Posted on 03/11/2018 4:30:21 PM PDT by EyesOfTX
The Evening Campaign Update (Because The Campaign Never Ends)
There isn’t much worth reading in the #NeverTrump enclave that is The National Review anymore, but there are exceptions to this rule. Anything written by the great Victor Davis Hanson is one such exception. Anything written by Andrew C. McCarthy is the other.
McCarthy, who is himself a former federal prosecutor, published a very interesting piece at National Review on Saturday. It’s long, but well worth the read, as he provides an excellent synopsis of alleged FBI and DOJ abuses in both the Clinton email scandal and the whole Trump-Russia “collusion” fantasy play, and concludes with a strong and interesting recommendation on how Attorney General Jeff Sessions should proceed to have both matters investigated and, if warranted, prosecuted.
In brief, McCarthy is no fan of the special counsel law in general or of the specific and growing calls from an array of congressional Republicans for the appointment of a second special counsel to “investigate the investigators”. He believes the special counsel law is structured in a way that pretty much ensures out-of-control investigations with no investigative sidebars or budgetary restrictions, ones that inevitably end up causing an amazing amount of political and societal disruption, ruin lives, and whose end results tend to be a handful of convictions of minor functionaries for process violations that may or may not have any relation to the supposed reason why the investigation began in the first place. See the results of the Robert Mueller investigation thus far as a primary example.
Rather than repeat this prosecutorial circus with the appointment of another special counsel, McCarthy proposes the following approach:
Here is what should be done. Attorney General Sessions should assign a U.S. attorney from outside Washington to conduct a probe of how the Clinton-emails and Trump-Russia investigations were handled by the Justice Department and FBI…
…the designated U.S. attorney would handle this investigation along with the rest of the work of his or her office — this would not be a prosecutor whose only assignment is to pursue a single target or set of targets, and who thus faces great pressure to file charges, no matter how far afield from the original focus of the investigation, in order to justify the appointment. Unlike the inspector general, the U.S. attorney would have full jurisdiction to convene a grand jury; investigate any crimes attendant to the Clinton-emails and Trump-Russia probes; issue subpoenas and seek other court process (such as search warrants) to secure evidence; and prosecute any violations of law by persons inside or outside of government.
I find this specific recommendation, coming on this specific weekend to be fascinating, because McCarthy’s recommendation for investigating DOJ/FBI conduct in these two scandals/non-scandals essentially amounts to an endorsement to the approach Sessions himself told Fox News’s Shannon Bream on Wednesday that he is already pursuing in looking into alleged DOJ/FBI abuses of the FISA process (Jeff Sessions Dropped a Bomb – Hardly Anyone Noticed).
To quote Sessions:
“I have appointed a person outside of Washington, many years in the Department of Justice (DOJ), to look at all the allegations that the House Judiciary Committee members sent to us; and we’re conducting that investigation.”
And, as I pointed out in that piece on Thursday:
Unlike [DOJ Inspector General Michael] Horowitz, this unidentified special prosecutor would have the power to convene a grand jury – and may have already done so – and quickly begin issuing subpoenas based on the recommendations contain in the Horowitz report.
Let’s also remember that, over the course of three weeks in December and January, Sessions let it be known that he has taken a similar approach to forming DOJ investigations into the following Clinton/Obama era scandals:
Uranium One; The Clinton Foundation; Felony leaks coming out of DOJ and the FBI; The Obama/Hezbollah “Project Cassandra” scandal. Combine all of those investigations with the OIG Inspector General investigation, along with multiple other likely ongoing investigations we don’t even know about yet, and you have a very busy Justice Department indeed.
What’s so interesting is the way in which Sessions has gone about letting all of this be known, always casually mentioning the existence of this investigation or that in the middle of interviews, almost as an afterthought in response to a question. He’s done it in a way that has prevented the media from engaging in feeding frenzies around any of them, and has also prevented any leaking to the press around any of them.
He’s done it so quietly that it has led many to accuse him of being a do-nothing, lazy or even compromised in some way by people who are simply unaware of everything that is going on. I was one of those people up until last November, in fact. Even as astute an observer as Andrew McCarthy appeared, in his piece from yesterday, unaware that the method he was suggesting for investigating one scandal was in fact the method Sessions has been employing all along related to other investigations.
Boiling the frog. That’s what they call it in the DC Swamp when one side is inexorably turning up the heat on the opposition so slowly that the opposition doesn’t notice until the time has passed to take any effective defensive action.
If that really has been the strategy, it’s been amazingly effective. Hopefully, the IG report will finally drop soon, and we’ll begin to find out.
That is all.
Follow me on Twitter at @GDBlackmon
Today’s news moves at a faster pace than ever. Whatfinger.com is my go-to source for keeping up with all the latest events in real time.
Rod Rosenstein was the lead prosecutor in Maryland, in 2015, when he helped whitewash the first Uranium One investigation. Rosenstein ignored the informant, William Campbell, and gave plea deals to several non government, non Deep State players.
