Mueller Just Subpoenaed Bannon…

The Russia investigation continues…

SCOOP: Mueller has subpoenaed Steve Bannon to testify before a grand jury as part of the ongoing Russia investigation. First person in Trump’s inner circle known to have received a grand jury subpoena. https://t.co/dbKWuDjdMp

— Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) January 16, 2018

Here we go…
According to the NYT:

WASHINGTON — Stephen K. Bannon, President Trump’s former chief strategist, was subpoenaed last week by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, to testify before a grand jury as part of the investigation into possible links between Mr. Trump’s associates and Russia, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

The move marked the first time Mr. Mueller is known to have used a grand jury subpoena to seek information from a member of Mr. Trump’s inner circle. The special counsel’s office has used subpoenas before to seek information on Mr. Trump’s associates and their possible ties to Russia or other foreign governments.

The subpoena could be a negotiating tactic. Mr. Mueller is likely to allow Mr. Bannon to forgo the grand jury appearance if he agrees to instead be questioned by investigators in the less formal setting of the special counsel’s offices about ties between Mr. Trump’s associates and Russia and about the president’s conduct in office, according to the person, who would not be named discussing the case. But it was not clear why Mr. Mueller treated Mr. Bannon differently than the dozen administration officials who were interviewed in the final months of last year and were never served with a subpoena.

The subpoena is a sign that Bannon is not personally the focus of the investigation. Justice Department rules allow prosecutors to subpoena to the targets of investigations only in rare circumstances.

So they’re not coming for Bannon. They’re using Bannon against Trump…. or Trump Jr.

The NYT seems to think this has something to do with the whole ‘Fire and Fury’ fiasco:

On Tuesday, Mr. Bannon testified behind closed doors before the House Intelligence Committee, which is also investigating Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election and ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. Mr. Bannon did not address reporters before entering the proceeding on Tuesday, and a spokesman for Mr. Mueller and a senior White House lawyer did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Mr. Mueller issued the subpoena after Mr. Bannon was quoted in a new book criticizing Mr. Trump, saying that Donald Trump Jr.’s 2016 meeting with Russians was “treasonous” and predicting that the special counsel investigation would ultimately center on money laundering.

After excerpts from the book, “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,” were published this month, Mr. Trump derided Mr. Bannon publicly and threatened to sue him for defamation. Mr. Bannon was soon ousted as the executive chairman of the hard-right website Breitbart News.

Some legal experts said the subpoena could be a sign that the investigation was intensifying, while others said it may simply have been a negotiating tactic to persuade Mr. Bannon to cooperate with the investigation. The experts also said it could be a signal to Mr. Bannon, who has tried to publicly patch up his falling-out with the president, that despite Mr. Trump’s legal threats, Mr. Bannon must be completely forthcoming with investigators.

And of course, the libs are giddy with excitement:

I imagine this testimony would have been very different a month ago than it is now. He has no reason to protect them and can finally live out his dream of destroying Kushner. pic.twitter.com/xSxARBw6Pc

— Lard of Dorkness (@LardFDorkness) January 16, 2018

I can see the headlines now: BANNON’S REVENGE

— Craig Solo (@craigsolo79) January 16, 2018

Finally!!! I think I have more faith in Mueller investigation then house investigation. Call me crazy!!!

— Cathy R 🇨🇦 (@CathyMaiRu) January 16, 2018

Hey, @realdonaldtrump, whaddya say? Will Bannon say you’re a very stable genius, cowboy?

— Maniculae (@maniculae) January 16, 2018

If Bannon really has agreed to be a cooperating witness as reported, this will not go well for Team Treason.

— #resistance (@collipriest) January 16, 2018

Leave it to the libs to actually HOPE for a political crisis in this country.