Question about the Mueller investigation

[happyhoix]

I'm not a legal/political/American history expert but I know there are some on here so thought I would ask. Let me say up front I am not pretending I know what the Mueller investigation will find - if anything - I'm just curious about the legal/impeachable ramifications of the findings. (We have enough threads fighting about what Mueller is/is not finding).

Say that what Mueller discovers in his investigation is not Russian collusion during the election but some kind of possibly illegal activity Trump's business engaged in prior to the election. Say Trump cooked the books and doesn't have the money he claims to have, or say he engaged in money laundering with the Russians.

Since Mueller is only supposed to be looking at collusion charges, would he just ignore anything not directly related to that? Would he not act on the findings but forward them to another branch of the FBI for criminal investigation?

Say there is some criminal activity, but it took place prior to the election, when Trump was a private citizen. Would they wait to press charges until Trump is no longer president? Would they press charges against Don Jr, Ivanka and Eric instead, since they are supposed to be running the company now?

I'm assuming that what Trump said or did in his private business prior to the election would not now be an impeachable offense (but I'm not sure - the Whitewater investigation was into business dealings the Clinton's did years before in Arkansas, but I'm not sure if they were trying to impeach Clinton or just get him in legal trouble). But if Trump lied during or after the election about those business deals (for instance, claiming he has no business relationship with Russia when he had significant loans from Russian banks) is it impeachable that he lied to the American people? Even if it's about events that took place prior to the election?

Again - not implying what Mueller will or will not find, just curious about what might happen, SHOULD he find something.

[thyme4change]

Is Mueller only "supposed" to be looking at collusion?

I thought he was appointed to look into Russia's involvement in our election. That doesn't necessarily mean he is looking just at collusion, but really any of their activities as a matter of national security.

[happyhoix]

Jan 29, 2018 9:32:54 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Is Mueller only "supposed" to be looking at collusion?

I thought he was appointed to look into Russia's involvement in our election. That doesn't necessarily mean he is looking just at collusion, but really any of their activities as a matter of national security.

Actually I think you're right, it is supposed to be Russian involvement in the election.

[Deleted]

Mueller has broad authority to investigate any crime he uncovers in the course of his investigation into Russian interference. 

Including but not limited to obstruction.

[billisonboard]

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

I think if the House of Representatives passes Articles of Impeachment for whatever, it will be passed to the Senate and the Senate will hear evidence and vote. I would think that the only body that could say it isn't an "impeachable offense" would be the US Supreme Court and I can't see them stepping into the middle of that shitstorm.

[Rob Base 2.0]

Impeach now!

[billisonboard]

... to ensure a full and thorough investigation of the Russian govemment's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, I hereby order as follows:
(a) Robert S. Mueller III is appointed to serve as Special Counsel for the United States
Department of Justice.
(b) The Special Counsel is authorized to conduct the investigation confirmed by then-FBI
Director James 8. Corney in testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence on March 20, 2017, including:
(i) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals
associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and
(ii) any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation; and
(iii) any other matters within the scope of 28 C.F.R. § 600.4(a).
(c) If the Special Counsel believes it is necessary and appropriate, the Special Counsel is authorized to prosecute federal crimes arising from the investigation of these matters.
(d) Sections 600.4 through 600. l 0 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations are applicable to the Special Counsel.
Rosenstein letter appointing Mueller special counsel.

[dondub]

Wait...wait...isn't it "illegitimate"?

[steff]

When they found the "blue dress" with Clinton, it was a Whitewater investigation.  The affair was turned up in that investigation.  They weren't looking for it, they weren't investigating it, it was what they found along the way. 

In relation to *he who shall not be named* NY's AG is also working on a money laundering case against *he who shall not be named*.   And those charges are pardon proof. 

[swamp]

Jan 29, 2018 21:25:22 GMT -5 steff said:

When they found the "blue dress" with Clinton, it was a Whitewater investigation.  The affair was turned up in that investigation.  They weren't looking for it, they weren't investigating it, it was what they found along the way. 

In relation to *he who shall not be named* NY's AG is also working on a money laundering case against *he who shall not be named*.   And those charges are pardon proof. 

NY AG Schneiderman is up for election this year.    The REpublicans are piling money into this election.  

[mmhmm]

Jan 30, 2018 8:49:24 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jan 29, 2018 21:25:22 GMT -5 steff said:

When they found the "blue dress" with Clinton, it was a Whitewater investigation.  The affair was turned up in that investigation.  They weren't looking for it, they weren't investigating it, it was what they found along the way. 

In relation to *he who shall not be named* NY's AG is also working on a money laundering case against *he who shall not be named*.   And those charges are pardon proof. 

NY AG Schneiderman is up for election this year.    The REpublicans are piling money into this election.  

I'll bet they are!