quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I want to be appointed Press Secretary. I would make several changes.

First, I would hold a press conference once a week. 0800 every Monday for one hour.

Next, I would ban Jim Acosta from attending.

Finally, I would instruct the rest of them that they are free to ask any question they like...and then they will shut the fuck up and let me answer it. When I am done speaking, they may ask a follow up question. Once. Anyone breaking this rule, interrupting, or talking over me, will promptly be escorted from the room and not allowed to return.

I keep waiting for a spokesman or press representative to let the press corps know that if they want to behave like unruly children, then they will be treated as such. When someone acts up (like Acosta) they get removed and literally call it a time-out - that beloved Liberal catchword - so that it is understood by the Left. Act up again and you are removed from the playground, never to return. Of course the media would go crazy about this but how would that be different from any other day? What's more, it doesn't mattter how spun up they get because they will never stop being the vile, hateful, persons they already are so lets play our game - not theirs.

Special Counsel Mueller Impanels Washington Grand Jury in Russia Probe
Expansion beyond Flynn grand jury is a sign the investigation in election meddling is ramping up

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury in Washington to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections, a sign that his inquiry is growing in intensity and entering a new phase, according to people familiar with the matter.

The grand jury, which began its work in recent weeks, is a sign that Mr. Mueller’s inquiry is ramping up and that it will likely continue for months. Mr. Mueller is investigating Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 election and whether President Donald Trump’s campaign or associates colluded with the Kremlin as part of that effort.

A spokesman for Mr. Mueller, Joshua Stueve, declined to comment. Moscow has denied seeking to influence the election, and Mr. Trump has vigorously disputed allegations of collusion. The president has called Mr. Mueller’s inquiry a “witch hunt.”

Ty Cobb, special counsel to the president, said he wasn’t aware that Mr. Mueller had started using a new grand jury. “Grand jury matters are typically secret,” Mr. Cobb said. “The White House favors anything that accelerates the conclusion of his work fairly.…The White House is committed to fully cooperating with Mr. Mueller.”

Before Mr. Mueller was tapped in May to be special counsel, federal prosecutors had been using at least one other grand jury, located in Alexandria, Va., to assist in their criminal investigation of Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser. That probe, which has been taken over by Mr. Mueller’s team, focuses on Mr. Flynn’s work in the private sector on behalf of foreign interests.

Grand juries are powerful investigative tools that allow prosecutors to subpoena documents, put witnesses under oath and seek indictments, if there is evidence of a crime. Legal experts said that the decision by Mr. Mueller to impanel a grand jury suggests he believes he will need to subpoena records and take testimony from witnesses.

A grand jury in Washington is also more convenient for Mr. Mueller and his 16 attorneys—they work just a few blocks from the U.S. federal courthouse where grand juries meet—than one that is 10 traffic-clogged miles away in Virginia.
How Much Power Does a Special Counsel Have?
Special Counsel Robert Mueller is taking over the investigation into potential links between President Trump's campaign and Russian officials. WSJ's Shelby Holliday explains just how broad his authority can go.

“This is yet a further sign that there is a long-term, large-scale series of prosecutions being contemplated and being pursued by the special counsel,” said Stephen I. Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas. “If there was already a grand jury in Alexandria looking at Flynn, there would be no need to reinvent the wheel for the same guy. This suggests that the investigation is bigger and wider than Flynn, perhaps substantially so.”

Thomas Zeno, a federal prosecutor for 29 years before becoming a lawyer at the Squire Patton Boggs law firm, said the grand jury is “confirmation that this is a very vigorous investigation going on.”

“This doesn’t mean he is going to bring charges,” Mr. Zeno cautioned. “But it shows he is very serious. He wouldn’t do this if it were winding down.”

Another sign the investigation is ramping up: Greg Andres, a top partner in a powerhouse New York law firm, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, has joined Mr. Mueller’s team.

Mr. Andres, a former top Justice Department official who also oversaw the criminal division of the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn, wouldn’t leave his private-sector job for a low-level investigation, Mr. Zeno said.

“People like Greg Andres don’t leave private practice willy-nilly,” Mr. Zeno said. “The fact he is being added after couple of months shows how serious this is and that it could last a long time.”

Mr. Andres couldn't be reached for comment.

The developments unfolded amid a new sign of concern by Congress that Mr. Mueller’s independence needs to be protected. Sens. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) and Chris Coons (D., Del.) introduced legislation Thursday making it harder for Mr. Trump to fire Mr. Mueller. Under the legislation, a special counsel could challenge his or her removal, with a three-judge panel ruling within 14 days on whether the firing was justified.

If the panel found no good cause for the firing, the special counsel would immediately be reinstated. The legislation follows a similar effort from Sens. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) and Cory Booker (D., N.J.)

“The introduction of two bills with two different bipartisan pairs strengthens the message that there is broad concern about this,” said Mr. Coons, who said that Mr. Tillis approached him on the Senate floor about teaming up on legislation.

According to a January report from the U.S. intelligence community, the highest levels of the Russian government were involved in directing the electoral interference. Its tactics included hacking state election systems; infiltrating and leaking information from party committees and political strategists; and disseminating through social media and other outlets negative stories about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and positive ones about Mr. Trump, the report said.

It is unclear how long Mr. Mueller’s investigation will last, and there is no deadline for its completion. The probe is complicated by the classified nature of much of the information Mr. Mueller’s team is reviewing. Evidence of its sensitivity came in June when Mr. Mueller moved from his temporary offices to a nearby secure facility that his representatives have declined to identify.

