Andrew Weissmann, the architect of the case against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, will study and teach at New York University and work on a variety of public service projects, including his longstanding interest in preventing wrongful convictions by shoring up forensic science standards used in courts, the sources added.
NPR, like many others, take this as a sign that the whole Team Mueller enterprise withchhunt is winding down--and that may well be the case. However, there are hints that there may be more going on behind the scenes.
Gateway Pundit is reporting, via Jack Posobiec, Attorney General Bill Barr confronted Mueller and Weissmann over their proposal to continue to yank General Flynn around in hopes of further "cooperation," demanding that they produce evidence that Flynn could provide probable cause that would lead to any other case. When Mueller and Weissmann were unable to do so, Barr--over their objections--told them to shut it down.
This is an indicator that Bill Barr may actually be reeling in Mueller’s out-of-control inquisition — a stark contrast from Jeff Sessions and Rod Rosenstein.
This, to me, is confirmation of what I wrote before Barr's confirmation: If Confirmed, Barr Will Be The Attorney General In Full. Readers will recall that I've long been saying that the Flynn case would present the first test of Barr's resolve. While a preliminary indicator, this action certainly points toward Barr being in full command. In that regard, it will be interesting to see how the Flynn case develops in the next 90 days. For example, could Barr order a release of more Brady (exculpatory) material? It has long been rumored that Team Mueller has been improperly withholding some of that material regarding the FBI 302s that reported on the interview of Flynn.
Further--and this is speculative--one has to wonder whether Weissmann's possible involvement in the illegal release of sealed Grand Jury material in the Roger Stone case has played a role in his departure. Weissmann has denied responsibility, but the documents in question are known to have come from his computer, so he is at a minimum a suspect. By leaving Team Mueller and DoJ Weissmann can avoid being interviewed by IG Michael Horowitz's team of investigators, who have already had their eye on Weissmann for press leaks. If Barr is loosening the reins on Horowitz--restrictions imposed by Rod Rosenstein--that IMO is good news indeed.
UPDATES: Posobiec is reporting that Weissmann and Mueller wanted to go after Jared Kushner and Don Jr. Barr reviewed what they had, told them it wasn't enough, and then ordered them to shut it down.
Also, GP is reminding us of what Devin Nunes told Maria Bartiromo on Sunday--Nunes wants docs relating to Weissmann's and Zainab Ahmad's conflicts of interest:
Rep. Devin Nunes: So Weissmann is the number two, he’s Mueller’s deputy. He was involved in the custody of the dossiers. In early [actually Fall] 20016 he was given the dossier. He is someone, along with the other one mentioned there, both DOJ people, both on the Mueller team. They shouldn’t be involved in this investigation… There’s clear regulations the DOJ has. You can’t be conflicted. Look did they disclose before Mueller picked them that they were involved in the custody of the dossier?… We know these two individuals were involved in the custody of important evidence, dirt from the Clinton campaign that is the basis for the entire hoax…
Bottom line--Weissmann is leaving under ethical fire.
And finally, two days ago Devin Nunes gave an interview in which he referred openly to "Weissmann, who's running the operation [Team Mueller]." What does it say, then if, within weeks of taking over as AG, Barr has already forced the one "who's running the operation" to step down? Hope!
NEW: Here's a sample of Weissmann's style, from his Enron days. This is new information dug up by Techno Fog and Margot Cleveland. Can you see why Barr wouldn't want this guy in the DoJ? And what does it tell you about Mueller, who has hired him repeatedly, both at the FBI and for Team Mueller?
- Newly unsealed documents show direct threats from Andrew Weissmann to an Enron witness: If the witness meets with the defendants, the Enron Task Force would "make [them] pay" Hand-picked by Mueller. HT @ProfMJCleveland @FultonforTexas
- NEW: more of Andrew Weissmann's Enron Task Force documents have been unsealed. Here's a direct threat Weissmann's team: if you talk to the defendants you might "suffer repercussions... [and] an unfavorable sentencing" Mueller's #2. Assist from @ProfMJCleveland @FultonforTexas
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