No evidence of collusion?
http://billmoyers.com/story/trump-russia-timeline/
3
If one wondered whether the loyalty of Republicans in Congress was Country First or Party First, we now know the Answer- America be damned.
10
The Republican Party has been in denial since trump announced his candidacy. What is it going to take to bring them to reality, Putin aiming one of his cruise missile nukes at DC?
4
House Rep. are now officially covering up Trump's corruption.
Isn't this illegal?
9
If the GOP electeds don't care about their reputation in the centuries to come, let their children bear the shame. Now, that's a touching attitude to bequeath to their own flesh and blood, all for the sake of a liar and egomaniac who cheats on his wife. The goal is to sell high, not grovel just to be part of the "in" crowd. Have you no shame?
Well, there it is. May their shameful, immoral behavior teach us all about the price of "selling low".
3
The Republicans in the House have repeatedly subverted the investigation into Russia's interference into our elections. They have shown themselves to be traitors of democracy. Devin Nunes, Trumps colluder of disinformation and anti-investigation, needs to be shown the door and never see the light of public service again.
5
I think it is well documented with supporting evidence, that the Republicans in House Intelligence Committee are in collusion with Trump.
2
They have to go. No question on that. I don't even want to imagine what may happen if Mueller decides to return with charges of obstruction or even collusion, and this GOP controlled Congress decides not to act. It may well signal the beginning of the end for our republic.
5
Have you noticed that Russia, China and NK have been emboldened since Trump took office? I think they know Trump's days may be numbered and want to get away with things they could not normally get away with, even the murder of a counter-spy and daughter in the UK with nerve toxin only produced by the Russians. If he is impeached, they have already ceased territory and influence that will be hard to regain, positioned themselves for incredible power grabs and have filled gaps left by a failing presidency. If he stays, and they will help him in every way they can, America will become irrelevant to the outside world, a failed state with internal problems and waring factions that battle for the rights that are being taken away as we speak.
5
A committee that accepts answers like: "I do not recall" or "I refuse to answer" and then says, well, nothing to see here folks, do you really think their conclusions are reliable? Even Trump himself said that anybody that claims the 5th amendment is guilty. The entire administration is full of crooks and frauds. No cover-up can hide the fact that they are all guilty as sin.
6
It is evident that this House Republican Committee is a scam and a disgrace to our system of government. Once the Dems take over the House all Republicans should be investigated as enemies of the state.
9
Anyone who lends a smidgen of credence to this Republican malarkey should read Jane Mayer's excellent piece in The New Yorker's March 12, 2018 issue, "Christopher Steele, The Man Behind The Trump Dossier".
If you're still not convinced there's a case for collusion, well then, all hope is lost.
DD
Manhattan
9
If Mueller's findings are materially in contrast to this committee's report, whatever lingering confidence the public still may have in congress will evaporate. This was a very risky move on their part.
6
It seems clear that the GOP, the scorched-earth party, would rather politicize and shut down an investigation into a foreign power trying to interrupt our democratic process, than get to the bottom of it, and take steps to protect our democracy. Is this any suprise?
10
It might be possible to argue that collusion has not been proven, but to say there's no evidence is beyond absurd.
The meeting in Trump Tower is evidence. The calls to Russia to release e-mails are evidence. The anticipation of new dirt on Hillary is evidence. The back channels to Russia are evidence. The unreported meetings with Russian emissaries and spy chiefs are evidence. The removal of a platform plank supporting Ukrainian resistance is evidence.
And there's a lot more we haven't even seen yet. There is a lot of evidence of collusion.
12
Is anyone surprised by this? The Republican party is morally, ethically and intellectually bankrupt. We must vote out every single Republican on every ballot this fall, from senators and governors down to low-level local functionaries. The nation needs a two-party (at least) system, but the Republicans shouldn't be one of them. There is room for a legitimate, honest, credible center-right party, but the Republicans aren't it. The sooner the GOP dies, the sooner we can rebuild real democracy.
9
Interesting how Trump fired Tillerson at the same time -----to deflect this outrageous move to cover up Trump's corruption.
9
What happens when Mueller presents his case for impeachment? The Constitution never anticipated the removal of hundreds of house members for what may be treason by aiding and abetting a foreign power (Russia).
13
We voters will need to band together to rid Congress of the obvious ROT.
1
House GOP 'leaders' couldn't find anything.....because they were not LOOKING for anything. Reminds me of a truculent child, screaming no, no, no, no, no....over and over.
6
"blocking their path to the truth". So, yet again the Democrats continue to fantasize about the whole Russian thing. All the charges to date, other than the Russians, have nothing to do with the election and collusion. Dig deep and hard enough and you'll catch Jesus in a lie. This is just like the birther nonsense. There are no winners and the American people are the losers as our country continues to slide down the drain. Courtesy of both parties.
Courtesy of one party the GOP, the party of Trump. True Republicans either stand alone or have quit. All you have to do is count the lies, cover-ups scandals, and attempts to defraud the people and you have your answer which party is at fault.
5
What a pathetic collection of namby-pambies. I'm sorry. That's the best I can do right now.
4
Congress admitted the Russians interfered but denied they favored Trump? So the Russians spent all that time and money and took such big risks when they had no dog in the race?
Or then again, maybe they were helping Hillary Clinton.
Laughable.
9
uhh....why would the Russians bother to trash BOTH campaigns, which would yield them no dividend at all. They clearly picked their favorite, Trump, and spent their efforts undermining Clinton. There simply is too much data out there that demonstrates that Russia did what it could to assist the election of Trump. The only question is whether it was in coordination with the Trump campaign. This reader will rely on Mr. Mueller for that conclusion.
9
Congress has failed in one of its most important constitutional duties, to act as an independent arm of government and not the puppet boys for the President. The Republicans have endangered Amercian democracy just as surely as Trump is doing. Shame on them.
9
The public knows the Republican Congress is lying. Everyday more disgusting things come out about Trump, from committing adultery with porn actors to giving Putin a pass for poisoning an ex-spy, his daughter and a London police officer who responded to the poisoning. Trump has sunk so low that a time will come when even the cowardly Republicans will say enough is enough.
7
It's impossible to find what you're deliberately NOT looking for.
8
And, if someone says "I do not recall" or "I refuse to answer", do you really think he or she is innocent? Even Trump himself said that anybody that claims the 5th amendment is guilty. The entire administration is full of crooks and frauds and are guilty as sin.
2
Everyone knows this is a baseless political witch hunt by Democrats.
1
If you were a citizen or studied US government, you would know that because Republicans have a majority in the house this so-called investigation cannot possibly be a political anything attributed to “Democrats” as your comment suggests.
9
No collusion, no collusion, pay no mind to the hoards of Russians meeting with Trump's people, pay no attention to the barrow filled with hacked emails, pay no attention to the social media manipulations, pay no mind to the fake news from Russia, pay no mind to all these indictments, people arrested and charged, and pay no mind to what the FBI and Intelligence Agencies say. All made up stories. Nothing to see here, move on, move on, nothing to see here.
3
No Jake, let's pay attention to those things. Hoards of Russian citizens meeting with Trump people, just like there were hoards of Russians paying Bill Clinton hundreds of thousands of dollars for speeches and into his and Hillary's foundation. Illegal on either side... no. Common on both sides... yes. Barrows of hacked emails? Yes, and did the FBI inform the RNC that the Russians tried to hack them? Yes. But because the RNC used better security the Russians were unsuccessful... at least according to the Obama FBI. And Russia used a public social media platform to spread propaganda? Sure, half of what is on Facebook etc is untrue or exaggerated. So what? Can you point to a single study showing their efforts swayed votes in PA or Wisconcin or Florida? No you can't. People arrested and charged? Yes for alleged crimes from as much as 6-8 years before Trump announced for President and for things unrelated to this campaign. Have the FBI and Intel Agencies found any evidence of collusion between the campaign and the Russian government? None. Any evidence any of the above had any effect on the outcome of the election. None. The fact that there is nothing to see has nothing to do with not paying attention. In fact the opposite is true. 1 1/2 years of looking at it is what has revealed there is nothing to see here. How long would we have to look and not find anything before you would agree it's ok to move on???
