Justice Department appoints special prosecutor for Trump/Russia

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 03:05 PM

Deputy attorney general appoints special counsel to oversee probe of Russian interference in election
http://wapo.st/2pVno3F

ETA: Special council is former FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Trump is **********.

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 03:31 PM

Stacko · 17th May 2017, 03:35 PM

Rosenstein only gave the White House 30 mins heads up. I think he was mad about being made a patsy.

https://mobile.twitter.com/joshtpm/s...71821879308289

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 03:40 PM

Imagining how furious Trump is right now gives me tremendous schadenfreude.

acbytesla · 17th May 2017, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

Imagining how furious Trump is right now gives me tremendous schadenfreude.

What do we know about Mueller?

Stacko · 17th May 2017, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by acbytesla

What do we know about Mueller?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mueller

Newtons Bit · 17th May 2017, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by acbytesla

What do we know about Mueller?

He was the director of the FBI for both Bush and Obama.

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by acbytesla

What do we know about Mueller?

He was the the Director of the FBI from 2001-2013.

He and Comey (then Deputy Attorney General) made the White House back down from their attempts at warrantless wiretapping back in 2004.

This is really bad for Trump. I feel confident that Mueller will prosecute any crimes he uncovers.

rustypouch · 17th May 2017, 03:53 PM

Fake News.^TM

acbytesla · 17th May 2017, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

He was the the Director of the FBI from 2001-2013.

He and Comey (then Deputy Attorney General) made the White House back down from their attempts at warrantless wiretapping back in 2004.

This is really bad for Trump. I feel confident that Muller will prosecute any crimes he uncovers.

Oh, that Mueller. Trump is **********.

acbytesla · 17th May 2017, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by rustypouch

Fake News.^TM

Will it be Fake News when they escort Trump out of the White House in cuffs?

Resume · 17th May 2017, 04:01 PM

This moron has only been in office five months and he's already damaged the Presidency.

Also, the market's taking a dump.

WilliamSeger · 17th May 2017, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

Imagining how furious Trump is right now gives me tremendous schadenfreude.

Have a kicker: Imagine how furious Ryan and McConnell are at Trump.

willhaven · 17th May 2017, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

Deputy attorney general appoints special counsel to oversee probe of Russian interference in election
http://wapo.st/2pVno3F

ETA: Special council is former FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Trump is **********.

Maybe, maybe not.

But at this point, at least I have the confidence that the chips will fall where they should if any wrongdoing is uncovered.

American institutions for the win.

acbytesla · 17th May 2017, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by willhaven

Maybe, maybe not.

But at this point, at least I have the confidence that the chips will fall where they should if any wrongdoing is uncovered.

American institutions for the win.

I agree. But something tells me there is fire behind all the smoke.

Skeptic Ginger · 17th May 2017, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by acbytesla

What do we know about Mueller?

He stood up to Bush.

Skeptic Ginger · 17th May 2017, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Resume

This moron has only been in office five months and he's already damaged the Presidency. .

What did you expect? It's not like it hasn't been obvious from before Day 1 that he was incompetent and mentally off his nut.

I wouldn't worry about the Dow, the GOP still has time to do all their tax cuts for the rich and retracting regulations.

Polaris · 17th May 2017, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

Section (b)(ii) ought to about cover Trump's obstruction.

varwoche · 17th May 2017, 04:54 PM

I'm extremely disappointed that pre-campaign financial ties aren't part of the package.

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by varwoche

I'm extremely disappointed that pre-campaign financial ties aren't part of the package.

Looks broad enough that it could be.

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 04:59 PM

Mitch McConnell walked away from questions about this without saying anything.

https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/864974483072978944

varwoche · 17th May 2017, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

Imagining how furious Trump is right now gives me tremendous schadenfreude.

Same. His abject misery causes me unabashed joy.

chrispy · 17th May 2017, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by varwoche

Same. His abject misery causes me unabashed joy.

Me too! I have to say that watching this as an American expat is something else. If this were a political thriller I would say that it had jumped the shark by last week, yet in reality it keeps getting crazier and crazier. To the Americans on the board,what is the vibe on the street in your various necks of the woods? I'm hoping there is a palpable energy for this charlatan to get whats comin' to him.

