Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Special Counsel appointed in Russian probe?

A bold move by deputy director Rod Rosenstein... considering we never saw a Special Counsel for any number of events that should have warranted it over the previous eight years. Clinton email, Lerner IRS, etc...

The odd part is that Rosenstein suggested that there is no finding of any crimes at this point (which after ten months would tend to suggest there is no need for special council). Generally special counsel is appointed to investigate specific allegations of specific crimes. In this case, the only "crime" that anyone has been accused of is the actual hacking of the emails and by all suggestions was not done by any American who could be prosecuted.

Was this a move done to undercut the claims from the left that Comey was fired because he was investigating too hard? Obviously a special council being appointed makes much of that argument moot now.

All that being said, most everyone suggests that Robert Mueller is a good choice. I personally don't believe that there is such a thing as a "good choice" for this unnecessary appointment.

Some Updates:  A handful of people on the right have applauded this as good politics. Not sure I wholly agree, but for sake of argument I will present those cases:

  • Tucker Carlson suggests now that there is a special counsel overseeing the investigation, it should seriously dampen the growing calls for impeachment or any other manners in which to remove the President. Supporters of the President can make a strong case that impeachment talks (or any other talks of removal) would now be considered "premature" as long as there is a special counsel investigating any and all accusations. Considering the past two special counsel investigations lasted four (Whitewater) and two years (Plame)... it could easily still be going on next November. Can Democrats squelch their cries of impeachment for that long?
  • The appointment of a special prosecutor allows Trump to look for someone to run the FBI that will fit the way he wants the FBI run. He will no longer have to worry about the concept of appeasing the Democrats because his choice for a new director would have been in charge of this particular investigation. Powerline
  • Even as they appointed special counsel, the man to be in charge is more of a counter-intelligence wonk than a criminal wonk (according to Fox News). Several people have suggested that Mueller's experience in international counter-intelligence may dictate that this will actually continue as a counterintelligence investigation (as it's currently being called within the FBI) rather than the normal criminal witch hunt excursions that these special counsels generally bring.
  • Lastly...  Mueller is a considered a no nonsense man who runs a tight ship. Most believes that his allegiance will be to the truth, and not the politics. More to the point, he will be removed from the current infighting between the Administration and the FBI. He is not a man who will put up with the leaks that have been happening right under the nose of Comey. If they continue to happen, you may see heads roll. (this comes from multiple sources)

56 comments:

Commonsense said...

This is bad news for the Trump administration. This will be like the Plame affair where the prosecutor doesn't have an underlying real crime but will investigate the "process" crime.

In other words, a never-ending expanding witch hunt.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

obert Mueller, Former F.B.I. Director, Is Named Special Counsel for Russia Investigation

By REBECCA R. RUIZMAY 17, 2017
Continue reading the main story
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Robert S. Mueller III, the former F.B.I. director, during a Senate hearing in 2013. Credit Christopher Gregory/The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has appointed Robert S. Mueller III, the former F.B.I. director, to serve as a special counsel to oversee its investigation into Russian meddling in the election, Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein announced on Wednesday.

The appointment of Mr. Mueller dramatically raises the stakes for President Trump in the multiple investigations into his campaign’s ties to the Russians. It follows a swiftly moving series of developments that have roiled Washington, including Mr. Trump’s abrupt dismissal of the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, and the disclosure that the president urged Mr. Comey to drop the bureau’s investigation into his former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn.

“I determined that it is in the public interest for me to exercise my authorities and appoint a special counsel to assume responsibility for this matter,” Mr. Rosenstein said in a statement. “My decision is not a finding that crimes have been committed or that any prosecution is warranted. I have made no such determination.”

While a special counsel would remain ultimately answerable to Mr. Rosenstein — and by extension, the president — he would have greater autonomy to run an investigation than a United States attorney would. Mr. Mueller will be able to choose to what extent to consult with or inform the Justice Department about his investigation as it goes forward.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Sorry for the bad c/p
he Justice Department has appointed Robert S. Mueller III, the former F.B.I. director,

I think it's good news for the country. If Trump isn't guilty, he doesn't have a thing to hide. His resistance has always make me wonder why that he didn't want the coldheartedtruth.

