As Trump fumes over FBI raid, White House lawyers urge restraint

By John Walcott, Jeff Mason and Steve Holland

 

U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen is pictured entering a restaurant in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Levy

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House lawyers are trying to dissuade U.S. President Donald Trump from seeking to get rid of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, as Trump weighs options after the FBI raided his personal attorney's office and home, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday.

 

White House lawyers Ty Cobb and Donald McGahn have been telling Trump that firing Mueller would leave the president vulnerable to charges of obstruction of justice and have said that he must have "good cause" to order Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to oust Mueller, the officials said.

 

The lawyers repeated those arguments after Monday's raids targeting Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, but have made little or no progress persuading the president, the officials said.

 

Aides said Trump was fuming on Tuesday over the raids but his future course of action remained unclear.

 

The advice of the lawyers takes on greater significance following the departure of key aides, such as Hope Hicks, who recently resigned as White House communications director.

 

Neither Cobb nor McGahn responded on Tuesday to requests for comment. The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment about Cobb and McGahn trying to dissuade Trump.

 

Trump has called Mueller's probe a "witch hunt." Russia and Trump both deny any wrongdoing.

 

The raids represent a dramatic escalation of a federal inquiry led by Mueller into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and possible collusion by Trump campaign aides.

 

If Trump tries to scupper the probe, it could set in motion a series of events that eventually threaten his presidency.

 

"The raid is seismic," Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, a former federal prosecutor, told MSNBC, adding such searches by the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicate the possibility a crime was committed.

 

PAYMENTS TO PORN STAR, PLAYMATE

 

A source familiar with the matter said FBI agents were looking in Monday's raids for information on payments to adult-film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both said they slept with Trump while he was married.

 

Daniels got $130,000 from Cohen in exchange for signing a non-disclosure agreement concerning her relationship with Trump.

 

The New York Times, which first reported the news about the two women, said the search warrant for the FBI raids also sought information about McDougal, who was paid $150,000 by the parent company of The National Enquirer tabloid, which then withheld a story about her relationship with Trump.

 

Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, has sued Cohen to be released from a nondisclosure agreement over an alleged one-night stand with Trump in 2006. McDougal has said she had a longer affair with him. Trump officials have denied he had relations with either woman.

 

Investigators were also looking into whether there was a broader pattern of tax fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion, money laundering and other crimes in Cohen’s private dealings, including his work for Trump and some real estate transactions that involved Russian buyers and prices that appeared to be well above market values, the source said.

 

Senior members of the U.S. Congress have repeatedly urged Trump not to fire the special counsel. Critics have said any Trump effort to remove Mueller would amount to interference in the investigation.

 

A White House aide said Justice Department guidance that only Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, could fire Mueller did not apply to Trump, who has the authority to fire anyone in the executive branch.

 

Asked on Monday after the FBI raids if he would fire Mueller, Trump replied, "We'll see what happens."

 

When asked about the issue, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a Tuesday briefing: "He certainly believes he has the power to do so."

 

Trump's friends rallied to his defence.

 

"This is about getting Donald Trump at all costs even if it means stretching the boundaries of exceptions to attorney-client privilege," said former Trump campaign adviser Michael Caputo.

 

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and John Walcott; Additional reporting by Susan Heavey, Nathan Layne, Amanda Becker, Makini Brice; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Frances Kerry and Howard Goller)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-11

I hope that in his stupidity he does attempt to fire Mueller especially to his face and on live TV.

 

That should put the cat among the pigeons.

 

 

He knows that much of his and his families criminal activities are now being uncovered. 

 

This is no witch hunt. A witch hunt would not have resulted in so many guilty pleas and convictions. Many more to come.

Trump is a crook on a grand scale. He has done everything in his power to discredit every intelligence agency in the US. If you are going to pick enemies like that then you are going to feel their full wrath.

 

Pretty stupid move when you have so many crimes to hide. Your ignorant base will not be able to help you here con man.

 

Firing Mueller will just exacerbate the action against him. You are going down Trump. I hope the US will see it's first president get jail time along with his despicable family and their cronies. 

Trump and restraint ...ye gods

3 hours ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said:

He knows that much of his and his families criminal activities are now being uncovered. 

 

This is no witch hunt. A witch hunt would not have resulted in so many guilty pleas and convictions. Many more to come.

Trump is a crook on a grand scale. He has done everything in his power to discredit every intelligence agency in the US. If you are going to pick enemies like that then you are going to feel their full wrath.

 

Pretty stupid move when you have so many crimes to hide. Your ignorant base will not be able to help you here con man.

