Roger Stone was arrested in January 2019 as part of the larger Mueller investigation. Stone was and is an old-school Dirty Trickster with his fingers in a lot of criminal and treasonous pies. Stone was also a long-time adviser to Donald Trump, and Stone was a middle-man in several of Trump’s schemes and crimes, especially the one where Russia hacked the DNC and then handed everything to Wikileaks, with Stone helping to broker the deal. Stone was eventually found guilty of lying to Congress and witness tampering, and he’s due to be sentenced next week. The Department of Justice released their sentencing recommendations yesterday, and prosecutors were ready to ask the judge to sentence Stone for seven to nine years in prison. Then this happened:
This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice! https://t.co/rHPfYX6Vbv
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2020
Yes, that is Donald Trump blatantly tweeting that his close associate, friend and adviser Roger Stone shouldn’t go to prison after he was found guilty of committing crimes to help Trump and Trump’s interests. That alone would be bad enough. But apparently, the g–damn Attorney General of the United States of America saw Trump’s tweet and decided to openly kneecap his own DOJ career-service lawyers. AG Bill Barr changed the DOJ recommendation after Trump’s tweet and now the DOJ is seeking more lenient sentencing for Stone. So far, four prosecutors have withdrawn from the case in protest:
Four prosecutors abruptly withdrew on Tuesday from the case of President Trump’s longtime friend Roger J. Stone Jr. after senior Justice Department officials intervened to recommend a more lenient sentence for crimes he committed in a bid to protect the president.
In an extraordinary decision overruling career lawyers, the Justice Department recommended an unspecified term of incarceration for Mr. Stone instead of the prosecutors’ request of a punishment of seven to nine years. The move coincided with Mr. Trump’s declaration on Twitter early Tuesday that the government was treating Mr. Stone too harshly.
The development immediately prompted questions about whether the Justice Department was bending to White House pressure. The gulf between the prosecutors and their Justice Department superiors burst into public view the week before Mr. Stone was to be sentenced for trying to sabotage a congressional investigation that had posed a threat to the president.
The prosecutors — one of whom resigned from the department — were said to be furious over the reversal of their sentencing request, filed in federal court late Monday. The Stone case was one of the most high-profile criminal prosecutions arising from the nearly two-year investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III.
The fact that the Department of Justice cannot be trusted is not new information. The fact that Bill Barr acts as the personal lawyer to the Trump criminal organization is not news either. But Jesus, it is all so f–king blatant. It’s because they all know that nothing will happen to them. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? Mitch McConnell will stand in front of cameras and say “it’s a shame” and do nothing?
Also, this bulls–t comes less than a week after Trump was “acquitted” by the Senate and it comes just days after Trump began to wage his campaign of revenge against all of the people who testified against him in the impeachment case. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (a veteran on the National Security Council) was already going to leave his job in the coming months when he was abruptly fired and escorted out of his office by armed guards. Trump also fired Gordon Sondland, the dude who spilled his guts on all of the Ukrainian errands Trump was running.
BREAKING: Now, all four federal prosecutors on the Stone case have asked the judge to withdraw from the case.
Michael Marando joins the rest of his team including Aaron Zelinsky, Jonathan Kravis, and Adam Jed.
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) February 11, 2020
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
I’m very despondent. Four years ago large swaths of the far left told me they would LOVE to vote for a woman, just not THAT woman. If only Elizabeth Warren was running, they lamented. FF. She had one run in with the messiah and she’s done. With Biden cratering, WHO is going to get black support out of this mess?
I am preparing myself for 4 more years, and honestly, we don’t have a democracy at the end of that.
All for one man’s ego. Well, two men’s egos. Because if Biden hadn’t run, and he had no business doing so, I believe Kamala would still be in. Men have ruined the world.
‘If only AOC were running! She wouldn’t betray the left like that neoliberal shill Liz Warren!’ Every woman knew she’d be turned on sooner or later.
