Mark Meadows: B.A. from Univ. of South Florida. Ran a sandwich shop and made a killing in real estate.
Devin Nunes: B.A. and M.S. in agriculture from Cal Poly.
Robert Mueller: J.D. 1973, Univ. of Virginia, decades of active legal practice as prosecuting attorney and in other capacity, director of FBI. Marine. Republican. Practicing attorney for over 40 years.
Rod Rosenstein: B.S. summa cum laude in economics from Wharton; J.D. cum laude, Harvard 1989. Clerk in DC Circuit. Prosecuting attorney in Tax Division. Practicing attorney for 30 years. Trump appointee, Republican, and one time assistant in Ken Starr's Whitewater investigation.
Gosh, I wonder... which of these folks would you trust for advice and counsel on the proper workings of the legal process? Which would be knowledgable about legal ethics?
And is any one of them a Democratic 'deep state' operative?
Only in la la land would anyone listen to a hash slinger and a manure flinger trying to tell to life-long Republican public servants with stellar legal backgrounds and impeccable records how to practice law.
Nunes and Meadows are know-nothing political hacks and nothing more. And now they have the power to wreak havoc with our legal system, on behalf of a lying, corrupt, know-nothing demagogue named Trump.
6
Again: they are not "conservatives." They are radicals verging on traitors.
3
Mafia Donald and his Crime Family. SAD.
4
This is fascism. Plain and simple. Trump the dictator is using threats and tweets, along with the support of his complicit cabal of supporters in the House and Senate, to obstruct the American people from ever knowing the truth about his chicanery and artifice. Mark Meadows and Devin Nunes are nothing but lackies in this conspiracy against truth. If the baby king Trump thinks he has the DOJ so completely, why not fire Mueller or Rod R? Why not? Because he knows Americans will flood into the street and demand his immediate impeachment or resignation. And why should they not? Our democracy is being destroyed by this cabal of crooks and malcontents. It drives me to vomiting every
time I read the news.
3
All. The. Best. People. That's his Justice Department.
This article cite this tweet from trump:
A Rigged System - They don’t want to turn over Documents to Congress. What are they afraid of? Why so much redacting? Why such unequal “justice?” At some point I will have no choice but to use the powers granted to the Presidency and get involved!
9:45 AM - May 2, 2018
Tax returns? Tax returns? Tax returns?
Medical records? Medical records? Medical records?
What are YOU afraid of?
Why so much bluster and false bravado?
Why so many lies and counter lies?
Why are you demanding unequal justice while and by abusing the Constitution and Democracy.
We will continue using the power of the vote and our voice to remove you and your leeches from sucking Freedom and Fairness from the USA.
Congress needs a thorough sterilization for they are diseased by corruption of power and personal egos. Congress is of by and for the people as a whole nation. These immoral hard liners line their pockets and cater to evil and hate.
Remove Rosenstein and/or Mueller at your own peril.
Trump, your full unredacted tax returns will be at the New York Times in time for May 4 2018 early edition?
Medical records released as US Presidents have done by May 5 2018 early edition correct?
Scared?
Rep Jordan, Rep Meadows, do you have no shame? Do you not understand our Great Democracy? Or are you just tired of working within the rule of law? The separation of powers is a large part of that ideal and you seem willing to demolish it for your own gain. With any luck our Democracy will survive and you will be relegated to the dust bin of history along with the rest of your Trumpian cohorts.
3
Republicans and their hypocrite leaders have demonstrated time and again they are allergic to the truth and want NOTHING to do with actual FAIR play, F A C T S or anything which can jeopardize their tenuous hold on power.
How do they love to lie? Let US count only a small portion of the many LIEs:
* there's massive voter fraud, so we need restrictions
* they haven't rigged the election game by extreme gerrymandering
* McCONnell denying the vote on Merrick Garland's Supreme Court based on last year in Office nomination. (Except Justice Kennedy came on in Reagan's last year).
* Benghazi "investigation"
* Any investigation "led" by Devin Nunes
* Tax Cut will generate bigly jobs and the deficit won't blow up
* We're going to invest at least a trillion in improving the infrastructure
* $cott Pruitt is doing a fine job "protecting" the environment
* Betsy DeVos is doing a "fine" job improving our education system
* Paul Ryan actually cares about deficits and hasn't been providing cover for Trump
* Mitch McCONnell cares about the USA more than remaining in power
and doesn't put party over country 24/7
* Republicans aren't totally in the pockets of Koch Bro$, Mercer$, NRA,
Adel$son, et al, especially due to Citizen$ United.
And many many more!
IF you don't like this. The ONLY viable solution is to VOTE Democrats IN. And show Republicans the door.
3
Trump is more desperate and unhinged by the day....Out of control lies, even for him....Cover-up, threats, more lies, Fox fake news, spin, triangulations. Ya, Make America Lie Again!
2
Oh, don't worry, Mr. President. You ARE involved.
3
Does it strike you as funny as it does me?? The headline lead in most current stories: "Trump adds Clinton lawyer.?" Unbelievable!
1
Robert asks (below):
"What happened to the Russian collusion? Where is the collusion Messrs. Rosenstein and Mueller?"
- If you read the questions that were leaked by Trump last week, you'd clearly see the outlines of the case of collusion that Mueller is building. (But that would require you to take off your partisan blinders).
"How dangerous it is to our Republic and civil liberties when you can ignore laws and destroy lives in your quest to overturn an election and the will of the American people."
- The true danger is that Russia interfered with our election in order to get Trump unlawfully elected. A corollary danger is that the entire Republican party is willing to turn a blind eye to that criminal activity. Trump and the Republicans are the ones that are "ignoring laws."
"The evil that Messrs. Rosenstein and Mueller and their elitist bosses...."
- And Trump doesn't count as "elitist?" Repeating false memes fed to you by Fox News doesn't make them any truer.
"God bless President Trump!"
The fact that you feel compelled to call upon your God to protect Trump demonstrates the factual and logical weaknesses of your assertions.
2
Caught in yet another lie......what a suprise!
1
It's time to write the obituary:
Trumpty Dumpty sat on his wall,
Trumpty Dumpty had a great fall,
And all Prez's golf carts
And all Prez's men
Couldn't put Trumpty together again.
2
He might try reading the Constitution first.
1
Why on earth would the NYT describe people who are trying to destroy the rule of law as "conservatives"?
1
**But Mr. Trump is increasingly on the defensive, after [the Cohen raid]...and the disclosure of more than 40 questions that the special counsel would like him to answer.**
******
https://www.salon.com/2018/05/02/robert-muellers-questions-for-donald-tr...
"According to the Washington Post, the questions weren't presented in those words at all:
"Mueller’s team agreed to provide the president’s lawyers with more specific information about the subjects that prosecutors wished to discuss with the president. With those details in hand, Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow compiled a list of 49 questions that the team believed the president would be asked . . .
"After investigators laid out 16 specific subjects they wanted to review with the president and added a few topics within each one, Sekulow broke the queries down into 49 separate questions, according to people familiar with the process.
"If this is true, then these questions really reflect the defense team preparing its client for what he's likely to face. It's a customary legal strategy that may provide very little specific information about the state of Mueller's investigation."
***
I keep coming across this point, that the specific 49 questions was a DEFENSE exercise. NYT, please confirm whether this is true or false. If Salon, WaPo and various television outlets have the story right, your reportage may need an update.
2
This is not a "house attack". When the chairmen of the committees, who are Republican, state that they are satisfied with the production of documents and there is not a peep out of the Republican leadership, this is at best the work of a small band of Trump zealots creating a diversion as the issues mount up for their man.
1
It makes me sad when I see Trump supporters described as "conservatives". Actual conservatives believe in the rule of law, the separation of powers and the Constitution. The House members like Nunes who carry water for Trump's criminality do not meet that standard, regardless of what they may call themselves.
2
Why would Trump allies in the snake-pit of Congress want any information? First off, Trump's sycophant Nunes has already declared his investigation "case closed" . . . no collusion, squeaky clean. Secondly, as soon as they get any information, they fast-track it to the closest loyal news outlet for dissemination. After Trump's reign of terror is over we need changes to the powers of the president so that a corrupt occupant of the White House can't actively cause mayhem to protect himself.
2
Our system of Justice is not "rigged" as you claim, Mr. Trump. Though not perfect, it is the zenith of systems of law that civilization has achieved. I know, I know...you probably think Russian courts are superior.
2
The clear web of lies, half-truths, and a general willingness to circumvent the rule of law by Trump and his Republican allies Reps. Peter Nunes, Jim Jordan, and Mark Meadows so they can all work together in attempting to slow the Mueller investigation is all too evident. No matter if you are politically on the right, left, or center we all as Americans have a duty to speak out against their utilization of public office to try and intimidate the Department of Justice with obvious corrupt intent. Sadly a Constitutional crisis is currently is no longer a theory, it has become a reality as Trump and his underlings are doing everything they can to prevent the truth about Russia and Trump's other corrupt dealings from becoming public. The only sanitation to stop this is adherence to our Constitution and moving forward in the due administration of Justice by the Attorney General's office and all our elected Representatives. Otherwise, our Democracy may face its biggest test perhaps since the civil war.
1
Any fair minded individual can see that the Justice Department under Rosenstein, rushed too judgement and appointed a special prosecutor without any justification.
Mr. Mueller should indite everyone in Congress that supports this corrupt administration. No man is above the law! Never,in the history of our Nation
has a presidential candidate used a foreign adversary to gain the highest office in the land.This is a crime against all of the American people.
Due to the nature of the issue, a special election , a do over should be in the realm of possibility.
We the people want a real American president, no conman.
My father fought in WWII for the country he loved, no traitor should sit in the White House.
Godspeed the Mueller investigation, We the people are waiting for the remedy.
1
And by the way, has anyone heard or seen which loopholes in the tax code have been closed to removed?
Every criminal in history has dreamed of controlling the justice system, firing prosecutors, removing or appointing judges, and has done down screaming about how unfair it all is that everyone is picking on him.
1
Since the first travel ban, I have been asking myself, " How long and how much pressure can the third arm of government stand?" Surely a compromised Executive branch and Congress can only be held in "check" so long by the Judicial branch before we no longer recognize what was once our democracy. Am I the crazy one? Should I be wearing the tin foil hat, now?
Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country. This President relentlessly attacks the career lawyers whose JOB is to investigate the kinds of allegations that have been raised. Since when do the allies of the subject of a potentially criminal investigation get to demand internal documents WHILE THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING? These are blunt, obvious moves to disrupt the investigation, i.e. they are this close to "obstruction of justice." I am very afraid that this White House will pull some crazy stunt with respect to North Korea as a massive distraction from what Mueller is uncovering. Responsible Republicans -- if there are any left -- must step up and defend the Constitution and the rule of law, as well as the independence of this investigation, before it is too late.
1
What did America think it was getting when it elected an extreme narcissist who has an external locus of control? He will never take responsibility and will side with anyone, even Vladimir Putin, if believes his ego will be protected. In this case, the alt-right members of congress are his rescuers emotionally. This will not end for the American public until Trump is gone from office. At some point this just becomes the same old song, different verse.
The only words we need to hear from Trump are "Guilty as charged, your honor."
1
"Republican lawmakers, for their part, argue that Mr. Rosenstein’s department has slow-walked important requests and withheld crucial details from documents they do turn over — material they say is necessary to doing their jobs."
"Doing their jobs?!" Their hypocrisy is rank, and worse, very dangerous. Their selective concern about doing their jobs is exposed by the sham of a report issued by Nunes's Intelligence Committee clearing the Trump campaign/admin of ANY wrongdoing.
The FBI and Justice Department have had to struggle with political tensions both within and from the outside before but this is a whole other level that is already doing irreparable harm to the rule of law.
