A Citizen’s Letter to Robert Mueller
Dear Mr. Robert Mueller:
I am neither a democrat or a republican. I am writing as a concerned American to beg you to reveal whether there is any end in sight for your Russia-Trump collusion investigation.
We all want to know the truth behind whether President Trump or any of his associates colluded with the Russians to sway the 2016 election. We’d also like to know if the FBI first started investigating Mr. Trump months before the election based on a dirty-tricks tip from Democrats.
I try to learn as much as I can about all this, Mr. Mueller, but there are so many contradictory reports out there – on TV, in various newspapers and magazines – that I don’t know what to believe! Politicians often just parrot their party line about who is suspect and those of us who just want to know the truth remain stumped. Families have, literally, splintered after angry political arguments, good friends have stopped talking to each other.
Could you see your way clear to answer at least some of the many questions we have about our election system, our political parties and the two candidates who squared off for the White House? If we all had a better grasp on the facts we might start to find some common ground.
I just read that your investigation has cost taxpayers nearly $17 million so far. You know what? That’s okay. Spend as much money as you need but, please, realize that the longer your leak—prone investigation goes on the more the media (and those aggravating TV talking heads!) will spew their speculations and the deeper our national schism will become.
In other words, sir, you’ve been at it for more than a year now. Could you start to wrap it up for the country’s peace of mind?
It is hard for even the most well-informed Americans to keep it all straight as to who-said-what-to-whom-when and what each of the players were doing on the sidelines. Manafort and Gates, Papadopoulos and Page, Kushner and Flynn, Trump Jr. and Cohen to name a few. If any of them did, in fact, get into bed with the Russians to influence the outcome of our election I hope you file espionage charges! But I would think if you’d discovered that kind of proof it would have already leaked out. I’m guessing your biggest challenge will be to prove a collusion link to President Trump himself.
Of course, he doesn’t do a lot to illuminate us with all his interminable tweets. I’m not sure how you restrain yourself each time the president calls your investigation a “witch hunt.” And, Mr. Mueller, I’m sure, like us, you question some of the president’s public statements. Like the various reasons he gave for firing FBI Director James Comey who started the collusion probe. Was he dismissed because, as the president has said, Comey a.) mishandled the Clinton e-mail server investigation or b.) because he “wasn’t doing a good job” or c.) as he told NBC news he was thinking about “this Russia thing … a made up story.”
You, sir, have more tools to get to the truth than we do. Can you imagine how befuddled we citizens are?
One of the things that bothers me most is just how the FBI came to start its collusion investigation back in July 2016, months before the election. I’ve read it was sparked by a confidential informant alerting the Bureau to possible Russian-Trump team shenanigans.
Was the informant British citizen Christopher Steele who authored that notorious and democratically financed dossier on Trump? Was it the Australian diplomat who had drinks with low-level Trump team member George Papadopolus and heard him brag about the Russians having Hillary Clinton’s e-mails?
If it was the latter that seems a pretty thin excuse for starting a full-blown FBI investigation. If it was the former, then I smell a partisan political rat at the crux of this.
But now, Mr. Mueller, I read the informant might have been this fellow named Stefan Halper, an American professor based in London. The Hill reports Halper approached at least three Trump campaign officials way before the official FBI investigation started and snooped around for Russia-Trump connections. Apparently Halper had worked for the U.S. government in the past, earning more than $1 million from Pentagon contracts during the Obama administration. Did President Obama or the FBI send Halper in to the Trump campaign – and, if so, why?
Mr. Mueller, can’t you at least let us know how this whole ugly mess started so we can get a clearer picture of what’s at play here? And, in a perfect world, I’d like to know if you’re also investigating members of the FBI, the Democratic National Committee or the Obama administration.
In closing, may I say, Mr. Mueller, we have all become so weary of the steady drumbeat of unconfirmed news about your work. Please, can you hit the accelerator and hurry it up?
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ABQ Journal Reader Dan Klein writes:
20 people charged with federal crimes, 3 companies charged with federal crimes, total charges are now 75 criminal charges. Yet Diane Dimond wants this rapped up right away. Sorry, investigations, these types of investigations, take time. Let the special prosecutor do his job, I don’t see him telling Diane Dimond what to write, so she shouldn’t be telling him how to investigate.
