Ex-Watergate Prosecutor Drops Bomb: Mueller Prepping Indictments For Trump Campaign Officials

[babylonsister]

https://www.politicususa.com/2018/07/14/ex-watergate-tells-trump-mueller-prepping-indictments.html

Posted on Sat, Jul 14th, 2018 by Sean Colarossi
Ex-Watergate Prosecutor Drops Bomb: Mueller Prepping Indictments For Trump Campaign Officials


Former Watergate Prosecutor Nick Akerman dropped a bomb on Saturday, saying the details in Robert Mueller’s Friday indictment of 12 Russians indicate that the special counsel is preparing similar indictments of Trump campaign officials.

Akerman said “there is no way” the Russians would have been able to carry out their aggressive attack on U.S. democracy without the help of people on the ground from the Trump campaign.

“[Robert Mueller and his team] know who the Americans are,” the ex-Watergate prosecutor said. “They know who is going to be indicted.”

Video @ link:

What Akerman said should terrify Trump:

There is no way, no how that the Russians would have enough political sense and have enough feel for what the game on the ground is without having spotters and people in the Trump campaign directing this. And if you look at this indictment, it is filled with incredible details about the Russians. I mean, this is not gathered just based on forensic evidence. And they know. They know who the Americans are. They know who is going to be indicted. And they’re in the process now of putting that evidence together so they can convict these people beyond a reasonable doubt.

Robert Mueller is making sure the case is rock solid

Given Republican efforts to undermine the overall investigation, special counsel Robert Mueller’s team is clearly trying to make sure, as Nick Akerman said on Saturday, that any Americans involved will be convicted “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Just like the Russian indictments handed down on Friday, any future indictments including Americans – particularly Trump administration officials – will be just as detailed and damning.

As Sarah Jones pointed out on Friday, Mueller’s latest indictments may not have included any Americans, but it could certainly lay the groundwork for future conspiracy charges against Trump campaign officials.

If and when those indictments come, no amount of political gamesmanship will be able to bail out Trump and his loyalists.

[empedocles]

1. Sounds good!

Timing would be interesting.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. Let's fuckin' go already!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

64. Kind of case that has to be done absolutely right or

... not at all. When you metaphorically shoot at the king you only get one shot metaphorically. It's a monster case in scope and implications and repercussions. Let Mueller take the time he needs to do it right. You know better than Mueller?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

68. Fair point... just impatient.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

69. Understandable. Last year would not have been too soon for my taste, but I trust Mueller. . . nt

[0rganism]

3. the big pieces are now in motion

the time for opening pawn gambits and tentative bishop checks is over. rooks and queens are moving onto their endgame files. events will now occur that have been planned out months ahead. which pieces is Putin prepared to sacrifice and what combination of pieces will he take in trade?

one thing i'm sure of, Trump was never the king.

[Achilleaze]

21. Dirty Donny*s move: P to Pee

* aka republican Draft-dodger-in-Chief

[sprinkleeninow]

79. 🗣🎙"P forty-five..."

"BINGO!!"

[backtoblue]

4. Kick and Rec.

[dameatball]

5. Week to week, I keep holding off on buying popcorn, but my resolve is weakening!

[phylny]

7. I just hope I'm alive for the movie!

Popcorn 🍿 ready.

[pangaia]

6. And repubs know this so looks like they are about try to neuter rosenstein

[emulatorloo]

10. They've chosen to be on the wrong side of history. Why exactly?

What motivates them to protect Trump rather than the rule of law? Truth will out, and it won’t be kind to them.

[pangaia]

11. You know all those movies about the bad guys?

Well, they are real.

[triron]

12. Yes I don't understand that either unless it was out of desperation.

Perhaps they didn't intend to go that way it just crept up on them.

[WhiteTara]

75. they are complicit.

[Garrett78]

16. Because they want to stay in power or because they're guilty, or both.

Guilty, that is, of knowingly taking money and information from a foreign adversary.

