The Flying Monkeys are clamoring for the Witch Hunter to wrap up his investigation. They have established September 1 as the deadline for its end citing Department of Justice protocols. No such deadline by law exists for a conclusion to the open investigation, only a pause on indictments until the election period is over. But Republicans, like the Chinese, only get their news from a state-authorized agency. Except for the First Lady, Republicans do not have access to CNN so they will think that the Flying Monkeys speak the truth. For Republicans, September 1 is the put up or shut up date.
On the other hand, the Flying Monkeys should be careful what they wish for. They do not know how many buckets of water the Witch Hunter has and is ready to pour by September 1.
Two critical points should be realized: Mueller has latitude on when he chooses to issue indictments and he knows more than we do. The recent indictment of the Russians just prior to the meeting with Putin could have been done at another time. In other words, we do not know how many indictments he has ready to go but simply has not chosen to do so yet. Obviously any indictments involving family or finances crosses a line. He may have deliberately held back on them but the September 1 deadline provides a good reason to issue those indictments now.
In addition, the recent public disclosure by the Fixer about a pre-meeting meeting may be news to us but not necessarily to Mueller. Given the interviews conducted so far with participants at the Trump Tower meeting(s), it is reasonable to conclude that he already was familiar with who attended, what was discussed, and what each individual did. In other words, we have no idea how much additional information he has.
That being said, there is a political side to the investigation which should not be ignored. Just because Mueller has been silent does not mean the events in the public arena do not concern him. And in the public arena he is losing the battle to the Flying Monkeys. So what if Nunes the Clown was taped telling truth. It is not as if people did not know what his true job was. What’s important here is that the Republicans support that effort.
So what indictments should the Witch Hunter issue by September 1? My advice for whatever it is worth is to follow a four-bucket plan.
Bucket 1: The Financial
The money-laundering on behalf of the Russia mob should be a straightforward indictment. There are financial statements, transactions, and tax returns plus the United States laws prohibiting transactions with specifically identified Russian banks and organizations. In addition, the indictments here at the state and federal level including in New York are not dependent on interviewing the President. The indictments could be against Trump organizations and possibly some staff who facilitated the transactions. Future indictments might be possible as more information becomes available.
Americans understand the Mafia.
Americans understand THE GODFATHER.
Americans can recognize that Putin is the Godfather and the serial-business-failure desperate for money who could not have cared less about the law was the perfect vehicle through whom to launder money.
This indictment possibly with the disclosure of the tax returns will bring the investigation home to the American public in a way the indictments of Russians, Manafort, and Roger Stone will not.
Bucket 2: It’s a Family Affair
Similarly the indictments of the son and son in-law among others also will bring the investigation home to Americans. The charges of perjury, obstruction, and criminal conspiracy against people known to the American people will make the investigation a front-page issue even to those who have tended to dismiss and discount it. Real people they know now will be brought to trial. Even for the world’s greatest narcissist, the indictment of family will be a moment of truth. What will he decide to do?
Bucket 3: The Invitation
Mueller should issue an open invitation to the father/father-in-law to appear before the grand jury to testify on behalf of his son and son in-law so the charges will be dropped. Similarly he should have the opportunity to testify on behalf of the employees in the Trump organizations who have been indicted in the money-laundering schemes. Every effort should be made to extend to the President of the United States the courtesy for him to legally clear the names of the people who have been loyal to him.
Bucket 4: The Gauntlet
Mueller should announce that no additional indictments or charges for money-laundering, perjury, obstruction, or criminal conspiracy will be issued until after the elections. He should state that he expects a final report to be submitted to Congress in the new year.
In this sense, we really are approaching a moment of truth. Just because an investigation can drag forever does not mean it should. The actions detailed above omit criminal conspiracy and obstruction related to the direct Russian violation of the United States in the 2016 election. I question that months of delay with nothing much to show for it may only serve to undermine the potency of any forthcoming indictments or report. There are limits to how much more the American people can endure the current three-ring circus. There is a time to show that you are holding more than a pair of deuces and September 1 would be a good time to do so.
I do not have access to Mueller so I have no way to contact him about my suggestions. If any of you reading this have the means to do so, I would appreciate your sending him this post.
Thank you for your assistance.
