The most revealing part of this event, for me at least, is to show how the corruption of the Trump administration has gone deep into the DOJ rank and file.
Democrats need a game plan for DOJ reform, just like it needs a game plan for Supreme Court and congressional reform.
“At some points, the alleged misconduct seemingly prompted Boutros to respond in real-time; he has said that he only learned of other allegations of prosecutorial wrongdoing in April.”
I call bull shit. Boutros is the U.S. Attorney for The Northern District of Illinois. We’re supposed to believe he hadn’t fully reviewed the transcripts and all other facts on the case before walking into the Grand Jury?
ETA. Oops, my bad. I forgot to factor in the competency of trump appointees.
There is a translation of the Lord’s Prayer that swaps out “Lead us not into temptation” in favor of “Do not bring us to hard testing, but deliver us from the Evil One.” Rank-and-file civil servants generally, but most specifically in the DoJ are in a time of hard testing. People like Mecklenburg are finding out exactly how committed they are to the values they were taught and profess. Ms Mecklenburg is in for a tough period of her life if she has any capacity for self-reflection, assessment, and criticism.
Maybe not an asset. Definitely a useful idiot.
What I keep coming back to is, did Mecklenburg (and Boutrous) think they were going to get away with this?
Both Mecklenburg and Boutrous need to be disbarred. Of course, that same fate has been earned by many attorneys working for this “administration.”
What I don’t understand is how Sheri Mecklenberg, a twenty-year veteran rank and file prosecutor, could make such rookie mistakes, in such a clumsy way. She should face whatever consequences befall her, but the whole debacle makes no sense (except in context of more widespread misconduct in other cases in that office?).
ETA: Perhaps it was as simple as she is nearing government retirement age and was trying to last long enough to earn her pension.
I also find it implausible that a trump US Attorney wouldn’t be paying careful attention to a vindictive prosecution of trump’s enemies. The pressure that Mecklenburg felt would have come partly through him (the white house also probably applied pressure directly because of course they would but they would also be squeezing the US Attorney to produce results)
That’s a really good question that only they can answer. On the surface, I think the answer is, “yes.” And Blanche is still trying to fly cover for them–this has to be part of what prompted his memorandum arguing that DoJ lawyers are exempt from state Bar discipline. (Incidentally, this is completely counter to the way professional licensing works everywhere else in the civil service. To be a PE in the civil service, you need to be a PE in some US jurisdiction. But you remain responsible to maintain licensure, including continuing professional education and disciplinary responsibilities. The same is true for physicians and nurses–you’re licensed somewhere, and the licensing authority is responsible for the licensee.)
For all practical purposes the same.
More likely, OMBrays.
Of course Trump is Putin’s puppet. The collaboration during the 2020 election between the Russians and the Trump campaign was documented in the Mueller Report. Of course Putin wanted Trump to win. He knew Trump is a low IQ, ill-informed weakling who loves dictators. And, of course, Putin was correct.
Maybe Mecklenberg wanted to be caught to expose the rottenness at the DOJ. I’m not defending her, but this is one explanation for why a knowledgable DOJ lawyer would make so many rookie mistakes in broad daylight. But I don’t think things will go well for her in the future.
After trying to wade through the turgid, swampy article from Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Swan, et.al., on the Trumpistas’ attempt to keep the Epstein story under wraps (the NYT), it was really refreshing to read a real clear story from Josh K .on the other Justice Department fuck-ups–those who were not invited to the Situatiion Room seance described by Mags and the guys.
What happens when Trump loyalists in the DOJ work for Democratic lawmakers?
Sabotage?
“The Grand Juror said at that time that he did have feelings, and he’s sure that he’s right, but he shouldn’t have walked out the way he did,” she said.
In the second instance, another grand juror purportedly apologized for the previous week, and promised to “apply the facts to the law.” Mecklenburg said that she replied, “That’s true. That’s exactly what we’re asking you to do.”
Take another look at the inappropriate conversations Mecklenburg ‘confessed’ to the grand jury.
They both (coincidentally) improve her credibility to the remaining jurors. Given the context, either the conversations didn’t happen or she misrepresents them to improve her standing.
Just say what you mean. Don’t beat around the bush.
I didn’t say anything about GW Bush, so don’t give me a hard time.
I said what I meant, and it is obvious what I meant. Trump is ill-informed, low IQ, easily manipulated, intellectually weak, and Putin’s puppet. Oh, and he’s evil as hell. Did I miss anything?
Nah, ya done good, pilgrim.