So, their investigation only came up with charges to investigate against whistleblowers. And nothing else.
I'm soooooooo surprised.... actually I am a little - I expected them to try to disguise their intentions a bit more than this.
2
A more interesting investigation would be to follow the lives and bank accounts of all the members of Congress...who has received "unexplained" funds?...who has received "anonymous" threats?
I think we would find an expert use of "carrot and stick" - lots of perks for protecting the corrupt, and lots of protection for the corrupts' protectors.
Not much in the way of financial gain or guaranteed personal, or familial, safety for anyone who might choose to know the truth.
5
Editorialized headline. Suggests Mueller inquiry is making headway in its original mission, to prove Trump campaign worked WITH the Russian effort to interfere, but Mueller is devoting huge resources to investigating the financial lives of anyone who worked on the campaign. If Manafort and his buddy engaged in money laundering, tax evasion, conspiracy, as charged, it was their own nefarious business dealings.
1
As you may recall, ken starr also expended vast resources during his investigation. That is what is required here. And where other crimes are uncovered it is part of the mandate to bring criminal charges.
6
And what did Mr Starr uncover? People lying.
Confirms my viewpoint held for a long time:
Nearly all 'lawyers' in House and Senate of low quality legal education and that their complementary education of economics doesn't add up to Econ 101.
2
The GOP final report and its findings is a total unilateral partisan joke and nothing more.
They refused to question certain witnesses, refused to subpoena witnesses who would not answer questions, failed to obtain necessary, supporting documents to ascertain and verify certain, additional data and facts.
Instead, they were in bed with, and working for the White House instead of undertaking its own independent, bipartisan Congressional investigation.
They have compromised America and have failed to protect it and us. They do not deserve to serve in their capacity, and regardless of party should be replaced in the 2018 election by those who will adhere to their Congressional oaths to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
11
If you have such, seemingly, such a great grasp of this investigation then why hasn’t one scintilla of evidence surfaced, condemning the Republicans? Curious minds want to know. Keep looking. And looking. And more looking. I’m getting tired just waiting.
1
List some of the witnesses you think the committee should have interviewed?
hmm - Manafort maybe ?
1
ok whiners on the left... don't you think, somewhere down in your deep state subconscious, that if there were any evidence of collusion that it would have popped up by now. Don't you think if Adam Shiff actually had heard or read anything that suggested collusion occurred, he would have leaked it? Gotten it out somehow. What about Comey -- don't you think he might want a little vengeance.
Don't you think with every dem in the world, and every MSM "journalist" looking for dirt on Trump and proof that Russia and Trump colluded that somehow, somewhere, someone would have gotten some actionable info? Seriously... does it not strain your credulity just a little to think that somehow a crime occurred and yet no one has produced any evidence of that crime or what happened. At some point, don't you start having to think (for your own peace of mind) that there was no crime?
3
When I see Robert Mueller kickin' it on the beach I'll accept that the investigation is complete.
6
MIchael, Mueller has a sinecure and he won't give it up easily. Even if it hurts Repubs. Plus, I don't think he's a Trump supporter. But you might consider that he has not produced a single shred of evidence that collusion occurred. His indictments were for crimes unrelated to Trump or his campaign and the guilty pleas for lying to the FBI were about legal activities. Trust this -- if Mueller had a shred of evidence of collusion, he'd be going for the jugular now instead of going after unrelated offenses. He might want to kick back on the beach a hero and the only way to do that is to get Trump. Ain't gonna happen as there was no collusion.
The meeting at Trump Tower was supposed to be about the adoption program, right?
1
From the article:
Vladimir V. Putin of Russia personally “ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election,” and pivoted from trying to “denigrate” Hillary Clinton to developing “a clear preference for President-elect Trump.”
So what? What evidence is there that Trump even knew what they were doing? Perhaps, Putin just didn't like Clinton; like so many other people who have come into contact with her. Why would that be a surprise?
Or perhaps, Putin simply thought Trump was an "easy mark" - that says nothing about collusion. I think we can all agree that Trump was totally unqualified for the job, which makes that explanation very likely.
Remember, this story started with Putin rigging our voting machines, which never happened, then Trump "conspired" with Putin - no evidence supplied. How is this difference from the Obama "birther" campaign? Pure political junk in each case.
4
"What evidence is there that Trump even knew what they were doing?"
An email to his son stating precisely that the Russians were supporting Trump's campaign perhaps?
2
"House Intelligence Committee" is an oxymoron with the Republicans in charge.
7
My fantasy is:
Donald Trump, Jeff Sessions, Devin Nunes, Jarvonka and Don Jr. will all be led off in handcuffs. Then we will see Mitch McConnell declare he is taking immediate retirement (and take his wife with him); Ryan- Ryan will step down to spend "more time with his family". Ben-asleep-at-the-wheel-Carson will clean out his tiny desk and take a permanent sabbatical.
Congress will flip; Invteberrate Republicans and Democrats will be replaced and America will start to clear the debris left over from the 2016 implosion.
(I have to now wake-up.)
6
It is a fantasy and you need to wake up.
Here's what happened while you were sleeping; The following members of the FBI / DOJ who led the Clinton Emails / Trump Collusion investigations have been fired, demoted, forced to resign or stepped down: Sally Yates, James Comey, Peter Strozk, Lisa Page, John Carlin, James Rybecki, Andrew McCabe, Bruce Ohr, James Baker, Mike Kortan, David Laufman, Rachel Brand.
That's 12 people. Reports are now coming out James Clapper has once again been a little elusive with the truth and John Brennan is being scrutinized ever more for what he did and when he did it.
None of your fantasy criminals have been handcuffed and walked out. Yet 12 people from law enforcement have been censured in one way or another. I think it's time to wake up, take some anti-TDS pills and look at this thing more clear-headedly.
1
Will not be surprised if Trump tries (again) to fire Mueller, claming that the House report settles the Russia matter, and forcing Congress to do something about it....November can't get here fast enough.
7
Something tells me Stormy Daniels has info on his Golden Showers! Has anyone reviewed her films do they feature Golden Showers! if they do even if it is without him, it is the big link in the Mueller case! It ties the Doesier all together. Along with Putin suddenly loosing it and poisoning former Russian spy’s in England.
1
Wasn't there something about "paternity information" in that contract with Stormy?
2
The House Republicans are a DISGRACE TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. This FAKE conclusion, that a 4th grade class could have done better, and in less time, and with more objectivity and truth, has been not only a waste of time that could have been better spent on meaningful legislation, but a trump;y treasonous act.
These criminals have abrogated any responsibility to the citizens of this country, but have become an arm of Trump's 100% partisan White House.
What is needed here is to remove this power from the House since they are unable to perform their duties. It should be assigned, on a permanent basis, to an Independent Counsel via a Constitutional amendment. They do not deserve to have such a power, which they have corrupted by ignorant, narcissistic sycophant politics.
#CONSTTITUIONALAMENDMENT
9
RealTruth, why don't you take a crack at wording for that Constitutional Amendment and share it with us. Who is going to appoint your constitutionally mandated Independent Counsel? The White House? DOJ? Congress? SCOTUS? Will the people elect them? If so will it be nation wide popular vote? Electoral college? Will people raise money and campaign to be elected as national Independent Counsel? How long will they serve? 2 years? 6 years? Serve for life? Who would have the power to remove them if they became corrupt? Congress? The President? SCOTUS? Nationwide recall vote?
