215 Comments
Nov 19, 2022·edited Nov 20, 2022Pinned

Hi Ari. Thanks for such a detailed explanation of yesterday's announcement by the DOJ. Was a bit confused as to why the need for a special counsel. After your show yesterday I had a better understanding. Then reading today's newsletter, you laid out all the possible scenarios. You expertise on the law is invaluable to your audience. My question is, can this special counsel be fired by a new President if that happens?

Have a good weekend, take.care be safe!!!!🙏✌️😊

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Under the rules, the special counsel can only be fired for cause - unlike other Presidential appointees - and it triggers a process with Congress as well. To pick a recent example, Trump named a special counsel (Durham) to review aspects of the original Russia probe, and he continued his role and work during the Biden administration.

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Thanks Ari!!!😊

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Hello V!

I too am grateful for Ari's 'plain English' breakdowns and legal expertise - both of which are seriously needed during these 'nightmare days of tRump' where the notion of "equal justice under the law" remains challenged... ⚖️

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I am grateful to V and all of the people on this site posing all these good questions to ARI who answers all of them in words we can understand. We become more enlightened each week day by watching Ari's program, The Beat, and we all learn from Ari's answers to our questions each day. CAH

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Hi Carol, yes we are very lucky to have Ari explain all the important information to us. He is very detailed and informative. When I first came across The Beat over 5 years ago, I remember telling my daughter, I found an amazing news program, on MSNBC. Have been a faithful viewer ever since. I have also connected with wonderful people like you through Ari's newsletter. Merry Christmas and may you have a blessed New Year!!!🎄🙏😊

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to a fellow subscriber, V. Garcia, who realizes how lucky we are to have found ARI and his newsletter, and also our other fellow subscribers who contribute so much. I wish all of us a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I think Ari and his family and friends deserve Happy Holidays too

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Hi V, I heard some analysts say they cannot be fired. I know President Biden left Durham in place, while investigating his son (Hillary’s aide and him, I believe). But we’ll await Ari’s answer. As you know, Durham left with a thud! A waste of time and money! Have a great weekend!

We did well, in the elections. Needed a little more push in WI, NC (Senate) NY and CA (House), but we’ll take it. We have a lot of bills sitting in the Senate. Hopefully, we can get them through--with Warnock!

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It never hurts to get another perspective on a case as potentially huge as this one. If Jack Smith has the huevos to handle The Hague, he can handle whatever Trumpty and his minions throw out there…which undoubtedly will be plenty.

I don’t think hiring a special counsel is an insignificant thing and Merrick Garland doesn’t strike me as a shrinking violet when it comes to justice and the law. Deliberate, detail oriented, able to hit any legal curve ball…absolutely.

I think Trumpty is in a world of hurt.

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I always thought the x-president should appear in front of The Hague for crimes against humanity for his role in the separation of children from their parents legitimately seeking asylum.

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Yep. Along with that Nazi, Stephen Miller.

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TCinLA refers to Miller, quite appropriately, as "Reinhard Heydrich look-alike Stephen Miller," which is dead-on. look at a picture of Heydrich (who was very paranoid about the fact that people thought he was Jewish. this just made him even viler than he already was.

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Agree. This was an ultimate immoral act

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I am beyond furious!!!!! Was listening to you last night on the beat and what you said regarding everyone passing the buck infuriated me because it was so right on. Your guest also made comments regarding NOTHING has changed in the last 13 plus months, why didn't Garland make this move way back so we could possibly be that much closer to the end.

In my life hearing about a person that has hurt people the way Trump has, I've always said, you can not go through life without it catching up to you..so being elderly I just pray I am around long enough to see him get his and get it good.

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Hurt people?! Damn! Trump hurt The People! He has permanently damaged the whole country and the world at large forever. LIES MATTER!!! 30,000 lies! The only resource that lied more than Trump was FOX news. The only people who didn't betray our country were those of us who voted for Hillary! It was Madam "UnPresidented" Hillary's voters/supporters who put Obama and now President Biden in the White House! We voted against Trump, we voted against Republicans! We served our country well! Why didn't Garland make his move to make sooner? Because he's a registered voting Republican! I'm 70 and I say Amen to your prayers for Justice for All before we die! Rots a ruck...and don't hold your breath.

