Mueller talking to congress

[HomerJS]

Nancy Pelosi still balking on impeachment. Absent that Mueller and Don McGahn need to testify in public ASAP. Let the subpoenas fly

 

[HomerJS]

So when they say its a long standing policy to not charge a president with a crime, does that mean its the law written somewhere, or just the way it has been for along time? Meaning one could buck that trend if they wanted to?

The Office of Legal Counsel has this as a rule/guideline. It's not a law. It could be bucked. however Mueller has a reputation of following the rules

 

[ivwshane]

Doesn't the Senate need to convict him? I may be way out of date (it's been a long while since I've read up on civics) but don't you need 2/3 of the Senate to convict a President? I'm not sure that's possible with the politics in play. The worst case is he beats the impeachment and the undecided think he's been right in saying that the Democrats have been wasting time with party politics.

Yes you do need the senate to actually remove the president through impeachment. That is unlikely to happen no matter what the evidence is or how damning it is. The purpose of the house going through impeachment despite the senate is because it's their job, period. Either the president's behavior is ok or it isn't. I myself prefer not to have a future president who is like trump but who is competent.

 

[glenn1]

The Office of Legal Counsel has this as a rule/guideline. It's not a law. It could be bucked. however Mueller has a reputation of following the rules

It makes a certain amount of practical sense though since POTUS could conceivably pardon himself of any crime he was arrested for by the DOJ (they only have jurisdiction over federal and not state/local laws) so it would be somewhat of a pointless exercise.

 

[Skel]

Yes you do need the senate to actually remove the president through impeachment. That is unlikely to happen no matter what the evidence is or how damning it is. The purpose of the house going through impeachment despite the senate is because it's their job, period. Either the president's behavior is ok or it isn't. I myself prefer not to have a future president who is like trump but who is competent.

I agree with you on them doing their job, but if he's not convicted isn't that saying his behavior is OK? More so, that's saying it on a large scale. Clinton soared in approval ratings after he beat his. I can't help but feel that the undecideds and people that don't follow politics will walk away from it thinking he's been right and there wasn't any collusion or obstruction.

 

[simpletron]

Is Trump's Fox news armor cracking? or has Fox news haven't figured out how to spin the Mueller statement? Only time will tell.

 

[ivwshane]

I agree with you on them doing their job, but if he's not convicted isn't that saying his behavior is OK? More so, that's saying it on a large scale. Clinton soared in approval ratings after he beat his. I can't help but feel that the undecideds and people that don't follow politics will walk away from it thinking he's been right and there wasn't any collusion or obstruction.

The American people saw Clinton's impeachment for what it was, an actual political witch hunt. The American people would see trumps impeachment for what it is, holding the president accountable for abusing his power. They will see the Republican party as they've seen it for the last decade, as an obstructionist, party before country party.

I believe the Democrats should move forward with impeachment and hammer home not only the crimes trump has committed but also the fact that it's their duty and they will do their duty despite knowing that the Republican controlled senate will not do their job.

 

[akenbennu]

The American people saw Clinton's impeachment for what it was, an actual political witch hunt. The American people would see trumps impeachment for what it is, holding the president accountable for abusing his power. They will see the Republican party as they've seen it for the last decade, as an obstructionist, party before country party.

I believe the Democrats should move forward with impeachment and hammer home not only the crimes trump has committed but also the fact that it's their duty and they will do their duty despite knowing that the Republican controlled senate will not do their job.

I'm inclined to agree here, even if the Senate not guilty plea is a partisan foregone conclusion.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

It makes a certain amount of practical sense though since POTUS could conceivably pardon himself of any crime he was arrested for by the DOJ (they only have jurisdiction over federal and not state/local laws) so it would be somewhat of a pointless exercise.

Don't bet on that surviving the SCOTUS as nowhere is the principle of self-pardon accepted by Founders. In fact "let no man be the judge in his own case" is and self-pardon would be just that. The principle doesn't mean and never did require that Trump or anyone else be a judge.

Impeachment is a good tool to show the depravity of a President, far greater than any in the case of Trump. That the Senate may disallow Trump being a mass murderer or anything else, doesn't erase the facts of the matter. Indeed it shows them to be complicit with their approval and defense. Better that seen before 2020.

 

[fskimospy]

It makes a certain amount of practical sense though since POTUS could conceivably pardon himself of any crime he was arrested for by the DOJ (they only have jurisdiction over federal and not state/local laws) so it would be somewhat of a pointless exercise.

The reason why the president can't pardon himself is the same reason why the DOJ opinion that the president can't be indicted is very shaky as well. After all, the entire federal government resides in the Washington, DC area, an area entirely under federal legal jurisdiction. By any logic where the president can't be indicted or can pardon himself for any federal crime there is zero legal impediment to him slaughtering both Congress and the Supreme Court if they defy him and having that be 100% legal.

It's pretty clear that the origins of the DOJ opinion are transparently self-serving by the executive. The two memos that support that were from Nixon when he was in imminent danger of indictment and Clinton when he was in kinda-sorta danger of indictment.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

The American people saw Clinton's impeachment for what it was, an actual political witch hunt. The American people would see trumps impeachment for what it is, holding the president accountable for abusing his power. They will see the Republican party as they've seen it for the last decade, as an obstructionist, party before country party.