From what I see, is that they may have a legal case for obstruction of justice. Meeller probably got the Comey meno. The DOJ is doing the right thing. He will carry out a non partisan case. I will bet that before he goes on his first international visit, he will tweet claiming that even though his Chairman got pushed by the "Fake News" to cause this.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

He can even subpoena the President.

There are some responsible Republicans will use this to distance themselves from Trump.

james said...

Good news indeed. The country can now breathe a little easier.


Meanwhile, what is Obama doing?

Obama has largely held back from entering the political fray in the last four months, but he has used his political voice to advocate on behalf of Obamacare, which Congress has begun to repeal and replace.

During a closed-door meeting last month, the former president allegedly remarked that Obamacare has never been more popular, and that it's "more popular than the current president."

Ain't that the truth!

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

James, I wonder if CH will say this is not good. His President will not be happy.

james said...

Ch has been saying for a long time that this would not be good.

Unnecessary and not good.

james said...

McCarthy Suggested Putin Pays Trump

“A month before Donald Trump clinched the Republican nomination, one of his closest allies in Congress — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) — made a politically explosive assertion in a private conversation on Capitol Hill with his fellow GOP leaders: that Trump could be the beneficiary of payments from Russian President Vladimir Putin,” the Washington Post reports.

“House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-WI) immediately interjected, stopping the conversation from further exploring McCarthy’s assertion, and swore the Republicans present to secrecy… Ryan instructed his Republican lieutenants to keep the conversation private.”

Said Ryan: “No leaks…This is how we know we’re a real family here.”
______________________-

A family that needs some investigating?

james said...

GALLUP APPROVAL 38% DISAPPROVAL 57%

who dat?

james said...

Trump is preparing to leave town Friday on his first foreign trip, and aides have been hopeful the journey will be a chance for the administration to get back on track after weeks of chaos and distractions.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speculated Trump was probably happy to get out of town — "and a lot of us are glad he's leaving for a few days."

His advice to the president: "Stay disciplined, stay focused and deliver on the world stage."

____________-
Rots a Ruck

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

A New Story breaking tonight.
Trump Team Knew Flynn Was Under Investigation Before He Came to White House

WASHINGTON — Michael T. Flynn told President Trump’s transition team weeks before the inauguration that he was under federal investigation for secretly working as a paid lobbyist for Turkey during the campaign, according to two people familiar with the case.

Despite this warning, which came about a month after the Justice Department notified Mr. Flynn of the inquiry, Mr. Trump made Mr. Flynn his national security adviser. The job gave Mr. Flynn access to the president and nearly every secret held by American intelligence agencies.

Mr. Flynn’s disclosure, on Jan. 4, was first made to the transition team’s chief lawyer, Donald F. McGahn II, who is now the White House counsel. That conversation, and another one two days later between Mr. Flynn’s lawyer and transition lawyers, shows that the Trump team knew about the investigation of Mr. Flynn far earlier than has been previously reported.

His legal issues have been a problem for the White House from the beginning and are at the center of a growing political crisis for Mr. Trump. Mr. Flynn, who was fired after 24 days in the job, was initially kept on even after the acting attorney general, Sally Q. Yates, warned the White House that he might be subject to blackmail by the Russians for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about the nature of conversations he had with the Russian ambassador to Washington.
---------------------------------------------------
Team Trump was aware that Flynn was under investigation. Why in hell would the President knew about it and appointed him. Then he fired him 18 days after the investigation became public news. We know Trump has a higher IQ than Obama, and me too, I'm in the same range. I have no doubt that Obama would not act impulsively despite knowing the investigation, neither would CH I would hope so,

A quick question for our host, who has defended every single thing Trump did, support firing Mueller, like Nixon did with Archibald Clark?

Loretta said...

Spam by the drunkard

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

It just gets better and better.