Are you starting to see the irony and silliness of thinking you can create a constitutionally permanent Independent Counsel that is really independent of ignorant narcissistic sycophant politics? Do you really think the above is better than giving that power, as the Constitution currently does, to a body of 435 members elected by voters in 435 very different districts and accountable to those voters through elections held every 2 years?
Republicans say: (insert lie and repeat.)
5
Look up the definition of "fulsome." Hint: it doesn't mean "complete" or "thorough."
3
The Republicans are afraid that Putin will kill their families with a nerve agent and so they are doing his bidding.
3
Maybe Texas wants to secede and become a Russian colony. After all, Conaway's 11th Congressional District contains the city of Odessa -- also the name of a Ukrainian city on the Black Sea said to be targeted for Putin's next invasion now that he has annexed Crimea. I hope Nunes and Putin's other poodles on the House Intelligence Committee are getting a good exchange rate for their rubles.
1
No one is so blind as the person(s) that refuse to see.
3
GOP...complete corruption...money and party over the national interest.
4
Nunes and Conaway will be recorded by historians as traitors.
The HIC investigation was always a sham.
5
This investigation was a joke from the outset, and its conclusions was never in doubt. The fact that these congressional Republicans collectively decided to betray their constitutional oaths to protect a criminal like Donald Trump makes them complicit. The only people who will believe this committee's conclusions are 35% of die hard Trump supporters. Hopefully the rest of America would not be so gullible.
7
The Russians have succeeded. They have put a despicable, unqualified person in the WH. They have surrounded him with cowardly enablers. And more diabolically, they have convinced at least this reader that the word of Congress and the GOP cannot be believed. Nothing from this GOP Congress, not a single "the" or "a" should be trusted. The Russians have made it so, by way of their voter interference, that we simply cannot believe the party in power in DC. They have achieved their goal and the power in party continues to ignore it.
4
Ignore the elephant in the room.
1
Where is the editorial outrage in nation's leading media outlets toward the way republicans on the committee had decided to hand a unilateral verdict and toward Paul Ryan's apathy and lack of conscience?
3
Well, the question is, WHY does Mueller keep "growing" the investigation? Obviously, he doesn't care about the premise of the investigation since there is no collusion. Democrats (he is one) are planning to continue this as long as possible, simply using innuendo and deception in an attempt to malign conservatives. These shenanigans make America look like a circus and maybe it is. This kind of behavior is why Trump was elected in the first place. Americans can see how liberals lie and manipulate the facts (deceivers). Oprah probably will win because our media has made real life like a Day Time Oprah Talk Show with silly fake drama and emotional stories.
1
Mueller is not a Democrat.
5
It seems that this money laundering, greed, corruption is just so big and keeps going. UAE, China, Russia -- debts due..who knows where and when it will end? The Bengazi investigation went on for 3 1/2 years. This president is and has surrounded himself with corrupt people -- it was the only way he could win. The majority of patriot Americans really do want to know. Nothing to hide...nothing to fear. Right?
3
Get your "facts" straight before spouting off. Mueller is a lifelong Republican. Trump has switched his party affiliation at least 5 times depending on what was in it for Trump. All of the "investigations" against the Clintons went on for years and they went after all aspects of the Clinton's lives. The scope of the snooping had no limit. And yet they turned up nothing of consequence. All investigations "grow" as one thing leads to another. And nobody needs to malign conservatives. It's a self-maligning movement.
1
Mueller will .nail Donnie with an airtight case ... make no mistake, it's coming
5
Not a surprise.. But wonder why do it today.. could have just waited to finish their report and then announced... may be they are desperate and worried about election today...
1
The Mueller track record to date has been two-fold: (1) lots of charges and indictments having to do with absentee Russian trolls, Ukraine, Turkey, and crimes unrelated to the elusive Holy Grail of "Collusion," and (2) lots of churning/baiting/entrapping and flipping of witnesses into cooperators. The latter is a cheap, cynical ploy now embedded in the federal prosecutorial playbook. Flipping has done great damage to the rule of law and fair play in criminal justice. The witness flipping festival on display with Mueller's work follows the same pattern: As a prosecutor you gather lots of background material on the targeted witness, such as emails and texts, while the witness is unaware; next get the witness to say something to you on the record, either in a "friendly" FBI interview or in the grand jury, and then, in the culminating gotcha moment, reveal to the witness that the witness's statements to you are in some respects at odds with the emails etc, you previously obtained, thereby exposing the now-terrified witness to the risk of federal prison. Then the witness becomes your cooperator, highly motivated tp desperately lie and dish dirt to give you whatever you want, pull someone else down and make your case a bigger, better case. This is trash justice, and in that sense, it is truly criminal, and corrupting, justice.
3
I am reminded of three year olds who put their hands over their ears and shout LA LA LA can't hear you. The new name for the Republican party should be the "Know-Nothing" Party or perhaps the "Don't Care" party. "Don't care" about Russian involvement in elections so long as they can push their agenda. "Know-Nothing" about climate change and can't make me so long as big oil says so. "Don't Care" about children being murdered and the NRA says they don't have to. "Know-nothing" about tariffs, while they wring their hands in manufactured angst. Don't be fooled the Republican majority could stop every one of these travesties but choose not to.
4
“The bottom line: The Russians did commit active measures against our election in ’16, and we think they will do that in the future,” Mr. Conaway said. But, he added, “We disagree with the narrative that they were trying to help Trump.”
Why would the Russians bother to interfere if they didn't have a preference in the results?
4
Genius, because they're the Russians. They are anti-American, not just anti-Hillary. They wanted to create chaos in our election and our government. They wanted to make us question our democracy. They wanted to undermine the front runner and the most likely candidate to become president. According to every public poll that was Hillary. And to me the fact that they have managed to create the appearance that Trump colluded with them and is beholden to them, and the fact that so many democrats in this country believe that in spite of the fact there is no evidence that is the case, means they are still succeeding in their effort to undermine our duly elected government and keep us in turmoil. What I want to know is why so many democrats are so willing to help the Russians realize their goal by constantly questioning the legitimacy of Trump being allowed to fulfill his constitutionally prescribed job.
Commentators keep referring to George Papadopoulos and the Trump Tower meeting, but Papadopoulos’ unsuccessful efforts to arrange meetings between the Trump campaign and Russian officials said to have “dirt” on Hillary Clinton and the similarly nonproductive Trump Tower meeting strongly suggests there was no unlawful collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. If the Trump campaign was colluding with the Kremlin, why did it keep coming up empty when Russian intelligence offices and Russian officials eagerly shoveled dirty into the Steele Dossier, which was commissioned by the Clinton campaign?
2
With the government so unwilling to do anything about the Russian interference in the 2016 election, can we ever be sure again that our elections are secure? I don't know but I am sure that the Republicans will use it as an excuse to continue to attempt to disenfranchise minority voters with voter fraud laws for the non existent voter fraud.
We are witnessing the transformation of America into an oligarchy, if not an authoritarian state. Ryan should have removed Nunes from the committee in 2017 when it was obvious to all that Nunes was Trump's shill. The Republican pronouncement here is a testament to the collusion of the House G.O.P. with Trump in lying to Americans. This should be considered dereliction of the public trust, if not actual treason to the country.
2
I'd lament the end of this lamentable investigation, but perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. Given that the committee has demonstrated a commitment to whitewashing Trump, it's best that its horrible work is coming to an end.
2
after heeding my mother's advice to experience history as it unfolded, i watched the watergate hearings with her as a child. while they interfered with outdoor hijinks, once she impressed upon me the importance of the hearings, i was less annoyed that part of my precious summer was drifting by outside our windows. i'm afraid i will be watching (or DVRing) similar hearings as an adult - they seem to be increasingly necessary.
