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Does it actually count as politics if, for example, Mueller already had firm evidence that Trump and co were willing foreign assets and continued to be willing assets, but hadn't finished investigating a bunch of other crimes that were turned up in the course of the investigation? In such a case, I definitely wouldn't consider it "political" to ship off a bunch of the other crime investigations to those who would more normally hold jurisdiction for investigating those crimes and present the firm evidence at hand. It's not so much that that the motivations to do so are "political" so much as upholding "national security."

It's always seemed that Mueller is doing a very thorough job - as is to be expected when the target of an investigation is the most powerful man in the world. I find it hard to imagine that Mueller would then attempt to bring such a case without even interviewing all the key witnesses.
 
It's always seemed that Mueller is doing a very thorough job - as is to be expected when the target of an investigation is the most powerful man in the world. I find it hard to imagine that Mueller would then attempt to bring such a case without even interviewing all the key witnesses.

To be clear, I'm not arguing that it's happening. Rather, that it's plausible. With that said... to give some context to this objection, I think I'll poke at NBC News.

The third possibility — and one that I suggest is growing more likely by the day — is that evidentiary developments in the investigation may have moved the president from being a “subject” of the investigation to being a “target.” If this is the case, then Department of Justice policies would strongly argue against using a grand jury subpoena to compel the president to testify.

Also...

One other pattern has emerged that could provide additional insight. Several of the individuals indicted were not subpoenaed prior to being charged. For example, Paul Manafort (obviously a target) was not subpoenaed to the grand jury; he was indicted. Rick Gates was not subpoenaed to the grand jury; he was indicted. Alex van der Zwaan was not subpoenaed to the grand jury; he was indicted. Of course, this pattern doesn’t prove that Stone, Kushner, Don Jr. or the president are targets of Mueller’s investigation or that they will be indicted.
 
But is that because Mueller is done, or because Barr's shut it down?
If it shuts down, it's because Barr shut it down. Mueller has indictments on the way, lots of redacted information in current filings relating to as-yet unknown indictments, and just a few weeks ago reserved another six months of grand jury time. He won't be done for a while.
 
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If it shuts down, it's because Barr shut it down. Mueller has indictments on the way, lots of redacted information in current filings relating to as-yet unknown indictments, and just a few weeks ago reserved another six months of grand jury time. He won't be done for a while.

The House would have the authority to acquire all of the documentation and continue these investigations, would they not?
 
The House would have the authority to acquire all of the documentation and continue these investigations, would they not?
Yeah, but I wouldn't put much faith in them. I'd expect everyone they call to immediately start claiming executive privilege for everything.


Thinking more about it, it's possible that I've got it backwards. Could be Mueller has wanted to make a move for a while, but knew his boss would classify the report and sit on it.

Consider his bosses have been Sessions, who is literally a coconspirator, Rosenstein, who was already caught up in the obstruction case, and what's his name, the fraud guy. Mueller's charged with producing a singular report. One. So he couldn't issue anything preliminary, or they'd have said "there you go that's the report, we'll take it into advisement, thanks." But maybe he trusts Barr enough to do the right thing, and doesn't need to stall anymore.
 
Is Stone going to join his buddy Manafort behind bars? In court today he could see his bail revoked because he ignored gag order.
 
Is Stone going to join his buddy Manafort behind bars? In court today he could see his bail revoked because he ignored gag order.

I think it's a fair possibility, given that even after issuing the apology and being called back into court he was still badmouthing the judge on social media.
 
Is Stone going to join his buddy Manafort behind bars? In court today he could see his bail revoked because he ignored gag order.

If Stone gets put into jail because of his big, fat, lying mouth, then such a thing could not possibly happen to a nicer guy.
 
Wonder if Stone is trying for an insanity plea...

"Wasn't me posting those comments, your honour. It was my friend, that giant white rabbit named Harvey, sitting just over there." [points at court clerk]
 
Stone has had another go at the judge in a fund raising email to his 'fans'

He accused the judge of being biased because she’s an “Obama-appointed Federal Judge” and accusing her of wanting to place a gag order on him so he “cannot raise the money necessary to mount a vigorous legal defense.”
 
Stone has had another go at the judge in a fund raising email to his 'fans'

He accused the judge of being biased because she’s an “Obama-appointed Federal Judge” and accusing her of wanting to place a gag order on him so he “cannot raise the money necessary to mount a vigorous legal defense.”

So he might have to *gasp* pay his own legal fees? The horror!
 
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