Book cover of Where Law Ends by Andrew Weissmann

Andrew Weissmann

Where Law Ends

Reading time icon15 min readRating icon4.4 (1,143 ratings)
Genres
PoliticsNonfictionHistoryAudiobookTrue CrimeLawCrimeBiographyMemoirGovernment

“What’s the role of justice when it runs up against power? That’s the question Andrew Weissmann explores by reflecting on his time in the Mueller investigation.”

1. Andrew Weissmann’s Career Prepared Him for the Mueller Investigation

Weissmann’s career as a federal prosecutor built a foundation well-suited for the challenges of the Mueller investigation. During the 1990s, he prosecuted major New York crime families, gaining experience in high-pressure cases. His work included going after notorious figures like John Gotti and Vincent “The Chin” Gigante.

Later, Weissmann joined the Enron Task Force, navigating one of the largest corporate scandals in U.S. history. His success in untangling Enron’s fraud lent him expertise in pursuing complex financial cases, a skill that proved invaluable in the investigation into Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager.

His collaboration with Robert Mueller at the FBI further strengthened their working rapport. Mueller trusted Weissmann’s determination and analytical mindset, making him the natural choice to lead one of the key teams of the Special Counsel’s Office.

Examples

  • Prosecuted prominent mafia leaders like John Gotti.
  • Led cases against Enron executives, exposing corporate corruption.
  • Worked closely with Robert Mueller during his FBI tenure.

2. Weissmann Led Team M, Investigating Paul Manafort

Weissmann was tasked with investigating Paul Manafort, a key figure with ties to both Trump’s campaign and foreign interests. Manafort had spent years as a lobbyist for authoritarian leaders, including Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, and built a lavish lifestyle funded through questionable means.

Manafort was already under four federal investigations for financial crimes. Weissmann’s team uncovered evidence of money laundering, foreign bank accounts, and unregistered lobbying. This financial paper trail bolstered their case against him, linking Manafort to pro-Russian operatives and corruption.

Mueller’s instincts to focus on Manafort paid off. Investigating Manafort not only clarified his role within Trump’s campaign but also illuminated deeper connections between foreign interference and U.S. politics.

Examples

  • Manafort’s $15,000 ostrich-leather jacket symbolized his extravagant spending.
  • His ties to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska implicated Kremlin collaboration.
  • Yanukovych’s lobbying efforts, managed by Manafort, sought to sway U.S. policies.

3. Evidence of Obstruction Emerge Around Comey’s Firing

Team 600, investigating obstruction, uncovered key evidence regarding FBI director James Comey’s firing. A draft letter written by Trump highlighted the president’s discontent with Comey even before Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein’s official recommendation.

This draft letter mentioned Comey’s handling of the Russia investigation and Trump’s conversations with him. It raised questions about whether firing Comey was meant to stifle the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s actions.

Trump’s public statements further supported the suspicion. On national television, he admitted he intended to fire Comey regardless of the recommendations, undermining the official narrative provided by his administration.

Examples

  • Trump’s draft letter revealed frustration with Russia-related FBI actions.
  • Notes from Comey documented Trump’s requests for “loyalty” and leniency on Flynn.
  • Trump admitted on TV that Comey’s firing was his independent decision.

4. Russian Interference Was Systematic and Well-Planned

The Special Counsel confirmed Russia’s systematic efforts to disrupt the 2016 election. The GRU hacked the Democratic National Committee’s servers, exposing sensitive information tied to the Clinton campaign. Additionally, Facebook disclosed a vast network of social media accounts run by the Russian Internet Research Agency (IRA).

The IRA’s goal was to sow discord and support Trump’s election bid. Fake rallies, disinformation campaigns, and direct engagement with American voters were all orchestrated with precision. Even Trump campaign members like Donald Trump Jr. unwittingly interacted with the IRA, amplifying their messages.

This interference wasn’t just a hacking operation but an integrated campaign to manipulate voter sentiment and polarize the public.

