June 16, 2017

"I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt."

Trump tweets this morning:

ADDED: I don't understand the tweet quoted in the headline. Is Trump talking about Rosenstein or Mueller? In either case, at the time of the advice to fire Comey, Comey had not yet revealed the conversation about letting Flynn go. That's the basis of the reported investigation of Trump. Where's the contradiction? Rosenstein, giving the advice to fire Comey, wouldn't have known what was said between Comey and Trump in private. Did Comey/Trump tell him? Rosenstein's advice was based on Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton "matter." It wasn't about Flynn.

287 comments:

1 – 200 of 287   Newer›   Newest»
Michael K said...

Who does h mean ? Rosenstein ?

Lyle Smith said...

Must mean Mueller.

tds said...

We've been promised exposing Manchurian candidate, and all we're gonna get is technical, process related charge

Once written, twice... said...

Trump is now attacking his own Justice Department.

Nice!

bleh said...

He means Rosenstein. He's trying to nudge Rosenstein, or perhaps raise the possibility that Rosenstein is conflicted and ought to recuse. Who then would be in charge of Mueller?

Bad Lieutenant said...

That was my thought. What's the deal on this Rosenstein?

It's going to be hard for President Trump to govern if he can't find anybody he can trust. Needs new talent pools. Maybe get a clique of top people out of NY, there are some, or else if you need eg FBI lifers, go out to the hinterlands, take people out of the Bozeman MT field office rather than the DC swamps.

I'm concerned this targeting makes Rosenstein an enemy but perhaps Trump has already made that conclusion. However, he appointed him, right? Or else who did? Who put his name before the President?

This is a real problem. Maybe the most reliable talent pool would be the military but who even knows what damage Obama has done, never mind the eternal Puzzle Palace Perfumed Prince problem.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director!

Putin is investigating him for firing Comey? Sad!

Sprezzatura said...

So, some gal acting silly re toiletology is a problem.

Having an unhinged and gross POTUS = no problem.


Got it.

Ann Althouse said...

How can it be Rosenstein? Rosenstein assigned the task to Mueller.

Ann Althouse said...

Also, the advice to fire Comey came before Comey testified about the "let him go" conversation, right? Rosenstein's memo supporting the firing wasn't about that conversation, which is the basis of the reported investigation of Trump. It was about earlier things having to do with the Hillary Clinton "matter." So I don't really see the contradiction.

bleh said...

My understanding is that, in theory, Rosenstein is in charge of the investigation. He is the highest ranking DOJ official who is not recused, and it is still technically a DOJ investigation. He can yank on Mueller's chain on any number of issues.

Ann Althouse said...

Yes. First Comey was fired, then we heard of the Comey/Trump private conversation about letting Flynn go.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/us/politics/james-comey-trump-flynn-russia-investigation.html?smid=pl-share

So Rosenstein didn't know about that conversation at the time he wrote the memo recommending firing Comey.

Trump's tweet doesn't make sense.

Ann Althouse said...

If the tweet refers to Mueller, it still doesn't make sense. Not unless you add the idea that Trump or Comey shared the "let him go" conversation earlier.

bleh said...

Althouse, I don't understand what you're suggesting. Are you saying you think Mueller advised Trump early on to fire Comey? No way. I refuse to believe Mueller would do that, unless maybe he wanted his old job back and thought he could get it if he stabbed Comey in the back. That would be an insane twist, if true.

Otto said...

Trump is right on. This guy Rosenstein bears watching. First he deems that a special counsel is necessary . Then like Ann says he names Mueller as head. Finally he issues a veiled statement that says the onus of leaking is strictly on you the general public. What he is really saying is that he leaking can continue and that it is not illegal. Is this guy a member of the swamp or what?

Mike Sylwester said...

Our President Trump should be tweeting every day about the BFF relationship between Robert "The Whitewasher" Mueller and "Crazy Comey the Leaker".

Tweet photographs of Mueller and Comey together and add snide comments.

Tweet details about their professional collaboration and about their personal friendship.

Raise a big, continual, justified stink against Mueller being the special counsel.

Once written, twice... said...

When Trump finally turns on Pence—that is when things will get real interesting. Trump has to be getting an inkling at this point that Pence and others are maneuvering him out the door, right?

madAsHell said...

Isn't Rosenstein an Obama hold-over?

Where is AG Sessions? It's like Trump is doing Sessions work, while Sessions hides behind a recusal.

Once written, twice... said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ann Althouse said...

"Althouse, I don't understand what you're suggesting. Are you saying you think Mueller advised Trump early on to fire Comey? No way. I refuse to believe Mueller would do that, unless maybe he wanted his old job back and thought he could get it if he stabbed Comey in the back. That would be an insane twist, if true."

I'm just saying that Mueller is the one investigating Trump (supposedly (interesting that Trump treats it as true)). So it sounds like he's talking about Mueller. If so, we have to infer that Mueller advised him to fire Comey. We do know that Mueller interviewed for the FBI Director job after Comey was fired and before Mueller was made special counsel. It's possible that Mueller advised Trump. Doesn't make sense. The tweet does' make sense and I'm just trying to see which assumptions could make it coherent.

Matt Sablan said...

"In either case, at the time of the advice to fire Comey, Comey had not yet revealed the conversation about letting Flynn go. That's the basis of the reported investigation of Trump."

-- Technically, if Comey wrote the memo as he said, this information SHOULD have been available from the day he made it. So, if he didn't provide it like he should have when he said he did, the information ISN'T new. Considering both Comey and McCabe, who were aware of the alleged conversation, testified under oath that there was no undue influence from the White House -- it is a good question from Trump.

Comey and McCabe said there was no untoward influence; they both knew about this alleged conversation (well, if Comey wrote the memo when he said he did.)

So, I can see why Trump is confused why this information that is old information is suddenly potentially a sign of obstruction when the FBI already decided it was not, and decided it under oath.

Ann Althouse said...

n't

Once written, twice... said...

It is also great that for the next four days all of the attention will be on "what the hell did he mean by that tweet?" and the Republican Congress agenda will continue to be a big nothing burger.

Mike Sylwester said...

FBI Deputy Director Rosenstein chose Mueller because he can count on former FBI Director Mueller to whitewash the FBI.

Mueller's final report will praise the FBI to the skies. Mueller will write that the FBI's Russiagate investigation efficiently and effectively prevented Russia from stealing our future elections. The FBI's Russiagate investigators are national heroes.

Mueller will find one or more Trump associates lied to the FBI investigators about the details of some business deals with Russia. Any such Trump associates will be imprisoned for a few years.

That's what's going on.

dreams said...

Yeah, I'm guessing it's Rosenstein. Rosenstein had to be confirmed which the Dems dragged out.

Matt Sablan said...

[Also: If that is hard to follow, blame Comey's being unclear.]

traditionalguy said...

The guy who told him to fire Comey was the acting Attorney General because Jeff Sessions abandoned his duty so he could look more pure himself. With friends like Sessions, Trump doesn't need enemies.

The Clinton gang is still getting the Orange Clown, Accidental President six ways from Sunday.

Michael K said...

"Pence and others are maneuvering him out the door, right?"

Wrong. Not even a nice try.

Hagar said...

It does not have to make sense if the object is just to keep stirring the pot and keep the MSM's attention away from what the administration is actually doing.
It is a dangerous game though. Trump may in the end have to give up more than one "Scooter Libby" as the baying mob will insist on getting someone's head if they cannot get his.

Once written, twice... said...

Michael K, if they did a secret poll of Republicans in Washington D.C., you don't think 9 out of ten Republicans would chose a President Pence over a President Trump?

dreams said...

It was Rosenstein who recommended that Comey be fired though everyone assumed it was at the behest of Trump.

dreams said...

