Why do we assume that Bannon told Mueller's team "everything" he knows??

[kentuck]

It is reported that they questioned him for about 20 hrs? That seems like a long time to question anyone.

But, did it take so long because he had so much information to give them? Or did it take so long because he refused to tell them what they wanted to know? And they kept calling him back for more testimony?

We don't really know?

But, Bannon did go to his invite before the House Intel Committee yesterday. It was reported that he refused to answer any questions, except for 25 questions that were drawn up for him by the White House? Doesn't that sound a little strange?

Neither Bannon nor Trump can be trusted, in my opinion.

[Wounded Bear]

1. "Neither Bannon nor Trump can be trusted, in my opinion."

True. I'm assuming that Mueller has a lot of background going into this series of interviews. Like the talking heads like to say, he doesn't ask questions until he's pretty sure he already knows the answers.

The whole Trump cabal is a bunch of CYA assholes. Bannon is an unsavory bastard in his own right.

[lunasun]

2. I do not . Imo he probably gave them zip on anything . Folks want to believe even if improbable

[Maeve]

3. Bannon wants to weasel himself back into power and money

He can be trusted only about as far as one could comfortable spit a rat.

[Girard442]

6. Lovely image that.

Even if "Mythbusters" was still on, I don't think they'd do that one.

[Maeve]

7. I beleive it originated with Hitchhiker's Guide

Douglas Adams was a very inventive writer

[MineralMan]

4. I don't assume that at all.

In fact, I'm reasonably sure he did not. He lies.

[Girard442]

5. Bannon wouldn't know which questions Mueller asked that he already knew the answer to.

Can't imagine that Mueller would be reluctant to nail Bannon for lying to the FBI, or that Bannon would think that he would.

[H2O Man]

8. Recommended.

There are two possible reasons: (1) Bannon would definitely not be willing to lie to cover for Trump or those around him; and (2) Bannon holds Donald Jr in contempt, and he despises Kushner.

[kentuck]

9. It's difficult to figure out...

Is he looking for some type of pardon from Trump, at the same time he is giving information to Mueller?? It is true that he would not lie to cover for any of them, especially for those like Don Jr or Kushner.

However, how do we explain the 25 questions given to him by the White House??

[H2O Man]

14. There are a few possibilities.

Any president -- even Trump -- has the right to claim that conversations between himself (or herself) are privileged, and cannot be provided to the legislative branch .....unless they are of a criminal nature. That is a Catch-22, obviously. Attempts to keep criminal conversations secret is obstruction, of course, as well as the lesser-defined abuse of power (not a criminal charge, but grounds for impeachment).

Second, Mr. Mueller and his team are fully aware that any important information Bannon might have provided to the House committee would have been reported back to the White House, and likely the media, within minutes. Hence, Team Mueller prefers that Bannon take the approach he did.

Third, there is no such thing as "presidential privilege" when it comes to the Mueller investigation. It is under the Department of Justice, hence part of the executive branch. Hence, Bannon does not have the option of not answering questions honestly, without facing serious criminal charges.

Also, the reason Bannon was answering questions for 20 hours is that after reviewing his responses to specific questions, and comparing them very carefully to other people's responses, other questions about details were raised. Thus, he was required to return for more questioning.

[kentuck]

15. The second possibility seems likely.

Do you think Bannon is communicating with the White House? Why hasn't the WH twitted on this matter?

[H2O Man]

16. My understanding is that

the White House and Trump legal team now communicates with Bannon's attorney. I am not aware of any direct communications between Trump and Bannon. Certainly not between Kelly and Bannon.

I think it is accurate to say that 95%-plus of Bannon's conversation with Team Mueller focused on Kushner.

[kentuck]

18. If true, we might expect Kushner to be high on the indictment list?

Although this Rick Gates "plea bargain" is probably a bigger story than we have thus far imagined? It keeps the ball rolling.

[H2O Man]

20. Absolutely.

And you are right to connect the two.

Kushner is following in his father's footsteps. It's not a question of if he can be indicted; it's on how many counts Team Mueller is very confident they can prove -- and how they can prevent Trump from pardoning him.

[Me.]

11. How About This

smart lawyers never ask questions they don't already know the answers to and people like Bannon, as scummy as he is, is too smart to put his head in a noose

[kentuck]

13. Somehow...

I think he is trying to play both sides. He's a sly snake.

[H2O Man]

17. I'd add

three letters: ONI. Some of the members over the decades are repulsive, including Bannon. Some go off on their own, in foolish ways, such as Carter Page. But when push comes to shove, they get in line.

[Farmer-Rick]

10. There seems to be no repercussions for lying to Congress

Just ask Rove.

But lying to the FBI brings consequences.

He didn't spill his guts, he just told them as little as possible without lying.

Congressn really doesn't care about what Trump is doing as long as the Putin bribes keep on coming.

[C_U_L8R]

12. I don't trust Bannon or his motives.

I imagine that in 20 hours of testimony, he may have perjured himself but good.
For sure, Bannon thinks he's smarter than Mueller and his team and likely
crafted a few deceptive threads... whether self-serving, vindictive or just plain delusional.
Maybe we'll find out for sure, soon.

[Lee-Lee]

19. Bannon did whatever he thought was best for Bannon

How that will play out, who knows.