Mark Meadows is 'up to his neck' in two possible federal crimes: MSNBC legal analyst

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Meadows originally cooperated with the Jan. 6 committee and then stopped. One reason may be that Meadows knows that he could be charged by DOJ. The Jan 6 committee and the House has sent a criminal referral to the DOJ which has not acted on such referral. One possible reason why DOJ has not charged Mark Meadows with contempt due to Jan. 6 investigation is that the DOJ may be looking at charging Meadows with other crimes. I prefer letting the DOJ pursue criminal charges against Meadows in lieu of pursuing contempt charges on Jan. 6 investigation.

The DOJ has had the contempt motion from Congress on Mark Meadows for a very long time. I understand that there may be some OLC memos that the DOJ has to work through, but it appears that an addition reason may be that Mark Meadows may be a target or subject of an investigation by the DOJ with respect to the Jan. 6 insurrection. The DOJ probably has had the texts from Mark Meadows disclosed today for some time. The texts build a good case for charging Meadows with a couple of crimes,

Link to tweet

https://www.rawstory.com/mark-meadows-possible-federal-crimes/

"It was the premeditation," began Wallace. "There isn't anyone more senior than the White House chief of staff. That's it. Especially in the Trump White House. The record is clear that that person was the only adult in the room when it was a White House chief of staff and a president. What does the premeditation and knowledge of violence ahead of time mean for everyone who had that knowledge? Was in possession of the knowledge and has testified to eyewitnesses now who have testified before congress?"

Litman agreed, saying that it's clear Meadows had the knowledge.

"Meadows is in the middle of everything, however crazy, however completely half baked or quarter baked, but your point really is the right one because once we have knowledge of the violence, he is up to his neck in a potential conspiracy to obstruct the proceedings because what's the point of the violence?" asked Litman. "It's to delay or hinder and that's exactly what it did. So, for that, he's in serious hot water. And the [Justice] department, if it shows, can really put the screws to him."

He went on to say that because Meadows was also involved in the fake electors' conspiracy it could even be worse. Litman explained that there is an Office of Legal Counsel opinion that makes it clear what they were trying to do was illegal.

The DOJ could use charges against Meadows to get to TFG. I feel less concerned about the DOJ not charging Meadows with conempt.

[Cha]

1. Rt TY!

💙💛

[Blue Owl]

2. Allow me to stomp his head down into the manure pit of his own creation

Don't care if my own boot gets dirty!

[Cha]

3. Meadows & cult have certainly earned

that & hopefully more Karma is Forthcoming!

💙💛

[UpInArms]

4. Does anyone else remember the video of the "party" before TFG went on?

Video at link

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/us-capitol-riots-footage-of-the-trumps-celebrating-at-rally-before-riots/WDTEATXIWNCCAQ52YPXGMHFMPI/

He called the protesters patriots who were "sick of the bullsh*t" and thanked them for what they were doing before panning around the room, capturing his wife dancing to 80s hit Gloria by Laura Branigan and showing staff taking photos of the crowds on the multiple TV screens in the tent.

Meadows makes a joyful cameo at the end where Donald Jr calls him "a real fighter".

Guilfoyle also appears again and says "Have the courage to do the right thing. Fight", before Trump appears at the end swinging what appears to be a red boxing glove.

[PSPS]

5. This "legal analyst" needs to find a more suitable job like in a dry cleaners

Just more "may be subject to," "could be prosecuted," etc. They're all going to skate and anyone who thinks DOJ/Garland is going to do anything just hasn't been paying attention.

[sop]

7. Nixon's WH Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldeman, was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice,

and received an 18-month prison sentence, so it can happen. Meadows "could be prosecuted," but I'm not betting on it. That was then, and this is now.

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. I think you might be the one not paying close enough attention. Nt

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. Jan. 6 is looking 'more premeditated'

Laypersons are cute and adorable when they attempt to understand legal concepts and fail. It has been clear for some time that the DOJ is investigating all levels of this attempt coup. The DOJ has had access to these texts and other information that they obtained from the carriers and other sources for a while. The DOJ has a request/referral from the House to hold Mark Meadows in criminal contempt that has been pending for over 100 days. There is agency called Office of Legal Counsel may have some memos as to why Mark Meadows cannot be compelled to testify. See

Link to tweet

In addition, the prosecution of Meadows for contempt only carries a sentence of one year and a fine. If you read the texts released tonight, it is clear that Meadows is exposed and can be prosecuted.

The DOJ's other option is to continue the investigation with Meadows being a target. In the real world, criminal investigtions like this one start from the bottom and work their way up. Here Meadows is a big fish who may be forced to cooperate or face trial for being part of a Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Obstruction of an Official Proceeding. Barbara McQuade put together a model prosecution memo for charging TFG that is well done

Link to tweet

https://www.justsecurity.org/80308/united-states-v-donald-trump-model-prosecution-memo/

As described below, there is sufficient evidence to support a conspiracy to defraud the United States by interfering with the functioning of the United States Congress to certify the results of a presidential election and permit the transfer of presidential power, as set forth in the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Electoral Count Act.[12] This legal process is described in the indictment filed against Stewart Rhodes and other members of the Oath Keepers organization who have been charged with seditious conspiracy for their conduct relating to Jan. 6.[13] As stated in that indictment, the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes codify the procedures and dates governing the transfer of presidential power in the United States. The Twelfth Amendment requires presidential electors to meet in their respective states and certify their state’s votes for president and vice president. It further requires that the vice president shall open the certificates in the presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives, “and the votes shall then be counted.” The Electoral Count Act specifies that the votes shall be counted in a joint session of Congress at 1 p.m. “on the sixth day of January succeeding every meeting of the electors,” with the vice president presiding, to count the electoral votes, resolve any objections, certify their validity, and announce the result.[14] Here, the evidence described below supports a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing and interfering with this process.

