emptywheelNov 19, 2022

As I noted on the failing bird, Garland's cited recent developments, plural, in appointing a Special Counsel yesterday.

The more urgent development is probably the GOP majority in Congress, not Trump.

We know, eg, that Scott Perry is almost certainly a subject of the investigation (they already seized his phone). If Jim Jordan is, too, that by itself would require the SCO, since Jordan will be HJC Chair demanding info on investigation.

Show threademptywheel

If all the GOP Members of Congress who were on the pardon list are under investigation (with Perry and Jordan, Biggs, Gosar, Gaetz, Marge), that gets you to 6 of a likely 7 seat majority.

Then there are two freshmen MoCs who were at Jan6, Van Orden and Santos.

The MoC exposure BY ITSELF justifies a Special Counsel.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/15/derrick-van-orden-jan-6-congress/

They rallied in D.C. on Jan. 6. Now they’ll join Congress.

Derrick Van Orden attended the Jan. 6 « Save America » rally and marched to the Capitol, though he says he never entered. Now he's headed to Congress.

The Washington Post
Nov 19, 2022 at 11:07amWeb
Show threademptywheelNov 19, 2022
And that would make Jack Smith's experience prosecuting Congressman Rick Renzi directly on point.
Show threademptywheelNov 19, 2022

What If the Special Counsel Is about Scott Perry, not Just Donald Trump?

https://www.emptywheel.net/2022/11/19/what-if-the-special-counsel-is-about-scott-perry-not-just-donald-trump/

What If the Special Counsel Is about Scott Perry, not Just Donald Trump? - emptywheel

Given how narrow the GOP majority in the House is, any investigation into a sitting member of Congress could more immediately disrupt the status quo power than an investigation into a potential Presidential candidate. Which means the appointment of Jack Smith as Special Counsel may also pertain to the investigation of Scott Perry's actions leading up to January 6.

emptywheel
Show threadBabbieNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel wow
Show threadTrishFNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel You have me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait til they get this train rolling.
Show threadFictionalClownNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel My exact thoughts, Garland did not want to indict sitting Republicans, which makes sense to have a SC work his way to TFG after taking out all the co conspirators still in Congress, they made the process easy by asking for pardons https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/jan-6-panel-names-republican-lawmakers-sought-pardons-trump-rcna35090
Jan. 6 panel names the Republican lawmakers who sought pardons from Trump

On Thursday, the Jan. 6 panel named names and offered specific details about requests made by Republican lawmakers for pardons from Donald Trump.

NBC News
Show threadNance millerNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel I was thinking along similar lines like current elected officials in Congress. The probe had enough Rs involved that could potential change the makeup of the new house. Just my thinking.
Show threadbmazNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel Rick Renzi. Have not seen that name for a while. A lot of that work was done by D-AZ people though, not Smith.
Show threademptywheelNov 19, 2022

@bmaz Yup.

A lot of the work on Jan 6 will have been done by Thomas Windom and DC USAO people.

Show threadbmazNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel Renzi really is a blast from the past though. Even I had mostly forgotten about him.
Show threadDannyboyguymanNov 19, 2022
@bmaz @emptywheel ok, yeah, I'm down to dredge up the political firing of US attorneys scheme.
Show thread#SCIENCEMATTERSNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel this is the best take I've read so far and if we can get Jordan in a jail cell I'm all for it.
Show thread@GatekeeperNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel
People fail to realize its much bigger than Trump. Garland said multiple times that anyone involved will be held accountable. Patience.
Show threadJillZNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel
Could all 147 be under investigation?
my VA01 congressional rep Wittman is on Mo Brooks’s general pardon request list. Personally, I’d like to know what Wittman knew about Green Bay Sweep before he joined the 147 certification rejectors on 1/6. Wittman went to great lengths to defend his vote/cover his ass, claiming he felt it was duty to reject certification because SCOTUS hadn’t ruled on one of the bogus PA election process cases yet.
Show threadWe Can Be GyrosNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel entity as in Zucknation? 🤔
Show thread@GatekeeperNov 19, 2022

@emptywheel

Dems could regain control of the house if Marg and the cult are indicted...

Show threadKaren SlaterNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel initially I thought appointment of a special counsel was a bad idea. Because whomever was appointed would need time to get up to speed, it would only serve to delay. But now that I hear things like this AND Jack Smith’s resume, I think it was brilliant.
Show threadChopinsHeartNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel Now that would be Strategy to get incredibly excited about. @davetroy Jack Smith info here. Going after the pardon people. What a way to squeeze the tube and leave Trump empty and useless. @marie_cast !
Show threadmarie_cast Nov 19, 2022
@ChopinsHeart @emptywheel @davetroy
Thank you ☺️
I hope you’re feeling better.
Show threadChopinsHeartNov 19, 2022
@marie_cast @emptywheel @davetroy Yes it might be indeed. Nothing worse for a narcissist than to be alone without monkeys.
Show threadRay StrodeNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel okay so lets indict trump on Monday and the special council can do their thing for members of congress as needed
Show threadOldTurk🗽Focus: #FreePeltierNov 19, 2022
@emptywheel good catches
Show threadSue CohenNov 20, 2022
@emptywheel
It’s why I am so angry at Garland & DOJ
No matter what they do now?
It's gonna be too little too late.
Their slow pace allowed Republicans to retake the House
"Choosing not to act for fear of political criticism or consequences is in itself a "deeply political act"