The value of filing an unprecedented indictment against Trump, even if the courts finally ruled

[pnwmom]

that the only recourse is impeachment, not an indictment proceeding to trial, is that Mueller would be able to lay out the case in detail against Trump in the indictment itself , instead of being limited to filing a final report with Rosenstein.

I don't know what happens, though, if matters in an indictment are classified, which could be the case here.

[marylandblue]

1. The indictment can't be classified, only certain information in it

which would be redacted. And he can write an indictment without requiring redaction. See the indictments he has released so far.

[unblock]

2. i don't really think the problem is the supreme court

so much as department of justice policies. i don't think mueller's charter gives him scope, at least per departmental policies, to indict donnie.

so at most he would *recommend* indictment, and rosenstein would have to be the one to actually indict donnie. or conceivably sessions, in case there are charges unrelated to his recusal, such as tax evasion on matters not having to do with russia.


in the event that donnie is indicted one way or another, i can't see the supreme court saying a sitting president can't be indicted, though it is possible that they may say a sitting president can't be forced to have a criminal trial while president, in which case the indictment would be put on hold until donnie's out of office one way or another.

even that i have my doubts, given that the supreme court allowed a civil case to proceed (jones v. clinton).


charges being classified doesn't really change much legally, i don't think; just that we wouldn't see the juicy bits.

[pnwmom]

3. Where does it say in the charter that he can indict anyone except Trump? It say he can

"prosecute" crimes that he finds.

[unblock]

4. not sure -- but i've heard that *he* can't be the one to do it.

might just be doj policy.

[bluestarone]

5. Man i would think (Jones v. Clinton) would definitly set precedence?

Trial while in office i mean.