And Rosenstein appointed Mueller.

chickelit said...

Once written, twice... said...When Trump finally turns on Pence—that is when things will get real interesting. Trump has to be getting an inkling at this point that Pence and others are maneuvering him out the door, right?

If "Pence and others" are maneuvering as you imply, why shouldn't Trump respond? Pence didn't build squat and will lead the RNC back to the wilderness.

chickelit said...

Once written, twice... said...Michael K, if they did a secret poll of Republicans in Washington D.C., you don't think 9 out of ten Republicans would chose a President Pence over a President Trump?

Republicans had their little revolution. It's the Dems who are still led by leaders against the wishes of the people.

chickelit said...

Shorter "Once Bitten": Come on you hillbillies -- shouldn't you think what DC Republicans want you to think?

Kevin said...

"First Comey was fired, then we heard of the Comey/Trump private conversation about letting Flynn go."

First Rosenstein wrote a memo saying Trump had cause to fire Comey. Comey is fired. Then the memo comes out and Rosenstein launches an investigation into the firing.

If Comey was fired for cause, how is it obstruction? The only answer can be that the President can't fire the FBI director for cause if he's investigating the President and his pals, which doesn't make sense.

See also: Dershowitz, Alan

George M. Spencer said...

Professor, if you can't understand any of this, we can all be sure than 99.9 percent of the American people can't understand any of it either.

All of this reminds me of the Chandra Levy story in 2001. She was murdered under mysterious circumstances in a D.C. park and a congressman was wrongfully blamed. The media was ablaze with allegations. And ablaze. And ablaze. Then the day after September 10 of that year something happened, and everyone forgot forever about this story.

We have three carrier battle groups off the North Korean coast. Qatar is being blockaded. Illinois is bankrupt. And Europe is in a dither.

Trump surely has many bigger messes on his hands.

dreams said...

Rosenstein has been acting very deep state like too.

Drago said...

Once written: "Michael K, if they did a secret poll of Republicans in Washington D.C., you don't think 9 out of ten Republicans would chose a President Pence over a President Trump?"

Another lefty dreams of instituting his/her/xer dream election process.

Sorry, we are still a republic....for now.

Once written, twice... said...

Both houses of Congress have a Republican majority. There is a Republican in the White House. Can someone list for me any important legislation that has made its way through Congress and placed on the president's desk for his signature? Is there anything on that list? Do you think it is going to all happen this Fall? I would say not after this long hot summer of Trump constantly goofing off.

Todd said...

Where's the contradiction? Rosenstein, giving the advice to fire Comey, wouldn't have known what was said between Comey and Trump in private.

It is my understanding (I could easily be wrong and if so please correct me) that the FBI director serves at the pleasure of the President. That he can be dismissed at any time and for any reason. Additionally, I have read that all FBI/DOJ efforts are at the pleasure of the President and it is within his constitutional powers to direct those efforts at anyone and/or to stop said efforts.

If all this is true, what is there to investigate with Comey's firing? What obstruction of justice? These all occur at the pleasure of the President.

As an FYI, most of this I "learned" from a recent Dershawitz article as well as here and here.

rcocean said...

I have no idea why people are saying it doesn't make sense for Mueller to have recommended the Comey firing.

Do you know Mueller? Or his current views on Comey?

I don't. Who is investigating Trump? Mueller. So therefore the only person the tweet could refer to is Mueller.

Trump is saying Mueller advised him to fire Comey.

Larvell said...

Wait, why is he sad that there's no proof of collusion with the Russians?

rcocean said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Once written, twice... said...

I am going to predict that at some point we will have Republicans begging Democrats to go along with impeaching Trump.

rcocean said...

Trump runs up against 140 character limit with tweets AND is not known for his precise use of language.

BTW, I can remember way, way, back when people were saying Trump was lying about not being FBI investigation target because otherwise Comey would've said so in public.

Drago said...

Once written: "I am going to predict that at some point we will have Republicans begging Democrats to go along with impeaching Trump"

Why not? When you've already been wrong as many times as you have, whats one more?

Once written, twice... said...

In comparison, President Obama had gotten all kinds of important legislation passed by this point in his first year in office.

Hagar said...

Sessions and Rosenstein are lawyers and recommended Comey be fired for his lack of lawyerly ethics and breaches of Department protocols.
Trump ordered Comey fired because he did not like him and did not trust him. ("Et tu, Brute?")

Mike Sylwester said...

I love that our President Trump keeps calling the FBI's Russiagate investigation a ***WITCH-HUNT***, because that is a correct description.

In its never-ending hunt for election-meddling Russian witches, the FBI has organized an ad hoc Inquisition to investigate, interrogate and prosecute any Trump associates with any links to Russia.

Trump had lots of international businesses -- hotels, construction, beauty contests, branding -- and so he himself has business associates in Russia and he also has non-Russian business associates who have done business in Russia.

Any one of those Trump-associated businessmen could be a cut-out for collusion between Trump and Putin. Trump might be paying election-meddling Putin through some businessman who had a contract to help with the Miss Russia contest. The FBI is studying every possibility.

rcocean said...

Trump needs to rein in Mueller with reduced scope of investigation or fire him.

I have no idea why we need special counsel or what potential crime he is investigating. No one has made that clear, even Rosenstein.

Once written, twice... said...

This is great for Libs...Republicans are getting nothing done (except for a few executive orders that can be easily undone by the next Dem President) and Trump has predictably turned everything into a big clusterfuck. Pass the popcorn!

dreams said...

"Wait, why is he sad that there's no proof of collusion with the Russians?"

I realize you're pretending to be obtuse but it's obvious the sad comment is a critique of their continued wild goose chase,

Sprezzatura said...

"Trump needs to rein in Mueller with reduced scope of investigation or fire him."

Give him a list of good guys who DJT hopes Mueller will let go. If Muller doesn't comply, fire him.

That worked so well the first time.

Snark said...

"Trump's tweet doesn't make sense."

Just begging to be a tag.

mockturtle said...

This cabal made up of GOP, Dems and the media is determined to impeach Trump. I wonder if they ever consider, even for a moment, that we the people elected him.

roesch/voltaire said...

Lots of things were said in private, but Trump admitted he wanted Comey fired no matter what, so once again Trump blames others for his own actions-- same old from the tweeter-in-chief.

mockturtle said...

Well, they may consider it but we are, after all, just ignorant hillbillies.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Once written, perhaps the leftists should spend less of their time imagining what Republicans in DC are thinking and more time trying to understand what the people who live on Suburban Drive in Ohio.

http://www.cleveland.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/06/on_suburban_drive_donald_trump.html#incart_m-rpt-1

BEAVERCREEK, Ohio--On a quiet, leafy street appropriately named Suburban Drive, the controversies surrounding President Donald Trump seem to be doing more to hurt Democrats' popularity than the president's.


I think they should let President Trump do his job - they're trying to sandbag him all the time," said Richard Rautio, a 72-year-old retired union auto worker and lifelong Democrat who voted for Trump. "The Democrat Party is not the Democrat Party that it used to be. It's changed. And they don't seem to see how people feel."

Of course not. That's not as interesting and fun as imagining Trump impeachment scenarios.

Once written, twice... said...

Trump's own Justice Department recommended Mueller. Every Republican member of congress sang Mueller's praises at the time of his appointment. (A brief three weeks ago.) Now Trump is laying siege on Mueller? How many high ranking Justice Department officials would quit (or be fired) before Trump found someone to deepsix Mueller?

dreams said...

"I have no idea why we need special counsel or what potential crime he is investigating. No one has made that clear, even Rosenstein."

Not to worry, if there is no crime, one can be created via interrogation.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

Trump is asserting that after Rosenstein advised him to fire Comey, he hired Mueller to investigate him for firing Comey. Mueller is the agent but Rosenstein is the principal. It's an intriguing way to look at what has happened.