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 05:20 PM

This was made possible because Jeff Sessions recused himself. Which he did as a response to it coming out that he lied about meeting with Russians during his Senate confirmation hearing.

lol

pgwenthold · 17th May 2017, 05:21 PM

Rogue Staff is saying they are trying to calm the President by pointing out this will probably slow things down. I'm sure it will slow some, but it's not going to slow the WashPo and David Fahrenfeld. They will keep attacking

Babbylonian · 17th May 2017, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by chrispy

Me too! I have to say that watching this as an American expat is something else. If this were a political thriller I would say that it had jumped the shark by last week, yet in reality it keeps getting crazier and crazier. To the Americans on the board,what is the vibe on the street in your various necks of the woods? I'm hoping there is a palpable energy for this charlatan to get whats comin' to him.

I live in Portland, Oregon (or close enough). That palpable energy has existed here since before the election.

chrispy · 17th May 2017, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by Babbylonian

I live in Portland, Oregon (or close enough). That palpable energy has existed here since before the election.

haha. Makes sense to me!

varwoche · 17th May 2017, 05:25 PM

I wonder if there are really "tapes". And I wonder how many non family members know about them. And I wonder how hard it is for a POTUS to destroy "tapes" without collaborator(s). If this sort of mayhem happens, I picture the longtime bodyguard in on the action.

SezMe · 17th May 2017, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by varwoche

I'm extremely disappointed that pre-campaign financial ties aren't part of the package.

I think (b).2 covers that quite nicely. IMO, it will also encompass Sessions. Oh, joy!

portlandatheist · 17th May 2017, 05:30 PM

Shock, horror, suspense, astonishment, disbelief and delight. If this were a Netflix series I'd binge watch it at the deprivation of everything else. Is it too early to buy the champagne?

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by portlandatheist

Shock, horror, suspense, astonishment, disbelief and delight. If this were a Netflix series I'd binge watch it at the deprivation of everything else.

Real life is crazier than House of Cards.

Quote:

Is it too early to buy the champagne?

I wouldn't pop it quite yet but this is very bad for Trump. This could easily destroy his presidency. He should be scared.

Trebuchet · 17th May 2017, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

Real life is crazier than House of Cards.

I wouldn't pop it quite yet but this is very bad for Trump. This could easily destroy his presidency. He should be scared.

He should. But he's very, very, stupid.

You know what scares the bleep out of me? "President Pence". Trump, for all his multitude of faults, is at least not a fundie.

Minoosh · 17th May 2017, 05:43 PM

(To Chrispy)
I divide time between my rock-ribbed Republican mom and culturally Mexican teenagers. Neither has been able to stand Trump for quite some time now. The significance of the latest development IMO is not as obvious to people who haven't been obsessively following the news. I've never been as glued to the Internet as I am now. If you check the news once or twice a day, there may be enough fresh scandal to make none of it look that serious. Even the news of a special prosecutor appointment. The kids can't relate to Watergate and though mom is "with it" in the moment, at 92 she has such severe short-term memory loss that at every headline she asks me, "Do you like Donald Trump?" "No, I can't stand him" is my stock response.

Spindrift · 17th May 2017, 06:00 PM

Can Trump fire the special prosecutor?

If so, how long until he does?

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Spindrift

Can Trump fire the special prosecutor?

No. He would have go the Nixon route of trying to make Rosenstein do it and firing him when he didn't. Then doing the same thing with the person to next hold the job until he found someone willing to do it.

acbytesla · 17th May 2017, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

No. He would have go the Nixon route of trying to make Rosenstein do it and firing him when he didn't. Then doing the same thing with the person to next hold the job until he found someone willing to do it.

I'm not sure he can do that. The special prosecutor statute has changed multiple times.

Foolmewunz · 17th May 2017, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

No. He would have go the Nixon route of trying to make Rosenstein do it and firing him when he didn't. Then doing the same thing with the person to next hold the job until he found someone willing to do it.

