Don McGahn

[H2O Man]

The New York Times story about Don McGahn's cooperating with Mr. Mueller's investigation is outstanding news. On its surface, just the fact that McGahn believed that Trump was planning to try to pin all charges of obstruction of justice on him suggests that McGahn, too, sees connections between the Trump-Russian scandal and Watergate. The Nixon White House counsel, John Dean, recognized that the president was planning to blame him for the Watergate cover-up.

But it is far better than that. Though the media hasn't commented on this – yet – keep in mind that it was McGahn who told Trump not to issue the document of why Trump was firing James Comey. Trump and Stephen Miller had authored that original text, which would be replaced by the Sessions and Rosenstein papers.

Keep in mind that Mr. Mueller has a copy of the Trump-Miller paper. He has surely discussed it with McGahn. And asked him exactly why McGahn insisted it not be released, and instead had the baloney about Trump's being upset about how Mr. Comey treated Hillary Clinton.

I'd wager that Mr. Mueller will talk to McGahn about Trump's targeting Mr. Brennan and the others that he blames for investigating the Trump-Russian scandal.

Here is a Newsweek article:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/msn/don-mcgahn-gave-mueller-valuable-obstruction-info/ar-BBM6339

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

12. Thank you!

I like that McGahn calls Trump "King Kong" behind his back, when Trump has emotional outbursts. I suspect that Mr. Mueller enjoyed hearing about exactly what causes these melt-downs.

[Uncle Joe]

22. Regarding Trump's emotional outbursts,

have you seen this analysis?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211016878

[Native]

34. Trump probably likes being referred to as King Kong

Simply because of the use of the word King. Closest he'll ever get to the real thing.

[malaise]

2. Oh yes

Off to the greatest page for thee.

[H2O Man]

13. Have you seen

much of the coverage of this on CNN and/or MSNBC? It's great.

[malaise]

21. Some on MS

I think the tide has turned

[PJMcK]

3. McGahn and Priebus

Both of them told Robert Mueller that they informed Trump that Michael Flynn was under investigation by the FBI one day before Trump asked James Comey to let Flynn off the hook. Since Trump knew about the investigation, his actions the next day interfered with the FBI and constitute obstruction.

Mr. Mueller already knows the depth of Trump's guilt. He must be many months ahead of what we know from the press.

[H2O Man]

15. Great point!

Thank you for raising that. Much appreciated.

[PJMcK]

30. (wink)

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

29. Zing! Excellent point!

[PJMcK]

31. Those guys aren't going to take a fall for Trump (n/t)

[coeur_de_lion]

4. Yes this is excellent news

And very surprising to me anyway.

He doesn't want to end up like John Dean so he is singing like a bird.

I wish this would hurry and wrap up but I know it's a many headed serpent.

Like Watergate? No this is ever so much worse.

[H2O Man]

17. Right!

McGahn met with investigators three times, for a total of about thirty hours. Thirty hours!

And you are correct: it is worse than Watergate.

[Marcuse]

44. The burglary was digital, the burglars were Russian and they were not caught in time.

Vodkagate. A much greater impairment to American Democracy than was Watergate.

[jaysunb]

5. McGahn is the lynch pin of the the entire affair.

Dumb Trump still hasn't figured out that McGahn is the lawyer for the Office of the Presidency and not Trumps personal attorney. This will be the nail that will end the virus that's infected the White House and country. Even the compliant Congress will not be able to look the other way.

I'm sure it's not lost on McGahn that John Dean did hard time along with 48 others.

As my Mother used to say, " you may get by, but you won't get away." I just worry about all the damage that will be done in the meantime.

[meadowlander]

45. And this is why it's so important that we prosecute the guilty even when it isn't politically

expedient. Please take note, democrats who are already lining up to say "We need to move on" and "Our nation needs to heal."

Because in 20 years we want President Kanye West's White House Counsel to look back and say "you know, my predecessor pulled shit like this and ended up in jail for it... maybe I need to consider stepping up and acting with some integrity here."

If we had gone after criminal Bush enablers the way we should have, we wouldn't be wasting time debating whether or not Brett Kavanaugh should sit on the Supreme Court or a woman who destroyed evidence on the CIA's torture program (Gina Haspel) should ultimately head the CIA.

