If there’s “fruit of the poisonous tree” tainting the Mueller probe, it comes from a tree planted by president Donald Trump. The phrase is catchy, however, even if it’s completely inapplicable during the course of an investigation. Once a trial, or proceeding, has commenced, and evidence introduced, a defendant, then, may object that any proffered evidence was illegally, or improperly, obtained. Until evidence is introduced admissibility isn’t an issue. It’s no surprise, though, that Trump will say, or do, anything to impede the investigation into Russia that may touch him, personally.

The president has claimed that lives of some of his staff members are being ruined, without due process, because of accusations of misconduct, “true or false,” “old or new.” His assertion shows that Trump misunderstands the concept of due process. Historically, redress for accusations against public figures is extremely limited. If it was otherwise, political speech would be chilled, there would be less investigative journalism, and the internet, a modern bastion of free speech, would be hobbled demonstrating there’s a good reason for the policy.