May 17th is the one year anniversary of Special Counsel Mueller's appointment. It's just about time for a massive march on DC!
We are under attack by people who are violating their oath of office (enemies foreign and DOMESTIC)!
1
Well, sure. We have a couple of choices here. Either everything is rigged and the judiciary, the FBI, the intel community, the Democratic party, and the press are all corrupt and biased against Trump. OR the lifelong con man is conning us.
2
Rosenstein played the hatchetman in Trump's firing of Comey, but now it's his turn.
These Congressmen should be reminded that these leaks could easily comprise obstruction of justice if they are taking actions to assist Trump in his efforts to block the Mueller probe. DOJ policy may prevent indictment of a sitting president, that doesn't protect members of Congress. If they are leaking confidential information to aid Trump block the investigation, that's likely to be conspiracy to obstruct justice. Working with the White House to undermine the investigation, would make up the necessary elements of a conspiracy punishable under 18 U.S.C. sec 371. We have two or more persons agreeing to commit a criminal act and taking an overt act in furtherance of the agreement.
Those members of Congress are taking one heck of a risk. Even if there was never any conspiracy (not collusion) with the Russian government to have either financial or in-kind donations to the Trump campaign, Trump's efforts to block the investigation look very likely to rise to the level of obstruction of justice, and then any agreement to assist that effort would be punishable by up to five years in prison. They're likely staking their careers and freedom on a gamble that Mueller doesn't have enough evidence to show obstruction, or else a number of members of Congress could be joining members of the Trump campaign in prison.
If I were a prosecutor, I'd be feeling like I were in a very target rich environment right about now. I'll be surprised if fewer than ten people end up in jail.
Sorry folks, the Justice Department does not get to decide which part of Congressional oversight they will acknowledge and which part they won't.
1
The right wing has lost any semblance of honest inquiry; they only want to protect President Trump and the right wing agenda. The constant request for documents is both a delaying tactic and an attempt to dredge up any contradiction they can jump on. Surely in thousands of pages of documents there may well be some errors, and these will be used to attach the justice department. Oddly, the department they are attacking now consists mostly of Trump appointees, so it hardly seems reasonable to claim it is anti trump.
Mark Meadows, Trey Gowdy, Devin Nunes, Robert W. Goodlatte, and Jim Jordan are all working on many fronts to discredit law enforcement and the judicial system and to suppress investigations into wrongdoing, corruption, money laundering, foreign interference, and shocking acts of treason.
As a liberal who feels that conservatives led the country to this state, even I would not categorize these fringe extremist justice saboteurs as “conservatives.” These guys present a scary threat to the rule of law, and their fellow justice saboteur, Paul Ryan has let them run wild.
3
Trump interfered with former FBI Director Comey's investigation into Russia's election campaign meddling by firing Comey when Trump viewed Comey as "disloyal."
As Giuliani told Fox News's Sean Hannity recently, “He fired Comey because Comey would not, among other things, say that he [Trump] wasn’t a target of the investigation.”
Comey was running the investigation. It was up to Comey to determine what and who to investigate. Trump suspected he was being investigated when Comey wouldn't confirm Trump wasn't being investigated. Then, Trump fired the FBI Director.
If this isn't substantial interference with an ongoing, lawful investigation, then words have no meaning . . .
1
When the President of the USA attacks the American Judicial system, it is time for a new President. When he became President, Trump swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. His attack on the Justice Department and the Courts is a violation of that oath.
1
What’s the conflict? Trump and his legions don’t have a coherent story. Either they are medically unfit or they’ve generated so many lies that no one knows the truth except the justice department. Trump’s legal team is a joke - No one of any integrity will help him - they learn the truth and run!
Subpoenas or indictments please, Mr Mueller.
Let's have this showdown with Trump and get this over with.
If it goes to the Supreme Court ...so be it.
At least the whole world will know the multitude of proven criminal charges the Justice Department has against this illegitimate president.
And all those cowardly GOP who have covered for this despicable creature will be gone in November.
Meadows and Jordan are members of a caucus, not chairmen of standing committees. They're just bullies with the biggest mouths. They can ask; they don't get to demand.
1
Family values and the rule of law, right Republicans? Trump is all yours.
2
Trump has joined his fellow autocrats from Turkey, Hungary, Russia, Nicaragua, Egypt, etc. in attacking any legitimate center of power or inquiry. The press, the judiciary, the Justice Department, etc. If the Democrats win the House and Senate, he will attempt to delegitimize Congress. This is not a matter of left/right or liberal/conservative, or even a matter of policy. It is simply a matter of authoritarian rule versus democracy, of self-aggrandizing power moves versus accepting the right of people to disagree with the ruler.
It is pretty clear by now that if it were possible, Trump would love to be an absolute dictator, with no separate but equal competition, no free press, no free judiciary. Whoever disagrees with him will be demonized. Hopefully, this is a short-term aberration rather than a slow slippery slope, but, as the saying goes, "It could happen here" (see Germany, 1930's)
28
Time to hit the streets.
Peacefully.
In enormous numbers.
NOW.
20
Can you imagine another president behaving remotely like Trump and surviving? Even Harding? Trump’s most obvious shortcoming is temperamental. He adamantly refuses to perform many of the obligations of the office of president with integrity and efficiency; study, especially.
Study.
The presidency might be many things, but first and foremost it’s study hall — a four year advanced postgraduate seminar on many subjects, a ceaseless avalanche of paperwork. But he refuses to listen or read above a comic book level. He spends his day watching television.
His personal conduct is deplorable. He engages in vicious, petty feuds with ordinary citizens; attacks cherished American political institutions; flouts convention and tradition; is morally debased; lies pathologically; and is personally corrupt — exploits his office for personal gain. As for those whom he appoints to cabinet and sub-cabinet level positions, “a fish rots from the head”. Pruitt, Zinke and Price merely follow their boss’ lead, take their cues from The Great Man himself.
All that merely scratches the surface.
He survives by being a useful idiot — giving away the store to anyone with leverage, any advantage that they can exploit. Ukraine gets anti-tank missiles it badly needs by suspending cooperation with Mueller’s investigations. Sen. McConnell packs the courts with conservative judges by bottling up legislation that protects Mueller. Putin has reduced him to a galley slave.
He must go before he destroys us.
98
Like any other power granted to the President under the Constitution, the President's authority as President to hire and fire US Government officials does not imply any license to use that power for a corrupt intent.
Article II is there for a reason, and that reason does not include covering up crimes. By anyone.
9
It's time for Trump to eradicate the left-wing bureaucrats who have colonized the U.S. Department of Justice.
Righting that listing ship would be among Trump's greatest achievements.
1
Rolf,
In general, law enforcement and the Justice Department tends to attract more conservative people. But that is neither here nor there, because the people who work for the Justice Department take their oath to defend the Constitution very seriously, unlike our current president. They're concerned with upholding the law. not bending to politicians.
2
Here and I thought Sweden was a liberal country. Oh that is right, it was the only Scandinavian Country not invaded by Hitler.
1
Parody of a right-wing ideologue, I hope?
2
Republicans are trying their hardest to shut down Mueller before November. They know they are working on borrowed time.
8
They are especially on borrowed time if they shut Mueller down before November.
For the Love Of God, Stop calling this Congress and any of the Leadership “Conservative!” They Are Not Conservatives.
Conservatives uphold. They are for Law, the Constitution, and Patriotism. This Congress is stacked with Reactionaries, Radicals, and Autocrats. They are openly and directly siding with an Authoritarian Self-Serving, Law Breaking Mob Boss, who now tosses out daily Threats and Incidents Of Obstruction Of Justice and Stunning Lies at a frequency comparable to snowflakes in January.
They are now violating their Oaths Of Office as directly as Trump. Not only are they not checking his excesses, they have abdicated on their roles as a Duly Empowered Co-Equal Branch Of Government. They sabotaged, then aborted their own investigation into Trump, denied obvious evidence - and instead found fault with the investigators and the US Intelligence Community! The President who spiraled wildly out of control over Korea... is now nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by the same Congress that should have removed him months ago for painfully obvious ignorance, instability, and Unfitness for his Office.
Even if we ignore the President’s obvious signs of Russian Preferences, his own tweets and declarations are proof enough of Obstruction many times over by now. Congress doesn’t care. They have chosen Party over Country, Authoritarianism over The Law.
These “Conservatives” are an unchecked Cancer.They have become a wildfire that’s burning down American Democracy.
19
agreed
Reading these comments and opinions make me feel better.
Sometimes I feels like there are 100 people out there who care about what we are watching on a daily basis.
Trump's total disregard for the institution of the separation of the Exec branch and DOJ is scaring me, along with the "have is back Republicans".
This really does feel like an episode of Homeland....
7
the executive branch and DOJ are the same thing.
The forest of our democracy is fully ablaze; this is yet another tree at the fringe, beginning to smoke. So many of these treacherous affronts would have, singly, been enough to end an Administration in the America we used to know. Must we wait for an election and our individual fire hoses, for pity's sake? It is gob-smacking tragic that the U.S. constitution and our tax-funded institutions are apparently inadequate to end this corruption for all our sakes, once and for all.
10
For the president to state the legal system is rigged is a serious affront to the very integrity of America. As has been said by so many, Mr. Trump lacks the maturity and judgment and historical knowledge to execute the office. He is not dumb; he simply thinks he is above the law and doesn't care to learn what is and is not allowed. I used to think he was malevolent. Now I think he's in over his head and simply not that bright a guy. Yes, Mr. President, I think you're a goof, a clown, a puffed-up buffoon. Interesting thing about his supporters: they don't care either. God save us from mindless stupidity.
Why are those attacking the Justice Dept called conservatives? That does not strike me as a conservative view point.
13
They call themselves Conservatives.
3
If the president so much as touches Rosenstein it will reveal his guilt as well as his criminal disregard for the rule of law. Why hasn’t the bill been passed to protect Mueller? The Republican Party is good for nothing: dishonest to the core.
20
We need to watch this. They are hiring snitches in the OPR now. Trump is creating the deep state he accuses others of. It’s his mo.
9
Are there any leaders out there?
I hate the fact that we were offered a list of such weak presidential candidates that it was unparalleled in our country's history.
Trump is truly the morally corrupt president that many thought he would be. Consequently we have a president more concerned about himself and his image than the country's best interests.
The other top candidates Bernie, Hillary and Pence are not far behind. Bernie is myopic and would certainly have not been up to the task of understanding the greater good (certainly not like Obama). Hillary showed us incredibly inept judgement in her handling of the emails and has her own moral issues (though certainly a better choice than Trump) . Then we have Pence, who will very possibly be our next president. Pence would foist all of his religious belief and values on the entire country, obliterating our personal choice rights as well as freedom of religion.
Just very sad that this was the lineup from which we had to choose our president. I for one am very concerned that there is no one emerging who has the capability of unifying and focusing our country on the issues that are truly eroding our greatness.
Hope that someone will emerge who people from both parties will support...
7
With all of Trump’s statements/tweets/lies, we have a tendency to lose our outrage, but I am so outraged that he, the president of the U.S., said of our legal system and the DOJ: “it is rigged”.
I am at a loss for words to describe how crazed I am over this. How could any U.S. citizen, especially any lawyer who is trained in our legal system, not get absolutely crazed by this. The entire DOJ should stage a walkout today. How could any lawyer ever agree to work for him or in his administration?
11
The Third Reich was full of lawyers - of the type we currently call ‘gunslingers’.
Wasn't it just a week or so ago that some republican committee found no evidence of Russian collusion? Maybe their actions are just a sham and publicity for the base (whom aren't paying attention anyway) so they can remain in the revolving door between government and the donor class gravy train.
