Is that the last step before the pardon?
Told all y’all this was comin’!;)!!
Another Mueller Friday on the way tomorrow!
Depends on whether he’s flipping.
Ruh roh…
Unless such a plea deal includes Manafort cooperating, this is either a capitulation by Mueller or Manafort took a terrible deal, knowing he will be pardoned for his many crimes by Trump.
Speculation: Is it possible Mueller is bugging Manafort and his lawyers’ phones and monitoring e mails and other communications and has them on conspiracy with Trump to obstruct justice and will bring state and federal charges once Trump pardons Manafort?
I have to assume that Mueller knows what he is doing. The details will be interesting, if we get to hear about them.
Call me crazy, but I’m guessing that in the negotiations, Mr. Mueller held 52 cards, and Manafort had the Joker?
If he has a deal with Mueller, I’m finding it hard to believe that there isn’t a flip involved at some level. I don’t see why Mueller would drop charges on Manafort without getting something in return. I think Manafort may have given assurances to Rudy that he isn’t flipping on Trump, but that is very likely a lie. I tend to believe Mueller got him to flip. I watched the first half of Active Measures last night. It’s well done and addresses things that a lot of us on this site are quite familiar with, but one thing that stands out is the role of Russian mobsters and RU government agents who have systematically infiltrated this country. Paul Manafort was a very key asset for Putin’s adapted asymmetric war with the west, but no one is more key than Donald J. Trump. I think Mueller wants to bust that ring wide open and that’s why he wants Manafort.
“It is called flipping. It almost ought to be illegal…”
Nursing note, 7:45. a.m.:
Pt. frantic. Twitterrhea raging/explosive. Asked Ivanka for intervention, S/S “in a meeting.”. Requesting Code Orange.
I really wanted this trial.
I agree with this, but we shall see. I posted a while back that Mueller must want this trial to lay out his evidence publicly just as Manafort (and Trump by proxy) want to avoid this at all costs. Can’t see Mueller taking a deal to plead guilty and avoid trial without anything in return. But what the hell do I know?
I can come up with a few ways that might happen.
I’ll plead guilty to all the charges and take whatever sentence is given… Not really so much of a deal as exercise of a right.
Or he agreed to flip on someone Mueller deems just as important (cough JrandKushner cough) but not Trump.
Or he agreed to plead to a lesser charge but has to do an elocution that implicates Trump–not really a cooperation agreement, but its evidence he can be examined on.
Or, of course, could just be a lie Manafort’s lawyers are circulating to shake that pardon out of Trump’s pocket.
I imagine there are things Manafort could provide to Mueller that are short of directly implicating 45. That way Manafort can say “I didn’t flip” to 45 and hope for a pardon, but Mueller would still get what he needs. I speculate that arriving at an agreement that split the hair in a way both sides can live with is what took the time.
I cannot see Trump approving of such a turn (unless he thought it would get himself off the hook), and Manafort would not want to raise the ire of the person with the pardon pen.
I look forward to seeing the details and tRump’s follow on tweets.
Because if it’s Friday…
Really hope he flipped.
Of your options, not sure he would really need Mueller for the first. It wouldn’t really be a deal with Mueller but a decision to plead guilty of his own volition and informing the prosecution. This doesn’t feel like that. It’s the wording of “Mueller and Manafort reach Tentative Plea Deal” that makes me think he isn’t just pleading guilty and asking the court for mercy. I suppose it’s possible that Mueller thinks there are other fish to fry (Roger Stone, Junior, Erik Prince, Broidy, Kushner come to mind…ok that’s a lot of fish) and is willing to accept a plea to some charges, take a jail sentence and get out of Mueller’s hair. If that’s the case, then man…what does Mueller have lined up!!!
I think your second option is very possible.
I think your 3rd option is also very possible. That’s similar to Cohen’s deal.
The 4th is always a risk to consider.