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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSeems Plausible - By Josh Marshall
By Josh Marshall
November 15, 2018 1:33 pm
Former federal public corruption prosecutor speculates on why Trumps going particularly nuts this week
It is hard to say whats causing Trumps current Mueller meltdown. But if reports are true that he and his lawyers are working on answering written questions from the Special Counsel, that probably has him especially on edge. One question in particular poses a huge dilemma for Trump: Did you know in advance about Don Jr.s Trump Tower meeting with the Russians? Obviously, he did. He likely authorized the meeting and got a read out right after it. Why else would he have dictated the bogus adoption cover story? Why else, in the days prior to the meeting, would he have promised explosive information about Hillary to come out shortly after it? And Mueller no doubt has additional evidence of Trumps foreknowledge (from Gates, Manafort, Cohen, phone records, etc.).
Now, Trump has to decide whether to admit the obvious, or continue his obstruction and denial. If he admits it, he risks (a) implicating his son in perjury for lying to Congress; (b) incriminating himself in a scheme to obstruct justice by concocting a bogus cover story about the meeting; and (c) providing direct evidence of his intent to conspire with potential Russian agents. If he denies it, it will likely provide an open and shut false statement case to Mueller on top of whatever else they have on him. Im not sure how his lawyers will try to thread this needle, but I predict some sort of lawyered up version of an evasive I dont recall. That wont be credible either coming from someone who once boasted of having one of the great memories of all time, but its probably the only place he can go other than simply refusing to answer. Regardless, hes in a box and he knows it. So hes lashing out.
Now, Trump has to decide whether to admit the obvious, or continue his obstruction and denial. If he admits it, he risks (a) implicating his son in perjury for lying to Congress; (b) incriminating himself in a scheme to obstruct justice by concocting a bogus cover story about the meeting; and (c) providing direct evidence of his intent to conspire with potential Russian agents. If he denies it, it will likely provide an open and shut false statement case to Mueller on top of whatever else they have on him. Im not sure how his lawyers will try to thread this needle, but I predict some sort of lawyered up version of an evasive I dont recall. That wont be credible either coming from someone who once boasted of having one of the great memories of all time, but its probably the only place he can go other than simply refusing to answer. Regardless, hes in a box and he knows it. So hes lashing out.
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Seems Plausible - By Josh Marshall (Original Post)
DonViejo
Nov 2018
OP
OAITW r.2.0
(24,610 posts)1. Trump's next excuse.
"OK, we collided with some Russians in a meeting...but NO COLLUSION!
maxsolomon
(33,400 posts)2. This is what I've been saying this week.
He's not sitting around decompensating and binge-watching Fox; he's spending the day meeting with his lawyers, going over the final text.
Merlot
(9,696 posts)3. Anytime I read about what trumpft is doing from "white house sources"
I take it with a rock of salt and consider it to be a misdirect. If they say the president in binge eating and watch faux, then people who don't like him will laugh at him. He's more than willing to take them out by playing possum now and then. So yes, makes sense that he's holding tight with lawyers.