2
Neither Donald Trump nor the House Republicans have the intelligence nor courage to match Vladimir Putin. Putin agrees with their conclusions of no collusion, cooperation, collaboration or conspiracy involving Russia and the Trump campaign and administration.
While Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both blame/credit James Comey for Trump's election. Putin is the only one among them always with a smile and smirk on his face.
1
What is chilling is that the Republicans clearly plan to maintain their “no collusion” line regardless of what Mr. Mueller comes up with. There will be no impeachment and no consequences. What remedy does that leave us?
3
The only thing they overlooked was to issue Trump a medal for his "unbelievable patience and tolerance" with the fake news and his enemies who are trying to undermine his glorious rule.
If this is the new legal standard, the accused can decide what is evidence, we could easily empty our prisons.
4
Too bad that Nunes lacks credibility or this could have been a helpful conclusion for Trump. When was the House committee, led by Mr. Nunes investigating any of the things that they made conclusions on?
Wasn't Nunes a part of the White House transition team? Wasn't he supposed to recuse himself? As it is, I would not believe any report or investigation in which Nunes was contributing to.
I will believe Mueller when he concludes on whether there are any prosecutable defenses associated with the investigation of Russia and the Trump campaign.
2
Of course there was communication and coordination. Trump hides behind the phrase "no collusion." He has been obsessed with the knowledge that he and his people engaged in these actions, and that it might undo his presidency. So be it. It's so obvious.
2
A perfect example of Democratic Party partisanship being placed before country. Division is all that the Democrats have left to assuage their hurt from a very humiliating election loss. Keep the resistance strong, keep trying to divide the American people and we will see the results of this very misguided strategy in November.
1
We all know that Nunes is a Trump sycophant. The more important question is does Paul Ryan accept and stand behind the conclusions of the Nunes committee? Yes or no. The country needs to be watching.
8
Mr. Conaway said during a briefing with reporters on Monday afternoon. “But only Tom Clancy or Vince Flynn or someone else like that could take this series of inadvertent contacts with each other, or meetings, whatever, and weave that into a some sort of fictional page-turner spy thriller.”
Darn! Both Clancy and Flynn are dead.
1
I wonder if these House Republicans realize what they did is recorded... it is now history and it will follow them forming what will be their reputation?
I wonder... do these House Republicans know there is a tomorrow and there will be some sort of accountability?
I wonder... do these people even think at all?
10
Don't waste your time. They simply don't care.
House GOP Intelligence report is everything but intelligent. Corrupt, treasonous, self-serving, a total disgrace against the constituents that they are supposed to represent.
7
Cliff, give us some details. Show me the evidence on which you would charge and prosecute the House GOP members for treason or corruption. Their constituents will have the chance in November to hold them accountable. For all the ones that get re-elected, then I guess you'll have to admit there are a lot of voters in this country that don't share your views. Again, give me evidence they are wrong. Again, give us evidence, not opinion, not insinuation, not your bias. Evidence. (Oh, and don't try to use that some people were charged for crimes unrelated to the campaign or collusion between Russia and the campaign as evidence.)
2
The Republicans are corrupt to the very core.
11
Help us, Robert Mueller. You're our only hope.
8
the comments make for good comedic entertainment. Hard to believe so many who perceive themselves as sane defenders of our democracy are simply loony.
1
As Borowitz reported, the GOP also found that the Japanese did not meddle in Pearl Harbor.
9
Everyday I think the venality of White House occupant(s) and of the Republican boot-lickers simply cannot become any more venal, but every day I have to admit to being wrong.
10
You can bet if the Mueller investigation was about Hillary the Republicans would be nominating him to replace God.
4
Nothing the Republicans have to say hold any weight. In the photograph of the press speaking with Rep. Conway of Texas it shows several journalists leaning in holding recorders trying to capture every word he is saying. Why? Everything coming out of his mouth is a lie.
2
Right before our eyes the government of the United States of America is crumbling. We have in the WH a man who is dismantling our democracy piece by piece. The horror is our Congress, or should I say Trump’s Congress, is allowing it to happen.
Trump is turning our country into a totalitarian country sans all the hopeful and decent goals America has always stood for. If we do not understand this we are doomed to become a lost nation. Go to the polls in 2018 and 2020, vote these bums out!
8
This "investigation" once more shows that Republicans and Putin share common goals, irrespective of the degree of any collusion. Putin seeks to destabilize and undermine democratic institutions in the United States, presumably to weaken what he considers a threat to his own authoritarian rule and imperialist ambitions. Republicans also seek to destabilize and undermine democratic institutions in the United States. That's presumably because they view those institutions as impediments to their power, and especially to their Koch-sponsored agenda of implementing a capitalist feudal system according to the principles of Ayn Rand.
As long as Republicans (and the donors they exclusively serve) believe Russian interference in our electoral process benefits themselves, they will do everything they can to aid and abet it. (Conversely, if they believed Russian meddling benefited Democrats, every resource of Congress and the Executive Branch would be devoted to investigations and witch hunting.)
Under normal circumstances, aiding and abetting Russian efforts to damage our political system would be tantamount to treason. But with Republicans clearly committed to the wholesale destruction of everything that gets in their way, it's merely loyal service to the partisan agenda.
3
Of course the house committee didn't find any evidence of collusion. They didn't look for any.
9
If you're voting in Pennsylvania today, remember that the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee just ended its investigation of Trump-Russia connections, citing "no evidence of collusion."
Remember, the entire U.S. Intelligence community disagrees. Foreign governments disagree. A Federal grand jury indicted 13 Russians for alleged involvement. Manafort, Junior, and Jared met with Russians to discuss "dirt" on Hillary. Trump staffers removed language from the GOP platform calling for arming Ukraine to resist Russian aggression. Roger Stone tweeted about "Podesta's time in the barrel" before anything about him was released. Michael Flynn held secret conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak that he later lied about to the FBI. Trump gave classified information to Russians in the Oval Office.
And that's all just off the top of my head! The Republicans did not call for witnesses or subpoena relevant documents. But somewhere I'm sure they are still investigating Benghazi and Uranium One.
If you care at all about honest, transparent government, please vote against these Republican traitors!
9
Phil S, nice try. 1) The intelligence agencies have not presented a single piece of evidence or official position claiming "collusion" between Russia and the Trump campaign. Zero. 2) The 13 were charged with interfering with the election, which the House Cmte agreed with. There wasn't a single word of the lengthy indictment alleging they colluded with anyone in the Trump campaign. It specifically emphasized that fact. 3) Members of the campaign meeting with a Russian citizen to get dirt is no more criminal or treasonous than Hillary and the Dems paying a British ex spy to work with Russians to dig up and publish dirt on Trump. 4) If the Trump campaign pushed to have the RNC oppose arming Ukrainians, didn't that just mean Trump was accepting the long-standing and current policy of the Obama administration?? 5) Is it illegal for Roger Stone to tweet, or to talk with someone in Wikileaks, or to encourage them to release info they have on John Podesta? Do you think if someone in the Clinton campaign knew NBC had the famous bus tapes on Trump they would want them released? Would that be illegal? Do you really think no one in Hillary's campaign wasn't in tight with upper level NBC execs? 6) I'm still curious to find out why Flynn lied about something that was perfectly legal for him to do. 7) What level of classification was the information Obama gave the Russians when he said he would have more flexibility on nuclear negotiations after the 2012 elections?
1
The U.S. intelligence community said “We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russia’s goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump. We have high confidence in these judgments.” However, in Annex B (Estimative Language) of its report, the intelligence community explained that “High confidence in a judgment does not imply that the assessment is a fact or a certainty, such judgements might be wrong.” The U.S. intelligence community has never asserted as established fact that Vladimir Putin personally ordered an influence campaign aimed at the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Meanwhile, the Muller indictments say a Russian oligarch, not the Kremlin, masterminded a campaign to influence the 2016 election.
