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I respect @renato_mariotti, but I think this analysis is incorrect. If one assumes Mueller will be as thorough in drafting his report as he has been in prosecuting cases, the report will be broader in scope & topics than a narrow analysis of what acts are prosecutable as crimes.
A 'thorough' report would necessarily address every item in Rosenstein's appointment orders. Mueller's scope is not narrow. He heads a counterintelligence investigation of which prosecuting crimes is a small piece. Mueller is acting both as FBI & DOJ through 1 office, the OSC.
The 5/17/17 appointment order authorized Mueller to continue Comey's investigation on (1) links and/or coordination btwn the RU gov't and 'individuals associated with' the Trump cmpgn; (2) any matters arising in the investigation; and (3) obstruction of said investigation
The authorization to prosecute federal crimes is in the OSC's discretion (necessary and appropriate). It is not the prime function of the OSC. The prime function is investigatory. None of these matters are inherently criminal, but Mueller is to investigate & report anyway.
The 8/2/17 order is broader. It includes: 1. an entire redacted paragraph of allegations active at the time of the 5/17/17 order; 2. Specific allegations on Manafort, including 'colluding w/Russian gov't officials' on the '16 election; 3. Two add'l paragraphs or redacted items.
There's also a catch all for add'l matters approved by the DAG. By no means is this narrow. The word 'colluding' appears in the memo. This report will not be limited to crimes but to all the actions undertaken by Trump & associates connected to RU. + additional uncovered matters.
The Mueller report will necessarily provide the documentary evidence of crimes, but also the roadmap for impeachment. It will detail all threats to nat'l security that were aided and abetted by the Trump crew's attempts to link up w/and leverage the Russians for their benefit.
This is why it is shortsighted for the Trump crew to focus on 'collusion'. If Mueller were limited to crimes of conspiracy, they might have a decent shot to get off free. But on the broader question of the elastic concept of 'collusion' they are undoubtedly guilty. #trumprussia
The Mueller Report will be a documentary roadmap of treason. In the operational sense it means working for a master other than the one you're supposed to serve. That's collusion. Some acts are prosecutable, others not. Taken as a whole, collusion is a threat to nat'l security.
The fact that several crimes have been prosecuted already is a sign that the Mueller Report will highlight a much more dangerous threat to the Republic than the one the Trumpers would have you believe.