The texts released today plus the evidence described in Barbara McQuade's memorandum show that TFG can be prosecuted. The analysis described in the memorandum also show that Mark Meadows can be prosecuted.

Ari Melber discussed this today and it is clear that such texts and other evidence gives the DOJ a great case against Meadows.

Link to tweet

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-premeditated-merrick-garland/

If the DOJ has the choice of doing a weak criminal contempt motion against Meadows vs charging Meadows with the crimes listed above to leverage Meadows, I like the second option.

Hopefully the above explanation is simple enough that even a layperson should be able to understand

[Cha]

12. Rts💖TY, LMPV!

💙💛

[Budi]

14. Wow. Thanks for the post. Explains a more critical high stakes game of the absolute highest crimes.

This has got to be getting extremely tense at the top, as the crimes they so brazenly committed are found out.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

18. The Jan. 6 committee and the DOJ have slightly different goals

The Jan. 6 committee wants Meadows to testify, and the DOJ wants to prosecute all participants in the coup. Meadows is clearly a key participant in coup. Oliver North was given immunity and that grant allowed North to avoid conviction. The DOJ appears to have good reasons to slow play or not pursue an indictment of Meadows for contempt. I would prefer to see Meadows indicted and convicted for being a participant in the coup.

I recommend Barbara McQuade's prosecution memo. It is very well done and Meadows is a participant in the coup and needs to be prosecuted

[Budi]

19. Never second guess the words of Barbara McQuade

That is correct about the Jan 6 committee & DOJ having different goals as well as different guidlines in reaching those goals.

I believe the public Jan 6 hearings will set the stage for the DOJ to sweep up the pieces.

They are dead serious about the crimes plotted & carried out upon this nation.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

21. Barbara is an amazing attorney

I really love that memorandum

[calimary]

22. I wish SHE was Attorney General.

[lapucelle]

10. ...

[Harry] Litman served as a law clerk to Abner Mikva of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit; and Supreme Court Justices Thurgood Marshall[5] and Anthony Kennedy during the 1988–1989 term.

Following his clerkships, Litman became an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of California. While an Assistant U.S. Attorney, he was detailed to the Department of Justice's main office in Washington, D.C., to work on several national cases, including the federal re-prosecution of the Los Angeles police officers in the Rodney King case.

From 1993 to 1998 he was a Deputy Assistant Attorney Genera under Janet Reno in the Department of Justice, coordinating the department's work on a number of issues and advising the Attorney General and other officials on questions of constitutional law and prosecutorial policy. Simultaneously, he was a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. In that capacity, he was co-counsel for Operation Underhand, prosecuting a narcotics ring that smuggled drugs into prison under the guise of providing religious counseling.

snip==============================================================================

Litman developed a nationally recognized gun-violence reduction initiative known as Operation Target, and personally litigated cases in the district court and the court of appeals. In July 2000, President Clinton nominated Litman for a judgeship on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, but the Senate adjourned without considering the nomination. While in government, Litman also taught at Berkeley Law School, Georgetown Law School and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

After leaving government, Litman was appointed a Distinguished Visitor and Fellow at Princeton University's Program in Law and Public Affairs. He taught at Princeton and Rutgers University while working in private practice, with specialties in constitutional law and the federal False Claims Act.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Litman

[LetMyPeopleVote]

15. I really like Harry Littman

Link to tweet

[LetMyPeopleVote]

17. why the Justice Department hasn't indicted Meadows yet

This explanation may be simple enough for a layperson to understand

[Chainfire]

6. They will all try to hold out until Trump (or one of his clones) is reelected, then

poof, it all goes away, just like magic.

[WarGamer]

11. Here Charlie Brown, I'll hold the football!

[Takket]

13. Cool. Talking head #5471 telling us how screwed drumpf is

Only thing I care about now are indictments. Everything else is noise.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

16. Watergate lawyer speculates why the Justice Department hasn't indicted Meadows yet

Jill Winebanks is an amazing lawyer. My debate coach/civics teacher/english teacher got me started in politics by following the Watergate hearings and investigation. I am glad that Winebanks agrees with my belief that Mark Meadows has not be changed with regard to the Jan. 6 investigation because Meadows is a person of interest or possible target

Link to tweet

https://www.rawstory.com/mark-meadows-possible-indictment/

But former Watergate attorney Jill Wine-Banks said on MSNBC later in the day that such crimes could be the reason that the Justice Department isn't acting on the contempt of Congress charge.

"I think that some of what we have seen in the last few days may explain why the Department of Justice has not yet indicted Mark Meadows for contempt. and it may be because these documents show him to be an active participant in a coup," said Wine-Banks. "And maybe they are looking at him more seriously for a substantive part and for obstructing Congress. I think he could be guilty of both and that it is very important to work between the Congress and the prosecutors to make sure of that."

She went on to explain that Congress wouldn't give any kind of immunity to Meadows if the DOJ wants to indict him.

"Where Congress says, we really need his testimony — their role is very different," Wine-Banks continued. "They have to pass laws that will protect us from anything like this happening again. They must do that because this, as you have said, is as close to losing democracy as I hope we ever come. So, I want them to pass the laws. But they can do it without his testimony if he is about to be indicted for a crime."

I want the Jan. 6 committee to get as many facts as possible but not if this endangers the prosecution of a participant in the coup

[Budi]

20. K & R. I believe as she does.

[RainCaster]

23. Only two?

I thought that he did far more than that.

[Stinky The Clown]

24. Operative word is "possible"

Meaning it is simply legal fantasy masturbation

[mcar]

25. He is up to his neck in all of this

Thanks for sharing this.