In what has been a slow drip of information on Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, the spigot opened up today with insight on four key players:
1) Michael Cohen: Southern District of New York investigators today asked the court to impose a “substantial term of imprisonment” for Cohen’s various finance-related crimes — and that Cohen “was motivated … by personal greed, and repeatedly used his power and influence for deceptive ends.”
Why it matters: While prosecutors don’t mince words about Cohen — and stop short of calling him a cooperative witness — they do say he has been helpful in the investigation, providing “relevant and useful information” on contacts with “persons connected to the White House.” Cohen is set to be sentenced next Wednesday.
2) Paul Manafort: Manafort lied about five major issues during his cooperation with Mueller’s investigation, Mueller’s filing said, including his cooperation with administration officials and interaction with a Russian associate.
Why it matters: We found out last week that Mueller’s team accused Manafort of lying, and now we know what they think Manafort was lying about. What Manafort knows has been crucial — he has long been considered the key to several questions central to Mueller’s investigation into Russia and the 2016 campaign. This could now lead to more criminal charges.
Meanwhile, Rudy Giuliani said early Friday that Mueller accused Manafort of lying about Trump.
3) James Comey: The former FBI chief faced sharp questions in a closed-door, day-long meeting as Republicans sought answers on Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections. Comey declined to answer many of them, according to members from both parties.
Why it matters: Comey fought to have this hearing made public: Expect to see a transcript of the interview released in the next 24 hours.
4) John Kelly: Mueller’s investigatorsinterviewed the chief of staff about possible obstruction of justice (Kelly is reportedly leaving the administration in coming days).
Why it matters: Kelly is important because he’s another senior administration official talking to investigators — and also joined the Trump team after the campaign wrapped up. It could mean Muller’s investigation expands beyond the campaign and transition, since most of the other interviews have been with campaign or transition team members.
The Trump report?: Mueller’s report isn’t out yet, but President Donald Trump is already beginning to discredit it. Regardless of what Mueller finds, Trump promised his own report, via tweet Friday morning. “We will be doing a major Counter Report to the Mueller Report. This should never again be allowed to happen to a future President of the United States!”
Trump also filled some key vacancies in his administration, naming William Barr as his next attorney general and Heather Nauert, currently at the State Department, as the next UN ambassador — replacing Nikki Haley.
The would-be 2020 field also came into more focus this week, with Deval Patrick and Michael Avenatti making it official that they won’t run. Meanwhile, Democrats like Joe Biden, Michael Bloomberg, Kamala Harris and more seem to be edging closer to running. And Elizabeth Warren’s candidacy got a bit more complicated, since it’s clear some Democrats still aren’t happy with how she handled questions around her Native American heritage.
The Point: Drip, drip, drip. With these new court filings, Mueller’s investigation just opened up in a big way — and this thing isn’t over yet.
And now, a recap of the week in 21 headlines:
Monday:
- Trump requests Pakistan’s help on Afghan peace after Twitter tirade
- Eric Trump slams Kellyanne Conway’s husband for showing ‘utter disrespect’
- US trade envoy Robert Lighthizer to lead US-China trade talks
- Judge orders discovery in Trump foreign gifts lawsuit to begin by end of month
- Trump’s pick for EPA already rolling back climate change protections
Tuesday:
- Flynn has given “substantial” assistance to the special counsel
- Roger Stone invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate Russia probe
- Trump retweets apparently false claim of Paris protesters chanting
- US to withdraw from missile treaty in 60 days unless Russia reverses course, Pompeo says
- White House backs off privatizing the Postal Service
- Trump signals that he’s open to longer China talks
- Bolton says North Korea failure to meet commitments requires second Trump-Kim summit
Wednesday:
- Trump praises death penalty for Chinese fentanyl ‘distributors and pushers’
- Trump Organization tax records among DC, Maryland subpoena requests
- Trump Organization subpoenaed for business records
Thursday:
- Trump eyes ex-Bush 41 attorney general to succeed Sessions
- New York Times: Trump’s Bedminster club hired undocumented immigrants, two workers claim
- Washington Post: Saudi government paid for rooms at Trump’s DC hotel
Friday:
- George Papadopoulos released from prison
- Prosecutors want ‘substantial term of imprisonment’ for Michael Cohen
- Paul Manafort filing from Mueller to be largely secret
CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to say prosecutors with the Southern District of New York recommended Cohen receive imprisonment.