A month before Donald Trump clinched the Republican nomination, one of his closest allies in Congress — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy — made a politically explosive assertion in a private conversation on Capitol Hill with his fellow GOP leaders: that Trump could be the beneficiary of payments from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“There’s two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump,” McCarthy (R-Calif.) said, according to a recording of the June 15, 2016, exchange, which was listened to and verified by The Washington Post. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is a Californian Republican known in Congress as a fervent defender of Putin and Russia.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) immediately interjected, stopping the conversation from further exploring McCarthy’s assertion, and swore the Republicans present to secrecy.

Before the conversation, McCarthy and Ryan had emerged from separate talks at the Capitol with Ukrainian Prime Minister Vladi­mir Groysman, who had described a Kremlin tactic of financing populist politicians to undercut Eastern European democratic institutions.

More "Fake News" CH?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/house-majority-leader-to-colleagues-in-2016-i-think-putin-pays-trump/2017/05/17/515f6f8a-3aff-11e7-8854-21f359183e8c_story.html?utm_term=.2b431e8c6ab7

Loretta said...

Spam by the pedo

Loretta said...

Spam by the pedo

Loretta said...

Spam by the pedo

Loretta said...

Spam by the pedo

Loretta said...

Spam by the drunkard

Loretta said...

Spam by the drunkard

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Loretta, is that all you have? We are watching the Trump Presidency self destructing. Muller went to Princeton, enlisted in the Marines, went to Vietnam, got a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Then became a lawyer. He was a prosecution lawyer, and was the second longest FBI director than J. Edgar Hoover. He has the highest reputation in all his fields. he can call a Grand Jury, and subpoena every one, including the President.

This is good news for the country, and if it clears Trump, it will show us that he was not lying. Trump could fire him, but he better not pull a Nixon Friday night massacre.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Blogger Loretta Russo said...

Spam by the drunkard

In one week, I will have been sober for five years.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

I wish I had access to the office areas of Air Force One. Numerous reporters siting anonymous sources, say he's short temper, who is angered by the news coverage. He is also angered by his staff if they cant improve coverage. He should hire the most qualified lawyer, who he will be able to say no to his impulses. They should close his Twitter access. But he's too damn short tempered.

Indy Voter said...

Not sure if Carlson's the source for all your bullets, but there is sense to them. A special prosecutor will investigate the matter, and allow Sessions, Rosenstein, and an FBI Director to be named later to perform their regular duties. At least until Trump decides to go nuclear on the Executive branch again (call it 3-5 weeks).

Trump is probably too immature to understand this, but not everyone in the West Wing is a toddler. What this administration needs is to stop pouring fuel onto the fire by trying to constantly win news cycles at the expense of credibility. Yes, a special prosecutor could dog Trump and his cabal for years, and could find compelling evidence that some in Trump's inner circle were compromised by or working for Russia. But in the meantime the administration will have those years to pursue its agenda.

Indy Voter said...

Ummmmmm....

There is no lawyer, or any other profession, that can say no to Trump and his impulses consistently and not get fired. It's kinda ingrained in Trump's character that he follows his impulses unthinkingly.

Loretta said...

" A handful of people on the right have applauded this as good politics"

Count us in. Wolfe Blitzer was all but wiping away tears.

This, like other investigations will have long tentacles.

The unhinged lunatics should have been careful what they wished for....

Loretta said...

Too bad no one can tell the difference....

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...


Blogger Loretta Russo said...

Spam by the pedo

May 17, 2017 at 10:31 PM
Blogger Loretta Russo said...

Spam by the pedo

May 17, 2017 at 10:32 PM
Blogger Loretta Russo said...

Spam by the pedo

May 17, 2017 at 10:32 PM
Blogger Loretta Russo said...

Spam by the pedo

May 17, 2017 at 10:33 PM
Blogger Loretta Russo said...

Spam by the drunkard

May 17, 2017 at 10:33 PM
Blogger Loretta Russo said...

