Special counsel Robert Mueller calls for light sentence for former Trump national security advisor

[brooklynite]

Source: CNBC

Special counsel Robert Mueller on Tuesday night called for a light sentence — one that might not include — any time in jail at all — for Michael Flynn, the former national security advisor to President Donald Trump.

Mueller's sentencing memo, related to Flynn's lies to federal agents about his conversations with a top Russian diplomat during the presidential transition from late 2016 into early 2017, will be considered by Judge Emmet Sullivan before he sentences Flynn on Dec. 18 in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, has cooperated with Mueller's ongoing probe of Russian interference in the 2016 president election since pleading guilty in Dec. 1, 2017, and possible coordination with that meddling by the Trump campaign. Mueller is also investigating whether Trump has obstructed justice in the inquiry.

"Given the defendant's substantial assistance and other considerations set forth below, a sentence at the low end of the guideline range—including a sentence that does not impose a term of incarceration—is appropriate and warranted," Mueller's office wrote in the memo filed Tuesday.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/04/robert-mueller-sentencing-memo-for-former-trump-advisor-michael-flynn.html

[MFGsunny]

1. K & R

[BigmanPigman]

2. The beginning of the end...

I can't wait to wrap this up (another 6 months will almost kill me).

[Merlot]

11. They investigated Clinton for 5 years.

[BigmanPigman]

12. I don't have 5 years left...

I was hoping to see this wrapped up and the GOP nailed and justice served since I don't have 5 more years left. I can't drop dead and leave Earth not knowing the outcome for my country and party.

[hostalover]

28. I am so sorry you're not in good health. I remember a post some weeks ago where

you addressed this issue. I hope you are indeed around to see decent closure. I always enjoy your posts.

[BigmanPigman]

32. Maybe it will be done in time for Independance Day.

What a great way to celbrate our freedom (and my birthday...July 3).

[rockfordfile]

3. Always been skeptical of Mueller

Never really trust a republican.

[brooklynite]

4. What are you skeptical about?

[bahrbearian]

21. Yup,

[tymorial]

26. In other words I am unhappy so must be a conspiracy

[rockfordfile]

33. Nope. Not surprised.

Old enough to know what other right-wingers do for one another. This is nothing new.

[regnaD kciN]

34. This is really one of the stupidest takes I've ever seen on DU...

...and that’s saying a lot.

[Jedi Guy]

37. What amuses me is all the "C'mon Mr. Mueller!" posts around here.

And people saying that he's a good guy, and he has integrity, and all that. And if his investigation wraps up without touching Trump, the post about it will be have a bazillion replies cursing Mueller as a traitor. Basically, if he comes up with the result we want, he'll be a hero. If he doesn't, he'll be the worst traitor in the country's history.

It's pretty much just like the responses when a high-profile criminal trial wraps up. If people like the verdict, justice was served. If they don't, then it's a travesty, a miscarriage of justice, the jury were idiots, etc. etc.

[Liberal In Red State]

5. Don't agree with this sentencing . . . Pence will get away

[still_one]

8. I think we need to see who it brings down, but if it is NOT someone significant, I would agree

with you

[still_one]

6. If Flynn's testimony is NOT instrumental in bringing the top dogs down, then this is a bad

recommendation

[FrankBooth]

7. My god...

The 'woe is us' whining response to this is deafening. Muelermas is now Fitzmas?? Total BS.

Most of the document is redacted ... whining about that is like Trumpists claiming there's "no proof" of collusion because Mueller hasn't unveiled it yet. At least wait until you see the GD evidence first.

The FACT that Mueller is recommending the low end of sentencing indicates Flynn gave up the goods. This is not good for Dotard.

[majdrfrtim]

9. This!

[still_one]

10. I agree with you we need to wait and see who it brings down, but I don't think we can assume

anything

[onenote]

17. Ding ding ding.

So many people here having incorrectly assumed one thing are now certain about the next thing.

People should be more cautious about believing everything the pundits say. Mueller and his team aren't sharing anything and even the supposed experts have rarely gotten it right so far in terms of their predictions of what is going to happen next and when.

[Jarqui]

14. I agree with you completely

18 months after Mueller got into it, Mueller still redacting => Mueller is withholding that info that he's going to nail others with.

