President Trump surprised people late Friday by announcing that he is “100 percent” willing to testify under oath about his interactions with James Comey. There has been considerable speculation about Trump’s willingness to go under oath. His counsel could have negotiated at least initially for an interview without going under oath. As I have stated before, the greatest threat facing officials in a scandal of this kind is a false statements prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001. Given Trump’s notorious habit for going off script, the risks of such a violation would be much higher for counsel prepping him for such a deposition or testimony.
Trump insisted that “I would be glad to tell him exactly what I told you.” He added “Yesterday showed no collusion, no obstruction. But we were very, very happy and, frankly, James Comey confirmed a lot of what I said. And some of the things that he said just weren’t true.”
Curiously, while he refused to confirm or deny the existence of tapes (a controversy that he created in a tweet weeks ago), Trump said that “you will be very disappointed when you hear the answer.” Once again, it is unclear why Trump continues this evasion, which has openly frustrated even his allies in Congress.
Trump has continued to attack Comey. He maintained “No collusion, no obstruction. He’s a leaker. But we want to get back to running our great country.”
The one thing working for Trump is that he has had more experience as a litigant than all of the past presidents combined. Yet, this is a criminal matter and any exaggeration or evasion can be charged as a crime under 18 U.S.C. 1001. Moreover, that crime would constitute an impeachable offense. I testified during the Clinton impeachment that perjury satisfies the standard under Article I of a high crime and misdemeanor regardless of the subject. I would feel the same way about such perjury in the Mueller investigation.
Assuming that there are no tapes, this would be left as a “he said, he said” dispute. However, similar statements made to other officials could create circumstantial evidence to support Comey. One concern that I would have with Trump’s statement is that it come too early. It is always better to wait to see what evidence Mueller has to fully prep your client.
Kellyanne can explain to Congress what alternative facts are, when Trump stops talking.
An aside to this but relevant in general.
The announcement quoted from President Trump was during Q&A with Presidents Trump and Klaus Iohannis after their White House meeting. Both presidents spoke briefly of their respective country’s trade relations and roles in NATO, among other matters.
Among the crowd were American news reporters and those of other nations. When the foreign news correspondents asked questions they all related to the topics discussed by both presidents and expounded upon these subjects. When the American reporters asked questions nearly none were about the summit and were instead the same tired, endlessly repetitive questions asked of the president. The same questions are asked at every press conference and the public still gets no substantive information; only that information that comports to the narrative the MSM wants the public to be spoon fed. It is becoming ridiculous.
This year has confirmed more than ever that the MSM in the United States is becoming increasingly irrelevant with each passing month. If the narrow range of subjects is not enough what remains is reported with such bias it becomes increasingly valueless.
Interested individuals are best left to their own devices to ascertain what is truly occurring in the world.
Most of the MSM is simply dedicated to destroying Trump. They lie, knowingly repeat lies, distort, and much worse. They are at once increasingly irrelevant and dangerous.
Never. Get real. We’ll be dealing with all the Trump associated nonsense for years now. And then the Dems will be back in power. How fooled you were to think that this guy was ever going to do anything useful for the American people. All he’s done so far is to enrich himself, his family, friends and other wealthy people.
Is Kellyanne Conway going to sit next to him?
Wait a minute, Did Trump say he would testify in a American court? Or a Russian court?
His announcement of being willing to testify under oath is as fraudulent as many of his others. His private investigators in Hawaii were finding out “unbelievable things” we never hear. If he ever testifies under oath it will be while kicking and screaming after exhausting every possibly ploy to avoid it.
What continues to be missed here is the man’s a pathological liar. Testifying under oath means nothing. All the rest can be debated until the cows come home. But one fact remains incontestable; Trump is a liar, therefore testifying is an oxymoron. If it walks like a liar, talks like a liar; it just might be a liar.
Trump does not need to do anything to satisfy people with brains , and people without brains , well nothing will satisfy them and they are irrelevant to begin with
But…But…. Benghazi……But…But…..
When will we get a special prosecutor to investigate the collusion between AG Lynch and Comey to prevent the charging of HRC with multiple felonies?
Pathetic republicans can’t crush the vultures even when the vultures can be nabbed instantly.
OK, to put it in simpler terms, if you know it’s a snake, why did you take it in? Or, if you know Trump is a pathological liar, how can he be believed? Or, if the head oligarch that has had absolutely nothing to do with anything other than the mega wealthy tells you that he is going to close the divide between the rich and the poor…..I could go on but hackles are too easily raised on the backs of dupes. To be treated this way by one’s hero must carry a lot of angst. Oh the treachery. Oh the deceit. Oh the orange…..
