Things to consider:
1. SDNY indicted Halkbank without consulting main Justice (Barr). Unlikely but, if so, a striking demonstration of SDNY independence.
2. Barr was consulted and gave green light. Wd. mean Trump was on a 'hiding to nothing' in asking him to intervene.
1. SDNY indicted Halkbank without consulting main Justice (Barr). Unlikely but, if so, a striking demonstration of SDNY independence.
2. Barr was consulted and gave green light. Wd. mean Trump was on a 'hiding to nothing' in asking him to intervene.
3. Would Barr have green lighted the indictment w/out at least giving WH a heads up ? In previous administrations, definitely. But in this one ?
4. If Trump was aware, in advance of the indictment, are the stories of his attempted intervention in fact 'cover' for him w/ RTE ?
4. If Trump was aware, in advance of the indictment, are the stories of his attempted intervention in fact 'cover' for him w/ RTE ?
5. Further to the last point, is Trump perhaps not displeased by this story abt his attempted intervention ? They let him say to Erdogan "hey, I *tried*" ?
If that is correct, think what it means: that Trump, for the sake of his relationship w/ Erdogan, *prefers* to be censured in U.S. political opinion for a grossly inappropriate act than to have it appear to Erdogan that he failed to do what Erdogan asked.
To be clear, I think points 4 and 5 above are far less likely than 2. END
