I think a heightened or non-standard level of transparency could cut both ways though. Had they unilaterally announced it publicly ahead of time, wouldn't Trump have claimed that they were just trying to embarrass him and make him look guilty - and possibly even violating their own policies by making a public spectacle of it? Might prior notice have resulted in mobs of Trump supporters surrounding the place and then agents having to decide whether to use force to get in? Also, while I know there are lots of unanswered questions at this point, I'm not sure that having surveillance from the outside, if true, would necessarily prevent the destruction of at least some evidence.
Well, as we all know Trump was politically impeached, but not convicted. TBD if he has any criminal matters to address as a private citizen. I have not heard of anything being investigated on Clinton as a private citizen, so similarly TBD for sake of argument. Maybe a future DOJ takes it up.
As proof we are living during an insane time... I saw this headline about Trump and nuclear docs and the question in my head was... what does "hones" mean?
I think you may misremember the Mueller report. Mueller stated that trump could not be charged per DOJ policy. His investigation did result in 37 indictments and accusations of obstruction of justice on trump himself. He found numerous links between Russia and his campaign but insufficient evidence to conclude actual cooperation. Manafort has recently cast shade on that. trump's campaign actively stonewalled the investigation. Mueller refused to exonerate trump. Hillary cooperated and was investigated thoroughly. The final disposition was some classified stuff was improperly mentioned in emails and (maybe) three classified docs may have been improperly sent (in 2018, the DOJ found those docs to be poorly marked). Comparing Hillary Clinton’s emails and Donald Trump’s boxes of files - Poynter
So this appear to me to be him admitting he had classified nuclear documents. He sure didn't use his time to deny it.
I agree with you on a gut level, as I trust Trump personally about as much as you. However, I’d say there is a non-zero chance that the Clintons or Hunter or somebody actually did something improper at some point. Therefore, I can’t say 100% a priori that any investigations / charges against them are unwarranted.
Reupping this CNN timeline of NARA and DOJ attempts to recover the docs from trump. Timeline: The Justice Department criminal inquiry into Trump taking classified documents to Mar-a-Lago - CNNPolitics
To be honest, what else does he have left to deny and obfuscate. If he can muddy the waters as much as possible, which is easy to do when your supporters lack critical thinking skills, then that is the only way forward for him. "Word is," "many have said," etc. etc. no need to specify or identify the messenger, just throw out ideas and hope one of them will stick, which it will. Which is why I do not have high hopes for any of this. We could have enough to execute the man for treason, but will let it go to prevent anarchy and a potential civil war.
What's in his previous history that leads you to believe he would be incapable of leveraging secrets and information for money? He leverages his name for money. He leveraged his golf resorts and hotels, while president, for money. He's been leveraging his perceived "stolen election," for money. He's a money-grubber of an elevated order. He has access to a valuable resource. Why wouldn't he exploit them, is the better question.
I'd hope those who claimed that Obama did the exact same thing Trump is suspected of doing would have the stones to come back and admit they were wrong.
Advance notice would give him/them time to disappear the evidence. Why would any law enforcement agency undercut their mission with a public declaration of intention?
Breitbart, Fox News and the WSJ now have the warrant and document list. From Trump I'm assuming. Breitbart did not redact the agents' names therefore doxing them.
A lawyer must have advised him the “the cop planted all the evidence!” defense never works, so they are switching it up to the “was that really wrong!?” defense.
Quick jump to Breitbart ... Of interest they state the warrant was for potentially violating the following laws - 18 U.S. Code § 793 - Gathering, transmitting or losing defense information 18 U.S. Code § 2071 - Concealment, removal, or mutilation generally 18 U.S. Code § 1519 - Destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in Federal investigations and bankruptcy