I, for one, am glad this charade is over. The real investigation is being conducted by a professional prosecutor and true patriot, Bob Mueller, and all this political theater is a waste of taxpayer money.
2
In era of Richard Nixon we had the John Birch Society made up of anti-communist ultraconservatives (eg Koch Brothers). Today with Trump, those same conservatives are chiefly friends of both Russia and the growing Benedict Arnold Society.
1
Republicans in the House have no integrity left and will not be looked on favorably as the Mueller investigation continues.
3
The House Intelligence report is just to give cover for House Republicans when they have to decide whether any of Trump's actions were worthy of impeachment.
Vote Blue in 2018 or suffer through more of Trump.
2
The Republicans in the Congress have evolved an peculiar view of public service over the years since Eisenhower was President. That is that the solemn and patriotic duty of Republicans is to achieve power and to retain it by any means necessary, and nothing that works is contrary to their interests and therefore of the interests of all Americans. If Trump sits down with Putin every month to work out an agenda, because Trump is a Republican who signs Republican backed legislation, that would be in the country's best interests. When one sees a Republican one sees a Machiavellian kind of politician, one who considers power the validation of everything and anything.
Are there any heroic republicans in congress? Or are all of them just shills?
1
Trump Houseboy Devin Nunes and his next-in-line, Conaway, never approached serious, honest, patriotic examination of Trump-Russia connivance and meddling inside our nation's presidential election. What could be more damning of Nunes, Conaway and the GOP? Nothing comes to mind. Americans shall deal with them in November.
8
A full year of investigation and still not a shred of proof of “collusion” except for Hillary, DNC, Fusion GPS, Steele and the FBI and DOJ colluding with Kremlin operatives to create and use the fake dossier
1
Counting on you central Californians to take care of Nunes.
2
You mean the "fake dossier'' that has been 80% corroborated? Hahaha
A fictional end to a fictional investigation. Hail Cesar. barry
5
In other news, water is wet.
4
I wonder how Republicans take solace in the notion that the president and his ilk are too stupid to knowingly collude with the Russians, but are smart enough to run the country?
9
This truly gives meaning to the old phrase: White Wash ... ! And, by no small stretch, both literally and figuratively, most, if not all, republicans ... Shameful, shameful people ... To borrow a tweeted quote of a few days ago from the "dear leader:" disgraceful ...
5
Is this not treason?
15
Proving once again, when you elect clowns you get a circus. GOP is totally corrupt, and now we know that includes the joker from Texas, Mr. Con(way). This a Nunez level debacle owned by the most corrupt political party ever to reign in USA.
7
The Republican congress is infected with Russian money.
8
You are right!
Donald Trump and the political action committees for Mitch McConnell, Marco Rubio, Scott Walker, Lindsey Graham, John Kasich and John McCain accepted $7.35 million in contributions from a Ukrainian-born oligarch who is the business partner of two of Russian president Vladimir Putin's favorite oligarchs and a Russian government bank.
Marco Rubio's Conservative Solutions PAC and his Florida First Project received $1.5 million through Blavatnik's two holding companies. Other high dollar recipients of funding from Blavatnik were PACS representing Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker at $1.1 million, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham at $800,000, Ohio Governor John Kasich at $250,000 and Arizona Senator John McCain at $200,000.
https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/08/03/tangled-web-con...
3
Every Congressional Republican should be tried for treason.
7
And their grandmothers, too!
1
Mueller IS a Republican!
4
Why is the effort being made by both political parties to divide us, the American people, with such bitterness? So we are easy to control?
Trump has long standing connections to the CIA, as became evident when the CIA passed control of the International Resorts Casino to Trump in 1987 --- which the CIA, the Mafia and MOSSAD all used for decades to "launder money" to produce untraceable "clean cash" for illegal "black bag" jobs, political donations, purchase businesses, etc without any traceable links.
Trump . . . CIA . . . International Resorts Casino money laundering operations dating back decades with the Mafia, and later Israel's assassination and espionage agency, MOSSAD . . . the links to Trump's international empire.
Trump is in the White House to sow dissent, division and divisiveness among the majority of American citizens, in preparation for the greater controls intended to limit our economic, political and lifestyle choices --- including the curtailment of social safety net programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, as well as drastic reductions for assistance programs for the poor, disadvantaged and elderly.
To be successful, they must stop people from talking to one another, and creating our own laws, state by state, that bring control back to the people, and not the corrupt elements of the 1% mega-wealthy corporate and industry owners.
Remove Trump & Co. but work with your neighbor on issues and honest candidates not beholden to anyone but us!
8
If and when democracy and Constitutional rule of law ever return to America, it will be imperative that the criminal justice system investigate, try and execute all the Republicans who have been complicit in Trump's obvious treason.
A good place to start will be all the House Republicans on this treasonous committee that is covering-up Republicans' ongoing betrayal of the United States.
Once a modern Republican, never again a loyal American.
9
With traitor Devin Nunez at the helm we knew this would be the outcome. We know fake forty five owes the Russians and must deliver...we'll have to wait until '19 to start the impeachment when GOP is out.
7
Th entire House Intelligence Committee Republicans have got that ostrich impression ( head buried in sand) down pat
3
Shame on the Republicans! They have absolutely no respect for our country, no respect for our laws, no respect for our constitution, our Democracy itself. They are just goons in the guise of politicians. They are traitors leaving the door wide open for thugs like Russia's Putin, Saudi Arabia's MBS and now NK's Kim Jong-un. Every aspect of American lives will be affected - our economy, our rights, our health, our social security blanket and above all loss of American lives in senseless wars. The Republicans with this President are not leaving any stone unturned to destroy us.
9
Rex Tillerson calls out Russia for poisoning two Russians in London and now Rex Tillerson gets fired as per Putin. Nothing to see here folks except the GOP who have sold I don't know what, since they have no souls, to the Devil.
10
Devin Nunes’ comment tells you where these guys are. What is more important. Trump’s possible collusion or Christopher Steele. Also, Putin and Russia interfered with the election but there was no direction to this interference. It was just general trouble making. Release of hacked emails were just neutral interference. They must think we are idiots. And these guys have the gall to pick up their paychecks.
6
The committee should look beyond the immediate politics. What happens if Russia identifies a primary challenger for Donald who they think could further weaken democratic institutions?
2
Bye bye GOP. Your days are numbered and you’ll never recover from this circus
6
If a porn actress can blackmail Trump, certainly Putin can do better: Blackmail Trump and his entire family, as well as the Republican leaders of Congress. We may be on the dangerous edge of losing our democracy.
8
Memo to Robert Mueller:
Megyn Kelly (NBC) said Saturday that she thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin “has something” on President Trump.
The host of “Megyn Kelly Today” recently sat down for an interview with Putin, and told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews that she thinks the Russian president “knows some things" that Trump would not want out in public.
“I think there’s a very good chance Putin knows some things about Donald Trump that Mr. Trump does not want repeated publicly,”
5
It's all about "narrative" these days. Who knew that dismantling the "master narratives" would one day lead us to our current fact-free diet.
3
There is no evidence of collusion? Maybe there is and here is why. To start Trump is jealous of Putin. Putin is in total control of his nation, one which is physically much larger than the USA. Putin can have any of his challengers killed using whatever the assigned killer will need to get the job done. Putin is far richer than Trump, possibly being the richest man in the world today. Putin likes to hide his wealth unlike Trump who always talks about his wealth but will not prove it. Putin is well on his way to becoming the next Stalin for the Russian people and he certainly wants to have the same control of his nation as Xi has in China. Putin is obviously working to eliminate anyone who might challenge him. All this bothers Trump and he has been trying to accomplish the same proof of success that Putin certainly has. Like Putin Trump wants ...
