The Mueller probe seems so far-flung and all-encompassing, with so many elements of the investigation still apparently on-going, it can be hard to imagine it coming to an end. But Mueller’s investigators are apparently preparing to render critical judgments on the collusion and obstruction fronts soon after the midterms.
As we evaluate the Trump administration’s reaction to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and the President’s heavy reliance on the value of his $110 billion arms deal, it is very important to understand that that deal doesn’t even exist. Does not exist. It’s a mix of old proposals, new proposals, letters of intent and smoke – with a heavy emphasis on smoke. Here are the details.
The Lt Gov. of Alaska Byron Mallott has resigned out of the blue over what Gov. Bill Walker calls “inappropriate comments.” But if you want to read on to see what the “inappropriate comments” were, you’re out of luck. Because they were apparently so inappropriate that all involved refuse to say what the comments were. Read More
President Trump claims Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is being mistreated in just the way Brett Kavanaugh was, being denied the presumption of innocence.
With word now that the Saudis are preparing to admit that Jamal Khashoggi died in its Istanbul consulate as part of an unathorized interrogation gone wrong, it’s worth considering a few points. Read More
The ableist observers of Saudi Arabia and the US-KSA relationship have been saying for days that it appeared the US was holding off from saying anything too definitive about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi to give the Saudis time to come up with at least a notionally plausible explanation of what happened – a rogue operation, an arrest or interrogation gone wrong, etc. We now see the choice. This morning President Trump announced a flat denial from Saudi King Salman (who is not really the effective ruler of the country) and his (Trump’s) suspicion that “rogue killers” are likely behind Khashoggi’s disappearance. Incredulity is warranted. But there is a bigger and, I would say, more important picture for the health of the US government. This is a carbon copy of what we’ve seen for the last two years in President Trump’s denials of Russian interference in the US elections and other bad acts. Read More
The President likely will claim a small out that he said he would make Elizabeth Warren a bet for a million dollars to a charity of her choice at a future presidential debate. But basically, he dared her and said he’d pay $1 million to a charity of her choice if she took a DNA test. Here’s video of him making that bet, followed by him denying it a few moments ago before boarding Marine One.
President says at debate he'll offer Warren $1 million to charity if she'll take DNA test, followed by him denying it just moments ago. https://t.co/mdN2qd8NB2 pic.twitter.com/vaArKopp2v
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 15, 2018
Trump just for the first time floated the possibility of “rogue killers” being behind the Khashoggi disappearance.
President suggests "rogue killers" may be behind Khashoggi disappearance. https://t.co/cP6Wu2wIn1 pic.twitter.com/m6flzfiDvK
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 15, 2018
There was one thing that came up yesterday in our Inside briefing with Marc Elias that I wanted to share – just a general point, not something new or secret. In discussing the voter suppression issue Marc said that he thought 2008/2009 was a watershed. That was when the current version of the Democratic electorate came into full view – one which disproportionately drew voters not only from non-white minority groups but also disproportionately from the young. As we’ve discussed here before, this has a particular significance because with that demographic breakdown really across the board everything that makes voting harder hurt Democrats and helped Republicans. Read More