The smart move would have been to fire Comey for Rosenstein's reasons. But Trump didn't do that, he had to fire Comey for his own reasons.

cubanbob said...

Trump needs to get several more special prosecutors in the mix to investigate the DoJ the FBI, the IRS, the various intelligence agencies and the Obama Administration criminals and their enablers.

dreams said...

Here is some good advice that pertains to some commenters.

"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

dreams said...

"Trump needs to get several more special prosecutors in the mix to investigate the DoJ the FBI, the IRS, the various intelligence agencies and the Obama Administration criminals and their enablers."

Yes, I agree. The best defense is a good offense. Plus, they should be investigated.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

The tweet does'[nt] make sense and I'm just trying to see which assumptions could make it coherent.

I think the assumption that makes it coherent is that the obstruction charge is based on the firing of Comey, not on the comment about letting the Flynn matter go.

If person X ( Mueller, Rosenstein, Sessions, etc. ) recommends that he fires Comey, then it makes no sense for person X to consider that obstruction of justice, no matter what other motive Trump might have had for firing Comey. Of course, this also assumes that the recommendation to fire Comey was an independent judgement, and not simply as response to a request by Trump to find a justification.

Brookzene said...

"The smart move would have been to fire Comey for Rosenstein's reasons. But Trump didn't do that, he had to fire Comey for his own reasons.

We have a president who only thinks of himself and yet is not smart enough to avoid harming himself.

Brookzene said...

"I think the assumption that makes it coherent is that the obstruction charge is based on the firing of Comey, not on the comment about letting the Flynn matter go.

Why assume it's only one or the other?

Michael K said...

"if they did a secret poll of Republicans in Washington D.C., you don't think 9 out of ten Republicans would chose a President Pence over a President Trump?"

NO but 50% might. Those are the ones that are donor dependent and hope to retire with a fortune from "public service" like Hillary.

Matt Sablan said...

"Why assume it's only one or the other?"

-- I mean, I think the same thing about Why Trump fired Comey, but everyone seems to insist it was only one possible reason.

Sprezzatura said...

"The smart move would have been to fire Comey for Rosenstein's reasons."

Yup. It was way funnier when the Rs were claiming that Comey was fired because he was too mean re the HRC investigation.

Sure, it's still awesome that the DJT administration has proved that attempting to lock up HRC was flim flam, since they've never tried to peruse such, now that they're legally obligated to enforce our laws. But, to go the extra step of firing Comey because he was mean to HRC was pretty cool.

Funny Rs.

Matt Sablan said...

"The smart move would have been to fire Comey for Rosenstein's reasons. But Trump didn't do that, he had to fire Comey for his own reasons."

-- My understanding is he fired him for a multitude of reasons.

Real American said...

The bottom line is that the underlying basis for the investigation, the Russian nonsense, is a giant nothing. The rest is petty politics. Mueller needs to step down - the special counsel's job is over.

Bruce Hayden said...

From last night's thread:

Last night Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein released a statement that: "Americans should be skeptical about anonymous allegations. The Department of Justice has a long-established policy to neither confirm nor deny such allegations," and, the question being asked was what does that mean.

My take is that he is talking about the reports that the Mueller team was going to investigate obstruction of justice by Trump and his team. With Sessions recused, Mueller is 100% Rosenstein's problem. He appointed Mueller. And did so after apparently having been maneuvered by Comey, who turns out to be a good friend of Mueller. It stinks, and Rosensteien's big boss, President Trump, has pointed that out to his base with some tweats. Which puts Rosenstein in the hot seat. Has his handpicked independent counsel almost immediately gone into Dem party conspiracy witch hunt mode? While the Mueller team is leaking (illegally and contrary to DiJ policy) like crazy to damage Trump? I don't know if Trump called Rosenstein himself (with Sessions recused), or Rosenstein is smart enough to know what Trump's tweats meant by himself, but I smell fear. I think that he was saying to ignore the leaks, but by policy (which the leakers, if they truly are in the DoJ, are not goring), he couldn't ethically tell us that the obstruction of justice claims were bogus, but sure wanted to.

We shall see.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

Brookzene said...

Why assume it's only one or the other?

Because the Professor was asking about what assumption would make Trump's tweet coherent. Only one of those does.

Matt Sablan said...

It wasn't because he was "mean" to Hillary. It was because he bungled the investigation (in the exact particulars you can find out by asking Democrats and Republicans at various points when he screwed it up in various ways.)

Once written, twice... said...

Every time the heat seems to be going down (and Trump handled the baseball shooting well for him) he then finds a way to turn the heat up again and gets eveything in a fever pitch again. But absolutely nothing is happening in Congress.

Is this just his crazy way to distract attention from his failing presidency?

CStanley said...

I'm just saying that Mueller is the one investigating Trump (supposedly (interesting that Trump treats it as true)). So it sounds like he's talking about Mueller. If so, we have to infer that Mueller advised him to fire Comey. We do know that Mueller interviewed for the FBI Director job after Comey was fired and before Mueller was made special counsel. It's possible that Mueller advised Trump. Doesn't make sense. The tweet does' make sense and I'm just trying to see which assumptions could make it coherent.

I think he's talking about Rosenstein, because Rosenstein is Mueller's boss. He has assigned the task of the investigation to Mueller and has signed off on the investigation of Trump for obstruction, therefore Trump is saying that he is investigating Trump for this. And while it's true that Rosenstein probably did not know about the Trump-Comey conversation at the time that he wrote the memo regarding the firing of Comey (and that would undoubtedly be his rebuttal to Trump's tweet), it still doesn't completely negate Trumps point. Rosenstein saw cause for firing Comey, and did not see that act itself as an improper one by Trump even with the ongoing investigation.

Michael K said...

"Is there anything on that list? Do you think it is going to all happen this Fall? "

Do you understand that we are returning to the way legislation is supposed to be done ?

We are done with the "I have a pen and a phone" era of government.

Can't you understand that ? We need debate, a set of 12 Appropriations bills debated and passed.

That is how our Constitution works. Democrats want dictatorship, as long as the Dictator is a leftist.

Kevin said...

"The smart move would have been to fire Comey for Rosenstein's reasons. But Trump didn't do that, he had to fire Comey for his own reasons."

Trump can fire Comey for any reason or no reason. Mueller is supposed to figure out what reason Trump had for firing Comey when no reason was needed? And how is he going to determine what it was other than asking Trump? And isn't Trump going to reference the Rothstein memo BECAUSE HE JUST DID THAT IN HIS TWEET?

I suspect his lawyers have told him as much - that this whole thing is going to go away - and he just doesn't see the reason to continue the charade. Why waste the people's money and tie up Washington on a non-event, is the substance of his Tweets today.

SteveBrooklineMA said...

Is Hillary and her team being investigated as well? If Mueller is tasked with investigating "Russian meddling" in general, it seems he should be looking at influence buying on both sides. No, I haven't been following too closely.

Sprezzatura said...

Matt S,

If HRC had won you could keep up the flim flam about justice not being done and the evil Ds rigging the system for themselves.

But, it's the DJT administration that decided there is no there there. They admitted the lock her up jabber was BS that was served up for you to eat, which you did, eagerly. Now that the DJT administration is no longer providing your figurative fertilizer, you're still locked in a perpetual self-feeding loop.

Funny.

Once written, twice... said...

Right Michael K, the only reason that Republicans have not passed healthcare repeal, tax cuts, and the rest of their agenda is because they want to be deliberate?

What happened to Trump's and the Republicans promise to repeal Obamacare on their first day in office? It's not looking to good is it?

trumpintroublenow said...

Mueller isn't going to be fired or step down. Live with it.

