Discussion: CNN: DOJ Could Get Mueller Report As Soon As Next Week

[castor_troy]

@khyber900

I view this as more empty speculation. I can see Barr requesting an interim status report from Mueller, but not much more than that. There are too many moving parts here.

Or Mueller was ready to move on everything, but knew that Whitaker would block his indictments, so waited for his old friend to show up at the office.

[zenicetus]

So the indictments are Friday? I’m getting my popcorn ready now.

[khyber900]

I dunno. I would like to see a Big Bang, but I do think there are many layers of complexity to this inquiry which Robert Mueller is more uniquely positioned to manage so even if he is not doing the prosecuting, he would be needed as a QB of the whole thing.

[karlsgems]

Yeah, the more I think about this the more I think Khyber900 is right. This has to just be a status report. I mean look at all those transcripts Congress (Schiff) just sent over, they can’t possibly be done with those yet!!
This investigation is humongous, there is no way it’s done by next week. Just no way.

[occamscoin]

@zenicetus

So the indictments are Friday?

Mueller does like the 1-2 punch approach, so if there’s indictments this week I’m betting they’ll drop within minutes of Stone’s jailing on Thursday. Of course, we might get neither.

[ralph_vonholst]

If Ken Dilanian weighs in on this, I’ll be even more convinced that this is sheer speculation or mischaracterization of “report”.

[occamscoin]

@karlsgems

This investigation is humongous, there is no way it’s done by next week. Just no way.

If you’re right, then why would Barr say such a thing? Because audience of one is going off the rails and needs to be placated to avoid doing some very stupid thing this week?

[karlsgems]

@zenicetus

So the indictments are Friday? I’m getting my popcorn ready now.

I’m not so sure about that anymore. That pattern has been broken for quite some time now, so I’m not sure we should wait in suspense for that on a Friday.

But I’d love to be wrong…

[gin]

I want to know if there is any danger that Barr could just put an end to everything? Like, obviously Mueller’s not really done.

[bonvivant]

I’m so totally prepared to be underwhelmed.

[castor_troy]

@khyber900

I dunno. I would like to see a Big Bang, but I do think there are many layers of complexity to this inquiry which Robert Mueller is more uniquely positioned to manage so even if he is not doing the prosecuting, he would be needed as a QB of the whole thing.

Under normal circumstances, I’d agree. Problem here is that the mess is so complex, Trump could serve a full 8 years, retire, and die before a Final report could be published.

Mueller has to be cognizant of the fact that basically the entire planet is waiting to see if he has a smoking gun. And if he has one, now that he has a personal friend in the office, this is the chance to get it out there.

[jjwhack]

A report on obstruction of justice? Maybe. A closure of criminal investigations into conspiracy to defraud the US, espionage, money laundering, tax evasion, perjury, acting as unregistered foreign agents, coordinated violations of campaign finance laws etc.? It’s not over by a long shot.

[karlsgems]

@occamscoin

If you’re right, then why would Barr say such a thing? Because audience of one is going off the rails and needs to be placated to avoid doing some very stupid thing this week?

I’m not convinced that he did. If CNN is the source, then I think we need to hear it from someone else before we start to believe it. I’m not a hater of CNN, but I just can never look at them the same after they blew the Obamacare Scotus ruling…

[ralph_vonholst]

@occamscoin

If you’re right, then why would Barr say such a thing? Because audience of one is going off the rails and needs to be placated to avoid doing some very stupid thing this week?

Well, you are probably right about the audience of one. But Trump does several very stupid things every day. What could anyone do about that? This is to prove Barr’s loyalty in that he’s “pushing” on Mueller.

[khyber900]

Starting to buy into your view. @emptywheel also believes that this is not Barr shutting Mueller down, but Mueller waiting for Barr to get in place.

If I also tie it to the McCabe book tour and the subsequent revelations, it feels like the military and nat sec establishment might get their moment to stick it to Trump. It just feels odd that so much of the establishment believe Trump is a real danger and for nothing to be done about it. In most systems, a counter-reaction emerges. That time might be now.

[zenicetus]

@gin

I want to know if there is any danger that Barr could just put an end to everything? Like, obviously Mueller’s not really done.

He might quash some or most of the Russian collusion stuff, but Second District of New York is heavily involved on the money laundering and other financial hi jinks. And that’s pardon-proof. Barr might technically be in charge of that at the top of the DOJ, but I don’t think he could mess with it and not have major repercussions from Congress.

[pluckyinky]

@khyber900

I view this as more empty speculation. I can see Barr requesting an interim status report from Mueller, but not much more than that. There are too many moving parts here.

I realize the raid on Stone wasn’t carried out by Mueller’s folks, but wouldn’t he want to wait until they sift through all the evidence collected there to see what may be relevant to his investigation before he issues a report?

[causeforconcern]

It’s kind of crazy to think about how little transparency is involved in something so crucial to the good of the country and the public.

[erik_t]

@ralph_vonholst

This is to prove Barr’s loyalty.

And honestly, I just don’t really see it. Trump couldn’t get Whitaker to step in front of this bus. Why would Barr do it?

I don’t think Barr is any friend of the investigation, but I don’t think he’s an idiot. And just so the point isn’t lost here, I manifestly think Matt Whitaker is an idiot.

[occamscoin]

@ralph_vonholst

But Trump does several very stupid things every day.

Yes, but Barr could have said something generic, like “soon”, “next month”, etc. Promising it in one week is too specific and Individual One is likely to remember “you said this week!”. So that makes me think maybe Barr badly needs to delay or distract him for just this week.