Diane Dimond ·replies:
I’m not telling Mr. Mueller how to investigate…only wishing he could wrap it up so American’s could get some real FACTS instead of the media’s intrepretation of leaks. The current situation makes me – and many others – weary.
ABQ Journal Reader Hankie Gibson · Professor Emeritus at Whatever writes:
If only Diane Dimond was blond, she’d be a shoe-in for Fox & Friends. She pretty much regurgitated every BS story she could come up with to defend the biggest criminal in American political history. Indictments, guilty pleas, and overwhelming evidence means nothing to this airhead………
ABQ Journal Reader John Kivlighan writes:
Well stated. 🙂
Reader Larry writes:
Diane Diamond …. Having read your letter to Robert Mueller in my local Newspaper, I was amused by your writings! Although many have spoken highly of Mr. Mueller, he has a checkered past. This may seem somewhat unsettling for some, but I just happen to have relatives I only know by family association (Genovese)! They are part of the NewYork Mafia Crime families. (A comment later)
< December 1968, molded Robert Mueller to who he is today. It happened just a month or so into his tour with Marine Hotel Company at Foxtrot Ridge part of Mutter's Ridge, DMZ, where Mueller experienced a First battle Command gone wrong. His unit battled the North Viet Cong for hours. Men were being killed and wounded in his unit. It was his first battle and Command. He watched from a safe area as a soldier Sparks crawled to another soldier shot in the head "Liverman" only to be shot himself as he lifted the soldier to his shoulders. (It's said, No Bronze Star for Sparks)! Mueller calls in for Air support, finally, they come and lay down fire and smoke, then Mueller and another soldier move down to the 2 wounded men. They pushed them in the cover of a bomb crater. The two carry Sparks to safety as planes drop more smoke bombs in the crater area, Mueller proceeded back down to the crater to get the wounded man. (some say with help)? Liverman a Multi Battle hardened Marine had been progressing forward leading Mueller in the battle! (Metals)? < My interest in Robert S.Mueller was aroused when I had a friend that knew a Robert G.Mueller in Viet Nam (June 1965 -April 1966) a hero that never received a Bronze Star, until years later! A Farmboy was taken into the war by the draft. with a rank of Private! This Soldier fought a courageous battle, Info of him from talk of soldiers in these battles in Viet Nam! This is an account that many Muellers have fought War battles and were known by their comrades while in all wars, as John Paul Mueller a famous General! But there is an exception in Robert S. Mueller of the Viet Nam war. When one reads of his war experience and the metals he received in Wiki, you'd say he was a Veteran of Merit. But as Mr. Mueller's life has been lived, there is much live fantasy to it. His short period in Viet Nam affected him mentally! It leads to one serious battle within himself! His squadron was sent to retrieve a trapped ambushed squad of soldiers. In doing so Mueller received a mystery gunshot wound and many of his Squadron were killed and did receive serious injuries! Mueller's injury leads him to a more secure position as aide-de-camp for Major General Jones. Though this position he nominates his squad Medals etc. from their firefight. In doing so he also is awarded Medals from his description of the battle. Also during his stay in Viet Nam, his position to Major General Jones has perks, Robert Mueller worked with Viet Nam Generals, providing them with many Nice commodities, that lead to many return compliments, It provided Service Metals of commendation etc. from Viet Nam. (Impressive) The story not told is of a young man that knows he is going to be drafted as many young teenage boys were in 1965-66. His Schoolmate and friend David Hackett, who Robert admired was a leader on the LaCrosse team at school. David had joined the Marines and served one tour and was getting ready to sign for a second tour when he and his squad were caught in a North Viet Cong trap. David was a born leader and was aggressively moving within his squad, giving help as needed and a Sniper killed him. This was a blow to Robert Mueller. He joined thereafter only to have a bad knee and was deferred until his knee healed. President Trump at this time was deferred because of heel spurs. (The Untold Story of Robert Mueller's Time in the Viet Nam War) by Garrett M, Graft of WIRED gives a great account of many aspects of Robert Mueller. He set his own course that leads to many demons in his life. He is driven from the mistakes made in the only two military conflicts he was leading that others were wounded and killed. He wasn't killed leading as was David Hackett who he admired. he feels he failed! Now in life, if he makes mistakes he doesn't justify them! Take the account of the men that he let go to prison that was innocent when he was the Asst. District Attorney. When Paroles came about for them, he never spoke up to