Emil Monda’s “Common Sense” column states, among other boilerplate Republican talking points, that the Mueller investigation had “not one Republican in a position of authority.” He seems to have overlooked Robert Mueller himself, lifelong Republican. I’m left wondering if Monda is that uninformed or just mendacious.
Mark Ryan, Laguna Beach
Thank you for this post Mark! And my new favorite word: MENDACIOUS.
Mark Ryan –
So you believe that Mueller is in a position of authority and not a neutral party in all of this?
Below is the complete list of the special counsel team members, their donations and the party affiliation noted in their past or present voter registration records.
1) Brian M. Richardson, a former Supreme Court clerk and clerk for a judge serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New York City.
No donations.
Voter registration: No affiliation.
2) Ryan Dickey, a lawyer on detail from the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
No donations.
Voter registration: Democrat.
3) Kyle Freeny, a lawyer from the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
Freeny donated $250 to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008, another $250 to Obama’s reelection campaign in 2012 and $250 to Clinton’s campaign in 2016.
Voter registration: Democrat.
4) Scott Meisler, an appellate lawyer from the Justice Department Criminal Division.
No donations.
Voter registration: No affiliation.
5) Zainab Ahmad, a lawyer from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
No donations.
Voter registration: No affiliation.
6) Greg Andres, a former partner at Davis Polk, a former deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department Criminal Division and a former assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York
He donated $2,700 to the campaign of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) this year and $1,000 to the U.S. Senate campaign of David Hoffman (D) in 2009 when he ran unsuccessfully in Illinois.
Voter registration: Democrat.
7) Rush Atkinson, a lawyer from the Justice Department Criminal Division Fraud Section.
He donated $200 to Clinton’s campaign in 2016.
Voter registration: Democrat.
8) Michael Dreeben, an appellate lawyer from the Office of the Solicitor General.
No donations.
Voter registration: Democrat.
9) Andrew Goldstein, a lawyer from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Goldstein donated $3,300 to Obama’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012.
Voter registration: Democrat.
10) Adam Jed, an appellate lawyer from the Civil Division.
No donations.
Voter registration: Democrat.
11) Elizabeth Prelogar, an appellate lawyer on detail from the Office of the Solicitor General.
She donated $250 each to Clinton’s campaign in 2016 and the Obama Victory Fund in 2012.
Voter registration: Democrat.
12) James Quarles, a former partner at WilmerHale and a former assistant special prosecutor for the Watergate Special Prosecution Force.
He donated more than $30,000 to various Democratic campaigns in 2016, including $2,700 to Clinton, although his giving spans two decades. Quarles also gave $2,500 in 2015 to Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and $250 to Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) in 2005.
Voter registration: Democrat.
13) Jeannie Rhee, a former partner at WilmerHale who has served in the Office of Legal Counsel and as an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington.
Rhee donated a total of $5,400 to Clinton’s campaign in 2015 and 2016, and a total of $4,800 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008 and 2011. She also made smaller donations totaling $1,750 to the Democratic National Committee and to various Democrats running for Senate seats.
Voter registration: Democrat.
14) Brandon Van Grack, a lawyer on detail from the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
He donated $286.77 to Obama’s campaign in 2008.
Voter registration: Democrat.
15) Andrew Weissmann, a lawyer who headed the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. He has served as general counsel at the FBI and as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Weissmann donated $2,300 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008, $2,000 to the DNC in 2006 and $2,300 to the Clinton campaign in 2007.
Voter registration: Democrat.
16) Aaron Zebley, a former partner at WilmerHale who has previously served with Mueller at the FBI and as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia.
No donations.
Voter registration: No affiliation.
17) Aaron Zelinsky, a lawyer on detail from the U.S. attorney’s office in the District of Maryland.
No donations.
Voter registration: Democrat.
Above is Mueller’s team…Mr. Monda is neither uninformed or mendacious. However so very typical of the Democrats and their continued MO is to attack attack attack with nothing but hot air. Pay attention here…He Won…Get Over It!!!
Mark Ryan-
Curious that the only way to disagree with the facts of the Mueller investigation and the conclusion of no collusion that is the bulk of the column is to attack the statement of no Republicans on the team in a position of authority. YOU are wrong. He did not say Mueller, he said Mueller’s team. Out of the 16 publicly confirmed lawyers 13 are registered Democrats and 3 have no party affiliation. No Republicans. 9 have donated over $60K to Democrats but actually 11 donated but weren’t in FEC records. You need to read more carefully before you attack people. Trying to shut down a conservative voice that you don’t like?????
Simple explanation: Mueller, a lifelong Republican, probably couldn’t find any Republicans with enough intelligence or sufficiently unbiased, or who were willing to work in the public interest and forego huge corporate law firm salaries.