Even if they aren't guilty per se, they can't risk alienating the base. Trump's approval rating may only be in the low 40s, but turning on Trump won't do them any good. They'll get primaried if they do. We've seen throughout the current primary season that Trump's endorsement carries a lot of weight and that going against him is career-ending.

[Boomerproud]

44. They are as guilty of obstruction as the tRump campaign and administration.

IF justice prevails some VERY big names will be taking a perp walk. Faux news will be the only one not covering it.

[erronis]

95. And most of them could not have legitimately gotten in power without crimes and misdemeanors.

I say misdemeanors for those things like gerrymandering. Crimes include colluding with the enemy, accepting bribes from US and other plutocrats, obstructing the democratic voting process.

[volstork]

40. They are complicit, too.

They are on the wrong side of history in more ways than one

[emulatorloo]

42. Yeah, only thing that makes sense.

[Generic Brad]

8. Bring on the firing squad

Anyone proved guilty of treason needs to be treated exactly like the Rosenbergs were.

[pangaia]

14. You know what, I don't THINK I agree.

I think they should have their hands cut off.

I have a feeling it might be a longer term punishment and a better reminder to others.

[mercuryblues]

33. In trump's case

that won't be much of a loss. Tiny hand trump.

[FailureToCommunicate]

55. ...

[pangaia]

58. He should have his arms amputated at the elbow if found guilty.

Might slow down his unwanted fondling of women.

Now understand, I am not advocating violence as such, but I am against the death penalty in general.

[SergeStorms]

83. The only fitting punishment for Trump....

would be having his vocal chords removed. It's his own mouth Trump cherishes the most. Perhaps having his taste buds neutralized as well for good measure. For a man who uses his mouth for everything he loves, removing his ability to brag about himself and his so-called "accomplishments" would be he harshest penalty possible.

[maddiemom]

108. Totally agree, but his tongue would be simpler to remove.

[SergeStorms]

113. He could still...

get one of those electronic voice boxes, like throat cancer patients use. Take out the vocal chords...... and get rid of those taste buds too. Ah....what the heck, take the tongue too.

[erronis]

96. Then their only pleasure will be fello-to-fello.

Don't need to write the actual word.

[H2O Man]

9. Recommended.

Mr. Akerman is outstanding.

[spanone]

13. K&R...

[procon]

15. Who might be on the list:

Trump's overly eager sons, Uday and Qusay
Michael Cohen
Giuliani
Stone
Bannon ?
Jared Kushner
Pence ?
Tillerson
Wilbur Ross
Eric Prince

other unknown co conspirators ???

[royable]

20. How about drumpf plus every republican in the presidential line of succession

plus about 90% of the republicans in the House and Senate, for starters.

[procon]

24. McConnell for sure.

I think he was in from the start, that's why he was so sure that he could get away with blocking Merrick Garland until the Russians put Trump in the WH.

[FakeNoose]

32. Carter Page, unless he's already indicted

Jeff Sessions, Chris Christie and Rudy Giuliani all worked on the campaign - how much did they know?
Steve Bannon isn't a question mark - he's part of it
Pence is indirectly part of the conspiracy

Can't wait for this to be over and get these guys in jail!

[notdarkyet]

34. Sessions.

[Duncan Grant]

38. Rebekah Mercer

C'mon Karma - get busy.

[ooky]

93. OMG I hope so

and then Mueller freeze her money so she can no longer use it for her evil purposes.

[Lonestarblue]

39. Brad Parscale

Perhaps some people from Cambridge Analytica. It would be fabulous to nail Robert Mercer.

[Alwaysna]

47. Add to that list

Dana Rohrabacher, Ivanka, Hope Hicks, Kellyanne Conway, Sarah Sanders, Paul Ryan ,Mtch McConnell, Trey Growdy, Sean Hannity, Devin Nunes, & all those in the "Freedom" Causus. Boy I've developed a long shit list!

[procon]

54. Definitely, take 'em all down, the traitors! nt

[RandomAccess]

53. I vote for: all o the above

and THEN some.

