So Let's Speculate about the Future of a Full Trump Presidency...

[Kris]

It definitely is in POTUS's character to come out swinging against any perceived threat, but I can't help but wonder if there is something to his concerns about Amazon. Even Bernie Sanders seems amenable to the idea that Amazon is getting to be too powerful.

Of course they are.

But that isn’t why Trump cares.

[Davnasty]

It definitely is in POTUS's character to come out swinging against any perceived threat, but I can't help but wonder if there is something to his concerns about Amazon. Even Bernie Sanders seems amenable to the idea that Amazon is getting to be too powerful.

Of course they are.

But that isn’t why Trump cares.

Bezos has enough stash to spend Trump's entire net worth every year based on the 4% rule. That's the type of thing that pushes Trumps buttons.

[Davnasty]

It definitely is in POTUS's character to come out swinging against any perceived threat, but I can't help but wonder if there is something to his concerns about Amazon. Even Bernie Sanders seems amenable to the idea that Amazon is getting to be too powerful.

Of course they are.

But that isn’t why Trump cares.

Bezos has enough stash to spend Trump's entire net worth every year based on the 4% rule. That's the type of thing that pushes Trumps buttons.

Oh, and Bezos owns the Washington Post so that probably has something to do with it. Nevermind that he's never offered any input on what the paper prints or had any part in editing articles. Conceptually that stuff goes over Trump's head. To him Wapo=bad=Jeff Bezos=Amazon...Amazon must pay.

[Spiritual_Lobotomy]

It definitely is in POTUS's character to come out swinging against any perceived threat, but I can't help but wonder if there is something to his concerns about Amazon. Even Bernie Sanders seems amenable to the idea that Amazon is getting to be too powerful.

Of course they are.

But that isn’t why Trump cares.

Why does he care?

[Kris]

It definitely is in POTUS's character to come out swinging against any perceived threat, but I can't help but wonder if there is something to his concerns about Amazon. Even Bernie Sanders seems amenable to the idea that Amazon is getting to be too powerful.

Of course they are.

But that isn’t why Trump cares.

Why does he care?

See the post above you.

[Kris]

Preet Bharara had a pretty good idea that would make Trump's head explode. Bezos could do it, too:

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/04/preet-bharara-makes-tempting-offer-jeff-bezos-buy-twitter-change-pocket-shut-trumps-account/

[scottish]

De-platforming Trump gives me a warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach.

[Glenstache]

Preet Bharara had a pretty good idea that would make Trump's head explode. Bezos could do it, too:

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/04/preet-bharara-makes-tempting-offer-jeff-bezos-buy-twitter-change-pocket-shut-trumps-account/

meh. Fox news would probably just start allowing him to post directly to the text scroll at the bottom of the TV screen.

[Kris]

Preet Bharara had a pretty good idea that would make Trump's head explode. Bezos could do it, too:

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/04/preet-bharara-makes-tempting-offer-jeff-bezos-buy-twitter-change-pocket-shut-trumps-account/

meh. Fox news would probably just start allowing him to post directly to the text scroll at the bottom of the TV screen.

Not even implausible.

[Barbaebigode]

I know that legal or illegal, fact or fiction don't matter anymore, but is a president "going after a company" legal in the US?

[sol]

is a president "going after a company" legal in the US?

It's at least as legal as grabbing someome by the pussy.

I still can't believe a president said that.  It haunts me.

Last week I had to explain porn stars to my twelve year daughter, after she watched the news.  Thanks POTUS!

[MasterStache]

is a president "going after a company" legal in the US?

It's at least as legal as grabbing someome by the pussy.

I still can't believe a president said that.  It haunts me.

Last week I had to explain porn stars to my twelve year daughter, after she watched the news.  Thanks POTUS!

At least you can punctuate it with expalaining to her that's why you don't support such filth.

[doggyfizzle]

Last week I had to explain porn stars to my twelve year daughter, after she watched the news.  Thanks POTUS!

To be fair, you might have had to explain what the big deal was about Monica's dress if you'd had news-aware kids during a previous administration, which might have been worse in my opinion.

[NoStacheOhio]

Last week I had to explain porn stars to my twelve year daughter, after she watched the news.  Thanks POTUS!

To be fair, you might have had to explain what the big deal was about Monica's dress if you'd had news-aware kids during a previous administration, which might have been worse in my opinion.

I remember being so confused about oral sex. I was just like, how can you have sex with your mouth? Are they talking about kissing? What's going on?

[sol]

To be fair,

What, exactly, is fair about being forced by the US president to explain pornography to your 12 year old daughter?  What did she or I do to deserve this situation, in fairness?

