Special counsel Robert Mueller

By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com

Americans see Robert S. Mueller III as  being far more credible than President Trump, but the public has scattered and partisan perceptions of Mueller’s motives and findings so far, a new Washington Post-Schar School poll reveals.

The Post reports that by a 56 to 33 percent margin, more say they trust Mueller’s version of the facts than Trump’s.

Nearly two years into his investigation, Mueller has charged 34 people and secured guilty pleas from some of Trump’s closest advisers, including his former campaign chairman, deputy campaign chairman, national security adviser and personal lawyer, the Post notes.

Ryan Adams (Photo by Drew de F Fawkes for Wikimedia Commons)

By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com

The FBI is investigating whether the singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, 44, committed a crime by engaging in sexually explicit communications with an underage fan, the New York Times reports, citing “a law enforcement official with knowledge of the matter.”

Adams and a young woman, who said her online communications with the singer began when she was 14 and continued until she was 16, exchanged text messages and conducted video calls that sometimes included nudity, the Times reports. The two never met in person.

Adam’s lawyer Andrew B. Brettler says his client has never “engaged in inappropriate online sexual communications with someone he knew was underage.” Brettler said the FBI has not contacted Adams.

President Trump

By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com

No surprise here.

President Donald Trump came out swinging Thursday, on Valentine’s Day, after ex-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who was fired, talked about his new book in an interview with 60 Minutes.

Disgraced FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe pretends to be a “poor little Angel” when in fact he was a big part of the Crooked Hillary Scandal & the Russia Hoax – a puppet for Leakin’ James Comey. I.G. report on McCabe was devastating. Part of “insurance policy” in case I won….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2019

McCabe says top officials were looking into invoking the 25th amendment to get rid of Trump after he fired FBI Director James Comey, Forbes magazine reports.

He also confirmed Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein suggested wearing a wire in meetings with Trump.

The Justice Department a statement disputing McCabe’s remarks and restated its position that it and Rosenstein find “no basis to invoke the 25th Amendment.”

McCabe’s full interview will air Sunday on 60 Minutes.