More, On Hinderaker’s Endless Hypocrisies…

This morning, I want to return to how utterly silly it is that Hinderaker claims the Durham investigation is in any manner a vindication of Trumpian lunatic conspiracies.

Sussmann is on trial now for a single lie. That lie was NOT about any part of any theory Hinderaker or Trump hold.

The lie was whether he “had a client” when he went to law enforcement (i.e., perhaps had a bias). In fact he was a low level lawyer for the HRC campaign. He said he was there as a mere citizen.

No, he should not have lied (if, in fact he even did — in those circumstances). But to suggest that his lie was material (and thus allows this trial)… is silly. I’ll leave it at that: the FBI conducted dozens of other interviews on these topics, and Mueller’s investigation established the essential truth of the actual “merits statements” made by Sussmann, from many other sources. Thus, that’s a mere “process” crime — to use John’s own ninny-fying turn of phrase.

The only thing Durham has on him, is that Sussmann (in this single instance) did not disclose that he was working for a candidate. Sheesh.

As irony would have it though, Timothy O’Shea is about to go on felony trial in Manhattan next week, for the millions of dollars that were stolen from small donors, nationwide, during the “We Build The Wall” farce. Nope. Not. A. Process. Crime.

Steve Bannon accomplished it, but cannot be tried — after stealing millions… because Trump openly pardoned million dollar thieves — that benefited him, personally. Mr. O’Shea didn’t plead guilty — but all the other, low level people did — and so he will go down for a crime-spree Bannon orchestrated, stealing from charitable donors (no process crime, that)… all while Trump pardoned the master-mind.

Yet not even a peep, from Hinderaker about the mobile, multinational multi-billion dollar crime spree that was the Tangerine stay at 1600 Penn.

How very… droll.

By Next Friday, Bannon Must Choose: Is He “Accepting” — On The Record, The Dubious Benefits — Of That Trump Pardon?

I know I said I’d likely not closely follow this, but the manifold paths… that lead to ever-more hilarious mischief — from the Tangerine Team’s utter lack of understanding of the US legal system… cause me to offer at least this much more. I think the central teaching here is that offering pardons to people who’ve not yet been found formally guilty by a jury or judge — especially for garden variety financial fraud felonies with multiple co-conspirators (felonies that are not part of any arguable political campaigning processes, in proper)… may well create more exposure rather than diminish it.

The able USDC Judge in Manhattan has given Bannon only until the first Friday in March to decide: will he formally accept the pardon, with all the downside that entails, or will he not? She has made it plain: he cannot have it both ways any longer — to get the benefit, he will have to admit guilt on the record. Here it is, overnight, in full:

…The Court has reviewed Defendant Stephen Bannon’s letter dated February 18, 2021 (the “Letter”), transmitted to the Court via email, and the Government’s response, ECF No. 86.

Accordingly, By March 5, 2021, Bannon shall file the Letter on the docket, or move to file it under seal;

By March 19, 2021, Bannon shall file his motion to dismiss;

By April 2, 2021, the Government shall file its opposition; and

By April 9, 2021, Bannon shall file his reply, if any (Defendant Motions due by 3/19/2021., Defendant Replies due by 4/9/2021., Government Responses due by 4/2/2021).

(Signed by Judge Analisa Torres on 2/26/21)….

Condor predicts he will accept the pardon, and vainly try to argue some form of common law double jeapardy in state courts (though in this context, no such defense exists), as to his admission of state court felonies, as well. And still — we will watch and wait — who else gets dragged down by him, as co-conspirators? Who indeed. Grin… stay dry in the nation’s middle south — we now (finally!) now have better weather than you: sunny and fairly warm here — almost all that snow is melted.

नमस्ते