Here, let me psychologically translate your screed, for you:
You are welcome!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
NOTE: For everybody else, it should be obvious that I have just described a textbook case of “Displaced Anger.” But Isaac is a Canadian, and I am not sure they have that, up there. So I put it in simple language he could understand, eh?
Squeek, The sad thing about our Canadian Rain Man is he besmirches hosers, who are in large part nice, down to earth folk. My bride and I are planning our 40th anniversary trip and we’re going to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. My mom’s family spent a generation in Nova Scotia before coming to the US, having emigrated from Scotland and Ireland. Ann of Green Gables was my mom’s favorite book and it’s set on PEI.
If the Rain Man gets twice as smart he might be stupid.
I like Canada, too. I may move there some day, if the Ice Age doesn’t start early. Have to figure out how to smuggle my arsenal in. And cats. Don’t they quarantine cats, or something??? Plus, the language is easy to learn. You just say moose instead of mouse, and hoose instead of house, etc., eh? Although, there is a vast difference in saying:
Teenage Maria is in her room pouting.
and
Teenage Maria is in her room pooting.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
https://twitter.com/thehill/status/873361613910401024
Today Trump agreed to testify under oath about the Russia probe.
IMHO they only need to ask him one question: did he DIRECT Flynn and Jared to talk to the Russians about repealing sanctions? That was well before the Inauguration so no Imperial Presidency loop-hole would apply…
If he tells the truth, he’s screwed. If he lies, Flynn will play the get-out-of-jail free card- and Trump is also screwed. It’s treason folks.
What is treason? The coordinated effort to overthrow POTUS? The only evidence of criminal behavior to date involves leaks designed to harm Trump. We should investigate this, the role of Comey and others (Brennan, Rice, Powers and Clapper) in related matters, and how much of the media has played an active role in the effort to both destroy a president and obstruct justice. Are we on the same page?
If he tells the truth, he’s screwed. If he lies, Flynn will play the get-out-of-jail free card- and Trump is also screwed. It’s treason folks.
LOL! That was supposed to be a humble opinion? If he’s telling the truth, and he did not direct them to do any such thing, then you and your mob are screwed. 🙂
More popcorn please.
As oaths mean nothing to him, it won’t. Other him to lie. Let’s have the tapes!
Trump is an inveterate liar. He makes things up all the time. (Remember his promise of shocking details discovered by his private investigators looking into Obama’s birth certificate?) This “tapes” stuff was no doubt just something he invented as part of a juvenile tweet attack without thinking about the ramifications. It’s a shame we have to take him seriously.
(Remember his promise of shocking details discovered by his private investigators looking into Obama’s birth certificate?)
What promise?
“You will be very disappointed with the answer” as stated by our President has to be taken in the context of whom he was speaking to…the MSM. I don’t doubt there are tapes which would really disrupt the MSM incessant BS from each morning to each night. Doubters keep underestimating this President. I for one do not.
Don’t underestimate his ability to lie.
Don’t underestimate his ability to lie.
Unlike the grubers on the Left, we expect everyone in the political class is lying and then work at finding some truth. Had you and your ilk that same ability, Obama would never had had 2 terms and you’d still be looking for a candidate for President.
The Trump Administration: the greatest sh*t-stain in American history.
Personally, I think Trump has what it takes to be a great President. You might disagree – which is fine.
I agree. He gets things done. I think he’s going to spend money whether we have a budget or not. He wants that money sitting overseas. To get that, Congress has to pass Tax Reform. Tax Reform is a revenue producer. He’s working with businesses to help with infrastructure by sharing a portion of the cost. The roads and bridges impact their employees getting to work. His legacy is not top priority; he already has one in New York.
His legacy is NYC is that of a conman and a failed businessman. His legacy in DC will eventually be far worse than that.
Yeah, the worst ever. Anyway, thank you for such a deep and thoughtful contribution. This blog is so much better for it.
He’s competing with the Clintons and BO, not to mention Lyndon Johnson. So, no.
The guys been in office less than 5 months, he has not had enough time to be the greatest at anything with perhaps the following: the greatest sh*t-stain on progressivism in American history.
There, fixed it for you. Your welcome.
Whatever else, I respect Trump’s boldness here. We both want to simplify. But there won’t be a tape, and he/said he/said won’t sink a presidency. Still, if the investigation produces red meat, Trump will delay and muddy the waters just like Bill did.
Either way will Bacon Sandwich go see an optometrist?
“Offers to testify”. ?? Well, not quite. He is “willing to testify”. I say there is a difference, Professor. Well, I know you did not create the headline, so I will let you off.
