J. Edgar Hoover used to say that “justice is just incidental to law and order.” It was a telling quote from someone who routinely abused his power in seeking what he viewed as enemies of law and order. Hoover is now a pariah at the FBI and the Justice Department, but his attitude toward the use of federal power lingers like a dormant virus. Too often investigators interpret uncertain legal questions as a license for action.
That seems to be the case with a new and troubling controversy over a massive seizure of emails by special counsel Robert Mueller from the General Services Administration (GSA). Mueller did an end run around Trump transition officials and counsel by seizing tens of thousands of emails from the GSA despite claims of privilege. The move was legally unprecedented and strategically reckless. In a gratuitous muscle play, Mueller may have added a potential complication to the use of evidence that could contaminate much of his investigation in any later trial.
More @ The Hill
If laws still matter, and I am not sure they do. This document grab may be more problematic, than first glance indicates. Apparently, these documents have been used for leads and conformation. If they are illegal, then everything that has been touched by them, becomes fruit of the poison tree.
ReplyDeleteA good defense lawyer can argue every piece of evidence was tainted by these documents. If the prosecution cannot prove that the evidence or direction of inquiry was not influenced by the illegal documents. Then the evidence will have to be thrown out. A successful prosecution becomes practically impossible.
Badger
Then the evidence will have to be thrown out. A successful prosecution becomes practically impossible.
DeleteSeems Mueller may not be the brain we are told.
From the infamous Holder regarding the dismissal of Mueller:
ReplyDeleteOne of the most galling members of this band of Marxist turds is Eric Holder. Since Friday he has essentially threatened a violent reaction if the President or those in Congress fire Robert Mueller. Last Wednesday, he Tweeted:
Speaking on behalf of the vast majority of the American people, Republicans in Congress be forewarned: any attempt to remove Bob Mueller will not be tolerated. These are BS attacks on him/his staff that are blatantly political-designed to hide the real wrongdoing. Country not party.
For some reason I thought Holder had died.
For some reason I thought Holder had died.
DeleteWish he was, Useful Idiot.