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By Robert A. Vella

Barr’s letter on Mueller rpt

Many people are already jumping to conclusions about the Mueller report on Russian collusion during the 2016 election even though we don’t know anything about what it actually says.  While the public’s frustration is perfectly understandable, such conclusions are both premature and unwarranted at this point.  Until the report is released in full, final judgment should be withheld.  If it is not released, then Americans have every right to be outraged.  Government secrecy is not an option because it would be widely perceived as an official cover-up.

We must keep in mind the following:

  • That Mueller’s report should address whether or not 1) any Americans engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Russia to affect the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, 2) any Americans willingly or unwittingly assisted the Russian effort (i.e. collusion), and 3) whether or not the president and/or his administration officials had obstructed justice against these investigations.
  • That Special Counsel Robert Mueller, as an dutiful institutionalist, was never going to violate internal Department of Justice policy precluding the criminal indictment of a sitting U.S. president even if he possessed sufficient evidence to do so.
  • That the DOJ would be extremely reluctant to criminally prosecute Donald Trump’s family members while he was serving as president; although, it might file sealed indictments against them for later prosecution if the evidence indicated criminal behavior.
  • That Mueller’s office may have shared criminal evidence involving Trump’s inner circle with other prosecutors both inside and outside the DOJ.
  • That Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein have each stated opinions opposing aggressive DOJ actions against the president even when criminal behavior is apparent. To them, the president may indeed be above the law.

We won’t know what exactly happened unless Mueller’s report is fully released to the public.

From:  Read Attorney General Barr’s letter to Congress announcing end of Mueller’s Russia probe

Dear Chairman Graham, Chairman Nadler, Ranking Member Feinstein, and Ranking Member Collins: 

I write to notify you pursuant to 28 C.F.R. 8 600.9(a)(3) that Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III has concluded his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and related matters. In addition to this notification, the Special Counsel regulations require that I provide you with “a description and explanation of instances (if any) in which the Attorney General” or acting Attorney General “concluded that a proposed action by a Special Counsel was so inappropriate or unwarranted under established Departmental practices that it should not be pursued.” 28 C.F.R. 8 600.9(a)(3) 9. There were no such instances during the Special Counsel’s investigation

The Special Counsel has submitted to me today a “confidential report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions” he has reached, as required by 28 C.F.R. 8 600.8(c). I am reviewing the report and anticipate that I may be in a position to advise you of the Special Counsel’s  principal conclusions as soon as this weekend.

Separately, I intend to consult with Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein and Special Counsel Mueller to determine what other information from the report can be released to Congress and the public consistent with the law, including the Special Counsel regulations, and the Department’s long-standing practices and policies. I remain committed to as much transparency as possible, and I will keep you informed as to the status of my review.

Finally, the Special Counsel regulations provide that “the Attorney General may determine that public release of” this notification “would be in the public interest.” 28 C.F.R. { 600.9(c). I have so determined, and I will disclose this letter to the public after delivering it to you.

Sincerely,

William P. Barr

Attorney General

See also:

A List of Trump Figures Who Apparently Won’t Be Indicted by Robert Mueller

Privacy group sues for public release of Mueller probe report

Trump stops new sanctions

From:  Trump surprises his own aides by reversing North Korea sanctions

President Donald Trump on Friday declared he would reverse new sanctions on North Korea that his administration rolled out just a day before, deepening concerns that the ostensible leader of the free world is at odds with his own team as he makes American foreign policy in spontaneous 280-character bursts.

The sudden move left the White House groping for an explanation, telling reporters only that Trump “likes” North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

“It was announced today by the U.S. Treasury that additional large scale Sanctions would be added to those already existing Sanctions on North Korea,” Trump tweeted. “I have today ordered the withdrawal of those additional Sanctions!”

Nominee hates Fed. Reserve

From:  Trump to nominate conservative Stephen Moore for Fed board

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that he will nominate Stephen Moore, a conservative economic analyst and frequent critic of the Federal Reserve, to fill a vacancy on the Fed’s seven-member board.

