Tag: Russia investigation

Trump and Nunes torch tradition of trust between Congress and FB

The following article by Douglas M. Charles, Associate Professor of History, Pennsylvania State University, was posted on the Conversation website February 3, 2018:

President Donald Trump’s attacks on the FBI may have reached a climax.

In an apparent attempt to discredit Robert Mueller’s Russia probe, staff of the House Intelligence Committee on behalf of its chair Republican Devin Nunes of California, wrote and on Feb. 2 released a four-page memo based on confidential information made available to them by the FBI. It outlines alleged improprieties in the FBI’s investigation, specifically the monitoring of Trump’s former campaign adviser Carter Page.

Nunes in 2017 was forced to step aside from the committee’s Russia investigation because he was seen as taking direction from the Trump White House. Continue reading “Trump and Nunes torch tradition of trust between Congress and FB”

Lawyers for Rick Gates withdraw from Russia case

The following article by Darren Samuelsohn was posted on the Politico website February 1, 2018:

Rick Gates, left, with Donald Trump in 2016.Evan Vucci/AP

Three attorneys representing Rick Gates told a federal court Thursday they are immediately withdrawing as counsel for the former Donald Trump campaign aide, who is fighting special counsel Robert Mueller’s indictment of him on money laundering and other charges.

Lawyers Shanlon Wu, Walter Mack and Annemarie McAvoy said in a two-page motion that they would explain the reasons for their abrupt move in documents filed under seal with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

“The document speaks for itself,” McAvoy told POLITICO, declining further comment. Continue reading “Lawyers for Rick Gates withdraw from Russia case”

Poll: Vast majority says Trump should talk with Mueller under oath

The following article by Elizabeth Castillo was posted on the Politico website February 1, 2018:

Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

An overwhelming majority of Americans believe that President Donald Trump should agree to an interview with special counsel Robert Mueller and that the exchange should be under oath, according to a poll released on Thursday.

Seventy-one percent of 806 adults in the poll said the two should meet, with 82 percent saying the interview should be under oath, according to the poll from Monmouth University.

While the degree of support for those positions tracked with political affiliation, there was still general agreement, regardless of party affiliation: 85 percent of Democrats, 74 percent of independents and 51 percent of Republicans said the president should speak to Mueller, who is leading the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Continue reading “Poll: Vast majority says Trump should talk with Mueller under oath”

Yes, The President Must Testify — Just Like Bill Clinton Did

The following article by Joe Conason was posted on the National Memo website January 31, 2018:

Donald Trump tells reporters that he is eager to chat with Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating his campaign’s suspected collusion with the Kremlin and his attempts to obstruct that investigation, but his sincerity is in doubt. When he proclaims his willingness to let Mueller question him, “under oath,” it sounds like typical Trump bluster.

Still, as one of the most successful liars in modern history — with a talent for prevarication that has seen him through many civil lawsuits and a presidential campaign — the former casino mogul may believe he can slither past Mueller verbally. His lawyers feel no such confidence, however; they reliably show up to cancel his reckless offers to testify, as they did recently under some feeble pretext. Continue reading “Yes, The President Must Testify — Just Like Bill Clinton Did”

Stunning: Trump May Ask Sessions To Prosecute Mueller

The following article by Tommy Christopher of the ShareBlue website was posted on the National Memo website January 30, 2018:

Donald Trump never tires of finding new ways to obstruct justice, but his latest scheme is brazen even by Trump’s standards.

On the heels of the bombshell revelation that Trump ordered the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller shortly after his appointment, and Trump’s successful campaign to purge the FBI of another high-ranking official, Trump is reportedly considering another way to get to Mueller.

NBC News reports that Trump is telling his friends and advisers he is considering asking Attorney General Jeff Sessions to prosecute Mueller and his team. Continue reading “Stunning: Trump May Ask Sessions To Prosecute Mueller”

How Congress can protect Robert Mueller’s investigation

The following article by Alison Durkee was posted on the mic.com website January 29, 2018:

Fears over special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s continuing employment have intensified in recent days, after the New York Times published a report alleging that President Donald Trump attempted to fire Mueller in June.

According to the Times report, Trump backed down from his request for Mueller’s termination after White House counsel Don McGahn threatened to quit over the decision — yet the report noted that Mueller’s fate still remains an “omnipresent concern” among the president’s aides and legal team. Continue reading “How Congress can protect Robert Mueller’s investigation”

Is Trump a greater threat than Nixon? Here’s the big danger ahead.

The following commentary by Greg Sargent was posted on the Washington Post website January 29, 2018:

Opinion | If President Trump fires the bane of his legal troubles, he could spark a legal and constitutional crisis. (Adriana Usero/The Washington Post)

THE MORNING PLUM:

The Sunday shows confirmed an alarming development: Republicans in Congress do not feel any urgency to protect special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation, even though it has now been confirmed that President Trump tried to fire Mueller — and that the possibility of Trump trying to remove Mueller is seen as very real by Trump’s own advisers right now.

This sets up a possible worst-case scenario in the coming confrontation with Mueller that could take us into territory that is beyond anything this country endured during Watergate. To flesh this out, I spoke to Tim Weiner, the veteran journalist and author of a highly regarded, harshly critical history of the FBI that chronicles Richard Nixon’s battles with the agency. Continue reading “Is Trump a greater threat than Nixon? Here’s the big danger ahead.”

Graham: Mueller should probe report Trump wanted to fire him

The following article by Julia Manchester was posted on the Hill website January 28, 2018:

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday said special counsel Robert Mueller should take a look at reports that President Trump tried to fire him last summer.

“I don’t know if the story is true or not, but I know this: Mueller should look at it,” Graham said on ABC’s “This Week.”  Continue reading “Graham: Mueller should probe report Trump wanted to fire him”

Could lying about trying to fire Mueller put Trump in even more hot water?

The following article by Aaron Blake was posted on the Washington Post website January 27, 2018:

President Trump last June sought to fire special counsel Robert S. Mueller III but backed off after White House Counsel Donald F. McGahn threatened to resign. (Bastien Inzaurralde, Melissa Macaya/The Washington Post)

Even as President Trump’s falsehoods go, this one was pretty blatant: Two months after he unsuccessfully tried to fire Robert S. Mueller III, Trump denied that he had even considered doing such a thing.

“I haven’t given it any thought,” Trump told reporters in Bedminster, N.J., in August. “Well, I’ve been reading about it from you people. You say, ‘Oh, I’m going to dismiss him.’ No, I’m not dismissing anybody.” Continue reading “Could lying about trying to fire Mueller put Trump in even more hot water?”

Shall we protect Robert Mueller now, Mr. McConnell?

The following commentary by the Editorial Board of the Washington Post website January 26, 2018:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Credit: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

“I DON’T HEAR much pressure to pass anything,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in November when asked about bills that would protect special counsel Robert S. Mueller III should President Trump try to fire him. “There’s been no indication that the president or the White House are not cooperating with the special counsel,” Mr. McConnell explained.

Now there is an indication, and a pretty strong one. The New York Times reported and The Post quickly confirmed Thursday that the president moved to fire Mr. Mueller in June, shortly after the special counsel’s appointment. Mr. Trump pulled back only after White House Counsel Donald F. McGahn threatened to resign. Continue reading “Shall we protect Robert Mueller now, Mr. McConnell?”