‘Trump Aides Spoke to Russian Intelligence’
Ho. Lee. Cow. That’s the headline from the home page of the NY Times:
Phone records and intercepted calls show that members of Donald J. Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election, according to four current and former American officials.
American law enforcement and intelligence agencies intercepted the communications around the same time that they were discovering evidence that Russia was trying to disrupt the presidential election by hacking into the Democratic National Committee, three of the officials said. The intelligence agencies then sought to learn whether the Trump campaign was colluding with the Russians on the hacking or other efforts to influence the election.
The officials interviewed in recent weeks said that, so far, they had seen no evidence of such cooperation.
But the intercepts alarmed American intelligence and law enforcement agencies, in part because of the amount of contact that was occurring while Mr. Trump was speaking glowingly about the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin. At one point last summer, Mr. Trump said at a campaign event that he hoped Russian intelligence services had stolen Hillary Clinton’s emails and would make them public.
The officials said the intercepted communications were not limited to Trump campaign officials, and included other associates of Mr. Trump. On the Russian side, the contacts also included members of the Russian government outside of the intelligence services, the officials said. All of the current and former officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the continuing investigation is classified.
…
The F.B.I. has closely examined at least three other people close to Mr. Trump, although it is unclear if their calls were intercepted. They are Carter Page, a businessman and former foreign policy adviser to the campaign; Roger Stone, a longtime Republican operative; and [Michael] Flynn.
…
The F.B.I. investigation is proceeding at the same time that separate investigations into Russian interference in the election are gaining momentum on Capitol Hill. Those investigations, by the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, are examining not only the Russian hacking but also any contacts that Mr. Trump’s team had with Russian officials during the campaign.
On Tuesday, top Republican lawmakers said that Mr. Flynn should be one focus of the investigation, and that he should be called to testify before Congress. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, said that the news surrounding Mr. Flynn in recent days underscored “how many questions still remain unanswered to the American people more than three months after Election Day, including who was aware of what, and when.”
Mr. Warner said that Mr. Flynn’s resignation would not stop the committee “from continuing to investigate General Flynn, or any other campaign official who may have had inappropriate and improper contacts with Russian officials prior to the election.”
Read the whole thing.
Paul Manafort’s name plays big in the story. Add to that the fact that Trump and his team knew all about Flynn’s rogue behavior last year – and still let him become National Security Advisor – and you have the biggest campaign scandal in American history, with Manafirt, Flynn, and even Trump undermining American democracy.
Lock HIM up.
As for mr. Trump? It’s time for impeachmant.
‘Nuff said.
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Copyright 2017 Liberaland
By: dave-dr-gonzo
David Hirsch, a.k.a. Dave "Doctor" Gonzo*, is a renegade record producer, video producer, writer, reformed corporate shill, and still-registered lobbyist for non-one-percenter performing artists and musicians. He lives in a heavily fortified compound in one of Manhattan's less trendy neighborhoods.
* Hirsch is the third person to use the pseudonym, a not-so-veiled tribute to journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, with the permission of his predecessors Gene Gaudette of American Politics Journal (currently webmaster and chief bottlewasher at Liberaland) and Stephen Meese at Smashmouth Politics.
29 responses to ‘Trump Aides Spoke to Russian Intelligence’
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dewired4u February 14th, 2017 at 22:14
And what did djt have to say about this……….”The real story here is why are there so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington?”
Mark Bub February 14th, 2017 at 22:57
Just the mention of ELECTING anyone even remotely associated with “socialism” or “communism” has the righties foaming at the mouth over the “Godless heathens” but it’s A OK with them for Drump and Company to SELL out America directly to Putin and Pals.
Mensa Member February 14th, 2017 at 23:22
The conservatives’ lack of intellectual consistency is baffling.
Much of what they accused Obama and Clinton of is actually TRUE of Trump. Do they care? Nope.
Willys41 February 15th, 2017 at 02:24
It’s not baffling. Their only concern is winning. How they do it is immaterial. The end justifies the means.
Mensa Member February 14th, 2017 at 23:28
If you haven’t read the so-called “dossier,” I suggest you do.
It explains Trumps’ otherwise inexplicable behavior towards Putin and Russia.
Jack E Raynbeau February 15th, 2017 at 01:47
Link?
mea_mark February 15th, 2017 at 09:24
This is worth looking at … http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-russia-ties-michael-flynn-dossier-2017-2 The timeline of Trump’s ties with Russia lines up with allegations of conspiracy and misconduct … It compares the dossier with what we know to have happened.
Gina Bousquet February 15th, 2017 at 19:41
Can you give us the link?
Mensa Member February 15th, 2017 at 20:19
Here is the dossier.
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3259984-Trump-Intelligence-Allegations.html
labman57 February 14th, 2017 at 23:39
As we had previously surmised, Trump has no need for the CIA, since he gets all of his foreign intelligence from Russia’s SVR.
Likewise, the NSA will be obsolete in the Trump Administration — not only does Donnie not trust any agency that monitors communications between Team Trump and its comrades in Russia, he also regards InfoWars as a much more reliable source of domestic intel.
robert February 15th, 2017 at 01:07
When all explanations and excuses fail..
Blame the LEFT
Sy Colepath February 15th, 2017 at 05:58
Yes! The left did nothing to prevent this from happening.
arc99 February 15th, 2017 at 01:28
Sampling the comments of Trump supporters, it becomes crystal clear they have no idea of how impeachment works. Their talking point is that as long as Dear Leader has not committed a crime (e.g. actually violated a law), impeachment is off the table.