I think the Swedish Chef has the answer to that need.... "Bork!"

a_unique_person · 17th May 2017, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by portlandatheist

Shock, horror, suspense, astonishment, disbelief and delight. If this were a Netflix series I'd binge watch it at the deprivation of everything else. Is it too early to buy the champagne?

Looking at reboots of .."The West Wing " and "The Americans".

Tony Stark · 17th May 2017, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by acbytesla

I'm not sure he can do that. The special prosecutor statute has changed multiple times.

This is what the regulation says:

Quote:

(d) The Special Counsel may be disciplined or removed from office only by the personal action of the Attorney General. The Attorney General may remove a Special Counsel for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or for other good cause, including violation of Departmental policies. The Attorney General shall inform the Special Counsel in writing of the specific reason for his or her removal.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...00_17&rgn=div8

Babbylonian · 17th May 2017, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Stark

This is what the regulation says:

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...00_17&rgn=div8

For this situation, substitute "Deputy Attorney General" since Sessions recused himself from this case.

17th May 2017, 03:05 PM	#1
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Justice Department appoints special prosecutor for Trump/Russia Deputy attorney general appoints special counsel to oversee probe of Russian interference in election http://wapo.st/2pVno3F ETA: Special council is former FBI Director Robert Mueller. Trump is **********.
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Last edited by Tony Stark; 17th May 2017 at 03:32 PM.

17th May 2017, 03:31 PM	#2
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Last edited by Tony Stark; 17th May 2017 at 03:33 PM.

17th May 2017, 03:35 PM	#3
Stacko Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 9,378	Rosenstein only gave the White House 30 mins heads up. I think he was mad about being made a patsy. https://mobile.twitter.com/joshtpm/s...71821879308289
Stacko Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 9,378

17th May 2017, 03:40 PM	#4
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Imagining how furious Trump is right now gives me tremendous schadenfreude.
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626

17th May 2017, 03:49 PM	#5
acbytesla Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 16,391	Originally Posted by Tony Stark Imagining how furious Trump is right now gives me tremendous schadenfreude. What do we know about Mueller?
	__________________ “ A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence. ” ― David Hume

17th May 2017, 03:51 PM	#6
Stacko Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 9,378	Originally Posted by acbytesla What do we know about Mueller? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mueller
Stacko Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 9,378

17th May 2017, 03:51 PM	#7
Newtons Bit Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10,016	Originally Posted by acbytesla What do we know about Mueller? He was the director of the FBI for both Bush and Obama.
	__________________ "Structural Engineering is the art of molding materials we do not wholly understand into shapes we cannot precisely analyze so as to understand forces we cannot really assess in such a way that the community at large has no reason to suspect the extent of our own ignorance." James E Amrhein

17th May 2017, 03:53 PM	#8
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Originally Posted by acbytesla What do we know about Mueller? He was the the Director of the FBI from 2001-2013. He and Comey (then Deputy Attorney General) made the White House back down from their attempts at warrantless wiretapping back in 2004. This is really bad for Trump. I feel confident that Mueller will prosecute any crimes he uncovers.
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Last edited by Tony Stark; 17th May 2017 at 03:58 PM.

17th May 2017, 03:53 PM	#9
rustypouch Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 6,654	Fake News.^TM
rustypouch Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 6,654

17th May 2017, 03:57 PM	#10
acbytesla Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 16,391	Originally Posted by Tony Stark He was the the Director of the FBI from 2001-2013. He and Comey (then Deputy Attorney General) made the White House back down from their attempts at warrantless wiretapping back in 2004. This is really bad for Trump. I feel confident that Muller will prosecute any crimes he uncovers. Oh, that Mueller. Trump is **********.
	__________________ “ A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence. ” ― David Hume

17th May 2017, 03:59 PM	#11
acbytesla Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 16,391	Originally Posted by rustypouch Fake News.^TM Will it be Fake News when they escort Trump out of the White House in cuffs?
	__________________ “ A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence. ” ― David Hume

17th May 2017, 04:01 PM	#12
Resume Troublesome Passenger Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 15,791	This moron has only been in office five months and he's already damaged the Presidency. Also, the market's taking a dump.
	__________________ Looking forward to the Trump Presidential Library. A putting green. Recipes for chocolate cake. A live Twitter feed for visitors to post on. A little black book w the phone numbers of porn stars. You're in and out in five minutes. Alec Baldwin

17th May 2017, 04:03 PM	#13
WilliamSeger Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,051	Originally Posted by Tony Stark Imagining how furious Trump is right now gives me tremendous schadenfreude. Have a kicker: Imagine how furious Ryan and McConnell are at Trump.