You might as well tell me it's fair if she gets murdered, because someone else once got murdered.  There is no fairness here, no equivalence, no justice in it.  She doesn't deserve this situation.  She bears no responsibility. 

They say a fish rots from the head down, right?

[DavidAnnArbor]

Last week I had to explain porn stars to my twelve year daughter, after she watched the news.  Thanks POTUS!

To be fair, you might have had to explain what the big deal was about Monica's dress if you'd had news-aware kids during a previous administration, which might have been worse in my opinion.

I blame Ken Starr for that one.

[ncornilsen]

Last week I had to explain porn stars to my twelve year daughter, after she watched the news.  Thanks POTUS!

To be fair, you might have had to explain what the big deal was about Monica's dress if you'd had news-aware kids during a previous administration, which might have been worse in my opinion.

I had to get 'the talk' because of Bill Clinton and his monica lewinski and Paula Jones (among many, many others.)

I blame Ken Starr for that one.

Clinton is responsible for his own actions.

[Glenstache]

Looks like Trump is sending the National Guard to the southern border, mimicing an operation used by Bush. NG will not have contact with detainees, but will provide surveillance. BS then and BS now.

[Just Joe]

Last week I had to explain porn stars to my twelve year daughter, after she watched the news.  Thanks POTUS!

To be fair, you might have had to explain what the big deal was about Monica's dress if you'd had news-aware kids during a previous administration, which might have been worse in my opinion.

I remember being so confused about oral sex. I was just like, how can you have sex with your mouth? Are they talking about kissing? What's going on?

I recall someone explaining to a child that the president spilled a drink on Monica's very expensive dress. That seemed to satisfy the child for the moment.

Right now we're haunted by a Dish Network commercial "Slingers". I'm hesitant to explain the double entendre to our tween just yet.

[bacchi]

Looks like Trump is sending the National Guard to the southern border, mimicing an operation used by Bush. NG will not have contact with detainees, but will provide surveillance. BS then and BS now.

Waste of money then, waste of money now. Nothing rallies the base more than sendin' in the troops though.

[NoStacheOhio]

I recall someone explaining to a child that the president spilled a drink on Monica's very expensive dress. That seemed to satisfy the child for the moment.

Right now we're haunted by a Dish Network commercial "Slingers". I'm hesitant to explain the double entendre to our tween just yet.

My 5 y/o wanted to watch the Olympics, and we caught the tail end of a news broadcast that was a Parkland tribute. Then the local news promo came on (murderers! your house is trying to kill you! sex criminals!). I was not pleased. He only really ever watches Reading Rainbow, Octonauts, Mr. Rogers, Wall-E and Cars on streaming services or disc.

[zoltani]

Shouldn't you need to explain what a prostitute is?

[Just Joe]

I recall someone explaining to a child that the president spilled a drink on Monica's very expensive dress. That seemed to satisfy the child for the moment.

Right now we're haunted by a Dish Network commercial "Slingers". I'm hesitant to explain the double entendre to our tween just yet.

My 5 y/o wanted to watch the Olympics, and we caught the tail end of a news broadcast that was a Parkland tribute. Then the local news promo came on (murderers! your house is trying to kill you! sex criminals!). I was not pleased. He only really ever watches Reading Rainbow, Octonauts, Mr. Rogers, Wall-E and Cars on streaming services or disc.

As parents of young children we hated lived like TV and advertising - and did without it for ages. Now its YouTube that I wish would die for a few more years.

[dividendman]

Out of all the crap Trump has done, the consequence of having whining parents having to talk to their kids about difficult subjects doesn't even register.

Welcome to parenthood.

[jimmymango]

Not to minimize your discomfort, Sol, but I’m surprised your daughter wasn’t already aware of porn just from interactions with other schoolmates at age 12. Maybe it’s different with boys, but my friends and I were definitely watching scrambled porn at that age.

[Just Joe]

Well there is porn and there is PORN. The internet is alot more than a 1980s copy of Playboy or Penthouse.

I've stumbled across alot of crap since the late-90s I would rather forget and would rather my kids never encounter in the first place until they are in their 20s (or never). Alot of that was not porn but plain old mental illness on display IMHO.

[MasterStache]

Oh boy. Time to stock up on more popcorn. Oh, what happened to the few Trump apologist that would stop by and troll from time to time?

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/attorney-federal-agents-seize-documents-trump-lawyer-201704919--politics.html

[wenchsenior]

This raid might have zero to do with Mueller's main investigation, but I wouldn't put it past Trump to fire Rosenstein just out of frustrated pique.  Apparently Rosentstein's the one who kicked the info down the chain...and once Rosenstein's gone, it's easier to find someone to fire Mueller.