Kevin said...

"But, it's the DJT administration that decided there is no there there. They admitted the lock her up jabber was BS that was served up for you to eat, which you did, eagerly."

Nah. That was a sacrifice to the Dems to see if they'd play nice in return. Didn't work.

Matt Sablan said...

The DJT Administration didn't hand out immunity like candy and allow Clinton and her people to destroy the evidence that was subpoenaed. That's why there was no further investigation. It is a shame that they'll get away with flagrantly breaking the law, but there's nothing he can do about it.

JayDee77 said...

ABC is now reporting that Rosenstein is telling confidants he may have to recuse himself. Doing so would put Assoc AG Rachel Brand as head of the investigation. She appears to be well to the right of center.

Achilles said...

Drago said...
Once written: "I am going to predict that at some point we will have Republicans begging Democrats to go along with impeaching Trump"

Why not? When you've already been wrong as many times as you have, whats one more?

You are writing this off too quickly Drago. You know the republican party is full of Vichy traitors who hate their voters.

Achilles said...

Steve Uhr said...
Mueller isn't going to be fired or step down. Live with it.

He will conclude his "investigation" as a laughingstock.

Sprezzatura said...

Matt S,

It's your lucky day, I can assure you that HRC didn't get immunity.

And, if the investigation never found evidence that would justify a prosecution because it was all destroyed before it was found, how did you happen to see that evidence before it was destroyed, before the investigators could see it?

Or, are you saying that the Deep State investigators did see it, but then they destroyed it before it could be used against HRC? In this situation, how did you see it before the Deep State destroyed it to ensure it'd never be known?

Or, are you suffering from cog dis after having been fully flim flamed? Y'all used to claim that the stuff Comey laid out in July was plenty of a reason for locking her up. Now, the justification is actually other stuff that was destroyed so it's unknowable, but you know it.


Got it.

Achilles said...

Just like the election surprised everyone so comes this: Trump at 50% approval.

Trump is the only entity in DC polling in double digits right now.

The vichy republican traitors in congress that are fucking up the health care bill? Not many people more unpopular than them.

The "RESISTANCE" democrats and their violent murderous crap? Probably the most unpopular group in the world.

The "investigation" is polling poorly too. Trump can read the electorate better than all of the people he is doing battle with. He has turned to open mockery.

What these people opposing Trump are pushing is a constitutional crisis. They must be dissuaded from this.

I Callahan said...

Once - your comments are either incoherent or self-answering. I don't get what point you're trying to make.

The whole point of this "investigation" is to stall the president from getting anything through congress, and weakening him in the long run, making him impeachable. And yes, a lot of the GOP want that as bad as the left does. Not because he's committed a crime, but because he endangers their comfy little sinecures.

It's so obvious even a lefty should be able to see it.

dreams said...

"He will conclude his "investigation" as a laughingstock."

Yeah, I'm afraid he'll get caught up in the current mob like liberal excess and destroy his reputation rather than ultimately being remembered as a "profile in courage" though I hope he rises to the occasion.

Achilles said...

3rdGradePB_GoodPerson said...

Or, are you suffering from cog dis after having been fully flim flamed? Y'all used to claim that the stuff Comey laid out in July was plenty of a reason for locking her up. Now, the justification is actually other stuff that was destroyed so it's unknowable, but you know it.

Are you seriously trying to defend Hillary Clinton and the Justice Department where 93% of the employees voted for her?

Michael K said...

"Trump's and the Republicans promise to repeal Obamacare on their first day in office?"

The GOP has been promising to repeal Obamacare for years. The only reason they didn't, they said, was Obama.

Now, they have Trump ready to sign and they are chickening out.

I don't know if they will get it done but they still might. If they follow through and do repeal it, the Democrats will go even more nuts than they are now but the 2018 election will be a bloodbath.

It is up to the Congress now. Trump was not elected Speaker. He has been doing a lot with EOs in reversing Obama's economy killer regs.

A lot of this is a war with the donor class, which is why only Trump gave us any hope of reversing the rot of the past 30 years.

It began with Bush I and went on from there. If only Reagan had chosen Jack Kemp or someone like that.

I understand why he didn't. At the time he was as revolutionary as Trump. Bush was the Pence of 1980.

John said...

Steve Uhr said...
Mueller isn't going to be fired or step down. Live with it.


Trump isn't going to be impeached or step down. Live with it.

Hillary isn't going to be president. Live with it.

Take your pick as a FIFY.

Once written, twice... said...

Michael K, Trump just in the past few days that the House Republican repeal plan "was mean."

Does Trump even have a plan of his own?

Browndog said...

Let's get back to the reality that the President can fire the FBI Director for any or no reason.

What we've seen demonstrated is every time Trump exercises his Constitutional authority someone is there to deem it illegal.

readering said...

These morning tweets suggest separate bedrooms for POTUS and FLOTUS.

Achilles said...

Another thing I am going to point out about Trump's 50% approval rating.

This is a preference cascade.

He is the focal point of conflict. During conflict everyone involved polls low. A 50% approval rating at this point is incredible considering most of the remaining people will want to cast a Pox on both their houses. Say 30% of the remainder.

But. That 20-30% will overwhelmingly support Trump when they are forced to pick between him and the Stalinists trying to pull him down. Installing Pence will not save them. Washington DC is the most unpopular place in the country. It has 8 of the 10 richest counties right there.

Trump knows this. He knows he is vastly more popular than any of the forces trying to pull him down. He also knows most of the country will simply not accept the power at any means democrat fucks.

The shooting was the turning point. Mueller is going to conclude his investigation one way or another and be laughed at. Trump has already defeated him.

It is over losers.

Anonymous said...

Trump's tweets don't make sense. Well yes, do they ever? Or maybe we're just too obtuse.

Matt Sablan said...

"And, if the investigation never found evidence that would justify a prosecution because it was all destroyed before it was found, how did you happen to see that evidence before it was destroyed, before the investigators could see it?"

-- Destroying the evidence is a separate crime. We know they destroyed phones with hammers, because they testified to it. The fact Obama didn't think it was a crime to ignore a subpoena and destroy evidence is bad.

If you cannot accept that fact, we're just operating in different worlds.

grackle said...

The Special Counsel’s main function is to provide a leak factory of fake negative news about Trump. There will be more leaks, all timed for maximum effect. If he can also take a Trump administration scalp, all the better. Mueller will have to have something to show for his skullduggery, some justification for the deep state war against Trump.

The GOP leadership in Congress is doing their best to delay important legislation while not appearing to be doing so to the many Trump supporters in their home constituencies. That strategy should fade away the closer we get to the 2018 elections but I wouldn’t be surprised if the eGOP leadership in Congress goes into the elections without significant legislative having been passed. They have a do-nothing history and a culture of defeat. Bad habits tend to linger. The lazy bastards are taking all of August off!

And if through their inaction they lose seats because of an unenthusiastic base – for sure they will blame Trump.

Bruce Hayden said...

"The smart move would have been to fire Comey for Rosenstein's reasons. But Trump didn't do that, he had to fire Comey for his own reasons."

This too is a bit silly. Most here have been around the block enough to realize that in at least higher level positions, there is the ostensible reason for a termination and a real reason for such. Someone might get fired for a minor case of sexual harassment, but was really the loser in a succession fight. Or didn't make quota. The pretextual or ostensible reason for Comey's firing was his violation of DoJ regs in the Crooked Hillary email investigation. The real reason was that Comey had shown himself loyal only to himself, and maybe the Deep State, over Trump. Trump would tell him to wrap up the Russian investigation as quickly as he ethically could, and to plug the leaks. Comey would essentially say fine, but nothing would happen. The Russian fishing trip would drag on, and the leaks were, if anything increasing. Rinse and repeat. Comey appeared to Trump to be insubordinate in a passive/aggressive bureaucratic way. He wasn't following orders, and that was the real reason that he was fired. Only later did we discover how slimy, conniving, and dishonest Comey had been. Leaking (illegally and against DoJ policy) his conversations with POTUS, alone, in order to get a special prosecutor appointed, was sufficient legal and moral justification for his having been terminated.

