Mueller closing in on Trump in Russian probe

We already know that the special prosecutor investigating possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia in last year’s election is examining a broad range of transactions involving Trump’s businesses as well as those of his associates. Mueller is looking at the Russian purchases of apartments in Trump's buildings, Trump’s involvement in a controversial SoHo development in New York with Russian associates, the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow and Trump’s sale of a Florida mansion to a Russian oligarch in 2008.

We know a search warrant was obtained and the FBI raided Paul Manafort's home in the early morning hours, and that this has now become a criminal investigation.

Two days ago we learned that Mueller is questioning how much Trump knew about Junior’s 2016 meeting with Kremlin-linked lawyers at Trump Tower and if the President sought to hide the purpose of that meeting, NBC reports.

Trump has denied knowing about the matter until it was revealed by The New York Times. Conversely, the President did, however, help draft his son’s statement to the press in response to reports about the meeting, according to The Washington Post.

“Even if Trump is not charged with a crime as a result of the statement, it could be useful to Mueller’s team to show Trump’s conduct to a jury that may be considering other charges,” an unnamed source said.

Making matters worse for Trump, Junior agreed to sit down for a transcribed interview with the Senate judiciary committee in a closed hearing, as investigators continue to dig into his attendance at a 2016 meeting where he was promised Russian dirt on the Clinton campaign.

After the Senate judiciary committee invited him to attend a July hearing to testify in public, Junior instead cut a deal with the committee to avoid that session. It's unclear if he will eventually testify publicly, but committee leaders have said an open session with Junior is still on the table. Prediction: It is not going to happen. The Republican Congress is playing fast and loose with all the evidence against the Republican President, keeping it away from the prying eyes of the public. There is no reason to believe that policy will end any time soon.

Why the secrecy? If there is nothing to hide as Trump claims, what is the Republican Senate hiding. Obviously, there is something Trump prefers to remain hidden and the Senate is cooperating. This will not escape the purview of the special prosecutor.

In that vein, Mueller has issued subpoenas to a former lawyer for Paul Manafort and to Manafort's current spokesman, an aggressive tactic that suggests an effort to add pressure on the former Trump campaign chairman, who, along with Junior, attended that meeting with the Russians in Trump Tower.

The subpoenas seeking documents and testimony were sent to Melissa Laurenza, an attorney with the Akin Gump law firm who until recently represented Manafort, and to Jason Maloni, who is Manafort's spokesman.

Manafort has not been accused of any wrongdoing. He and the others will be unable to plead the Fifth.

All of this does not bode well for Trump.

 

Rehashing a thread from 3 weeks ago?

 

To borrow from Ben Wittes - tick, tick, tick........

 

IT's going to be Soooo Sweet

 

Good stuff, Shanks

Not sure what rooster is crowing about with his usual drivel.

Anyway, Drumpf and his flunkies are clearly runnin' SCARED.

Probably only a matter of time now till Drumpf tries to fire Muells...

 

Whether you're right, left or in the middle you know that trump is a lying, crooked thief. It's just a matter of time before the fat lady starts to sing.

 

There's nothing old about this. It's quietly ongoing

 

Nope, this one is fresh and new. I just wrote it this morning. I don't suppose you have any idea of what you are talking about?

I didn't think so.

There have been new developments in the Russian probe. They are important.

 

I was just going by the fact that I have seen this same thread title like 8 times with 13 smoking guns. It gets confusing at times. I'm sure you can understand that.

 

If you feel so strongly about this, why not try a new approach. Try defending your hero for a change. Inform me of the errors of my ways. What did I get wrong?

But you can't, can you? The OP was reality and you can't argue with reality. <Reply to Deleted>

 

I'll be brutally honest with you. No, you haven't. <Rule 2>

These are new developments, the oldest one is two days ago.

 

I am used to his drivel. If he ever says something intelligent, I'll have a heart attack.

BTW, thank you.

 

New 'smoking guns'? What happened to all the others?

 

They are still there.

 

You find it confusing and repetitive because this administration's crimes (and high crimes) are confusing and repetitive.

Be ready to read a lot about this as the screws tighten on Trump's collaborators.

Trump might be saved from prosecution by Republicans in Congress, but for criminals like Manafort, Flynn, Junior, Kushner....the ride is just beginning for these guys.

 

Can you point to the proof of these crimes?

I have yet to see any reported. Just a lot of unsourced articles claiming a smoking gun and a clear end to the administration.

 

Although, very surprising, Mueller might have done himself in by seizing documents that carried client-lawyer privilege. Though he seems to going damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead with his inquiry to the lawyers.

 

You were expecting to see a "report"? Apparently it's coming out around Thanksgiving.

I have seen a lot of unsourced articles claiming things that later turn out to be true.

 

Let us hope that God blesses the investigation team and thatvall the damaging facts are revealed and all if the guilty Trumpeizdas are arrested, tried, and spend a long time in prison for any and all crimes that they committed. Let freedom ring, let the truth prevail.

 

I've seen a lot that turned out to be complete garbage also.

 

Oh no, we're not regurgitating (yet again?) the supposed 'Russian connection' of the presidential election of 8 effing months ago are we! The embittered Left scraping the bottom of the barrel, or what!!

 

Nonsense thread.

Even The Nation has cracked on the Trump Russia collusion prank.

Look here, progs. Enjoy your cup 'o bitters.

https://www.thenation.com/article/a-new-report-raises-big-questions-about-last-years-dnc-hack/

 

This ^^ means absolutely nothing. The left continues to flail on the Russian collusion conspiracy.

 

"Closing in" implies that the conclusion is predetermined.

 

What crimes are those ?? Hint - there are no crimes except for the leaking of ret. Gen Flynn's name.