3
“I am not supposed to be involved with the F.B.I.,” Mr. Trump said in an interview in November. “I’m not supposed to be doing the kind of things that I would love to be doing. And I’m very frustrated by it.”
To someone like myself who lived for five years under the fascist dictatorship in Spain, statements like this are deeply concerning.
Is it fair to say that Trump is now doing "the kind of things" that he acknowledges understanding he's "not supposed to be doing"? It would seem so.
Do even the most radically right wing of Trump's supporters want to let him destroy America's separation of powers in order to protect himself? We must hope not.
16
It is well past time for all of us to stand up and throw this habitually lying, disgraceful, corrupt, implicated, self-possessed and pubescent destroyer of our national values, institutional integrity and public sovereignty out of office, along with his 'look the other way' accommodators and apologists in Congress and in the Republican party.
We're Better than This. ~ VOTE them OUT!
16
What happened to the Russian collusion? Where is the collusion Messrs. Rosenstein and Mueller? You and your Democrat hack lawyers were appointed to find collusion. You are wasting our time and our money. How long do you need to fabricate crimes Mr. Mueller? How dangerous it is to our Republic and civil liberties when you can ignore laws and destroy lives in your quest to overturn an election and the will of the American people. The evil that Messrs. Rosenstein and Mueller and their elitist bosses, both Democrats and Republicans, are committing against the President and his administration is going to fall back on them. God bless President Trump!
3
The investigation has not concluded.
1
I suspect God has his own eventual long, long, long, long-term plans for Trump. Dress lightly.
Robert,
You are not keeping up with the players, particularly the Russian players within the Trump campaign and in his family and associates, particularly the ones that have already been indicted. Paul Manafort's deep engagement with Russia would cause most people to be very concerned, since he was campaign manager for Trump, at the same time. If you will take a closer look at other news sources besides FOX, you will find the multiple interactions and connections that implicate Trump in a very suspect relationship with Putin and other Russian oligarchs. Surely you cannot believe that to be acceptable.
God save us.
1
What is Congress' big rush to get documents? It is not like they are conducting a serious investigation. Just look at the House Intelligence Committee.
9
Nunes wants the documents so he can run them over to the White House in the middle of the night, just like he did the last time.
1
Please, Mr. President, for the sake of the country--do one single honorable thing in your life, and resign.
13
The very naked partisanship (or is it just pure tribalism at this point) is not hopefully not lost on the majority of the voters!
3
At what point do we stop taking the lie-vomit from criminals seriously?
An unending set of requests for documents describing the approach of a criminal investigation so they can be turned over to the criminals under investigation -- and, if refused, will promptly generate a completely bogus impeachment attack. When documents have been delivered, the next request is issued. Pure filth.
We are seeing criminal intent in action. Nothing else. I do hope those making these requests get the appropriate reward for aiding and abetting criminal activity.
The Republicans should now be covered the way any criminal enterprise is covered--with deep skepticism, and aggressive challenge of everything they say with the likely actual motives and facts.
5
Gee, where have we heard the word rigged before? Oh, that's right, that was Trump's excuse for losing the election.
12
Trump thinks that all three branches of government only exist to do his bidding. Has he read the Constitution? Has the Freedom Caucus? The DOJ and Rosenstein are completely correct to maintain the separation of powers that is the bedrock of our democratic system.
Trump swore to protect the Constitution. Obviously this meant nothing to him. He exists only to protect his own ego, petulance, and childish willfulness. We have an ignorant infant in the White House. God Help Us!
Please, Americans, vote in November and begin to rid us of this plague that is infecting our nation.
11
What is at stake here? The possibility that the president conspired with a foreign enemy to steal the election. The possibility that the Russians might have a mole in the White House.
The current efforts by the Republicans to block the investigations demonstrates how corrupt their party has become, corrupt to the point that they love power more than their country, corrupt to the point that they break their oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution.
If Americans have any sense, they will vote them out in November.
10
Just to check email notification that was omitted on my original post.
Whoa', I thought 45 was busy trying to create world peace and reunification of the Koreas? So much energy, astounding.....able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Amazing.
2
The 2016 election stopped being "rigged" after the Electoral votes were announced. Had Trump lost that vote, it would have been "rigged" all the same. Still, since he came in second in the popular vote, the man was abut to whine about the phantom millions of illegal voters. Now the justice system itself is "rigged"; for Trump but not for the Central Park Five.
It all sounds like a kid blaming a ref's call for a bad loss. Or maybe Trump can just claim that he lost the ground ball in the sun.
5
With all his energy going to defending himself and his ego, when does Trump actually take the time to consider the important business of running our country? It's quite clear he does not care about average Americans, other than how they feed his ego at his campaign rallies. And we just keep paying his expenses to fly around for golfing trips and rallies while the country is embroiled in his personal soap opera, not making America better.
7
Actually, the DOJ is the conservative side, all Republicans who believe in the Rule of Law.
The so-called House Republicans are not conservative: if they were they would not have approved $1 trillion in deficits per year, trade union protectionism and big government in Washington telling us what to do.
3
This is more of the same from a troubling Presidency that assails democracy. First, enthrall the disenchanted, pump up the military, assail your political enemies, ensure your political allies are cowed by your displays of strength and unpredictability, then assault the judiciary while simultaneously supporting the police so force projection remains high and obedience to superior will is assured through never-ending dominance behavior. Never stop attacking and never stop lying. This is a culture of "authoriatyrannical" force, ego and thoroughly undemocratic. Every day he remains in power is another cut in the lingchi torture of our nation. We need a real non-partisan President who puts the nation's interests above their own or their party.
1
What's up with these Republicans demanding info when they have already proclaimed there's no wrongdoing in the Trump camp and no collusion with foreign powers? Yet they're obviously terrified of the truth and want to squash it before the Justice Department can reveal it to the Americans who are paying any attention.
5
Trump is off on another bullying tantrum, not seeming to realize that anything he does to interfere with Rosenstein or Mueller will not end well for him.
5
This latest assault by House conservatives on the deputy attorney general and the investigations of the special counsel show the depths to which these politicians will sink to protect their power and satisfy their donors.
I fear that Americans may not see that justice will be done when the alleged perpetrators and accomplices are powerful politicians who possess the means to thwart the rule of law when it suits their interests.
2
Talk about a fishing expedition. Perhaps Trump's lackeys (aka the "Freedom Caucus") want to see what evidence Mueller has acquired and share it with the White House. If the Justice Department has evidence that Trump and his campaign officials committed treason with Russia then they would be wise to withhold it in that extraordinary circumstance. Justice Department officials took an oath of office to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic". That is their highest duty. The "Freedom Caucus" should change their name to the "Freedom Caucasus" so that we know where their loyalties really lie.
2
He lies.
Authors his own medical diagnosis.
Pays for sex (not in itself bad but but hardly Christian.).
And is likely hoping for a Nobel Peace Prize.
The only thing not laughable about this president is...
that's he's president.
7
I have been following the Trump reality show for almost 2 years and it only gets worse. However, one thing has struck me and that is howmany of those working for and supporting Trump have come out on the losing side of things. Start with his campaign, Mannafort and Gates indicted for numerous crimes. Caputo has been crying how his family is being bankrupted by legal costs spent in defending himself. I wonder if Trump offered to help him out. Then we come to McMaster, Scaramucci, Hope Hicks, Tillerson, Comey, McCabe, and soon Kelly.
And how about those at the bottom of the ladder who voted for him. Have they benefitted from the new tax laws or will they?
Finally Michael Cohen, helping his "friend" Trump and about to be indicted and prosecuted and probably disbarred from practicing law.
Tell me would you buy a used car from the the President of the USA?? Not me!!
3
The good news: FBI employees are very aware of this obstruction of justice ploys by the WH and GOP Congress people; the more they show us the holes we have in our Constitution we will ensure we have lawmakers to protect Special Counsels and strip the President's ability to pardon; Congressional term limits will be capped and the list goes on. We will get through this. It was a good in 1960's to champion the idea of distrusting government. Today we are far removed from the federal government's reach to create the necessary corrections to it and in our own State governments.
To put it mildly a criminal resides in the WH and is exhibiting criminal behavior. Not to worry the rule of law society we have created will win in the end.
2
Typical Republican bullying and bravado for headlines to tell the hicks back home they are draining the swamp. What the Freedom Caucus clowns are doing is ridiculous - and the rest of the GOP rolls over and plays dead? That's right, they were busy nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. What are the Democrats doing? Nothing! Democrats need a big mouth mouthpiece version of the Freedom Caucus. Tired of reading about yet another idiotic blowhard Republican harassing (yes!) the DOJ.
2
This is all what The Muscovite ordered: a calamity with no apparent facts, and all the GOP members of the House sponsoring it, never mind a few wayward rubles that have found their way into the American kitty or the dollars with stricken presidents on them that have been transmuted into rubles, all wishing before their demise they could at least be pounds or francs.
1
How is this not going to result in the firing of Rosenstein? Of course it will.
2
Please call, email, and write to the Republican leaders, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan to let them know that this country will not tolerate presidential or partisan congressional interference with the Justice Department or with the Special Counsel's investigation. What becomes of our democracy when the Congress acts solely in the service of the President and when the Justice Department is controlled by partisan political pressure? We lose the separation of powers that is a pillar of our democracy.
11
Perhaps Democrats should play along with this ploy by demanding equal transparency from Trump wrt his tax returns. What is he hiding from the American people? They should indicate that if he has nothing to hide there, he should be willing to show them to the American people.
Did he take the hush money he paid to Stormy Daniels as a tax deduction? A business expense?
25
Republicans have always been for "law and order," except for when it applies to them and their super-rich overlords who fund them. Trump voters, you were used again and don't even realize it.
39
Seems to me we need to stop referring to the Freedom Caucus as "conservative." They are not interested in "conserving" anything except their power.
33
Yes and let's also stop referring to Evangelicals as Christians. And I can not wait until we can stop referring to Trump as President of the United States.
9
Get involved? He is already involved and it amounts to an obstruction of justice.
14
The Freedom Caucus needs renaming as the Authoritarian Caucus or the Dear Leader Caucus.
And the NYT headline on the website characterizing Trump as siding with house conservatives isn't fair to conservatism, not that I'm a defender of conservatism, but we need to start calling out disregard for rule of law and cult of personality for what it is -- utterly un-American. Trump exhibits traits the founders intended to protect us from in the Constitution. They may not have anticipated pervasive cowardice and venality in Congressional leadership.
21
This is a rather strange article. Comey gave his memos to his friend, who then read them them to the NYT. Thus is not mentioned in the article. Yet, when congress fulfilling its constitutional duty of oversight asked to see the memos, NYT complained.
How does this make sense? How is this good reporting?
1
NYT has no obligations to serve the Republicans in Congress. That’s not what a free and independent press is for.
3
Comedy’s memos were not classified, unlike what 45 disclosed to Russians in the Oval Office shortly after he was sworn in. You know, the time he ordered the American press out of his office and allowed the Russian press to stay?
7
I notice you spell constitutional without a capital C, and the word congress as well. I think you have unknowingly hit upon the problem. There appears to be no expectation for a higher level of behavior. These institutions are our Core. They are meant to be upheld by both the public and elected officials. As for The New York Times, it has done its duty to try to see through to the facts and truth when some would prefer to obfuscate.
2
Mr. Trump, you might want to check your righteous indignation about our "legal system" being rigged until you begin to tell the truth on any number of fronts.
You have failed in your presidency to uphold even basic levels of character, integrity, and morals. And we will not forget your trashing of our institutions at election time those who support you.
"SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER (AND NOVEMBER)..."