Trump didn't legally need to formally justify his firing of Comey. Comey admitted that. It is implicit in his Art II, Sect 1, Clause Executive power. But politically, it was preferable to play by the rule in place at the time, if it is not overly painful to do so (even if Trump is legally empowered to change or ignore the rules).

Sprezzatura said...

Matt S,

So, in your world HRC should be locked up for smashing phones and wiping (w/ cloth or whatever) computers.

So, why isn't the DJT administration locking up HRC for phone smashing and computer wiping?

Achilles said...

Inga said...
Trump's tweets don't make sense. Well yes, do they ever? Or maybe we're just too obtuse.

We have another 7.5 years to find out.

Matt Sablan said...

I think she should be brought up on charges of obstructing justice; Abedin too should be charged for lying about handing over all of her electronics when she did not.

Lying to the authorities is usually bad.

DJT isn't doing it because the DoJ and FBI under Obama screwed the investigation so badly it cannot be pursued.

Matthew J. Harris said...

Trump's point is that the man who recommended he fire Comey is the same man who has appointed Mueller as special counsel, and that Mueller is now investigating him for firing Comey.

I think Ms. Althouse is missing a key point when she writes that Rosenstein did not know about Trump's "hope" conversation with Comey when he advised Trump to fire him. The point is that Trump's conversation with Comey has no bearing on whether he had legitimate cause to fire him, and whether Rosenstein knew at the time is irrelevant to his determination that Trump did have grounds to terminate Comey.

Michael said...

Inga

Good!! Learn new words by using them as often as possible. But be careful because you cant just stick them in anywhere.

Known Unknown said...

"destroy his reputation"

As if the botched anthrax investigation didn't do that already?

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Inga said...
Trump's tweets don't make sense. Well yes, do they ever? Or maybe we're just too obtuse."

Speak for yourself.

clint said...

"Once written, twice... said...
Every time the heat seems to be going down (and Trump handled the baseball shooting well for him) he then finds a way to turn the heat up again and gets eveything in a fever pitch again. But absolutely nothing is happening in Congress."

Attention didn't turn from the assassination attempt to the fake investigation because of Trump tweets -- the Washington Post and CNN had bumped the assassination off the front page with new anonymous rumors while Scalise was still in surgery.

And things are happening in Congress, even if you don't hear about them on CNN or read about them in the NYT. For example, just last week Trump's much-needed Dodd-Frank repeal/replace passed the House.

Bruce Hayden said...

"These morning tweets suggest separate bedrooms for POTUS and FLOTUS"

That appears to be SOP for Presidents. The justification for this I heard was that they (excluding Obama, of course) need to be available 24/7, if needed. They need to be ready for staff to barge into his room at any time of the day or night with the nuclear launch codes and breaking intel on why they are necessary. Back in the Cold War era, getting an immediate launch approval was all that stood between our land based ICBMs being used successfully, and their being destroyed by a Soviet first strike.

Besides, what woman would really want to share Trump's bedroom, night after night. He apparently sleeps only 2-3-4 hours a night, and spends the rest of the night reading, watching TV, and occasionally tweeting. How does a bed partner get a good night's sleep with that?

Known Unknown said...

"And things are happening in Congress, even if you don't hear about them on CNN or read about them in the NYT."

CNN can't afford to cloudy the narrative with actual goings-on, you know.

trumpintroublenow said...

I don't think Trump will be indicted (or whatever you do to a sitting president) for obstruction. But if the investigation starts to look into Trump's businesses, there prob is something there there.

Anonymous said...

It's pretty evident he's speaking of Rosenstein. Why in the world would Mueller advise Trump to fire Comey, then turn around and investigate Trump? It is interesting to see Trump progressing to tweeting about Rosenstein now, setting him up for firing, so he can get the female in place as the acting AG. He probably thinks he can control her and she'll fire Mueller for him. It could be the Saturday night massacre in slow motion. Whatever will we do without Trump to keep us entertained? It will be so boring.

Matt Sablan said...

"But if the investigation starts to look into Trump's businesses, there prob is something there there."

-- Based on what? Clinton went full court press and only got Trump university.

Anonymous said...

"I don't think Trump will be indicted (or whatever you do to a sitting president) for obstruction. But if the investigation starts to look into Trump's businesses, there prob is something there there."

What's up with that hotel in Azerbaijan?

Matt Sablan said...

"It's pretty evident he's speaking of Rosenstein. Why in the world would Mueller advise Trump to fire Comey, then turn around and investigate Trump?"

-- Why in the world would Comey testify that Trump never obstructed his investigation, only to later testify he wrote a memo describing how he thought Trump was obstructing his investigation?

Let's face it; the people investigating Trump haven't been acting particularly rationally.

Matt Sablan said...

"What's up with that hotel in Azerbaijan?"

-- Most likely nothing. Do you have anything besides "just asking questions"?

Anonymous said...

Trump's Worst Deal

Bruce Hayden said...

"Matt S,

So, in your world HRC should be locked up for smashing phones and wiping (w/ cloth or whatever) computers.

So, why isn't the DJT administration locking up HRC for phone smashing and computer wiping?"

I do think that at least obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence charges could be pursued against Crooked Hillary. And, even lying to the FBI when she claimed that she didn't know any better. Of course she did, and both her emails, along with 20+ years of dealing with classified information make the lie obvious. Far more there than the recollection problems that got Scooter Libby convicted. The argument was that he didn't remember. The jury disagreed.

The reason for not pursuing Crooked Hillary is political, which is well within the President's and the DoJ's prosecutorial discretion. We really don't want prosecuting the losing Presidential candidate to become routine. Now, if an independent counsel were to decide to do so, that might be different, because they would presumably be independent, and not acting out of animus or party loyalty.

Anonymous said...

"The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, passed in 1977, forbade American companies from participating in a scheme to reward a foreign government official in exchange for material benefit or preferential treatment. The law even made it a crime for an American company to unknowingly benefit from a partner’s corruption if it could have discovered illicit activity but avoided doing so. This closed what was known as the “head in the sand” loophole."

Matt Sablan said...

Inga, unless you provide context, that quote is meaningless.

What, exactly, are you accusing who of?

Anonymous said...

Matthew, did you go to the link I provided? The quote is from the New Yorker story I linked to about Trump's hotel deal in Azerbaijan.

steve uhr said...

"Clinton went full court press and only got Trump university."

She didn't have subpoena power.

Achilles said...

Blogger Brookzene said...

"We have a president who only thinks of himself and yet is not smart enough to avoid harming himself."

This is laughable in it's stupidity.

You people need to readdress the question of who is hurting themselves.

Matt Sablan said...

And what exactly are you accusing him of?

What law do you think he broke, considering once he became aware of the corruption they broke off the deal?

Michael K said...

So, why isn't the DJT administration locking up HRC for phone smashing and computer wiping?

I think Trump is already thinking that over. His tweet about being investigated suggests that.

The best way to deal with The Terror, which the Democrats are trying to instill, is to build backfires. A Hillary investigation with Rudy as special counsel would do that nicely.

"I call you and raise $100 million. What is it worth to you to see Hillary in prison?"

She doesn't need to be impeached. I think he is mulling over that deal.

We all know he is fearless. Sometimes recklessly so. It would be an interesting scenario.

Imagine the Inga lollapalooza we would see then !

Yancey Ward said...