Examples

  • IRA organized Facebook events targeting swing state voters.
  • GRU hackers accessed emails from Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta.
  • Social media posts influenced even high-profile figures like Sean Hannity.

The infamous Trump Tower meeting exposed the campaign’s openness to foreign interference. Hosted by Donald Trump Jr., attendees included Paul Manafort, Jared Kushner, and Russian representatives.

Initially, the meeting was mischaracterized as a discussion about adoption policies. However, emails revealed that the real motive was to obtain potentially damaging information about Hillary Clinton, offered by Russian operatives.

Although no tangible evidence emerged of a direct exchange of compromising material, the willingness to attend the meeting signaled a troubling openness to foreign involvement in a U.S. election.

Examples

  • Donald Trump Jr.’s emails showed eagerness for Russian-sourced information on Clinton.
  • Kushner’s texts suggested he was impatient with the meeting’s lack of results.
  • The meeting’s adoption story deflected attention from its true purpose.

6. Manafort and Gates Shared Data with Russian Operative Kilimnik

Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates were accused of sharing sensitive U.S. voting data with Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian operative tied to their Ukrainian contacts. This unexpected disclosure drew attention to how closely U.S. campaigns were intersecting with foreign influences.

Kilimnik’s presence and work alongside Manafort illustrated how data about American voters could potentially be used to influence election outcomes. Yet, both Manafort and Gates avoided straightforward cooperation with the investigation, possibly to maintain their alliances or await potential presidential pardons.

These revelations added another dimension to the question of whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia.

Examples

  • Gates admitted sharing voter data with Kilimnik under Manafort’s direction.
  • Kilimnik was deeply tied to Russian political and intelligence networks.
  • Evidence suggested that such data transfers were unprecedented for campaigns.

Throughout the investigation, Trump frequently made statements that blurred ethical lines. His televised statement inviting Russia to locate Hillary Clinton’s missing emails appeared to coincide with GRU hackers targeting her email servers.

Trump’s pardon strategy also added complications, as it was perceived as a reward for loyalty and a potential deterrent against cooperation with investigators.

These actions turned traditional executive privileges into tools that raised more legal and ethical concerns.

Examples

  • Trump’s public appeal to Russia prompted immediate GRU activity.
  • His pardoning patterns blurred lines between legal protections and political loyalty.
  • Statements against Mueller fed narratives undermining the investigation.

8. Choosing Not to Subpoena Trump Was a Missed Opportunity

Mueller decided against subpoenaing President Trump for direct questioning. Fear of Trump firing Mueller or curtailing the investigation influenced the decision. However, this left unanswered critical questions about Trump’s intentions during key events like the Trump Tower meeting and Comey firing.

Weissmann argues this choice sends the message that sitting presidents are above certain legal examinations, undercutting accountability at the highest level of government.

Examples

  • Mueller feared escalating tensions by compelling testimony.
  • The Special Counsel never directly questioned Trump on decisions like Comey’s firing.
  • Avoiding direct interrogation meant critical gaps in understanding Trump’s role.

9. The Report’s Presentation Failed to Convey Its True Message

Attorney General William Barr’s representation of the Special Counsel’s report misled the public, suggesting Trump was cleared of wrongdoing. In reality, the report pointed to considerable evidence of obstruction and other abuses.

Barr’s public narrative muddied the waters, and the decision not to press recommendations further diluted the report’s impact. Had the findings been framed differently, they might have led to a more robust public push for accountability.

Examples

  • Barr’s summary inaccurately claimed “no collusion or obstruction.”
  • Mueller avoided recommending charges while still detailing suspicious actions.
  • The report, over 400 pages, was condensed into misleading sound bites.

Takeaways

  1. Strengthen independent oversight for investigations involving high-ranking officials to prevent political interference and misrepresentation.
  2. Ensure election security by forming task forces dedicated to countering foreign interference and digital disinformation campaigns.
  3. Reexamine legal precedents that shield sitting presidents from indictment; clarify laws to hold all public officials accountable.

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