Pardon me Trump, but you are not above the law!

It is one of these rare moments, when the powerful and executives understand how hard their case are failing, how much dirt and how much sinister outrage that will come out an investigation, that they will do and use all kind means to get there. That is the state of affairs within the New York Gang aka White House aka Trump Organization aka Russian Mob. There are just too much collusion and shade of grey to cease to amaze. The connections and inner-works. If President Trump was innocent, he would threat and sack law officers like James Comey or trying to figure out how to do it to Special Investigator Robert Mueller. He would have continued to spend time at Trump Resorts and played golf. Instead, he does this:

“Trump has asked his advisers about his power to pardon aides, family members and even himself in connection with the probe, according to one of those people. A second person said Trump’s lawyers have been discussing the president’s pardoning powers among themselves Trump’s legal team declined to comment on the issue. But one adviser said the president has simply expressed a curiosity in understanding the reach of his pardoning authority, as well as the limits of Mueller’s investigation” (Washington Post, 20.07.2017).

It seems like the President knows his predicament and trying to figure a way out and not leave scores of hurt for his family and his empire. Since Mueller is extending his team and his efforts into investigations. That is why Trump are disgusted with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from the Russian Probe and answered out of loyalty to the Senate. Certainly, the tale of how the President will maneuver and act is not predicable, but he will only act in own interests and not for the sake of justice. If so, he would have given more funding to the works that former FBI director Comey was doing. Alas, he did not. The specialness out of it all, is that President Richard Nixon, asked the same questions about possible pardoning of himself and his team. Just days before his end of reign. Here is what the then Department of Justice representative wrote on the matter in 1974!

“Presidential or Legislative Pardon of the President:

Under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case, the President cannot pardon himself. If under the Twenty-Fifth Amendment the President declared that he was temporarily unable to perform the duties of the office, the Vice President would become Acting President and as such could pardon the President. Thereafter the President could either resign or resume the duties of his office. Although as a general matter Congress cannot enact amnesty or pardoning legislation, because to do so would interfere with the pardoning power vested expressly in the President by the Constitution, it could be argued that a congressional pardon granted to the President would not interfere with the President’s pardoning power because that power does not extend to the President himself. August 5, 1974” (Mary C. Lawton, Presidential or Legislative Pardon of the President – 1974).

So now, the President is looking for a way out. The road ahead looks rocky for the President who has internal shake-ups and well as finding the best way out the scandal and mess. Who does not look better for by every day that passes by. The more people look into his business, his New York Gang and everything with his name. It turns sour.

Just as CBS News reports: “There’s been a shakeup in President Trump’s legal team. Marc Kasowitz is out as Mr. Trump’s personal attorney, CBS News chief White House correspondent Major Garrett reports. And Kasowitz’s spokesman, Mark Corallo, has resigned, Garrett says.The reasons for the moves were not immediately known” (CBS News, 2017).

The legal team that now have to defend the President is Ty Cobb, Jay Sekulow and John Dowd. Clearly, these men has enormous challenge ahead as the legal case are growing and the relationships, the financial transactions and the whole Trump Organization is scrutinized by the Mueller investigation. Nothing is left to fate and see, it is checked and verified by the ones who has the authority. Even as the threats and the rumors of firing Mueller have come as well. Just as he fired Comey, but how much tampering with his own investigation can the American people.

If he we’re to fire Mueller, he had to fire Attorney General Sessions, who would give way to Deputy AG Rosenstein, who could appeal the Special Counsel, but if he doesn’t, that means that the President has to fire him as well. Than if possible repeal the act that gives authority to the investigation. That seem far-fetched, but if all botched ideas comes into play and Trump see this as a way out.

My final question, if this Russian Probe was not anything and had no real life effect. Why would Mr. President try to figure out the Powers of the Presidential Pardons?

Since, that is not an authority sanctioned with ease and for fun, except to few turkeys now and then. The rest of the time to serious offenders or for people wrongfully detained and incarcerated. That sort of act has not been done in favor of people close to the President and his family. Clearly, the President thinks that he is beyond and above the law. Peace.