Three years later, Rod Rosenstein is now the acting AG on Uranium One matters. Rosenstein has put together mostly the same prosecutorial team, and they've indicted another non government, non Deep State player.
Sessions is recused on this Hillary connected matter. The Fox is in charge of the hen house.
I think the wait is for the IG report (Horowitz) for the FISA, 302, etc. stuff to hit the fan. Horowitz, while appointed by Obama, is a “White Hat” - he fought tooth & nail against the Obama administration when they denied him access to investigate where the FISA abuses were taking place. Also, I’ve followed Judge Sullivan via Judicial Watch cases that have come before him .... Flynn hit the lotto when his case ended up before Judge Sullivan. Sullivan is a really good judge & no friend of misbehaving government prosecutors, as you pointed out.
Sessions doesn't communicate with Mueller...Sessions stated early on that he would avoid news reports, official memos and any information about those things Mueller is investigating...Kinda like the 3 monkeys covering their eyes, ears and mouth...
Do you realize that Rosenstein was “in line” for that position within the Justice Department at the time of that appointment by the president, and that Rosenstein testified before the House Committee that he would recuse himself should he become a subject in Mueller’s investigation, as related to his role in terminating Comey, and, in that event that the Deputy AG position would then fall to the next “in line” at Justice, (who promptly retired herself).
All this to say that the Rosenstein appointment, by Trump, was perfunctory, as a matter of course, at the time. Two weeks after his appointment, Rosenstein set Mueller loose on the president and his staff and family and business on the pre-text for collusion with Russia.
Rosenstein testified that his motivation, for appointing an SC, Mueller, was due to “public interest”.
Funny, then Rosenstein has a no-name minion at Justice recently reply to Congress, who was still appealing for a Special Counsel into Hillary and the dossier, to say to the Committee that the JD declined the appeal for an SP, due to “LACK of public interest”.
So, now, what changed? Two weeks later Sessions announces that “we” will consider the appeal.
Here’s what I will give you. If the above is on the record with the Intel Committee, and it is, then it’s possible that Sessions, belatedly, and finally, at last, might, M I G H T, have turned some wheels on his own volition, even unbeknownst to Rosenstein.
I can’t tell yet, for sure, since Rosenstein may have done so, himself, and simply let Sleepy make the announcement. That was the usual MO for Sessions role at JD. Speak when he was told to speak, and to say what he was told to say in hearings, both examples of Rosenstein directing Sessions.
I seem to recall Sessions saying that about all the matters that he is recused from. He doesn't pay attention to the details, because he's recused.
When Sessions received the Nunes memo, I wonder if he even read it before he passed it on to the IG (and to this other person that he won't name).
How else would one explain Sessions keeping Rosenstein in charge, whilst the Nunes memo shows that Rosenstein signed off on a bogus FISA application?
Depends on what kind of resources are at my disposal.
You have NO CLUE what Sessions is doing. Maybe he’s just more clever than you think. Maybe he’s doing what his boss does, in a quieter way, of doing what he wants done, and THEN announcing it, instead of shooting off his mouth before it’s a fait accompli.
I find your comment fascinating as so many of us here on FR bash the MSM as fake news, and then you Self Profess you will not believe it until you read it in...
The Newspaper, a vehicle of the MSM
Interesting logic...
Let me see if I follow your logic here...
So DJT is a brilliant strategist and arguable the most competent and capable leader this county has ever had, but you in your infinite wisdom feel that he is absolutely stupid when it comes to the performance of a member of His cabinet and in charge of prosecuting all the criminals using all of the agencies of the Justice System entrusted to him
Did I capture your insight correctly?
Interesting logic
Here are the actual timeline dates:
November 18, 2016. President-elect Trump announces intention to nominate Sessions to be attorney general.
January 30, 2017. President Trump fires Acting Attorney General Sally Yates (holdover deputy attorney general from Obama administration).
January 31, 2017. President Trump announces nomination of Maryland District US Attorney Rosenstein as Deputy Attorney General.
February 8, 2017. Attorney General Sessions confirmed by Senate.
April 25, 2017. DAG Rosenstein's appointment confirmed by Senate.
March 2, 2017. AG Sessions announced "I have decided to recuse myself from any existing or future investigations of any matters related in any way to the campaigns for president of the United States."
May 16, 2017. President Trump interviewed former FBI Director Mueller for job that then 73-year-old Mueller was ineligible to hold since the director is limited by statute to a 10 year term (and Mueller had previously served 12 years).
May 17, 2017 (the very next day!). DAG Rosenstein appoints Mueller as special counsel to investigate Trump campaign collusion with Russia.
In retrospect, the timeline shows President Trump's fingerprints all over the Sessions recusal feint. As Sun Tzu taught and Donald Trump learned, any successful deception plan must fool most of your own people. While Mueller has dominated headlines, the DOJ has been busy.
That is incorrect. Here is the correct timeline of the events you mentioned:
May 9, 2017. President Trump fires FBI Director Comey.
