Discussion: Mueller Finishing Probe, To File Memos On Flynn, Cohen, Manafort This Week

For precision’s sake: what the report references is the obstruction elements. There is no unequivocal statement that other aspects–conspiracy, #RICO, money-laundering, human trafficking, etc–are likewise being “wrapped up.”

From the Yahoo report:

That message was reinforced to some degree Monday when Mueller’s office talked to congressional investigators as part of an ongoing discussion about whether new subpoenas for testimony by House and Senate committees might interfere with Mueller’s investigation.

The response, which surprised one investigator, was that it would not, at least in matters relating to alleged obstruction by the White House in the Russia investigation itself.

https://news.yahoo.com/mueller-preparing-end-game-russia-investigation-225720798.html

As I read it, this does not mean, necessarily, that the investigation as a whole is being “wrapped up.”

Seems an important distinction?

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I think I will take a day of PTO on Friday. :smile:

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I wish I had a dime for every story that promises that the Mueller report is right on the very verge of appearing… then crickets.

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We’ll see stories like this six months from now.

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I’ve been saying for months not to expect Mueller to take down the presidency. He would never want to be in that role. He respects institutions, even if not the men and women within them. If he doesn’t have Trump 100% dead to rights with smoking gun in hand, he’s not going there.

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ABCNews’ headline is rather different–
‘New court filings due this week could offer ‘road map’ to Mueller probe’s next steps’

Then again, the new filings might reveal very little regarding Mueller’s next move.

ETA-Translation: We’re enticing you to come back when we have something to report

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not to expect Mueller to take down the presidency
He respects institutions

… and so has every reason to see the current Orange Stain removed

If he doesn’t have Trump 100% dead to rights

Oh, but I believe he does.

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I hear you, Dr.Coyote, but just the same I think we should all stock up on popcorn. It’s gonna be one of THOSE weeks! :smiley:

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and @old_curmudgeon Dammit, I keep promising myself that I won’t click on these stories and I always get suckered in.

Yahoo News indeed. More like news for yahoos.

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MEMORANDUM TO CONGRESS

FROM: OSC Robert Mueller
RE: President’s Entourage of Criminals in the White House

Michael Flynn - Confessed to multiple crimes. More charges pending.
Michael Cohen - Confessed to multiple crimes. More charges pending.
Paul Manafort - Confessed to multiple crimes. Just getting started.
Donald T rumpp - Buckle up. Stay tuned.
GOP - RIP.

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Yeah, Mueller’s office has a pretty lengthy history of leaking things to news agencies like “Actually this time we really are almost done, for real (and also there was NO COLLUSION!)”. Happens every week. And it definitely couldn’t be sourced from any other team or organization with an ulterior motive.

[rolls eyes]

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I love Infrastructure Premium Popcorn Week.

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I love the smell of indictments in the morning. It reminds me of democracy.

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Yes! A Thomas Friedman Unit or two.

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Erosion, not avalanche

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This is the very reason he might be interested in ejecting Trump.

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Not to the media asshats. They’ll accuse Mueller of lying when he’s only wrapping up the obstruction charge.

But there’s still a sealed grand jury subpoena matter from the D.D.C. on double-secret appeal that most observers think is Mueller’s. And, more importantly, IMO Cohen and Gates got sweetheart deals to actually testify against someone, not just give information for a report. There will be indictments.

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Indeed! Especially the popcorn sprinkled with cilantro!

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And, in support of @erik_t, we have Chief Investigative Correspondent Isikoff’s first sentence in the Yahoo article, a masterpiece worthy of study

WASHINGTON — Special counsel Robert Mueller’s prosecutors have told defense lawyers in recent weeks that they are “tying up loose ends” in their investigation, providing the clearest clues yet that the long-running probe into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election may be coming to its climax, potentially in the next few weeks, according to multiple sources close to the matter.

So, with incredible astuteness, we may deduce that the “defense lawyers” are the leakers, and they are in all likelihood also the “multiple sources” who pop up at the end. Ah, the art of validation! Not one word about the interests of the anonymous leakers, who (as usual) are presumed to be more honest, disinterested, and reliable than anyone in the world of the onymous (now there’s a word we need),.

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