Spam by the drunkard

May 17, 2017 at 10:34 PM

This is all she's gpt. Unless one of the men feed her some right wing b.s.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Bill Clinton was able to compartmentalize and got much of his agenda through, even with a Republican house. I don't think Trump is like you said, immature, and will not be pushed away from cable news and focus on getting things done. He has lost, not in public, but behind the door, any real support for his agenda. Anything with his name attached will be poisonous.

He is just to immature and impulsive to bring someone in if he promised to actually listen to him. He can't stand not being in complete control and will always be bugging him.

I know CH has a spread sheet that demonstrates how the Democrats can't take the congress, but no one is including the Trump wild card. The Tea Party on steroids is what they are looking at.

Loretta said...

LOL. You took the time to copy and paste, and you question anyone else?

I love owning you, just not wild about sharing with Rat.

LMAO.

Loretta said...

"He can't stand not being in complete control and will always be bugging him."

It's comments like this that makes sane people question your sobriety.

Anonymous said...

It's comments like this that makes sane people question your sobriety.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LOL. no kidding.

that, and his predictable alky-lanche of copy/paste news that we've already read.

things must be REALLY slow over on the hospice blog.

Commonsense said...

Roger is becoming more pathetic and irrelevant all of the time.

Anonymous said...

Lastly... Mueller is a considered a no nonsense man who runs a tight ship. Most believes that his allegiance will be to the truth, and not the politics. More to the point, he will be removed from the current infighting between the Administration and the FBI.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

if only i could believe this. a former FBI director will be investigating a recently fired FBI director. hmmm... there will be an allegiance of fraternity there, and i don't trust mueller to be impartial any farther than i can throw a school bus. this thing stinks before it's even begun.



"He is not a man who will put up with the leaks that have been happening right under the nose of Comey. If they continue to happen, you may see heads roll. (this comes from multiple sources)"

good luck with that. fully 60% of NSC staff - those likely to be the leakers - are 0linsky appointees who have "burrowed" into the system like a deer tick that causes lyme disease, and have secured civil service protection. federal employees are like herpes - they're forever.

in other words, they can't be fired. leaks are rampant within our security apparatus for the same reason vets are left to die in the VA hospital system. until changes are made to release the death grip these parasites have on their cushy, do-nothing jobs, you never truly solve the problem.

the silver lining in all this?

when trump gets the boot we get pence. and we NEVER get hillary clinton.

i can live with that.



opie said...

This is going to be fun to watch, especially the trump sycophants who will all go to extremes defending how badly the msm is treating the holy one. Most here do not remember how shitty the donnie was covered when he was going through his business bankruptcies or his multiple divorces. He had no love affair with the local press let alone the national. Oh well, nothing but a witch hunt.....good I hope they find the wicked witch of the east, crushed under his fat ass.

opie said...

Commonsense said...
Roger is becoming more pathetic and irrelevant all of the time.

And your asshole keeps growing as the 4x4 is slowly inserted up your rear......

opie said...

This is all she's got. Unless one of the men feed her some right wing b.s.

Or a massive dick to play with......LOL

nothing intellectually posted here by any of the apologists. All they can do is attack the poster, not a single cogent defense has been offered....because non of them are smart enough to realize they are fucked by their hero. Going to get real ugly, but I reserve hope anything will actually change.

opie said...

Looks like the trump rally is coming to an abrupt end. Nothing getting done in DC because of the incompetence of trump. BTW....seems like pence's hands may also be soiled as he was in charge of the transition and ignored the flynn investigation that he was allegedly told about. Amazing he is another R idiot with his head firmly implanted in trumps ass. Perfect. IDIOTS.... Business bullying don't work in DC and will be firmly rebukes as R's run for cover. Perfect, single party gridlock.

caliphate4vr said...

Or a massive dick to play with.....

Fatty and his obsession with other men's junk, bizarre

Anonymous said...



roger ailes is dead.

i can't wait to see the liberals rejoicing with all of their tolerant and inclusive comments on the topic.

Loretta said...

"the silver lining in all this?

when trump gets the boot we get pence. and we NEVER get hillary clinton.

i can live with that."

ANOTHER example of...

...be careful what you wish for, LOL.

opie said...


roger miles is dead.

