Mueller investigation has recovered more money than it has cost

Trump keeps whining and lying about the cost of the Mueller investigation. It has made money for the government through recovery of unpaid taxes.

The Mueller investigation has cost $12.3 million so far. (If you add additional DOJ spending that is related but would have happened anyway, the figure rises to $25 million.) Still, it’s not close to the $40 million price tag that Trump appears to have invented out of thin air.

— Marshall Cohen (@MarshallCohen) December 15, 2018

President Trump has often complained about the cost of the Mueller investigation, saying its costs have exceeded $40 million.

According to a new report, that is not the case.https://t.co/IuAmaCpf70

— Axios (@axios) December 15, 2018

6/ Mueller’s team spent $12.3M on the Russia probe since last May. They’ve used another $13M worth of federal assets for the investigation. That’s far less than Trump claimed. This also doesn’t count forfeiture collection, which will add up to several mil+ https://t.co/RJp2dAnZC0

— Katelyn Polantz (@kpolantz) December 15, 2018

The Mueller investigation has cost $25 million so far, but it has lead to monetary estimated gains of up to $48 million for the government through the tax evasion the investigation has revealed.https://t.co/plp4pwIdM7

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) December 16, 2018

More on Trump calling Cohen a “Rat”

I’ve never heard a public official call someone cooperating with law enforcement a “rat” until Trump did. That is a term criminals use. https://t.co/JgfEDpXUXW

— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) December 16, 2018

When a Republican president floats breaking into the DNC w no apparent irony https://t.co/0PQgDlOLHj

— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) December 16, 2018

Media should remember not to normalize the President of the United States calling someone who cooperates with law enforcement “a rat.” Language of organized crime debases the office.

— Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) December 16, 2018

Sir, in mobster lingo, a ‘rat’ is a witness who tells prosecutors real incriminating info. Perhaps a different word? Searches of lawyer’s offices common enough that DOJ has a procedure for them. Here it yielded evidence of crimes you said he should be jailed for. You should stop. https://t.co/EV1txBYrhz

— Andy McCarthy (@AndrewCMcCarthy) December 16, 2018

The tenor and fever-pitch of these tweets are markedly different than they were even a few weeks ago https://t.co/i6DTwj7fxz

— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) December 16, 2018

Executing a legally obtained search warrant is precisely the opposite of breaking into an office. And it’s increasingly clear that the President of the United States committed a series of serious crimes. https://t.co/VUT55hqmgF

— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) December 16, 2018

Mob boss Trump calls Cohen a “Rat”

Trump speaks like a gangster instead of a president. That’s because he is a mob boss.

This is from the President of our country, lying about the lawful execution of a search warrant issued by a federal judge. Shame on Republicans who don’t speak up at this moment — for the FBI, the rule of law, and the truth. pic.twitter.com/c5dhQBnmyi

— James Comey (@Comey) December 16, 2018

They didn’t break into his office. They had search warrants authorized by a federal judge – who would need to find probable cause – for his office, home and hotel he was staying at https://t.co/dL0L3ynQkl

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 16, 2018

I know it’s hard when you try and hide behind a lawyer & attorney client privilege & it doesn’t work because two different Judges said very little was privileged because he wasn’t really your lawyer but your fixer. Saw it all the time in Mafia cases, so I get that it’s scary. https://t.co/br4kLZdXWn

— Mimi Rocah (@Mimirocah1) December 16, 2018

FACT-CHECK: Rank & file FBI agents were executing a lawful court order.

Now would be a good time for rule of law Republicans & DOJ leadership to slam this alarming shot at FBI agents and government cooperators. Your deafening silence permits this corrosive narrative to continue. https://t.co/dv2wZwgLZu

— Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) December 16, 2018

To recap, the President of the United States is calling someone a rat for cooperating with *the Justice Department he oversees*

When Trumpers harrumph about "show me the attacks on the rule of law," this is a prime example.