She is so obviously the best fit for the job. The only one with a plan to hold the criminals to account. It is shameful how far the corporate media has gone to stifle her campaign by ignoring her existence. Hardly surprising though, my financier brother says Wall Street genuinely hate her. Bloomberg is running to stop her.
Had Bernie dropped out after his heart attack when she was leading the polls, this would be over. But nooooo. It has to be him. Never mind that it’s the most stressful job going and he’s hiding his medical records.
Right? He refuses to release his medical records! He’s 78 and just had a heart attack. NO woman could get away with this. I honestly cannot believe what I am seeing anymore. I liked Kamala best, and they put a hit on her with that “kamala is a cop” nonsense. That came straight outta Burlington. Then, they took out Warren. It’s really something to see.
Hillary sneezed twice and her coffin was measured up. Elizabeth got snake emojis sent to her for months because she refused to cover up his sexism. Yet he gets away with backtracking on a promise to show his records?
Bernie having freaking life saving surgery and not just endorsing Elizabeth there and then makes me roll my eyes at the messiah complex. We need someone fit to do the job for 8 years. They share 90% of policy positions (except she’s done all her homework on costing and implementation while he gets to skate by on vague promises of uprising). He just couldn’t bear to see someone else do it.
Yeah, Bernie has a special place in cold hell in my mind. All ego and no substance.
And looking at his fairly sudden weight loss in the last year, I don’t think he’s long for this world.
When the Senate voted to acquit Trump we became an autocracy. I’m sure Trump will abuse DoJ and IRS to punish his perceived enemies.
Sorry to tell you, but you already dont have a democracy. Surveys looked into this and already before Drumpf, you had a Oligarchy. Im sure though that as time has gone on democracy gets impossible to get back seeing how things are going…
I was watching MSNBC and someone, I think Brian Williams or Nicole Wallace, pointed out that William Barr intervened and the prosecutors quit right at the height of the polling returns for NH. They don’t think people were paying attention to this news. Those Senators should be ashamed of themselves for acquitting Cheeto. Now he’s operating like the truly unhinged criminal that he is, out in broad daylight because he knows that he can get away with anything.
I think they did it then part for cover and in part because the narcissist can’t stand anyone being the center of attention. Even negative coverage is coverage for a NPD tool like that.
This story has a bit more to it. The prosecutors have asked the judge for permission to withdrawal from the case. Whether she grants or denies the request, I expect her to write a blistering statement of her decision.
One flat out resigned, the others requested to withdraw.
Well, that’s terrifying. He’s not going to leave if he loses. There will be no paper trail. I’m not even sure there will be an election.
I’ve watched all the speeches from the New Hampshire primary and only Elizabeth Warren bothered condemning this. It’s like a shiny circus roadshow the media are all too happy to cover in prime time instead of the fact that the GOP have dismantled democracy.
My mom brought up this point recently and at first I laughed it off but then I started thinking about it. Trump is left unchecked at every turn. Who’s to say he’s going to willingly leave the white house if he does not get reelected?
It just disgusts me that people are acting as though Vindaman is a traitor. Trump is a traitor, he only cares about himself.
Vindman is a patriot ! That a-hole Rush Limbaugh gets the Medal of Honor from the escort who lives in the WH and Vindman gets fired. Trump was acquitted and now has become even more open about his mobster actions. It was just a few days ago that Susan Collins told us not to worry about the acquittal because she was sure that Donnie the Dick had learned his lesson. He learned it alright! He learned that he can do anything he wants because he’s now got Bill Barr paving the way. The founders never envisioned this!
I hope he gets voted out in Nov. Not only was Vindman escorted out, his brother (who had nothing to do with the impeachment) was also escorted out. They are spinning it that it was not a firing. Trump also tweeted that the Army may be looking in to punishing Vindman. There is so much goin on that you cannot keep up with it all. It’s like Trump is doing as much da.age as he can before he is ousted (hopefully).