[Maraya1969]

66. Carter Page. Hannity? (Maybe that is my wishful thinking.) Ryan, McConnell

I would love to see Ivanka and Betsy Devos. Why do we leave off the women all the time?

[Pepsidog]

94. Through the Murdochs in as Co-conspirators

[amywalk]

78. Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Devin Nunes, Trey Gowdy, etc...

[meadowlander]

103. Paragraph 44 of the Russian indictment all but names Roger Stone.

[bucolic_frolic]

17. This a pitting of party discipline vs rule of law

Republicans will stay together, either because they are complicit, or because they are being controlled by fear or loyalty

So, really, we need to take a majority in either house in November

[George II]

18. My thinking is that one of the reasons asked for a dozen or more additional prosecutors is...

...that he's now quickly putting together all the paperwork needed to indict the Americans involved in this. This man dots his I's and crosses his T's. And woe be to those Americans who are complicit in this interference by Russia. That includes trump, his people, AND quite possibly some Democrats.

[in2herbs]

49. I agree. I have my own suspicions about which democrats are involved and will go down. I think we

(democrats) better be ready to accept this possibility as it turns to reality.

[calimary]

67. Welcome to DU, in2herbs!

I would hope the folks in our tribe wouldn't be so sullied. But if they got down into the swamp with the bad guys, then they can share the same fate. One would hope they'd be above such things, or otherwise know better.

[Hortensis]

105. We do have a smallish bloc of conservative Democrats,

not to be confused with dominant liberal Democrats when it comes to belief in our liberal progressive systems. The Republicans currently in national government have become virtually totally corrupted as a price of being allowed to remain in office, while as a whole Democrats have not. A striking, dramatic, and very important difference. America has a good party working to protect government of, by and for the people.

But as you suggest, any party can have bad eggs. And since the blue dog conservatives play both directions, it's especially possible someone in that group might be dirty. Unlike in2herbs, I don't have any specifically in mind though. Perhaps in2herbs would be willing to discuss names and reasons for suspicion?

In any case, I so agree that all who are corrupt and/or treasonous, from any party or faction, should share the same fate. Prison would be my choice.

[monmouth4]

19. I wonder how Pence is feeling about now, hmmmm?..n/t

[Honeycombe8]

22. I wonder. Conversations between him & his wife must be interesting.

I wonder if she has her inauguration dress picked out.

[monmouth4]

26. I think Pence will be gone too, no inauguration for them...LOL. n/t

[Honeycombe8]

29. Personally, I don't think so.

Pence was not part of the inner circle. Trump didn't even know Pence, when the Repubs told him to use him as a VP candidate.

Pence is super religious. He may have known a few things, but I doubt he knew much, and I doubt he did anything himself.

[monmouth4]

30. What is the Pence connection to Manafort, the "arranger?"..n/t

[Honeycombe8]

31. I don't know. nt

[emulatorloo]

35. Manafort picked out Pence to be VP

Additionally I also think Pence was probably aware of what Flynn was up to (calling Russians to discuss sanctions) even though Pence claimed he didn’t know.

[triron]

52. Rachel talked about how Pence's explanation didn't fit.

[Honeycombe8]

86. Pence's explanation for what? nt

[Honeycombe8]

91. I think so, too. But that's different from evidence....

there has been no evidence at all of anything about Pence. We want to be careful about going after people that there is no evidence supporting that. There HAS been evidence released about Trump and many in his inner circle.

I think it's unlikely that Pence would be so naive that he would believe the "Lock her up" in-the-bag-for-Russia-and-Turkey guy Flynn about anything regarding Russia...but there has been no leak or info released showing anything about Pence colluding or being involved in collusion. And there have been a lot of leaks. No phone calls, emails, meetings...nothing regarding Pence. You've have to be an idiot not to pick up what's going on, when you're so near the inner circle people...but that's a suspicion. And he may in fact be an idiot.

[unc70]

37. Manafort manipulated Trump to pick Pence for VP

How much closer do you need to be?

[Honeycombe8]

56. As far as I know, for strategy. To get the evangelical vote. Trump didn't understand...

how the VP pick mattered, and why he should choose Pence.

