On Monday the FBI raided the home and office of Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen. New York prosecutors were tipped off about some criminal activity by Mueller. Early reports describe bank fraud, tax documents, and election law violations related to the Stormy Daniels case.
On Tuesday there was news that the raid was seeking payments to two women, Clifford and McDougal.
Also on Tuesday, the Times reported that Trump was close to firing Mueller in December. And CNN reported that Trump is now talking about firing Rosenstein after the Cohen raid.
An important Lawfare analysis of why Trump’s firing of Rosenstein would be evidence of corrupt intent.
Here is Ben Wittes on the significance of the Cohen raid. And here is Andrew McCarthy. Both agree this is not good for Trump at all.
Some stories came out that indicate what kind of bugs are crawling out of the rock overturned by the Cohen raid. One is an AP News story about a door man that the National Inquirer made a “catch and kill” payment to who was sharing a rumor that Trump had fathered an illegitimate child. Another is by a writer raising questions about how the Access Hollywood tape is part of the FBI’s interest in the raid.
The CBO announced this week that the federal deficit will reach one trillion by 2020.
Unrelated–except through irony–Paul Ryan announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Erik Erickson quotes a GOP congressman who gives a profanity-laced tirade against Trump that has to be read to be believed. It’s like he is venting his frustration at having to carry Trump’s water, and going on TV to defend him, and getting only headaches in return.
Trump gave a full pardon to Scooter Libby, in part to send a signal, because of the narrative that Libby was victim to an overzealous special prosecutor.
Friday night, a coalition of US and European forces conducted a massive airstrike against Syrian chemical weapons targets. On Saturday Trump tweeted “Mission Accomplished.”
In Russia news:
Beyond the Cohen raid, and the talk of firing Rosenstein this week, the New York Times reported an odd payment to Trump of $150,000 from a Ukrainian during the campaign.
Trump’s Job Approval: 40.8%