He’s on twitter today saying Vindman should be “punished” by the military. The mob is in full control now.
Welp, we all knew this would happen. Maybe not so soon, but he’s been completely unleashed and can do whatever the f*ck he wants, and abuse his power in any f*cking way he wants because Turtleface McConnell and the rest of the soulless & spineless GOP (yeah, yeah, Romney, blah blah blah) GAVE him the power to do so. Hey, Susan Collins! Still think he learned his lesson? The dumpster fire is now a raging inferno that cannot be extinguished. I’ve just about lost all hope with this year’s election. He’s not going anywhere.
This is terrifying. Its like you keep thinking “something” will stop them, but nothing will. Trump has full reign and control over the country. Congress wouldn’t stop him. The courts wont stop him.
I’m nervous about him winning in November and I’m nervous about him losing.
Yes, every bad thing that happens, I think it will be done, this is it, but no! My faith in our government to intervene if things get bad is GONE. I can’t believe they’ve allowed this shit show.
Drumpf believes he was exonerated, is on a narcissistic high, believing he is all powerful. He undermines and sabotages everything I love about our country. Getting rid of the judge? Enough.
For months I have been wondering if an Elliott Richardson (Nixon’s AG who resigned when Nixon told him to fire a special prosecutor) would finally step forward in this mess. This isn’t quite the same but it is as close as we are going to get. Yesterday afternoon, when Zelinsky’s resignation was announced, my office came to a standstill. We cheered as each one bravely resigned. If we had a Senate that wasn’t corrupt, this would have been the end of both Barr and Trump.
Similar to my thoughts in that why are so many voices still silent? Not only on this matter, but all the events of the past few weeks. Why aren’t any of the ex-presidents speaking out? Why aren’t Colin Powell or Condi Rice or Madeleine Albright hammering Pompeo?
Just heard Pelosi wants to investigate 45 and Barr’s actions regarding the Stone and Flynn sentencing.
Trump is amoral and probably demented. Barr is flat out evil.
Will this pass the CB guidelines? I won’t wish death on them, but when trump, barr, mcconnell and graham die, it will be the happiest days of my life. All other happy days will fade into insignificance.
To add, 20 or so years ago I was a Bernie fan, I thought he should run for president. I have come to despise him. He and his m-fing cultists contributed to this Reign of Terror we’re in now. Berniecrats are as bad as trumpanzees. They are the Scientologists of the political world, brainwashed. I already see them all over SM saying if my man doesn’t win the primaries I’m not voting. They’d prefer trump over any other Dem. Assholes.
agree with every word.
“He and his m-fing cultists contributed to this Reign of Terror we’re in now. Berniecrats are as bad as trumpanzees.”
Yes.
I loathe Bernie and his crazy cult followers are no better than the MAGAts.
My sister and I both like Kamala Harris. (I was super bummed when she quit). My sister voted for Bernie last time in the primaries, but now regrets it. She thinks if Bernie wins the primaries, she won’t vote. I told her, “You have to vote! You can’t not!! Anything is better than the douche who’s currently in office!!”
Hopefully I have convinced her otherwise. He will never get out of office if we don’t go out in droves to oppose him. We need to tell everyone the same!
If Bernie or Pete gets the nom I’ll hold my nose and campaign and vote for him. But, frankly, I believe both will be mowed down by the corrupt trumputin machine. I think either one will lose and might take down the House.
