Perhaps it wasn't a crime in the end, but Mueller's report shows the orchestrated manner in which the players over and over again acted in corrupt, dishonest and possible illegal ways and then used the media as a tool, telling blatant lies to the public.
Just like Trump's constant attempts to obstruct and shut down the investigation. The bullying, bribing, witness tampering, witness intimidation, attempts to fire anyone who was in his way" and then lying about it, trying to force others to lie and write false statements. He was acting more like a mob boss than the President. It was all quite shocking and if not for Trump's known megalomania, would be quite unbelievable.
As I listened to Mueller describe in the most explicit way the specific elements of each crime and what is required for a legal finding of guilt, I was even more confused by the lack of an indictment. The evidence was clear. The elements had been established. So how could he NOT find Trump and his cohorts guilty?
Well, he explains his legal reasoning for not finding for obstruction. And this is where it became clear to me that this was a golden parachute for Trump. The legal rationalizations were weak, convoluted and circular in logic. The bottom line was, he had what he needed. So why back down this late in the game? Why spend two years building a box for Trump only to give him an escape hatch in the end. Of course the OIC opinion did inform the findings but there was more to this than that.
Most people I realized would not actually read the report in spite of having protested a single word of redaction. And most people didn't need to read it because their goal all along was to stay devoted to their chosen narrative.
It became apparent during Barr's testimony that many of those at the hearing hadn't actually read it, but probably read the bits they wanted to zero in on with Barr.
But the real question is, "What now?' There are some who argue no impeachment because it will hurt the Democratic party politically. But I would say this, if we have come to a point where we conduct investigations, collect evidence, massive troves of evidence, that prove our President repeatedly acted in his own self interest to the detriment of the country, repeated committed unethical and illegal acts, lied and covered up those actions, bullied, threatened, bribed, tampered with witnesses and evidence, tried to force people who he employed to lie and write false statements and directed others to obstruct the investigation and we do nothing, then we have buried our democracy. We have sacrificed our Constitution for political protectionism. If we don't stand up and defend the rule of law then we will no longer be able live under the protection it provides us.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
4
3
3
