(CNN) Special counsel Robert Mueller has begun quietly laying his cards down, one at a time, in court filings for three key former associates of President Donald Trump -- his former campaign chairman, his former fixer and lawyer and his former top national security adviser. The steady dripping of developments into open court can distract from the totality of what we know and are learning on three distinct and all very damning threads:

The President's involvement in a scheme to mislead voters about his involvement with women alleging affairs.

His aides' interactions with Russians interested in influencing the outcome of the election.

Efforts to use his status as a top candidate to make money in Russia.

The possible coverup of the three preceding things.

Here's what to know about the last week:

1. More serious talk of impeachment, indictment -- The end result of Mueller's activity is that key Democrats are talking more seriously about the prospect of him being prosecuted after he leaves office. Rep. Jerry Nadler, the incoming House Judiciary Committee chairman said on CNN that what's alleged court documents filed by Mueller with regard to Michael Cohen and "Individual-1" -- aka Trump -- are likely " -- The end result of Mueller's activity is that key Democrats are talking more seriously about the prospect of him being prosecuted after he leaves office. Rep. Jerry Nadler, the incoming House Judiciary Committee chairman said on CNN that what's alleged court documents filed by Mueller with regard to Michael Cohen and "Individual-1" -- aka Trump -- are likely " impeachable offenses ." Separately, Rep. Adam Schiff, the incoming House Intelligence Committee chairman, said they're the kinds of things Trump could be indicted for once he's out of office and " face the real prospect of jail time ." Neither said Democrats would be actively pursuing impeachment or pushing for criminal charges. But it is a definite change that they are using those terms with regard to the President.

2. It is not Russia that has them talking impeachable offenses or criminal charges -- While Mueller's special counsel was appointed to investigate possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia, it is actually the payoffs to hush up Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, women who alleged affairs with Trump, that had Nadler and Schiff talking. There's plenty of reason to think Mueller may have the goods with regard to Russia too, but he hasn't played those cards and the most damning thing for Trump so for is the detail about Cohen, Trump's former fixer and attorney, saying he orchestrated the payments on behalf of and -- While Mueller's special counsel was appointed to investigate possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia, it is actually the payoffs to hush up Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, women who alleged affairs with Trump, that had Nadler and Schiff talking. There's plenty of reason to think Mueller may have the goods with regard to Russia too, but he hasn't played those cards and the most damning thing for Trump so for is the detail about Cohen, Trump's former fixer and attorney, saying he orchestrated the payments on behalf of and at the direction of Trump.

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