21
is it just me, or does anybody else think the Trump administration was created by Mario Puzo? I'm waiting for the report that Rosenstein was found swimming with the fishes.
if the President is so very innocent, why does he act so very guilty - at every turn? is he like the little brat who pushes dishes off the table just to get the attention he craves?
Republicans: ask yourselves, in all honesty, is an end to abortion, elimination of taxes, reinstatment of toxic pollution, making America one big revival meeting, and unfettered access to military weaponry really worth all of this?
19
Thank you Pottree. I agree with you. Sadly however it is pointless to ask Republicans "... is an end to abortion, elimination of taxes, reinstatment of toxic pollution, making America one big revival meeting, and unfettered access to military weaponry really worth all of this?" These consequences are worth it to their base & Republican leadership will promote any and all of the above if it lines their own pockets. The Republican base is all about religious zealotry, bigotry and misogyny; the leadership is all about money money money.
1
Apparently that question has been asked and answered.
4
I really am terrified by Mr. Trump's total lack of reality. He truly acts like a criminal -- someone who is caught and is desperately trying to punch his way out of trouble. He is not representing the American people -- he's dangerous and deluded. He really does need to go! But, the loving Arpaio Mr. Pence is no better -- terrible mess the Russians have made of this country.
65
And let's not gloss over the 'red' states rebuffing Jeh Johnson's DHS offer to secure election sites. The 'dark' side of our country is being exposed BIG TIME!
2
Nothing Trump does or says surprises anymore. He's the clown in the center ring drawing away our attention. His act is getting tiring and old.
For the sake of the country, we need to shift our gaze from Trump to members of the Senate and the House. A few Democrats are stepping up, but where is the rest of the party? They all should be loudly defending Mueller and Rosenstein and the democratic institutions under assault. Now is the time for the minority party to shout its objections.
Moreover, it would be reassuring to see Republican members take a stand against this mugging of democracy. There must be some vestige of concern for the rule of law and the defense of democracy among members of this party. Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan sit on their hands; how disgraceful. It would be tough to make the case any better than has Congressman Adam Schiff:
"When the dark chapter of the Trump presidency is written in the history books, the harshest criticism will be reserved for the GOP leadership in Congress, which put party over country and refused to defend our institutions and the rule of law when they were most at risk."
13
How can someone so advantaged, so wealthy (as claimed), be so bitterly and constantly aggrieved even after winning the the most powerful position on Earth?
It's only when you want everything your way all the time when you have everything else so chafe against laws and rules that you see the system as rigged and set against you. He isn't the little guy struggling against "the man" and all the laws and rules made using the Golden Rule - He who has the gold makes the rules - that kept the rest of us stagnant (at best) for the last four decades.
He's like a child that lashes out when he can't have his way. All the time. Now.
13
What we are watching now is nothing more nor less than the unraveling of our Constitutional government. The rule of law and the Article III court system are under attack, all for the convenience of Donald Trump and his minions, aided by a small group of right-wing extremists in Congress - who peddle conspiracy theories and talk nonsense.
Few if any of them have any legal education or experience and none have any appreciation for the orderly workings of our legal system or the ethical canons that govern the practice of law. Nunes, Meadows, et alia - not a lawyer among them.
They're idiots with megaphones, leading a partisan mob. If this doesn't remind you of Germany in the 1930's, you don't know your history and you haven't been paying attention.
52
No. The president doesn't get to protect himself from prosecution by destroying the prosecutors. He does not have that power as much as he would like to have it. He does not own the Department of Justice. He just doesn't!
9
The world is closing in on Trump; and he is lashing out, the only way he can, by playground retorts. Hose conservatives not only have lost credibility, but are operating in the same alternate universe, as Trump. Many of these House conservatives praise Trump, in a letter, to the Nobel Committee to award Trump the Nobel Peace Prize. Never the mind, Trump was willing to create a situation that would have cause World War III. By the way, the Nobel Committee does not award prizes to people who have low integrity or are liars.
The only thing "rigged" here is that the system is doing what it is suppose to do to protect the people and the integrity of our government. Something, that GOP conservatives, and Trump, seem to care nothing about.
With multiple, legitimate, investigation going on, it is no longer a matter of "if" Trump will be impeached, but when. And, such a situation may not only bring down Trump, but Pence, his cabinet and a number of his party colleagues.
History may show, that the every growing scandal, with Trump, and the GOP, will be the worse in US history. I hope the Supreme Court is proud of itself with Citizen's United. Their ruling set, in motion, events that got this country to this point.
37
Trump is mentally unhinged and appears very likely to cause severe damage to our country. Time to in invoke the 25th amendment.
29
I'm constantly amazed that Trump attacks the very people whose job is to render justice. If he were truly innocent of these shenanigans, he'd sit back and encourage the DOJ to do its job thoroughly. Instead, he belittles these public servants, making them less likely to look favorably on ambiguous evidence. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
I remember the incremental unfolding of the Nixon nightmare. It was one relentless revelation after another. The Trump trajectory looks alarmingly similar. He has crossed the Rubicon; it's only a matter of time now.
20
Trickle-down obstruction of justice is real, folks. Trump's enablers in Congress scare me a lot more than Trump himself.
32
Are we surprised ? ... The same gutless repubs who said nothing during the primaries when Trump insulted the service of McCain, Syrian parents of a gold star hero, a disabled reporter, bragged about gabbing women ... the list goes on ... Those cheering crowds at Trump rallies scared the repubs, so they tried his game, tho they were all hopelessly overmatched ... Since then, every time there is even the shadow of a question Trump visits a factory for a campaign style rally and the repubs fall back in line ... Do not forget; these Trump supporters may be only 37% of the electorate but they are easily 85% of the repub base ... That's it, pure and simple, the ultimate cowardice of extreme politics ..
Trump will destroy the legal foundation of this country to protect himself.
Somewhere there are videos, somewhere there are tapes, somewhere there are documents, all so incriminating and shockingly embarrassing that in desperation
his ego would never let them be revealed...He would rather sacrifice the country.
20
The issue here is that the bureaucrats of the deep-swamp have more power than those elected by the citizens. CIA and NSA have budgets that Congress hasn't a clue about the details of where the money actually goes, even worse.
Can a revolution be far off?
6
Actually, Alice, the "swamp" you speak of has gotten immeasurably worse with the Trump Circus in town. And like the CIA and NSA, Trumps money details seems to be
a secret as well. By the way, what's the special today?
I think Rosenstein should send Nunes a couple of carefully selected non-redacted documents for his eyes only. Then when the information in those documents ends up in the hands of the White House, Nunes can be arrested for obstruction of justice. Send him a poison pill and see if he swallows it.
25
Nunes is also guilty of Obstructing Justice.
7
If there's anything "rigged" here it's the administration of Trump. It's rigged full of people, past and present, who were chosen, or kept on, on the condition that they swear absolute loyalty to Mr. Trump and to commit any act, legal or not, that he requests of them. They do not have to be the top in their fields, just have unswerving loyalty to their master and the autocratic ruler of what used to be a democracy.
This is all made possible of course because those who could keep this situation from continuing on it's way to dictatorship instead of a country ruled by law, refuse to do so. Even though they control Congress Republicans sit back and relax while Trump methodically destroys the Justice Dept., the FBI, and the Judiciary, while lying over and over again about almost everything and mixes the lies with name calling, mocking the handicapped, denigrating war heroes and generally spitting in the face of anyone he feels like it. He is showing our children that everything they were taught about common decency and doing what is right by people is not only wrong but stupid, and he's here to prove it.
13
Where is the outcry over this? Trump is wearing us down with his twitter propaganda tool. He is relying to subvert the rule of law to protect himself and has turned the Republican Party into goons. This is quite scary stuff.
22
Boy, have things gotten topsy-turvy in Bizarro World. You remember's Superman's alternate universe, where EVERYTHING is opposite to truth justice and the American way. So while "GOP quisling House dogs," as Cheryl aptly describes them, want to impeach Rod Rosenstein, who at this point doesn't seemed to have violated his oath to defend the constitution, while ignoring their own constitutional duties to get to the bottom of this mess.
9
This investigation will end up being about the democrats illegal use of the justice department and result in Trump being elected to a second term.
3
Somehow I don't think that's the way it will end up.
1
Don't think so. But I do know that wherever in the USA you are, it will be difficult to understand that Trump is no different than any other businessman who tries to launder money by circumventing the law. The IRS will see to the rest, I assure you it will end up with an indictment accusing Trump of laundering money, transferring funds illegally and tax fraud. That's how we take care of it here in the USA.
1
You seemed to have missed the fact that Rod Rosenstein is republican, who was appointed by Trump. He is the only person appointed by Trump in this whole mess that has even one shred on integrity.
2
This unraveling situation reminds me of the song we used to sing when I was a kid, whenever the schoolbus pulled into a park or museum or event.. (to the tune of Auld Lang Syne":
"We're here because we're here because we're here because we're here....
.... We're here becuse we're here because we're here because we're here"...
Trump is going to ride this situation down the same way he rode it up - blustering and faking and lying his way all the way to the bottom, and dragging us all along with him, for no point at all.
And all thanks to his squalid useful idiots like McConnell, Ryan, Gaetz, Jordan, Nunes, Meadows, and all the rest.
All of them suffering from short-term memory problems, and long-term lack of vision.
13
Once again the right has given us the answer to Joseph Welchs' famous question, "Have You Left No Sense of Decency?" The answer is "No." The right's only emotions are hatred and envy. Hatred of people of color, of uppity women asserting control over their own bodies, and people seeking a better life for their children. And envy of a New York mogul able to have sex with a porn star.
May I humbly suggest that hatred and envy are poor foundations for public policy? But I am stymied at finding alternatives in this political climate.
9
If you're guilty, I'm sure the justice system seems rigged. As the likelihood grows that Trump and his campaign broke a number of laws, and colluded to obtain office illegitimately, so grow these partisan attacks on the justice department. The rule of law can be very inconvenient when it comes to partisan politics. Are there any ethical adults left in the Republican party who will step up, and call for an end to their party's sabotage of our legal system?
12
How much longer can this idiocy and blatant mendacity continue. Surely the presidency of the "most powerful nation on earth" is a sad joke to the rest of the west. The trump presidency and his congressional supporters are diseased from within-hopefully our democracy can recover. You voters should think carefully before ever voting for a "one-percenter" and his cadre of cronies to govern.
10
These republicans (who are calling for impeachment of the Deputy Attorney General) & Trump should be charged with treason. They know the Department of Justice is outside their purview & a separate entity. There is a reason for checks & balances in the government. It is to prevent the very thing that is happening. A political party & a president using their powers to dispose of political enemies. Dictatorships do this very thing all the time. Americans need to recognize what is happening with these people in office & stop the destruction of the country. Or is everyone happy with the dictatorship that is forming in the White House & Congress.
11
As others have often said, quit attaching war adjectives to unhinged twittery.
These aren't "attacks", "slams", or "lashes". These are whines, tantrums, criminal hate incitements (against numerous classes), and criminal threats (against e.g. Tester); and any other person who would do so as often as "covfefe" would receive only three words in response: "seek", "professional", and "help", in that order. Well, that and an armed-police intervention.
6
Thank you! Terrific use of language, a keeper for me.
4
Donald John Trump, Sr. made a solemn sworn oath to faithfully execute the duties of his office as the President of the United States while preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution. From Jeff Sessions to Rod Rosenstein to Chris Wray he has the Justice Department leadership that he nominated with the advice and consent approval of the U.S. Senate. By taking sides with a partisan political faction of a House committee, Trump is violating his oath of office by putting his personal interests ahead of his national office duties.
11
When did the label "conservative" start meaning extremists?
Thinking that it was shortly after the pResident assumed the office and the republican party became more and more corrupted.
