Don't Lie for the Other Guy

While gunnies will recognize that as the slogan for the ATF's warning about straw buyers, it applies with even more force for Trump's staffies.

Lawyers representing Donald Trump’s current and former aides are giving their clients one simple piece of advice: Don’t lie to protect the president.

As special counsel Robert Mueller and congressional investigators prepare to question high-ranking aides — including Hope Hicks, Reince Priebus and Sean Spicer — in the coming weeks, Trump’s long history of demanding his employees’ complete loyalty is being put to the test.

But Trump stalwarts know the president is closely following the media coverage of the Russia case — and the last thing they want is to be deemed a turncoat whose answers end up becoming further fuel for investigators.

Worse for them, it is possible that any pardons issued by Trump to block the probe might be challenged in court for being an illegal obstruction of justice. Which cold also mean that Trump would be committing a crime by issuing them, or even hinting at offering them.