Ms. Althouse,

If you believe Comey wrote the memos detailing the conversations with Trump when Comey said he wrote them and shared them with other members of the investigating team, then Rosenstein surely knew of them before he wrote his report about Comey's fitness for the job. If Rosenstein didn't know about them, then that can only mean Comey kept the memos a secret, or wrote them after he was fired.

However, I think what set Trump off this morning was the statement Rosenstein released regarding the leaks to the press. It seems Rosenstein is washing his hands of those- basically saying it isn't the responsibility of the DoJ to stop those- that it is the public who should be taking them with a grain of salt (something I have long advocated). When I first read it, it appeared to me that Rosenstein was hinting that the leaks really weren't leaks at all, but instead disinformation being spread by parties outside the US, but then an assertion like that requires some supporting evidence, right?

In addition, if the ABC News story is true about Rosenstein saying to friends he might have to recuse himself, that might well also have lit Trump's fuse against him. Really, if the guy who appointed the special counsel in the first place isn't willing to do the job of taking the responsibility for it going forward, then what good is he for anything else? It really does look like a set up all along- induce Trump to fire Comey, appoint a special counsel, only then recusing yourself from all further responsibility for how Mueller conducts it going forward.

Trump is correct- this is an unprecedented witch hunt, and it appears Trumps only weapon is the social media, which I predict will be shut down by the end of the Summer by the corporations running them.

mockturtle said...

The best way to deal with The Terror, which the Democrats are trying to instill, is to build backfires.

I think you're right, MK! Of course, the Left will cry obfuscation but the media might actually enjoy the additional sensationalism.

Ken B said...

If Ann is right why the story about Rosenstein mulling recusal?

Matt Sablan said...

"If Ann is right why the story about Rosenstein mulling recusal?"

-- The same reason for the one about him mulling resigning? Because people lied about it because it would hurt Trump, and it was printed without anyone thinking about it?

Achilles said...

Inga said...
Matthew, did you go to the link I provided? The quote is from the New Yorker story I linked to about Trump's hotel deal in Azerbaijan.

Nobody is believed less in this country than the media at this point. Nobody gives a shit about your stupid New Yorker story or your confirmation bias.

We watched you people excuse Hillary Clinton. Nothing Trump has done is even in the same universe. In fact it is pretty easy to correctly assess he has done nothing illegal.

Yancey Ward said...

It really would be something, though, if Mueller himself was asked before Comey was canned what to do about him. I don't believe that happened, though it is possible that when interviewing for the job Mueller might have expressed an opinion on the firing itself.

However, I think it obvious that Trump is talking about Rosenstein, which brings me back to Rosenstein's statement about the news stories that was released late last night. There is more that story than has been let out, I think. Either they already know all the stories false, and that is what Rosenstein was trying to convey, or the stories are true and Rosenstein is feeling the heat for picking Mueller in the first place. The first explanation makes the most sense, and if Rosenstein really is thinking of recusing himself, it would be a cowardly act, and Trump would be correct to be very upset about it.

Achilles said...

Ken B said...
If Ann is right why the story about Rosenstein mulling recusal?

Because Rosenstein should recuse himself. Every lawyer in DC should recuse themselves. It is impossible to find a person in that city who isn't part of the same corrupt incestuous organism. They all know each other and are friends. Kushner hired Gorelick for fucks sake.

Jamie Gorelick.

Mueller? A complete skeezebag. These people have been insulating themselves from the law for decades. What he did in the anthrax case should be a capital offense. If Mueller had a modicum of self respect he would commit ritual seppuku on public television to salvage his family's honor.

Anyone who thought Mueller should be appointed to anything has terrible judgement. Rosenstein, if he has any kind of conscience, will look at what he has done here and resign. But like most lawyers he probably lacks that requisite humanity.

Michael K said...

"brings me back to Rosenstein's statement about the news stories that was released late last night."

That is bizarre but everything about this is bizarre.

I still think Trump is mulling, or maybe signaling to the left, that he is thinking of turning someone like Rudy loose on Hillary.

Anonymous said...

"Nobody is believed less in this country than the media at this point. Nobody gives a shit about your stupid New Yorker story or your confirmation bias."

In your bubble no one cares, yes. Outside in the big wide world millions care, you can be sure of that. I bet Mueller cares too.

DanTheMan said...

>> "I call you and raise $100 million. What is it worth to you to see Hillary in prison?"

That has to be the plan. Play defense and lose.
Go on offense. Open the Hillary investigation, and put some leakers in jail.

Anonymous said...

If Rosenstein has any decency and courage he will make Trump fire him, he won't resign.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

I draw Inga's attention to the story from Cleveland.com I linked to above and the following quote:

BEAVERCREEK, Ohio--On a quiet, leafy street appropriately named Suburban Drive, the controversies surrounding President Donald Trump seem to be doing more to hurt Democrats' popularity than the president's.


I think they should let President Trump do his job - they're trying to sandbag him all the time," said Richard Rautio, a 72-year-old retired union auto worker and lifelong Democrat who voted for Trump. "The Democrat Party is not the Democrat Party that it used to be. It's changed. And they don't seem to see how people feel."


I am sure that Inga has personally helped to turn Waukesha County even redder than it already is and will continue to do so with her obsessive nattering about Trump.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

I imagine one day I will turn on the local news and see a story about a deranged woman with a pussy hat on arrested in downtown Waukesha for disturbing the peace. She’ll be screaming at passers-by:

“RUSSIA! COMEY! YOU ALL LIVE IN A BUBBLE! AREN’T YOU ASHAMED YOU ELECTED HIM!! YOU’RE ALL CRAZY!! NOT ME!! YOU!! DON’T YOU CARE WHAT CHARLIE SYKES SAID?”

And I’ll know exactly who it is…

Bruce Hayden said...

The problem with Rosenstein recusing himself is that that is the coward's way out. And, yes, Muller is the one who should be resigning or recusing himself. But won't. Which says, to me, that he is a part of the Deep State, allied with the Dems. Ethics don't apply to them, and they almost never recuse themselves, even when in obvious conflict of interest situations. Ethics are for Republicans. The Dems and their allies don't need them (other than to tie the hands of their political opponents), because, for them, winning is the only thing.

Known Unknown said...

If Shakespeare in the Park wanted to be relevant, they would put on "Much Ado About Nothing" rather than "Julius Caesar."

Anonymous said...

I wonder how the Sychophantic Trumpists will deal with Trump's eventual downfall. It won't be pretty. Lots of snarling, drooling, tears and rage to be sure.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

"Lots of snarling, drooling, tears and rage to be sure."

In other words, the Democrats will continue to act exactly as they've been behaving since November 8?

Gotcha.

Anonymous said...

Democrats won't cry over Trump's departure. We will dance in the streets.💃🕺🏻

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

I certainly hope Republicans don't try to shoot people playing baseball.

We wouldn't want to behave like liberals.

Anonymous said...

"I certainly hope Republicans don't try to shoot people playing baseball."


Oh I wouldn't be so sure. Some of you already are threatening a civil war.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Continue with your little fantasies, Inga.

That seems to be the only thing you've got going for you. Your piddly, absurd obsessions.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Oh I wouldn't be so sure. Some of you already are threatening a civil war.

6/16/17, 12:47 PM

We'll defend ourselves if you psychos attack us.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Even the ADL, which does not support Trump, is starting to worry about left-wing violence:

"I think we're in a time when we can’t ignore the extremism from the Left," said Oren Segal, the director of the Center on Extremism, an arm of the Anti-Defamation League. Over the past few months, the ADL, which hosts regular seminars on homegrown extremism for law enforcement officials, has begun warning of the rising threat posed by far-left groups, most recently at a seminar just this past Sunday. "When we have anti-fascist counterprotests -- not that they are the same as white supremacists - that can ratchet up the violence at these events, and it means we can see people who are violent on their own be attracted to that," Segal said. "I hate to say it, but it feels inevitable."