Moore, a well-known and often polarizing figure in Washington political circles, served as an adviser to Trump during the 2016 campaign. In that role, he helped draft Trump’s tax cut plan.

Trump has been harshly critical of the Fed’s rate increases even after the central bank announced this week that it foresees no hikes this year. Moore, formerly chief economist for the conservative Heritage Foundation, has also been critical of the policies of Chairman Jerome Powell.

FEMA exposed victims

From:  California wildfire victims had personal data compromised by FEMA

Millions of disaster victims – including thousands of those hit by California wildfires – had personally identifiable information compromised when they applied for housing relief with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, authorities said Friday.

The federal Office of Inspector General said the information was included in applications hurricane and wildfire victims submitted to FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program for housing assistance and was passed onto vendors without some of it being removed.

“During our audit … we determined that FEMA violated the Privacy Act of 1974 and Department of Homeland Security policy by releasing (personally identifiable information) of 2.3 million survivors of Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria and the California wildfires in 2017,” the March 15 memo stated. “Without corrective action, the disaster survivors involved in the privacy incident are at increased risk of identity theft and fraud.”

10 thoughts on “Barr’s letter on Mueller rpt, Trump stops new sanctions, Nominee hates Fed. Reserve, FEMA exposed victims”

  2. Reblogged this on 61chrissterry and commented:
    Like the UK who knows what is happening in the US.

    Who is in control and for how long?

    Trump appears to be still delivering policy by Twitter, is he not answerable to anyone, for he is only the President not a dictator, no matter how much he would wish to be the latter.

    Is there an official Trump administration and if there is Trump himself aware of this.

    Is the President aware of the policies being undertaken by his own administration and is the Administration aware of the views and directions of Trump.

    Perhaps the latter is difficult to be aware of, as it appears you have to be glued to Twitter to find this information.

    Is FEMA aware of the Laws of America or do they believe they are above the law and the Constitution , as it would appear the President of America feels he is.

    I assume that the persons whose privacy has been violated by FEMA can take legal action against FEMA or would the President feel he can obstruct this.

    Who needs ememies when Trump and his administration are around?

    Liked by 3 people

  3. Thanks for the level-headed post. It’s hard not to get sucked in by all the negativity out there. Thing is, like you stated, Mueller was NEVER going to indict Trump. So, the report COULD well read, “If I were able, I’d idict Trump on the following charges…” It COULD say something like this. I hope so, anyway.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Like I mentioned to Scottie, I tend to think he’s going to get “off the hook” through this report. I have a hunch nothing was “in writing” (by him) so while there may be involvement, it may not be concrete enough to pursue any action. Time will tell.

      Of course, from what I understand, New York is an entirely different matter.

      Liked by 2 people

      • We’ll see. 2 years was a LONG time to find “nothing”. And he’s been “off the hook” since this probe started as Mueller was NEVER going to indict him. He’s such a disgusting pig. My blood boils thinking of him. We don’t know what this report says, however, and the mind-reading by many is in high gear about it. We’ll see, I guess. I’ve read Congress already plans on calling on Mueller to testify. Now, THAT will be an interesting day or days.

        Liked by 2 people

  4. I feel very disappointed after all this going on for two years now. I expected more, but then rich corrupt powerful people usually get off scot free and I think much will be redacted from our eyes.
    I don’t blame Mueller, but I think his hands we’re tied and he walked a thin line not getting fired as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I think Mueller did his job as he was required to do.

      It’s just that “certain people” didn’t like the idea of the investigation–ANY investigation–that might reveal acts and events that … well, that they wanted to keep unrevealed.

      As much as I hate saying it, I tend to think most of us on this side of the fence are going to be disappointed in what we find out. It won’t be because he’s not guilty, but because of various ways and means that kept him “undercover.”

      Liked by 2 people

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