Special Counsel Mueller Impanels Washington Grand Jury in Russia Probe

originally posted by: burntheships
a reply to: introvert

Mueller is not an Independent Counsel.

Big big difference.

He is just a Special Counsel.

From: en.wikipedia.org...
Special prosecutor. ... In the United States, a special prosecutor (or special counsel or independent counsel) is a lawyer appointed to investigate, and potentially prosecute, a particular case of suspected wrongdoing for which a conflict of interest exists for the usual prosecuting authority.

originally posted by: TacSite18
a reply to: Xcathdra

Yup, it is so. Even more so since it was confirmed Trump was not the target of the investigation per Comey and the intelligence committee.

That was then. Now that Trump fired Comey it is a whole new game. Trump firing Comey is why Muelller was appointed, don't you recall?

Trump admitted that he fired Comey over the Russian investigation. He has made his own fate, and is his own worst enemy.

Hmmm...no actually he didn't say it was over the Russia investigation....would love to see that direct quote....LOL!

a reply to: Xcathdra

Trump is the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government and can lawfully end investigations, just as local prosecutors can.

True.

I am sure Trump has thought about it, and discussed it with many people. Seems like there might be some "blow-back" if he tries to do that.

For one thing, Congress could reinstate the independent council law, and Mueller would be back in business the next day, but his time completely free of the Justice Department. I suspect someone mentioned this to Trump, and he backed off.

a reply to: DanteGaland

Come on you know that was just whistling past the grave yard.

originally posted by: carewemust
Robert Mueller is on steroids today. He just issued several subpoenas in connection with the Trump Junior Russian lawyer meeting.

To whom?

originally posted by: Vasa Croe

originally posted by: carewemust
Robert Mueller is on steroids today. He just issued several subpoenas in connection with the Trump Junior Russian lawyer meeting.

To whom?

Unknown. Just people connected with that meeting.

a reply to: Xcathdra

No they don't play games.
Let's remember these are top cops and prosecutors.
The serious guys.

originally posted by: Vasa Croe

originally posted by: TacSite18
a reply to: Xcathdra

Yup, it is so. Even more so since it was confirmed Trump was not the target of the investigation per Comey and the intelligence committee.

That was then. Now that Trump fired Comey it is a whole new game. Trump firing Comey is why Muelller was appointed, don't you recall?

Trump admitted that he fired Comey over the Russian investigation. He has made his own fate, and is his own worst enemy.

Hmmm...no actually he didn't say it was over the Russia investigation....would love to see that direct quote....LOL!

www.theguardian.com...

Vid in link

originally posted by: bknapple32
a reply to: xuenchen

How's that "plan" of yours that youre so convinced Trump has. Was this apart of it too?

The "plan" came from the bottom of one of those old Bazooka Joe bubble gum wrappers, where they gave you advice on the future.

The Obama Trump investigations remind me of the old cartoon where two locomotives are speeding towards each other on the same track.

originally posted by: TacSite18
a reply to: Vasa Croe

Wow...got any evidence to backup the Cause Russia stuff? Flynn has been gone since the beginning...outside of that it is all "official sources"....LOL

Flynn has his own grand jury. He begged to testify for immunity, most likely because he knows he is guilt of collusion and maybe outright treason.

Flynn should be the first one indicted, the first one in jail. Unless he flips on Trump for a plea-deal. THAT will be interesting.

Interesting....so a new grand jury is needed for a investigation that is supposed to include Flynn?

I'd love to hear his testimony....nobody is blocking it that I know of.

originally posted by: carewemust
Robert Mueller is on steroids today. He just issued several subpoenas in connection with the Trump Junior Russian lawyer meeting.

Going for the Trump Cubs?

Donald will need two serises of electro-shocks and triple the thorazine tonight.

originally posted by: bknapple32

originally posted by: Vasa Croe

originally posted by: TacSite18
a reply to: Xcathdra

Yup, it is so. Even more so since it was confirmed Trump was not the target of the investigation per Comey and the intelligence committee.

That was then. Now that Trump fired Comey it is a whole new game. Trump firing Comey is why Muelller was appointed, don't you recall?

Trump admitted that he fired Comey over the Russian investigation. He has made his own fate, and is his own worst enemy.

Hmmm...no actually he didn't say it was over the Russia investigation....would love to see that direct quote....LOL!

www.theguardian.com...

