Trump's lawyers want him to refuse Mueller interview request -NY Times

[webfact]

Trump's lawyers want him to refuse Mueller interview request -NY Times

 

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on South Lawn of the White House upon their return to Washington, U.S., from Cincinnati, February 5, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Several of U.S. President Donald Trump's lawyers have advised him not to sit down for an interview with a special counsel investigating possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign to influence the 2016 presidential election, the New York Times reported on Monday.

 

Citing four people briefed on the matter, the newspaper said the lawyers were concerned that given Trump's penchant for making false statements and contradicting himself, he could be charged with lying to investigators.

 

Trump has said he would be willing to be interviewed under oath by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. "I'm looking forward to it, actually," Trump told reporters last month.

 

A person familiar with the matter told Reuters that no decision had yet been made on whether Trump would agree to an interview. 

 

Trump denies collusion between his campaign and Moscow, and has dismissed the Russia probes as a witch hunt,

 

If the president refuses to sit for an interview, Mueller could subpoena the president to testify before a grand jury. A subpoena could trigger a court fight that might ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

 

John Dowd and Jay Sekulow, who lead a team of lawyers advising Trump, want the president to refuse an interview request, the Times said.

 

The lawyers and some Trump aides believe Mueller might be unwilling to subpoena the president and set off a showdown with the White House that the special counsel could lose in court, the Times reported.

 

Trump's longtime personal attorney Marc Kasowitz has also cautioned against a free-wheeling interview with Mueller, according to the Times.

 

Ty Cobb, a lawyer who was hired in July to handle the White House's response to the Russia probe, has argued for cooperating with Mueller, the newspaper reported.

 

In response to requests for comment from Reuters, Dowd and Cobb sent a statement that said the discussions between the president's personal lawyers and the special counsel's office "regarding how and under what terms information will be exchanged are understandably private."

 

(Reporting by Eric Beech; Additional reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-02-06

[Berkshire]

[Citing four people briefed on the matter, the newspaper said the lawyers were concerned that given Trump's penchant for making false statements and contradicting himself, he could be charged with lying to investigators.]

 

55555...even Trump's own lawyers know him to be a lying sack of feces.  If Trump were to agree to testify under oath with no lawyers babysitting him, they may just all resign en masse. 

[Bluespunk]

If I were trump’s lawyer, I wouldn’t want him to talk either. 

[darksidedog]

Wow! Trumps own lawyers openly admit that he is a liar whose story and position change regularly. Now all we need is for his supporters to stop being blind and recognise that truth as well. I sadly suspect that they will once again fail to do so and come forward in blind and ignorant defense of their bullshitting hero.

[hstew]

Dumb or smart, ANY lawyer would advise exactly that~ "keep your mouth shut". That is plain  ole good advise. It goes to preventing investigators attempts to promote "white lies" by the subject, so they can at least find so ANYTHING to charge them with in the absence of proof of a crime. Feds love charging folks for lying to a federal prosecutor. Just ask Papandapolous. So, if we cant get em for "hookin up with Putin", we'll get him on some false statement made to a fed.investigator. Thats how it works...normally. Happy now?

[FritsSikkink]

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

Wow! Trumps own lawyers openly admit that he is a liar whose story and position change regularly. Now all we need is for his supporters to stop being blind and recognise that truth as well. I sadly suspect that they will once again fail to do so and come forward in blind and ignorant defense of their bullshitting hero.

But .... but .... Hillary,  

[Jingthing]

I don't think he will voluntarily be interviewed. Assuming he is then subpoenaed under what possible grounds could the supreme court save his ass that wouldn't be purely partisan, like Bush v. Gore?  

[simple1]

1 hour ago, hstew said:

So, if we cant get em for "hookin up with Putin", we'll get him on some false statement made to a fed.investigator.

Trump is the President of the USA. yet his own lawyers are saying he is untrustworthy to testify in own defense. So exactly what is wrong with being charged for perjury should he be caught in a deliberate lie when being investigated for being complicit with assisting a hostile foreign power or obstruction of justice?

