Mueller Expands Probe to Trump Business Transactions

[exGOPer]

But that's not a crime. Were they guilty of "colluding" with the israelis? Did Hillary "collude" with Ukraine? Or Mexico?

You have to show some violation of American law in furtherance of a conspiracy. Accepting volunteered evidence that your opponent violated the laws of another country is not collusion in any case.

The statute in question is 52 USC 30121, 36 USC 510 — the law governing foreign contributions to US campaigns. There are two key passages that apply here. This is the first:

A foreign national shall not, directly or indirectly, make a contribution or a donation of money or other thing of value, or expressly or impliedly promise to make a contribution or a donation, in connection with any Federal, State, or local election



Now show us evidence of Hillary colluding with Ukraine or Mexico?

 

[exGOPer]

“To the extent you’re using the resources of a foreign country to run your campaign — that’s an illegal campaign contribution,” Nick Akerman, an assistant special prosecutor during the Watergate investigation who now specializes in data crime, says.

Here’s the second important passage of the statute: “No person shall knowingly solicit, accept, or receive from a foreign national any contribution or donation prohibited by [this law].”

The key word from Trump Jr., according to University of California Irvine election law expert Rick Hasen, is “solicit,” which has a very specific meaning in this context. To quote the relevant statute:

A solicitation is an oral or written communication that, construed as reasonably understood in the context in which it is made, contains a clear message asking, requesting, or recommending that another person make a contribution, donation, transfer of funds, or otherwise provide anything of value.

Trump Jr. was clearly soliciting information that he knew was coming from a foreign source. Given that political campaigns regularly pay thousands of dollars to opposition researchers to dig up dirt, it seems like damaging information on Clinton would constitute something “of value” to the Trump campaign.

https://www.vox.com/world/2017/7/10/15950590/donald-trump-jr-new-york-times-illegal

 

[newwurldmn]

It's not like mueller and his team are just waiting for headlines from CNN. Trumps team knew where the investigation was progressing so trump went to the "failing New York Times" to beat Mueller to the punch. This way it looks like mueller expanded the investigation in response.

Trump is a clever manipulator.

 

[TreeFrogTrader]

Using your office for personal gain is. If it is shown that Russian officials paid trump via his hotel so that he would lift sanctions is illegal if not treason.

Receiving a campaign donation (via good or service) from a foreign power is also illegal and trump jr admitted that he tried to do that.

no one is calling trump guilty yet. But there is enough circumstantial evidence to investigate the matter.

I see. And it is important to follow all circumstantial evidence related to the conduct of public officials. So howz that investigation of the Clinton Crime Foundation coming along?

giggle.

 

[Covertibility]

Trump Is Mobilizing for War Against the Rule of Law


The Palm Beach transaction is a source of longtime suspicion. Trump purchased a property for $41 million and then, after improving it, sold it just two years later to a Russian oligarch for more than twice as much. This is a completely natural area for investigation. If the Kremlin wanted to finance Trump, overpaying for a property would be an obvious way to do so.

Mueller is also investigating other Trump financial transactions. Trump’s opaque business dealings include a lot of shady figures, including members of the Russian mafia. Why has Trump adamantly refused to disclose his tax returns, even at a significant cost to himself? And why does he appear to be so terrified at Mueller looking under these rocks? The simplest explanation is that he is probably hiding something deeply incriminating.

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All roads lead to the oligarchs.

 

[newwurldmn]

I see. And it is important to follow all circumstantial evidence related to the conduct of public officials. So howz that investigation of the Clinton Crime Foundation coming along?

giggle.

I dunno. But clearly the special prosecutor in this case feels there is enough to continue.

 

[jem]

you changed the subjects again.

the issue we were talking about is your rights to privacy, the constitution and the 4th amendment.

'The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

I am willing to bet the former head of the FBI has a far less classical liberal read of the 4th amendment than I. If you had half a brain you would understand that. Prosecutor's offices are always defending legal and illegal searches and seizures by law enforcement.

and while I was speaking about constitutional issues before and not specifically mueller's competence... if you are going to act like he is so great watch this.

Another avalanche of bullshit.

When someone is being investigated for a conspiracy and quid pro quo - the first thing one looks at is their financial history especially things they insist on hiding (tax returns), I am sure Mueller - a trained lawyer and a patriot along with his team of top prosecutors knows the constitution better than your reactionary grasp on it.

 

[exGOPer]

you changed the subjects again.

the issue we were talking about is your rights to privacy, the constitution and the 4th amendment.

'The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

I am willing to bet the former head of the FBI has a far less classical liberal read of the 4th amendment than I. If you had half a brain you would understand that. Prosecutor's offices are always defending legal and illegal searches and seizures by law enforcement.

and while I was speaking about constitutional issues before and not specifically mueller competence... if you are going to act like he is so great watch this.

Illgotten money has no rights to privacy, there is nothing unreasonable about scrutinizing MONEY that you supposedly paid taxes on during a criminal investigation. I am sure you would make the same arguments if Clinton Foundation was scrutinized in the same way.

 

[jem]

the road to fascist hell is via a govt paved over 4th amendment.

Illgotten money has no rights to privacy, there is nothing unreasonable about scrutinizing MONEY that you supposedly paid taxes on during a criminal investigation. I am sure you would make the same arguments if Clinton Foundation was scrutinized in the same way.

 

[exGOPer]

the road to fascist hell is via a govt paved over 4th amendment.

Did you make the same arguments for Clinton's server or her foundation.