Papadopoulos Gets A 14-Day Sentence Despite Mueller Demand For 6 Months

Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos was sentenced Friday to just 14 days in prison for lying to the FBI despite the position of Special Counsel Robert Mueller that he should spend at least six months in jail.  The position of Mueller appeared to reflect a view that Papadopoulos was not as cooperative (or perhaps productive) as a witness.  In the end, Papadopoulos appeared in an almost hostile position vis-a-vis Mueller.

Papadopoulos also received 13 months of supervised release, 200 hours community service and a $9,500 fine.  That is pretty light as a sentence for the first person to plead guilty in the Mueller investigation.

Trump did not waste time in weighing in with a signature mocking tweet — calling this sentence as a “great day for America” in spending $28 million and getting a 14 day sentence.

Federal Judge Randolph Moss explained that he did “get the sense that [Papadopoulos] does feel remorse and not simply for getting caught.”

This puts Papadopoulos in a more insulated position with Mueller. Unless Mueller can prove that he has lied, the coercive power of the Mueller is substantially reduced.