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) December 16, 2018

Wow. Andy is a strong conservative former Federal prosecutor who Trump himself invoked and retweeted earlier to try to bolster his defense. https://t.co/ri4xEaQ6en

— Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) December 16, 2018

Wrote back in August, this president uses lexicon of a gangster. Whatever one thinks of M. Cohen — for @POTUS to call him a “rat” — utterly disgraceful & unconscionable.

And, DOJ doesn’t “break into” attorney offices w/o cause, warrant approved by judge. https://t.co/wahhQ3WDx1

— James A. Gagliano (@JamesAGagliano) December 16, 2018

My former colleague Andy McCarthy, one of the President's most steady and articulate defenders, is starting to take the measure of the man he has so vigorously defended. POTUS's language reflects the mentality of an at risk mob boss, not of a President.There is a reason for that. https://t.co/FXTVqt1Rdf

— Michael R. Bromwich (@mrbromwich) December 16, 2018

Fact check

1. This is obvious but the FBI didn’t “break into” anything. They executed court-approved search warrants.

2. The Mueller investigation was not “illegally started.” Four separate federal judges have upheld Mueller’s appointment and authorities. https://t.co/zLDUe1lWmk

— Marshall Cohen (@MarshallCohen) December 16, 2018

I worked mafia cases for years in SDNY, mainly Gambino and Genovese. I usually hesitate to make this comparison but here it is completely warranted. This – calling somebody who provides information to law enforcement a “rat” – is straight up mob boss language. https://t.co/K8w46rVMP5

— Elie Honig (@eliehonig) December 16, 2018

Trump administration plans to roll back water protection rules

Breaking News: Rules that protect U.S. wetlands from pollutants would be significantly weakened under a plan the Trump administration is expected to unveil https://t.co/rZZhNKCWId

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 11, 2018

The EPA is gutting the Clean Water Act by rolling back regulations that protect our waterways from pollution. Access to clean water is a basic human right. That should never be up for negotiation. https://t.co/azTUgwVp9B

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) December 11, 2018

Today the Trump Administration issued a new proposal to significantly weaken protections for wetlands and waterways under the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction.

Trump, Wheeler, and Zinke cooked up this Dirty Water Rule, one of their worst environmental sellouts yet. My statement: pic.twitter.com/wGaa8kPO7H

— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) December 11, 2018

The #DirtyWaterRule would allow pollutants to flow into our waterways. Clean water is a right. Our streams & wetlands are not corporate polluter sewers. They belong to the people, who shouldn’t have to fear being poisoned when they drink a glass of water.https://t.co/daxV18P1ih

— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) December 11, 2018

The idea that the EPA’s new water rule will be simple to implement is one of several Trump administration narratives that have begun to unravel since the rollback’s announcement. https://t.co/DTQweoOLF1

— The Intercept (@theintercept) December 15, 2018

SCOOP: Trump administration unveil its plan to roll back a major clean water regulation on Tuesday. Here are the key details: https://t.co/gvugHtxy5h

— Coral Davenport (@CoralMDavenport) December 11, 2018

Every American deserves access to clean water. We should be protecting our waterways and leaving our children a sustainable future, not prioritizing profits of polluters.https://t.co/cHLZaidxUB

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 8, 2018

Trump’s EPA promotes its clean water rollbacks with an article from outlet backed by GOP megadonor https://t.co/1H9IVmTW7v pic.twitter.com/YKU1ZNFZec

— Climate Progress (@climateprogress) December 15, 2018

An expected overhaul of the Clean Water Rule, including protections for streams, would be “an unprecedented rollback of Clean Water Act protections,” said Jan Goldman-Carter, NWF senior director of wetlands & water resources. https://t.co/4jUZd8uodp pic.twitter.com/bY6yVCSAim

— National Wildlife Federation (@NWF) December 10, 2018

The Trump administration apparently wants to take clean-water laws back to the 1980s https://t.co/DYyxmBJOVK

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) December 12, 2018

"No offense but having clean water isn't a priority right now"
America folks. And like I have been screaming its not just a Flint thing. https://t.co/HkzK5dUVHW

— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) December 15, 2018

LA Times: EPA’s own data shows an immense amount of Calif fresh water would lose federal protection under Trump plan.

