Donald Trump has a problem with the office of the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Why is that office singled out? Could it be that's where most investigations of Trump and his cronies are focused?
First Trump gave prominent prosecutor, Preet Bhahara, the hook. Apparently Bhahara's attorneys and his successor, Geoffrey Berman, didn't get Trump's "message." They kept investigating the crimes of Trump and his pals.
So what does Trump do? With the collusion of America's attorney general, Bill Barr, they decide to get rid of Berman. Not only that, they want to replace Berman with a stooge from the SEC who has no, zero, prosecutorial experience.
That is corruption writ large. It is obstruction of justice. It is giving a fleeing bank robber the power to fire the cops in pursuit. It is unspeakably corrupt. It rings the bell of "high crimes and misdemeanors."
Trump has surrounded himself with religious right courtiers in the hope of their selfless adoration of the Spaghetti monster in the sky who they think will deliver them from Wall*Mart to salvation will rub off on himself.
ReplyDeleteBarr is one of them and they, again, should not be underestimated.
They play the long game in a way that even the Chinese should be concerned.
JW Bush started this in Iraq with military and judicial appointments to run the invaded country.
TB
It's even too much for Lady G to swallow. Graham is apparently insisting on the blue slip rule for confirming Berman's replacement in the Senate. Under that rule, a replacement can't be confirmed without blue slips of approval from the state's two senators. Since NY's senators are Democrats, this will surely bung up the confirmation process.
ReplyDeleteSo Trump is stuck with his own appointee, Berman, who was a generous donor to the Trump campaign. We'll see what the orange gas cloud's minions come up with next.
Cap
This sounds unhinged. It is definitely in the realm of high crimes and misdemeanors. There's not enough time to launch a new impeachment hearing in the House but, gawdammit. This brings back Maggie Haberman's spec piece from three days ago on whether Trump even wants to fight this election.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/17/us/politics/trump-2020-election.html?searchResultPosition=6
Yes, it's all rather suspicious, Mound. Innocent people usually don't try to take out the prosecutor. As for impeachment hearings, there's plenty of time to go after Barr if they subpoena him this week.
ReplyDeleteCap
I suppose the House could go through the motions, Cap, but the Republicans would bury it in the Senate. Do you think the Dems are even willing to try again after how they really botched the first go? My guess is that they see their best shot as a ballot box take-out on November 3rd and why risk an unpredictable and potentially hostile reaction from the voting public if they come across as hyperpartisan at this juncture.
ReplyDeleteWhile you're much more current on these things than I, isn't it important to distinguish the political process from the criminal? Impeachment is a political process, often mere farce, whereas here we seem to be dealing with two crimes - obstruction and conspiracy to obstruct. Toss another one or two in and you're getting within shooting range of RICO.
.. I had a dream ..
ReplyDeleteIt was my excellent ex bro in law's rock band doing
'GOAT RIDERS IN THE SKY'
The setting was high in the sky above an Alberta based goat rodeo
where famous international riders competed.. Invitation Only
You can fill in your own scenes of course..
and speculations on who the Goat Riders are
but upon awakening I wrote down notes of the signage..
Yes.. MAKE ALBERTA GREAT AGAIN
was on every goat chute
A winsome, though pudgy lad in blue silk.. and shorts
named Jason was in Chute #1 getting 'seated' so to speak
had a dandy Stetson.. on backwards
His fearsome ride was named 'Mister Piggy..'
It will be interesting to see if the NY State AG goes after Barr for an alleged State crime - there must be one in there somewhere. In the meantime this is fodder for the best political admakers in the country - The Lincoln Project. Can't wait to see what they do with this.
ReplyDeleteOT - but just read on Marcy Wheeler's thread that someone has uploaded John Bolton's book on to Google Drive. Things get more interesting with that crowd every day. You think someone is a tad annoyed with Bolton?
ReplyDeleteBen, I think the NY AG has some interesting issues with Trump also, including some significant tax irregularities. I don't know the state can prosecute Trump or Barr for conspiracy and obstruction re the SDNY. Fortunately state charges can lead to convictions beyond the scope of the White House pardon power.
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