Vid in link

LOL...did you watch the video? Even the quote on screen during the interview discounts that....but hey....when Mueller impeached Trump I will come right back and say I was wrong....

a reply to: burntheships

Why do you guys keep thinking this is a big deal. It's not. She had the clearance and it was part of her job.
Oh and ummm look where we are. It's not like he's being framed.
Obviously there was probable cause.
Obviously...

originally posted by: bknapple32
a reply to: xuenchen

How's that "plan" of yours that youre so convinced Trump has. Was this apart of it too?

Yes.

a reply to: xuenchen

You never fail to follow through

It's on the Beeb too

Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation has always been a concern for the Trump administration. Now it's deadly serious business.

With the news that a grand jury has been convened in Washington DC, and that it is looking into the June 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr and Russian nationals, it's clear the investigation is focusing on the president's inner circle.

This news shouldn't come as a huge shock, given that Mr Mueller has been staffing up with veteran criminal prosecutors and investigators.

It is, however, a necessary step that could eventually lead to criminal indictments.

At the very least it's a sign that Mr Mueller could be on the trail of something big - expanding the scope beyond former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and his questionable lobbying - and his investigation is not going to go away anytime soon.

In the past, when big news about the Russia investigation has been revealed, Mr Trump has escalated his rhetoric and taken dead aim at his perceived adversaries.

The pressure is being applied to the president. How will he respond?

Interesting that Trump the Younger's russian meeting is being cited as the apparent reason
Is the most 'simplest' way of getting the ball rolling ?

originally posted by: burntheships
a reply to: introvert

Mueller is not an Independent Counsel.

Big big difference.

He is just a Special Counsel.

The only difference being that old "independent Counsel" or "Special Prosecutor" was appointed by a 3 judge panel.
The new "Special Counsel"...friendlier name than "Prosecutor" (Post White-Water) is appointed by the AG.

Other than that...no difference.

So what is a special counsel? And what is the difference between a special counsel, a special prosecutor, and an independent counsel? The terms are largely interchangeable to refer to someone appointed to investigate allegations that could involve a conflict of interest within the Department of Justice. But the manner in which they are appointed and why has changed over time.

www.usatoday.com...

The terms 'special prosecutor', 'independent counsel', and 'special counsel' have the same fundamental meaning, and their use (at least at the federal level in the U.S.) is generally differentiated by the time period to which they are being applied.

The term 'special prosecutor' was used throughout the Watergate era, but was replaced by the less confrontational 'independent counsel' in the 1983 reauthorization of the Ethics in Government Act.

Those appointed under that act after 1983 are generally referred to as 'independent counsels'.

Since the independent counsel law expired in 1999, the term 'special counsel' has been used. This is the term used in the current U.S. government regulations concerning the appointment of special counsels.[6]

en.wikipedia.org...

originally posted by: introvert

That's irrelevant because I believe they are still the same thing.

They are not the same "thing" at all.

1. Robert Mueller’s authority: “special counsel,” not “independent counsel.”

Robert Mueller was appointed “special counsel” to head the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Mueller, however, does not hold the same office or wield the same powers as Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, President Clinton’s nemesis in the Lewinsky affair.

The office of “independent counsel” was created by the post-Watergate Ethics in Government Act of 1978. An independent counsel was selected by a special panel of federal judges. He wielded all of the investigative and prosecutorial authority of the Department of Justice and was specifically charged with making recommendations to Congress about possible impeachable offenses. He could only be removed by Congress through impeachment or “by the personal action of the Attorney General and only for good cause, physical or mental disability.” “Good cause” did not include the attorney general’s disagreement with the counsel’s professional judgments. And, if removed by the attorney general, the independent counsel could appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. But the independent counsel statute lapsed in 1999, and the office of special counsel is a different, far less independent, animal. A special counsel is appointed by the attorney general, or in this case the deputy attorney general. He is difficult to remove—“good cause” is required—but removal authority rests with the attorney general, and there is no appeal. More importantly, a special counsel wields not the full powers of the Department of Justice but only the powers of a U.S. attorney.

Thus, while the special counsel can authorize criminal indictments, his authority is subordinate to the attorney general—or in this case, the deputy attorney general—who is empowered to overrule him on any “investigative or prosecutorial step.” Moreover, a special counsel has no express authority to draw any conclusions or make any recommendations about impeachment.

www.slate.com...

And that is from liberal left leaning Slate.

originally posted by: Sillyolme
a reply to: burntheships

Why do you guys keep thinking this is a big deal. It's not. She had the clearance and it was part of her job.
Oh and ummm look where we are. It's not like he's being framed.
Obviously there was probable cause.
Obviously...

Even the illegal stuff too.