EPA: Ignore that data.

LA Times: OK. So how much would remain protected?

EPA: Hard to say. https://t.co/Llz6SkyMyM

— Evan Halper (@evanhalper) December 11, 2018

Obamacare is more popular than Trump or his tax cut

Obamacare has become more popular since people now appreciate features such as protection for people with pre-existing conditions. Republicans are going against the public when they try to destroy it. They also have no replacement plan. Sad!

The latest GOP assault on Obamacare might boost its popularity even more

ICYMI
KFF Health Tracking Poll: 53% favorable / 40% unfavorable rating for Obamacare; many of its provisions continue to be quite popular (@KaiserFamFound) details: https://t.co/HDKvuWWYxl pic.twitter.com/PW8Lb5bM1M

— OpinionToday.com (@OpinionToday) December 15, 2018

Actually, Obamacare approval rating is higher than your approval rating.https://t.co/PqDeFJXLKg

— Sally Deal (@SallyDeal4) December 15, 2018

This one won't be a winner for you once people start losing health care with no replacement from Trump. You have convinced your voters that only poor black people benefit from Obamacare.

Fox News poll: Voters like Obamacare more than GOP tax cuts.https://t.co/eXs3MIfaUe

— Danny (@danzu72) December 15, 2018

Michigan Republican scam

They are going against the wishes of the voters. Sad!

Gov. Rick Snyder signs laws to significantly scale back citizen-initiated measures to raise Michigan's minimum wage and require paid sick leave for workers. https://t.co/sxP3nFB1mv

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) December 15, 2018

from the article:

“To prevent minimum wage and earned sick time initiatives from going to voters last month, GOP lawmakers approved them in September so they could be more easily altered after the election with simple majority votes rather than the three-fourths support that would have been needed if voters had passed the proposals.
The tactic — never done until now — was pushed by the business community as necessary to avoid jeopardizing the economy. But it was criticized as an unconstitutional attack on voters’ will at a time Republicans in Michigan are trying to dilute the powers of incoming elected Democrats.”

Trump family scammed tenants of their buildings

A hidden scam lurked behind the mysterious rent increases for thousands of New Yorkers.
Donald Trump and his siblings set up a phony business to pad the invoices for the buildings, allowing them to inflate rent increases on the rent-regulated apartments. https://t.co/yUfUZbg3aH

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 15, 2018

Republicans don’t care about lies and crimes if Trump does them

Remember how Republicans treated Obama and the Clintons? Many of them don’t care what Trump does as long as he appoints conservative judges.

This confirms what u hear out in the country — many Republicans think Trump is lying but they don’t hold it against him. https://t.co/jMQR0AMO8h

— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) December 15, 2018

I have an observation to make—it’s a disgrace that Mitch McConnell is not concerned that Trump was implicated in crimes. https://t.co/UtZxpsa4iQ

— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) December 12, 2018

Oh https://t.co/C2EAYnPEt0

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 15, 2018

I’ll believe what Hatch said the first time – he has done nothing about Trump’s horrible behavior:

“Sen. Orrin Hatch, issued a statement on Friday expressing regret for telling CNN ‘I don't care’ when asked about President Donald Trump being implicated in crimes by Michael Cohen.” Good reporting from ⁦@mkraju⁩ https://t.co/TB8sCIMZFR

— andrew kaczynski (@KFILE) December 14, 2018

“Stop.”
“I wasn’t there.”
“I don’t know anything about that.”
“Oh, I don’t do interviews on any of that stuff.”
See Republican senators dodge and dismiss @seungminkim’s questions about Trump and his legal woeshttps://t.co/GwudI7Dmio

— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) December 15, 2018

Devin Nunes on Cohen-Trump hush-money scheme to silence Trump affairs right before election: “Even if what Cohen said happened, people do this all the time. They do settlements out of court. It happens. I don't know what the big deal is,” he said on Fox