Reference:

Carol D. Leonnig, Ashley Parker, Rosalind S. Helderman and Tom Hamburger – ‘Trump team seeks to control, block Mueller’s Russia investigation’ (20.07.2017) link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-lawyers-seek-to-undercut-muellers-russia-investigation/2017/07/20/232ebf2c-6d71-11e7-b9e2-2056e768a7e5_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_trumplegal-925pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.a25bf0c8e0ad

CBS News – ‘Marc Kasowitz and Mark Corallo depart Trump’s legal team’ (21.07.2017) link: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/corallo-kasowitz-depart-trump-legal-team/

U.S. Treasury fines ExxonMobile meager $2m for violation of the Russian-Ukraine Sanctions!

Some days you wonder if the connections of the New York isn’t to strong for the moment. When the joys of their loot and their power is not making them lose their senses. The common sense is clearly gone, as the company formerly run by Rex Tillerson, the now State Secretary of United States. Who couldn’t care less about the relationship between the United States of America and the Russian Federation. As the illegal and not internationally accepted annexation of the Crimea from the Republic of Ukraine happen. Still, even as that was happening the former Standard Oil baby ExxonMobile decided to be a trading partner and create opportunities in the vast resources in Russia and Russian territories. Now today they we’re fined, but that was a little slap on their wrist, as the real wealth inside the deal shows how much they really could have earned. Therefore, the crime and the penalty doesn’t fit. The Company gets away with a heist, but has to pay small interests for doing so. Now they are waiting for the possible time for their giant payoff and this will be simple write-off in their results in the next quarterly estimates. This sort of fine isn’t that serious, as it can easily chop it off and continue to eat.

First we will look into what the Wall Street Journal wrote about the deal between Russia and ExxonMobile, the second and third are about today’s fine and you see why it insulting fine to give.

A U.S. official said the new penalties would affect Exxon’s current drilling in the icy Kara Sea with its Kremlin-controlled partner, OAO Rosneft, though the extent of the impact was unclear Thursday. No other Western energy company has as much direct exposure to Russia as Exxon, thanks to a $3.2 billion deal giving the company access to a swath of the Arctic larger than Texas that could hold the equivalent of billions of barrels of oil and gas. Officials in Europe, which has extensive trade links to Russia, have insisted that Western nations share the fallout from sanctions against Moscow. Russia has said it would retaliate against additional sanctions with measures of its own, further heightening the risks to companies operating there, legal experts said. Exxon is “assessing the sanctions,” said Alan Jeffers, a company spokesman. “It’s our policy to comply with all laws.” (Gilbert, 2014)

ExxonMobil Corporation Assessed a Penalty for Violating the Ukraine-Related Sanctions Regulations: ExxonMobil Corp., oflrving, Texas, including its U.S. subsidiaries ExxonMobil Development Company and ExxonMobil Oil Corp. (collectively, “ExxonMobil”), has been assessed a civil monetary penalty of $2,000,000 for violations of the Ukraine-Related Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 589 (Ukraine-Related Sanctions Regulations). Between on or about May 14, 2014 and on or about May 23, 2014, ExxonMobil violated§ 589.201 of the Ukraine Related Sanctions Regulations when the presidents of its U.S. subsidiaries dealt in services of an individual whose property and interests in property were blocked, namely, by signing eight legal documents related to oil and gas projects in Russia with Igor Sechin, the President of Rosneft OAO, 1 and an individual identified on OF AC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (the “SDN List”) (referred to hereinafter as an “SDN”)” (U.S. Treasury, 20.07.2017).

