A rough week ahead as Trump “looks forward” to a funeral. Who does that?
Even with the Mike Flynn sentencing memo, talk of “endgame” might be so much wishful thinking since the Mueller Report’s overall narrative seems to evolve with so many new themes.
In the case of Trump Tower Moscow, some stories gain credibility, as the diversionary tactics increase.
Even the so-called Southern border wall prompted empty threats of a government shutdown because Trump still wants the US to pay for his Mexican folly.
So here’s an endgame: Trump accepts the $1.6 billion with an immaterial tweak or two ahead of the Dec. 21 deadline, says that’s what he wanted in the first place and that he’ll come back for more in the new year, perhaps through an immigration deal with Democrats (that never happens). Everyone goes off and enjoys the holidays, and by the time the new Congress convenes in January, nobody remembers any of this. And Trump, without enough money for his precious wall, still gets to run on building it. slate.com/...
Important to remember that an endgame is only one third of the chess sequences of opening, middle-game, and end-game. For some we’re still beginning the middle-game, where king safety, force, and mobility are the key factors.
The strategy required for middle-game play varies considerably. Some middle-game positions feature closed centres featuring maneuvering behind the lines, while other middle-games are wide open, where both players attempt to gain the initiative.
Tuesday brings the sentencing memo for Mike Flynn and “...could be Mike Pence’s Really Bad Day. That would be blockbuster news. Flynn is in position to out him for lying”.
In this key week of the Special Counsel investigation, Mueller's team will submit 3 court filings: If "unsealed," they may describe key investigative findings on ex-Trump aides Flynn (Tue), Cohen (Wed or Fri) and Manafort (Fri)
The former national security adviser was at the center of what's believed to be an investigation into whether Trump obstructed justice. Flynn was fired in the early days of the administration after then-acting Attorney General Sally Yates raised with West Wing officials that Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his communications on Russian sanctions. Around that same time, Trump asked then-FBI Director James Comey to let the Flynn investigation go, Comey has said.
Flynn also served on the campaign, the transition team and in the administration at crucial moments that could still be under investigation related to Russian interference in American politics, making his contact with Kislyak even more significant.
Flynn was the person who informed Trump that Russian President Vladimir Putin was the first to call him after Trump's inauguration, according to Comey.
And the Wall Street Journal has outlined Flynn's alleged contacts with the late Peter W. Smith, who sought out the Russian hackers who obtained Clinton campaign emails. It is unclear if Mueller's office is still pursuing Smith's actions during the campaign.
Flynn, a retired lieutenant general, is scheduled to be sentenced by federal Judge Emmet Sullivan on December 18. Next week, his defense team will have a chance to tell its version of the story of his crimes.
Flynn, a retired army general, was forced to resign after he was found to have misled Vice President Mike Pence about discussions he had with Russia’s then-ambassador Sergei Kislyak.
Under a plea bargain deal, Flynn admitted in a Washington court that he lied when asked by FBI investigators about conversations with Kislyak just weeks before Trump took office.
Prosecutors said the two men discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia and that Flynn also asked Kislyak to help delay a U.N. vote seen as damaging to Israel.
www.reuters.com/...
can such foolishness be forecast...
Trump Tweetstorm Track -- a real-time weather reporting system based on current status of @realdonaldtrump's account. More to come soon.
Eric Trump tweeted a sideshow stunt that only underlines how desperate the Trumps have become for distraction. Eric attacked Kellyanne Conway’s husband when he pointed out 45*’s potential witness tampering. Push a pawn in the middle-game.