But "When the president does it, that means it is not illegal": Trump thread LXXXVIII

[lionheart]

So.

observer.com/2018/12/president-trump-really-may-go-to-jail-for-the-rest-of-his-life/

I wonder why Butina would plead guilty? And to what, exactly?

Amid chief of staff search, Trump increasingly anxious over political future
www.cnn.com/2018/12/10/politics/trump-ayers-politics/index.html

Multiple sources familiar with Trump's mood told CNN he's frustrated with the Ayers process. One source described his mood as "super pissed." A second added he feels humiliated, a position he doesn't like to be in, because the President did not have a backup candidate prepared like he typically does when he's fielding people for jobs.

Fear of repatriation?

www.wired.com/story/robert-mueller-trump-russia-unanswered-questions/

Interesting, from The American Conservative no less.

www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/meet-the-senators-who-took-saudi-money/

shareblue.com/gop-senator-orrin-hatch-dont-care-trump-broke-law/

www.rawstory.com/2018/12/house-gop-leader-says-theres-no-need-dems-launch-trump-probes-weve-investigated-long-time/#.XA6tvKLSJWE.twitter

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-are-former-senators-the-senate-has-long-stood-in-defense-of-democracy--and-must-again/2018/12/10/3adfbdea-fca1-11e8-ad40-cdfd0e0dd65a_story.html?utm_term=.8d8a12bbc468

'During our service in the Senate, at times we were allies and at other times opponents, but never enemies. We all took an oath swearing allegiance to the Constitution. Whatever united or divided us, we did not veer from our unwavering and shared commitment to placing our country, democracy and national interest above all else.

At other critical moments in our history, when constitutional crises have threatened our foundations, it has been the Senate that has stood in defense of our democracy. Today is once again such a time.

Regardless of party affiliation, ideological leanings or geography, as former members of this great body, we urge current and future senators to be steadfast and zealous guardians of our democracy by ensuring that partisanship or self-interest not replace national interest.'

Betsy Woodruff
@woodruffbetsy
Fyi, in case there's any confusion: Maria Butina has agreed to fully cooperate no holds barred

www.thedailybeast.com/maria-butina-pleads-guilty-agrees-to-cooperate-with-us

Re WaPo link - but will the current GOP comprehend the former Senators' gist, and if they do, are they selfless enough to act on it? Why do I doubt that?
Apologies if you've already seen this New Yorker cartoon, I didn't spot it round here but my head is in the air at the moment (as usual, really!)

Grant Stern
@grantstern
House GOP minority leader Kevin McCarthy states that if campaign finance crimes are a violation then lots of Congressmen (probably in his caucus) will have to go.

mobile.twitter.com/grantstern/status/1072234344666841088

Trump Bingo! Love it!

And he's rattled, we like him rattled don't we...

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/10/trump-mueller-russia-evidence-collusion

I was just reading an article about someone I used to know, through my child's old school, and this was mentioned. I don't think I've seen it on these threads, apologies if I missed it.
Ben & Jerry's Pecan Resist ice cream

"Together, Pecan Resist!

Alongside all those nutty chunks, this pint packs a powerful message under its lid: together, we can build a more just and equitable tomorrow. We can peacefully resist the Trump administration’s regressive and discriminatory policies and build a future that values inclusivity, equality, and justice for people of color, women, the LGBTQ community, refugees, and immigrants. Pecan Resist supports four organizations that are working on the front lines of the peaceful resistance, building a world that supports their values. Get to know them, then find Pecan Resist here!"

Ice cream and Bingo and yes, we like it when he's rattled.

Resisting and ice cream - I can go for that!

rantt.com/trump-is-reportedly-super-pissed-people-are-turning-down-chief-of-staff-role/

Wouldn't you just know Lying Ted would be one of them?

From lion's American Conservstive link above:
Heller’s haul from Saudi lobbyists was closely followed by Roger Wicker, Ted Cruz, and Roy Blunt, Republicans all, who have received $25,550, $23,000, and $19,250, respectively, from Saudi lobbyists over the past two years. On the campaign trail, Cruz called the possibility of the Saudi government ordering the murder of Jamal Khashoggi “troubling” and said “there should be real consequences for that.” His vote Wednesday was to block one of those consequences.

And then there's Ted's new look -
trying to cover up his two-faced face.

Ted Cruz Is Growing A ‘Semi-Hot’ Salt & Pepper Beard Per ‘Slate,’ The Internet Roasts Him For It
www.inquisitr.com/5201159/ted-cruz-is-growing-a-semi-hot-salt-pepper-beard-per-slate-the-internet-roasts-him-for-it/amp/

Throw in some icecream and I'm there! Well done Ben & Jerry's.

This is worth watching... it sets out what Trump can do as far as clinging on, resigning, being indicted, impeached etc...

www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/neal-katyal-here-s-why-trump-isn-t-in-jail-1394280003821

I'm afraid that Neal Katayal excerpt just served to depress me, I got as far as "that doesn't seem to cost Donald Trump in the court of public opinion, because he seems to be as low as he's going to get" and wanted to be sick.

A scathing take on the soon departed John Kelly.
theintercept.com/2018/12/09/john-kelly-was-a-bully-bigot-and-liar-for-trump-goodbye-and-good-riddance/

Oh, but then I forced myself to listen to the end and now I feel much better

Merdede There's always an upside --well... nearly always]]

Katyal is good.

www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2018/12/10/constitution-rules-out-sitting-president-immunity-from-criminal-prosecution/6Byq7Qw6TeJlPVUhlgABPM/story.html

Jamal Khashoggi and journalists named Time Person of the Year

amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/12/11/media/time-person-of-the-year-2018/index.html