[hstew]

1 minute ago, simple1 said:

Trump is the President of the USA. yet his own lawyers are saying he is untrustworthy to testify in own defense. So exactly what is wrong with being charged for perjury should he be caught in a deliberate lie when being investigated for being complicit with assisting a hostile foreign power or obstruction of justice?

it's called a "fishing expedition", and Feds are expert at finding ANYTHING about ANYONE. The less you say, the better! This applies to you as well. Trump and others can wait out for the next few months, maybe even years before the politically motivated witch hunt ends and a finding is issued. But, for the past 2 years this russsian collusion investigation drama has gone nowhere except to expose the abuses of the FBI, DOJ and who knows who else!

[Berkshire]

1 hour ago, hstew said:

Dumb or smart, ANY lawyer would advise exactly that~ "keep your mouth shut". That is plain  ole good advise. It goes to preventing investigators attempts to promote "white lies" by the subject, so they can at least find so ANYTHING to charge them with in the absence of proof of a crime. Feds love charging folks for lying to a federal prosecutor. Just ask Papandapolous. So, if we cant get em for "hookin up with Putin", we'll get him on some false statement made to a fed.investigator. Thats how it works...normally. Happy now?

Typical Trump stooge.  Past Presidents have testified under oath....WHY CAN'T TRUMP?  Aaah, we get it.  The pathological liar Trump is incapable of telling the truth, so his lawyers are certain that he will commit perjury.  Doesn't it bother you Trump minions even a little bit that your hero is such a scumbag lying sack of manure who can't be trusted to tell the truth?  Ever? 

[simple1]

24 minutes ago, hstew said:

it's called a "fishing expedition", and Feds are expert at finding ANYTHING about ANYONE. The less you say, the better! This applies to you as well. Trump and others can wait out for the next few months, maybe even years before the politically motivated witch hunt ends and a finding is issued. But, for the past 2 years this russsian collusion investigation drama has gone nowhere except to expose the abuses of the FBI, DOJ and who knows who else!

Atypical Trump supporter - conspiracy / anti government, who fails to comprehend Trump is undermining the Rule of Law and Institutions which are inplace to protect you from abuse by authoritarian government.

[thaibeachlovers]

Mistake for Trump not to talk to Mueller's investigation as he will have the usual anti Trumpers saying all the usual anti Trump stuff- just another stick to beat him with.

What he needs to do is talk to them under the same conditions that HRC was "interviewed" by the FBI.

[Basil B]

I am sure he can use the 5th Amendment...

 

But there again that would be self-incriminating 

[Briggsy]

Flip flop flip flop

 

Just two weeks ago he said he would love to testify and was looking forward to it.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/24/donald-trump-russia-investigation-testimony

 

And two weeks before that he was in the unwilling camp, where he is back to now.

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-might-not-testify-in-russia-investigation-2018-1

 

Expect lots more contradictory yet hyperbolically definitive (in a Trump way - that's definitive for at least 5 minutes) statements on this issue and virtually every issue that the White House comments on. All in between golf and long sessions in front of the gogglebox.

 

Flip flop flip flop. Lie my butt off.

[hammond]

Dumb or smart, ANY lawyer would advise exactly that~ "keep your mouth shut". That is plain  ole good advise. 

 

First of all let me put out there that I am not an American.  However I was of the view at the last US election that the US people were left with an impossible choice on the one hand they had Trump who to say the least was, and still is a bit of a clown, or they could pick Hillary who was proven to be a liar and dishonest, I really felt sorry for you guys, but in the light of the choices available I would say you made the right decision. In the light of this report  I would agree the posting above any Lawyer would tell you not to make a statement and to keep your mouth shut.  Sound advice to me when you have a man that would let his ego get himself in trouble trying to show he is smarter than those questioning him

[Berkshire]

20 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Mistake for Trump not to talk to Mueller's investigation as he will have the usual anti Trumpers saying all the usual anti Trump stuff- just another stick to beat him with.

What he needs to do is talk to them under the same conditions that HRC was "interviewed" by the FBI.

Geez man, not with the HRC thing again.  She's not the freakin President!  Now if you were to suggest the same conditions as President Bill Clinton, that would be fine.

[thaibeachlovers]

16 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

Flip flop flip flop

 

Just two weeks ago he said he would love to testify and was looking forward to it.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/24/donald-trump-russia-investigation-testimony

 

And two weeks before that he was in the unwilling camp, where he is back to now.