OF AC considered the following to be aggravating factors: (1) ExxonMobil demonstrated reckless disregard for U.S. sanctions requirements when it failed to consider warning signs associated with dealing in the blocked services of an SDN; (2) ExxonMobil’s senior-most executives knew of Sechin’ s status as an SDN when they dealt in the blocked services of Sechin; (3) ExxonMobil caused significant harm to the Ukraine-related sanctions program objectives by engaging the services of an SDN designated on the basis that he is an official of the Government of the Russian Federation contributing to the crisis in Ukraine; and (4) ExxonMobil is a sophisticated and experienced oil and gas company that has global operations and routinely deals in goods, services, and technology subject to U.S economic sanctions and U.S. export controls” (U.S. Treasury, 20.07.2017).

So it’s okay, the company ExxonMobile was fined for intervening in a Republic and inside a state where there was clear sanctions against trade. That was something Rex Tillerson knew and also the Russian counterparts, but ExxonMobile didn’t care. They just wanted the profits and earn on the fragile arctic and also into areas like the annexed Crimea. This shows the intent of profiting while being under sanctions and not respecting the laws of the United States and being a registered company residing in the United States.

This show the ethical backdrop of the New York Gang and the Administration of today, we cannot know how much the company earned before the stop between Rosneft and ExxonMobile. The suspension of activity between them. What we can imagine is that it was vastly more than the little they paid for breaking the law. Peace.

Reference:

Gilbert, Daniel – ‘Sanctions Over Ukraine Put Exxon at Risk’ (11.09.2014) – Wall Street Journal

United State Senate – Committee of the Judiciary letter to Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP requesting documents relating to the Russian Probe (19.07.2017)

United States Senate – Committee of the Judiciary letter to the Trump Organization requesting documents relating to the Russian Probe (19.07.2017)

United States Senate – Committee of the Judiciary letter to Donald Trump Junior requesting documents relating to the Russian Probe (19.07.2017)

United States Senate – Committe of the Judiciary letter to Paul Manafort requesting documents relating to the Russian Probe (19.07.2017)

The New York Gang operates with quid-pro-quo to Russia, while Russian Probe continues!

The more drip drops of intelligence and inner-works of the Trump Campaign. The more will know of the New York Gang operates, since the Russian ties does not stop. Secondly, the favorable approach came to standstill yesterday. When the U.S. State Secretary Rex Tillerson plans to shut down the Cyber Office of State Department, which is suspicious when hackers had tampered with the last election. Seems, like a helping hand from the U.S. Government there.

That was not it yesterday, CIA suddenly gave way to President Bashar Al-Assad and a Russian Ally of President Vladimir Putin in the Middle East, as they suspended their program to train and equip moderate opposition forces fighting the third generation tyrant. What a noble approach up-easing the relationship with the Russians, while giving way to the Syrian government to do as they please in the midst of the long continued civil war.

While earlier this week, the President Trump had two meetings with Putin at G-20, one disclosed, another one failed to mentioned, again the second one alone and only with Russian translator, none from the U.S. State to confirm the discussions. Just like the secret unknown talks in the Trump Tower at 9th June 2016, the talks between the Presidents was about adoption. Well, if it has to be a secret, surely they must eventually adopt the Trump Family. They seem so like connected families by now.

The New York Gang and all their ties are now getting into bonkers levels. The GOP does not say anything or intervene. They look idly by hoping the flames of destruction does not hurt them. However, it will, since the President are a part of them and their campaigning was a collective effort. Not like the GOP can be like a fish out of water.

That Donald Trump Junior in the past has been in Russia as speaker, beneficiary and he has even spoken highly of the profits made in Russia. The same has Eric Trump done, he has bragged about the money coming in from there. Even Ivanka Trump has been on vacation with the girlfriend of the Russian President. The ties between the Trump’s and Russians are insane. Therefore, the praises of the Russian President and the warm relationship between is not so strange considering it all.

That Kremlin and Moscow have nurtured it would not seem strange considering they have worked on the man since the 1980s and has steady efforts all along. Many times Trump has said the Russians been good to him in the press over the years. Therefore, the conspiracy is not so hard to grasp when considering it all. Secondly, the unwillingness to show the IRS Tax Returns, to open books for the public of the Trump Organization as they are called a Russian Laundromat, as part of white-washing operation from Moscow. Could clearly be obvious reasons for the lacking of transparency of the family corporation?

