What's the significance of Robert Mueller appointed as special counsel?

[mikeymikec]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39957358

At face value this article suggests to me that the FBI wants to ensure that its findings are viewed as an honest and thorough investigation into the facts regarding several allegations relating to Russian involvement in US political matters as it's been overseen by someone who evidently has the trust of both political parties, but I don't know whether there's any historical significance of an action like this appointment (e.g. the FBI has only ever done this in other situations because <reasons>).

 

[K1052]

In a nutshell the only comparable historical parallels to this ended up in Nixon's resignation on the cusp of impeachment and Clinton's impeachment. Given that it's possible Trump may have actually committed a legally prosecutable crime if he asked Comey to end the Flynn investigation while there was a grand jury I think we'll end up closer to Nixon territory.

 

[boomerang]

Given that it's possible Trump may have actually committed a legally prosecutable crime if he asked Comey to end the Flynn investigation while there was a grand jury I think we'll end up closer to Nixon territory.

Comey stating under oath that Trump did not ask him to halt any investigation pretty much deep-sixes that. I think it's great that so many are holding out hope. Hope is a wonderful thing. But false hope, that's so much more that just a waste of time when it's of this magnitude.

 

[K1052]

Comey stating under oath that Trump did not ask him to halt any investigation pretty much deep-sixes that. I think it's great that so many are holding out hope. Hope is a wonderful thing. But false hope, that's so much more that just a waste of time when it's of this magnitude.

Produce the quote of Comey saying that.

The closest I recall him being asked such a question was when he was asked if he would tell congress if he was not getting cooperation from the Trump administration in their investigation(s). Comey said he would not commit to doing that.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Read about the man himself.

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/18/robert-mueller-fbi-director-trump-investigation-238537

In Fed circles he's the modern day Elliot Ness. Nobody is going to mess with this guy.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Produce the quote of Comey saying that.

The closest I recall him being asked such a question was when he was asked if he would tell congress if he was not getting cooperation from the Trump administration in their investigation(s). Comey said he would not commit to doing that.

Comey was asked if the AG could shut down an FBI investigation and he replied that in theory it could and sometimes the AG will warn off the FBI because of limited resources or a doubtful prosecution. When asked about shutting down for political reasons he responded that he's never heard of one being shut down. That doesn't mean it hasn't been tried.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Comey stating under oath that Trump did not ask him to halt any investigation pretty much deep-sixes that. I think it's great that so many are holding out hope. Hope is a wonderful thing. But false hope, that's so much more that just a waste of time when it's of this magnitude.

No, he didn't.

HIRONO: So if the Attorney General or senior officials at the Department of Justice opposes a specific investigation, can they halt that FBI investigation?

COMEY: In theory yes.

HIRONO: Has it happened?

COMEY: Not in my experience. Because it would be a big deal to tell the FBI to stop doing something that — without an appropriate purpose. I mean where oftentimes they give us opinions that we don’t see a case there and so you ought to stop investing resources in it. But I’m talking about a situation where we were told to stop something for a political reason, that would be a very big deal. It’s not happened in my experience.

The question pertained directly to the AG and DOJ officials. He was never asked about Trump or the Trump admin.

 

[K1052]

Comey was asked if the AG could shut down an FBI investigation and he replied that in theory it could and sometimes the AG will warn off the FBI because of limited resources or a doubtful prosecution. When asked about shutting down for political reasons he responded that he's never heard of one being shut down. That doesn't mean it hasn't been tried.

While that's accurate to my knowledge it is not what Boomerang asserted has been said by Comey.

 

[interchange]

The question pertained directly to the AG and DOJ officials. He was never asked about Trump or the Trump admin.

Regardless, there is a big difference between asking and telling. He never said Trump didn't ask, and asking may still be obstruction.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Regardless, there is a big difference between asking and telling. He never said Trump didn't ask, and asking may still be obstruction.

The assertion was that Comey specifically denied being pressured by Trump in his testimony. I was simply pointing out he was never asked about Trump, just DOJ officials.

 

[Mxylplyx]

Produce the quote of Comey saying that.

I think we all know he wont, and yet will continue to believe what he claimed.

 

[retrospooty]

In a nutshell the only comparable historical parallels to this ended up in Nixon's resignation on the cusp of impeachment and Clinton's impeachment. Given that it's possible Trump may have actually committed a legally prosecutable crime if he asked Comey to end the Flynn investigation while there was a grand jury I think we'll end up closer to Nixon territory.

Exactly. This has happened 2x and both times the investigations found evidence. Why? because the evidence warranted an investigation. The FBI is a serious organization with some serious investigative talent. If there were nothing to warrant an investigation, the FBI wouldn't be investigating it period. People can claim dems and the media are inflating things, but the FBI investigating is damning in itself. Even more damning to know they have not 4-5 guys looking at this, there are over 150 FBI agents and tech staff on this, and that was before last week. This is serious shit and anyone saying different is in denial. The FBI doesn't fuck around.

 

[Mxylplyx]

Exactly. This has happened 2x and both times the investigations found evidence. Why? because the evidence warranted an investigation. The FBI is a serious organization with some serious investigative talent. If there were nothing to warrant an investigation, the FBI wouldn't be investigating it period. People can claim dems and the media are inflating things, but the FBI investigating is damning in itself. Even more damning to know they have not 4-5 guys looking at this, there are over 150 FBI agents and tech staff on this, and that was before last week. This is serious shit and anyone saying different is in denial. The FBI doesn't fuck around.

In a debate with a conservative friend of mine, he has whipped out a common retort that I've seen repeated across the right wing media whenever challenged on the need for an investigation, independent or otherwise. He always says "Show me the crime". I try to calmly explain that the purpose of an investigation, based on reasonable suspicion of a crime, is to "Show me the crime", and it seems to just go right over his head.

 

[retrospooty]

In a debate with a conservative friend of mine, he has whipped out a common retort that I've seen repeated across the right wing media whenever challenged on the need for an investigation, independent or otherwise. He always says "Show me the crime". I try to calmly explain that the purpose of an investigation, based on reasonable suspicion of a crime, is to "Show me the crime", and it seems to just go right over his head.

Yup, heavy denial on top of not so bright is a bad combo.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

While that's accurate to my knowledge it is not what Boomerang asserted has been said by Comey.

That is true and I sort of tagged onto your post in support of your contention.