4
This is nothing more than efforts by Trump supporters and trump himself to discredit anything said by Comey as well as the FBI investigation. Trump and supporters believe this will influence the outcome and cast doubt on the Mueller investigation. I think they are wrong.
4
Let's get this straight, the conservative Republicans are following Trump on this, carrying his water is attacking Justice, not the other way around.
4
Suppose I agree no collusion .. so why do we need to scuffle the investigation etc! I thought it makes good TV coverage !
Some one in that caucus cannot see the bad apple in the box.
2
The press, including the Times, contributes to the problem by continuing to refer to these people (Freedom Caucus) as "conservatives". There is nothing remotely conservative about them. They are bomb throwing radicals and anarchists. And they should be referred to as such.
12
Oh, please, get involved, Mr. Trump! Why not throw some more gas on the Dumpster fire that is your presidency? It makes for great ratings, and perhaps, if Congress has any spine left at all, it can speed you out the door.
Then we just have to figure out how to survive a Pence administration...
5
The comments of President Trump indicate his conviction that Congressional Republicans are willing to fully abrogate their constitutional responsibility of oversight and join him in his obstruction of justice.
His conclusion is well founded given the willful nonfeasance of the House Committee's Republican majority and the disgraceful attempt by Mark Meadows to discredit Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein.
This Administration, with the collusion of the Republican Right, represents a most un-American, undemocratic, and corrupt bent in U.S. politics. The significant minions these people lead portend that something is rotten in the nation and the stench is unbearable.
5
It is very clear that Trump and his sycophants in Congress are looking for any and all reasons to engage in a full scale war with the DOJ, the FBI, the intelligence agencies and Mueller. Yet, for all their unified inflammatory rhetoric, they don't do anything other than spew inflammatory rhetoric.
Enough already. Either put up or shut up. This bombast is getting very old. I
think the vast majority of Americans want this entirely unnecessary and tawdry fiasco completed. The president spends more time tweeting and watching TV coverage about this than anything else on his agenda. (There w as a major meeting at the White House on Monday about North Korea and the president no-showed.) Congress needs to focus on infrastructure, protecting elections from Russian meddling, preventing gun violence and other critical issues.
If one asks today "Who is running this country?" he/she could be accused of asking a rhetorical question. The Supreme Court took a break from its summer hiatus to deal with the Nixon tapes. I'm sure they can be called back again to deal with these juvenile temper tantrums.
2
I'm happy for Mueller's investigation to run it's full course. Then prosecutions for those who have broken the law. Are we not a nation of laws?
1
Getting close to the moment when uttering the word, impeach will not seem impulsive or premature.
3
You changed the headline and dropped "conservatives." That change was a good move: without it, the Times would be implying that Trump was siding with "conservatives" against Sessions, Rosenstein, Comey, and other long- standing conservative Republicans. So what, then, might "conservative" mean? The Times presses its let's-be-fair button too often before it thinks. In this case, it seems to have thought, if a bit slowly.
My representative, David Schweikert (aka the Invisible Man) is a member of this caucus. I will be making a donation to the Democrats running against him this fall. When I write to him about gun control, I get a letter back on the benefits of reciprocity. I wrote to him about the tax bill, I got a letter back saying we'd all be flush with cash after this bill passed. You get the message. Luckily, there are two Democratic candidates that show promise in taking him on.
NYT - how about a list of these caucus members & what their status is for the November race.
5
Why does the New York Times continue to call these people conservatives? They are anything but.
3
I think Trump and his congressional lackeys are reading the mid-term tea leaves and understand November might be a repub bloodbath. Thus their window to discredit public servants, and undermine an institution and the Mueller investigation might be drawing to a close. So attack now, get Rosenstein fired, and discredit or fire Mueller and then hand the dems a fait accompli in November.
How quaint the notion of country, principle, and rule of law over party.
1
One of the good things about all this is I haven't heard that old boast 'we are a nation of laws' mentioned much anymore.
2
How and where does Congress get the right to demand partial work product of an ongoing criminal investigation?
It is not only being conducted by a separate and distinct branch of the government, but one that is partially isolated from control by the Presidency and Trump himself, a person of interest of the very investigation he hopes to interfere with.
I thought this was the reason for dividing the power of government in three unrelated bodies in the first place.
It would also provide a way for persons of interest and those classed as “under investigation” to find out what is known, unknown, and how they can further obstruct or evade investigation into crimes the Department of Justice’s already-isolated Special Prosecutor has reason to believe they have either committed ot have knowledge of.
Talk about a way to subvert the Rule of law by those pledged to create, maintain and support it?
Without support of the Head of State, how does one go about impeachment of several Congress members for attempting to subvert a criminal investigation on an action they are prevented by two brick walls from involving themselves in?
5
I want to know what damaging information Trump and/or Russsia has on the GOP leadership. Trump and Russia must be blackmailing the GOP leadership. That's the only reason I can think of as to why the GOP has been completely complicit in treason and obstruction of justice.
4
Trump to bully--threats, but no action, He is a stain on American society and politics.
3
Is the United States still a country of laws? Will the Supreme Court rule that Trump has to talk to a Grand Jury? Will Republicans do the right thing and impeach him? Only time will tell.
4
Meadows is the Representative from the NC 11th district which includes Asheville (part of it only, after gerrymandering by the Republicans neutered its influence).
He would have been in jeopardy of another term if the Supreme Court had not stayed a decision by a panel of federal judges on Jan 18 of this year to strike down the North Carolina congressional map drawn by Republicans.
From the NYT on Jan 18: “The judges noted that the legislator responsible for drawing the map had not disguised his intentions. ‘I think electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats,’ said the legislator, Representative David Lewis, a Republican. ‘So I drew this map to help foster what I think is better for the country.’
The Supreme Court stayed the decision for the midterm elections, but afterward there is no guarantee that they will maintain the stay because of the egregious violations of neutrality of the map.
This makes me wonder if Meadows is leveraging his power in the House while he has it, to get another term to continue to be Trump’s “neo-Roy-Cohn” to defend him against the real Americans who are trying to defend the Constitution and separation of powers.
1
The system is rigged, it tries to convict the guilty....DT continues to act like he's guilty of some sort of illegal activity, otherwise why would he be trying so hard to keep the investigation from going where it needs to go?
2
A gigantic power grab that will leave America and the world speechless. The crazies (Meadows, Jordan and their allies) should be taken down by the Republicans who still have a moral code. Yet, they lack the courage to even open their mouths to denounce the lawlessness in their own party. November 2018, remember to vote.
4
I think it's high time we made the Justice Department a separate branch of government with the AG being an elected official. You can't serve two masters, the President and Justice. If you serve the President, you will do his bidding. If you serve Justice, you then...serve Justice, regardless of President, Party, or favor. As we can see from this wannabe tyrant, he thinks he should be shielded by his AG, not prosecuted.
1
I think the article's title on the main NYT home page provides a mistaken description of what is going on ("...siding with conservatives"). The House Republicans are doing this in service to the Trump White House; members are part of a cabal to obstruct justice. In this way, the title gravely misses context, portraying them as leading rather than following Trump.
1
Congratulations, Vladimir Putin.
This is beyond your wildest dreams.
4
It's so outrageous - if one can be outraged almost daily - what white men get away with in the name of holding onto power. Imagine if Obama, after firing the head of the FBI, had started threatening to take over DOJ in order to interfere with an investigation into whether he and his campaign colluded with Russia while he also fended off allegations of hush-money for an affair, riled up black people against white people at his rallies, etc., etc. As George Orwell said: "To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle." This is NOT NORMAL.
3
This is not a standoff. Trump wants the documents released to show DOJ and FBI misconduct at the end of the Obama Administration. These documents call into question the whole Russian inference claim. They could show a whitewash of the Hillary Clinton's State Department misuse of documents and perjury. It could show that Clinton should not have been the Democrat presidential candidate.
With all of Mr. Trump's delusion, it seems his supporters are more than willing to go along with it. Mr. Trump was a crooked liar long before he became President -- he's unfit for the office -- no matter how much you try to spin it. In short, he's a thug who doesn't care one wit about his country or the American people -- let's stop talking about crooked Hillary and remember who is the most crooked of them all -- Donald J. Trump.
30
Where’s the beef on Hillary Clinton? Rosenstein bent over backwards to release info re her to the “Freedom” Caucus; there has been countless investigations on Clinton’s time at State, yielding nothing to use for any kind of indictment. There was “misuse” of documents, mostly by a negligent use of an unsecured server, which by the way happened with Colin Powell and Condi Rice at State. Negligence does not equal intent. What Trump is under investigation for is far more serious.
27
Oh please. The Republicans want the documents so they know how to improve their obstruction efforts. You're going to have to get over Hillary Clinton and deal with who and what Trump is and what he's potentially done to our democracy.
3
"A Rigged System - They don’t want to turn over Documents to Congress. What are they afraid of? "
---
A Rigged 'President' - He doesn't want to turn over his tax returns to the American people. What is he afraid of ?"
The Imposter-In-Chief projects his guilt onto others to start off another new corrupt day in the hijacked Oval Office.
Nice GOPeople.
80
There is a basic concept and tenet of the Constitution which is called the separation of powers. Which was put in place so that no branch of government would have more than the others.
It is clear that President Trump, the GOP (especially the hard right) and some other conservatives have never read the Constitution, or if they have don't understand it or don't care. They seem to be in the process of putting this document through a shredder so that only thing remaining is the 2nd amendment.
Rod Rosenstein is right to withhold information regarding an ongoing investigation to maintain this separation. In some ways this separation of powers even exists in some ways within the Executive Branch in that the Justice Department must and should be allowed to carry out its mission without interference from the President or Congress.
79
I agree, Chuck, but unfortunately too much power without any oversight has been given to the president. That is one thing we must DEMAND be changed when Socially Conscious democrats/independents get baj control of OUR governments.
Right now we cannot trust the Koch brothers courts to preserve true democracy and The Con Don is stacking the courts with more Robber Baron operatives as we speak. Very scary.
7
The Justice Department is part of the Executive Branch which the President in in charge of. The President would be 100% within his Constitutional authority to tell the Justice Department what it will and will not investigate. The Congress would have the power to impeach and remove him.
You are essentially claiming that the Justice Department is a fourth branch of government, and there is no one to provide oversight of its activity.
You are wrong.
1
The Con Don reminds me of a drowing person - thrashing around and yelling.
Rachel Maddow (MSNBC 9 pm ET weeknights) had to add a new panel to her background last night to hold the additional people who have left - or were fired from - The Con Don's labor pool. The other two panels were filled with names in type so small one can't see them. Rats leaving a sinking ship.
WE THE PEOPLE will hit the streets in the largest numbers ever seen if The Con Don tries to dismantle OUR Justice Department or fire Mr. Rosenstein or Mr. Mueller. Beware Con Don.
OUR numbers are hundreds of millions times bigger than yours.
26
...including the "historically large" crowd of people at your inauguration.
2
Re your headline ("Trump Assails Justice Dept., Siding With Conservatives"), it's past time for editors to start applying correct nomenclature to describe Nunes, Jordan, and the rest of this group scheming so hard to obstruct the workings of legitimate law officers. They are not "Conservatives," They are "Radicals."
103
More like "Cowards". They are afraid of what the Constitution will do to Trump and then to their priviliged positions when the day comes that there is actually "justice for all".
7
Exactly. Language matters. I don't know what term fully encompasses the positions held by these far-righters. They're apparently in favor of kingly powers for Presidents they agree with, opposed to voting rights, civil rights, and human rights, unable to comprehend the modern world, and, judging from their economic positions, unable to pass second-grade math. I think "Reactionaries" might be better than "Radicals," although "Radical Right" might also sum them up.