From the other side of the Atlantic America currently looks like a pariah state, run by Mussolini and his henchmen. I feel so agonised for all you decent people over there, for the people of colour, children in cages, women whose rights are being trampled, LGBTQIA+ and the environment. Heartbreaking
This is our reality. We are not represented. We are not equal. Laws and rules only apply to the lower 90%. We are governed by the corrupt. Democracy is an illusion, a facade, a buzzword card to be flicked into political hats at every strata to placate and subdue. To win is to scream louder. We are no longer a united collective of states. We have been divided, and we are being conquered. I may rant and rave and spew a hatred for hatred, but I have no platform. I am not a Representative. I am not a Senator. So I appeal to our Congress. It is a constant exercise in futility. They say nothing. They do nothing. DC is a cesspool. Instead of draining the swamp, it has been reinforced through criminal and traitorous deals, denying truths and liberties and fortifying malevolence. I’m so very happy to be an American.
Remember all the talking heads who said ‘don’t worry, we have checks and balances…’ the Congress is gone, now the courts, so much for that. No matter what sentence he gets, you can bet he’ll be pardoned. It’s all so sick and sad.
The GOP’s silent coup has been decades in the making. They have the media, the courts, and the Senate. Checks and balances are a thing of the past.
Sometimes I get really mad about the Democratic primary, the fact that so much of the discourse revolves around voters in the whitest states in the country and a bunch of white candidates who barely reach 50% support among AA voters when put together … and then I read an article like this one, and I’m like, why do you even get mad? It won’t matter. There is no way Parmesan Putin will accept to leave in 2020. He will either cheat like in 2016 but on a bigger scale as he now has the power of the presidency or he loses at the ballots but refuses to leave power. I could say it’s a true banana republic, but frankly that would be an insult to banana republics.
Let’s not despair, let’s get to work. We can start in Kentucky, where about 1.3 million people will vote in the senate election this November. Let’s help flip it. The democratic candidate, Amy McGrath, was in the Marines for 20 years and flew 89 combat missions against al Qaeda and the Taliban. Her opponent is a chicken hawk with a deeply murky service record.
Kentucky elected a Democratic governor a couple of moths ago. Amy can beat Moscow Mitch.
Moscow Mitch just killed another election security bill yesterday. It’s not going to be easy when they are basically working on stealing this election in plain sight.
But I agree with your sentiment. We have to keep working to get these corrupt aholes out!
Vindman wasn’t fired, he was REASSIGNED. He remains employed in the Defense Department.
And his twin brother? What did his brother do to get ‘reassigned?’ Both are American heroes who did nothing but uphold their oath. To say otherwise is ridiculous…and unpatriotic. (I’m a vet and appalled at this firing and that’s what it is).
@H.
I’m a federal employee and I’m not surprised he was REASSIGNED. It happens all the time. Sure, it was vindictive, but consider the source: TRUMP. That’s what he does.
The reassignment was still retaliation and against the law. And since dump puts all his thoughts in tweets, there is no denying the intent of the reassignment, especially with the new threats he is making.
Plus he had asked to be reassigned at the end of the month. So POTUS pushing him out is really to show he’s the one in power and seeking revenge. It is not normal and it’s not ok.
yes. Retaliation not only against him, but his brother as well.
He was REASSIGNED because the Crook-in-Chief wants all honest people out so they can’t be subpoenaed to testify about the criminality they witness. It was RETALIATION. Is that so hard to understand?
I understand completely. Calm down!
I’m quite calm considering the dystopia we’re in. Just wondering why you felt the need to point out he was REASSIGNED as if all the political nerds here didn’t know that. You made it sound like NBD instead of the retaliation it was, especially the inclusion of his brother and marching them out of the WH for all to see.
Jerusha, I was merely pointing out the fact that he wasn’t fired. That is “fake news” and it’s up to all of us to point out the truth. Not “all political nerds” (as you refer to them) understand that he wasn’t fired. The news media is to blame, they are suggesting he was fired when he was not. And by the way, you’re reading something into this that I didn’t suggest – that it’s NBD. This isn’t the first time someone is reassigned to a different government job and it won’t be the last time, either. It’s happened in previous administrations. In this situation yes, it is a vindictive action by the Trump Administration toward the Vindman brothers, it’s an ugly retaliation for one of them telling the truth under oath in response to a subpoena. I’m as outraged about this as you apparently are, but I don’t go attacking posters who are merely pointing out the facts.
