Lordy, I hope there are tapes.
“another possibility being contemplated was an affidavit signed by the president affirming he was innocent of any wrongdoing and denying any collusion”
Seems reasonable.
Where’s the Fifth Amendment when you really need it?
Shorter Trump team response
Unless the univerview is conducted: 1) with 2 FBI agents present, 2) and fully video taped, I say Mueller should pass. Deposition under oath with a transcript would also be nice. Trump needs to fully understand there’s no do-overs or playing around. If he wants to speak his peace he can do it, but he’s going to answer the government’s questions.
Bets on how long it takes for the genius to perjure himself? Six seconds? Less?
i can’t tell which will screw them up more, written answers or Trump actually talking to Mueller. On the one hand, written answers can be a group project and edited before giving them to the FBI. On the other hand, these guys are idiots and will probably still incriminate themselves, plus there’d be written proof. Although, I suppose that wouldn’t stop them from lying and claiming FAKE Documents!
With Trump actually being interviewed, he’s so stupid and arrogant he’s admit to everything and then claim he’s the president so it’s all OK. Hahaha! You can’t get me for lying to the FBI! Me’s Smart!
I think they want to avoid drump talking in person at all cost, the guy can’t control himself.
I’m unclear as to why it is up for debate whether the President can be compelled to give testimony to the Special Counsel.
For the Independent Counsel: Kenneth W. Starr, Independent Counsel; Jackie M. Bennett Jr., Robert J. Bittman and Solomon L. Wisenberg, deputy independent counsels; Michael W. Emmick, Mary Anne Wirth, and Bernard J. Apperson, associate independent counsels,
For the President: David E. Kendall and Nicole Seligman, of Williams & Connolly; Charles F.C. Ruff, counsel to the president.
MR. APPERSON: Mr. Wisenberg, the grand jury is in session. There is a quorum. There are no unauthorized persons in the grand jury room and they are prepared to receive the testimony of the President.
MR. WISENBERG: Thank you, Mr. Apperson. If we could proceed with the oath, please? WHEREUPON, William Jefferson Clinton, having been called for examination by the Independent Counsel, and having been first duly sworn, was examined and testified as follows:
EXAMINATION BY THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL
BY MR. WISENBERG:
Q: Good afternoon, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Good afternoon.
Q: Could you please state your full name for the record, sir?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: William Jefferson Clinton.
Q: My name is Sol Wisenberg and I'm a Deputy Independent Counsel with the Office of Independent Counsel. With me today are some other attorneys from the Office of Independent Counsel.
At the courtroom are the ladies and gentlemen of the grand jury prepared to receive your testimony as you give it. Do you understand, sir?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Yes, I do.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/bctest092198_1.htmI think a verbal interview might be so incoherent as to be incrimination-proof. I mean, if Trump made a sworn statement to the effect that “I wash born here, an I wash raished here, and dad gum it, I am gonna die here, an no sidewindin’ bushwackin’, hornswagglin’ cracker croaker is gonna rouin me bishen cutter”, is that a lie, exactly?
You forgot to adjust for the IOKIYAR factor.
I strongly suspect that Mueller’s team will ask Trump questions they already know the answers to.
Why would a stable genius hesitate to spar with Mueller’s legal team?
Hey, Donnie, pretend it’s Michael Schmidt asking the questions
If they hook Hair Furor up to a lie detector, it’ll explode the second its attached…
That will be the most excruciating transcript, ever.
Heh heh.
Mueller: “Is it safe?”
Less.