but I agree with them that in principle it looks like witness tampering. Kind of like, "you better think twice before talking because your family has skeletons...".

It's skeazy and mob like but those are characteristics we've become comfortable with from the President of the United States. I don't think it's any kind of physical or even legal threat. I heard Guliani just now insinuating that his f-i-l is involved with organized crime...because he's Ukrainian? Again, it's definitely an attempt to dissuade a witness. I don't know what other purpose this kind of campaign would serve.