Paul Krugman on dangerous Republican complicity:
Make no mistake: if Republicans hold both houses of Congress this November, Trump will go full authoritarian, abusing institutions like the I.R.S., trying to jail opponents and journalists on, er, trumped-up charges, and more — and he’ll do it with full support from his party.
But why? Is Trumpocracy what Republicans always wanted?
Well, it’s probably what some of them always wanted. And some of them are making a coldblooded calculation that the demise of democracy is worth it if it means lower taxes on the rich and freedom to pollute.
But my guess is that most Republican politicians are spineless rather than sinister — or, more accurately, sinister in their spinelessness. They’re not really ideologues so much as careerists, whose instinct is always to go along with the party line. And this instinct has drawn them ever deeper into complicity.This will be the most existentially important mid- term election ever.
Marcy Wheeler points to areas where White (Supremacist) House Counsel Don McGahn may have cooperated with the Mueller probe, other than the obstruction of justice theme that was presented in the New York Times:
...[A]t least three of the areas where Mueller’s team might find a conspiracy with Russia (or other foreigners) to win the election involve campaign finance issues — Don McGahn’s expertise. Those are:
o Whether knowingly employing British Cambridge Analytica employees without getting them proper visas constitutes illegal foreign influence?
o Whether accepting a Trump Tower meeting with Russians offering dirt on Hillary Clinton constitutes accepting a thing of value?
o Whether the campaign was sufficiently firewalled from the dodgy shit Roger Stone was doing (which has been a focus of the last six months of Mueller’s time)?That exposure likely is what's dawning on un- indicted co- conspirator Donald "Rump" Trump and what is triggering his most recent unhinged tweets.
Former Rump "fixer" Michael Cohen is potentially facing more serious charges:
Federal authorities investigating whether President Trump’s former personal lawyer and fixer, Michael D. Cohen, committed bank and tax fraud have zeroed in on well over $20 million in loans obtained by taxi businesses that he and his family own, according to people familiar with the matter.
Investigators are also examining whether Mr. Cohen violated campaign finance or other laws by helping to arrange financial deals to secure the silence of women who said they had affairs with Mr. Trump. The inquiry has entered the final stage and prosecutors are considering filing charges by the end of August, two of the people said. [snip]
At this late stage of the inquiry, it is still possible that Mr. Cohen may plead guilty rather than face an indictment. He has hinted publicly and has stated explicitly in private that he is eager to tell prosecutors what he knows in exchange for leniency.
A cooperation agreement would likely include a provision that Mr. Cohen also provide information to the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, who is investigating possible involvement by the Trump campaign in Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election.They're going for maximum leverage over this guy. Expect a breakthrough (cooperation agreement) before Labor Day.
Finally, please check out Infidel's blog round- up, full of the usual interesting "stuff" he finds on the Internet. It's a supermarket -- browse all the aisles!