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 14, 2018

We can just quit pretending that R’s who went after Bill Clinton and now defend Trump are being guided by anything other than power. It’s not even situational ethics because it’s not remotely related to ethics. It’s acquisition and exercise of power. Let’s just be honest. https://t.co/nS9Fzcn9Kl

— stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) December 15, 2018

This gets at why House Rs also can’t come to terms w why they lost their majority. McCarthy deflecting bc about 80% of remaining caucus is more vulnerable to primaries than gen election defeat. https://t.co/sN9pTGK3Pu

— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) December 13, 2018

Actually prosecutors would need to prove that the payment was designed to *primarily* benefit the campaign. That is what both Cohen and the company that owns the National Enquirer admitted, and prosecutors had additional evidence sufficient to convince Cohen to plead guilty. https://t.co/qkRmVxJSGr

— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) December 13, 2018

I did watch. But we all know if this was President Obama paying off a porn star and if he had five kids by three wives, there would not only be calls for impeachment but grave lamentations on the degradation of traditional values served with a hearty side dish of racism. https://t.co/Ujly0X4ByQ

— stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) December 15, 2018

As shown above, Hatch later regretted the comments below.

Orrin Hatch, who voted to impeach Clinton, says “I don’t care” about evidence that Trump broke the law. His comments make clear that the GOP commitment to the rule of law is situational: The law, in their view, only applies to their opponents. My latest: https://t.co/r1lj31eKtH

— Max Boot (@MaxBoot) December 11, 2018

"OK, but I don't care, all I can say is he's doing a good job as President." — Orrin Hatchhttps://t.co/VFliiRdTFf

— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) December 11, 2018

Orrin Hatch 2018: I don't care if the President's own DOJ has implicated him in felonies. What is a "crime" anyway?

Orrin Hatch 1999: "crimes of moral turpitude such as perjury and obstruction of justice go to the heart of qualification for public office" pic.twitter.com/8K8NVZSntj

— Brendan Nyhan (@BrendanNyhan) December 10, 2018

Gillum was screwed by Republicans

Remember when Trump called Gillum a thief? Republican claims that Gillum was under investigation may have cost him the Florida gubernatorial election.

How unfounded rumors about an FBI probe screwed Andrew Gillum. https://t.co/Y0CcNkPBTH

— Slate (@Slate) December 15, 2018

Hillary had flaws. But the Right Wing inflated them & concocted new ones. Media hasn’t recognized the Right’s lies fast enough. Sadly, voters haven’t either.

Andrew Gillum, a good man & good public servant, lost to a bad guy’s lie.

We have to solve this. https://t.co/vLD8hVtUgH

— Philippe Reines (@PhilippeReines) December 13, 2018

Republicans spent at least $7 million on TV ads attacking Andrew Gillum in connection with the FBI probe. But the investigation, records indicate, ultimately had little to do with the former mayor. https://t.co/K8UqhzFODR

— POLITICO (@politico) December 13, 2018

The @GovRonDeSantis campaign & GOP spent at least $7m —about 27 percent of its $26m gen-elect ad buy— bashing @AndrewGillum as corrupt over the FBI’s investigation into Tallahassee city hall

Today’s indictments have 0 mention of, or reference to, Gillumhttps://t.co/sLFAXeMDNG

— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) December 13, 2018

Paul Ryan supports immigration by white people

This is like Trump wanting more immigrants from Norway.

Oh so we’re good with immigration if it involves certain countries. Good to know. https://t.co/BKklf3kbW1

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 15, 2018

Imagine the Right’s response if a lawmaker of Mexican descent did this … https://t.co/WhemCAxvG7

— Eugene Scott (@Eugene_Scott) December 15, 2018

After blocking comprehensive immigration reform for years, Paul Ryan making a special pitch to bring more White people to America on the way out the door is so fucking perfect that I can't stand it https://t.co/ekhYhDkcXA

— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) December 15, 2018

House Speaker Paul Ryan pushes for thousands of Irish visas as a nod to his ancestral heritage before leaving office https://t.co/VCKOG2fLgp

— POLITICO (@politico) December 14, 2018