say they were innocent. He let them stay in prison! He has a Dark side. He is constantly pushing the button to defeat his supposed rivals. In this period it is the President, who was deferred from the Viet Nam War. He feels Trump must pay for all his supposed wrongs in life. Robert Mueller is a very smart individual who is battling his past. Many guilty parties may get by with crimes (past or even present Government officials) and he won't entertain their quit. It's time for a complete house cleaning in our Government. It's coming as a reform in our monetary system. < Without going into Roberts College years and his marriage. I will say he received a well-deserved R&R but way earlier than the 6 months normally required. He also was given a plush position with a Major General for a short period of time and went Stateside in 1969 and started Law school on a Federal Grant after a very short tour in Viet Nam! After Graduating and practicing law, Robert eventually became a Federal...Asst. District Attorney that lead to Mafia connections and many off colored events the Public wouldn't want to know about. Many in the crime world know all the events many of our Government officials are involved in presently. President Trump swore to clean up the swamp and Mueller is the alternative for the Deep state to counter the President. Bur with 3500 plus indictments awaiting to be served and many already served throughout the US we are going to see many famous people going to jail in the next couple of years. One may be Robert Swan Mueller!
ABQ Journal Reader George Klecan writes;
Diane: Great column…Common sense you rarely hear on this issue…
I remember you from Albuquerque…
George Klecan
Reader Joel Widman writes:
I can answer for Mr.Mueller: “Never or at least not until I find something better to do.”
Remember the Ken Starr investigation of the Clintons? That would probably still be going on if the plug wasn’t pulled on it.
Reader Steven Bliss writes:
Sorry Ms Dimond,
Your “Fair and Balanced” column is about as balanced as Faux News. A few points;
“leak-prone” investigation……. Are you paying attention? There are no leaks. Saying that mirrors Trump talking points.
Simply bringing up $17 million…….. Donald and his family spend more than that on golf and hunting trips. Mentioning it mirrors Trump talking points.
“Democratically financed dossier”……. Again, paying attention? Originally financed by Republicans. More TTP (now known as Trump talking points) Christopher Steele was well regarded as a source by the FBI.
“More than a year now”…… Ken Starr, 4 years. 3 to get Nixon. More TTP
Trump fired Comey because of “This Russia thing” No dispute here, straight out of Trump’s mouth.
How it all started? Start with Carter Page investigated as Russian spy– for years. European Intelligence agencies warning about suspicious Russian connections. Saying you’re confused about that is just more TTP.
I’m not clear how you can be missing some of these obvious items. Your column reads like Faux News trying to be fair and balanced. If I know all these things, why don’t you? If you think 20 indictments, several guilty pleas, numerous connections with Russians is all just business as usual, you really have no credibility at all.
Vermont Reader Jeff Scott:
Hi Diane,
I’m Jeff and I saw your letter to Mr. Mueller online. I think I can help you with some of your questions.
First, Mueller will not ever comment on the investigation to any media, which is an important norm for all ongoing investigations. However, he does communicate information in the form of official court documents. Don’t rely on the media summaries to discern what’s going on. Read the original charging documents/indictments themselves and the Statement of Offense documents from the people who have plead guilty. They are all available online and are the only objective reality Re: the investigations.
As for the origins of the Russia investigation, Trey Gowdy, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, was allowed to view the highly classified, non-public information on the FBI informant Trump was calling a spy. After seeing the documents, he stated publicly that the FBI acted appropriately with respect to the informant deployment, and stated that if the American people could see what he saw they would have wanted to do what the FBI did. I consider this the most trustworthy public source on the matter because it was mostly Republicans raising concerns about the FBI and he broke partisan rank, presumably, in order to tell the truth.
In late May a collection of media outlets filed a motion trying to get the courts to un-seal documents like search warrants relating to the investigation. In a brief opposing the motion, Mueller’s team did offer an explanation that is probably the closest we are going to get to a status update. They wrote:
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“The Special Counsel’s investigation is not a closed matter, but an ongoing criminal investigation with multiple lines of non-public inquiry.