I believe the Democrats should move forward with impeachment and hammer home not only the crimes trump has committed but also the fact that it's their duty and they will do their duty despite knowing that the Republican controlled senate will not do their job.

Mueller pretty much told Nancy that they should impeach. Listening to her live a short time ago after Mueller spoke, she acts as if impeachment is on the table, but who really knows?

 

[JEDIYoda]

No, he said the opposite. There exists an inherent right to investigate a sitting President, firmly contradicting Trump's personal attornies. A report can be prepared on the facts of the matter, however the DOJ can't prosecute according to policies which I disagree with but they exist regardless. Mueller told us Trump was guilty and why he couldn't prosecute. I didn't expect that much. Now it's up to Pelosi to impeach or let Trump get away with his crimes without so much as a proper accusal, and the Republicans to scuttle the facts in a way what would have astounded Nixon.

Mueller did his job properly even though we might wish otherwise. Again it's up to Pelosi to take the next significant step.

True, but we all know it will never even get to the floor of the Senate....

 

[sportage]

Frankly, Mueller should be ashamed.
HE KNOWS.... HE KNOWS.... Exactly the crimes Trump and his family and his administration both past and present have committed. And most likely are still committing.
MUELLER KNOWS....
For Mueller to pussy-foot around this is simply deplorable and more so, EXTREMELY UNPATRIOTIC.
Mueller knows the crime.
Mueller has seen the evidence.
And yet.... refuses to take any action.
And.... talks gobbledy beloved patriot around the issue and around his personal duty as an American Justice professional.
SHAMEFUL!

I kinda see what Nancy Pelosi is doing here.
Nancy thinks the same and feels it is Mueller that needs to jump-start this process of impeachment by telling what he knows.
The full truth and nothing but the truth.
While Mueller has all the evidence right before him, Mueller had rather pass the buck onto congress to re-do all the dirty work from square one.
And that could be do-able except, we have a full 1/2 of congress unwilling to do their patriotic duty.

And what I want to know..... when will Mitch McConnell be named as co-conspirator because THAT is exactly what he is.
At this point, Mitch McConnell is as guilty in crime as Donald Trump.
See.... this is what we get when we have no term limits for congress AND, we see first hand the corruption of power.
Mitch McConnell is all about THE POWER.
If this were the 1800's and the founding fathers were in charge, Mitch McConnell would be hanged as a traitor.
But he won't be.
And this is how governments collapse.

 

[Burpo]

Not true.. Mueller did his job.. Time for Congress to do theirs..

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Frankly, Mueller should be ashamed.
HE KNOWS.... HE KNOWS.... Exactly the crimes Trump and his family and his administration both past and present have committed. And most likely are still committing.
MUELLER KNOWS....
For Mueller to pussy-foot around this is simply deplorable and more so, EXTREMELY UNPATRIOTIC.
Mueller knows the crime.
Mueller has seen the evidence.
And yet.... refuses to take any action.
And.... talks gobbledy beloved patriot around the issue and around his personal duty as an American Justice professional.
SHAMEFUL!

I kinda see what Nancy Pelosi is doing here.
Nancy thinks the same and feels it is Mueller that needs to jump-start this process of impeachment by telling what he knows.
The full truth and nothing but the truth.
While Mueller has all the evidence right before him, Mueller had rather pass the buck onto congress to re-do all the dirty work from square one.
And that could be do-able except, we have a full 1/2 of congress unwilling to do their patriotic duty.

And what I want to know..... when will Mitch McConnell be named as co-conspirator because THAT is exactly what he is.
At this point, Mitch McConnell is as guilty in crime as Donald Trump.
See.... this is what we get when we have no term limits for congress AND, we see first hand the corruption of power.
Mitch McConnell is all about THE POWER.
If this were the 1800's and the founding fathers were in charge, Mitch McConnell would be hanged as a traitor.
But he won't be.
And this is how governments collapse.

Congratulations on your commonality with Trump. If something is properly done but not to your liking then accuse them of being EXTREMELY UNPATRIOTIC. Never mind the rule of law. Never mind that Mueller DID lay out the crimes for all to see and that people are too lazy to read or so ignorant that they don't get that. Muller did his duty under the rule of law, that thing that Trump and apparently you disregard when it does not fulfill your wish for things to be done as you would.

No, I will not have it from Trump nor any other person or party. Mueller revealed the truth and did what he was permitted without delegitimizing everything that went into the report. Deal with it.

Mueller DID jump start things and DID tell what he knows and that IS his limits within the system. Suck it up and get onto Pelosi because Mueller as much told the public where action needs to be taken, and that is by the House first, and for the Senate to sabotage. That is not the fault of Mueller.

Settle down and grow up. I'm as pissed at Trump as anyone but I will not burn down our collective "house" to get rid of the worst rat.