5
Exactly what I thought too, Ec. These are not conservatives, these are far right wing, would be fascists. And to say that "Trump joins House attacks" makes it sound as if the House (all of it, not just a few hyper-Trumpists) were leading the attacks, and not that Trump was egging them on.
What kind of credibility do you have to attack the Justice Department after admitting both you and your lawyer are liars?
153
It's not about credibility it's about power.
7
How much power does the president actually have. From all the articles I ready....Trump this, Trump that, it sounds like he's the center of the universe. It's well past the time to reign in Presidential power in this country.
27
Rein in (horses) pulls back. Reign is what a king does. Might make a difference here; sorry about the nitpick but this time it matters. Like Toeing the line as opposed to towing (pulling).
9
The problem is the republicans & the president are making this fight 2 to 1. The old bully game. Where is Sessions in all of this? Someone needs to protect the Department of Justice from being bullied into a weapon against Trump's enemies & perceived enemies. Trump wants to be king or dictator...what has happened to America the Proud?
3
The Founders put checks and balances on the President's power in the Constitution. Unfortunately, just like the sanctions Congress voted to place on Russia, none of it matters if the Trump Administration simply ignores checks, balances, and sanctions and no one in power seems to care.
We aren't heading toward a dictatorship; we are already there.
6
Who can explain it, who can tell us why? Fools give us reasons, wise men never try (Rodgers and Hammerstein, Some Enchanted Evening, 1948). How can we just sit here -- gobsmacked and weeping -- while President Trump attacks his own Justice Department and his own personal pit-bull lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, clears him of any and all 2016 Campaign wrong-doings?
18
Remember the remark from Vietnam? "We had to burn the village in order to save it."
Trump and House Republicans -
"We have to destroy democracy in order to pass our agenda."
We only have one country. These monsters must be removed from office before there's nothing left of her.
101
What ever happened to the 30,000 emails under subpoena that Hillary deleted?
It's not like she was obstructing justice.....was it?
2
Answer a complaint about lies with another lie. Here, check the facts:
https://www.factcheck.org/2016/09/the-fbi-files-on-clintons-emails/
23
She did not become nor is she the president of the United States.
4
the flowers that bloom in the Spring, tra la, have nothing to do with the case, sir.
4
The rule of law means nothing to those in power.
19
Republicans now hate law enforcement for no reason beyond that hardworking honest cops are busting their crime syndicate
22
I hope that Mueller also indicts Nunes and these Republicans that blatantly have been colluding with Trump and obstructing justice in this investigation. Besides Nunes antics and these Republicans making a mockery of the House Intelligence Investigation, not following through, shutting it down before all information obtained and purposely obstructing necessary information being put forth in the interest of the American people, -- essentially obstructing justice, not upholding the Constitution and wasting the taxpayers money ---- with wasted, inept investigations---along with the constant attempt to reopen old "Hillary" investigations that have been conducted and closed--- to deflect. It is clear these individuals don't understand the law, the Constitution and as Trump--make up reality as they see fit. They do not have a right to these documents with an ongoing investigation--- but not only that-- the House shut down their Committee. Congress' job is not to micromanage a special investigation to their wishes----It is these Congressional members who also need to be indicted and impeached. Lies, corruption, incompetence and psychopathology are all dangerous.
82
Actually, Nunes and the Republicans DO understand the law, and are intent on boldy, openly abusing and abridging it. In doing so, the make a very arrogant, knowing challenge to the people, expecting that the people will do nothing and that if they can get away with it, which they seem to telegraph that they fully expect to, then there is nothing that will stop them and that they thereby have earned the right to loot the nation and democracy, which they consider a farce and a vehicle to steal from the fools they take us for, in whatever way they desire. This is NOT about anyone not knowing what they are doing or not understanding the law...it is about bringing down the law as the charade they believe it to be. "Men who want to rule dare take what they want" is the value set they openly display.
1
Obvious attempt to compromise the investigation. This isn’t Congressional oversight, it’s a blatant attempt to keep Trump and his cronies from justice.
20
It is time congress limits the presidential powers if a president can ultimately
protect himself when he has committed crimes. He should not be above the law, nor should he be able to cut off an investigation into his crimes to avoid prosecution. Trump has even threatened to keep Mueller's findings from being released when he has completed them. Perhaps that is when Mueller's info will truly "leak" in order to carry out justice.
14
Congress can't limit the President's powers. The US Constitution is the only limit on a President's powers.
Jeff: Not exactly. We have three equal branches of government that can and do "check" the others when they get outside the Constitution. So the Legislative Branch along with the Judicial Branch that have their own interpretations of the Constitution. The President can't just 'decide' what it means.
To those who have argued that Congress is simply trying to do its job of "oversight" of the Executive Branch... let's talk about the Executive Branch, including Jared and Ivanka, Icahn, Flynn, Trump's DC hotel, emoluments, private discussions with foreign leaders about business, the Cabinet, the influence of lobbyists, Trump's pick for NASA, etc... I think most of us would beg Republican leadership for some oversight.
13
They only accept donors, not beggars,
3
The Executive branch they really need oversight on is the Presidential side...not the DOJ. Who is running oversight on the republicans in Congress? Trump?
1
"A former federal law enforcement official familiar with the department’s views said that Mr. Rosenstein and top F.B.I. officials have come to suspect that some lawmakers were using their oversight authority to gain intelligence about that investigation so that it could be shared with the White House."
Wow. Sharing FBI documents with the subject of an ongoing FBI investigation. We don't know specifically who might be sharing these files but the list is short. I would think the FBI has an entirely new folder started on the suspected House or Senate members. There is such a thing as conspiracy to obstruct justice. I would think this situation qualifies. Either way, the accusation gives Rosenstein an opportunity to assert the FBI's independence without fear of reprisal. They can wave impeachment papers around but Rosenstein just hinted there is a Plan B if Congress keeps at it. I consider it a warning shot.
19
This continual attack by the President and his cronies in Congress/Senate is a clear violation of the separation of powers, inherent to the archetypal structure that our forefathers created in the Constitution. Since Trump is spending the largesse of his time in office preserving his own survival and he has intimidated his party to support his fascist tendencies this will not end well for the state of democracy, should Mr. Rosenstein further acquiesce to the Republican cronies and their demands to undermine the rule of investigative law. Mueller's investigation must be left untouched, unrevealed until such time it is completed. Then, hopefully, Mr Trump and Pence will be co-jointly impeached and we can be rid of these criminals, and fake Christians.
6
Why is it wrong to investigate the politicization and misuse of the FBI during Obama?
Nunes and Meadows need to be saved "from embarrassment, if it isn't too late" Their obvious collusion with our "so-called" president is a huge embarrassment to any member of Congress who has taken a vow to uphold our Constitution and protect our laws. They should know that the Special Counsel and the Justice Department are supposed to be free from partisan influence and allowed to independently investigate the facts of a case, especially a case where the president's inner circle is already being indicted and pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. If Giuliani thinks for a minute that people are going to believe our "so-called" president who lies on an average of 5-7 times a day, over James Comey, he is sadly mistaken. This is about the survival of our democracy and the rule of law, where no one is above the law, including the president and his daughter. Justice will be served. The day of reckoning is coming.
15
Nunes and Meadows don't need to be saved from embarrassment. They need to be prosecuted for obstruction of justice.
2
This is like giving Al Capone or Charles Manson the power of the pardon and all other POTUS powers. What is the remedy for this train wreck?
21
Al Capone or Charles Manson were never elected President of The United States! Sad!
A guess some real reporting by the NYT would include the facts about how long the committee has been stonewalled from receiving the over 1 million documents requested and that he only started producing them after threat of impeachment.
2
“The department recognizes the keen interest that Congress has in the special counsel’s investigation, but, respectfully, we must adhere to the longstanding position of the department that congressional inquiries pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations threaten the integrity of those investigations,”...why should they get anything until this investigation is over?
1
Knute - this has been reported by the NY Times, but not with the Fox spin you've put on it. We all know Nunes and Gowdy are working hard for Putin's puppet in the Oval Office! Their efforts also qualify as obstruction of justice and they should also be prosecuted to full extent of the law.
How about you use the power of honesty, transparency, and if necessary - apology? These powers trump executive power.
The loudest one in the room is the weakest.
I can’t wait for this bluster to end.
6
So Trump does not approve of the justice department. No surprise at all, as he has been striving to avoid justice for his entire term. He is so clearly guilty of something, so unfailing in his attempts to obstruct justice and fire anyone who might indict him.
Well this is really no surprise at all, and I hope Trump doesn't get his way, and we avoid becoming a dictatorship. If he gets rid of the justice department, postpones the 2018 elections indefinitely, and so on, then America will have fallen and either I'll fight his fascist troops to the death, or head south of the equator.
5
I wonder which of the words in "Justice Department" Trump doesn't like? Is it "Department" or is it "Justice"?
1
As I lifelong Democrat, I blame my own Party for this whole mess. If they'd shown some humility and self-restraint rather than going off the deep end to demonize and persecute Trump as a means of soothing their own grief and wounded pride over Hillary's loss. Instead of aloe vera they poured hot sauce on their burns and everyone else as well.
2
Demonize Trump? He does it to himself. All of this is self-inflicted
15
What? What on earth are you talking about?
13
How on earth do you come up with this conclusion?
Priceless....
3
Our legal system is not rigged, it was created by people 1000 times smarter then President Stupid.
The stupid people in the congress that want to expedite requests for information would be the first ones to complain if that information wasn't factual or if it went against them.
Let the DOJ do its job and stop interfering.
8
Rosenstien has a problem with Trump, he’s a rare bird in Trumps judicial committee that really believes in justice. In other words,his loyalty lies with our constitution & not with Trump, & therefore,he is a enemy of the Administration.To give confidential documents to congress is like giving a Bank Robber the keys to the vault.Congress only interest is retaining their jobs, and anything that threatens the President, if your a Republican, threatens their tenure.When Trump says he will use his power & take this problem in his hands, he can only mean firing Rosenstien & Mueiler .This tyrant would cause a Civil War than give up his power.
9
The Justice Department, like all federal law enforcement agencies, is supposed to be impartial politically. It must enforce the law without favor to one political philosophy. During the Obama administration the DOJ was unequivocally and unabashedly liberal. Obama/Holder/Lynch championed and promoted the liberal politics of the DOJ. So President Trump’s criticism of the DOJ is deserved. Had Obama been objective, he would have criticized the DOJ, but he did not. That, my friends, shows the difference between Trump and Obama. I support the President. I support Trump. Thank you.
2
Obama was so much smarter, so much classier than trump. Obama is a real American Success story and trumpie is the opposite.
Southern Boy, our current Justice Department is staffed with devoted civil servants like Rod Rosenstein - a lifelong republican! They are doing a great job of sussing out trumps crimes. Are you in favor of criminals running free?
12
@Chamber,
No, I am not in favor of criminals running free, like Hillary Rodham Clinton, who violated the 18 USC 798 which criminalizes the disclosure of classified information and 18 USC 1505 which criminalizes obstruction of justice/specifically the obstruction of proceedings before departments, agencies, and committees. She disclosed classified information through a non-secure email system and obstructed the proceeding of House Select Committee on Benghazi by destroying email despite receiving a subpoena to provide the records.
Southern Boy,
The only reason Donald Trump is criticizing the Justice Department is that he's under investigation and wants to control the narrative.
Trump has always had his way in life. (Those of us from the New York Metro area have been aware of his antics for a long time.) He's never been held accountable to anyone. He has to learn that as president he will be held accountable. No one is above the law.
