Comey set so many perjury traps for them
Another thing I’ve been wondering is how reckless it is or is not for Trump’s lawyer to make sweeping assertions of fact that he can’t possibly know. The Times yesterday:
Before firing Mr. Comey, Mr. Trump was dogged by the F.B.I. inquiry into his campaign’s ties to Russia. But he was never personally under investigation.
Now, he faces the prospect of an obstruction investigation, inquiries by emboldened congressional officials and questions from both parties about whether he tried inappropriately to end the F.B.I. inquiry into Michael T. Flynn, his former national security adviser.
Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, Marc E. Kasowitz, flatly denied any obstruction. “The president never, in form or substance, directed or suggested that Mr. Comey stop investigating anyone,” he said.
How can he possibly know that? It’s an absurd claim. Some in Trump’s circle apparently think so too:
Gradually, however, the concerns of any single news cycle are giving way to longer-term worries about the course of the investigation, and several West Wing aides have expressed concern about the possibility of being blindsided by new revelations.
Several current and former Trump aides said they were especially concerned about Mr. Kasowitz’s unqualified assertion that the president had “never told Mr. Comey, ‘I need loyalty, I expect loyalty,’” as Mr. Comey said on Thursday.
“I can’t believe they are worried about public opinion on a day like this, when Comey set so many perjury traps for them,” said Jennifer Palmieri, a veteran Democratic operative who served as Mrs. Clinton’s communications director during the 2016 campaign.
Is Kasowitz walking straight into the traps?
I’m not a lawyer so I don’t know. I’ll be interested to find out.
One lawyer says this:
The lawyer is Benjamin Wittes.
https://lawfareblog.com/nature-person-initial-thoughts-james-comeys-testimony
Kasowitz is relying on Trump’s truthfulness and/or his memory of the conversations. Screwed either way as far as I’m concerned. Kasowitz wasn’t there. Comey wrote it down. Kasowitz may only be saying what Trump wants him to say, not what he knows to be true. Surely a lawyer would know that Trump is full of shit in just about everything he (or his lackeys) say or tweet, and that this case isn’t going to be any different.
Kasowitz is, I believe, actually one of the safest figures in the whole mess; as not merely an advisor, but Trump’s lawyer, he’s pretty much immune from subpoena on his conversations with the President. So he’s one of the few advisors who cannot be placed in the same position the Intel officers earlier this week were–staunchly refusing to speak under oath in order to avoid perjuring or incriminating themselves or their boss. It doesn’t matter how brazenly Kasowitz asserts certitude that’s impossible for him to have–he can’t get called on it outside of press conferences, and Trump’s people are all quite willing to tell a roomful of reporters that water is dry and the sun dark.
Freemage, of course the sun is dark sometimes. That’s where night comes from. Rotation of the Earth is Fake News. SAD!!!
https://www.facebook.com/144310995587370/photos/a.271728576178944.71555.144310995587370/1562846087067180/?type=3&theater