But… It’s really hard to keep up.
Special Counsel in Russia Investigation
The Justice Department on Wednesday named former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel in the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion between Trump campaign associates and Russian operatives.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said he made this decision out of the enormous “public interest” in this investigation.
Trump responds:
“As I have stated many times, a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know – there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity. I look forward to this matter concluding quickly. In the meantime, I will never stop fighting for the people and the issues that matter most to the future of our country.”
I agree! Let’s do this quickly! Is anyone else’s head spinning?
The second-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives said in a recorded conversation last summer that he thought then-candidate Donald Trump was being paid by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Washington Post reported Wednesday. Spokespeople insist he made the comment in jest.
Here’s the transcript:
“I’ll guarantee you that’s what it is…The Russians hacked the DNC and got the opp [opposition] research that they had on Trump,” McCarthy said with a laugh.
Ryan asked who the Russians “delivered” the opposition research to.
“There’s… there’s two people, I think, Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump,” McCarthy said, drawing some laughter. “Swear to God,” McCarthy added.
“This is an off the record,” Ryan said.
Some lawmakers laughed at that.
“No leaks, alright?,” Ryan said, adding: “This is how we know we’re a real family here.”
“That’s how you know that we’re tight,” Scalise said.
“What’s said in the family stays in the family,” Ryan added.
Just a joke! That’s Ryan and co. second excuse, btw. They first denied that such a conversation happened.
Essentially, Rod Rosentstein is saying “you screwed with me, I’ll screw with you,” by appointing the best friend of the man Trump just fired to be the independent counsel.
John McCain: “Watergate took many months. This thing seems to be taking hours.”
By McCain standards that qualifies as “witty”.
The 5 pm hour is the Trump Witching Hour. Some bombshell will drop during that hour every day.
So now it’s up to Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell whether Trump or Pence is the “lesser evil”.
To paraphrase Woody Allen:
“More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray they have the wisdom to choose correctly.”
Shoulda been Bernie.
My satisfaction with finally getting special counsel is tempered by this:
President Pence
President Ryan
President Hatch
President Tillerson
President Mnuchin
President Whoever the SecDef of the Day Is (McMaster is it?)
President Sessions