4
Here are a few stories that would not be inaccurate: "Mr. Trump Obstructs Justice." "Trump Republicans in Congress Follow President's Lead, Obstruct Justice." "Trump Hides Behind Trump Republican Obstruction of Justice." "Congressional Republicans Abandon Constitutional Oversight, and Protect Corrupt Treasonous President." "Trump Fails to Protect Elections from Election Interference." Trump Undoes Promised Russia Sanctions." "Trump and Trump Republicans Seek to Destroy DOJ and FBI." "Trump to Trump Republicans, 'Burn It All Down!' "
8
“I am not supposed to be involved with the F.B.I.,” Mr. Trump said in an interview in November. “I’m not supposed to be doing the kind of things that I would love to be doing. And I’m very frustrated by it.”
That quote says it all: Trump knows it is wrong for him to meddle in the investigations of the FBI yet he says he wants to do it anyway. He admits that it frustrates him that he can't interfere with the investigation involving his election, so congressmen have chosen to do it for him.
How many ways can we spell corruption?
10
Speaking of 'slow walking' document production, where are those pesky tax returns we were promised.
If DOJ has them, they should call Trump's bluffing and produce them in a very public way.
That would put an end to this entire debacle.
11
In these Orwellian times, when black is white and white is black; when illegal is legal and legal is illegal; when you can tell our President is lying when his lips are moving, any attack by the President and his supporters on our democratic institutions -- the FBI, the CIA, the Justice Department, the Judiciary, the Press -- is confirmation that they are working as they should with their eyes on the prize: the takedown of the Trump Crime Family.
12
What this article fails to say is that Trump is right. Democrats should remember that they could be the target in the future if this abuse isn't stopped and those involved held accountable.
There is no abuse on the part of the AG's office. The abuse is the abuse of power of the Congress to obtain information with the intent of providing that information to the subject of an investigation.
3
The 49 questions were written by Jay Sekulow, one of Trump's lawyers and not by the special counsel. Who gave them to the Times?
2
Looks like the crook is about to fire the jailer.
4
Supporters of Trump should realize the harm they do him and his family the longer he is encouraged to dig in. The longer they whip him up into a righteous, indignant frenzy, the more time to research the history of possibly questionable business and other behaviors, document inconsistent statements and at minimum-- bad publicity that will likely haunt them for generations.
People may forgive a lot with authentic apology and honesty. At this point further pushing current events will serve only as political capital for Democratic candidates, enrich attorneys and support authors and journalists for decades.
Can we move past this flawed man and failed administration and ally to solve the real problems existing for our nation?
1
"Distrust between Mr. Rosenstein and Congress has been building over months. In recent weeks, he has made significant gestures to release documents demanded by prominent congressmen, only to be threatened with impeachment by lawmakers from the far right."
Congress is not "distrustful" they are fearful. They know that trump is most likely guilty of something that is going to tarnish their brand and thus hamper the push towards their ultimate goal -- autocracy.
Stop advancing the cause of these villains by pretending their concerns are the least bit noble.
8
Trump asked:
"Why so much redacting?"
If the President of our country doesn't understand why classified info about national security issues needs to be redacted, then he has no right to be President.
Idiot!
14
What a warped headline! It is not an "attack" for the Peoples house to demand that and executive branch department comply with the constitution.
The NY Times has a profoundly warped view of the US constitution and the responsibilities of the Congress and the executive branch under this constitution.
What Rosenstein and the FBI are engaging in is profoundly anti Democratic.
What a twisted reversal of the facts. Stolen elections, stolen congressional elections, and on and on. Just turn the truth on its head and pretend that's true. Lies are not truth, never were, never will be.
6
What is profoundly anti democratic is one arm of the government attempting to stymie or derail a lawful investigation. The Congress has oversight, not the ability to dictate to the Judiciary or, using their position to lever information to help a third part of the government.
3
The behaviour of these "Conservative" Republican Congressmen in trying to interfere with the Special Counsel's ongoing investigation and Mr Rosenstein's oversight of the investigation makes one fear that having a Republican majority Congress after the 2018 election will be a very bad thing for American Democracy. This blatant coercion makes it even more important that America elect a Democratic majority for both houses of Congress in November. The Democrats with all of their warts and blemishes are obviously the lesser of two evils. The American democracy is at stake here.
7
Jim Jordan and Mark Meadows are not conservative Republicans, they are part of a lynch mob who are trying to protect a president who may be a real criminal. Trump may also have bought the presidency from Putin. Congressional conservatives should be working on keeping our elections free and making sure some of Trump’s cabinet members are not enriching themselves at the expense of the American people.
10
Exactly. They're NOT conservatives; they're radicals, burning constitutional norms to the ground. The media, including The Times is still playing catch-up in how to use language that does not naturalize or normalize their behaviour.
2
The headline is wrong. Jordan, Meadows, and the rest of the foaming mouth tiki torch brigade, are not "conservatives", they are anti-government radicals.
6
With nothing to hide you testify, with much to hide you don’t testify.
6
Our government is indeed rigged, by the tableturning Republicans, who have lied and cheated their way to being able to pretend their assertions are to be given equal time with the truth and justice.
It's so much easier to reverse meaning than to think up something honest to say about dishonesty.
Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
"“Thinking about the end of Weimar democracy in this way—as the result of a large protest movement colliding with complex patterns of elite self-interest, in a culture increasingly prone to aggressive mythmaking and irrationality—strips away the exotic and foreign look of swastika banners and goose-stepping Stormtroopers. Suddenly, the whole thing looks close and familiar.” Yes, it does.
"What set Hitler apart from most authoritarian figures in history was his conception of himself as an artist-genius who used politics as his métier. It is a mistake to call him a failed artist; for him, politics and war were a continuation of art by other means."
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/30/how-american-racism-influe...
7
"At some point I will have no choice but to use the powers granted to the Presidency and get involved!" To think, we thought he was already actively interfering . . . and now he wants to declare an imperial Presidency not to protect the country from an outside threat, but to protect himself from his past. No wonder he knows the justice system is rigged: he was never on the losing side before.
Just one more threat, but they are getting more overt.
His quisling GOP House dogs are willing themselves to sacrifice the government itself to have their agenda enacted, and to get reelected. How is that conservative?
55
It is frightening. Turning this country into a banana republic.
All of this could have been avoided by parties requiring candidates for the nomination to submit their Income Tax returns. Trump would have been ineligible and eliminated from the nomination contest.
This country would have saved a ton of problems
2
But of course. This POTUS has several ''IMPs'' in his DNA. He is, IMPertinent, IMPetuous, IMPortunate, IMPossible, IMPrudent, IMPudent, and IMPulsive. To cap it all, he is expert in dishing out a truck load of taradiddles. Giuliani, now has joined the Trump team, and his interview with Sean Hannity about Trump has reeked of the lilliputian legal knowledge, he had from time immemorial.
More notably, a couple of his henchmen, Jim Jordan and David Urban flatly refused to call out Trump, when he has been persistently prevaricating. Lies are flying around like house flies. And then there is this GOP report, asserting no scintilla of evidence of ''collusion'' in its (?)unbiased and heavily redacted investigation.
Who are they supposed to serve, the president or the people? One fondly hopes Mueller finds an unshakable and monolithic set of evidences of Trump's pecksniffian pronouncements and his conniving at the villainous Russian involvement, in the 2016 elections. Nixon is already squirming in his grave, perhaps.
7
A conservative supports the constitution and our law enforcement agencies. These people are anti-government radicals! Could we please start calling them what they are? I believe there is a word for people who want "freedom" from government. Don't we call them anarchists? Those terminology changes would be more consistent with the damage they are doing to our democracy!
94
Two choices: 1) You support Trump because you hate the people and principles he hates 2) You support a republican constitutional democracy. Sorry, no middle ground and easily the clearest choice since I've been watching which includes Mr. Nixon. Good luck with that.
16
This headline has it all wrong. It was the House Republicans who joined Trump in obstructing justice. Nunez, Jordan and the other co-conspirators need to be charged with obstruction of justice along side of the President.
132
That was my first reaction too... Trump is reported to have been calling and contacting these members of Congress for some time now, urging them to join the many others who have set aside any integrity they might have had, their own personal interests, etc., to serve as his surrogates and defenders (at least until their usefulness is expended.)
Then Trump hails a growing chorus from Congress of members who are demanding that the investigation be stopped, and the investigators charged with treason.
It would seem that we can toss conspiracy into the mix here, as further evidence of Trump's manic obstruction of justice.
2
Trump is right. The system is rigged. Trump has somehow rigged it!
This is WHY impeachment proceedings have not yet begun. Trump rigged the system using the cowardly conspiracy of Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell inaction. Nobody wants to hold Trump to the truth. Everybody scatters when the Tweeter-in-Chief bellows out.
Congress must meet its oversight responsibility before a truly tragic event occurs. Like a trade war. Like a real war.
As long as Trump is permitted to roam free over the national and world scene, we are all at peril.
Congress: Get to Work!!
45
"Congress: Get to Work!!" ???
Haha We are SO past that. Remember: The Republican Congress PUT Trump where he is today, and nothing he has done has met any resistance whatsoever.
I'd say "Voters: Get to Work!!" Starting this November.
We've got a long way to go.
3
Let's hope the country can survive until November. It's only early May -- so much can happen before November and, with Trump, it most certainly will.
I'm shocked ! Rosenstein is going to be fired before Muller.
1
A president so devoid of ethics, he cannot even support his own justice department. But we know of course, these two members of Congress are working with Trump. This has to be the most corrupt government, the Trump Administration and Congress, in history.
60
A lot of Americans always wanted a monarchy. Well America, "behold your king". Ancient Israel cried for one and got Saul. The one we have was perfectly depicted by Richard Belzer as the President in the movie, The Groove Tube.
2
This farce is like watching an animal being hunted. Trump is using Congress as a bludgeon against the justice department to do what he cannot do directly.
Our system and republic is crumbling under attacks from this Vandal, who seemingly doesn't care if our country survives his presidency.
15
I watched a movie entitled "All the Kings Men" with a wonderful actor Broderick Crawford. The main character was a corrupt politician however he didn't play the role of a president but a governor. This might be a favorite movie of Trump the story lines are familiar to what has been playing out in America everyday since the inauguration. Real life script false promises, cover ups, affairs, financial payoffs and people who worshipped Trump like Broderick no matter what they did. The fictional character is just as nasty as what is playing out in Washington D.C. This real life Trump movie will end when the midterms come and we vote people into office who want to be Americans first for everyone not just Trump supporters.
4
@Tony
"All the King's Men" IS a great film, winning Best Picture Oscar for 1949. It's based on the 1946 Pulitzer novel by Robert Penn Warren. Warren loosely based the character of "Boss" Willie Stark on Louisiana politician, Huey Long, aka "The Kingfish".
The similarities in corruption and mendacity between Huey Long and Donald Trump are profound and deeply disturbing.
NOT my president
5
Thought out history, prior to a man taking total power he casts false claims against those agents and agencies that were created to place a check on absolute power. There are allegations of corruption, law and order run amuck the press lying, especially lying about the great leader. The president is afraid of something that is clear. He wants to run the country like a company without any obligation to the rule of law or the other branches of government. He has failed to understand that he is the head of a government not his own business. We, the American people are his boss and right now he is failing to perform. We the people and the press need to keep the pressure on his administration or we will go the way of Germany and Italy in the 1930’s.
52
Agree. He ran his own company with no board oversight, which is what he thinks he can do with our country.
The problem is, after 5 bankruptcies and years of screwing people over, nobody in the US was willing to give him any credit, so had to look elsewhere and likely did some things that were not quite legal along the way.
Hopefully we can vote him out before he takes our country down a similar path.