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-might-not-testify-in-russia-investigation-2018-1

 

Expect lots more contradictory yet hyperbolically definitive (in a Trump way - that's definitive for at least 5 minutes) statements on this issue and virtually every issue that the White House comments on. All in between golf and long sessions in front of the gogglebox.

 

Flip flop flip flop. Lie my butt off.

How about telling the whole story and not just the bits you like? He qualified his reply that it would be up to his lawyers to make the decision to attend or not.

[Silurian]

This will probably drag out for months if not longer with various and multiple reasons why Donald can't testify. It might actually come down to summoning Donald with a subpoena which will be interesting to see how it will be delivered and how it could be enforced. It looks like the lawyers are ready to fight this to the bitter end. Maybe long enough to finally discredit the whole investigation (they hope).

 

If Donald does testify, he most likely will use the "executive privilege" excuse to not answer any questions his lawyers feel he should not answer. For some reason, law makers are tending to let things go when "executive privilege" or beneficial memory loss ("I don't recall") is used.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

13 minutes ago, Silurian said:

This will probably drag out for months if not longer with various and multiple reasons why Donald can't testify. It might actually come down to summoning Donald with a subpoena which will be interesting to see how it will be delivered and how it could be enforced. It looks like the lawyers are ready to fight this to the bitter end. Maybe long enough to finally discredit the whole investigation (they hope).

 

If Donald does testify, he most likely will use the "executive privilege" excuse to not answer any questions his lawyers feel he should not answer. For some reason, law makers are tending to let things go when "executive privilege" or beneficial memory loss ("I don't recall") is used.

 

Wouldn't it ultimately end up in the SCOTUS? No guarantee either way if it does.

 

There was a SCOTUS verdict that Clinton was not immune by virtue of being president from being sued, so theoretically he could be forced to attend, but he still has the RIGHT, to take the 5th, as does any American.

By the time it got to the SCOTUS, it might be so close to the election he might just decide not to stand again and leave it to Pence to carry on his programme.

 

Anyway, with all the information coming out from the memo, the warrant under which the Mueller investigation started may be declared null and void, which would make everything "fruit of the poisonous tree" and Mueller's investigation goes away.

[sirineou]

17 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Wouldn't it ultimately end up in the SCOTUS? No guarantee either way if it does.

 

There was a SCOTUS verdict that Clinton was not immune by virtue of being president from being sued, so theoretically he could be forced to attend, but he still has the RIGHT, to take the 5th, as does any American.

By the time it got to the SCOTUS, it might be so close to the election he might just decide not to stand again and leave it to Pence to carry on his programme.

 

Anyway, with all the information coming out from the memo, the warrant under which the Mueller investigation started may be declared null and void, which would make everything "fruit of the poisonous tree" and Mueller's investigation goes away.

http://www.newsweek.com/republicans-say-trump-isnt-vindicated-memo-russia-investigation-adding-799280

 "Gowdy, however, said Sunday the memo he helped author hardly vindicated the president in Mueller’s probe and the other strands of the investigation.

“There is a Russia investigation without a dossier. So to the extent the memo deals with the dossier and the FISA process, the dossier has nothing to do with the meeting at Trump Tower,” Gowdy said, referring to a June 2016 meeting Donald Trump Jr. set up after being promised dirt on Hillary Clinton.

“The dossier really has nothing to do with George Papadopoulos' meeting in Great Britain,” Gowdy continued, noting allegations that Papadopoulos, a former campaign adviser, met with a Kremlin-linked professor who told him Russia had thousands of damaging emails on Clinton.

“It also doesn't have anything to do with obstruction of justice,” Gowdy said, pointing out that Trump is being investigated for whether he tried to stymie the FBI’s investigation by firing former FBI Director James Comey. “So there's going to be a Russia probe, even without a dossier,” Gowdy said.

"

[riclag]

4 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Wow! Trumps own lawyers openly admit that he is a liar whose story and position change regularly. Now all we need is for his supporters to stop being blind and recognise that truth as well. I sadly suspect that they will once again fail to do so and come forward in blind and ignorant defense of their bullshitting hero.