I kind of wish I was a betting sort. I'd throw some $ at Rosenstein being gone within 36 hours.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

On the edge of my seat at this point.  What a crucible!  We have Trump and Bolton running the response to Syria, Russia at a tipping point on giving Trump any line on his leash (speculative), and Muller raiding Cohen's office (which predictably has set Trump off 'hugely').

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/09/politics/donald-trump-michael-cohen-anger-robert-mueller/index.html

If Americans wanted entertainment, then we're getting more than what is healthy.  Probably going to be hung over for years.  I'm sympathetic to Michelle Obama likening it to America having had a responsible parent that had us eating our vegetables and sleep soundly vs. the parent that lets us eat candy and stay up late.  Kinda' ironic that Ivanka tweeted about 'unhealthy' children, but the flaming responses were apropos and much more substantial. 

Just sucks that it has come to this; said a father of 2 children that wants, more than anything, to leave behind a world better than the one I started with.  The crazy bullshit coming from these Trumps raining down on amicable, reputable, hard-working Americans really has got to slow down! 

At this point, the rest of the world is welcoming us into the fold of having elected a fallible, detestable, self-interested leader.  Now all that's left is to see the limits of what a crazy (but middling) President can really do.  I just thought we were better than this, before we decided to join the race to the bottom.

[thd7t]

This raid might have zero to do with Mueller's main investigation, but I wouldn't put it past Trump to fire Rosenstein just out of frustrated pique.  Apparently Rosentstein's the one who kicked the info down the chain...and once Rosenstein's gone, it's easier to find someone to fire Mueller.

I kind of wish I was a betting sort. I'd throw some $ at Rosenstein being gone within 36 hours.

I am pretty sure this is the correct take. 

First, you're right, this wasn't part of Mueller's investigation.  He did uncover something and refer it to other investigators, so his name is all over it and it lets Trump fixate on him.

Second, it lets Trump go after the entire DOJ more, which overall helps him undermine the investigation.

Third, it distracts people from the chemical attack in Syria.  He said there would be a response in 24-48 hours, yesterday.  Now, he can probably ignore that while he fumes about the investigation, which is red meat to his base.

[MasterStache]

MAGA - Making Attorneys Get Attorneys

[DarkandStormy]

MAGA - Making Attorneys Get Attorneys

MAGA - My Attorney's Getting Arrested

[Glenstache]

MAGA - Making Attorneys Get Attorneys

MAGA - My Attorney's Getting Arrested

MAGA - Melania Awaiting Great Alimony

[thd7t]

Has anyone here read Fox or other right wing media reporting on this?  I'm really curious what they might have to say, but I admit that I don't have the resilience to read it without my head exploding.

[DarkandStormy]

Has anyone here read Fox or other right wing media reporting on this?  I'm really curious what they might have to say, but I admit that I don't have the resilience to read it without my head exploding.

Mueller is trying to get himself fired so that he will take the fall.

It's all a witch hunt - look, no evidence of collusion!!!

That's about it.

[GuitarStv]

Has anyone here read Fox or other right wing media reporting on this?  I'm really curious what they might have to say, but I admit that I don't have the resilience to read it without my head exploding.

It's all a deep state witch hunt.  There's no reason at all to investigate a lawyer who handed over more than a hundred thousand dollars during an election campaign to silence a porn star that Donald Trump fucked while his wife was recovering from pregnancy.  Also . . . Hilary, Benghazi, Obummer, War on Christmas.

[MasterStache]

Actually I did read that a guest on Faux was going on about how bad this is for Trump and his attorney. Going in to detail about the strenuous process involved just to get a subpoena for attorney records. Basically saying they have probable cause to believe a crime was committed. Again I briefly read this. OF course they probably followed that up with more insults to the survivors of the Florida school shooting, Clinton emails, etc.

[doggyfizzle]

Actually I did read that a guest on Faux was going on about how bad this is for Trump and his attorney. Going in to detail about the strenuous process involved just to get a subpoena for attorney records. Basically saying they have probable cause to believe a crime was committed. Again I briefly read this. OF course they probably followed that up with more insults to the survivors of the Florida school shooting, Clinton emails, etc.

I'm pretty sure I watched the same thing as you, but you forgot to add the obligatory "BENGHAZI!!!" that still rears its ugly head from time to time on Fox during discussions of Trump's possible wrongdoing.

