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H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 01:25 PM Nov 2018

Banana Republicans

Just what background does Matthew Whitaker have – besides being an outspoken critic of the Mueller investigation – that resulted in Trump selecting him for acting Attorney General? I mean, just how does a failed political candidate, failed campaign manager, and failed and corrupt businessman make that sort of leap? Inquiring minds want to know! I think that one little-reported detail might shed light on why Trump picked this entirely unqualified specimen for this position.

Way back in time, or so it seems today, Trump was looking to hire an additional lawyer for his personal legal team. This was the position that would eventually be filled by Ty Cobb. The president was looking for someone who could serve as the public spokesman for his team, since this was at a time when the media was reporting damning evidence against Trump and his campaign at an alarming daily rate.

White House counsel Don McGahn was particularly concerned with information concerning Trump's efforts to obstruct the Mueller investigation. He knew that he could not legally act as Trump's attorney, but he was still eager to try to assist Trump in dodging the unavoidable. Hence, he unofficially was tasked with trying to find just the right pitbull to handle the job of serving as the president's attack dog.

As a result, McGahn had Whitaker come to the White House to discuss the position. This was, of course, before Mr. Mueller would invite McGahn in to discuss “potential” efforts to obstruct the investigation – including McGahn's telling Trump not to release his original letter firing Mr. Comey. In his discussions with Whitaker, McGahn shared information that placed the president in jeopardy.

Whitaker failed the interview process, which means he was viewed less capable than not only Ty Cobb, but eventually Rudy Giuliana, a fact that hardly qualifies him to serve as acting Attorney General. Yet he continued to try out for the position in an on-going series of attacks on the Mueller investigation he conducted in the media. This led to his being appointed as AG Sessions' chief of staff.

In September of this year, Whitaker's name again approached the surface of public attention. John Kelly referred to Whitaker as the president's “eyes and ears” in the Justice Department. Trump had met privately with Whitaker to discuss options for having the DOJ transfer its focus on the Trump-Russia scandal to – you guessed it – Hillary's e-mails. Trump may have difficulty in remembering these meetings with someone he simultaneously knew and didn't know.

For his part, Trump was so impressed with Whitaker that, also in early September, that he had Whitaker on his short list for replacing McGahn. But that would have removed Whitaker from his valued position as the president's “eyes and ears” in the DOJ. Someone convinced Trump that Whitaker might prove to be even more valuable after the November elections, in the post-Sessions DOJ that Whitaker had spoken so fondly of on CNN.

Had Whitaker's recent promotion passed by without the attention it has gotten, it is likely that he would have interfered with Mr. Mueller's investigation, now that it is reaching its critical phase. However, I am aware that some would call this speculation on my part. Fair enough. So let's look at two closely related issues that are not speculation.

Did Trump and Whitaker have an agreement that Whitaker would not recuse himself from overseeing the Mueller investigation? A rational person would recognize that the issue was more likely unspoken, since both men had made their positions known publicly. Yet this isn't the final answer; it ignores the more likely possibility that Whitaker had engaged in related conversations previously with McGahn, who relayed this to Trump. Subsequently, McGahn had his 40+ hours of conversations with Mr. Mueller's team, during which Whitaker's name was surely brought up.

Now, Mr. Mueller's team does not leak. We know that. But I can say, with zero chance of error, that no one on the team was surprised when Trump appointed Whitaker as acting Attorney General. They are fully aware that in this position, under the current circumstances, the greatest threat that Whitaker poses is to continue to serve as Trump's “eyes and ears,” and to share critical information about the obstruction of justice investigation with the president's team. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why it is very likely that Matt Whitaker is now a “person of interest” in the obstruction of justice investigation.

I, for one, look forward to Whitaker being called to testify before one or more House committees in early 2018.

