Trump's inability to understand 'obstruction of justice' may be his downfall - By Jennifer Rubin

[DonViejo]

-snip-

The normal problem in these cases is proving whether an accused obstructionist had “corrupt” intent. That is, did he interfere with an investigation to protect himself or further his own interests. Here, Trump is shouting his corrupt intent — though he has no idea it’s corrupt — from the rooftops. He’s not at all embarrassed to admit he tried to strong-arm the FBI and shut down Comey. In fact, he believes he was entitled to do these things.

This mindset came across loud and clear on Wednesday during an exchange with reporters. The Post reports:

The president suggested he could be investigated for obstruction of justice as part of the Russia investigation because he was “fighting back” and again reiterated there was “no collusion” between his campaign and Moscow.

“Oh well, ‘Did he fight back?’ ” Trump said, “You fight back, oh, it’s obstruction.”

There it all is — the self-pity; the inability to differentiate between responding to critics in a political context and illegally undermining the Justice Department in a legal context; and the misunderstanding that, because he did not think there was collusion, it was perfectly fine to submarine the investigation. Frankly, the last of these is an error many of the president’s defenders make when they declare Trump could not obstruct justice if he felt he was innocent. (Most subjects insist they are innocent, but that doesn’t entitle them to interfere with the FBI, the DOJ or the courts.)

-snip-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/01/25/trumps-inability-to-understand-obstruction-of-justice-may-be-his-downfall/?utm_term=.3d17a8ce32f6

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Fortunately, ignorance of the law isn't a sound defense.

What a dunce.

[mopinko]

2. when he is in the dock, they will finally reveal that his brain is rotted.

frankly, i find the idea of him in a locked mental ward almost more appealing that prison.

[beachbum bob]

3. unfortunately what trump knows or believes isn't a pass on committing felonies or other high crimes

[TheBlackAdder]

4. So Trump admitted, it wasn't HRC related. He fought and fired Comey due to the Russia Investigation.

[kentuck]

5. When he thought it was obstruction of justice...?

He kept repeating, "collusion, collusion, collusion"...

When he thought they may be looking at conspiracy...

He says "collusion" and "obstruction of justice"...

But he never mentions what they might find him guilty of...

[L. Coyote]

6. Trump's inability to remember yesterday may be his downfall.

Yesterday his attorney said, "Remember, you have the right to remain silent."

[lapislzi]

7. It's as basic as "don't talk to the cops"

The cops are not your friends. Prosecutors are not your friends. It's right there in the job title. How hard is this to understand? Your lawyer will never have to dial back anything you DIDN'T say.

[Gothmog]

8. Trump essentially confessed to obstructing the investigations