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kpete

(71,996 posts) Thu Sep 13, 2018, 09:12 AM Sep 2018

TPM: The fix is 100% in with Manafort. Just when the pardon gets signed basically.

Last edited Thu Sep 13, 2018, 10:15 AM - Edit history (1)

By Josh Marshall
September 13, 2018 9:02 am

We’ve discussed at various points all the ways that President Trump has signaled to Paul Manafort that a pardon is on offer is he just keeps his mouth shut. It’s even worse than we thought.

According to a story just out this morning in Politico, Trump and Manafort still have a joint defense agreement in place, which is to say that everything that Trump’s lawyers and Manafort’s lawyers find out in the course of the probe they can share with each other.

Here’s a key passage …
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/13/giuliani-trump-manafort-plea-bargain-821797

Giuliani also confirmed that Trump’s lawyers and Manafort’s have been in regular contact and that they are part of a joint defense agreement that allows confidential information sharing.

“All during the investigation we have an open communication with them,” he said. “Defense lawyers talk to each other all the time where as long as our clients authorize it therefore we have a better idea of what’s going to happen. That’s very common.”

We’ll have more on this as we go through the day. This is a fact with huge implications.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-fix-is-in

Link to tweet

4 replies

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Highlight:

TPM: The fix is 100% in with Manafort. Just when the pardon gets signed basically. (Original Post) kpete Sep 2018 OP

But I thought we've known this for ages ? Cohen had one too until he went to do a deal. OnDoutside Sep 2018 #1

Right now, a pardon is less likely. Eyeball_Kid Sep 2018 #2

Trump won't pardon him but instead will blame him for Trump Tower and other collusion wishstar Sep 2018 #3

He will be pardoned November 7, the day after the Midterms farmbo Sep 2018 #4

OnDoutside

(19,962 posts)

1. But I thought we've known this for ages ? Cohen had one too until he went to do a deal.

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Sep 13, 2018, 09:16 AM

Sep 2018

Eyeball_Kid

(7,432 posts)

2. Right now, a pardon is less likely.

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Sep 13, 2018, 09:50 AM

Sep 2018

Trumpy's approval ratings will sink even lower if he pardon's Manafort. His advisors will tell him that he'll have hell to pay for a pardon. The bottom will fall out for a good portion of his remaining base. Watch. As his approval ratings drop to the low thirties and upper twenties, he won't be able to sneeze without incurring severe criticism. It will only get worse. A Manafort pardon will choke him off. That a pardon is less likely is now being anticipated by Manafort's legal team. That's why he's negotiating with Mueller. They must know that Trumpy will only look out for himself, and will throw Manafort under the bus without hesitation. Remember, there is no loyalty like Trumpy's loyalty, which means that there isn't any reciprocity.

wishstar

(5,270 posts)

3. Trump won't pardon him but instead will blame him for Trump Tower and other collusion

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Sep 13, 2018, 09:55 AM

Sep 2018

Trump needs him for a scapegoat to be able to claim that Jr. and Kushner were unknowingly misled and given wrong advice by Manafort.
Optics are especially bad for a pardon now since it would look like blatant attempt to prevent Manafort from cooperating in a plea deal.

farmbo

(3,122 posts)

4. He will be pardoned November 7, the day after the Midterms

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Sep 13, 2018, 11:45 AM

Sep 2018

EOM

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