All-purpose news and politics thread: Two Steps Beyond!

[BeastieRunner]

What a way to end the week.

Because he was a witness!!

Session recused because he was a SUBJECT!

Big difference.

A witness is not a conflict. A SUBJECT is. The end is extremely fucking nigh.

[Tami]

Why Trump Hasn’t Fired Sessions

“DISGRACEFUL.” “Weak.” “Beleaguered.” President Donald Trump has been unsparing in publicly castigating his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, in the year since Sessions recused himself from the investigation into potential collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia. Privately, Trump has berated Sessions, reportedly calling him an “idiot” and saying that hiring him was a mistake. He asked Sessions to resign following Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s appointment to lead the probe, according to The New York Times, but then wouldn’t accept his resignation. And he has been weighing firing Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in recent days, rather than the man who, in Trump’s eyes, empowered them.

A source familiar with Sessions’s thinking who requested anonymity to speak freely about the attorney general’s relationship with Trump noted that Sessions has tackled policies “that have really hit on the president’s marquee issues” even if he is generally quiet about it. “He’s never been a toot-his-own-horn kind of guy,” this person said of Sessions. “He’d rather be in his office reading a CBO report or something. It's typical of the way he operates. But, to me, it’s very basic. If not but for this whole Russia issue, Trump and Sessions would be best friends.”

[BeastieRunner]

Well Scooter got his pardon, setting precedence.

[Jack Dracula]

You almost gotta feel sorry for John Kelly

Meanwhile George Washington looks down and thinks "How did it come to this?"

[Iron Maiden]

Well Scooter got his pardon, setting precedence.

Yup. Trump is letting his flunkies know he'll do the same for them. Even GW refused to pardon Scooter Libby and it got Dick Cheney pissed off.

[BeastieRunner]

You almost gotta feel sorry for John Kelly

"Today, after watching Fox & Friends, I'm gonna bomb some Russians, fire the rat Rod Rosenstien, and pardon Scotter Libby, who I heard that he has been treated unfairly."

They talked about all those things this morning, FYI.

[PaulBullion]

We just had a freakishly cold winter. I don't hear anyone talking about us roasting any more. Not even Al Gore.

OMG you cannot be that uneducated.

The global temperatures are rising. That is causing stronger winds, more clouds and more rain. The low pressure systems that are caused by warmer oceans can, occasionally, cause vortexes that draw freakishly cold airs down from polar regions.

The 90s called, they want their dumb Republican talking points back.

[PaulBullion]

You almost gotta feel sorry for John Kelly

That picture is one for the history books.

[PaulBullion]

Yup. Trump is letting his flunkies know he'll do the same for them. Even GW refused to pardon Scooter Libby and it got Dick Cheney pissed off.

He might also have been motivated by the fact that Libby was brought to justice by Comey. He might start undoing Comey's legacy the way he is working on Obama's.

[BeastieRunner]

Trump Lawyer Seeks to Block Files From F.B.I. Until Search Can Be Done ‘Scrupulously’.

Mr. Trump and Mr. Cohen still were trying to determine what exactly was seized in the raids, which were even broader than have been previously reported. In addition to searching Mr. Cohen’s office and hotel room, prosecutors also obtained warrants to seize material from his cellphones, tablet, laptop and a safe deposit box, according to people briefed on the warrants.

The uncertainty around what was taken has heightened the unease around Mr. Trump, whose lawyers had projected confidence in their dealings with the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, but were caught flat-footed by the extraordinary raids on Mr. Cohen. The lawyers fear that Mr. Cohen will not be forthcoming about what was in his files, leaving them girding for the unknown.

A hurriedly scheduled court appearance in Manhattan reflected that worry. The documents could shed light on the president’s relationship with an adviser who has helped steer him through some of his thorniest personal and business dilemmas. Joanna C. Hendon, a lawyer for Mr. Trump, asked a federal judge to temporarily prohibit the Justice Department from reviewing those materials until the matter can be litigated.

“Those searches have been executed and the evidence is locked down. I’m not trying to delay,” Ms. Hendon said. “I’m just trying to ensure that it’s done scrupulously.”

That's called obstruction of justice, Mr. President.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

He might also have been motivated by the fact that Libby was brought to justice by Comey. He might start undoing Comey's legacy the way he is working on Obama's.

MIGHT start? Count on that! When it comes to vendettas and getting payback on his enemies, no one does it better than the Tangerine Terror.

[Iron Maiden]

He might also have been motivated by the fact that Libby was brought to justice by Comey. He might start undoing Comey's legacy the way he is working on Obama's.

I was just reading about that. Now that makes sense too.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Trump Lawyer Seeks to Block Files From F.B.I. Until Search Can Be Done ‘Scrupulously’.



That's called obstruction of justice, Mr. President.

At this point, I don't think Trump gives a shit. Clearly he thinks he's above the law and can do whatever he wants. I guess he's going to find out differently.

[BeastieRunner]

Cohen is under investigation for bank fraud.

It's all coming together.

[PaulBullion]

MIGHT start? Count on that! When it comes to vendettas and getting payback on his enemies, no one does it better than the Tangerine Terror.

I was thinking he might get distracted by a shiny object, like the nipples of a porn star.