Achilles said...

Inga said...

In your bubble no one cares, yes. Outside in the big wide world millions care, you can be sure of that. I bet Mueller cares too.

My bubble includes your bubble. I know what all you people are saying and thinking. You are in a much smaller bubble.

Americans have a span of patience. Everyone does individually but in the case of populations patience acts differently. It moves in waves. Today marks the second year anniversary of Trump coming down the escalator and announcing his candidacy. For two years we have had to listen to the media trash Trump incessantly. We have listened to all the little Inga's bitch and moan.

2 years.

It has been 7 months since Trump won the election. Legally and without doubt. The democrats and republicans in the DC political class have been throwing everything at him for 2 years and blasting it out on their media megaphones.

And they have less than nothing. We know because they are telling us that every day with their stupid leaks.

Trump is at 50% approval and climbing. The preference cascade has started. The vast middle of the electorate has passed judgement on the shenanigans of the left and they understand if you had anything you would have told us by now. You don't.

The Scalise shooting tipped the cascade down the hill. We are watching an increasingly violent and bitter and SMALL group of people try to drag us down into their misery.

You would be better served to accept reality and leave us alone. The electorate has passed judgement on you. Everything you people do from here on out only makes what happens next worse.

Matt Sablan said...

"'I think we're in a time when we can’t ignore the extremism from the Left,' said Oren Segal."

-- The time for not ignoring it was during the campaign after a rally was shut down by threats of violence. This is something that physically CAN'T be ignored any more, whether we try or not.

FullMoon said...

Trump just in the past few days that the House Republican repeal plan "was mean."

Does Trump even have a plan of his own?


Mean is a CNN lie.
Trumps plan is to sign the bill put in front of him, not to write it himself.

Achilles said...

Matthew Sablan said...
"'I think we're in a time when we can’t ignore the extremism from the Left,' said Oren Segal."

-- The time for not ignoring it was during the campaign after a rally was shut down by threats of violence. This is something that physically CAN'T be ignored any more, whether we try or not.

This relatively small group of people will not enjoy being the nail that is pounded down if they force us to it.

Unknown said...

Pretty clear he is referring to Rosenstein and pretty clear why. He wants Rosenstein to recuse himself.

Michael K said...

"Outside in the big wide world millions care, you can be sure of that."

I guess that's why Trump is now at 50% and rising.

Get a clue. But you won't. Too bad.

David said...

"Rosenstein, giving the advice to fire Comey, wouldn't have known what was said between Comey and Trump in private."

Are you sure?

Here's a conspiracy theory. Rosenstein is part of the conspiracy to remove Trump from office. A one man sleeper cell posing as a career Justice attorney. This Is part of the larger conspiracy to make the Justice Department into a attack unit for the Left. They need some people to spend their lives posing as middle of the road moderates, so when the chips are down they have someone reliable and credible to deliver the fatal blow. Comey was part of that group. So is Rosenstein. When Rosenstein wrote the memo urging the firing of Comey, he knew exactly what Comey would say about his conversation with Trump. This wasn't necessarily the plan all along, but when Trump made the mistake of talking in private with Comey, the opportunity was there. Pounce!!

Farfetched? Sure. Who would believe this crap? But that's the beauty of it. Part of it is believable to anyone who already hates Trump. Another part is not believable to those of us who are suspect of conspiracy theories. It's a winner either way.

I would say this could not possibly be true, but we seem to be in a time when nearly anything could be true. Did you hear that Trump is a Nazi who wants to dispense with the Constitution and rule as a dictator?

Anonymous said...

"Overall, 64 percent disapprove and just 35 percent approve of his job performance."

https://apnews.com/024824c4f6ce4eddae98f4156e36553e

Francisco D said...

Let me share an opinion about "leaks" that I have been developing for many years.

I suspect that many leaks from "Informed sources" are actually a group of NYT and WaPo reporters talking over drinks. The NYT reporter says, "I heard that Rosenstein is worried about his job." The WaPo reporter then publishes this rumor/fantasy as coming from a reliable source.

This sort of gaming the POTUS has been going on for a long time. I suspect that WaPo and NYT have really amped it up to distract the Trump administration, given that they have assumed the leadership of the Resistance.

My wild-assed guess as to leaks that are really from inside government sources is about 30-40%. The rest is a disinformation game that intelligence agencies have used against their opponents ever since there were intelligence agencies.

Fernandinande said...

About 25 years ago I read a (historical?) novel about a witch-hunter who appeared in a small (Eastern?) European town and proceeded to torture, kill and rob some of the residents.

I've been trying with no luck to recall the title or author. I think it was translated into English.

Anyone have any ideas what that book might've been? TIA!

Drago said...

Inga: "Overall, 64 percent disapprove and just 35 percent approve of his job performance."

Ah yes, those soft, warm, cuddly polls. Always there to provide succor and sustenance to those needy and clingy leftists seeking reinforcement.

Meanwhile Trump nails down Florida for 2020 by reversing Obama's Castro/Communist lovefest.

After continuing to nail down Ohio, MI, WI, Iowa, NC.

It's almost as if one side is focused on winning the electoral college or something.

I wonder what California President Hillary is doing today? Gotta be tough as California has no uranium to give away to the Russians for "speech fees" and Clinton foundation "donations".

Browndog said...

Rosenstein cited a Statute that for criminal investigations as his justification to appoint a Special Prosecutor in a counter-intelligence investigation, where no crime was alleged.

That is all the "tell" I need to be persuaded Rosenstien is on team Deep State.

Anonymous said...

"Ah yes, those soft, warm, cuddly polls. Always there to provide succor and sustenance to those needy and clingy leftists seeking reinforcement."

Michael K said...
"I guess that's why Trump is now at 50% and rising."

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Inga only believes polls that tell her what she wants to believe.

That worked so well for her in November, LOL.

Drago said...

Poor Inga.

A poll showing Trump at support levels consistent with his election performance is hardly shocking.

Meanwhile, polls which were consistently wrong are now to be believed.

Well sure, stick with those polls. By all means never question them.

Meanwhile, "Cuba Libre!"

MayBee said...

Fox News is reporting he was talking about Rosenstein. Also, he is not stating that he *is* under investigation, he is just referring to the WaPo story.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a serious investigation.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/338105-mueller-hires-more-than-a-dozen-lawyers-for-russia-probe-plans

"Special counsel Robert Mueller has hired 13 lawyers to help in the investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election, and he is planning to hire more.

According to a report by CNN Friday, those hired by Mueller are seasoned attorneys and experts, including James Quarles and Jeannie Rhee, who both worked at Mueller's old firm, WilmerHale. He has also hired Andrew Weissmann, who led the Enron investigation."



Drago said...

The feds are now claiming that the Muslim "doctors" being charged with Female Genital Mutilation on over 100 young girls may be just the beginning.

Hey, you know what we need more of? Muslim "doctors" willing to mutilate young girls so we can feel good about our diversity.

Right Inga?

Jim at said...

"I am going to predict that at some point we will have Republicans begging Democrats to go along with impeaching Trump."

That's because you're an idiot.

Drago said...

"Special counsel Robert Mueller has hired 13 lawyers to help in the investigation..."

Witch hunts need witch hunters.

Naturally.

Drago said...

What is most surprising to me is that apparently there are no candidates for the Special Counsel team that ever donated to republicans.

mockturtle said...

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble. I'm sure Mueller will throw in the ol' 'eye of newt' and 'toe of frog', too.

Achilles said...

Inga said...
Sounds like a serious investigation.