That now in the press today to NYT are mad at Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the Russian Probe and wished he hired someone else. In addition, not believing his answers at the Senate Hearing, which was charade of answering, not as if he tried to come forward with an honest testimony. This shows the inner workings of the President. As his loyalty and that, he thinks he can stand beyond the law. As the case against him will be strong and have all the factors in it. The firing of FBI Director James Comey and all the other trying to stop further investigations.

President Trump fury over Sessions comes from the recusal, since that leaves him powerless to fire Special Investigator Robert Mueller, who are digging at the pockets of Trump and looking into his family members in and around the White House. Which are obviously dangerous for Trump and all of it would possibly hurt him, therefore he is willingly firing Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein or repeal the Special Counsel Regulation, but by then he would have tampered with the investigation twice. Clearly, showing the wide world that this is not conspiracy of crime, but actually acts of crime.

There are massive lose ends, the bank loans to his businesses. The workings of Bayrock LLC, and the other parts of the Trump Organization that the New York Gang ran together. All of the men who is advisors and such in Campaign team who had ties to Russia, who had meetings and certainly did not disclose it all when entering in the White House. The amounts of lies and deception should frighten anyone. Seemingly, even with all of this and possible collective shutdown of sincerity does not affect the Republican Senators or Representatives, they just let the Trump family run wild in the White House.

So when the investigation get into the monies of the Trump Organization and get the paperwork for New York Gang operation, than the Trump Presidency going to ballistic. It has already proven it by sacking Comey and Bharara for getting to close to the honey pot and now it seems like the whole ordeal will happen again.

This is not just about a meeting with a group of Russians the 9th June 2016, this about collusion and also about the intricate relationship between the Trump Family and associates, that all have been included in the cabinet and gotten leadership roles in the New York Gang administration. That also the GOP and the RNC silence shows the hostile takeover, as even Paul Ryan knew about and certainly also Mitch McConnell. Since none of them are acting upon the subpoenas or hearing amongst the top officials around Trump. This scandal will not make United States better, but clearly, that Putin has made American governance into chaos and gotten a bargain.

That Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Junior and Paul Manafort has to testify to Senate hearing is all good, while they have time preparing their defenses. Clearly, Kushner who has lied on security clearance dozens of times already will have to work hard with attorney to fix the stories. Donald Trump Junior has only on the 9th June 2016 meeting had three different tales about that, what about all the questions coming up and what will Manafort do when they corner him on the economic ties to Kremlin and others, will he not recall as well like Sessions?

Time will tell, but the speculation combined with the erratic behavior of Trump do not make it easier, especially considering his tendency to fire and suspend operations when he can. Seems like it is impossible for him to build anything. Been a long while ago since he made something genuine. All the Russian connections, the Russian business associates, the secrets meetings, the lies and the drip drop just shows how they infiltrated it all. Since they knew if they come forward, they would seem like workers for the Russians and not representatives for Americans. Peace.

The historical call between Kissinger and Marder: Shows how the NSA became a WaPo source!

In December 12, 1972 there was a unique phone call between Journalist Murray Marder at the Washington Post and the then National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger under President Richard Nixon. Here we can see allegations from the Washington Post and the Nixon Government warfare in Vietnam. How it is explained and how the sudden approach of Marder get the truth and also get Kissinger to explain the situation, instead of getting angry and stop listening to press. Something, today’s government should learn, since this is not stopping the spin, but explaining the facts. Also, come forward. We are even seeing that Kissinger went to become “government source”, instead of being named in paper. Just take a look!

Let me show you pieces of the conservation between Marder and Kissinger to give some context:

Kissinger: Yes, Murray.

Marder: Henry —-

Kissinger: Not that goddamn paper deserves a return call

Marder: Ah, you mean the editorial or me or what?