BH, yes, certainly there’s a difference between an “offer” and mere “willingness,” but in this case, Trump’s statement commits him to testifying–but with a critical caveat: “if he were asked by special counsel Robert Mueller.” As it stands now, it’s highly unlikely that Mueller will ask Trump to testify.
Considering Trump’s negotiating methods, this is likely just the opening offer. I seriously doubt a laundry list of conditions won’t be demanded before this ever takes place. As he should.
Below are the provisions of the FBI employment agreement (obtained from the internet; I trust it is correct). The provisions (see items 3 and 4) prohibit an FBI employee from releasing information obtained through their FBI employment without the consent of the FBI. Was not Comey an employee of the FBI? I find it hard to believe that an employee of the FBI can blithely release information obtained through their employment to the press.
FBI EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
As consideration for my employment, or my continued employment, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United
States Department of Justice, I hereby agree to be governed by and to comply with the following provisions:
1. Unauthorized disclosure, misuse, or negligent handling of information contained in the files, electronic or paper, of the FBI or which I
may acquire as an employee of the FBI could impair national security, place human life in jeopardy, result in the denial of due process,
prevent the FBI from effectively discharging its responsibilities, or violate federal law. I understand that by being granted access to such
information, I am accepting a position of special trust and am obligated to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure.
2. All information acquired by me in connection with my official duties with the FBI and all official material to which I have access remain
the property of the United States of America. I will surrender upon demand by the FBI, or upon my separation from the FBI, all materials
containing FBI information in my possession.
3. I will not reveal, by any means, any information or material from or related to FBI files or any other information acquired by virtue of my
official employment to any unauthorized recipient without prior official written authorization by the FBI.
4. Prior to making any disclosure, I will seek a determination of whether the information may be disclosed. I agree to be bound by the
guidelines governing prepublication review found in the FBI’s Prepublication Review Policy Guide (0792PG) as those procedures may
from time to time be amended. I understand that, in this context, “publication” includes disclosure of information to anyone by any
means. I will submit for review the full text of any proposed disclosure addressed by the FBI’s Prepublication Review Policy or this
employment agreement as required by the policy at least thirty (30) working days prior to the proposed publication.
5. I understand and agree that for two years after separating from the FBI, I must report back to the FBI, at least annually, if I work directly
for, represent, or provide national security related advice to the government of a foreign country, or any person whose activities are directly
or indirectly supervised, directed, controlled, financed or subsidized (in whole or major part) by any government of a foreign country.
6. I understand that these provisions are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations
Interesting thanks for the reference material.
He won’t do it.
There are no tapes and Trump isn’t going to agree to testify under oath.
Trump is a pathological liar who has absolutely no idea whether he is lying or not but does understand that the people who voted for him don’t care either. Therefore whether it is under oath or via tweet, a lie will be a lie and it will be up to the American voter to exit this buffoon from the White House. Without evidence beyond Comey’s word or Trump’s word, Trump’s testifying means absolutely nothing.
The facts remain, Trump lies; it is part of his nature and his supporters accept it, as long as they get whatever pie in the sky he spouts at the moment. The only attack Trump can make on Comey is alleged leaking, which has yet to be determined allowable or not. This fact was the result of Comey volunteering the truth. The facts speak for themselves. Comey may be disgruntled, but Trump is a lying sack of sh*t.
In the military we used hope against hope that the opposition in an upcoming engaement would lollygag wander in fat, dumb, and spit stupid. looking around while we were putting bullets into them. But I have never seen anybody as spit stupid as Comrade Collective Baconwhich wno keeps insisting on losing tomorrow ‘s conflicts while bleeding out from todays and yesterdays and last weeks encounters. When the question arises How Stupid Are They? One only has to point at Comrade Collective Bacon except in most forums no one would believe it.
What you see is what you get Stupid is stupid and disease theat only ends when exsanguination brings extirpation. or is it constipation.
Not to mention the illiteracy
Stupid is as stupid does. The RoboClone has a bad case of Mother Gumpitis
You were worth reading until the last line.
Why do you Pinkos always dive for the gutter?
SF asks: “Why do you Pinkos always dive for the gutter?”
Simple. That’s how they get home.
Why do you Pinkos always dive for the gutter?
It’s an optical illusion: It happens to be what you consider worth reading also comes from the gutter; issac just can’t hide it long enough and his real character gushes out. I usually read his last paragraph first and often times just move on.
Rain Man, is your job devoted to spreading ignorance?
Well said Issacb.
https://twitter.com/nntaleb/status/872486567495041024
“If you like your plan, you can keep your plan. If you like your Doctor, you can keep your Doctor.”
Barack Obama