The bribery law that could take down DT: it applied as soon as he became the NOMINEE.

[pnwmom]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/this-is-the-law-that-could-take-down-trump?source=twitter&via=mobile

Of course, there’s no law against Trump liking Putin; unseemly yes, illegal, no. But a veteran Washington former federal prosecutor who served during both the Clinton and Bush administrations believes there is a strategy that Mueller is quietly pursuing and that explains his actions so far.

Seth Waxman, now a partner specializing in white-collar crime in Dickinson Wright’s Washington office, has a theory of Mueller’s case, which requires no novel reading of existing law to find Trump broke it. It employs the main weapon any federal prosecutor uses to police public corruption. It is Title 18 United States Code, section 201 that specifically makes it a crime for a public official to take “anything of value,” a bribe, in exchange for government action, which can be prospective.

Note that above I wrote “public official.” That’s because the law is generally wielded against public officials. Problem: Mueller is investigating conduct before Trump became one. Enter Waxman. He points out that in 1962, Congress extended the bribery law to cover activity prior to the assumption of office. It did so, he says, in order to close a “loophole” afforded those “who assume public office under a corrupt commitment.” The upshot? Trump became covered by 18 USC not when he was sworn in but as of July 21, 2016 when he became his party’s nominee in Cleveland, Ohio.

What we know of Mueller’s strategy so far is consistent with leveling charges under the bribery statute. This is not to say Mueller is going to indict Trump. He would need an exception from a Justice Department rule, which advises against it. But neither is he likely to send a report laying out grounds for impeachment as former independent counsel Ken Starr did against Bill Clinton relying solely on perjury and obstruction of justice without a finding of an underlying crime.

[Wwcd]

1. I read that earlier this morn. I believe Robert Mueller &

..his team of the finest mob prosecutors in the world are already there.

We are a fortunate Nation for having Mueller & his team on our side.

Think what we'd become without them.
What future we would be certain to have.

We have a very good fighting chance that the USA will prevail at the hands of Robert Mueller, his team & our allies around the world who have been with us all the way, collecting intel, tracking & making arrests & extradicting key criminal players.

They all know that of the US falls, so will they.

[pnwmom]

2. I agree. I think we will succeed because of the excellent team assembled by Mueller

and also because of the alliance that has sustained us for decades.

[Wwcd]

3. K & R

[meow2u3]

4. Here's the link to the relevant law we're talking about

18 U.S. Code § 201 - Bribery of public officials and witnesses
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/201

[ProudLib72]

5. The article says it is difficult to establish the quid pro quo in these cases

In other words, can warming up to Russia and not implementing sanctions be construed as scratching Putin's back? If we look at this from a judge's perspective, it might not be so cut and dried. I know here on DU we all recognize that this is exactly what has been happening, but in the absence of clear cut proof (like a phone call or letter stating tRump is going to do something in return for Putin's meddling), then I think we are up shit creek.

[pnwmom]

6. Don't forget how the GOP changed it's Ukraine policy (which is of great concern to Russia)

during the convention.

And the RNC also took money from possible conduits of money from Russia. So this could spread to people like Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan.

[ProudLib72]

7. I just want it to stick and stick HARD

All this waiting and speculating about what Mueller is up to and what charges will finally be brought against the orange menace are just frustrating me. I want the pay off to be well worth it. If half of GOP congress critters are caught up in this and the party is effectively ended, that would suit me just fine.

[pnwmom]

9. Congressman Rhorbocher (sp?) was at the meeting that Gates lied about.

Congressman R is on a committee that oversees Ukrainian relations -- and his name was brought up at the infamous meeting between Paul Ryan and others, where they "joked" about the Congressman taking money from Russia.

It seems pretty unlikely that Congressman R will emerge unscathed. And then after him, who knows?

[ProudLib72]

10. Throw in Wayne Lapierre and you have yourself a deal

The NRA funneled Russian money into tRump campaign and GOP. Congress critters were facilitators of that, I bet. If it means taking down the GOP and NRA, then I will be patient a little while longer.

[spanone]

8. K&R...