THREAD: This morning’s Rosenstein drama wasn’t an isolated incident. With the Russia investigation closing in, Trump’s getting increasingly desperate in his efforts to stop it. Here are some highlights from the last few weeks: (1/9)
September 14: Trump’s campaign chairman pleads guilty and agrees to cooperate “in any and all matters as to which the Government deems the cooperation relevant.” (2/9) cnn.com/2018/09/14/pol…
September 17: Trump orders the Justice Department to declassify materials form the Russia investigation, including FISA warrants and text messages from officials. (3/9) washingtonpost.com/world/national…
September 20: ABC reports that Michael Cohen has had multiple hours-long sessions with Mueller’s team, discussing Trump’s businesses and whether Trump dangled a pardon. (4/9) abcnews.go.com/Politics/micha…
September 21: Trump backs off his declassification orders amid pushback from the DOJ. (5/9) cnn.com/2018/09/21/pol…
September 21: The New York Times reports Rosenstein suggested invoking the 25th Amendment and wearing a wire to record Trump, comments later revealed to have been sarcastic. Still, the groundwork is laid for a convenient pretext to fire Rosenstein. (6/9) themoscowproject.org/dispatch/firin…
September 24: After hours of confusion about whether Rosenstein intends to resign, the White House announces Rosenstein will remain the Deputy Attorney General until at least Thursday. (7/9) washingtonpost.com/world/national…
But Trump’s legal team gave away the game today when Trump’s lawyer Jay Sekulow said that, if Rosenstein leaves, the Mueller investigation should be put on hold. (8/9) thedailybeast.com/trump-lawyers-…
In other words, the chaos has a goal: giving Trump cover to stop the Mueller investigation—before it implicates Trump. That’s why it’s more important than ever for Congress to protect Mueller and reaffirm that nobody is above the law. (9/9)
