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A few nights ago, Trump went into a whole nother level of Melt-down mode. He threatened to Fire Special Counsel Mueller, when and if he starts investigating Trump’s financial and business records, that are unrelated to Russia. Trump even called it a “Red Line” for him personally. Cross it and there will be Consequences.
Firstly, how would Mueller even know if his (or his family’s) financial dealings (like those with Deutsche Bank) were “related to Russia” — without first investigating them.
Secondly, Trump has NO Authority to issue such threats and ultimatums to the INDEPENDENT Special Counsel, as nicely explained by The Atlantic …
Mueller Can Pursue Whatever Crimes He Uncovers
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But there are no legal or ethical reasons for Mueller to turn away if, during his investigation, he discovers crimes that are unrelated to the original inquiry.
[...]
Crucially, the order written by Rosenstein establishing the special-counsel investigation is very broad. It states that the special counsel is “authorized to conduct the investigation” that includes “any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump” as well as “any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.”
“The special counsel has to look into matters under his jurisdiction,” said Neal Katyal, a former acting solicitor general under the Obama administration and Georgetown Law professor who wrote the special-counsel regulations. “So if Trump family financial matters are relevant to the Russia investigation, he would have to look into them. And the regulations do not permit the president to define the scope of the investigation.”
Thirdly, this new Trump “Red Line” warning issued by Trump, could be interpreted as another Trump effort to Obstruct Justice — like he did when he fired Comey.
Fourthly, and lastly, when Ken Starr started at Whitewater, and ended up at Lewinsky — the Republican Congress had no problems with scope-boundaries or “line crossing” — THEN.
They were all too anxious to Impeach Bill Clinton then. “Outside the Scope” of Starr’s initial Investigation, was NOT even “on their radar” — for one single minute.
The precedent has been set, and the GOP congress set it — Red Lines will not be abided. All that matters is digging up the dirt, and making it stick. (Even if, it is very “personal” dirt.)
Or have they already forgotten this?