Robert Mueller's Russian collusion investigation is finally beginning to affect the President's state of mind
On Wednesday, November 29, 2017, President Trump shared three updates that anti-Muslim group, Britain First, had originally tweeted. But after being rebuked by British Prime Minister Theresa May, over his insensitive tweets, he chose to double down on his position--telling May she'd be better served by focusing on the illegal immigrants who enter the UK, not his tweets.
On the face of it, it sounds like just any other day that ends in 'y' at the Trump White House. However, there could be something deeper at play here. Indeed, it could be an indication that the steady drip of leaks, indictments, and witness interrogations pertaining to Robert Mueller's Russian collusion investigation is finally beginning to affect the President's state of mind.
Why the Mueller Investigation Has Trump So Spooked
One reason President Trump is nervous about the investigation is that outside of the occasional leak, very little information about the collusion investigation has come out of the special prosecutor's office. As a case in point, former FBI director Robert Mueller was named as special counsel back on May 17, 2017. Yet, since then his statements on the matter have been sparse. In fact, he hasn't formally addressed the American people as it relates to the 2016 US elections probe.
Nonetheless, anyone curious about the special prosecutor's strategy need only look at the national headlines concerning the matter. But if that's not enough Mueller's 17 special prosecutors also speak to his overall game plan. Given that there's been no direct evidence tying President Trump to Russian efforts to alter the election, the team has been quite effective at keeping the public's attention via high profile confessions, guilty pleas, etc.
They've done this by moving the investigation forward in a slow, methodical manner that's almost sure to earn top billing on news racks and media portals for months, if not years to come.
Investigation Intensifies
Even as word emerges that Paul Manafort has struck an $11 million bail deal with Mueller's team, the New York Times drops a new bombshell--Michael Flynn may be open to entering a plea deal with Mueller's team. Furthermore, it has also come out that Mueller's aides recently questioned Jared Kushner regarding his relationship with Flynn.
So, Robert Mueller continues to quietly flex his muscle in how he manages his army of investigators to match the vast array of investigative work stemming from the Russian probe.
For example, although the Mueller investigation is centered on whether Russia interfered with the 2016 election their powers go far beyond the 2016 elections. They are permitted to pursue any criminal finding they stumble upon along the way. And they have done it - as evidenced by Paul Manafort's conspiracy, money laundering charges. Hence, with every move Mueller and his team make, the message is clear. Whether they find direct evidence of collusion or not, in the end, the outcome will be highly damaging to the Trump administration.
Key Members of the Investigative Team
The three prosecutors in charge of probing Paul Manafort and former Trump campaign staffer, Rick Gates are said to be well-versed in the areas of fraud, organized crime, bribery and money laundering. The three prosecutors are Kyle Freeny, Greg Andres, and Andrew Weissmann.
Spearheading the Michael Flynn investigations is Jeannie Rhee. Rhee was former deputy attorney under President Obama. She is assisted by a New York-based attorney Zainab Ahmad who is well conversant in the field of assembling evidence in terrorism as well as international criminal related cases. Jeannie Rhee was said to have played a key role in the George Papadopoulos guilty plea.
Those Pesky Leaks
Leaks have plagued President Trump's White House from day one. However, as New Jersey governor Chris Christie - a former prosecutor - put it, not only should Mueller's team not leak details of their investigation to the press, but it is a crime for them to do so. Neither the special counsel nor his aides have addressed the allegations that they're intentionally leaking information to the media.
However, the leaks definitely seem to have struck a nerve with President Trump. Perhaps it's no coincidence that his worst outbursts seem to coincide with new leaks, indictments, or plea agreements. Is it by design? You be the judge!