[Lars39]

61. Pence's brother did business in Russia for years iirc.

[Honeycombe8]

87. I have seen no evidence connecting Pence w/collusion w/Russia.BUT his brother is running for Congres

In the end, I haven't seen one iota of evidence connecting Pence w/the collusion. Trump didn't even know Pence when most of that was going on.

The Russia connection is suspicious, but he worked for Cummins (CMI)...a lot of people work for that large company. What's more concerning about the brother is that he owned a business that failed and was hit with over $8 Million for environmental damage in the U.S.

AND that brother is now running for Congress and is a MAGA maggot. That is VERY concerning! Talk about having a mole in Congress.

This stench is running throughout our government at all levels.

[Lars39]

88. I think it's a case of "the devil you know".

Pence the brother was high up the food chain in Cummins, a company that sold engines to Russian military.

[Honeycombe8]

89. Yes. And...?????

Exxon does, Chevron does, a lot of companies do. It's a global economy. The brother was in sales & production. He also owned a convenience store or store chain.

I agree it's suspicious. But as I say, I haven't seen any evidence connecting Pence w/the collusion charges in any way. That makes sense, since Pence didn't even know Trump until late in the game, and was not in the inner circle. Manafort, yes. Pence, no.

That may change. And his brother may have ties to Russia that could be found. But maybe not. That's all I'm saying. Evidence is important. Suspicions are something else.

[Lars39]

90. Given Manafort's expertise, Mueller probably knows all.

[Honeycombe8]

92. Mueller goes by evidence. If Pence is involved, he'll catch it.

But his brother working for a company that sells to Russia...there are many companies that do business with Russia. It's not unusual. It's a global economy.

I looked it up. Cummins Inc is actually in a business venture with Russia, and has a hdqtrs in Moscow. CMI is the leading engine manufacturer in the world.

Other companies that do business and/or have ventures with Russians:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2016/08/03/headline-halah-t/#21e9c3c55f99

Ford
Pepsi
Pfizer
Procter&Gamble
McDonald's
Mondelez International
General Motors
Johnson & Johnson
Cargill
Alcoa
GE
Morgan Stanley is a big investor in Russia real estate
Crate & Barrel
Starbucks
Krispy Kreme

Rich Russians are big buys of luxury real estate in the U.S.

I'm just pointing out that it's business as usual for a big company to do business in or with Russia. It's a case of the oligarchs taking over the world, IMO. The greed crosses boundaries. These big companies aren't loyal to countries. They're loyal to profits. That's the only reason a business exists.

Personally, I think that that's Trump's interest in Russia. Not blackmail. But he wants a Moscow hotel and other businesses in Russia. He wants to become the richest man in the world, and he needs Russia for that. I read that Trump has been trying for 30 years to get a big business in Russia. Trump is mainly all about himself, his family, and money.

[not fooled]

65. And remember

if punce lies to enable himself to get into the presidency, it's OK because he's doing so to further the establishment of a theocratic state.

Lying for Jebus = A-OK

Seriously, these faux xtians believe this.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

84. Stand next to a skunk too long...

You start to stink too. Old saying my grandpa used to use.

[maddiemom]

107. But a stolen election is a stolen election.

Pence got in to office the SAME WAY that Trump did. That would make Pence an illegitimate V.P. regardless of the scope of his complicity, even if little or none occurred.

[Honeycombe8]

109. Definitely. But is there anything in our laws to void an election?

I've never heard of one. You can't turn back the hands of time.

This stinks like a rotten egg.

In order for Pence NOT to move to the Presidency, if Trump is removed, is for the country or a court to find that the election is cancelled, voided. The U S S Ct is not likely to find that. If Mueller or the DOJ finds that it was a fake election result, to begin with. I doubt very much that anyone in the govt is going to tell the public that Russia's actions altered the election results to the point that it affected the result.

