Discussion: How Will The Mueller Grand Jury Handle Classified Information?

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The big picture idea is that a grand jury probably doesn’t need to see or hear the aspects of classified information the government guards most closely.

So there’s no there there?

Thanks for another great post Tierney.

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But Bengazzi

Sorry after hearing Kellyanne yesterday the snark had to come out!

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My understanding is that the counter intelligence investigation is still being conducted by the FBI, no Mueller. And while there is certainly some cross over, for the criminal investigating that Mueller is focused upon, most of the classified information will be part of a larger evidence pool being built to prove each charge.

In other words, Mueller isn’t going to be a indictment that rests entirely upon just classified information, or even largely upon classified information.

Remember, Mueller is basically building a case for impeachment; and all these protocols for protecting classified information at the grand jury (and eventually the trial level) level, go right out the window in front of a full Congress. He wants written records, interviews and depositions given under oath.

Which, btw, are what he gets when he starts deep diving into financial transactions records. :wink:

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I think the there is so big and obvious that everyone will be able to see it.

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What’s the over-under on how long it takes Big Newtie to start pontificating about all the historical precedents going back to King John that “summaries” aren’t good enough evidence?

After all, it’s the “Deep State” doing the editing, and we all know how biased they are.

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Grand juries already operate under an extraordinary level of secrecy.

And yet, grand jury leaks are a fairly well-known occurrence.

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It all depends on the mood that the intelligence community is in. Sometimes facts are OK to disclose, sometimes the fact that the government knows something is by itself considered a disclosure of sources and methods.

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The jurors and prosecutors are forbidden by law to discuss the actions of the GJ.

Witnesses, however, are free to tell all and sundry about their testimony.

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And some 30% of our fellow citizens will continue to insist that the room is not on fire, even through charred, crackling lips.

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Really? What I hear from grand juries is either from witnesses, who are of course not bound to secrecy, or from indictments and no-bills.

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If the case is conducted properly, then it will result in a lot of people copping a plea so they can point their accusations at a core individual. No trials.
Of course, the fat pig… er, prize at the center of it all can do something other than resign, but as his jailhouse lawyer, I would advise against it.
Then, again, this is Mad King Mango we are talking about.
He’ll go, but not until he kicks and screams and tweets and throws all sorts of tantrums, so yeah, I am somewhat concerned.
Oh, fuck that! Get him! No matter what the cost, just see that he is thrown out of office.

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Well yes, but I certainly hope it doesn’t stop there. Jill Wine-Banks, former Watergate prosecutor who has been on MSNBC quite a bit lately, said that when Nixon resigned, the immediate, unanimous reaction of the prosecutors was basically “yes! now let’s get some indictments and prosecute the bastard.” Unfortunately Gerald Ford nipped that one in the bud, but that would be where I hope Mueller is going.

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I don’t really like that initial characterization as a “sprawling investigation” though. That will come later. Right now it’s the collusion and the, essentially, perjury aboaut all the contacts/noncontacts with Russians. And the money laundering thru Trump properties. And the perjury of Sessions and various other White House/Trump “officials.” And the lies. And the emollulation. And the nepotism. And the huckabeesterism. But it’s all focused on Trump and his self promotion. The boot lickers are just lying to move themselves up in his favor. It’s all about Trump.

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Putin will be able to see it from his dacha on the Black Sea!

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(Sorry - don’t know how to make it smaller)

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This is fine.

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Do a search on “grand jury leak” in any given year and you’ll usually find a major story driven by one.

the scope and interest of this investigation goes way past trump.

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You didn’t read Joe’s post. And are leaping to conclusions. Witnesses are free to talk - ergo, they can’t leak.