Abbe says Kushner was not accused of misconduct, and he was a great cooperator because he wanted to be. He said there was never any danger of his being charged with a crime because he never did anything wrong. Abbe made Kushner out to be a hero, voluntarily providing truthful information to Mueller about three topics: The interference of third parties like Russia in the election (in collaboration with members of the Trump campaign,which in Abbe's view is likely what the media refers to as "collusion", another word with no legal meaning); Jared's meetings with foreign contacts after the election and before the inauguration; and potential obstruction of justice after the election re: the firing of Comey.
Because I knew Abbe years ago, and have closely followed several of his high-profile cases, I do not believe he would go on CNN and tell the world that Mueller's team never suspected Kushner of committing a crime if it weren't true. If anyone were indicted as a result of Kushner's cooperation and the Government intended to call Kushner as a witness, that person's lawyer would be entitled to know any benefits he received. I think it would be harmful to Abbe's reputation if he publicly denies Kushner ever did anything wrong and a year from now a proffer or immunity letter turns up.
When asked if Abbe were present for the interviews with Mueller's team, Abbe responded "of course. Anyone would have a lawyer before being questioned by the Special Counsel's office." I would think anyone in Jared's position, where the counsel is looking for improper contacts between the campaign and foreign officials,"collusion" between the campaign and Russia, improper contacts with Middle Eastern government officials or their emissaries offering help to Trump in the campaign or during the pre-inaugural period, and obstruction of justice with respect to Comey's firing, would at least demand a letter from the Special Counsel's office promising that if in its sole opinion, Kushner told the truth and continued to cooperate and debrief when requested, and testify if necessary, no charges would be brought against him. After all, Abbe could prep Jared until the cows came home, and without knowing what evidence Mueller already had, and what other people told Mueller's team before Jared's second interview, he couldn't be sure Jared would sail through the interviews. Sure, he would know some of the questions from lawyers for those who had been questioned (no prohibition against that, it happens all the time since grand jury secrecy rule doesn't pertain to witnesses, just prosecutors, law enforcement, court personnel, etc ), but any witnesses who incriminated Kushner might not be willing to let Kushner's lawyer know that.
However, as Abbe says differently, and I trust he's telling the truth, I'll put my cynicism aside unless something turns up to contradict him.
One question I still have: Abbe did not address, other than in passing, the separate investigation of the U.S. Attorneys Office in New York into Kushner and his family's business and financial transactions. Is he all clear on that front too?
Regardless of whether Kushner is in the clear due to his factual innocence or for some other reason, given the number of questionable meetings and range of other involvement he had, from directing the Trump digital marketing campaign to meetings and conversations with Russian officials and oligarchs, including a banker, and meetings with Middle Eastern emissaries from Saudi Arabia and Dubai (UAE) and his role in the James Comey firing, Abbe did one heckuva job. Props to Abbe Lowell.
The downside for the rest of us: Jared Kushner, who has zero experience and questionable judgment in Government affairs, politics and world diplomacy, and whose motivation (whether he's acting for the benefit of his family businesses or the country) will always be an issue, is once again going to have an undeserved role in guiding the most incompetent Administration in history -- all because he's married to the daughter of the man who has a desk in the Oval Office.
