This looks like good news for Trump on its face. It may be.
On the other hand, Mueller and his team are not stupid, No matter how badly the Trumpists want to believe he’s incompetent. Also, I don’t think he will indict a sitting president without some really solid footing.
Honestly, I think he’s FOS.
I think what he is saying is this:
1. Mueller says Manafort lied.
2. Manafort says he didn’t lie.
3. Judge decides whether he lied or not which requires judge to make other findings.
4. Mueller uses judges findings against trump.
That’s not really a thing in criminal prosecutions and the way he’s talking about using it doesn’t make sense in civil cases, either.
Typically, to do that, Trump would have to be a party to the case (indicted) and would have to have an opportunity to put on proof in the hearing where the findings are made.
All that said, I am COMPLETELY ignorant of a lot of federal procedure, especially in conspiracy cases, and as I’ve never represented anyone with executive privilege, I’ve never bothered to learn that law either.
My thought is that this may be a way to ratchet up the political cost for senate republicans. I’m wondering if Manafort’s answers and Trump’s written responses are not consistent. Put Trump on trial by proxy. Make Manafort prove Trump lied in his answers. Then send it all to congress.