May 16, 2017. President Trump interviewed former FBI Director Mueller for job that then 73-year-old Mueller was ineligible to hold since the director is limited by statute to a 10 year term (and Mueller had previously served 12 years).
May 17, 2017 (the very next day!). DAG Rosenstein appoints Mueller as special counsel to investigate Trump campaign collusion with Russia.
What you are missing is that Rosenstein appointed Mueller the day after Mueller was interviewed by President Trump. Coincidence?
Trump attorney Jay Sekulow correctly asserted that "we would not and should not know" if grand juries have been convened. We've become so accustomed to illegal leaks by our adversaries over the years that we expect to be told everything. The Trump Administration and its Justice Department are determined to play by the rules.
Great work. Thanks for the dates. I do doubt the communication between Trump and anyone at JD, or FBI. If he were even perceived to have any “control”, he would be a liar, and since he is Republican, the Hill would happily lead an impeachment.
I only opine on what I see and hear, of course. If I hear Trump’s anger at Sessions, I believe it’s anger. (I was angry as well.)
[ Screw all you Sessions bashers. Hope you choke on crow.
This ]
I look forward to eating some feathery crow pie
“Trump and Sessions had a plan all along, and I believe it is playing out brilliantly.”
That’s been my position all along. Their strategy of strict non-obstruction was the smart move, and was executed flawlessly.
But to be honest, it’s not exactly 4D chess or Art of the Deal stuff - it’s kind of obvious that the slightest hint of even the appearance of obstruction would have been like throwing gasoline on the fire.
So, - let the investigation go on, - let Mueller pick whoever he wants, - let Trump and Sessions keep arms length, - don’t go off half cocked with indicting Democrats just to provide red meat for the base, - go ahead and occasionally Twitter about how frustrated you are with Jeff Sessions.
It all seems kind of a no brainer to me - not 4D chess.
I wonder what the Sessions bashers expect would have happened if Sessions had not recused himself, had tried to block Mueller’s appointment or limit its scope, or had attacked Clinton/Obama corruption like a pit bull?
Do they think the status would have been better than it is now? Would the impeach Trump frenzy of last year have dissapated as it has, or would it have exploded into a full fledged Watergate scandal?
I say the latter. I think Trump/Sessions picked the correct approach. Trump wins. Again.
“The “Hate Sessions” cult is disgusting.”
Agreed
In retrospect, the timeline shows President Trump’s fingerprints all over the Sessions recusal feint. As Sun Tzu taught and Donald Trump learned, any successful deception plan must fool most of your own people. While Mueller has dominated headlines, the DOJ has been busy.
LOL. Do you write fantasy for a living? Sessions just proposed another year long administrative IG “investigation” into the FISA crimes. Meaning, it will be pushing 3 years since the crimes before any criminal charges would possibly be filed. Does that sound like a Trump plan? No. It sounds exactly like a run out the clock Democrat plan.
“I only opine on what I see and hear, of course. If I hear Trump’s anger at Sessions, I believe it’s anger....”
I don’t think you should take everything Trump says at face value.
Look, I believe Trump is as honest as they come. I believe during the campaign he told the truth and made promises he plans to keep. At that time though, he was communicating directly with we the people, building a bond of trust with the people he sought to represent. That is a time for straightforward honesty, and I believe Trump lived up to that ideal.
Now Trump is communicating also with his adversaries. Globalists who do not put America first. Partisan Democrat and uniparty political hacks who simply want him to fail so they can take his place. Corrupt Deep state swamp creatures who use the government to sell out private citizens in order to line their own pockets. Foriegn enemies who want what we have.
When you are talking to adversaries, - whether you are playing poker, or negotiating a deal, or executing a political strategy to MAGA, or draining the swamp - you can’t win if you telegraph your true intentions. Deception and misdirection are your most powerful tools.
For that reason you simply cannot take Trump’s public statements at face value. You have to consider that his words, his tone and his expressions are being chosen for the effect the will have on his adversaries.
Please note that I’m not saying Trump is dishonest - far from it. I’m saying that there’s a time and a place for straight honest talk - and that’s when you’re at a campaign rally talking to the people or drawing up your campaign platform.
Then there’s a time and place for striking a negotiating position, a misdirection, a distraction, a bluff - that’s when your target audience includes your adversaries and you want to win. You win by baiting them into a trap, lowering their guard, triggering their emotions, exploiting their fears and weaknesses, hiding your own strengths, hiding your next move, maintaining the element of surprise.
Believe me, Donald Trump did not get to where he got without mastering the Art of the Deal - he even wrote the book!
You pretty well nailed it!
If sessions had not recused himself, mueller would not be in the position to do what he’s done.
Yes, well, sorry, I can’t make that leap. Case in point... you will remember the phrase. “Are ya’ going to believe me, or your own lying eyes?”
I get the obvious, the art playing going on, by Trump. It’s just not remotely related to Justice Department.
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