Mulvaney on shaky ground in wake of whistleblower fallout, sources say

[demmiblue]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: CNN

(CNN)Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney is on shaky ground in the wake of a bad week for President Trump, according to multiple sources with knowledge of discussions surrounding the whistleblower fallout.

The sources say the President is not upset with Mulvaney for the White House releasing the summary of his July 25 call with Ukraine's leader or the whistleblower complaint because he had been convinced that it was necessary.

What Trump and other aides are frustrated with, according to the sources, is that Mulvaney did not have a strategy for defending and explaining the contents of those documents as soon as they were publicly released.

One of the sources says it's not just the President, but also widespread frustration in the White House about the lack of a response plan to deal with the fallout after the release of the whistleblower complaint ignited more controversy surrounding the President. The sources say Mulvaney is taking the heat for that.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/28/politics/mick-mulvaney-impeachment-inquiry-donald-trump/index.html

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[bucolic_frolic]

1. Slick Mick is such a true believer

in a past life he must have been the executioner

[Vinca]

2. Guess Don should have gotten the Little Golden Book version of his summary so he would have

known what it said. And remember . . . this is just a summary. 11 minutes of 30. The White House has voice recognition software for the transcriptionists so the whole thing must be on audio somewhere - probably in a vault at Fort Knox and guarded by a squad of heavily-armed goons.

[sandensea]

3. Malarkey Mulvaney's been acting as chief of staff almost as long as Cheeto's been acting as prez

They should put on a play by now - in Ft. Leavenworth.

[flibbitygiblets]

4. In other words, Dumpty is pissed because no one was there to clean up his mess for him

Because, leadership and accountability.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. The tRump circle is not a team; it eats itself. . . . nt

[True Dough]

6. I'll say this for Mulvaney

He's far more convincing than most of Trump's sycophants. Mick can talk a good and convincing game. I don't buy what he's selling but he has surely persuaded some rubes.

[tanyev]

7. Isn't Mulvaney's philosophy to Let Trump Be Trump?

I think that philosophy is reaching its inevitable conclusion.

[TeamPooka]

8. Mulvaney is an idiot, but how do you defend from a confession? hahaha fuck em all.

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. "Waddya mean? You can't defend obvious illegality? You're meant to do everything!"

There was me thinking Mulvaney's trouble is that he's implicated in the illegality:

The chairs of the House Budget and Appropriations committees took the Office of Management and Budget to task Friday for possibly illegally withholding foreign aid funds appropriated by Congress including assistance to Ukraine.

In a letter to acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and acting Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Budget Chairman John Yarmuth and Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey said they are concerned OMB actions that withheld military aid to Ukraine “constitute unlawful impoundments in violation” of the landmark 1974 budget law.

https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/democratic-committee-leaders-demand-budget-documents-related-ukraine-aid-holdup

No, apparently it's fine to break the law, just not fine to not have excuses for Trump breaking the law ...

[yaesu]

10. So, tRump is upset because Mulvaney isn't as good at lying and conning as he is.

[Jedi Guy]

11. What blows my mind is that they thought a defense was even possible in the first place.

The best (term used extremely loosely) argument they've been able to muster thus far is, "Trump didn't use the words 'quid pro quo' so clearly it wasn't a quid pro quo. He has to say those exact words for that to be the case." It's laughable.

Trump could resign with the understanding that Pence would pardon him. But Pence, of course, knows he'd be the one in the hot seat in that event, and you know neither one trusts the other to look out for him. They must be shipping Tums to the White House by the crate these days.

[sheshe2]

12. Oh No's!!!

What Trump and other aides are frustrated with, according to the sources, is that Mulvaney did not have a strategy for defending and explaining the contents of those documents as soon as they were publicly released.

Hard to defend the indefensible. His words, plain as the nose on his face.

These people that he surrounds himself with? They are as stupid as he is. He claims to hire the best of the best...best what, morons?

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

17. B-B-But isn't it Rudy's job to put the spin on crimes...

... for this team? It sure would appear so to me.

[marble falls]

13. Some things just can't be spun, no matter how good the spinner is :

[cstanleytech]

14. How exactly did they expect Mulvaney to defend the indefensible?

[KPN]

15. Fall guy # (what are we up to now? (Flynn, Manafort,

...?)

Better find one of those spider holes Saddam hid in soon fat ass. We’re coming for you.

[AKing]

16. Chapter ?? of He Who Must Be Blamed instead of a 'stable genius".

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

18. Love it! Couldn't happen to a bigger sociopath. nt

[Omaha Steve]

19. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

Opinions from multiple unnamed sources about shaky ground for Mulvaney are not LBN.

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