(02-21-2019, 07:41 PM)jj82284 Wrote:

(02-21-2019, 03:44 PM)TJBender Wrote: I just can't shake the memory of how no one was brought in to end the Starr investigation before it had been finished. If Mueller's actually done, he's actually done. If he says on the record anywhere, anytime, that he was not finished with his investigation but was directed to close up shop anyway, then there's a case for obstruction against Barr (and another against Trump, if he told Barr that he expected the investigation ended) and a need to rehire Mueller and let him finish.

If the Republicans are allowed to waste millions and millions over several years on a real estate investigation that hinged on a blue dress, I don't see why an investigation into actual crimes would be shut down prematurely unless someone doesn't want to see the end result.

The Mueller investigation was never predicated on an underlying crime.  That makes it in direct violation of the special counsel regulations.  

Also, the appointing officer has a conflict of interest as a signatory on a visa warrant that is currently under investigation and a potential material witness to the alleged inciting incident, the firing of Comey

Moeover, Barr has the power to shut down any investigation as AG and the president has the constitutional authority to order him to do so.  The only conceivable way a principal officer can obstruct justice in managing a subordinate would be to direct misstatements or destroy evidence.

I'm sorry, last time I checked cooperating with a foreign power to influence the outcome of an American election could create crimes ranging from tax evasion to treason.

If the Senate had wanted to fire Mueller over the visa warrant, they could have done so (or passed a resolution saying they would not interfere with Trump's doing so) at any time. By the way, the Senate is Republican controlled.

If the investigation is shut down to keep information from being unearthed, yes, it's obstruction of justice. I mean, that's exactly what the Saturday Night Massacre was. Nixon saw that Cox was getting too close for comfort and fired AGs until he found one who would fire Cox for him.

---