My sincere apologies, Vava. With everything going down lately I’m just super salty and snappish. We absolutely do not need to be fighting with each other. Once again, my apologies for taking your comment wrong.
I never thought I could hate anyone more than Dick Cheney, but now I have a baker’s dozen of more hateds. I spend way too much time praying for you can imagine what.
Jerusha, no need to apologize. The state of affairs in this country are degrading from a low that was unimaginable not too long ago. We need to remain passionate about removing these corrupt people from power and getting rid of all the members of Trump’s Cult, which was once the Republican Party. I, too, think about how the world would be a better place is these goons were to check out permanently. It’s exhausting and it’s taking a toll on lots of us. That’s exactly what the Russians want – they want to beat the good Americans down so that this lame excuse of a regime will continue. Hang in there – let’s fight this together!
👍🏻❤️
At first I was frustrated that they all quit, leaving yet another office to be filled with his toadies. But after I slept on it, I couldn’t blame them. Why stay in a job when your bosses undermine and vilify your work?
Even though I have been exhorting people to get off their asses and vote and will still vote myself, the hard truth is – we’re already done as a Democratic Republic. The only reason the 2020 elections matter at this point is the hope that someone will be able to keep a record that we all tried. Way too late and way too little, but we tried.
Because honestly, he’s not going anywhere. If he loses, he’ll just scream that it was rigged and he has the GOP and the DOJ to back him up. And every day sees him more confident in that. If he wins, he’ll just find a way to suspend open elections because there’s no way he’s going to let go of a House majority that has let him steamroll over everything.
People like to say that part of the reason things are so easily being dismantled is because the founding fathers couldn’t imagine our present scenario. I disagree – I think they could all too easily imagine it. What they didn’t foresee was how quickly Americans would roll over and let it happen.
What GRABBYHANDS said. Also, look for Trump to order criminal investigations into the person who becomes his democratic opponent. They may not be thrown in prison but he could use the DoJ and media to muddle the water enough that Democrats suffer at the ballot box. I also suspect he will go after journalists and talking heads who’ve criticized him.
A big part of the reason why we’re in this mess is because the Democrats have been operating as though we still have a functioning democracy. We needed bold action more than four years ago. From Obama, from Comey, from Mueller. But they didn’t want to rock the boat or interfere with the process of our “checks and balances”. Where are all of the people who’ve originally “served” under Trump only to resign or be fired? Are they going on every news program and media outlet letting America know of the danger? No, they’re angling for the best book deal they can get.
I feel like the only hope we have is Father Time. These are old people. It’s probably naivety on my part but I hope we can begin to fix things as they die off. They don’t care about the future, just the now. We have to play the long game just as they have.
You’d be surprised how many “old” people are Anti-Trump. Better work on getting those who are not “old” people to get out and vote.
Actually, cholesterol is our only hope.
@Swack. I was mainly referring to Trump and the GOP. It’s the party of old, white people and I was stating the hold that party has on this country will hopefully lessen as they die off. I know plenty of older folks are anti-Trump and God Bless ’em for it. As fr your comment about young people, I’ve attended two impeachment rallies and the crowds have always been a mixture of both young and old.
@portlandjan. Good point. This may be a sick thought, but I wonder if Trump will incidentally kill off a good portion of his base as he succeeds in destroying the healthcare of the less fortunate. I don’t mean metaphorically either. As we know, many Trump supporters are poor. They could actually die from his policies.
I just want to point out that career DOJ attorneys are civil servants in the best sense. DOJ is very selective about who they hire so these people are often the cream of the crop, from the best law schools and graduating at the top of their class. They could go anywhere in the private sector and quickly and easily make 3-4 times what they make at the Department of Justice.
But they stay and do the job because they want to serve their country.
That’s who Trump is pushing aside for his corrupt agenda.