[thd7t]

Actually I did read that a guest on Faux was going on about how bad this is for Trump and his attorney. Going in to detail about the strenuous process involved just to get a subpoena for attorney records. Basically saying they have probable cause to believe a crime was committed. Again I briefly read this. OF course they probably followed that up with more insults to the survivors of the Florida school shooting, Clinton emails, etc.

I'm pretty sure I watched the same thing as you, but you forgot to add the obligatory "BENGHAZI!!!" that still rears its ugly head from time to time on Fox during discussions of Trump's possible wrongdoing.

See, all of these answers highlight why I can't go there.  Thanks to all of you for your sacrifice.

[nereo]

A few things about the raid of Cohen's home and office that I think aren't getting enough attention

Legal protections around attorney-client privilege what they are, getting a warrant like this happens only when the attorney himself is directly implicated in crimes. Ergo, I'd expect an indictment against Cohen to be forthcoming. This wasn't a fishing expedition, and Cohen was the primary target, already backed up by a great deal of evidence to clear this legal hurdle.

Mueller didn't raid Cohen's office - the Southern District of New York did.  This means that firing Mueller won't stop whatever was found on Cohen raid. If he committed a crime and there was documentation of it among his books, computers, cell phone or other correspondence, its out of the hands of the DOJ and the WH.

Now in addition to the possibility of DJT firing Rosenberg and Mueller, I'm left wondering if DJT will issue a blanket pardon of Cohen.

[Glenstache]

A few things about the raid of Cohen's home and office that I think aren't getting enough attention

Legal protections around attorney-client privilege what they are, getting a warrant like this happens only when the attorney himself is directly implicated in crimes. Ergo, I'd expect an indictment against Cohen to be forthcoming. This wasn't a fishing expedition, and Cohen was the primary target, already backed up by a great deal of evidence to clear this legal hurdle.

Mueller didn't raid Cohen's office - the Southern District of New York did.  This means that firing Mueller won't stop whatever was found on Cohen raid. If he committed a crime and there was documentation of it among his books, computers, cell phone or other correspondence, its out of the hands of the DOJ and the WH.

Now in addition to the possibility of DJT firing Rosenberg and Mueller, I'm left wondering if DJT will issue a blanket pardon of Cohen.

Also: Trump can pardon federal but not state crimes. This will be a state level prosecution (if it goes there). Handing it off may have been strategic.

attorney client privilege is an interesting thing here. If Trump had no knowledge of the payoff, was there really privilege?

[Kris]

A contact of mine in DC (not someone prone to exaggeration) has told me Trump will fire Mueller.

Get ready.

https://front.moveon.org/

[Middlesbrough]

Now in addition to the possibility of DJT firing Rosenberg and Mueller, I'm left wondering if DJT will issue a blanket pardon of Cohen.

Also: Trump can pardon federal but not state crimes. This will be a state level prosecution (if it goes there). Handing it off may have been strategic.

attorney client privilege is an interesting thing here. If Trump had no knowledge of the payoff, was there really privilege?

Privilege doesn't matter if the lawyer committed a crime. All signs point in that direction.

Since SDNY is not a part of the Mueller investigation, they can pour over the documents and not breach client-lawyer privilege of the Mueller case to find any crimes.

[MasterStache]

A contact of mine in DC (not someone prone to exaggeration) has told me Trump will fire Mueller.

Get ready.

https://front.moveon.org/

I would be more surprised if he doesn't fire him. Trump will stop at nothing to continue derailing the investigation. Certainly how an Innocent person behaves. But Clinton's emails you know

[Kris]

And here’s how he is continuing to gaslight his base.

[nereo]

who's rachel?

[Kris]

who's rachel?

A person Trump thinks is on his side.

[wenchsenior]

A contact of mine in DC (not someone prone to exaggeration) has told me Trump will fire Mueller.

Get ready.

https://front.moveon.org/

I don't think he can fire Mueller. He has to get Rosenstein to do it and I doubt Rosenstein will.  That's why my money is on Trump firing Rosenstein.  I said 36 hours for a Rosentstein death watch, and we are ~ 24 hours in.  Then he has to fill that position with someone who will fire Mueller. I"m not sure how long that would take.

[nereo]

What about Sessions?  Replace Sessions (who recused himself) and Rosenstein is no longer in charge of the investigation. DJT certainly got in a few kicks at his AG during the press event about (of all things) Syria. Of course they both seem to be on his s*&t list...

Worth noting that several GOP senators went out yesterday seemingly to plead with him not to interfere with the investigation.

[bacchi]

The AG needs to be confirmed. Won't that leave Rosenstein as the acting AG until the confirmation?

Pruitt is the obvious replacement but even the Senate Republicans might find it difficult to approve him.