Enjoy the show!
H2O Man

25 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Banana Republicans (Original Post) H2O Man Nov 2018 OP
Love your perspective. Kali Nov 2018 #1
Thank you! H2O Man Nov 2018 #2
Nice Piece Of Writing Me. Nov 2018 #3
Right. H2O Man Nov 2018 #4
... Me. Nov 2018 #5
One of the people, H2O Man Nov 2018 #22
I Call It Karma Me. Nov 2018 #23
He has been quite involved, hasn't he? kentuck Nov 2018 #6
Right. H2O Man Nov 2018 #9
His background as a complete lackey for Trump is sufficient, along with the fact that he will be BamaRefugee Nov 2018 #7
Thanks! H2O Man Nov 2018 #10
Au contraire. As "acting" AG, Whitaker now has all of the files and videos of Trump that he can use BamaRefugee Nov 2018 #12
Yikes! H2O Man Nov 2018 #14
I think the FBI has all kinds of stuff on Trump NOT RELATED to Mueller, and now Whitaker can SEE IT BamaRefugee Nov 2018 #16
Oh, I absolutely agree H2O Man Nov 2018 #18
The concept of Trump as President had "no basis in reality" until it happened! BamaRefugee Nov 2018 #24
2019 mahannah Nov 2018 #8
Thank you, mahannah! H2O Man Nov 2018 #11
Now we can watch the "Everything Trump Touches Turns to Shit" rule as it manifests NBachers Nov 2018 #13
Right! H2O Man Nov 2018 #15
Zero chance of error coeur_de_lion Nov 2018 #17
Thanks! H2O Man Nov 2018 #20
I think I need to stock up on popcorn Hekate Nov 2018 #19
Yep!!! H2O Man Nov 2018 #21
Enforcer BillyBobBrilliant Nov 2018 #25

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
2. Thank you!
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 01:35 PM
Nov 2018

Some may call this "idle speculation" (though definitely not "idol speculation" ), but I do not anticipate the sour mood that Trump has been having to lift any time soon! (grin)

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
22. One of the people,
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 09:52 PM
Nov 2018

as you know, that McGahn attempted to convince to join Trump's legal team was Ted Olson. That offer was rejected. So it's nice to see Olson on CNN's legal team challenging the Trump White House.

kentuck

(110,950 posts)
6. He has been quite involved, hasn't he?
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 02:41 PM
Nov 2018

He might be a good witness to testify before the new Congress ?

BamaRefugee

(3,476 posts)
7. His background as a complete lackey for Trump is sufficient, along with the fact that he will be
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 04:09 PM
Nov 2018

instantly pardoned by Trump no matter what, and no matter how many indictments, makes him the PERFECT GUY FOR THE JOB.
'MURICA!

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
10. Thanks!
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 04:32 PM
Nov 2018

I have to respectfully disagree that he would be pardoned, instantly or otherwise. First, Trump has no loyalty to anyone. He'd simply repeat his statements about "not knowing him," regardless of the facts. What is more likely, should Whitaker ever be charged with aiding the obstruction, is that Matt would wet his trousers while trying to make a plea deal. Whitaker is weaker than Jerome Corsi, which is a mighty low bar to crawl under.

BamaRefugee

(3,476 posts)
12. Au contraire. As "acting" AG, Whitaker now has all of the files and videos of Trump that he can use
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 04:44 PM
Nov 2018

AGAINST Trump, if Trump reneges on the deal he has already made with Whitaker...which I am sure contained pardons, and tons of money for services rendered.

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
14. Yikes!
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 05:34 PM
Nov 2018

I think it is important not to stretch the long arm of possibilities out of socket. First, the only video that has been associated with this case is one that Russian intelligence may have made of Trump in a hotel room, watching some prostitutes engaging in the art of urination. There is zero chance that if such a tape does exist, that Putin has shared it with US intelligence and/or the Department of Justice.

Michael Cohen did tape some phone conversations with Trump, one of which his attorney has made public. These are being held by the Southern District of New York. It is likely that Mr. Mueller's team has heard them, and possibly obtained copies. As acting Attorney General, Whitaker could in fact ask to listen to them, as part of evaluating the SDNY's cases, as part of supervising them. However, there is zero chance that he could obtain copies. More, as the SDNY possesses the tapes, there is absolutely no chance that Whitaker could somehow use them to blackmail Trump. None.