Visit my Facebook page for the rest.
1
Here's a chilling thought: The Republicans may be thinking of or in actuality enlisting the help of Russia to help them in the midterms and beyond.
8
Please Mr. Mueller....bring justice to the people of America if wrongdoing has been going on in the Trump Administration. You are the only hope we have for the truth.
6
And now a word from the Senate Intelligence Committee ... [cricket] [cricket]
1
The Nunes white wash, er, report is an absurdity. The failure to meaningfully question witnesses, and to call other necessary witnesses, and to allow witnesses basically to say, "I choose not to reply" is the hallmark of the kangaroo court that Nunes presided over.
A meaningless exercise in political malfeasance, incompetence and, possibly, collusion and cover up itself.....
I do not think Bob Mueller will take, "I'd prefer not to answer" as a response. And when the further indictments and charges come down from his office -- as I believe they will -- then Nunes will be washed aside into the Erlichman, Haldeman trash heap of history, if not infamy, or jail......
5
Donald Trump Jr's email correspondence with Russians claiming to offer compromising information about Hillary Clinton is public knowledge. It is indisputable that Russians were seeking to aid the Trump campaign. But I suppose now, the word "indisputable" is in dispute.
On the good news front, there have been no bear attacks in public schools since Trump has taken office.
4
Oh, but that was oppo-reasearch and everyone does it, says the base. Okay, show us any other candidates contacting Russians for oppo-reasearch.
Only one issue here and that is treason by Trump and top aides. Congress has made it the law of the land that President shall enforce Russian sanctions but he refuses to do so while brazenly giving US and Israeli secrets to Russian spies while celebrating with them the firing of the head of the FBI. The GOP is now complicit by its refusal to act on such brazen treason. Constitutional parameters for impeachment no longer includes treason. Collusion in election tampering with Russia is a lesser offense and unless Trump's attorneys follow John Dean and put the country first, GOP will just shrug and say insufficient evidence while rejoicing at Trump's right wing neo fascist agenda with goodies for GOP donors and billionaires. Due to GOP we are no longer a nation ruled by the Constitution unless it serves the GOP agenda.
3
The fact that more than a third of the country willingly accepts
this idiocy, the fact that nunes' constituents will surely reelect
their proud prince fool of partisanship, the fact that an overwhelming
percentage of trumpican voters not only don't accept that there
was russian interference but wouldn't even be bothered if there was,
as long as it hurt il duce's opponent, all this tells us that
the society is so deeply split that it cannot hope to heal itself without
long dedicated efforts at returning to a consensus of what are its core values and principles of reasoning.
And would this part of the country even care to try to participate in such
an effort? Listen to any talk radio show and you can quickly infer the answer.
Moreover, all national efforts to do so appear deeply obstructed by
the ample resources of those interests that profit from the stuck
status quo, be they corporate (as in media corporate who
resist any programming that could help the country relearn how
to talk to, not yell at, each other) or private ideological (as in anonymously
funded attack oriented pacs that add to the ambient furious noise).
A house this deeply divided cannot and will not be able to
stand unless the larger majority of the society realizes it better get its
act together quickly and decisively. Come back tonight for the
PA district's response.
3
Wow! Really?!? The Republicans investigated the Republicans and found the Republicans didn't do anything wrong? Wow! THAT'S NEWS! Lotta Republicans pleading GUILTY lately. Did the Republicans ask those Republicans about it?
7
Republicans insisted on grilling Hillary for 11 hours publicly one day yet they have to hide what Don, Jr. has to say?
Do these Republicans ever stop to think what happens to them once their party is no longer in power? Or in the case of Devin Nunes, in November of this year when his district sends him packing home? The GOP's complicity is treasonous. I am not being hyperbolic when I say Trump may very well be a foreign agent in the White House.
Can any of you give a good reason why he won't sign the sanctions bill? And when it all shakes out in the next year or so, our Democratic Congress better well indeed see fit to take away the taxpayer funded pensions and health care from all these GOP traitors. Why should a traitor get a United States funded retirement?
4
This was always a side show. If you want to do something meaningful get to work on changing your district from Red to Blue. If your district is already safely Blue then join Swing Left and find out where your participation will matter. Wasting your energy on bemoaning the current situation is boring. Where was all of this outrage before the election? How is any of this a surprise? Wake up people. Make hard choices. The people who are actually doing something need your help. Not later. Now.
2
My city is sooooo blue we think of Bernie as a bit of a moderate:)) People might want to take note that literally the richest men on earth live in my county and started HUGE businesses in a VERY liberal environment. Contrast that with a very conservative city and get back to me:)
With the 2018 election season upon us, from the GOP's view, the Committee served no purpose except complicate the House re-election campaigns to retain control of Congress. The GOP is already very disturbed with what Mueller's investigation is likely to uncover. Mueller is "following the money"... and one way or another, the public will discover the truth behind the President himself. The "Emperor" will have no clothes... and that is what really frightens the GOP.
3
It becomes more clear every day that the GOP, not just the Trump campaign and WH, are complicit with Russian involvement in the 2016 elections.
4
Was anybody surprised by Trump's axing Tillerson? I was but only as a matter of timing. I woke up - and there it was: "Trump Fires Tillerson". This is how it will happen with Mueller. We all sort of know Mueller can't survive. And so he won't.
1
Firing Mueller would create a Constitutional Crisis with long lasting repercussions.
This is how an authoritarian leader has corrupted our democratic process. Yes, history will judge this Republican committee harshly. Democratic Congressional candidates must excite the electorate to participate in November. If they prevail and take a majority of seats, Trump's days will be numbered--and he knows it. Just follow the money Mr. Mueller, for it is at the root of all of Trump's undemocratic actions--and Trump knows that as well. No volume of Trump's ALL CAPS tweets will matter at that point and it is likely that the errant Republican Congressional members will abandon him quickly, as they did with Nixon.
4
The House Intelligence Committee Republicans appear to be no more than a Fifth Column embedded in the heart of American democracy. Disloyal to their oaths to defend our Constitution, these congressional hacks are more interested in furthering Putin’s agenda to undermine our elections, thereby destroying the validity of of our democratic processes and bringing into question the authority of American government itself.
Without confidence in the legitimacy of our elected officials, the United States loses a significant measure of its lawful sovereignty and is at genuine risk of becoming a Colony subordinated to the rule of Russia. Without free and fair elections, where each citizen has an equal vote, uninfluenced by foreign agents, we become no better than serfs.
Any elected official who will not defend our democratic right to vote, unimpeded by foreign manipulation, may rightly be considered to have violated his oath of office and should be removed by any lawful means.
There is an election in November and we should vote as if democracy and our status as citizens were at risk. Remove the Republican Party and defend the United States against the efforts of Putin’s Russia to effect an authoritarian coup d’etat.
3
Sometimes I wonder if Congress is as familiar with the Pledge of Allegiance. I think it is far too hopeful that they are familiar with the Constitution beyond the Second Amendment, which they have perverted into a donation-generating manifesto.
The pledge reads in part: "...and to the Republic for which it stands." That is the Republic of the United States. Not the Republican party (though the language may confuse some of them). Not the Trump Organization. And certainly not Russia.
This government is the most cynical and corrupt and un-American as I have seen in my lifetime. I am seventy years old. I hope I live long enough to see this leaking ship of state righted and its incompetent crew punished to the full extent of the law.
4
All of the members of the committee will be up for reelection in Nov. and I would advise all the dems running against them to emphasize their failure to protect and defend the Constitution. They clearly put party before country, and I believe that while many GOP voters will actually like that fact, many will not. I also believe that running against blatant partisan politics, and Trump will be the key to victory.
