Breaking in cnbc ... Not much detail in the story yet https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/18/att...nsel-in-trump-criminal-probe-report-says.html
If it gets out of the DOJ proper Trump will skate. SCs are as much or more about politics than law, and the politics will say don’t do it for a variety of reasons. Would be happy to be proven wrong.
Not holding my breath on Trump ever facing any legal consequences, not because he did nothing wrong, but more that he is above the law. next.....
Is this why a SC is being appointed- because trump is a candidate again?: News of the planned appointment of the special counsel, which was reported by The Wall Street Journal, came three days after Trump announced plans to run for president in 2024. Trump faces multiple criminal investigations. What advantages are there for this? Why not just indict him and try him in the usual fashion and procedure that we typically grant criminals?
Fantastic! Other first world countries imprison corrupt public official time to to the same to this PIS
We need someone with impeccable qualifications who is seen as bipartisan. My reasonable suggestion? Liz Cheney
to investigate Mar-A-Lago and 1/6 and make recommendations to DOJ. It'll be interesting to see if he or she is afforded the same respect as John Durham was by the GOP. Garland trying to avoid allegations of bias from the GOP were he to simply file an indictment rather than appointing a SC. BTW, I'm not necessarily in favor of indicting a president or former president.
Three comments. First, under the statute Garland probably had no choice but to appoint a special counsel; secondly, a former president should not be above the law; and finally no matter who Garland appoints he will be subject to relentless attack by pro-Trump Republicans and the right-wing media. I would add that although Jack Smith whose appointment was just announced by Merrick Garland has impeccable credentials we should expect that he will be attacked by the right-wing media in short order.
There will be ZERO factual grounds to impugn him, but you're right, that's never stopped, say, Jim Jordan, the penultimate ass in the House.
Gaetz, but Jordan is a close second. I put Gaetz first because he's intellectually challenged to boot.
I love the aspirational phrase no person is above the law, but we know that's not true in practice. If Trump is indicted, think of the precedent that becomes in today's America. Hell, the House is already talking of impeaching Biden despite the complete lack of grounds based on historical precedent. On the other hand, there's never been a President like Trump who has so clearly violated the Constitution and committed criminal acts. There should be a consequence as, at a minimum, a deterrence.
Somewhat ironic on the same day the Biden administration confirms MBS' immunity in the Khashoggi lawsuit.
Trump will run the clock out and this all gets buried if a Republican wins the white house in 24. Even so, I'll believe it when I see it regarding trump ever being held accountable. Above the law.