Kissinger: The Editorial. No you’ve been 80 % rational. But for a newspaper that’s accusing us of not showing enough goodwill; now to accuse us of naivety is almost more than one’s morality can stand. But go ahead, you’re not responsible for the editorial”

He later continues:

Marder: This is what I wanted to get at because the Press Office response was it was untrue that Kissinger asked for 126 charges. But we said, well, we thought it was too much because that leaves the question: “well, was it 125 or was it anything or was it –”

Kissinger: The last day we asked for none whatsoever. You know, I don’t know how the sons-of-bitches are counting – they might, during the course of 15 days, if they count every word that was ever suggested in these discussions, they might amount to something, I don’t know. We did not – – there were never more than 8 points seriously at issue at any time during the 15 days. All of this is off-the-record”

Later again:

Marder: Which I’m not trying to do obviously because of this is the kind of thing you get a sweeping accusation from somebody of 126 charges.

Kissinger: The major issue that was discussed occurred in one place and did not recur through the document.

Marder: um-humm.

Kissinger: It is just not true.

Marder: Right.

Kissinger: You know, it might be hard to accept it. The U.S. Government may be telling the truth and Hanoi may be lying but it’s just barely conceivable.

Marder: No, the question here was just simple the way the way he is slinging the 126 around, it was obvious to anybody following this that there are not 126 charges probably in the entire agreement in any substantive form and he has gone on to say that – –

Kissinger: Look, can anybody really believe that having negotiated the Berlin agreement, the Shanghai communique, the SALT agreement, that one could be so wrong at the end of October as to think that 126 issues could be settled in three or four days?

Marder: No, I would think absolutely not.

Kissinger: Or is it more likely that we raised exactly the issues that I mentioned at the end of October? Issues on the assumption of a decisions to settle are easy. And on the assumption of a decision not to settle become insoluble.

Marder: Yeah, yes. I would have no problem with that”

Later in the conversation:

Marder: What is not clear to me is do you see a probability of them dumping everything into that record? That would mean a break and everything if they would go that far.

Kissinger: They wouldn’t do that; they wouldn’t look to good.

Marder: I would think there is a limit. The point is that they probably do not want to break off the negotiations but want to register some great indignation and dismay and generate whatever support pressures from China and Moscow to support them there.

Kissinger: I think that’s right. Murray, I’ve got to run but will you write this please by keeping White House or anybody else out of it.

Marder: All right but I must use something – – Administration sources said the charge of 126 has no foundation whatsoever.

Kissinger: That’s right”

Finally:

Marder: This is why I called you because the White House thing left that hanging.

Kissinger: Hell, it wasn’t anything like 10. I mean, in fact, only 10 things that were ever seriously discussed.

Marder: Right.

Kissinger: There may be a lot of things but all of this is basically irrelevant because all of those issues have in fact practically been settled.

Marder: Right, right. Just one brief thing, the timing discernible at all on any next move on their part?

Kissinger: I have no estimate on that.

Marder: Um-humm.

Kissinger: Okay, Murray.

Marder: Thank you, Henry.

Kissinger: Right. Tell ______ that I deeply appreciate his editorial.

Marder: I will”

If you see how the conservation was between the National Security Advisor and Washington Post Journalist. Shows how the political game is played and what efforts being made. How it went from I hate that editorial, to I appreciate it. Certainly, politician will act first in defense and say the papers are wrong. But when he changed and listened to Kissinger, the story got altered and the information being given made sense. So it wasn’t a spin. Maybe, the White House of today could learn from it today.

USA: House Democrats letter ask the FBI to review Ivanka Trump’s Security Clearance after failure to disclose husbands (Kushner) meetings with Foreign Officials (19.07.2017)

Kid Rock’s Senate Race in 2018 in Michigan would be yet another celebrity into politics!

In a not to distant future the world has to all remember the legacy of men like reality star and real-estate supposed tycoon becoming President of the United States, that being Donald Trump winning the election in November 2016. That after a two year stint of campaigning and doing whatever he could become the Commander-in-Chief. That actually happen by all reach of margins off the electoral college and getting the position. So now in Michigan, there is seemingly a new type of race going to happen possibly between the Democrat Senator Debbie Stabenow and against Republican Robert James Ritchie aka Kid Rock.