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Good morning everyone and I hope that you are enjoying this crisp and cold Fall weather 😃 I got my tea in my favorite coffee mug, The Beat mug ☕️

Ari, thanks for your insights and explanations of AG Garland’s move…it just continues to look like at the end, Trump will never be held accountable for his crimes and the January 6th insurrection…just continuous circling around the decision of prosecuting Trump.

I wonder why this Special Counsel was not appointed months ago…I will never understand why the legal process is so slow when it comes to Trump…The great Elie Mystal, your esteemed guest, expressed how I feel about this.

Trump must and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law…no exceptions.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone😃

Cheers🍾🥂

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Fair point on the timing, as discussed.

And love hearing about the mug, on a lighter note!

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Hi Sandra. Feeling the same, but we just never know. Yes Elie Mystal spoke for all of us. Our frustration is so high because all these traitors keep getting away from accountability.

Until next time, have a safe weekend.🙏😊❤✌️

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V, you crack me up...They are “traitors!”

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Hi V Garcia, yes, we will see how all this plays out...thanks you too😃😃😃

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Beautiful morning in the AZ Desert where the purple is starting to be more blue! Enjoy your day as well!

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Congrats!!! We were keeping up with resu,ts the whole time with you. Now let's hope Kris Mayes holds on to her lead for AG.🙏💙😊

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Hi Pamela, Yes indeed👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 AZ did us proud...Blue💙 rules😃😃😃 Enjoy and Cheers☕️

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HAPPY WEEKEND 2 U, as well!❤️

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Garland took the heat off Garland by appointing a Special Counsel. He didn't want the threats to himself and his family from the "crazies" aligned with Trump's incendiary rhetoric.

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I'm starting to despair again... Is Garland just too weak and timid? He keeps finding ways to not indict. He doesn't appear to have the backbone we so desperately need. After the Mueller tragedy (and dementia IS a terrible tragedy), can we get a break? PLEASE? Between the R's owning the House, the despicable religious extremist majority on the SCOTUS, and our fraying union... it does appear in fact that some vile people actually ARE above the law here. I cannot tell you how unsafe and frightened I am by this trumpian supreme court... And I don't know what to do to make things better for us all. Ari, do you have any suggestions? Or are we truly at the mercy of Crazy?

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The man's an invertebrate. The only thing we can do now is pray Biden grows a stronger spine and some sprinting legs and ushers in the expansion of the SCOTUS MUY PRONTO and the impeachment of those LIARS, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barret and Scalia and Thomas overdose on lying and also go to jail. We need to appoint Hillary and 4 others on the SCOTUS and get rid of redistricting, electoral college, codify laws to inhibit the broadcast of public lies. Sprint, Biden, don't just dawdle or run, Sprint! It doesn't matter how many more of us vote over the Republicans, their redistricting in Wisconsin proves majority rule doesn't stand a chance! We would have won the house as well if it hadn't been for Republicans illegal and unconstitutional redistricting!!

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Redistricting has to be fixed but It wouldn't have been close if Democrats had stopped ignoring the Republican talk radio advantage. Republicans shouldn't have had a chance after what they did and let TFG do. But 1500 radio stations screaming about inflation, crime, oil prices, egg prices, immigration, etc (not to mention lying about Dem candidates and making excuses for Republicans) all day did the trick - as usual - while Democrats pointed fingers about messaging strategy.

Dems can still do it in time for the Ga election. All US RW stations will be attacking Warnock and making excuses for Walker. There are about 40 Republican stations in Ga and the local Ga talkers will add localized lying and exaggerations - all attacking Warnock.

If Democrats want to fix redistricting, electoral college, supremes etc we need supermajorities and without their invisible talk radio advantage Republicans are hopeless. Fox, internet, social media are diverse and part of the free speech spectrum. They're retailing the alternate reality, RW radio is the wholesaler.

