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I keep coming back to this.
Theory (and I'm not married to it but I have to voice it):
A week ago Wed there were lots of rumors about big indictments coming (last) Friday. /1
Theory (and I'm not married to it but I have to voice it):
A week ago Wed there were lots of rumors about big indictments coming (last) Friday. /1
The next day (Thursday), Judge Ellis handed Manafort a ridiculously light sentence and a pity party with all the trimmings.
Manafort's attorney then stood outside the courthouse and dutifully recited the words he knew were required for a presidential pardon. /2
Manafort's attorney then stood outside the courthouse and dutifully recited the words he knew were required for a presidential pardon. /2
The next day (Friday) was extremely quiet. No indictments. No Mueller report.
And there had been PLENTY of rumors.
What changed?
/3
And there had been PLENTY of rumors.
What changed?
/3
It turns out the Manhattan DA's office had been putting the finishing touches on a 16-count Manafort indictment. One that Trump couldn't pardon.
And that announcement was timed to immediately follow Manafort's second sentencing.
/4
And that announcement was timed to immediately follow Manafort's second sentencing.
/4
Did Judge ABJ know that was coming? Did Weissmann?
"He's going to have the opportunity to make something positive out of this."
Did she think that when Pauly understood he had NO pardon coming he might finally flip righteously? /5
"He's going to have the opportunity to make something positive out of this."
Did she think that when Pauly understood he had NO pardon coming he might finally flip righteously? /5
Manafort's pre-sentencing hearing transcript made it clear that Mueller's team believed Manafort was lying because he was angling for a pardon. /6
Is it possible that Mueller's team knew that these NY State charges would be coming this week and would put new pressure on Manafort to flip? Would they work with him back if he did come back begging?
/7x
/7x
