As an immigrant to this country and former political activist in South America, I’ve paid careful attention to the endless stream of controversies involving the leader of the free world. As a successful entrepreneur, I’ve enjoyed the resurgence in our economy, but I’m fearful that the costs of having Trump in the white house may prove too steep.
Depending on which network you watch, the talking heads in this country tell us that Flynn’s flip is either the beginning of the end for Trump, or it’s the last act of a desperate man up to his eyeballs in legal debts and fearful that his son will be prosecuted.
In my opinion, Flynn’s plea deal is a huge deal. It’s just the tip of the iceberg in a case that Mueller is prosecuting with the same strategies used to destroy the mob.
Why is this a big deal? Mueller hates Trump - he’s built an attack team with multiple ties to Trump’s political enemies. So, why would he offer a fervent Trump supporter a sweet plea deal with minimal consequences?
It’s simple. Flynn has a treasure trove of information to offer the prosecutorial team. From email chains, to first-hand accounts of how the Trump campaign and white house operated at the highest levels. And Flynn is highly motivated to fully cooperate - there are many things that Mueller could do to make his life a living hell if he refuses to fulfill his end of the deal.
There’s little doubt that both the Clintons and the Trumps are politically corrupt and skirt legal boundaries. The biggest difference is that the Clintons have a highly competent political team and decades of experience navigating crisis in the political arena.
The Trumps are new in town. They’re used to operating in a world where they can open up scam universities and pay a settlement to shut down lawsuits, while maintaining profitability. President Trump is an egomaniacal bully who’s used to getting his way. It’s hard to pull the same levers in the political arena that he’s used to pulling in the murky New York real estate scene.
So, I have little doubt that if Mueller is allowed to continue chasing down leads and flipping witnesses, he will uncover a great deal of dirt that will quite possibly bring down the Trump presidency.
The President is Incapable of Stepping Away from the Investigation
A wise and thoughtful President would step away from this investigation of his campaign and administration. President Trump isn’t a man of discernment. He starts his day with 140 character temper tantrums on Twitter and way too much spray tan - maybe all those clogged pores are inhibiting his better judgement.
His instincts to threaten Mueller with termination, and burn up the white house phone lines pressuring senators to drop the congressional investigation betrays his past. For decades, Trump bullied competitors and manipulated allies to get ahead in the real estate game.
A President with Financial Skeletons
Is it any surprise that the President gets most defensive on topics related to his finances? During the campaign, he repeatedly refused to release his tax returns - citing the fact that he’s under audit by the IRS. And, he has threatened Mueller with termination if he investigates the Trump family’s finances.
Why is the President afraid of his finances being sanitized by the light of day? Could it be that he’s dramatically inflated his net-worth and the value of his real estate holdings? It’s very possible, considering that he once admitted to calculating his networth based on his personal feelings.
But there’s one thing about this entire investigation that really stinks to high heaven. Why is Mueller so publicly focused on Trump? Most investigators would tell you that the best thing you can do is keep the subject feeling like they are totally safe and insulated from the investigation.
Obviously there’s a media circus that can’t be avoided. But Mueller’s team has generated leak after leak disclosing the focus of its investigation. He’s too talented and experienced to show his hand without having an ulterior motive.
I speculate that the true focus of this investigation is Steve Bannon. It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Trump may be a bully, but he isn’t an idiot. He and his kids wouldn’t directly engage with the russians in a way that would be seen as unethical or compromising.
However, Bannon is a rambunctious, hell or high water political operative. He has little fear of consequences. He has shown a callous, win at all costs attitude throughout his venture into alt-right blogging and political consultation.
Out of all the President’s man, Bannon strikes me as the individual most likely to engage the Russians in a political gambit that would look more at home in a Clancy spy novel.
I could be wrong. But after countless hours reading about all of the aspects of this investigation, and consulting with my contacts throughout New York City, I believe Flynn’s decision to flip is just the tip of the iceberg. And I’m confident this investigation has more than a few big shoes to drop.