17th May 2017, 04:03 PM	#14
willhaven Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,049	Originally Posted by Tony Stark Deputy attorney general appoints special counsel to oversee probe of Russian interference in election http://wapo.st/2pVno3F ETA: Special council is former FBI Director Robert Mueller. Trump is **********. Maybe, maybe not. But at this point, at least I have the confidence that the chips will fall where they should if any wrongdoing is uncovered. American institutions for the win.

17th May 2017, 04:09 PM	#15
acbytesla Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 16,391	Originally Posted by willhaven Maybe, maybe not. But at this point, at least I have the confidence that the chips will fall where they should if any wrongdoing is uncovered. American institutions for the win. I agree. But something tells me there is fire behind all the smoke.
	__________________ “ A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence. ” ― David Hume

17th May 2017, 04:20 PM	#16
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 66,313	Originally Posted by acbytesla What do we know about Mueller? He stood up to Bush.

17th May 2017, 04:23 PM	#17
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 66,313	Originally Posted by Resume This moron has only been in office five months and he's already damaged the Presidency. . What did you expect? It's not like it hasn't been obvious from before Day 1 that he was incompetent and mentally off his nut. I wouldn't worry about the Dow, the GOP still has time to do all their tax cuts for the rich and retracting regulations.

17th May 2017, 04:25 PM	#18
Polaris Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 11,214	Originally Posted by Tony Stark Section (b)(ii) ought to about cover Trump's obstruction.
	__________________ "There's vastly more truth to be found in rocks than in holy books. Rocks are far superior, in fact, because you can DEMONSTRATE the truth found in rocks. Plus, they're pretty. Holy books are just heavy." - Dinwar "Let your ears hear this beautiful song that's hiding underneath the sound," Ed Kowalczyk.

17th May 2017, 04:54 PM	#19
varwoche Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 11,019	I'm extremely disappointed that pre-campaign financial ties aren't part of the package.
	__________________ To survive election season on a skeptics forum, one must understand Hymie-the-Robot.

17th May 2017, 04:56 PM	#20
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Originally Posted by varwoche I'm extremely disappointed that pre-campaign financial ties aren't part of the package. Looks broad enough that it could be.
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Last edited by Tony Stark; 17th May 2017 at 05:05 PM.

17th May 2017, 04:59 PM	#21
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Mitch McConnell walked away from questions about this without saying anything. https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/864974483072978944
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Last edited by Tony Stark; 17th May 2017 at 05:00 PM.

17th May 2017, 05:08 PM	#22
varwoche Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 11,019	Originally Posted by Tony Stark Imagining how furious Trump is right now gives me tremendous schadenfreude. Same. His abject misery causes me unabashed joy.
	__________________ To survive election season on a skeptics forum, one must understand Hymie-the-Robot.

17th May 2017, 05:19 PM	#23
chrispy Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Mexico/Guatemala Posts: 416	Originally Posted by varwoche Same. His abject misery causes me unabashed joy. Me too! I have to say that watching this as an American expat is something else. If this were a political thriller I would say that it had jumped the shark by last week, yet in reality it keeps getting crazier and crazier. To the Americans on the board,what is the vibe on the street in your various necks of the woods? I'm hoping there is a palpable energy for this charlatan to get whats comin' to him.

