Look out, Donald Trump! The highly anticipated Flynn memo regarding former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn is finally out — and special counsel Robert Mueller is finally beginning to play his hand.
Top News Today
In a shocking development late Tuesday night, Mueller released the Flynn memo and requested that because Gen. Flynn has provided “substantial assistance” in the Trump-Russia collusion investigation, he should receive no jail time.
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According to the Flynn memo, the former Trump national security adviser was an early provider of testimony that was crucial to the Mueller investigation. Flynn delivered 19 interviews to the special counsel team and other Justice Department offices and provided information “on a range of issues, including interactions between individuals in the Presidential Transition Team and Russia.” His early cooperation gave prosecutors the roadmap they needed for their Russia investigation and actually encouraged other Trump insiders to come forward and cooperate.
“His (Flynn’s) early cooperation was particularly valuable because he was one of the few people with long-term and firsthand insight regarding events and issues under investigation,” the memo stated. “Additionally, the defendant’s decision to plead guilty and cooperate likely affected the decisions of related firsthand witnesses to be forthcoming with the (special counsel’s office) and cooperate,” prosecutors wrote.
As Trump’s top national security guy during and after the election, Flynn has admitted that he acted as an unofficial diplomat of the United States in his dealings with Russia on behalf of Donald Trump BEFORE the inauguration, which is illegal. The Obama administration had sanctions in place against Russia and Flynn reportedly made back deals with Vladimir Putin (on behalf of and at the direction of Donald Trump) to get those sanctions lifted provided the Kremlin allow Trump to build a high-priced Trump Tower skyscraper in Moscow.
Vladimir Putin was crippled by President Obama’s sanctions and was looking for any way to get out of them. The Donald Trump presidential candidacy combined with Trump’s desire for a foothold in the Moscow real estate market is just what Putin needed to get what he wanted.
Gen. Flynn agreed to cooperate with the Mueller investigation over a year ago. Since then, he has remained radio silent, out of the public eye, and almost a forgotten pawn. Now, Flynn is front and center and a critical player in the case against Donald Trump and his ties to Russia.
Following the Flynn memo, Mueller is expected to release a Cohen memo later this week, which will provide insight into the months of cooperation former Trump attorney and close friend Michael Cohen has given the Mueller team.
Mueller’s release of the Flynn memo combined with his deal that Flynn receive no jail time is a huge and strategic chess move.
Donald Trump has been publicly tweeting that anyone who cooperates with Mueller is “a rat” and anyone who keeps their mouth shut could be rewarded with a presidential pardon. However, Mueller “trumped” Trump by publicly proving that anyone who cooperates with the government investigation can receive the same “pardon” deal by simply telling the truth.
Check and mate.
Your move, Donald!
DJ, this post dovetails nicely with your post yesterday in that it sure appears that Flynn is probably another key person we’ll come to view as having helped to effectively take down the Trump presidency and possibly even the Trump family business.
Yes indeed. I am quite pleased with the way Mueller has carried out these investigations thus far (the Flynn Memo indicates there are at least 3 investigations currently being conducted by Mueller).
(sidenote) I don’t think Mueller is interested in cutting any deals with any of the Trumps or Kushner.
However, with Mueller “trumping Trump” signalling that he’s willing to be lenient with *witnesses* who fully cooperates, it wouldn’t surprise me at all IF -behinds the scenes- Kushner (and possibly even Donnie Jr.) is seriously contemplating how to reach out to Mueller without “the Donald” finding out.
Manafort and Corsi blew it…big time. And now they both know it.
If Muller is starting to play his hand then he must have everything he needs to finish this baby out. He has played this whole thing like a master. And the fact Flynn has been quiet this whole times means he must have sang like a canary to Muller. I was watching the news about this and they were saying Muller also has a full criminal case ready to go against somebody. Anybody can already see this is not going to end well for Trump. I think Mullers got him and is going to play his cards one by one now. I can’t wait to see his next move.
“I think Mullers got him and is going to play his cards one by one now. I can’t wait to see his next move.”
You bring the popcorn BD (w/movie-theater butter) and I’ll bring the Kool-aid…Lol
Donald Trump’s problems are just beginning:
CNN
Washington (CNN)The attorneys general of the District of Columbia and Maryland began sending subpoenas to the Trump Organization as well as five federal agencies and the state of Maine for financial records involving payments to President Donald Trump’s businesses.
Subpoenas are expected to begin going out as early as Tuesday, with targets required to provide information within the next six months.
The lawsuit by DC and Maryland claims Trump is in violation of the Constitution’s ban on emoluments, or payments, from foreign or domestic government entities to the president because of his continued interest in the Trump International Hotel.
DC and Maryland have said the Trump International Hotel’s operations put other nearby hotels and entertainment properties at a competitive disadvantage, and that the Trump hotel got special tax concessions. The hotel won its lease on federally owned property before Trump’s election.
The luxury property, which opened three blocks from the White House shortly before Trump was elected in 2016, has become a favorite hangout for lobbyists and others interested in doing business with the administration.
DC and Maryland have indicated they intend to subpoena 13 business entities operating under the umbrella of the Trump Organization, including the trust that currently holds the President’s business assets, the Trump International and the Trump Organization itself.
Requests are also expected to go to the US Treasury and the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce and Defense. The General Services Administration, which leases the Trump International property to the Trump Organization, will also be targeted.
The state of Maine, which conducted business at the Trump hotel as alleged in the lawsuit, will also be subpoenaed by the DC and Maryland attorneys general offices. The attorneys general also plan to subpoena 18 entities that compete with the hotel.
Transactions between the Trump International Hotel and foreign dignitaries could eventually be made public if the case proceeds to trial or if the attorneys general decide to release the information.