Artificial intelligence allows the Dem Party to easily record, transcribe, analyze, and quantify the highly repetitious basic content of what's happening on Ga radio to support Walker and attack Warnock.

When that happens on a national scale half its advertisers will abandon it. So will hundreds of universities and pro sports teams that support it.

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Amen and ditto to everything on your list 👍🏼

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Adding justices would require more than a decision by Biden, though; It would require legislation passed by congress and it would need 60 votes in the Senate.

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Welp. That’s that, then. 🫤

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Ari, I watched “The Beat” on yesterday and heard your arguments, as presented here. I understand all points; am aware that such cases are difficult, entwined, and steeped in longevity. However, in the Trump cases, I agree with Elie Mystal! I’ve had countless arguments with neighbors, family, and friends about whether any of his cases will come to fruition. I’m fighting for the rule of law, trying to believe that “No man is above the law,” even while seeing a Chris Christie, Jared Kushner, and a Donald Trump slither through the Bob Muellers, Cyrus Vance, Jrs, Alvin Braggs, and the Merrick Garlands. For me, no Special Counsel is needed for J6, stolen classified documents, and election interference, via a RECORDING! I’m thinking these prosecutors are not seeking ways TO indict Trump, but TO NOT!

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Interesting points here. Thanks for reading and watching - Ellie certainly laid out his take for skepticism

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You’re welcome! “The Beat” is worthy of our time. I always learn something!

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Hi Diva. My first thought yesterday was, WHY???? Listening to Ari yesterday helped me understand it better. Than Elie Mystal showed his frustration, (he spoke for all of us). I truly understand how he feels. So it's really hard to believe anything will be done. Just hope they do have a road map to justice., because as you pointed out, this former guy has committed so many crimes. 😡

Have a safe weekend. 🙏😊❤

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Back atcha! ❤️ n 🙏🏽

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Hello Olddiva,

I understand your frustration! Feels like the public gets built up and then let down more times than not when it comes to powerful people who - like tRump - sometimes 'crime' in public. As Paul Butler once said (and I'm paraphrasing somewhat), America does not have a criminal *justice* system.

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Hi to you, S.R.! I love Paul, and he is so right. Yes, it is VERY frustrating! No way, adult Malia and Sasha could have left the WH, $600 mil richer, with a subsequent $2 Bil Venture Capital donation from MBS (wink-wink)..and NOTHING!🤬

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Hello Olddiva,

Exactly! For goodness sake, the girls' dad couldn't wear a tan suit (the horror!) without the repugs running around screaming "unpresidential," "disrespectful"...blah blah. But tRump and his minions broke every rule, norm, and law they could, actually tried to overturn democracy; but - "keep it moving children... nothing to see here.". Sigh

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You nailed it! You notice how many of them, now wearing tan suits?! What we know is that the faux outrage of the tan suit, was just a facade for Obama’s whole being: his mental brilliance, self-confidence, audacity to even run for the presidency, win x2, then show up in that tan suit! Drop the mic! HOW DARE HE! Clutch the pearls! S.R., enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

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Lmao🤣. The pearl-clutching is real! They "can't stand" Obama the man and two-term President, but they SOOOOOO wanna be him. Badly. Enjoy your Sunday as well!💙

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Ari

You are dead on. When someone has blatantly committed crimes against humanity and democracy over and over again right before our eyes then Garland needs to indict not pass the buck. We need to call Garland out. This strategy of his curdles my stomach. If the American public has watched this nightmare from the beginning and have all the evidence they need why doesn’t Garland face reality? I’m fully aware of restrictions and guidelines however this has gone way beyond normality and it will happen again. Get ‘em Ari! Sherry Mangan

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Hello Ari,

Thank you for 'breaking it down' into language we can understand (and also for the LII link ☺️). I enjoyed reading to the very end. Interesting re the "guardrail" acting the way it was intended; but, who can ever know what will happen in these, yes, *unprecedented*, times?! There was lots of disappointment around Mueller's 'special' probe which left some folks wary of special counsels. Not sure Garland's announcement did much to convince such folks otherwise. Me, I'm just watching and waiting...and trying to not get my hopes up too much, while also remaining hopeful. #keephopealive

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Hi Sandra, so glad to be back, what a whirlwind of emotions we have experienced with the midterms. Yes we just have to.sit back and hope for the best.