Flynn must have helped significantly. Flynn had years of military service. Beyond lying, it doesn't look like Flynn was the key orchestrator of whatever sinister stuff went on. Therefore, a light sentence.

The bad news is for those others in the Trump cabal who have not been dealt with yet. Mueller has got something here and he's going to nail some of them with it.

[tymorial]

27. You are right. Its knee jerk emotionalism.

Most of the time I find it exasperating.

[pepperbear]

29. Plus, trump can't pardon Flynn now.

[djacq]

13. Flynn must be giving Mueller some valuable stuff to nail that Big Orange Fish.

Hope it's worth it.

[thbobby]

15. This is good!

Mueller does not fuck around. He is nailing Manafort for not cooperating in good faith. We wanted blood tonight, but Mueller is solid and strategic.

Flynn and Cohen are cooperating. Mueller is a Republican, but he is first and foremost a prosecutor. As Tom Petty said, The Waiting is the Hardest Part. But, DU friends, this is very good news. Do not be discouraged.

[PeeJ52]

23. Manafort will be pardoned...

Book it...

[thbobby]

31. If he is pardoned, he will be up to his ears in state charges

and state time is much tougher than federal time. He may not even want the pardon when he comes to understand what New York has in store for him.

[amcgrath]

16. Having met veterans from many wars,

One of the things they often struggle with is their learned hatred or trust of their enemy.

Flynn seems to have sailed through the Cold War with no such feelings?

Hs testimony may be useful, but this a man whose career was the military, to then consort with a rival power to help overthrow his own countries democratic process is remarkable.

There is little question that on escaping jail he will be courted by right wing media outlets - like Liddy and North. But I would hope that if the armed services wish to maintain their pride, there will also be a court marshall and his medals, awards, rank and pensions should all be withdrawn.

[Jedi Guy]

38. Can they do that, though?

I'm not an expert on law, civilian or military, or the UCMJ. But can they strip him of his medals and pension because of things he did after retiring from the service? Whatever he did after that, for the years he was in, he did serve, and presumably with honor, if he got an honorable discharge. I dunno, just seems unjust in principal to me.

[marble falls]

18. Someone burned Donald G. cheetolini down. His name rhymes with Michael E. Flynn.

[jpak]

19. IOW - He Sang Like A Canary!!!!111

[vlyons]

20. No, lock him up

Flynn deserves some jail time. As a former 3 star general, he especially needs to be made an example. For too long, these gov criminals have gotten away with a slap on the wrist. Just compare Flynn's crimes to a young black sent to prison for holding less than an oz of weed. Or a young drug addict boosting a pair of jeans to sell for some smack.

Justice is a virtue. Selling out your country for money is not virtuous.

[PeeJ52]

22. I'm getting the feeling that Papadop will probably

end up doing the most prison time when this is done. Yeah, people will lose their jobs, but the mighty are never really punished. They still get to keep all ther ill gotten gains and live a sweet life. Only the poor go to prison.

[tavernier]

24. Didn't Flynn just meet with Rump very recently?

Maybe that was part of the deal, a request by Mueller?

[saljr1]

25. This is huge

I remember Flynn's statement. " It's time to do the right thing for my country and my family" Also, " Boy do I have a story to tell".

[asiliveandbreathe]

30. I wonder..with NO time for Flynn or very minimal..does this mean a pardon is

of NO value to the pos in the wh..

I have been reading along with Seth Abramsons twitter...excellent insight re memo and sentencing..and who he thinks should be very worried...Can you say Jared....

https://twitter.com/SethAbramson

[regnaD kciN]

35. This, combined with Manafort, should leave Individual-1 shaking...

Think about it: Manafort tried to play Mueller on behalf of Trump, got caught, and is looking at spending the rest of his life in prison. Flynn, OTOH, cooperated so thoroughly he won’t get any jail time. If I'm Trump, I'm wondering just what Flynn told him.

[Talitha]

36. I want a PUBLIC APOLOGY...

From Flynn to Hillary Clinton.

For his damned "Lock her up" chants.

In public.

With him on his knees.

At her feet.

[malthaussen]

39. He should do some hard time.

Not a lot, he did cooperate, after all. But I wish we would send a clear message to people who abuse authority that they will not get off scot-free.

-- Mal