Whither Mueller?

For John, BLUF:  This soap opera will probably go on for years.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Mueller probe at a crossroads: Four critical decisions it faces

From The San Jose Mercury, on Friday the 13th (of April), Professor Victor Davis Hanson, talks to the future of the Special Council Probe.

Here are his options for the future:

One, Mueller can wind up his investigations now.  He can write a report affirming that he has found no evidence while conducting his originally assigned inquiry:  Donald Trump did not collude with the Russians to throw the election hisway.

Two, Mueller might pause and await Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report concerning possible Department of Justice and FBI abuses pertaining to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Court.

Three, Mueller could continue to investigate anyone close to the Trump campaign for another year.  If he did that, he would confirm that his inquiry has descended into a political cause.  If Mueller calibrates the release of his findings to the fall midterm elections, he will be hailed by Trump opponents as a crusading prosecutor — despite finding nothing related to collusion.  A Democratic takeover of Congress would shut down congressional investigations of FBI and DOJ wrongdoing and further empower Mueller.

Four, Mueller couldbmore evenly apply his investigations of lying, obstruction of justice and collusion during the 2016 campaign.  For example, in his search for instances of lying, Mueller might also re-examine the false testimonies given to investigators by McCabe and by Clinton aides Cheryl Mills and Huma Abedin.

I think the old wine grower sums it up nicely.

Frankly, whatever Mr Mueller does after about Independence Day will influence the election adversely for the Republicans, unless he comes out and says that the Democrats (or FBI/DOJ) were trying to stage a coup against President Trump.  Baring that finding it will appear to many Republicans, if the report comes out at that point or later, that Mr Mueller was colluding with Nancy and Chuck to influence the US elections in November  However, those in the undecided middle will probably go with the Democrats.♠

However, the WORST possible outcome would be for Mr Mueller to dump his report, on say 1 August, and have the Republicans retain control of both houses.  That would cause the Democrats to restate, more boldly, their claim of Russian collusion and interference.

I do wonder what the writer would think of my thesis of Trump as Dreyfus?

Do you think there is a sign, somewhere in the Special Prosecutor spaces, that reads:  “Winning is Everything.  Ethics is for Losers.”

Hat tip to my Brother Lance.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Baring Kim Jung-un becoming President Trump's best buddy and giving up his nuclear weapons program.