The most important and ominous part of Mueller's memo on Michael Flynn might be what you can't read
In a sentencing memo filed Tuesday night in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Special Counsel Robert Mueller says due to former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's early and "substantial assistance" and numerous interviews, "a sentence at the low end of the guideline range — including a sentence that does not impose a term of incarceration — is appropriate and warranted." In an addendum, Mueller spells out some of the "substantial" cooperation Flynn provided in at least two investigations, one of them the special counsel office's look at Russian election meddling and any coordination with President Trump's campaign.
Information about the other one or more investigations, at least one of them a criminal inquiry, is completely blacked out:
"Most of it, I would suggest, that matters is redacted," CNN's Chris Cuomo said Tuesday night, telling us "that this is not over." Along with the Russia investigation, Flynn has "also been helping with a separate criminal investigation. Against who? About what? We don't know — it's all redacted," Cuomo said. "So common sense tells you the truth: He's got something else working. There will be more to come," and this addendum reads like a warning to people who didn't cooperate.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cuomo discussed what the memo might mean with former U.S. Solicitor General Neal Katyal and investigative journalist Michael Isikoff, and they all agreed the lack of jail time is significant. "The $5 million question is what is to come, and boy, that target has to be something big in order for Flynn to get the deal he did," Katyal said.
At Fox News, Shannon Bream notes that the heavy redacting "leads to both sides claiming victory tonight." Watch below. Peter Weber
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The magician who secretly smashed the Magic Circle's glass ceiling
Under The Radar Sophie Lloyd lurked in the all-male society by posing as a teenage boy for nearly two years, but was expelled after revealing her true identity
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Kate Summerscale's 6 favorite true crime books about real murder cases
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Helen Garner, Gwen Adshead, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Team of bitter rivals
Opinion Will internal tensions tear apart Trump's unlikely alliance?
By Theunis Bates Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published