1
Well I guess it's time for Mueller to pack and call it a day.
1
Of course House Intelligence Committee Republicans are ending their Russia collusion investigation (as in the same breath they insist that Mr. Mueller is ending his). What else would we rational Americans expect?
To speak, and think, like this is part of the persona that poisons Republican lawmakers; i.e., the type of persona that characterizes right and wrong as personal opinions, and that pushes through every matter of national importance as fast as they can (in addition to the Mueller investigation, see Obamacare repeal, the sweeping tax bill, etc.).
These Republicans know they're trapped in a corner, with no place to run. And their fearless leader, Trump, knows this too. It's probably why he's firing so many people these days: The ship is sinking; prez is taking as many down with him as he can.
4
I have considered this article longer than most articles. The question is what's the hurry and I am convinced that there is something big in the collusion argument. The committee report would not matter to Trump if he didn't know that Mueller has a big and dangerous piece or mass of evidence proving the president knew what the Russians were doing and actively approved and encouraged it. Trump wants sources saying no collusion so that he can point to it, as he always does, when he insists no collusion. I think this event is the strongest evidence that serous collusion is real and can be proved.
2
Trump is not only dishonest, a trumpeting blowhard. He is loud, goofy and not nearly as smart as he claims. His statement, by itself, reveals a fellow several cards short of a full deck. "...AFTER A 14-MONTH LONG IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION." Guided by Trump Houseboy Devin Nunes and, after he was caught tattle-tale snitching the investigation's work to Trump, his equally subservient successor, Conaway. Poor Conaway lacks the mental heft to recognize that his "investigation" he just pretended to conduct deals with the legitimacy of our democratic republic. This isn't Clancy or Vince Flynn. This is real life. Nunes, Conaway and their committee failed our nation in real life and real time.
7
How long does Mueller get to try to prove what did not happen?
2
At the very least, as long as Republicans -- including the POTUS -- have falsely claimed that Vince Foster's death was a murder: 23 years.
The difference between the two situations? Vince Foster wasn't murdered. But the Russians did hack the election in Trump's favor.
2
at least as long as benghazi.
2
The House Intelligence Committee has ended its investigation ...
What investigation?
11
I keep hearing the same words being placed along side of "no collusion":
"During the Presidential campaign."
OK, fine. But the campaign ended in November of 2016. What since then?
2
What conclusion from this "investigation" would've pleased both Trump and Russia beyond their wildest hopes and dreams?
The GOP reached that very conclusion. Smiles today in both the White House and the Kremlin.
7
It's sickening to see the GOP are scared stiff of a bloated coward. What happened to the chest thumping patriots of the republican party? They're now cool with U.S. number one global adversary attacking American democracy. When the book on this is written this generation of reps will be vilified as traitors. There'll be no streets named after Devin Nunes
9
Since only Trump and Clinton were the only two candidates running for president I don't understand why this committee thinks the Russian intervention was not to help Trump. Certainly it wasn't to help Clinton who lost. This committee is just a farce and is making a decision without all the facts particularly while Mueller is still working on the issues. It seems like a ploy to discredit the Mueller findings once they are published.
7
"No collusion" is a red herring that Trump and the other Republicans are emphasizing because collusion may not touch Trump himself but, more importantly, they harp on it to distract from the fact that the Russians have things (involving money and sex) on Trump that are blackmailing him, determining his pro-Russia policy choices and endangering our democracy. Getting hung up on collusion is doing a big favor to the spy in the White House.
5
This investigation had devolved into partisan theatrics a long time ago. I'm glad it's over.
1
Why wouldn't the House Intelligence committee dominated by Republican find "no collusion".......Russia not only helped Trump, it helped Republican as a whole to win the election with majority in all three places. Russia, an economy smaller than the State of California, could only assert so much power when Republican were so desperate to grab the power. The worse part of this Russian interference is that average Republican now thinks its okay to compromise our democracy for power. Talk about stripping Lady Liberty little bit at a time. Let the constitution sink in Hudson, the Russian war ships are waiting out there to haul it away.
3
House Republicans, especially those on the Intelligence Committee, long ago lost any right to be thought of as engaging in a good faith investigation. Indeed the whole party has put the very idea of objectivity on notice - for them, it is a quaint anachronism of a bygone era, or a branding adjective, to be used in the same way that Fox News use's its "Fair and Balanced" self-description. It is to be used as a political weapon, not a term of inquiry.
When the GOP declares that ___ (fill in the blank however you wish), best to flip a coin. You're more likely to find out the correct answer that way.
2
Clearly a whitewash here, led by Nunes, Conaway, and other protectors of Trump, traitors to our country. Major witnesses never called, key evidence ignored, abrupt ending, all to save #45's worthless, collusive hide. George Orwell knew the scenario only too well.
7
this committee is a sick joke!!! wow!!! what kind of credibility can we attach to congress when they put out a decision like this. may they all lose in november!
4
The Republicans were on thin ice to start with but they lost any credibility when they concluded, that while the Russians interfered with the election, they did not favor Trump. So I guess all that effort was on behalf of Hillary Clinton, Mr. Putin's avowed enemy?
Benjamin Franklin, at the end of the Constitutional Convention purportedly replied to a question about the type of government the delegates had formed, with the words, "A Republic, if you can keep it."
I mourn the loss of integrity and fear the consequences when politicians, craving power, put their party before their Country. How can we maintain a Republic, when almost daily, Institutions that maintain it are not defended by those who took an oath to do so?
4
It would have been laughable if it were so sad for him to say, "The Russians were not trying to help Trump." Give me a break.
5
The House Intelligence Committee( what an oxymoron ) has been a comedy of errors since the beginning of their effort.Their report declaring "no collusion" was probably written at the White House and spirited to Kevin Nunes under the cover of darkness.Republicans debate endlessly about Clinton emails but when it comes to an attack on American democracy by Russia they find easy answers.
5
I want a refund.
“…robust” investigation. “…more than yearlong.” Yeah. One year and 12 days. I guess the Republican members need to get back to their business of running for reelection. And they need to.
1
Thou shall not state that the well dressed Emperor has no clothes!
1
It used to be that you could say "Have you no shame?" or "Have you no decency?" and the people in question would at least wince a little. Not anymore. Way to go, GOP!
5
Tillerson is now gone. Mueller’s next.
2
The chairman is a coconspirator. Chances are better than average that Nunes will be prosecuted for obstruction when this is all said and done.
The same people who launched 8 investigations of Hillary over the course of 4 years, interviewed over 250 people, including kitchen help from the Embassy in Lybia, now wrap things up without putting anyone under oath, without subpeonaing several hundered documents Democrats have asked for...etc etc.
They did not find that thing they work so hard at avoiding looking for. Big surprise
5
Trump announced on live television "Russia, if you're listening...." He asked them to hack Clinton's email server. How much more proof do you need?
5
Republicans in the House are colluding.
4
Why wasn't this waste of taxpayer money brought to a conclusion when the Mueller and his extensive and expensive team were given the job, at the taxpayers expense, of investigating and prosecuting any crime that may have occurred in reference to President Trump and the Russians. Despite zero evidence of collusion ever being discovered the House, the Senate and Mueller continue to waste millions upon millions of dollars and valuable time on this witch hunt.
1
In the late 60s, the brilliant Phil Ochs offered a solution to Vietnam: "I declare the War is over..." Sure, as individuals, we are free to construct in our minds the world as we'd like to see it; problem is that the world is quite a bit more complex than that and that freedom to construct a semi-fantasy world doesn't apply to our elected officials.
1
I think Trump has been remarkably composed and focused though surrounded by carping critics on all sides. The Democrats can't stop contesting the election, but the country is moving on.
