Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
FBI Raids Trump Lawyer’s Office
The FBI has raided the office of President Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. From the New York Times:
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan obtained the search warrant after receiving a referral from the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, according to Mr. Cohen’s lawyer, who called the search “completely inappropriate and unnecessary.” The search does not appear to be directly related to Mr. Mueller’s investigation, but likely resulted from information he had uncovered and gave to prosecutors in New York.
“Today the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York executed a series of search warrants and seized the privileged communications between my client, Michael Cohen, and his clients,” said Stephen Ryan, his lawyer. “I have been advised by federal prosecutors that the New York action is, in part, a referral by the Office of Special Counsel, Robert Mueller.”
Mr. Cohen plays a role in aspects of the special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. He also recently said he paid $130,000 to a pornographic-film actress, Stephanie Clifford, who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump. Ms. Clifford is known as Stormy Daniels.
This investigation has gone from “Trump colluded with Putin to steal American democracy” to “Trump diddled a porn star” in about a year. Hopefully Mueller will wrap up this investigation soon.
What do you think, Ricochetti? Is this big or blah?
Published in General
It really ought to be a bigger deal in conservative circles.
And would be a significant improvement.
I’ve said before on here that some people from the FBI behaved reprehensibly and should go to jail.
I’m just not convinced of the whole deep-state conspiracy theory.
This OP is about an event involving the seizure of materials generally held to be confidential attorney/client privileged. We all likely understand that this concept does not protect an attorney from committing illegal acts.
Conservatives, small-government advocates who actually believe individuals have rights that are guaranteed by our Constitution, generally viewed the Obama administration and a potential Clinton administration as mortal threats to individual rights.
Without engaging in attacks based on ‘what aboutism’, those who think the seizing of Cohen’s files is ok can help this discussion by revealing why this was ok while the single most obvious act in the public information sphere was the intrusion by unknown parties into the DNC database and the FBI passed on going after anything related to that event. I think this is a cause of much doubt in the minds of true conservatives regarding why there is a Special Counsel on Russia. No one was concerned when it was thought Clinton would be POTUS.
Oh. I stopped having any interest on what is said on talk radio.
Well, have a cookie.
Hey Columbo! I’d be doing a lot better if I hadn’t just sent a $1000 check to the IRS this morning.
I don’t think we’re in a civil war, but I don’t think we’re in a healthy spot either. Politics has become a very polarizing subject for most Americans, especially as so many of us, given Internet anonymity, would rather shout down, marginalize, or stereotype the “other side”. The reality is, on most political topics, everyone on Ricochet could find common ground as we’re all on the same “side”. We may not agree 100% on certain subjects, but for the most part: No one here liked Obama, no one here loves the Left, no one here wants to pay more taxes, and no one here wants to be treated with any level of contempt or indignity. There’s a start on common ground. For whatever reason, the Internet becomes a place where we can all wear a mask and forget about the Golden Rule.
“kakistocracy” LOL
You’re no fun! I did not intend for you to take my question so seriously.
What else can we talk about that might be an even better thread hi-jack?
Yeah yeah, sorry. Wearing my adult hat today. :P
The country at large or Ricochet in particular?
Not sure of the exact definition of deep state, but would you agree that the reprehensible (not to mention illegal) behavior of some of the FBI is deeper than you would like?
That’s the nice thing about the deep state. It doesn’t have a definition. It’s whatever is it needs to be whenever someone is talking about it.
Yes. The subversion and weaponization of the federal government is an hysterical thing ….
Like libertarianism!
Perfect!
Moderator Note:
Come on, man...Congratulations.
The idiocy of that comment has driven me from the thread.Deeper in what way? Not everyone who goes to jail is part of a grand conspiracy or taking the fall for a grand conspiracy. Some are just stupid criminals.
My deep state concept requires no conspiracy, only the typical bureaucratic view that supports, first and foremost, the preservation and continued growth of that bureaucracy. They obviously like to have superiors who are in concert.
All criminals are stupid once you catch and convict them.
How about three guys that work together that commit crimes for the same purpose. Conspiracy enough?
So, deep state but no conspiracy. I don’t have a problem with that.
So, conspiracy but no deep state. I can believe that.
Out of curiosity @asquared, what would you call something like the DNC working together to make sure old Bern didn’t get the nomination?
I don’t know. A Clinton conspiracy. A DNC conspiracy.
Clinton still won 55% of the votes during the primary, so I think the DNC put a finger on the scale but didn’t overturn the results of anything.
I see President Trump also thinks this failure by the FBI was strange. He mentioned this in response to questions at the Abe/Trump press conference.