Thread by @mayawiley

THREAD: Trying to make sense of the breaking news on #MuellerProbe: @BuzzFeedNews report broke significant news implicating #Trump directly in possible crimes: "statements" from sources fall into 2 categories: 1) lying to Congress; 2) knowledge of Cohen work on #TrumpTowerMoscow

#MuellerTeam, in an highly unusual move, put out a statement saying "specific statements" in the @BuzzFeedNews story were "On perjury:directed #MichaelCohen to lie to Senate; On trip to #Russia during election,not accurate"

The "statements" in @BuzzFeedNews story on #TrumpTowerMoscow: On #Trump told Cohen to "make it happen"; had 10 face-2-face mtgs abt it w Trump; Cohen gave detailed updates to Ivanka & Don Jr, who said they weren't really involved; Lawyers close to admin helped Cohen w testimony

The "statements" on perjury: #Trump personally told #MichaelCohen to lie by to Senate by claiming negotiations on #TrumpTowerMoscow ended much earlier than they did; Cohen wasn't the only source for this. Trump org witnesses, emails & docs led investigators to ask Cohen abt it.

By using the phrase "specific statements" two things are clear: 1) #Mueller has confirmed there were statements; and 2) not all of them are "inaccurate." Best believe the language was carefully and skillfully chosen to be fair and honest.

So which statements are inaccurate and how are they inaccurate? We won't know because it is highly unusual and contrary to good investigative practice to confirm or deny anything about an investigation because you don't want to help targets or subjects know where you are heading.

It's harder to know what the #Mueller statement means by "characterizations" that are "not accurate." One clear characterization is that Cohen's testimony is the 1st known example of Trump telling a subordinate to lie directly abt #Russia dealings.

@BuzzFeedNews standing by the story means they have real confidence in their sources. Perhaps the sources will come forward? It is likely team #Mueller is actively trying to determine who they are. But #Mueller wouldn't put this statement out lightly.

I believe we shouldn't speculate until we know more. What is clear is that there are statements and probably the topic of the statements - the #TrumpTowerMoscow failed business deal.