 

Firing Mueller will just exacerbate the action against him. You are going down Trump. I hope the US will see it's first president get jail time along with his despicable family and their cronies. 

Yeah he was aware of his long history of criminality before he ran. In his previous life, he could always dodge that with money and sleazy lawyers. He was taught that personally by one of the most notorious villains in American history -- Roy Cohn. I reckon that he never expected to win anyway. He had a great plan to win by losing. Like the show, the Producers, it didn't work out that way.

Edited April 11, 20188 yr by Jingthing

Funny, but I dont remember the raiding Hillary's Lawyer. Mmmmmmmm

 

The Swamp striking back??

 

A post containing a derogatory slur has been removed. 

58 minutes ago, ELVIS123456 said:

Funny, but I dont remember the raiding Hillary's Lawyer. Mmmmmmmm

 

The Swamp striking back??

 

5555555... lock HIM up... 555555 so freaking funny when the slander comes home to roost!!

Funny, but I dont remember the raiding Hillary's Lawyer. Mmmmmmmm
 
The Swamp striking back??
 

But but Hillary. Deal with the reality. "trump" is in deep trouble now and it and the topic has nothing to do with Hillary.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

5555555... lock HIM up... 555555 so freaking funny when the slander comes home to roost!!

Yes it's time to throw that obnoxious chant from his fascist style campaign rallies right back in his angry angry face.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan announced he won't run for re-election. While he cited family as the reason for leaving, his announcement gives him cover to potentially lead a House impeachment of Trump, ie., if Trump fires Mueller.

16 hours ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said:

He knows that much of his and his families criminal activities are now being uncovered. 

 

This is no witch hunt. A witch hunt would not have resulted in so many guilty pleas and convictions. Many more to come.

Trump is a crook on a grand scale. He has done everything in his power to discredit every intelligence agency in the US. If you are going to pick enemies like that then you are going to feel their full wrath.

 

Pretty stupid move when you have so many crimes to hide. Your ignorant base will not be able to help you here con man.

 

Firing Mueller will just exacerbate the action against him. You are going down Trump. I hope the US will see it's first president get jail time along with his despicable family and their cronies. 

I agree and to your hope (which I share) is a tantilating view of a hopeful future.

11 minutes ago, selftaopath said:

I agree and to your hope (which I share) is a tantilating view of a hopeful future.

 

Hey, I' think you'll appreciate this:

 

https://www.axios.com/preview-of-exclusive-abc-interview-with-james-comey-1523413777-c6002b59-9545-4329-9734-92ffcc70cfef.html

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan announced he won't run for re-election. While he cited family as the reason for leaving, his announcement gives him cover to potentially lead a House impeachment of Trump, ie., if Trump fires Mueller.

I don't believe Ryan has the balls to do that e.g. his entire career was a/b a balanced budget.

 

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan announced he won't run for re-election. While he cited family as the reason for leaving, his announcement gives him cover to potentially lead a House impeachment of Trump, ie., if Trump fires Mueller.

Then he sided with the criminal con man and gave money to wealthy donors and himself. This elevated the U.S. debt to hights never before seen. He didn't stand by his convictions then and I doubt he will do the honorable thing and put America before party/self/and con man. 

Mr. Trump either would run the world or he would ruin it.

Better if Trump go to jail quick.

Long trial and fight bad for America and world.

1 hour ago, Different said:

Mr. Trump either would run the world or he would ruin it.

What I find utterly disgusting and shocking is the amount of "Americans" - primarily Republicans -  who have been and remain complicit in the diminishing of U.S. Institutions. What can a genuine U.S. patriot give as a reason to seek the end of the investigation into our enemy RUSSIA's act of war in our 2016 election?  Is it possible an entity or Russia is doing what Putin is famous for and blackmailing Republican Congress?  Is that why Trump bows down to Putin and Republicans bow down to Trump? 

Edited April 12, 20188 yr by selftaopath
spell check

3 hours ago, selftaopath said:

What I find utterly disgusting and shocking is the amount of "Americans" - primarily Republicans -  who have been and remain complicit in the diminishing of U.S. Institutions. What can a genuine U.S. patriot give as a reason to seek the end of the investigation into our enemy RUSSIA's act of war in our 2016 election?  Is it possible an entity or Russia is doing what Putin is famous for and blackmailing Republican Congress?  Is that why Trump bows down to Putin and Republicans bow down to Trump? 

Thought I'd add:

I have been saying since The Corrupt Con Man became active in U.S. politics he wants to rule. I imagine I was thought "silly." Now many more and much learned individuals are warning (see link below) Americans. It can and happening here. I wonder how each of us will explain our participation or lack of when the takeover is complete?