17th May 2017, 05:20 PM	#24
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	This was made possible because Jeff Sessions recused himself. Which he did as a response to it coming out that he lied about meeting with Russians during his Senate confirmation hearing. lol
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626

17th May 2017, 05:21 PM	#25
pgwenthold Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 16,903	Rogue Staff is saying they are trying to calm the President by pointing out this will probably slow things down. I'm sure it will slow some, but it's not going to slow the WashPo and David Fahrenfeld. They will keep attacking
	__________________ I have a permanent room at the Home for the Chronically Groovy - Floyd from the Muppets

17th May 2017, 05:22 PM	#26
Babbylonian Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10,487	Originally Posted by chrispy Me too! I have to say that watching this as an American expat is something else. If this were a political thriller I would say that it had jumped the shark by last week, yet in reality it keeps getting crazier and crazier. To the Americans on the board,what is the vibe on the street in your various necks of the woods? I'm hoping there is a palpable energy for this charlatan to get whats comin' to him. I live in Portland, Oregon (or close enough). That palpable energy has existed here since before the election.

17th May 2017, 05:23 PM	#27
chrispy Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Mexico/Guatemala Posts: 416	Originally Posted by Babbylonian I live in Portland, Oregon (or close enough). That palpable energy has existed here since before the election. haha. Makes sense to me!

17th May 2017, 05:25 PM	#28
varwoche Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 11,019	I wonder if there are really "tapes". And I wonder how many non family members know about them. And I wonder how hard it is for a POTUS to destroy "tapes" without collaborator(s). If this sort of mayhem happens, I picture the longtime bodyguard in on the action.
	__________________ To survive election season on a skeptics forum, one must understand Hymie-the-Robot.

17th May 2017, 05:29 PM	#29
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 22,553	Originally Posted by varwoche I'm extremely disappointed that pre-campaign financial ties aren't part of the package. I think (b).2 covers that quite nicely. IMO, it will also encompass Sessions. Oh, joy!

17th May 2017, 05:30 PM	#30
portlandatheist Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,760	Shock, horror, suspense, astonishment, disbelief and delight. If this were a Netflix series I'd binge watch it at the deprivation of everything else. Is it too early to buy the champagne?

17th May 2017, 05:33 PM	#31
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Originally Posted by portlandatheist Shock, horror, suspense, astonishment, disbelief and delight. If this were a Netflix series I'd binge watch it at the deprivation of everything else. Real life is crazier than House of Cards. Quote: Is it too early to buy the champagne? I wouldn't pop it quite yet but this is very bad for Trump. This could easily destroy his presidency. He should be scared.
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626

17th May 2017, 05:38 PM	#32
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwet Posts: 16,253	Originally Posted by Tony Stark Real life is crazier than House of Cards. I wouldn't pop it quite yet but this is very bad for Trump. This could easily destroy his presidency. He should be scared. He should. But he's very, very, stupid. You know what scares the bleep out of me? "President Pence". Trump, for all his multitude of faults, is at least not a fundie.
	__________________ Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.

17th May 2017, 05:43 PM	#33
Minoosh Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 6,766	(To Chrispy) I divide time between my rock-ribbed Republican mom and culturally Mexican teenagers. Neither has been able to stand Trump for quite some time now. The significance of the latest development IMO is not as obvious to people who haven't been obsessively following the news. I've never been as glued to the Internet as I am now. If you check the news once or twice a day, there may be enough fresh scandal to make none of it look that serious. Even the news of a special prosecutor appointment. The kids can't relate to Watergate and though mom is "with it" in the moment, at 92 she has such severe short-term memory loss that at every headline she asks me, "Do you like Donald Trump?" "No, I can't stand him" is my stock response.
Minoosh Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 6,766	Last edited by Minoosh; 17th May 2017 at 05:44 PM.

17th May 2017, 06:00 PM	#34
Spindrift Time Person of the Year, 2006 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Right here! Posts: 19,246	Can Trump fire the special prosecutor? If so, how long until he does?
	__________________ I've always believed that cluelessness evolved as an adaptation to allow the truly appalling to live with themselves. - G. B. Trudeau A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. - Kay, Men in Black. Enjoy every sandwich. - Warren Zevon

17th May 2017, 06:05 PM	#35
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Originally Posted by Spindrift Can Trump fire the special prosecutor? No. He would have go the Nixon route of trying to make Rosenstein do it and firing him when he didn't. Then doing the same thing with the person to next hold the job until he found someone willing to do it.
Tony Stark Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 9,626	Last edited by Tony Stark; 17th May 2017 at 06:06 PM.