7
How can a pipsqueak congressman from North Carolina, who represents only a few thousand people have such power over the "acting attorney general" in this case? We have already seen how Devin Nunes was more interested in political points than American interests in the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Now we have another midget in Congress who is more interested in political gain than in protection of the DOJ's investigation. What is the justification for Mr. Meadows complaint? Collusion (or is corruption a better word?) between a faction in Congress and the president seems to be the intention of these Congressmen. Is this ethical?
21
The people of Puerto Rico have better congressional representation than the constituents of Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows, or Devin Nunes do. These guys rank among the most foul the House has ever had.
13
This president has matched Richard Nixon's paranoia and disrespect for the rule of law. Nixon's retreat into his cocoon morphed into near madness as evidenced by his public physical abuse of his press secretary Ron Zeigler as justice closed in on Nixon, who, in his final days, was like Macbeth as Birnam Wood approached high Dunsinane Hill.
The 45th president is attacking the rule of law the way Nixon did. Their behavior is quite similar, but Congressional Republicans of 1974 were patriotic and put country above partisan politics. They knew Nixon had to go. Today's Republicans want to slay the messengers, Rod Rosenstein and Robert Mueller, as the walls are now closing in on the president.
90
Thank you silver vibes. I am thinking that both Richard Nixon and Macbeth, for all their crimes, were finer human beings than Trump will ever be. Both Nixon & Macbeth appeared to have at least a vestigial conscience & sense of decency.
5
Trump is going to lash out in some paranoid way before the net completely closes. We better be ready.
7
That’s what’s so disconcerting about this situation: The US constitution places a massive amount of power and influence in the hands of one person in the form of the president. Such powers makes effective checks and balances a necessity to protect democracy and freedom. The US system has such mechanisms in place, but they do rely on the elected people of the congress and senate to do their job and put the nation and its people first. In a situation like this where the president is obviously unfit and an obvious threat to both internal pillars of democracy and external peace and stability and where the representatives are looking the other way or even actively encouraging the president to make gains for their personal power and agendas the danger to core western values of freedom and openness is very real.
1
Unfortunately, the US has fallen into what the late Roman Empire experienced, political plots and more political plots. US elected officials seem to be solely interested in self-promotion and have forgotten about their role. They are elected to govern in the interest of citizens. Unfortunately, the interests of the country are being ignored with the daily drama. This presidency is like watching a soap opera, unbelievable! God help the US.
11
If Trump is calculating that removing Rosenstein (and by default Muller) will only result in 1. firing up his base and 2. causing the investigations to end, then he is on the precipice of making one of, if not the, most serious errors in the history of the Republic.
13
In this day and age (of Trump), THANK GOD for all Media (particularly the NYT and Washington Post) that TRUTH will prevail. We must also give a THANK GOD for Rosenstein and him naming Mueller to head up investigations (particularly, Russian intrusion into our Presidential election).
10
I'm not an attorney, but it seems likely that several members of congress have clearly committed obstruction of justice at this point. Trump is going to drown in the coming investigative tsunamis. If justice prevails he should have plenty of company.
52
We need Clint Eastwood to ask Trump if he feels lucky. Go ahead and fire Rosenstein and Sessions. Make our day! It will be the beginning of the end of his presidency.
6
It would be in the best interest of Republicans to distance themselves from a president who wants to run our government like a mom-and-pop business, or like a mob operation. Instead, they plunge right in and aid him in his dirty work. I hope voters realize this, and want to live in a democracy, not under the rule of gangsters.
9
We have three co-equal branches of government. The Judicial is independent of the Executive. Trump is not their "boss". They owe him nothing beyond their integrity in upholding the law. Someone should tell Trump that the government of the United States didn't suddenly become The Trump Organization when he slithered into the White House. Not that he'd listen anyway.
21
It seems that we have been on Rod Rosenstein watch for a while now, but that the President with his trio of collaborators (I'm tempted to say "co-conspirators") in the house--Reps. Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows, and Keystone Kop, Devin Nunes--are clearly aiding and abetting Mr. Trump in firing Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein who, of course, just happens to oversee the Special Counsel's investigation of Mr. Trump. Whether it's now not a question of "if", but "when" the nation is clearly in for very Stormy (pun intended) weather. And, you may wonder where Speaker Paul Ryan is? Certainly not earning a "Profile in Courage" award when he could put out this political brush fire before our democracy suffers another autocratic blow.
4
Hands off the Justice Department, Trump. You serve the people and don't forget it.
23
Please stop calling the Trumpist Freedom Caucus members of Congress conservatives. They are not conserving anything; they are out to destroy government and the rule of law, enabling anarchy and tyranny.
30
He is so very obviously a malignant narcissist by any metric. He is willing to attack the very institutions that keep us safe in order to get away with what is looking like a long list of treason-esque crimes -- if not by him personally, but by his former campaign advisor, hangers-on, and probably his own kid.
His obstruction of justice is hiding in plain sight.
I will never forgive the Trump supporters. I just can't.
23
Trump skipped his 'civil' class in High School.
The President does not have the power over the judiciary.
Why? Precisely to prevent unhinged wanna-be dictators from taking over the US totally.
4
Remember when "Conservative" was a respected term. It meant financial responsibility, respectability and consistency? That flew out the window. Now, it's party over country, every person for themselves and laws, what are those?
7
Why is Congress so intent on destroying our democracy? They ram through a tax break for corporations and super wealthy who fund extreme right-wing campaigns while the common citizen is left to fund campaigns truly interested in a democracy with twenty dollar donations. Seems like the plan is to defund Medicare, Social Security, and other social services. Are the criminals ruling the Russian government using US lobbyists to launder money and further undermine our democracy? Call your congressional representative and demand that they support our justice department.
8
Nunes and Goodlatte need to be investigated for obstruction of justice.
8
The President is publicly endorsing these GOP Congressional efforts? Using the power of his office and his ability to fire Rosenstein as leverage against the DoJ? Isn't that, in itself, obstruction?
98
The Republicans have lost their minds.
Can everyone please keep in mind that Rosenstein, Mueller and Sessions are all Republicans?
The Trump fever has infected the host body and seems to be turning on itself.
184
Yes, all the people who are offending our Dear Leader are Republicans. But that is in the world of facts and truth. To our President, FoxNews, and all those who love him, "Democrat" is defined as "anyone who disagrees with us".
Along similar lines, I wish the Times and others would stop referring to these people as "conservatives". They are reactionaries. They are in favor of autocracy and absolute power for themselves and their sponsors. They hardly resemble what conservatives stand for.
81
I wake up each morning to the stench of despair wafting in my window from Washington D. C.
12
Trump has no conception that even Sessions along with Rosenstein and Muller are doing their job the way they do because it is prescribed by law. He does not understand that they are bound by the law. And that will bring Trump down.
2
Can somebody please take this guy's phone away from him? As if his personal and professional scandals aren't enough, every single day he throws gasoline on the dumpster fires he creates and then blithly moves on to stoke the next conflagration. Every. Single. Day. His only agenda is to destroy all the things he hates and the list is endless.
I don't want to psychoanalyze him anymore. I don't want to try to understand his supporters anymore. I just want him removed from office as quickly as possible.
340
Trump is giving us a "master's class" in obstruction of justice. His phone is a key component of this instruction.
2
I agree, Fenchurch, but we do need to understand Trump and his supporters, because we need to know how we got here.
3
Seems these conflagrations are what he promised his base. He tosses them out like grenades and walks away to do things he doesn't want anyone to know about. The grenades feed his base who have some need to see him swagger around like a 6-year-old bully. And it's been an Oscar-worthy performance.
i don't see how the fbi can flagrantly ignore the House subpoenas for documents. I just don't understand how an agency can ignore a legal oversight authority, which the House is.
Trump is right to demand that a government employee, Rosenstein, carry out his Constitutional requirement to give the House what it requests - as the House has an oversight function.
I think Rosenstein is quite clearly not fulfilling his role here.
4
The committees with oversight authority are satisfied with Rosenstein's responsiveness.
7
It would be terrible if they were. These tools asked for a million documents. It takes time to redact national security items and review that many documents.
It is like if your boss asked you to do your entire next month of work by the end of the day, then having a fit because you did not finish "on time."
3
Don't be naive. Clearly disruption is the motive, "oversight" has nothing to do with it.
6
Donald Trump in the Tweet published in this article has just blatantly stated that he is about to fire Rosenstein over not releasing DOJ documents to Trump allies in the Congress. Where are the Constitutional upholders now? What about separation of Powers? Does Trump think that the government is run for his own personal benefit? Wow. He is careening toward Impeachment and Conviction by the Senate because of his own impulsive behavior. Hillary was right... Trump does not have the temperament to be President.
191
I find it interesting that I find myself defending and supporting the FBI. As a lifelong Democrat we have become accustomed to being wary of the FBI but in this administration is seems they may be the last line defender and savior of our democracy.
165
Yes, I have spent five decades reading declassified documents and arguing against abuses by the FBI, CIA, NSA, etc.
But, it was because I wanted them to be accountable to the rule of law and the Constitution, not so a pathological liar and con-man who wants to be "president for life" can "purge" agencies and replace career law enforcement officers with white supremacist hacks who are loyal to a man instead of the People.
The left coined the term Deep State to refer to the billionaires who control policy from behind the scenes by making 90% of political donations. Trump is trying to twist the word to refer to the bureaucrats that do the daily work of crafting out the laws of the land.
Trump is trying to undo the Constitution for personal gain. Stop him.
19
Where is the house "leadership" on this? Do they support their committee chairman who are satisfied with Rosenstein or will they throw them under the bus and let these two rogues undermine the committee's work?
37
The House "leadership" threw in the towel so that he doesn't have to do any of that critical work.
21
If Trump has nothing to hide he should welcome any investigation. He is obviously trying to temper or defuse Mueller's efforts.
91
It's not an investigation.
It's a political witch hunt. The deep state exists and is an enemy of the American people.
"It's not an investigation.
It's a political witch hunt. "
I think you're confused - this is an article about the Mueller investigation, not Ken Starr's.
2
Trump is not "siding" with the Republicans on this matter he is siding with the people! Our constitution mandates that the representatives of the people provide oversight of executive branch departments which includes the DOJ. For the DOJ and the FBI to slow walk, or not provide the documents the committee requires is profoundly anti democratic.
Rosenstein is not only incorrect he is profoundly ignorant of our constitution and his place in it when he labels this constitutional duty "extortion". If he is that malign or that ignorant Rosenstein does not deserve his position and should be removed.
The remedy for Congress abusing their oversight role is not obstruction by the executive, as Rosenstein is doing, it is changes through elections.
What is really disgusting is that everything that DOJ and the FBI have withheld in this matter have beens found to be, not damaging to any investigation, but revealing of great wrong doing at DOJ and the FBI. Rosenstein appears to be engaging in this to hide his own or his fellows perfidy.
3
I believe Rosenstein knows the Constitution and the requirements and responsibilities of his Office better than you and certainly much better than President Trump who seems to think everyone in government answers only to him and is there solely to protect HIM.
In case it’s not clear to you - that’s NOT how it works. I trust Rosenstein- actually I trust ANYONE over Rep Nunes or Trump - both well-know and established liars.
22
No. He is not. 75% of Americans say the Mueller investigation should continue, and that number is growing as it becomes increasingly obvious that don the con is trying to hide crimes.
19
Simply more evidence that President Trump is obstructing justice and attempting to impede an investigation.
15
Republicans have made it clear that they will defend power and authority over the rule of law. Giuliani, Meadows, Nunes, it's all perfectly clear what they stand for. 82% of Republicans want that America. They are as much the true threat to democracy.
239
It's the vast right-wing conspiracy in action. You can use a lot of words to describe these guys, but "fascist" pretty well sums it up.
2