Trump infamously claimed that President Obama "wire-tapped" him at Trump Towers. Besides exposing the surprising degree of ignorance that Trump has regarding modern methods, this shows an even greater degree of paranoia. We should never share these paranoid conspiracy fantasies of Trump.

Likewise, Whitaker could view the files of Mr. Mueller and the SDNY, but could in no way whatsoever have "office copies" -- much less personal copies -- of them. Again, as they are firmly, 100% in the possession of Team Mueller and the SDNY, there is zero chance of them being used to blackmail Trump for a pardon. As much damage as Trump has done to various institutions, including DoJ and the FBI, it's essential that we remain reality-based, and have an understanding of how things actually are conducted.

Finally, I think people should understand that Trump doesn't have that much cash, on hand or otherwise. One of the major reasons Trump's initial legal team quit was because they were not being paid. His current legal bills are draining his available resources. It is essential that we stick to actual facts. The current reality already reads like a horrible movie script. No need to add what isn't real.

BamaRefugee

(3,476 posts)
16. I think the FBI has all kinds of stuff on Trump NOT RELATED to Mueller, and now Whitaker can SEE IT
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 05:51 PM
Nov 2018

but Trump can't! So LOTS of blackmail potential there for Whitaker if Trump reneges.

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
18. Oh, I absolutely agree
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 06:24 PM
Nov 2018

that the DBI has much, much more material on Trump ….we've seen only the tip f the ice cube. And it is possible that Whitaker could see it. And there is the actual danger -- that Whitaker will, to the best of his inability, try to recite that information while reporting back to Trump. And that is exactly the level of corruption that those in the DoJ/FBI who are actively investigating Trump know was a primary goal in Trump's appointing him.

Yet this is distinct from the concept that Whitaker could blackmail Trump. Again, having access to viewing the information in no way provides him hard copies of it. Thus, at very best, he could threaten to say he saw evidence of Trump's corruption. But that is, by its very nature, an empty threat. Perhaps the only people who would be listening to anything Whitaker could say (without backing evidence) would be federal investigators and the FBI. If Whitaker is ever charged, he would lawyer-up. No attorney would okay attempting blackmail -- the only possible exception being Rudy, who already represents Trump. Thus, Whitaker would have to try to do so on his own, knowing that the federal investigators will be monitoring everything he does. Paul Manafort could assure Matt of that reality. Thus, such an attempt could and would ONLY result in more federal charges, and insure a long incarceration.

Trump would have no reason to fear such an extremely unlikely threat. He would know that investigators already have the information, which would allow him to quickly refer any threat to blackmail him to the DoJ. The scenario you are suggesting has no basis in reality.

BamaRefugee

(3,476 posts)
24. The concept of Trump as President had "no basis in reality" until it happened!
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 10:42 PM
Nov 2018

We live in interesting times.

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
11. Thank you, mahannah!
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 04:34 PM
Nov 2018

2019 will be a good year! I do not think Trump will be in office by this time next year. He's a cowardly dog.

coeur_de_lion

(3,666 posts)
17. Zero chance of error
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 06:23 PM
Nov 2018

I like those odds. If they were not surprised, then the obstruction case is probably already pretty well formulated.

I wish the show would start already. I just got home from work so I haven't seen the news yet but I have been reading all week that 2 indictments are expected this week.

Will it be a Friday news dump?

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
20. Thanks!
Wed Nov 14, 2018, 06:37 PM
Nov 2018

There was almost an inch of snow this morning, so I didn't go to work. I did call in, but they reminded me that I had retired in 2003.

I'm not sure when one or more indictments will be filed, or possibly sealed indictments opened. After being reminded that I'm retired, and had all day, I spoke on the phone to an associate. He reminded me that Team Mueller does not leak, and so we can only speculate -- even if that speculation is based upon trying to read into the current events that are known. He added that Trump's mood appears to be based upon what other defense lawyers have shared with Trump's legal team, as well as the Democratic victories in the House of Representatives.

Rubin often reminded me that with patience, even the smallest creature could climb the highest mountain. Mr. Mueller's team is not a small collection, and I assume they are moving along at exactly the right pace. So I try to be patient, and trust the process. Easier said than done!

I expect that there will be at least one indictment by Friday evening.

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