I read that even Obama didn't want the public to know, because it would ruin their trust in the election system. I think it's a foregone conclusion that the AG's office and the DOJ will follow suit, esp since they are Trumpers. They will NOT admit it, even if it's true. But I suspect no one has studied that, to know, or even to know if we CAN tell if results were altered.

I mean...how would we know that election results in a district were altered, and altered to the point of changing the result? It's the sort of thing that'd be almost impossible to prove.

I have thought from election night that Russia had a hand in Trump winning, because it made no sense. It was the first time in American history that all but one of the polls was wrong, and that millions of Americans and pollsters and media were wrong in who they thought would win, hands down. (This wasn't like the Truman election.)

[Hekate]

43. Manafort handpicked Pence. I wouldn't be encouraging wifey to measure the drapes just yet.

I hope Mueller gets him too.

[monmouth4]

46. You guys beat me to it. Pence is not the innocent know-nothing he'd like you to believe..nt

[lindysalsagal]

23. I feels like Mueller is setting up the public to watch the cover-up with their own eyes in real time

It feels like he knows the public resistance to believe that we screwed up this much, and that "it couldn't happen here" mentality will require an atom bomb.

Breaking through everyone's disbelief will be painful, and so he's revealing the crimes after the gop b.s. "hearing" and putin's little happy meeting. Mueller's saying: "Watch. He's colluding right before your eyes. There's no other explanation for his refusal to act presidential. "


Mueller knew 45 would pee all over himself in europe, and let 45 show us all what an idiot he is before revealing these crimes.

He watched Fitz screw up the bush investigation. He's not letting that happen.

[Honeycombe8]

50. But doesn't that just give the Repubs time to stop it before it reaches the inner circle?

Trump Jr, Kushner, Trump himself?

If this was a tip off of things to come, all it did was give them time to replace Rosenstein with someone who stops the investigation.

[yonder]

77. Interesting point

Does Mueller do this by the "book", clinically, professionally? Or does he have the leeway to set this process in motion as he thinks best?

[maryellen99]

25. Maybe more indictments will be dropped during trump's meeting with his bff nt

[Saguaro]

57. It would be fitting...

... for Mueller to indict, say, Don Jr. or Jared on charges of conspiring with Russian military agents on the day that Trump meets with Putin.

On edit: actually, it would be even better if Mueller indicted Trump himself!

[calimary]

70. Welcome to DU, Saguaro!

I'd love to see them all swept up, and swept AWAY. Let them ALL learn about wearing orange.

[Doitnow]

112. Maybe Trump will have to seek asylum in Russia---I can dream, can't I?

[ProudMNDemocrat]

27. Can we say...Conspiracy to commit TREASON ?????

It is looking more and more that Donald Trump is an ILLIGITIMATE president in every sense of the word. That since taking the oath of office, this whole charade we have witnessed, has been FAKE!!!

When the Americans are named when rock solid indictments come down, Trump is going to go off the deep end. Watch this space.

[sprinkleeninow]

80. 'Watch this space...' 🤣 eom

[Iliyah]

28. That is why house tea baggers are introducing impeachment against

Rosenstein. Senate passed Criminal overseer at the DOJ who has ties with Russia, which he should recuse himself but alas, they have no ethics. Sessions had to because he is the head jerkoff at the DOJ.

[mahannah]

36. Nothing will terrify Trump, he is brain dead.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

41. When indictments come down for Donny Jr. and Jared.....

The brain of the Donald will perk up and go on a Twitter tantrum like none we have ever seen. WH staffers will near ear plugs for the stream of profanities that will come out of the Orange Puke's mouth.

[Hekate]

45. I think a credible threat to the Crown Princess would get through to him. nt

[lastlib]

48. CAN'T WAIT to see that perp-walk!!

Hey, Little Donny Jr., can you do that Frog-March?? With Eric, Ivanka, and Manafort? And Daddy??

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

[metalbot]

51. I'm not sure I accept the premise

"There is no way, no how that the Russians would have enough political sense and have enough feel for what the game on the ground is without having spotters and people in the Trump campaign directing this."