Its the blind ignorant defense that got my hair up.Like him or hate him ,some Americans support our  President regardless of Politics.This President has stood up to the bias media,the liberal demonizing of America,the globalist who want no boarders and the obstructionist resisting left. This President got balls and he calls it like it is,his approval rating is the highest its ever been.Some Americans support PTrump for certain policies and beliefs.Take what you like .

Screw the politicians and the establishment and his election deniers .Hip Hip for Joe Blow . 

[thaibeachlovers]

5 minutes ago, sirineou said:

http://www.newsweek.com/republicans-say-trump-isnt-vindicated-memo-russia-investigation-adding-799280

 "Gowdy, however, said Sunday the memo he helped author hardly vindicated the president in Mueller’s probe and the other strands of the investigation.

“There is a Russia investigation without a dossier. So to the extent the memo deals with the dossier and the FISA process, the dossier has nothing to do with the meeting at Trump Tower,” Gowdy said, referring to a June 2016 meeting Donald Trump Jr. set up after being promised dirt on Hillary Clinton.

“The dossier really has nothing to do with George Papadopoulos' meeting in Great Britain,” Gowdy continued, noting allegations that Papadopoulos, a former campaign adviser, met with a Kremlin-linked professor who told him Russia had thousands of damaging emails on Clinton.

“It also doesn't have anything to do with obstruction of justice,” Gowdy said, pointing out that Trump is being investigated for whether he tried to stymie the FBI’s investigation by firing former FBI Director James Comey. “So there's going to be a Russia probe, even without a dossier,” Gowdy said.

"

??????????????????????????

Mueller's investigation is about "collusion" with Russia, not obstruction of justice, and was started after Comey was fired, so which investigation are you talking about?

 

There are a few other investigations going on, but which are you talking about?

[sirineou]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

??????????????????????????

Mueller's investigation is about "collusion" with Russia, not obstruction of justice, and was started after Comey was fired, so which investigation are you talking about?

 

There are a few other investigations going on, but which are you talking about?

So they are only investigating what they started with and not any subsequent findings?

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, sirineou said:

So they are only investigating what they started with and not any subsequent findings?

No, there is nothing in the "Russia collusion" area to find after all this time, so they are going on fishing trips. The only indictments so far are nothing to do with Russia, and the main character investigated hasn't even been charged.

Just like that horrible man Starr did in his witch hunt on Clinton. Was supposed to be about Whitewater and ended up about a womaniser doing what womanisers do.

[riclag]

1 hour ago, Silurian said:

This will probably drag out for months if not longer with various and multiple reasons why Donald can't testify. It might actually come down to summoning Donald with a subpoena which will be interesting to see how it will be delivered and how it could be enforced. It looks like the lawyers are ready to fight this to the bitter end. Maybe long enough to finally discredit the whole investigation (they hope).

 

If Donald does testify, he most likely will use the "executive privilege" excuse to not answer any questions his lawyers feel he should not answer. For some reason, law makers are tending to let things go when "executive privilege" or beneficial memory loss ("I don't recall") is used.

 

He will use what the Constitution provides a President of the United States

[sirineou]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

No, there is nothing in the "Russia collusion" area to find after all this time, so they are going on fishing trips. The only indictments so far are nothing to do with Russia, and the main character investigated hasn't even been charged.

Just like that horrible man Starr did in his witch hunt on Clinton. Was supposed to be about Whitewater and ended up about a womaniser doing what womanisers do.

 How do you know what  Mueler has found or not?

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, sirineou said:

 How do you know what  Mueler has found or not?

555555555555555555

If there was anything at all to find it would have been leaked already. Nothing has been, ergo there is nothing to leak.

[Berkshire]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

555555555555555555

If there was anything at all to find it would have been leaked already. Nothing has been, ergo there is nothing to leak.

The Special Counsel is not the Congress--they don't leak.  We know what they want us to know.  Surely you would've figured this out by now.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

The Special Counsel is not the Congress--they don't leak.  We know what they want us to know.  Surely you would've figured this out by now.

[sirineou]

26 minutes ago, riclag said:

He will use what the Constitution provides a President of the United States

Let me qualify that.

 He will use whatever The Supreme Court decides the Constitution provides.