Read on Twitter
Here is a clear signal that:
1) Trump fired US Atty Berman in bad faith
2) @jonathanturley will turley.
Clayton’s term expires in 2021, according to SEC website. He doesn’t need a new job. And US Attys resign at the end of an administration(likely 2021). https://twitter.com/jonathanturley/status/1274713955773100037
1) Trump fired US Atty Berman in bad faith
2) @jonathanturley will turley.
Clayton’s term expires in 2021, according to SEC website. He doesn’t need a new job. And US Attys resign at the end of an administration(likely 2021). https://twitter.com/jonathanturley/status/1274713955773100037
Furthermore, SEC commissioners serve 5 year terms. Clayton was appointed 2017. Even if his term as chair ends in 2021, it appears his term as commissioner goes to 2022. And they can continue 18 more months.
Unless I’m missing something, Clayton would be giving up a year or more.
Unless I’m missing something, Clayton would be giving up a year or more.
3/ THREAD:
Let me explain why I think Barr fired Berman on Friday.
Think about how many cases Mueller had spun out to SDNY. E.g., Trump Inauguration.
Now think about the DOJ norm against indictments right before an election.
The last window for indictments is June-July.
Let me explain why I think Barr fired Berman on Friday.
Think about how many cases Mueller had spun out to SDNY. E.g., Trump Inauguration.
Now think about the DOJ norm against indictments right before an election.
The last window for indictments is June-July.
4/ I'll detail some of these investigations below. But here's my theory:
Someone in SDNY was pushing for an indictment in a major Trump-related case now, knowing that the pre-election window likely closes after July.
By correct protocol, Berman informed Barr & Main Justice...
Someone in SDNY was pushing for an indictment in a major Trump-related case now, knowing that the pre-election window likely closes after July.
By correct protocol, Berman informed Barr & Main Justice...
5/ That wouldn't be Berman's fault. He needed to go by the book (to inform Main Justice of any major indictment).
Barr flew up to NYC to meet Berman on Friday. I am speculating that Barr told him no. That meeting went badly.
Friday night, Barr panicked & botched the removal.
Barr flew up to NYC to meet Berman on Friday. I am speculating that Barr told him no. That meeting went badly.
Friday night, Barr panicked & botched the removal.
6/ Getting rid of Berman doesn't let Trump/Barr replace him with their own crony.
We know they didn't want the job to go to non-crony Audrey Strauss, but the plan was so legally erroneous and politically stupid, it backfired.
This was clearly not a well-thought out plan.
Panic.
We know they didn't want the job to go to non-crony Audrey Strauss, but the plan was so legally erroneous and politically stupid, it backfired.
This was clearly not a well-thought out plan.
Panic.
7/ Keep in mind that Trump tried to fire Mueller, but his staff (McGahn) ignored him b/c they understood the backlash.
Barr is crazier/more confrontational than McGahn, but he still understands backlash.
So what kinds of cases would get Barr/Trump to panic and pull this trigger?
Barr is crazier/more confrontational than McGahn, but he still understands backlash.
So what kinds of cases would get Barr/Trump to panic and pull this trigger?
8/ "SDNY is looking into the president’s inaugural committee, @WSJ reported."
"Barrack, Gates, etc raked in more than $106M, doubling the previous record (set by Obama in 2009)."
Implicated: Ivanka, Melania, Adelson, Wynn, Mercer, Saudi, UAE, Qatar: https://www.vox.com/2018/12/13/18139886/trump-inaugural-committee-inauguration-investigation-sdny
"Barrack, Gates, etc raked in more than $106M, doubling the previous record (set by Obama in 2009)."
Implicated: Ivanka, Melania, Adelson, Wynn, Mercer, Saudi, UAE, Qatar: https://www.vox.com/2018/12/13/18139886/trump-inaugural-committee-inauguration-investigation-sdny
9/ I think it's less likely that Berman & SDNY were planning a move on Trump's taxes, but it is plausible that Barr was pushing some damage control in anticipation of SCOTUS ruling against Trump on taxes, and trying to make sure Berman was cooperative.
Berman may have resisted...
Berman may have resisted...
10/ I just saw this story per @WSJ, and it is just slightly less ridiculous than the Clayton explanation.
Barr didn't fire a US Attorney over a silly non-prosecution-related letter. Berman might (partly) confirm this account as cover. But it's absurd. https://politicalwire.com/2020/06/22/barr-and-berman-at-odds-over-letter-criticizing-de-blasio/
Barr didn't fire a US Attorney over a silly non-prosecution-related letter. Berman might (partly) confirm this account as cover. But it's absurd. https://politicalwire.com/2020/06/22/barr-and-berman-at-odds-over-letter-criticizing-de-blasio/
11/ Remember the Mueller case against the "unnamed state-owned foreign company" they took all the way to the Supreme Court top-secret in 2019?
Russian? Saudi? UAE? Qatari?
Whatever became of that case?
Does SDNY have it? https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/01/docs-firm-that-handles-cases-for-russian-interests-is-locked-in-mueller-grand-jury-fight-1144016
Russian? Saudi? UAE? Qatari?
Whatever became of that case?
Does SDNY have it? https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/01/docs-firm-that-handles-cases-for-russian-interests-is-locked-in-mueller-grand-jury-fight-1144016
12/ And of course, Ukraine quid-pro-quo (Giuliani conspired in NYC, so SDNY jurisdiction.
In the real world, Bolton didn't move the needle, but perhaps Bolton's book spooked Barr/Trump to seek more control over SDNY?
(I discuss the criminal case here:) https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/01/new-york-cy-vance-subpoena-ukraine-witnesses-documents.html
In the real world, Bolton didn't move the needle, but perhaps Bolton's book spooked Barr/Trump to seek more control over SDNY?
(I discuss the criminal case here:) https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/01/new-york-cy-vance-subpoena-ukraine-witnesses-documents.html
13/ Update back to post #10 on this thread:
So on Friday, Barr supposedly demanded that Berman sign off on a letter condemning DiBlasio?
And now DOJ issues this letter supporting DiBlasio on Monday?
LOL. https://twitter.com/akarl_smith/status/1275158533999415296?s=20
So on Friday, Barr supposedly demanded that Berman sign off on a letter condemning DiBlasio?
And now DOJ issues this letter supporting DiBlasio on Monday?
LOL. https://twitter.com/akarl_smith/status/1275158533999415296?s=20