There are some different reports on Kid Rock’s candidacy, let’s look at them:

At least since “Devil Without a Cause”—his breakthrough LP, from 1998, which sold more than eleven million copies in the U.S.—Kid Rock has self-styled as a patriotic iconoclast, a rebel cowboy on a rampage against anything effete, élite, or soft. He is particularly enraged by rules or customs that might be construed as infringements on personal freedom, such as the choice to meld rap and rock into a shouty, bullish pastiche. He did not invent the right-wing-outlaw archetype—he’s preceded, in music, by the rock guitarist and N.R.A. activist Ted Nugent, the country singer Hank Williams, Jr., and others—but he nonetheless revels in its actualization” (Petrusich, 2017).

If Rock is really preparing to run for Senate, it’s news to the Michigan Republican Party. The Michigan GOP has “not had any contact with him at all,” spokeswoman Sarah Anderson said Thursday, “so I can’t speak to the validity of it.” Although the state party does not endorse in Republican primaries, potential candidates typically talk to GOP leaders and activists around the state before launching campaigns. Rock caused an uproar Wednesday when he tweeted a mock image of a political lawn sign and said his website is “absolute YES” for real” (Gerstein, 2017).

He also responded to incumbent Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who’d tweeted, “I know we both share a love of music. I concede he’s better at playing guitar and I’ll keep doing what I do best: fighting for Michigan.” His take? “I concede she is better at playing politics than I am, so I’ll keep doing what I do best, which is being a voice for tax paying, hardworking AMERICANS,” said Rock, who hasn’t kept his Trump-supporting ideology under wraps” (…) “ The “Kid Rock for U.S. Senate” website diverts from the typical parameters associated with campaign-affiliated sites in a number of ways. For example, campaign sites must confirm that potential donors are U.S. citizens before completing any transactions” (Czachor, 2017).

Now that we see this, it wouldn’t be shocking in the state of affairs in the United States that Kid Rock would suddenly become a politician. There been certainly a dozen other public figures who became politicians in the United States, even Ronald Reagan was in commercials before becoming President. Therefore, the legacy of the American Democracy would not be destroyed, but would be more of a show. Since the President of the current day is a former reality star and that is showing in his persona.

That this would be a special election in Michigan and the state would certainly become galvanized by such a candidate. As the Democrats knows the volatile state after other election losses of late. Not that the Republicans are Teflon, since the scandals surrounding the President keeps them more hurt and less to show for in their time as majority. Especially considering the devastating legislation’s trough the Congress. This will not benefit a Republican candidate in Michigan and the rest of the Senate races, but a wild-card might help. Certainly, a Kid Rock would be a wild-card and would be something else. After a while, the public see what something does as President and they want to vote for safety instead.

Time will tell, if it is a PR Campaign, if it is real start of campaign as the settling with FEC to become candidate has to happen. Also where he disclose what needed to the state before becoming a candidate. Clearly, he needs also to connect with the Republican Party. If he is not planning to run as an independent. But then the musician turned candidate will work against the two biggest parties. Than, he can’t only run on his celebrity status, but has to show that he is a genuine candidate.

Time will tell if he is a real candidate, who will follow protocol and become a possible senator. If he decides to do so, then the Michigan race will be special for the Senate in 2018. Peace.

Reference:

Czachor, Emily Mae – ‘Kid Rock for U.S. Senate? ‘It’s not a hoax,’ he says. ‘It’s a strategy.’ (14.07.2017) link: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-entertainment-news-updates-july-kid-rock-1500056630-htmlstory.html

Gerstein, Michael – ‘Kid Rock amps up Senate tease with expletives’ (13.07.2017) link: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/13/kid-rock-senate-run-comments/103678072/

Petrusich, Amanda – ‘Kid Rock’s Senate Run Is a Terrifying New Normal’ (13.07.2017) link: http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/kid-rocks-senate-run-is-a-terrifying-new-normal