The nightmare scenario (WashPost)

[kentuck]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2018/08/07/get-ready-for-this-nightmare-scenario-involving-trump-mueller-and-brett-kavanaugh/?utm_term=.e8c4f6f3f756

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So we may soon face a situation in which a president whose campaign is under investigation for collaboration with a hostile foreign power’s sabotaging of our democracy — and who has gone to enormous lengths to both scuttle that investigation and to publicly vindicate that foreign power — is seeking to avoid questioning on these matters, with the help of the justice he just appointed, possibly (given what we know about Trump) in part for this very reason.

Trump of course has every right to appeal this to the court. And there are reasons why nominees don’t comment directly on matters they may be ruling upon. It should also be noted that even if Trump avoids a Mueller interview, this would not mean he is in the clear legally. But Trump is probably more legally vulnerable if he does the interview, and in any case, there is a strong public interest in Trump facing such questioning.

And if Kavanaugh does not pledge recusal or shed sufficient light on his views, Senators are not obliged to confirm him. Indeed, you’d think this would present them with what should be a very difficult situation. It should become harder for any self-respecting red state Democrat to support him. Heck, this scenario might even get a bit uncomfortable for vulnerable Republicans, since they are facing a midterm which will likely turn heavily on voters’ desire for a check on an out-of-control president.

To be clear, there are plenty of ways in which this scenario might be avoided. But it is a possibility. And it is one whose outcome is not likely to reflect particularly well on our institutions.