DOJ reins on Meuller?? Wash Examiner: Rod Rosenstein: Mueller needs to come to me if he wants to chase any crime outside scope of Russia probe ( pizzagate )

submitted by 2impendingdoom

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rod-rosenstein-mueller-needs-to-come-to-me-if-he-wants-to-chase-any-crime-outside-scope-of-russia-probe/article/2630745

If special counsel Robert Mueller finds any crime outside the scope of the federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, then he'll have to seek permission, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said Sunday.

"Bob Mueller understands and I understand the specific scope of the investigation, and so no, it's not a fishing expedition," he told host Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday."

Rosenstein appointed Mueller to oversee the federal Russia probe, which includes a search for possible collusion with the Trump campaign, back in May after President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. Because Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the case, Rosenstein ultimately was given the power to hire, and fire if he has good reason, Mueller.

It has been reported that Mueller's investigation has expanded to look at the finances of Trump and his associates, giving rise to concerns that Mueller could make it the focus of the probe. Rosenstein seemed to dismiss this issue.

Asked if there were no red lines under the terms of his order, Rosenstein said that the investigation is subject to the rules and regulations of the Justice Department.

If there's evidence of a crime that's found within the scope of what they have agreed, then Mueller has free rein, Rosenstein explained. If it's outside the scope of the probe, then "he needs to come to the acting attorney general, at this time me, for permission to expand his investigation," he added. Rosenstein noted this as a precedent, which was also followed by independent counsel Ken Starr during the Clinton years.

Reports have come out over the past couple months about how the probe is investigating Trump for obstruction of justice, and that Mueller has impaneled grand juries, capable of issuing subpoenas.

These reports and more have relied on anonymous sources, against whom Rosenstein cautioned could be unreliable. He dubbed these reports, "speculation in the news media."

Pizzagate related follow up to numerous undeleted posts theorizing the prosecution of Pizzagate and actions by the Dept of Justice

https://voat.co/v/pizzagate/2043768

https://voat.co/v/pizzagate/2043318 (Sessions is compromised)

DonutofShame

Seems like Rosenstein is a rubber stamp for Mueller. After all, Rosenstein named the special investigator with powers over Trump despite there being no evidence of Trump involvement. Rosenstein is just trying to use an excuse for why this is not a fishing expedition when it actually is.

RweSure

After all, Rosenstein named the special investigator with powers over Trump

What are you talking about?

despite there being no evidence of Trump involvement.

Trump doesn't have a get out of jail free card. If as they look crimes committed by others they find evidence of crimes involving Trump they will charge him. That is not having special powers over Trump that is the rule of law. If during this investigation, they were to find that I have committed crimes or you have committed crimes they can charge us. Again that is not have special powers over us, that is a legitimate exercise of law enforcement.

Trump is in legal jeopardy because there is a very, very strong case that he has engaged in multiple acts of obstruction of justice. We shall see how that plays out.

@2impendingdoom I don't see this as Rosenstein reigning in Mueller. I see this as no change. Mueller was always bound by the rules of the special prosectuor, but he was also always able to prosecute other crimes that were revealed during his investigation. Here's the Washington's Posts take from the same interview.

Rosenstein: Special counsel Mueller can investigate any crimes he uncovers in Russia probe

Rosenstein said special counsel Robert S. Mueller III can investigate any crimes that he might discover within the scope of his probe, but the deputy attorney general would not discuss which individuals are the subject of their inquiry. The interview comes days after Trump said he believes it would be inappropriate for Mueller to dig into Trump family finances.

“The special counsel is subject to the rules and regulations of the Department of Justice, and we don’t engage in fishing expeditions,” Rosenstein said when asked about the probe in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”

DonutofShame

Mueller never respected the rule of law or he would recuse himself under DOJ rules. This is simply a fishing expedition. "Show me the man and I will show you the crime."

RweSure

exactly why would he need to recuse himself?

Mueller never respected the rule of law

Also that is batshit crazy.

DonutofShame

Because of the DOJ rules on conflict of interest and his long, personal relationship with Comey who is a key witness in the case.