They have been investigating Trump for 2 years. You can't name a single thing they are even investigating him for. You and your small group of co-conspirators are Stalinists. You chose your target and you want to find a crime.

Not a single Trump voter has changed their mind. Trump is going to be president for over 7 more years and by every report he is loving the job.

Meanwhile you haters will wake up every day for 7 years looking at the news and seeing Trump's smirking face. I can live with the injustice of you Stalinists continuing to exist in this country knowing you will be miserable and suffering in your bubble of hate he whole time.

Or you could interrupt my life with a constitutional crisis and see what happens.

Browndog said...

What is most surprising to me is that apparently there are no candidates for the Special Counsel team that ever donated to republicans.

I'm surprised how "in your face" Mueller is about it-

Lead investigator Jeannie Rhee; Clinton Foundation lawyer, contributed the max ($5400) to Hillary's super PAC.

Then again, he knows he is totally unrestrained, being the latest Last Honest Man in Washington.

Anonymous said...

Trump's lawyer hired a lawyer.

"President Trump's personal lawyer has retained a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer to represent him in the various government probes connected to Russian involvement in the 2016 election."


http://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article156508104.html

Brookzene said...

They have been investigating Trump for 2 years.

That's not what Trump said. Get your alternative facts straight.

Brookzene said...

The feds are now claiming that the Muslim "doctors" being charged with Female Genital Mutilation on over 100 young girls may be just the beginning.

Hey, you know what we need more of? Muslim "doctors" willing to mutilate young girls so we can feel good about our diversity.


What we need is more LOL logic. "Some Muslim doctors have been charged with FGM.
We should therefore ban all Muslim doctors."

steve uhr said...

What is a witch hunt? Does that mean it is political, or does it mean there is nothing there, or both? None of you can know for certain what the investigation will turn up. The facts will be what they are. I'm fine whether they uncover criminal conduct or not. I do know for certain that Mueller and his team want to be objective and uncover the facts and not be influenced by politics or public opinion. That's what good prosecutors do and I'm sure his team is full of excellent investigators and prosecutors.

Anonymous said...

Congress has contingency plans.

"Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) ripped President Trump for his criticism of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Friday, saying that if Trump were to try to fire Rosenstein and special counsel Robert Mueller, Congress would “unite to stop him.”

"It has become clear that President Trump believes that he has the power to fire anyone in government he chooses and for any reason, including special counsel Robert Mueller,” the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said in a statement. “That is not how the rule of law works, and Congress will not allow the President to so egregiously overstep his authority.”

"If President Trump were to try to replicate [former President Richard] Nixon’s Saturday Night Massacre by firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in addition to Mueller, Congress must unite to stop him – without respect to party, and for the sake of the nation.”"

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/338175-top-intel-dem-congress-wont-allow-trump-to-so-egregiously-overstep-his

Browndog said...

I do know for certain that Mueller and his team want to be objective and uncover the facts and not be influenced by politics or public opinion. That's what good prosecutors do and I'm sure his team is full of excellent investigators and prosecutors.


When Comey and Mueller Bungled the Anthrax Case

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/05/21/when_comey_and_mueller_bungled_the_anthrax_case_133953.html

Todd said...

steve uhr said...

I do know for certain that Mueller and his team want to be objective and uncover the facts and not be influenced by politics or public opinion.


Mind reader are you?

Or is that just what you choose to assume?

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

"I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go."


-Trump


Hillary sets up and uses a private server during her stint as head of the STATE DEPT - but that quote right there means "impeach Trump for high crimes." Because leftists are above the law.

Drago said...

Steve Uhr: "None of you can know for certain what the investigation will turn up."

What Alan Dershowitz has been very patiently trying to explain to you idiots is that investigations require some sort of probable cause.

There is none here.

But it's nice to know just how many commenters here have been happy to show how completely cool they are with Stalinist investigations with no probable cause.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Adam Schiff is a Stalinist ass-fucked criminal himself. He can rot.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

I want Adam Schiff investigated. NOW.

Anonymous said...

"Mind reader are you?

Or is that just what you choose to assume?"

I would ask the same question of those claiming to know there is no "there" there.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

What we need is more LOL logic. "Some Muslim doctors have been charged with FGM.
We should therefore ban all Muslim doctors."

No, no! Brookzene wants us to import MORE doctors from a culture which mutilates little girls. We don't have enough little girls with chopped off clits and vulvas to make Brookzene feel "tolerant" and "diverse." We need thousands more!

Browndog said...

Further, Rosenstein not only improperly applied a criminal statute to justify appointing a Special Prosecutor, he exceeded his authority.

Sessions is only recused from matters "related to Russian collusion and the Trump campaign".

Rosenstein gave Mueller a blanket mandate to investigate and prosecute any and all crimes he may uncover while on his fishing expedition, instead of what should be a narrow investigation of Russian collusion with the campaign.

Dude1394 said...

Well it is pretty funny. He IS now being investigated by the man who told him to fire comey for firing comey.

Hagar said...

It is futile to try to explain to a progressive Democrat that political opposition to his favred policies is not a prosecutable criminal act.

chickelit said...

Brookzene bluted: What we need is more LOL logic. "Some Muslim doctors have been charged with FGM.
We should therefore ban all Muslim doctors."


FGM in this country is promulgated by Muslims attempting to fit into the customs and patterns of their countries of origin; that shit didn't originate here. Insofar as most leftists oppose cultural assimilation of immigrants in the US, leftists are complicit in these crimes. Leftists should be saying "You may come to this country, but here's what you may or may not do." Instead, we have a cowed demi-population of Ingas afraid to speak out against the origins of these horrors.

Until Leftists are willing to speak out against even a small minority in a forthright manner, the vast majority must suffer.

Anonymous said...

"We don't have enough little girls with chopped off clits and vulvas......"


Let's all talk about vulvas so we don't have to talk about TrumpTroubles.

Titus said...

I am horny. It is Friday night in the city and it is warm. I have been hard most of the day.
I am ready to grind.

Michael K said...

I do know for certain that Mueller and his team want to be objective and uncover the facts

Steve, I know you are a leftie and think that Mueller's team is all you hope for. That means they will invent process crimes like Comey and FitzGerald did with Libby and Martha Stewart. Then, of course, there is the Hatfill case.

Then there is Ted Stevens.

Mueller is hiring leftist lawyers and doesn't care who knows it.
A lefty consultant in New Jersey is more assassination attempts.

You folks are driving the people who own 300 million guns to get really angry.

I know the left thinks "black lives matter" will be the cannon fodder.

Do some reading about how the Black Family did in the 1970s. Or the The BLA and the FALN. Without Clinton and Obama those people would all still be in prison.

Those that aren't dead.

chickelit said...

Special counsel Robert Mueller has hired 13 lawyers to help in the investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election, and he is planning to hire more.

No doubt there is a vast cadre of underemployed "Russia experts" in D.C. They are mostly redundant and are in their twilight working years. It's too late for many of them to switch their major to Islamic studies to be of real use. They need full employment too; and Mueller is giving it to them.

Michael K said...

"Instead, we have a cowed demi-population of Ingas afraid to speak out against the origins of these horrors. "

I much prefer Charles James Napier.

"Be it so. This burning of widows is your custom; prepare the funeral pile. But my nation has also a custom. When men burn women alive we hang them, and confiscate all their property. My carpenters shall therefore erect gibbets on which to hang all concerned when the widow is consumed. Let us all act according to national customs."

Muslim men abuse little girls, we cut off their dicks.

chickelit said...

Let's all talk about vulvas so we don't have to talk about TrumpTroubles

"TrumpTroubles" is mostly just talk.

Anonymous said...

"You folks are driving the people who own 300 million guns to get really angry."

Wait a minute, I thought it was liberals who were dangerous killers.

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