Glen Kirschner, former Federal prosecutor: "You can't steal the presidency...

[Miles Archer]

...then hold up the presidency as a shield against getting indicted for stealing the presidency."

Just now on Morning Joe.

Makes perfect sense, but when he said it, it made my head spin, because it IS "Trump logic."

[FreepFryer]

1. Great segment. I was surprised no one mentioned this reason for pro-Flynn anti-Cohen dichotomy...

...the need to maintain a pardon possibility for Flynn despite his cooperation, since Trump may well know far less about what Flynn has furnished (and as yet withheld) than information gathered via Cohen.

In this manner, the question of Trump’s pardon intent can be seen as a factor in Judge Sullivan’s instruction that Flynn further cooperate prior to the now-delayed sentencing.

[OnDoutside]

3. But to what end ? If he's dished the goods on Trump, and getting virtually no time in jail, what

possible benefit is a pardon to Flynn ? Even Jill Winebanks was stumped as to a reason. I wonder if this is causing concern for Bob Mueller ?

[FreepFryer]

4. Trump doesn't know what Flynn has shared, nor done... Cohen, however, was trump owned.

Flynn had his own career and backstory, and while apparently Trump’s close associate since the campaign, has a traditional history and network that is much more distant and uncertain for trump... and if history is any indication, trump’s efforts to protect Flynn, which continue to the present day, are rooted not in personal loyalty, but a fear for his own liability...

[OnDoutside]

5. I could understand that in the case of Manafort, but Mueller has specifically stated that Flynn was

so useful, and had told them everything, he didn't want any jail time for him. I know Trump isn't a mensa candidate but even he couldn't see what that meant.

The only thing I could see is that Mueller is bluffing and Trump (through Flynn) knows he's bluffing), but even that's a stretch.

[FreepFryer]

8. Mueller did not say Flynn had 'told them everything' - but the prosecution appears satisfied w/Flynn

There are any number of reasons and your hypothesis is far out but not impossible. To me, though, the continuing support of Flynn is designed to leave open the potential for pardon by Trump, and is largely in place due to his uncertainty about what role Flynn has played in the investigation (and how Flynn might continue to play a further role by cooperation). It matches both Trump's consistently pro-Flynn stance since before the start of his administration, and the judge's admonition despite Flynn's ostensibly complete cooperation in ways few other factors seem to do.

[FreepFryer]

2. He also called the judge the "true American hero" for calling out the shocking nature of the offense

As a former Army prosecutor, he did not see Sullivan’s comments as nearly as “intemperate” as did Chuck Rosenberg or Joyce Vance.

[Achilleaze]

6. N.B.

[kentuck]

7. Trump is using the Presidency to protect himself from the law.

He should be indicted. That would bring him back to the real world.