[Nevilledog]

6. Wonder if trump tried or got McGahn to sign a NDA

Because... you know... trump.

[FakeNoose]

8. It wouldn't matter if he did, McGahn works for the US Government

...and not for Trump. If he signed an NDA (I doubt it) it's not worth the paper it's printed on.
Mr. McGahn already knows it too, I'm sure. He's a pretty smart lawyer and far smarter than Cheeto.

[Nevilledog]

10. I readily agree the NDA would be worthless.

Apparently trump doesn't. Just a random thought and imagining how that conversation would go down.

[MoonRiver]

35. It would be more evidence of Chump trying to obstruct justice.

The Idiot will never figure out that his outbursts and tantrums only hurt HIM.

[NastyRiffraff]

40. I think he actually thinks his tantrums are helping him

Yes, he's that delusional.

BTW, I love your spinning Trump baby!

[MoonRiver]

42. Thanks! I stole it from somebody here, but can't remember who.

You can steal mine!

[Nevilledog]

41. True.

I honestly believe he thinks NDA's are somehow foolproof. My guess is he's never been challenged on them before and he just cannot understand why they don't apply.

[pwb]

7. Thank you.

.

[spanone]

9. K&R...

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Hopeful K&R! n/t

[2naSalit]

14. K&R

[Duppers]

16. Another K&R

[mountain grammy]

18. Yes! K&R

trump will be undone by his own sleaziness and general lack of any knowlege about anything.

[turbinetree]

19. The traitor is going around and telling everyone that he told him to cooperate............

don't think so:

http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/402497-trump-claims-he-instructed-mcgahn-to-cooperate-with-mueller


https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/8/18/17752056/don-mcgahn-white-house-counsel-trump-mueller


He has volunteered...................big fucking difference............traitor..............big fucking difference................your fucked......................just ask John Dean................


Traitor trump said this: he "allowed"....................they don't have a choice traitor

I allowed White House Counsel Don McGahn, and all other requested members of the White House Staff, to fully cooperate with the Special Counsel," he tweeted Saturday evening.



November 2018 cannot get here fast enough......................vote

[dawnie51]

20. Is there one decent person...,.

in this entire saga? I think not. A collection of liars, grifters, self-serving hypocrites. I feel no warmth for McGahn; he is no friend to any of us, and has worked tirelessly to further Dump's agenda. He's attempting to save himself, while still participating daily in the felonious activities. Nasty, disgusting people.

[Blue_true]

23. Yeah, I want to see all of them taken down. Trump, Pence, Kelly, the entire cesspool. nt

[GoCubsGo]

24. There is no honor among thieves. Exhibit 20481.

McGahn is as big a dirt bag as the rest of them. He is just covering his own ass here. But, if it helps to get rid of the scumbag traitor that currently occupies the White House, then so be it. It would be a small step toward redemption.

[FakeNoose]

33. You're right he's a scumbag, but he's smarter than the rest

Nobody is calling McGahn a patriot, but it sure seems like he has steered clear of the Russians. He understands how to keep himself out of trouble, and he's trying to give good advice to Cheeto. Whether or not Cheeto is listening, eh, who knows?

[uponit7771]

25. Wonder if McGhan is mic'd up

[DUgosh]

28. I predict a new word in our vocabulary

McGahnned

[bagimin]

26. Great news...

this will get me through the weekend.

[ooky]

27. Excellent. K&R

[czarjak]

32. Ruse...

Ruse, I tell ya!

[berni_mccoy]

36. K&R

[pecosbob]

37. McGahn was Roger Stone's blocker at the FEC for some time

he has some 'splainin' to do.

https://www.emptywheel.net/2018/08/18/should-trump-run-don-mcgahn-has-been-covering-for-roger-stones-rat-fucking-for-seven-years/]

[saidsimplesimon]

38. It is difficult to respect

rumpies' sycophants who only stand up when he throws them under the bus. The ship is sailing toward criminal charges, with or without you.

[Grasswire2]

39. Do we KNOW that's what McGahn thought?

Or is this what Maggie Haberman THINKS that's what McGahn thought? Do we have confirmation somehow?

[ProudProgressiveNow]

43. KR NT