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We should clarify that at the beginning of an investigation there's proof of criminal activity at a reasonable suspicion or probable cause level—depending on if it's an investigayive stop or an actual/intended seizure of a person/property—but not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
1/ Having said this, it is *also* true that law enforcement can begin investigating someone *whenever it feels like it*, even with no proof whatsoever, up until the point it initiates a constitutional "event" like a stop, search, or seizure. People need to understand this point.
2/ The Mueller investigation was merely an extension of the investigation Comey was overseeing in 2016 and 2017—which began when *five European intelligence agencies* informed federal law enforcement that Trump aides were having suspicious meetings with foreign nationals abroad.
3/ So the question is really whether the *Comey* investigation (colloquially speaking; of course it was simply "federal law enforcement" broadly writ) had reasonable suspicion or probable cause, which you're damn right it did after *five allied intelligence agencies* provided it.
4/ The *insanity* Trump is tweeting today says an *investigation* can't start until law enforcement has *proof beyond a reasonable doubt* of a crime, which is not only wrong but for heaven's sake *read those words again* to see the problem. It'd make law enforcement *impossible*.
5/ It's a paradox to say law enforcement can't investigate until... its investigation is over and it's found proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This isn't just silliness, this is like the ramblings of a crazy person that Trump is putting out there today. It'd *end* law enforcement.
6/ *Any conservative who agrees with what Trump tweeted today* is *publicly supporting an end to all law enforcement in America*. I'm not exaggerating for effect; I'm not being coy; I'm *literally stating the truth*. Trump's tweets are *that* crazy, folks. He's 100% unhinged now.
7/ In the first tweet in this thread, it's "investigative," of course. --ed.