 

 

"White House lawyers urge restraint"

For once, I agree with them.

 

3 hours ago, selftaopath said:

What I find utterly disgusting and shocking is the amount of "Americans" - primarily Republicans -  who have been and remain complicit in the diminishing of U.S. Institutions. What can a genuine U.S. patriot give as a reason to seek the end of the investigation into our enemy RUSSIA's act of war in our 2016 election?  Is it possible an entity or Russia is doing what Putin is famous for and blackmailing Republican Congress?  Is that why Trump bows down to Putin and Republicans bow down to Trump? 

Our enemy.  Act of War.  You must be out of breath after a year of coming unglued on a near daily basis. 

 

I for one hope the porn star revelation is the pivotal lead that allows the FBI to finally crack this case wide open.  Black bag ops, blow jobs and bad hombres - all the ingredients for a US Presidential scandal.

Trump may use this to refuse to allow Mueller to interview him, so Mueller may have made a bad move. He may catch another small fish, while the big one gets away.

Most people with Trump's interests in mind are saying he should not agree to be interviewed as it's such an obvious perjury trap, and this would give him the perfect excuse to opt out.

On 11/04/2018 at 6:48 AM, billd766 said:

I hope that in his stupidity he does attempt to fire Mueller especially to his face and on live TV.

 

Probably in a tweet... 

7 hours ago, Anak Nakal said:

Better if Trump go to jail quick.

Long trial and fight bad for America and world.

Whatever happens it will be neither quick, nor good for Americans.

All America's enemies are  at how America is destroying itself over a porn actress that may or may not have had a liason with the man who was to become president years later.

In the future, Americans will ask themselves just why the media and the establishment went nuts over such a nothing. After all, a previous well known politician actually let his GF die, covered it up, and nothing happened about it.

4 hours ago, ballpoint said:

"White House lawyers urge restraint"

For once, I agree with them.

 

Probably the way he will leave the White House...

2 hours ago, Basil B said:

Probably the way he will leave the White House...

 

And he will be kicking, screaming and tweeting all the way too.

3 hours ago, billd766 said:

 

And he will be kicking, screaming and tweeting all the way too.

 

"....and tweeting all the way too."

 

In that? How?

8 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Whatever happens it will be neither quick, nor good for Americans.

All America's enemies are  at how America is destroying itself over a porn actress that may or may not have had a liason with the man who was to become president years later.

In the future, Americans will ask themselves just why the media and the establishment went nuts over such a nothing. After all, a previous well known politician actually let his GF die, covered it up, and nothing happened about it.

 

The Italians are laughing for sure. Bunga, Bunga!

On 4/11/2018 at 6:41 PM, Jingthing said:

But but Hillary. Deal with the reality. "trump" is in deep trouble now and it and the topic has nothing to do with Hillary.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

It's everything to do with that sour graped sore loser hilary. 

They have been on his case trying every dirty trick in the book since he took office. The harassment has been unrelenting, taking him away from his job to constantly defend the petty complaints. 

It's ridiculous. 

A further agitation for Trump to fume over:

"Trump associates reportedly fear that tapes of recorded conversations could have been taken by FBI agents during the raid of Cohen’s office on Monday."

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/382951-trump-advisers-fear-fbi-seized-trump-lawyers-recordings-of

These were digital recordings presumably stored on on Cohen's pc that was also seized.

They may make the Hollywood Tape look like a cartoon before the main event, especially if any conversations touch on Russian election assistance.

20 hours ago, 55Jay said:

Our enemy.  Act of War.  You must be out of breath after a year of coming unglued on a near daily basis. 

 

I for one hope the porn star revelation is the pivotal lead that allows the FBI to finally crack this case wide open.  Black bag ops, blow jobs and bad hombres - all the ingredients for a US Presidential scandal.

Maybe I have a larger scope of reading material than the average Trump defender because I remember reading this. Do you?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/03/28/cheney-is-the-latest-republican-to-call-russias-alleged-meddling-in-u-s-elections-an-act-of-war/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.0c1e09e15e51

 

And then there's this:

https://theintercept.com/2018/02/19/a-consensus-emerges-russia-committed-an-act-of-war-on-par-with-pearl-harbor-and-911-should-the-u-s-response-be-similar/

 

OH WAIT!!!! Then there was:

https://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/30/politics/mccain-cyber-hearing/index.html

McCain: Russian cyberintrusions an 'act of war'

 

Would you like more?

Edited April 13, 20188 yr by selftaopath
making a point