An example DF rat should follow.....

bout time..... Maybe pauline can grow up and realize his obsession with dicks is based on his latent frustration of selling.....LOL

Anonymous said...

ANOTHER example of...

...be careful what you wish for, LOL.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

indeed. now, mueller is supposed to, by the AG order, investigate:

(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).

https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/967231/download

watch how quickly THIS portion of the order is ignored if anything is revealed to track back to a clinton or any other democrat.

opie said...

More fake news from the failing times....

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/18/climate/antarctica-ice-melt-climate-change.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

opie said...

DF rathole said.....

if anything is revealed to track back to a clinton or any other democrat.

LOLOLOLOLOLLOLOLOL!!!!

opie said...

The reason the house and the senate cannot be trusted to investigate fairly...

In his classic 1974 study, “Congress: The Electoral Connection,” David Mayhew, a political scientist at Yale, based his analysis on a simple but profoundly illuminating premise: that members of the House and Senate are “single-minded seekers of re-election.”

Maybe pauline can make a cogent comment how this is not true. But, I doubt he can think rationally with his obsession of dicks like Rathole. LOL

James said...

Very broad bipartisan support of and praise for Mueller.

Trump tweets it's the biggest witch hunt ever.

Could that because we have the biggest witch ever in the White House?

James said...

Trump Lashes Out at Naming of Special Counsel

After initially taking a conciliatory tone, President Trump slammed the appointment of a special counsel to investigate any ties between his campaign and Russia as a “witch hunt.”
Tweeted Trump: “With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign & Obama Administration, there was never a special councel (sic) appointed!”

In another tweet, Trump called the probe into his campaign’s ties to Russia as the “single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history.”
________________

Presidents who can't spell shouldn't tweet.

Loretta said...

Spam by the pedo

Loretta said...

"Fatty and his obsession with other men's junk, bizarre"

Gay crack heads ARE bizarre....fact.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

I was just going to ignore your comments, but your complete ignorance about me and the wonderful world that I live in.


1: In six days I have five years of sobriety.

2: A highly qualified special prosecutor was nominated to do a through investigation of the Russian government involvement in the 2016 election.

3: I was sharing at my AA meeting, when I got phone call from UCLA. The transplant coordinator informed me that UCLA was going to submit a request for 33 points on the UNOS transplant list. When I told her that, I was sharing, and the five years of sobriety. For one of the first times, she said that this will work out.

And this from Indy nailed it.

"There is no lawyer, or any other profession, that can say no to Trump and his impulses consistently and not get fired. It's kinda ingrained in Trump's character that he follows his impulses unthinkingly."

Adios amigo.

C.H. Truth said...

Roger - anonymous sources have told an unnamed CHT poster that you have fallen off the wagon.

It's 2017. That's good enough for most people to believe it's true!

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Prediction.

"Witch Hunt"

Anonymous said...

"1: In six days I have five years of sobriety."

not according to my ANONYMOUS sources.

"33 points on the UNOS transplant list."

that's like 66 proof, right?

KD, Lol at Liberals so stupid it is cute said...

"He can't stand not being in complete control and will always be bugging him." Stupid ALky

I know you hate the US Military, however, President Trump has given directives to his Field Generals to take the fight to our Enemies, unlike the feckless Monkey who had a "Check With ME " policy.

I really had wished that the Three Liberal Stooges plus Not so Indy and WP would grow up , taken the loss like men, but all FIVE have not.

KD, Mueller to look at Hillary Clinton Case, Cool said...

The President is going oversea, going to be closing on some really big trade deals, getting America back to work is job one, in the last 4 presidential elections JOBS was the number on issue with Voters.


This attempt by the hard left that owns the Democrat Party is nothing more then being a bunch of cry babies about losing the election, to hell with US Conservatives, Trump-Dem cross over and true Indies (not like our fake indy.

Voter nullification is all it is.

wphamilton said...

I'll take a moment to refresh your memory: I celebrated Trump's win over Hillary so there is no "can't accept the loss" going on here, other than in someone's imagination.