Cohen and Manafort pose new problems for President Trump.. By Jonathan Turley

[mystery-ak]

Cohen and Manafort pose new problems for President Trump
By Jonathan Turley, opinion contributor — 12/08/18 12:30 PM EST

“Was you ever bit by a dead bee?” A drunken sailor asks that curious question of actress Lauren Bacall in the 1944 movie classic, “To Have and Have Not.” This week, President Trump can claim two legal stings from dead bees, in the familiar forms of Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort. Indeed, the two late-Friday court filings by special counsel Robert Mueller and one by the U.S. Attorney for New York’s Southern District are detailed accounts of how to get stung by dead bees.

First and foremost, you have to step on them. With both Cohen and Manafort, the Trump legal team could face serious complications after actively seeking out close and ongoing relationships when it should have been cutting both men a wide berth. That does not mean these filings will send Trump into legal anaphylactic shock. Yet, once again, the greatest threats facing Trump may be due to missteps in response to the Mueller investigation, as opposed to the original allegations.

Soon after the release of the filings, Trump posted a tweet declaring, “Totally clears the President. Thank you!” Few others shared his enthusiasm, however, since the accusations directed against Trump — referred to as “Individual 1” in the filings — are about as vindicating as an indictment would be liberating. Nevertheless, there are three positive elements for the president.

First, while prosecutors reveal additional alleged Russian contacts, and even an offer to create some “campaign political synergy,” there is a conspicuous absence of evidence of an alleged conspiracy or collusion by the campaign. As in the Trump Tower meeting between Russian representatives and Trump campaign officials, these limited queries and contacts seemed to go nowhere. Indeed, Cohen apparently did not even follow up on an offer to meet with one Russian official promising political help.

more
https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/420400-cohen-and-manafort-pose-new-problems-for-president-trump

[Absalom]

A reflection.
Ignoring the gravity/non-gravity of this; one characteristic resonates loud and clear.
This has been and remains an obsession, and more importantly, a distraction for Trump.
Now consider for a moment the multiple issues raging across the globe!
For someone who is as easily distracted as he is; this is a very serious matter.