I thought Mueller wasn't going to do anything big before the midterms.

[BigmanPigman]

That is what everyone was saying, isn't it? I guess Mueller is pretty unpredictable, even to the experts "familiar with the unspoken rules of conduct".

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. It wasn't anything new; the trial would have occurred as scheduled if Manafort hadn't pled.

Once a matter is on a court's calendar the court controls it, not the lawyers.

[HipChick]

2. Wrong....only Troll face Rudy was saying that...

[RandySF]

3. That was misinterpreted.

The unwritten policy is to not directly any candidates. Trump is not on the ballot this year.

[LiberalFighter]

11. Yep!

Nobody that has been indicted or convicted yet are candidates for an upcoming election.

[dweller]

4. surprise

he has his own set of rules...

[msongs]

5. manafort is not a candidate or office holder and there is no law about holding off nt

[PubliusEnigma]

9. Donald Trump Jr is not a candidate or office holder, is he?

[dalton99a]

6. It looks like there will be a Saturday Night Massacre after the midterms

So I think he will file as many indictments as he can in the next few weeks and his team will use the court appearances to read as much stuff into the public record as they can

[Generic Brad]

13. More like Saturday Night Suicide

This presidency is already in its death throes. If he tries to shut this down, his political demise will be swift and certain. Even he should understand this.

[Gothmog]

7. The so-called 60 day rule does not apply

The sixty day rule really only applies to someone on the ballot. Trump and Manafort are not on the ballot. In addition, this case was set to go to trial on Sept 24 and they were scheduled to start picking a jury on Monday. Today was the last good day to do a plea bargain without pissing off the court. Federal judges hate it when you go through the trouble of picking a jury for no reason

[UTUSN]

8. He a honeybadger!1

[Awsi Dooger]

10. Chuck Todd was two weeks early

This should restore his popularity

[Xolodno]

12. Well...he hasn't hit any holders of office...or..

...anyone campaigning for office, campaigning for, etc....he is abiding by the "unwritten rule"

But nailing non-office holders who aren't doing jack, is well within his scope.