Impeachment

[Nodack]

Watchdog alleges Trump campaign illegally concealed $170 million in spending
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5 ... n-spending

A nonpartisan watchdog filed a complaint with the Federal Election Committee (FEC) on Tuesday alleging President Trump’s reelection campaign broke the law by “laundering” $170 million in spending in an effort to conceal payments to people close to the Trump family and campaign.

[ShelC]

Watch what's done about it.

[Mori Chu]

These stories come out all the time and nobody cares. The corruption and lawlessness of the Trump admin is just baked in at this point, and there is nobody left at the federal who is willing to hold them accountable.

[Nodack]

The only think that is going to hold them accountable is them getting the boot in November.

[Superbone]

All the whistleblowers are all blown out.

[Nodack]

Any whistleblower that had anything to do with anything to do with Trump has been replaced.

[3rdside]

This is a little reassuring, a take on trump by Niall Ferguson; that’s he’s a populist, the likes of which we’ve seen before before / that the constitution is designed to stop them (although he’s not completely at ease about ..).

It’s 2 years ago so pre virus, where he also advises against impeachment unless the evidence is stone cold.

[Superbone]

I was just thinking today what a great ego booster this President of the United States is. Probably everybody here is a better person and would make a better president in almost every way. He's probably a better businessman than I am and for sure a much better liar but I think I've got him beat in almost every other category.

[Flagrant Fowl]

We'd need a definition of a "good businessman" to be sure of that.

[Superbone]

We'd need a definition of a "good businessman" to be sure of that.

You mean versus a corrupt and cheating one?

[Flagrant Fowl]

We'd need a definition of a "good businessman" to be sure of that.

You mean versus a corrupt and cheating one?

They are the same thing to some people.

[Mori Chu]

Not really impeachment related, but didn't think it deserved its own thread. Former Trump aide Steve Bannon indicted on fraud charges for swindling money from donors:

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/2 ... ort-399215

Whaaa? A Trump aide, turning out to be a crook? No! Say it ain't so.

[ShelC]

He'll be let off, pardoned, charges dropped somehow, someway.

[Indy]

He'll be let off, pardoned, charges dropped somehow, someway.

I thought they were on the outs... and Trump has replaced the SDNY head a few times. There is no way that Bill Bar didn't know this was coming.

[Nodack]

Add another Trump guy to the felon list.

[Superbone]

He'll be let off, pardoned, charges dropped somehow, someway.

What? He'll probably be given the freaking medal of honor!

[Mori Chu]

Is there an incentive to delay any conviction and sentencing until after Jan 2021 so Trump can't pardon it? Or is this a state crime that he couldn't pardon?

[ShelC]

I believe he can't pardon state charges but I'm sure they'll find a way to fire/replace anyone they need to and have the charges dropped if they want to. Bannon has a lot of info on 2016 and maybe this upcoming election. They may want to buy his silence.

[Indy]

Is there an incentive to delay any conviction and sentencing until after Jan 2021 so Trump can't pardon it? Or is this a state crime that he couldn't pardon?

Since it is SDNY, it isn't a state charge. The Postal Service arrested him, which also points to it being a federal charge. Probably wire and mail fraud, which almost always goes across state lines (and in the case of mail fraud, always is federal since you are using a federal service to help commit the fraud).

[Nodack]

He just plead innocent. He will be let off if Trump wants him let off. Barr will make sure of it. It’s good to have friends in high places.