The investigation consists of multiple lines of inquiry within the overall scope of the Special Counsel’s authority. Many aspects of the investigation are factually and legally interconnected: they involve overlapping courses of conduct, relationships, and events, and they rely on similar sources, methods, and techniques. The investigation is not complete and its details remain non-public.”
******
This indicates that Mueller is working on some things the public still doesn’t know about and that have not appeared in the press. The unfortunate reality is that a prosecutor really can’t talk about ongoing investigations because they themselves have not drawn final conclusions, and you risk saying something you might later need to amend. Such premature disclosures have prejudicial impact and could also severely impact the conduct and testimony of potential witnesses.
I can also assure you, with great confidence, that Mueller is not investigating the Obama administration or the DNC, simply because that is not within his purview. The only way Mueller himself could do so would be if he came across a trail during the natural course of the probe that lead to Obama administration officials and raised suspicions about them. That’s theoretically possible, I suppose, but since he doesn’t appear to be interviewing those officials it’s highly unlikely that has happened. However, that does not necessarily mean the DNC/Obama are not under investigation—it’s just that the Department of Justice would have that responsibility, but would be no more inclined to talk about it than Mueller if it were happening. I also know for sure the Inspector General is reviewing the FBI’s handling of the Clinton email probe and a report on their findings is expected within weeks.
I completely sympathize with your desire for a swift conclusion to the investigation, and share your dismay at the fractured state of the country. I don’t mean to sound partisan, but my frank assessment is that Trump is actively engaged in trying to undermine Mueller, the FBI, and the DOJ, and that this is the primary reason no one knows what to think. Mueller isn’t talking to the press, he’s doing his job and doing the best he can, and Trump is mainly tweeting like crazy and thus keeping the controversy in the news. It’s true that the press is eager to take everything Trump says and does and see the absolute worst in it, but if he could quiet and exert a little self control the story would be less prominent.
I want to see Mueller get it right. Waiting is agony, but I trust Mueller—the big cultural problem is that Trump is at war with the press and the press is at war with Trump. They feed off one another in the worst way.
I hope this note has been of some small value to your peace of mind—I’m also someone who is trying earnestly to navigate these difficult and uncertain passages and it is no simple task discerning what is what.
Best,
Jeff Scott
Fair Haven, VT
Twitter pal DLB @60bourbon writes:
the facts will come out and Orange Hitler will be a proven Russian colluder ….
Reader James Starzynski writes:
Dear Ms. Dimond,
“Are we there yet?”
The column expressing your impatience with the Mueller investigation seems to overlook (merely as examples) the Lawrence Walsh $47 million Iran-Contra investigation that lasted eight years and the Kenneth Starr-Robert Ray $60 million Whitewater-Lewinsky investigation that lasted six years.
It also seems to overlook that within a little more than a year, this investigation has resulted in several guilty pleas and multiple indictments. Are you really that uninformed about recent U.S. history? Or is it that like so many gullible Americans, you have been sucked into the Trump campaign to discredit the investigation before the results are even announced?
What you also seem to be missing is what for some of us (not sure about you) is the massively important subject matter of this investigation: it is not just whether someone profited illegally from a real estate deal or had sex with an intern, or even disobeyed the law and lied about it (all of which charges are admittedly serious). It is the monumentally serious allegation of the extent of the collusion (and there was indeed collusion; e.g., the meeting of Don Jr., Kushner and Manafort with the Russians) between the Trump campaign and the Russians who were seeking (successfully, as it turns out) to influence our elections.
If you want to be regarded as a serious and neutral journalist, you need to do much better than this.
James Starzynski
Mr. Starzynski:
I don’t feel there is a need to defend my journalistic neutrality. The column you are referring to is an Op-Ed column I write once a week on issues of crime and justice. Op = opinion, to which I am constitutionally allowed to express.
That column was written as an every-man/woman lament. Maybe you didn’t read it in the spirit in which it was written. So many Americans jump immediately to criticism these days instead of critical thinking.
Perhaps YOU have not been made weary by the massive media coverage of this Mueller investigation but I can assure you there are countless hundreds of thousands, even millions who have been.
I clearly state that Mr. Muller should take all the money and time he needs to conduct a deep-dive investigation. … and then I clearly opine that the longer it takes the more media speculation we will be exposed to and the deeper the national schism will become.
I stand by what I wrote – being fully aware of all the past federal investigations you cite.
Diane Dimond