emptywheel

But hasn't it all started with just that word? First it was collusion Then financial shenanigans Then obstruction of justice Also, as nothing was found that implicates Trump, it was lying to FBI Looks like they started with a list of ppl 2 b punished, then looking 4 crime

They're working their way up the ladder - you don't investigate or accuse The President directly until you've got a big pile of evidence.

But it's 18 months now and nothing even close to him... I remember the lead up to Iraq war, and this reminds amazingly to the "it's been well established" without any concrete evidence on Saddam. And journalists who doubted that were ridiculed, even fired.

I spent 6 months doubting, but saw enough in that 6 months to change my mind, and there's been more evidence since.

It's sad if that's the truth. But I remember many clever people who were fooled into supporting Iraq war. And there's so many little tells that something is wrong with that claim. Such as never letting FBI process those servers, Ukrainian & Steele involvement , etc.

I LOL at people who talk about "those servers" and in so doing betray they have no clue what servers are at issue.

?! DNC servers that were allegedly hacked? Am I wrong?

:) And?

You’ve been saying this for awhile, and I understand why. My question is what you would call it if, say, Mueller discovers that the campaign passed along data or helped disseminate hacked emails.

Conspiracy. Have you noted someone pled guilty to conspiracy yesterday?

I understand. I should have been more clear. Will the eventual indictments be simply for Conspiracy to Defraud the US, or will there be other offenses alleged (election fraud, etc.)

Each of the ConFraudUS charges (and even Gates' plea) has been accompanied by other offenses.

Right, but Mueller hasn’t indicted anyone for any offense for what we would consider the “collusion” component of his investigation. I was just interested how you think it’ll look when he does.

Guilty pleas are meaningless in the context of conspiracy investigations among cooperating witnesses. They are mearly the means of positioning them in the best light for guideline application.

What do you mean?

I like the word RICO.

Also a word that is unlikely to show up here. Along with Treason.

They were charged with Conspiring against the United States. Treason charges are on the horizon.