I'm not suggesting that nobody in the Trump campaign was involved (and I suspect a Stone indictment is coming soon), but I don't see why you would need "spotters and people in the Trump campaign directing this". I think that's selling the KGB short. I don't think you needed collusion here - I think Trump was "bought" by Putin more than 20 years ago, so the fact that he had a shot at the presidency was just happy fortune for Putin.

As for "bailing out Trump and his loyalists", I sadly think that the power of pardon is going to go a long way

[Blue_Roses]

97. The indictments imply that Russia had help

and it makes sense that they would have "spotters" and ground help.

[Gothmog]

59. I love AMJOY

Link to tweet

[Jim__]

60. From Akerman's mouth to god's ears. - n/t

[slumcamper]

62. Imagine THIS scenario

--Indictments come in Sept & Oct
--Indictments include Pence
--Dems win the House in Nov
--Pelosi assumes Speakership in January '19
--Impeachments are swift, and trials ensue
--Senate gridlocks; evidence and pressure mount
--Resignations of Trump, then Pence
--Pelosi becomes president
--Dems continue strict oversight
--Inquiry expands to House GOP enablers
--2020 election looms

Not beyond the pale of possibility, I think.

[tomp]

63. Pence will have a Vice President.

So unless trump and pence leave simultaneously pelosi will not reach the office that way.

[slumcamper]

71. Okay, then let's just say they leave simultaneously...

one way or another

[dflprincess]

72. Anyone Pence nominates as VP has to be confirmed by the Senate

If the Democrats take the Senate back, Pence's pick won't be confirmed.

[Major Nikon]

73. Regardless of how you feel about the FBI, they are top notch in their methods

If you ever get indicted as a result of an FBI investigation, you are truly forked. They make state and other local law enforcement look 2nd rate at best, which they are. The fuse has been lit and it’s going right up Trump’s ass. One can only hope the orange fallout takes out his GOP co-conspirators either by prosecution or at the ballot box.

[sprinkleeninow]

81. "Stick that fork in yersef. YER DONE!" 😆

[sprinkleeninow]

82. Right up *his* alley? 🤣

[warmfeet]

74. Better be quick about it.

Plans are in place to block such action.

[blue-wave]

76. And if someone or some group

is guilty of treason, treason charges must be brought forth. We must never have this reprehensible, regrettable situation ever happen again. If the United States of America is lost, the world loses. It will likely be centuries of struggle to defend and/or espouse democracy. What a shame that would be.

[dalton99a]

85. Kick

[sellitman]

98. No one involved was in contact with Trump

He did have an amazing group of people who were responsible for bringing him coffee and Cokes.

So many!

[blue-wave]

99. This

"There is no way, no how that the Russians would have enough political sense and have enough feel for what the game on the ground is without having spotters and people in the Trump campaign directing this."


Yes, I have suspected for a long time now that there were/are likely "spotters" who penetrated even to the local level throughout our country. Just look at the Strzok hearing from the other day. The republicons were completely unhinged. People like this don't get elected unless the opposition is somehow undermined.

Just like with Hillary on the national level, they can create similar scenarios on the local level. This goes deep into our society. I suspect the Russians have been working this for at least a few decades now.

[PatrickforO]

100. Babylonsister, may this go from your fingertips to the ears and heart of God!

Let it happen!

[fallout87]

101. Why did Rosenstein

say there is no allegation in the indictments that any American citizens committed any crimes?

If there is some bombshell indictment coming up, why would they change the claim about willing American Citizens?

[triron]

104. To cover his ass and placate some 'enemies'. Trying to save his job.

[yuiyoshida]

102. I bet Trump's son and

Ivanka, and Jarred Kushner are on that short list.

[oasis]

106. Take no prisoners.

[Hoyt]

110. Unless he implicates trump directly, we'll be yelling he was captain of the ship and

should go down too. Not sure that’s enough to get trump in this country. That’s really the main goal. If trump is not removed from office, he wins.

[dawg day]

111. Brad parscale had to be in

Don't you think?

[triron]

114. Can't happen too soon!