Articles of impeachment need not be based on accusations that a crime was committed. They can simply document an argument as to why the President should be removed. The Articles of Impeachment against Andrew Johnson included charges of making derogatory speeches about Congress. Impeachment articles can be virtually whatever Congress decides.
That is why today is the first time I have come to the opinion that impeachment of Trump is a very remote, but now a real possibility. Not probable (yet) but possible. According to the facts as I understand them, Gen. Flynn continued to have access to the highest levels of classified material after the White House was advised that he had lied about the nature of his contact with the Russians. If talking trash about Congress is grounds for impeachment, I have to think that having incredibly bad judgement while performing the essential duty of protecting the national security of this country, certainly is too.
Here are the articles of impeachment against Andrew Johnson. Among other things, Lincoln’s successor made people laugh at Congress. Congress was not happy so they tried to impeach him. Not an actual crime in sight. Just a bunch of pi$$ed off politicians. Constitutional requirements for impeachment have not changed one single bit since 1868. Let the games begin.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/impeach/articles.html
Andrew Johnson as the Chief Magistrate of the United States, did, on the 18th day of August, in the year of our Lord 1866, and on divers other days and times, as well before as afterward, make and declare, with a loud voice certain intemperate, inflammatory, and scandalous harangues, and therein utter loud threats and bitter menaces, as well against Congress as the laws of the United States duly enacted thereby, amid the cries, jeers and laughter of the multitudes then assembled in hearing, which are set forth in the several specifications hereinafter written, in substance and effect, that it to say:
Jack E Raynbeau February 15th, 2017 at 01:53
At this point it will be hard to get a Republican House to impeach. But, like with Nixon, as more dirt comes out they will want to cover their arses. I think it’s just a matter of time before they put re-election before party. Hopefully not too much time. It would be nice to have them put country first (America First) but that’s not going to happen. It’s just a catchy slogan.
robert February 15th, 2017 at 02:05
This is the direction the rw dingbats want is to go
Look backwards not forward Don’t help O’Reilly sell more books
Willys41 February 15th, 2017 at 02:22
Section 4, 25th amendment: The VP & a majority of cabinet officers present a formal document to the House & Senate attesting that the president is unable to perform the functions of his office.
fahvel February 15th, 2017 at 02:58
they all – ALL – knew well before the ugly dance at the “coronation” that the ahole was unable and unstable a la the functions of his office and little hands.
Willys41 February 15th, 2017 at 02:24
republicans better start jumping ship before they go down with the Trump.
AnthonyLook February 15th, 2017 at 03:03
Two choices; resign (and get President Mike Pence to give you a pardon) or get impeached & convicted for espionage, sedition and treason..
whatthe46 February 15th, 2017 at 09:37
they need to go after pence too. his hands are not clean in this matter. do not indict *45 until they impeach pence as well, other wise, impeaching *45 then prosecuting him will only open the door for pence to pardon him. futhermore, pence will still be an illegitimate pres considering that the WH was taken illegally and the true winner of the election is Hillary. but, yeah, they both need to be impeached and prosecuted and sentenced to life in prison. and i’m not leaving out the rest of his cabinet and the GOP and that bastard comey.
Suzanne McFly February 15th, 2017 at 17:38
I am nervous about pence because he knows how Washington works and he knows how to keep his nose “clean”. I bet he had some inkling that rumps team was being listened to and he kept out of those conversations so he wouldn’t be implicated.
whatthe46 February 15th, 2017 at 20:21
the more peoples heads are getting placed on the chopping block, his involvement will come to light. anyone worth their weight in gold, would not want to even be a part of *45’s team. i’d get the fk out of dodge. he knows everything you better believe that.
Suzanne McFly February 15th, 2017 at 07:29
How convenient for the republican party, or the party that carries the bible and flag on it’s sleeve. The base fears POC and women so bad they voted for the most inappropriate (for a lack of a better term to use) person to ever hold office. What has he given them? He told them putin was a “friend” who would help kill Muslims and the gun slinging racists were sold on him. The base gave the country away in order to slap our last President in the face and keep Hillary out of control of the country she faithfully served and gave control to this guy who will bend over backwards to serve putin as he demands.
Mensa Member February 15th, 2017 at 09:24
it was so irritating to hear Rand Paul say, “It makes no sense for Republicans to investigate Republicans.”
And, then Republicans get indignant when Americans accuse them of putting party before country.
William February 15th, 2017 at 10:16
The face you make when your ties with Russia are outed. Aren’t we lucky that we didn’t elect someone who used the wrong e-mail?
https://www.facebook.com/TheRawStory/videos/10154938029912235/
StoneyCurtisll February 15th, 2017 at 13:05
‘I know you are but what am I”…
How in the world did this tantrum throwing school yard bully get elected…
Suzanne McFly February 15th, 2017 at 17:35
I don’t understand how this ignorant bully ever could be respected. How, why would anyone believe he deserves a moment of their time let alone their vote?
amersham1046 February 15th, 2017 at 17:42
GOP members of Congress will stand there slacked jawed and looking confused and all they can say is Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi
Gina Bousquet February 15th, 2017 at 18:40
That must be the most outrageous behavior in a campaign in American history. Isn’t it treason?