.

We’ve heard from all sorts of folks about your report … from those who have actually read the entire thing to those who haven’t a clue about its contents … yet we haven’t heard from the most authoritative analyst… you.

Your findings have not only be distorted and mischaracterized, they have been used by Trump and his sycophants to further their narrative that your entire two-year investigation into perhaps our most corrupt president has been a hoax.

It is way past time for you to end this game of hide and seek,

You have been called to discuss your report before the House Judiciary Committee. You now have the opportunity to set the record straight. So what gives, Bobby?

What is preventing you from doing your duty? From defending your integrity? From getting the facts out to the American people?

We now hear from Chairman Nadler that you are willing to testify but only behind closed doors?

This is no time to be camera shy. Your country needs you. The American people must see your face and hear your voice.

Is your reticence the result of being threatened? Do you fear for you safety?

Knowing your history, I seriously doubt it.

You are a man of honor and courage. A man deserving of the utmost respect. Hell, you’re a decorated combat veteran … a patriot if there ever was one.

It’s time to end your silence and get out there before the cameras … and start talking.

It’s very possible your testimony will tilt the political scales and get members of Congress to do what the Constitution calls on them to do … impeach and remove the brazen criminal now occupying the White House.

Photo | time.com

 

 

 

 

 

Trump Kneecaps Rule Of Law

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When it comes to complying with legitimate congressional demands, Donald Trump has one word … “Fugetaboutit!”

Trump has directed his underlings to refuse the House Democrats’ lawful requests for his tax returns and has ordered former and present members of his staff to defy congressional subpoenas for testimony before House oversight committees.

This is in line with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s findings that Trump has obstructed justice and has directed others to do the same.

Many political commentators are accusing Trump of besmirching the Presidency and denigrating the rule of law.

But does this really come as a surprise? Trump did swear on a bible to “faithfully execute the Office of the President and … the Constitution.”

Photo | wikipedia.com

Could William Barr Have A John Mitchell Problem?

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They couldn’t take it anymore.  So now some members of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s otherwise “leak-proof” team are starting to talk.

According to The New York Times, a few of Mueller’s investigators have said Attorney General William Barr’s summary of their report did not sufficiently jibe with the results of their investigation, suggesting their findings could be more damaging to Trump than Barr conveyed,

Of course this comes as no surprise.  Trump’s handpicked AG was always going to spin Mueller’s report in the most positive light, i.e. creating the impression it cleared his boss.

Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee authorized Chairman Jerry Nadler to issue a subpoena for the full Mueller report along with all the underlying documents.

Although we may be in for a long court fight, the law is on the side of the Democrats.

The full report will eventually make its way to Nadler, if not the general public.

And if Barr’s 4-page summary was so off the mark that it can be shown he intentionally misrepresented the facts contained in the Mueller report, he may have a John Mitchell problem.

John Mitchell was Richard Nixon’s Attorney General who did his best to cover-up his boss’s crimes.

For his efforts, Mitchell was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury and sentenced to two and a half to eight years in prison for his role in the Watergate break-in and cover-up.

Could Barr be so loyal… so dumb?

As Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic political analyst, recently wrote in an article on FoxNews.com (of all places), “And if they continue to stonewall, then Trump and Barr will face the consequences rendered by the American people and history…just like Nixon and Mitchell.”

It is becoming increasingly clear that Trump and his Republican enablers are suffering from a bad case of premature exultation.

Photos | wikipedia.com, nymag.com

 

 

 

 

Is Trump’s Day Of Reckoning Finally Here?

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Word is out that the nearly two-year Trump-Russia investigation has come to an end and a report by special counsel Robert Mueller may soon be submitted to the newly installed Attorney General, William Barr, as early as next week.

Just when, or even if, Barr will share the report with Congress remains to be seen.

As reported by CNN, “Under the special counsel regulations, Mueller must submit a ‘confidential’ report to the attorney general at the conclusion of his work, but the rules don’t require it to be shared with Congress, or by extension, the public. And, as Barr has made clear, the Justice Department generally guards against publicizing ‘derogatory’ information about uncharged individuals.”

But could the much-awaited report, no matter what, still lead to Trump’s impeachment by the House?

Reality check. Even if Mueller’s report is damaging to Trump, with Mitch McConnell as Majority Leader, it’s hard to see Republican senators voting to convict Trump after House Democrats start an impeachment proceeding.

But do not fret. With many other ongoing investigations into Trumpworld, most notably by the Southern District of New York, Trump will never be not out of the woods.

As Neal Katyal writes in an opinion piece in today’s New York Times:

The overlapping investigations by different entities, housed in different branches of government, spanning geography and even different governments (such as the New York attorney general’s investigation into the Trump Foundation), make it difficult for anyone, even Attorney General Barr, to end the inquiries.

While Mueller’s report may not be “the end,” it most certainly will be remembered as the beginning of “the end.”

Photo | nbcnews.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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