Roger Stone and Randy Credico return to the Trump-Mueller stage

That tricky Wiki leak

The public is getting new, fleeting glimpses of special counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry as it relates to WikiLeaks' campaign-time release of Russia-hacked Hillary Clinton emails. In the latest development, self-described political trickster Roger Stone, a longtime Donald Trump adviser, is again the source of scuttlebutt.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Mueller is exploring whether Stone tried to intimidate and discredit a witness who contested Stone’s story of having only indirect contact with WikiLeaks.

Stone called New York political maverick Randy Credico his backchannel to fugitive WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. But Credico denied it.

In an effort to show Credico's role as a go-between, Stone has released what he presents as a text message exchange with Credico dated two years ago.

Days before WikiLeaks' dump of Clinton campaign chief John Podesta's emails, Credico wrote: "big news Wednesday ... Now pretend u don't know me."

Stone: "U died 5 years ago."

Credico: "great ... Hillary's campaign will die this week."

Down by the old troll stream

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich turned down a motion from a Russian firm to dismiss Mueller's charges that it saturated social media with pro-Trump and anti-Clinton propaganda.

Mueller accuses the firm, Concord Management and Consulting LLC, and 13 Russian nationals posing online as Americans of conspiracy. Concord is owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a caterer by trade who is close to Vladimir Putin.

After a pre-election lull, Trump returned to personally attacking Mueller on Twitter. Later on Thursday, however, The Asssociated Press reported that acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker told Sen. Lindsey Graham the probe will proceed.

Visit follows vet gaffes

Trump met with military personnel Thursday. This came after he ditched one of his scheduled weekend visits to World War I ceremonies in France over the weekend and then skipped a traditional Veterans Day stop at Arlington National Cemetery. 

He and first lady Melania Trump spent about 40 minutes at the Washington, D.C., Marine Barracks compound, and he later spoke at a conference with state and local veterans' leaders, which The Associated Press describes here. Officials said the visit was planned weeks ago.

Meanwhile the No. 2 official at the Pentagon said the number of troops deployed to the Mexico border has "peaked" at 5,800. Trump earlier spoke of sending as many as 15,000.

Unsanctioned lies the crown

Administration sanctions were announced Thursday against 17 Saudi Arabian officials in connection with the slaying of dissident Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing weeks ago. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a cordial acquaintance of Trump son-in-law and Mideast adviser Jared Kushner, was conspicuously spared  this dishonor.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who skipped a big business conference in Riyadh amid the initial uproar over Khashoggi's disappearance, ordered the sanctions and called on the Saudis to "end any targeting of political dissidents or journalists."

What else is happening:

• Self-styled Trump supporter Cesar Sayoc, who allegedly sent mail bombs to Trump political critics, entered a not guilty plea in federal court, Newsday's Nicole Fuller reports.
• The anti-Trump wave that swept the House appears for now to leave Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi in good position to return as speaker, but Long Island Democrats have a question or two, as Newsday's Tom Brune reports.
• Republican Rep. Tom MacArthur, seen as the face of Obamacare repeal, conceded his congressional race to former Obama administration official Andy Kim. 
• Denials of requests to immigrate legally to the U.S. are on the rise. 
• Trump won't commit to avoiding a budget shutdown next month over his proposed border wall.
• A hand recount was ordered in the razor-close Florida race for U.S. Senate. 
• Trump is due to visit fire-ravaged California on Saturday.

By Dan Janison

dan.janison@newsday.comDanJanison

Dan Janison is a member of the Newsday editorial board.