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Doesn't make any sense at all for this to be so, and I don't at all believe it's so, but the fact that a guy hired by Trump to deep-six Mueller's probe, who's about to lose his job, and who's been connected to fraudulent schemes says Mueller is nearly done is news. (Uh, I guess?)
2/ I don't know what kind of work the words "I think" are doing here, and given that the Russia investigation started two and a half years ago, "close" to done could easily mean six months, which is what most of us are predicting, so I'm seriously not sure if this is news or not.
3/ Keep in mind, those who say the investigation is almost done are literally saying it'll be over in 2 to 3 weeks, despite Stone just getting indicted and Cohen just getting new lawyers to assist in his cooperation with Mueller and Don Jr. saying he expects to be indicted &c &c.
4/ Don Jr. and Prince lied to Congress. Mueller's grand jury was extended 6 months. Gates' sentencing was postponed at least 2 months. Cohen/Manafort cooperated for 100 hours to help Mueller get new indictments. Whitaker could be right if these and 100 similar facts mean nothing.
5/ What I'm saying is that the number of facts we have at our disposal telling us that Mueller is within a month of completing his work is zero. Let me repeat: zero. The number of facts suggesting 4 to 6 months more work and indictments is over 100. Those are just the hard facts.
PS/ My opinion is that it's irresponsible to report this offhand statement outgoing AG/Trump plant Whitaker made at an unrelated press conference and just leave it to readers' imagination as to what "I think" and "close" could mean. It could literally mean "six months...*maybe*."
PS2/ And I do feel compelled to add that anyone who's taking these vague comments to mean Mueller has under a month left simply has not been following the Trump-Russia case or the leads Mueller is still pursuing *or* literally has no faith in our rule of law. I'm in neither camp.
PS3/ I also want to be transparent and say that while I don't think Mueller is within a month of being done and do believe it'd be horrible for America if he were, as it'd mean many crimes will go unpunished, it'd be amazing for me personally as I could go back to my normal life.
PS4/ I mention this last piece just to underscore that when I give my assessment of Mueller's probe, it's *always* based on the facts. If it were based on emotion, I'd honestly say I just want this whole thing to be over so I can get back to the rest of my life. That's the truth.
PS5/ I also try as best I can to put the interests of the country ahead of my own interests, because in a time of national emergency I feel it's my duty to do that as an attorney who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. I *know* wanting this all to be over is just selfish.
NOTE/ It's reasonable for regular observers of the Mueller probe to be taking note right now of who credits Whitaker's vague words and who doesn't. But it'll also be my responsibility, if I'm wrong, which I'm not, to acknowledge the reality of what Mueller has chosen *not* to do.
VIDEO/ Boy, I've got to say, when you watch the full video of what Whitaker said (at an unrelated press conference) it really isn't very convincing as a major news story on the duration of the Mueller probe.
I think the media is going to look bad on this.
I think the media is going to look bad on this.