This is the absolute truth. Those 4 attorneys are heroes! I hope that lawyers are now looking at Bill Barr’s bar license! His groveling perversion of justice for his master is repulsive and also violates his oaths as AG and as a lawyer.
I want some brave souls in the DOJ to expose what’s going on there. I want the entire thing blown up and those criminals disbarred.
I’m not even going to bother voting. What’s the point? He’ll be re-elected because the system is rigged and because he basically has worshippers at this point who will stand with him even if he killed someone in live tv. No matter what he does, how bad, how corrupt, it doesn’t sway them. It sickens me and makes me feel ashamed to live here
It’s tempting to take a defeatist attitude and think nothing will help, but that’s how the bad guys win. We need every single vote in every state. Vote Blue No Matter Who. I will even if my choice is not on the ballot. Stakes are too high.
If you don’t vote, then you are part of the problem.
You should still go vote. Because you usually don’t only vote for POTUS but also for a congressperson, a senator, local representatives and THOSE elections matter a lot.
You need to vote, no matter what! Despite all this doom and gloom — his polling numbers are still low — only his base plus a few outliers. He is still solidly in the high 30s to 40%. That is not enough to win the election, no matter how you slice the pie.
You have to take the average of polls. There was a poll out at 49% — which was an anomaly. Take that with all the other polls conducted – and he’s solidly stuck at 39-40%. All this hyperventilating by the news is just that — the media NEEDS you to turn in for their ratings. HOW are they going to do that? By pushing these OMG WE ARE DOOMED scenarios every day.
Things DO look awful now. I’m not going to sugar coat it. Barr is a criminal working for a criminal. But did you know the NY State Bar is investigating him? There have been numerous complaints and maybe a lawsuit — if they take away his law license he literally cannot be Attorney General.
We need to remember November is still months away — and if they held the election today, that buffoon would not win. Even Republican strategists are saying old white people and evangelicals are NOT enough to win. The orange stain NEEDS a big percentage of black people AND brown people to vote for him in order for him to win. These token people he trots out to “Prove” he’s not a racist piece of s*** are just that — paid shills.
So, for now let’s NOT give up. THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT. They want everyone to be so demoralized they don’t vote so they can walk away with this election and continue their reign of terror. DO NOT GIVE THAT TO THEM WILLINGLY. At least if we go down, we go down FIGHTING.
Thank you for that info. It certainly gives insight. Now here’s to hoping Bernie isn’t the candidate
The whole point of having a states rights system that can contend with the federal government is for situations like this. Voting in EVERY election, no matter how small, now becomes critical in order to create havens from federal abuse of power. You don’t vote in 2020 across the board, you remove one more check on the power being abused here. At the very least, fight for your state senates.
Barr just announced that he’s taking a personal interest in every DOJ case that involves tRump. No one is even hiding it anymore.
Is there any chance the judge will be so thoroughly disgusted by these idiots trying to meddle that Stone will actually get more time than what the prosecutors originally asked for? I’d love it if the official judicial response to Barr and Trump was “LOL. No.”
If that happens Trump will pardon him. I think Trump doesn’t want to pardon him if possible as it would make him look bad. Though just read that some are pushing for Trump to pardon him.
Judge Jackson has denied a motion by Stone for a new trial. This was a week ago, but this judge seems no nonsense, not cowed by trump.
https://twitter.com/kyledcheney/status/1227682864302632965?s=21
I always believe if you want to get anus mouth to stop, you’d have to remove the front line people (Barr/Turtle McMurtle). Barr needs to be disbarred. How can you be an attorney general if you lose your license? Someone file a complaint against him with the DC bar? McTurtle needs to lose his position or some GOPers need to lose theirs so the Senate is no longer GOP dominated. Once it turns over to Dems, McTurtle is no longer majority leader. Dems take back Congress, they can significantly handicap anus mouth. Make him stroke out even better.