RweSure

His long relationship is simply they worked together on friendly terms. Nothing about that violates the DOJ conflict of interest rules. You should actually read what they are. They are geared towards financial interests of which there are none and for personal relationships, they are geared toward the subject of the criminal investigation who is not Comey. There's nothing that says a prosecutor can't take a case because he knows a witness. They witness still has to tell the truth. Nothing about that would interfere with the prosecutor ethically peforming his job.

And guess what many other DOJ figures are witnesses in this case, because Comey talked to all the high level DOJ officials as this was happening, so finding a federal prosecutor who doesn't know these folks would probably be pretty difficult.

DonutofShame

It's the problem for the prosecutors to find someone appropriate. These are not optional rules and it's clearly a conflict of interest according to the official DOJ rules on the matter.

RweSure

It absolutely is not a conflict of interest according to the official DOJ rules. Why don't you read them and post which part they violate.

DonutofShame

No DOJ employee may participate in a criminal investigation or prosecution if he has a personal or political relationship with any person or organization substantially involved in the conduct that is the subject of the investigation or prosecution, or who would be directly affected by the outcome.

RweSure

Do you understand how that doesn't apply to Comey? I think you missed it.

Comey is not the subject.

DonutofShame

Isn't the whole reason this special investigation was started was because of what happened with Comey? How is he not substantially involved in the conduct that is the subject of the investigation?

RweSure

Because Comey did not commit criminal conduct and is not being investigated.

DonutofShame

He just has to be involved in the conduct in a substantial way. Do you agree that the accuser and the special investigator should be buddy-buddy? That's only going to undermine the confidence in the investigation with the investigator and his close, personal friend as the accuser.

RweSure

He just has to be involved in the conduct in a substantial way.

This is completely false. And Rosenstein would have known these rules when he appointed Mueller. Mueller is a man with reputation for great integrity. There's nothing here that runs afoul of any rules at DOJ. It's a complete non-issue. And were there an issue the remedy need not be Mueller being removed. He could simply apply for an ethics ruling and abide by the rules. One easy solution would be have one of the dozen or sort federal attorney's working on this case handle the Comey stuff.

It's false they are buddy-buddy. It's a fiction being pushed by the same folks who are pushing the fiction that there is any conflict based on DOJ rules. And they are pushing it because they are trying to find any reason to get Robert Mueller removed.

It's nonsense for the internet and cable TV. Inside the DOJ, this is nothing.

DonutofShame

Me:

He just has to be involved in the conduct in a substantial way.

You:

This is completely false.

DOJ Rules:

No DOJ employee may participate in a criminal investigation or prosecution if he has a personal or political relationship with any person or organization substantially involved in the conduct that is the subject of the investigation or prosecution, or who would be directly affected by the outcome.

The rules agree with me. Sorry about your illiteracy.

Verite1

Exactly. The fact that Comey and FBI were wife tapping Manafort in '14 and then more recently, Trump Tower and this is the evidence used to justify a special investigation clearly shows the close relationship of these two individuals

quantokitty

I don't know whether I believe anyone anymore. They come out and explain things like this and then contradict everything the following week.

Verite1

WOW! This thread is suddenly extremely relevant. My question is, if Manafort is indicted will the Podestas also be indicted?

carmencita

Is this more Kabuki Theater or For Real? What even IS real? I can't keep it all straight anymore. It's hard to know one from the other.

2impendingdoom

who the fuck knows, but I enjoyed the comment at the end about unsubstantiated leaks, probably not reliable. The Lynch staff email to the fbi will prove that comey was obstructing justice.

carmencita

Exactly. We are left to imagine and hope. But yes, that email will prove that, but I am wondering if anything will be done about it. As you said, Sigh.

2impendingdoom

I think at the very least Fitton will file civil charges against lynch and comey for a whole bunch of crimes.

carmencita

All of a sudden I am feeling Giddy and Gleeful!

LA_Trump

Special counsel is not for Trump. It's for Hillary and Obama.

2impendingdoom

I'm still having trouble with posts getting deleted, so if this gets trashed, some one else who isn't on m_f's bad side, please post it, I haven't seen this story posted yet today.

icuntstopswearing

He's just one of those bad cops. Everything Mueller touches turns to Shit.

kamtsa

We are saved!

Swamp creature A will watch swamp creature B for us.

2impendingdoom

sigh