What does a TRUMP presidency look like?

[Berkut]

This really is fascinating. We are actually watching history be made - there has never been anyone even close to this terrible in the Presidency before....

I don't know what is more amazing, Trump himself, or the people, LOTS OF PEOPLE out there who still think he is the bestest. I know someone who keeps going on how about great it will be once Trump "triggers or avoids all the traps the liberals left for him in the White House".

I shit you not, he really believes that this is all just a bunch of clever traps laid for Trump by the devious Obama administration. He sees Trump as brilliant, a little kooky, but naive to the ways of the clever liberals, so he keeps getting caught in their "traps".

[MadImmortalMan]

How does the NSA handle it when they record conversations that include American citizens?

Like say the Russian Ambassador goes to a donut shop and talks to the guy behind the counter. How does the NSA protect Donut Guy from being spied on as an American citizen? Does he go unidentified in the transcripts or something?

[Berkut]

I believe the identity of non-implicated US citizens is redacted.

[Admiral Yi]

If he gets immunity, it's so he will flip as a witness on other members of the administration, or Trump himself.  A very odd thing thing for Donald to suggest.

[The Minsky Moment]

How does the NSA handle it when they record conversations that include American citizens?

Like say the Russian Ambassador goes to a donut shop and talks to the guy behind the counter. How does the NSA protect Donut Guy from being spied on as an American citizen? Does he go unidentified in the transcripts or something?

A FISA collection order can be entered under Section 1805 where "the target of the electronic surveillance is a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power."  Note that on its face this permits an order to collect from a target inside the US if the target is a foreign power or agent.  Indeed, the target can even be a US citizen if they are acting as an agent of the foreign power.

A Section 1805 order has to satisfy minimization procedures, defined as follows:

(1)specific procedures, which shall be adopted by the Attorney General, that are reasonably designed in light of the purpose and technique of the particular surveillance, to minimize the acquisition and retention, and prohibit the dissemination, of nonpublicly available information concerning unconsenting United States persons consistent with the need of the United States to obtain, produce, and disseminate foreign intelligence information;

(2)procedures that require that nonpublicly available information, which is not foreign intelligence information, as defined in subsection (e)(1), shall not be disseminated in a manner that identifies any United States person, without such person's consent, unless such person's identity is necessary to understand foreign intelligence information or assess its importance;

(3)notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), procedures that allow for the retention and dissemination of information that is evidence of a crime which has been, is being, or is about to be committed and that is to be retained or disseminated for law enforcement purposes; and

(4)notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), with respect to any electronic surveillance approved pursuant to section 1802(a) of this title, procedures that require that no contents of any communication to which a United States person is a party shall be disclosed, disseminated, or used for any purpose or retained for longer than 72 hours unless a court order under section 1805 of this title is obtained or unless the Attorney General determines that the information indicates a threat of death or serious bodily harm to any person.

A few of things to note here, of potential relevance re FBI's Russian hacking investigation:
+ the command to minimize dissemination of information concerning US persons is balanced against "the need of the United States to obtain, produce, and disseminate foreign intelligence information."
+ the procedures don't prevent retaining and disseminating information about US persons that would be evidence of a crime
+ The identity of an "innocent" US person can be disseminated if necessary to understand the content or significance of foreign intel

[Jacob]

If he gets immunity, it's so he will flip as a witness on other members of the administration, or Trump himself.  A very odd thing thing for Donald to suggest.

Unless, of course, he tries to pull an Oliver North like move. Get immunity, testify but only implicate yourself, take the fall in the public eye. Then, a few years later, go on to a lucrative career in punditry as a loyal military man who took one for the team.

[Zanza]

Can't The Donald just pardon him anyway?

[Razgovory]

This really is fascinating. We are actually watching history be made - there has never been anyone even close to this terrible in the Presidency before....

I don't know what is more amazing, Trump himself, or the people, LOTS OF PEOPLE out there who still think he is the bestest. I know someone who keeps going on how about great it will be once Trump "triggers or avoids all the traps the liberals left for him in the White House".

I shit you not, he really believes that this is all just a bunch of clever traps laid for Trump by the devious Obama administration. He sees Trump as brilliant, a little kooky, but naive to the ways of the clever liberals, so he keeps getting caught in their "traps".

I like the idea that Obama left traps for him.  Pence come into the oval Office to find Trump hanging upside-down from the ceiling "It happened again".

[celedhring]

Schrodinger's Obama, who was at the same time woefully inept and deviously crafty.

[jimmy olsen]

That Rubio and Ryan were hacked by the Russians as well gives hope that the senate really will take this investigation seriously.

[viper37]

I shit you not, he really believes that this is all just a bunch of clever traps laid for Trump by the devious Obama administration. He sees Trump as brilliant, a little kooky, but naive to the ways of the clever liberals, so he keeps getting caught in their "traps".

makes sense.  No one would want to admit they voted for a moron, so they try to rationalize it.  I'm sure there are lots of psychology books about it.

But you worry too much.  Grumbler assured me multiple times this was all exagerated and nothing bad, really permanent would happen under this administration.  You can go back to sleep now

[viper37]

If he gets immunity, it's so he will flip as a witness on other members of the administration, or Trump himself.  A very odd thing thing for Donald to suggest.

he (Trump) likely believes he has done nothing wrong or illegal.

[viper37]

Schrodinger's Obama, who was at the same time woefully inept and deviously crafty.

He might have been Zoro.  An inept politician in the public eye, but deviously crafty in private, behind his mask.

[Admiral Yi]

he (Trump) likely believes he has done nothing wrong or illegal.

Then suggesting an immunity request is nonsensical.

[Razgovory]

Well, on the face of it, the Tweet was nonsensical.  We've all just tried to glean meaning into what he said.