 

[Skel]

The American people saw Clinton's impeachment for what it was, an actual political witch hunt. The American people would see trumps impeachment for what it is, holding the president accountable for abusing his power. They will see the Republican party as they've seen it for the last decade, as an obstructionist, party before country party.

I believe the Democrats should move forward with impeachment and hammer home not only the crimes trump has committed but also the fact that it's their duty and they will do their duty despite knowing that the Republican controlled senate will not do their job.

Again, it's not that I so much disagree with you as I'm just no where as confident as you. We are talking about a President that shouldn't have been elected if we held to these standards. I'm not sure how we'll go from that to everyone seeing the GOP as obstructionist. I can't help but feel if anything, impeachment would harden already divided stances even more. The undecided/non-paying attention voter (or mouthbreather if you'd like), who's critical to elections, will only see the 'not guilty' and hear a President going on the attack with it. I'm not saying the Democrats shouldn't impeach him. I just see that it's a lot more complicated with an election season just around the corner. They really need a public testimony from someone that works for him like Nixon. Until they have something so huge that the GOP can't easily deflect, the risk might not be worth the reward.

 

[Moonbeam]

Oh, we need an investigation, we need someone that works for Congress not the DOJ to do that investigation. Allowing the DOJ to investigate the administration it works for is an inherent conflict of interest. That is what we learned.

What we learned is that Mueller preserved the evidence for an impeachment trial because he couldn't, in his opinion, charge the President himself.

 

[LurchFrinky]

Again, it's not that I so much disagree with you as I'm just no where as confident as you. We are talking about a President that shouldn't have been elected if we held to these standards. I'm not sure how we'll go from that to everyone seeing the GOP as obstructionist. I can't help but feel if anything, impeachment would harden already divided stances even more. The undecided/non-paying attention voter (or mouthbreather if you'd like), who's critical to elections, will only see the 'not guilty' and hear a President going on the attack with it. I'm not saying the Democrats shouldn't impeach him. I just see that it's a lot more complicated with an election season just around the corner. They really need a public testimony from someone that works for him like Nixon. Until they have something so huge that the GOP can't easily deflect, the risk might not be worth the reward.

Isn't this what an impeachment in the house will accomplish?

 

[Maxima1]

Congratulations on your commonality with Trump. If something is properly done but not to your liking then accuse them of being EXTREMELY UNPATRIOTIC. Never mind the rule of law. Never mind that Mueller DID lay out the crimes for all to see and that people are too lazy to read or so ignorant that they don't get that. Muller did his duty under the rule of law, that thing that Trump and apparently you disregard when it does not fulfill your wish for things to be done as you would.

No, I will not have it from Trump nor any other person or party. Mueller revealed the truth and did what he was permitted without delegitimizing everything that went into the report. Deal with it.

Mueller DID jump start things and DID tell what he knows and that IS his limits within the system. Suck it up and get onto Pelosi because Mueller as much told the public where action needs to be taken, and that is by the House first, and for the Senate to sabotage. That is not the fault of Mueller.

Settle down and grow up. I'm as pissed at Trump as anyone but I will not burn down our collective "house" to get rid of the worst rat.

One word: R-E-P-U-B-L-I-C-A-N

https://twitter.com/x/status/1133770548968861697

 

[cytg111]

Yea Fox News generals havent emerged from das Führerbunker with a battle plan on this yet .. The troops are certainly not aligned.

Here is Gowdy on Fox
https://video.foxnews.com/v/6042420644001/

Brett Baier
https://video.foxnews.com/v/6042352613001/

 

[sportage]

Trump praised the collusion. Praised Wikileaks. Praised Soviet interference.
Mueller has the evidence. Mueller knows exactly what happened.
Nancy Pelosi is waiting for a miracle from Heaven, I guess?
In the mean time, nada? Nothing?
Seriously?
If this were how local law enforcement worked and the local court system worked, no one would ever go to jail or be held accountable for any crime.
Murders could rum ramped and theft would be called grocery shopping.

 

[Jhhnn]

The Dems unwisely did away with the power of Congress because of the real witch hunt of Clinton. It would have been far better to keep the rule, strengthen any weakness discovered and stipulated conditions which could be invoked or at least provide a means in advance which allows advancement or rejection of the process.

That however is what should have happened and what could again, but I don't see it happening. That leaves justice to the "impartial" Barr.

The GOP held both the House & Senate at the time.

 

[Skel]

Isn't this what an impeachment in the house will accomplish?

I don't think so. It'll allow the GOP to continue to paint the Democrats as bitter losers intent on wasting everyone's time. If he's found not guilty then they'll be able to really turn the screws on the Democrats.

 

[Maxima1]

I don't think so. It'll allow the GOP to continue to paint the Democrats as bitter losers intent on wasting everyone's time. If he's found not guilty then they'll be able to really turn the screws on the Democrats.

Nah. The impeachment inquiry would expose him as the con man that he is.

 

[UNCjigga]

Fine you don't charge the President, what about Jr and Kushner?

Farmed out to states to avoid the auto-pardon (and keep Mueller out of Trump’s crosshairs—any indictments on family and its game over SCO.)