While working closely with Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, Mr. Mueller has assembled a team of accomplished prosecutors and lawyers specializing in criminal and national security law. Twelve attorneys are on temporary assignment to the special counsel’s office from the Justice Department or FBI, and three came from Mr. Mueller’s firm of WilmerHale. Mr. Andres is the most recent addition.

Mr. Trump has questioned the neutrality of Mr. Mueller’s office, telling Fox News he is concerned that Mr. Mueller’s prosecutors are “Hillary Clinton supporters” and that Messrs. Mueller and Comey are friends. Mr. Comey was a top Justice official in the George W. Bush administration when Mr. Mueller was the FBI director; both are Republicans.

Those who know both men said they aren’t social friends, though they respect each other and had a solid relationship in government.

At least eight members of Mr. Mueller’s team have given to Democratic candidates, including the presidential campaigns of Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton, according to Federal Election Commission records. At least one—James Quarles, a member of the Watergate Special Prosecution Force—has donated to politicians in both parties.

Mr. Andres in March supported a Democratic lawmaker, donating $2,700 to Kirsten Gillibrand, a U.S. senator representing New York, according federal campaign disclosure records.

Mr. Mueller made two contributions in 1996 to Republican William Weld, then a candidate for a U.S. senate seat in Massachusetts, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks money in politics.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/s...sia-probe-1501788287

Mueller is a patsy for the democratic party, just like his buddy Comey was.

Pure political assination. This should have been stopped months ago. I wonder how much he was paid?

I hope this Grand Jury tells Mueller to his democratic face that "You have nothing." Go home!"

RMD

quote:

Originally posted by rduckwor:
I hope this Grand Jury tells Mueller to his democratic face that "You have nothing." Go home!"

RMD

Ha, not a chance. We're talking about Washington, DC here. This witch-hunt is full speed ahead.

It will be interesting to see what President Trump has up his sleeve regarding the witch hunt. He's been 2,3...4 steps ahead of everyone so far.

Tony.

A lot of talk about how honorable and fair Mueller will be. Sounds familiar. Remember the PR build up of Comey as the Clinton email case first evolved ?

You would have to be pretty naïve if you didn't think Mueller has assembled a prosecutor hit team to take down President Trump.

So Mueller is a democratic operative. Does that mean if the grand jury recommends bringing charges they are all democratic operatives also?

quote:

Originally posted by daikyu:
So Mueller is a democratic operative. Does that mean if the grand jury recommends bringing charges they are all democratic operatives also?

Impaneled from the fine citizens of Washington DC? Surely you jest?

Probably the real reason a DC grand jury is preferred to the pre-existing Virginia one.

So that is a yes? A grand conspiracy?

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:

quote:

Originally posted by daikyu:
So Mueller is a democratic operative. Does that mean if the grand jury recommends bringing charges they are all democratic operatives also?

Impaneled from the fine citizens of Washington DC? Surely you jest?

Probably the real reason a DC grand jury is preferred to the pre-existing Virginia one.

quote:

Originally posted by daikyu:
So Mueller is a democratic operative. Does that mean if the grand jury recommends bringing charges they are all democratic operatives also?

Yes, that's precisely what it means.

"Does that mean if the grand jury recommends bringing charges they are all democratic operatives also?"

A team of heavyweight zealots (is it 16 or 17 on Mueller's team ?) can always drag up stuff to call for an indictment. This Russia stuff has gone on for a year. Largely triggered by the "dossier" that no one can confirm and in which there are known falsehoods.

**********************

switch topic:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/0...epublican-trump.html

Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia, a Democrat who was elected last year even as President Trump carried the state by 42 points, is expected to announce Thursday night at a rally with Mr. Trump that he is changing parties, according to three sources familiar with the plans.

Speaking to reporters in the White House Thursday, Mr. Trump promised “a very big announcement” at a gathering in Huntington, W.V., that is expected to draw thousands of supporters from across Appalachia, a region that gave Mr. Trump some of the largest margins of his election.

Mueller does not need a conspiracy. I'm sure he will only show them what he needs to to get what he wants. What is that lawyer saying? You can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich? The whole thing is a SHAM and the fact that Mueller is personally invested by his relationship with Comey and has not recused himself shows how much of a joke it is and how little much he cares for justice. He is a political hack, just like his best friend Comey.

I thought Mueller was a registered Republican. Maybe a RINO or later switched or just a likely Trump hater?

It's called a hatchet job. When was the last time the government did something where you said- "That was a fair and unbiased action, good job".

An indictment isn't a conviction but it'll get the headlines they're after.

This makes Sessions recusal more upsetting. I can't blame Trump for being upset.

"West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is switching parties to join Republicans as President Donald Trump plans a visit to the increasingly conservative state. …"

https://www.apnews.com/60ba4af...switch-to-Republican

If they take down this President, they are taking us down as well.

I hope and pray that if this happens, en mass we will organize and restore him to office.

I truly believe civil war is coming if this President is taken down.

And those that start it will rue the day that they did so.

But let us remain hopeful they back up and realize their mistake before it's too late.

I am with you.

It will be interesting to see just how many care and do any more than talk.

Look at how many actually fought the British Crown for American independence. Small minority.. the rest kept on farming, hunting and gathering.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
If they take down this President, they are taking us down as well.

I hope and pray that if this happens, en mass we will organize and restore him to office.

I truly believe civil war is coming if this President is taken down.

And those that start it will rue the day that they did so.

But let us remain hopeful they back up and realize their mistake before it's too late.