Ha e a good weekend, be safe.🙏😊❤

#keephopealive ✌️

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Have a great weekend as well!

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Do you mean Hope Hicks?

🤔

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Hi Rita. No not the person Hope. But our hope for accountability for these traitors who were responsible for the planning of the attempted coup.😊🙏✌️

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Yes…

😊🙏✌️

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Garland explained..not so much…but you and Lawrence O’Donnell…with the Weismann and Tribe…and related mavens….Now THATS info !!

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I always read to the end of your writings :), and I appreciate the detailed explanation. You had a guest on last night who expressed exactly what I feel- that Garland could and should have done this months ago. The ex- president was always a potential to run again and Biden has always said he’d run again( although not officially declared). Perhaps an accomplished and focused Special Counsel could have wrapped things up by now. We can only hope his competency will expedite an evidence based conclusion one way or the other. So much of what is evident seems unprovable so I’m not sure I have a lot of hope, but I do have faith.

Your interviews, reporting, and special reports are Master Class. Thank you.

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As a retired civil - not criminal - attorney, I appreciate your explanation of the legal implications of Attorney General Garland's appointment of a new Trump Special Counsel. Time will tell if it adds any credibility or objectivity to an already highly credible and and objective investigation of Donald Trump. Time is of the essence here.

I have long wondered what, if any, legal responsibility Trump and his mob might have for the millions or more likely billions of dollars their seemingly frivolous legal claims and appeals have and continue to cost our nation. Do any of these claims appear to qualify as frivolous? If so, why haven't the courts imposed penalties and costs? Enough already!

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Patti, welcome to my world. I cannot believe the copious funds this ONE person has cost our country! Grifting, by the whole family, wasn’t enough. We’re still paying--probably forever!

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When I first heard the news I thought Garland was providing himself with a layer of protection more than protection of ongoing investigations. I think it might be helpful considering the fact that the new Republican house intention is to impeach practically every Democratic official

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It won’t stop them, Truda! They have an agenda, given to them by Trump. If you look at what they want to do, it’s all Trump related.

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I know you are right. I just hate it. Will this shit ever end?

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😂😂😂😂😂 NO, Truda, not until that other party acquire some tact. It’s a race to the bottom for stupidity. We almost kicked Boebert out, but almost doesn’t cut it! So many races were winnable, but folks just don’t take this stuff serious enough to vote. Don’t know what else we can do in California: The ballot comes to your house, you mark it, then WALK to, or drive 1-2 minutes to a drop box. Just that simple! Still, so many didn’t vote. Asinine!

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Garland has dropped the ball again. Wonder why he hasn't acted way before this? So disappointed in him. What is he afraid of? How does Trump keep getting away with everything he does? No one is above the law except Trump? I have to believe karma will get him, but not before he does more damage to the sheep who follow him, and our country.

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I’m so disappointed and disgusted that this AG has delayed this accountability… If this was me.. I would be in jail already.. punting.. he’s running the ball down the opponents goal line!!! I’m tired of waiting for Justice.. this is a man who doesn’t deserve to run again… I can’t trust him.. this is my country too!! He will steal tax dollars again and abuse anything that comes his way… I love my Country and I want democracy to work for The People!!!!! We are tired!! I’m so saddened 😢😢

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Thank you Sandra 🌻

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Thank you Hannah

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Wether it is the new Counsel or Garland - Trump and his dangerous cronies must go to jail. Our democracy has been destroyed by them...need to bring it back to normalcy!

Thank you for your superb writ9ing...I trust you!

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