1
Why shouldn't we Democrats contest the election? Trump received less votes than Clinton. In any democratic country, and even in the third grade, the one with the most votes wins. Only in American can the loser become the President.
You should take your case to the Supreme Court. Good luck. BTW, they're not democratically elected either, but chosen by whoever is President. I guess that's what happens when you have a republic.
I think we can come away from the House Intel. Cmte's. finding with two, self-evident, truths. One, Peter Strzok's statement that there would have been no warrant without the dossier went essentially unchallenged and, therefore, must be considered as fact. And, two: the DOJ cannot investigate itself.
1
The fact that the GOP is claiming Putin was trying to help CLINTON (not Trump) win the 2016 election is such a insult to the american people, it's simply painful.
We will remember this, and the thousands of other insulting lies that we have endured from Trump and his loyal GOPers, when we vote in the mid terms.
3
Trump wanted to shut down one investigation into Russian cyber attacking our democracy and our elections and thanks to Nunes and Ryan this was the only investigation he could control.
It seriously lost its relevance and integrity before this Trump/Ryan/Nunes and Conaway GOP shutdown. It definitely was not a bipartisan decision but what decision is under this WH administration?
Ryan should have removed Nunes for compromising it and removing classified documents from an entrusted and secure location within the House Intel Committee but did not. This is all about protecting the rump of Trump without putting themselves in legal jeopardy or under any additional scrutiny from the Mueller investigation.
They did not exercise due diligence with their job but unfortunately the House Intel Committee has flunked out in the past because of politicizing an issue which makes you wonder about the validity of congressional committees being fair and equitable and bipartisan. Why bother having these committees if they are only self-serving?
2
Mueller has turned out to be exactly the intelligent, careful professional he was said to be. I especially admire the ability to stem leaks etc. and to be even handed insofar as I can tell now. He must feel the weight of this unprecedented process he has undertaken. He knows this country depends on his unbiased findings as to what happened., and what did not. The difficult part will be to get it through Trump's and the GOP's heads that time is short and we must act decisively to prevent Russian undermining of our election processes in any future elections. I continue to see internet pieces which I suspect originated in Russia--they resemble the vicious and outlandish anti-Hillary attacks of last year. God help us. God help Mr. Mueller.
4
"Republicans have countered that Democrats on the panel have turned private proceedings into a TV spectacle to earn political points." Well, they should know. They are the world's experts on doing just that. Except that they run afoul of the Dunning-Kruger effect--namely that they are so incompetent at investigations that they cannot recognize genuine investigations.
1
Since the election I've been waiting to hear some evidence that there was collusion. This morning I listened to Xavier Castro, Democratic Congressman on the Committee, on NPR tell me the evidence. There is none.
As a private citizen Donald Trump had every right to ask Russia to return our personal property when he asked Russia for the 30,000 emails HRC destroyed. According to FOIA they belonged to us. I'd like to see what my secretary of State was getting in exchange for access to our State Department. Mr. Castro says this is a "smoking gun", but if this is the best he has the investigation needs to be shut down.
The Wikileaks dump told us the truth. The DNC is a private organization and if it was hacked, and we were told we were all disenfranchised then this is all the fault of Debbie Wasserman Shultz and the DNC. We were all denied the opportunity to vote for a Democratic party nominee not chosen by the party but by the voters. Knowing about it before hand doesn't constitute collusion.
It's been over a year. Either tell us something or shut this thing down. Because the longer it goes on the more it looks like denial of an electoral victory and the refusal to accept a loss. It looks like whining.
2
Many souls were sold to the devil in this entire sordid affair. Those GOP representatives who signed off this travesty will be tainted forever.
3
This ill-advised House GOP decision does nothing more than cast suspicion on the players involved in making the decision. Let us hope that Mueller's investigation ultimately indicts Nunes and his ilk.
5
The proof is in the pudding as they say, Look at what Trump has done since the election. He has elected officials to do everything they can to tear this country apart and hurry its demise. The fact that they did not do their job is in everybody's face. Pruitt for the EPA and DeVos for education are just two examples.
Their pants, Republicans, are all on fire.
3
There were at least 3 opportunities for the most knowledgeable witnesses to be legally implored to speak and answer questions. That did not happen. Were the Republicans just impotent, scared, or both? I say both.
More than that Devin Nunes failed to convince me that FISA rules were violated. Adam Schiff brought clarity and truth and now let us hope that his memo and voice will still be covered by the media. Please, NY Times, keep up the coverage of truth. Inundate us with the real facts.
Adding to that, I too get nauseated, by the full coverage of any Trump political rally.
3
So Democrats on the House Committee have accused Republicans of trying to block the investigation, while Republicans counter that Democrats are just trying to score political points. Thanks, New York Times! Where in the world could I have found that out without your rich investigative and reporting sources? Now, if only someone could could sleuth out which side is more believable. If only there was a journalistic entity with the resources and personnel to tackle such a nearly impossible task. Alas and alack. If the New York Times can’t do it, we can only be left with the conclusion that both sides appear to have a point. But let’s give thanks that the mighty New York Times is here to let us know just that!
1
Mr. Conaway: "We disagree with the narrative that they were trying to help Trump." Perhaps they missed the part of the email sent to don Jr. which includes the statement:
"This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump."
They openly DECLARED that they were trying to help trump! Before the election! The House Republicans' efforts to protect their dear leader is no longer even subtle.
3
Before drawing a conclusion, I will need to hear from Gary Busey first on his take on the House Intelligence Committee Republicans findings .
Apparently Mueller charging 23 individuals is happening in an alternate universe, exact location not known at this point in time?
2
I feel like a citizen of Pompeii, watching wisps of smoke coming out of Vesuvius. Nunes releases a public notice: "It's smoke and mirrors. Just ignore it, folks." Schiff wants to walk up to the mouth of the volcano and check it out up close. Nunes ties a bag over his head.
2
Follow the money - both the trail from Russian oligarchs to the trump organization and from right wing into the halls on congress. The only way we will know the truth is when the inner financial workings of the trump enterprise are revealed. Vote these corrupt sycophants out of office!
2
Finally the ingredients to the Nunes nothing burger!
1
Just being on record (NYT) as noting that the GOP is mostly similar to the 1924 Chamber of Deputies in Italy.
1
Yes, Donald. "Mission Accomplished."
7
Wait...wasn't Devin Nunes supposed to recuse himself?
1
Devin Nunes, you have written your own saga. You have brought shame on your family for generations.
20
Failed country. Failed system.
9
That's what Putin would like to think. And it is not the case. Watch!
As if any Republican can be believed!
9
"You can keep your doctor and each American family will save $2500 a year with the Affordable Care Act" ; President Barack Obama, 2009.
Our family saved FAR more than $2500, and we have the same doctors.
As MSNBC's Ken Dilanian said this afternoon, "You can't find what you're not looking for."
21
Al Capone left no evidence of racketeering either. Criminals of that ilk know how to cover their tracks.
11
This is an admission by the Republican members of the House of Representatives that they are complicit in any and all crimes against the people of the United States being committed by Trump. Furthermore, they are in breach of their oath to 'protect and defend the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic', and are therefore committing treason and facilitating treasonous acts. Who has the power to impeach Congress, besides voting them out? If the democrats take the congressional majority, I strongly feel that a tribunal must be convened to hold the traitors accountable.
20
You can't find what you don't look for, can you.
8
Mueller has spent millions looking for it and he hasn't found it either. Maybe they are looking for something that doesn't and never has existed!
Let me re-write your headline: "Republican Waterboys Deliver 'No Collusion' Report Summary Just Before Pennsylvania Special House Election".
14
We'll call this the "Banana Republic Era" of American history.
16
Sure. The Russians meddled in our election without picking a favorite. That makes perfect sense.
12
Muller is trolling in hopes of finding something. Next he'll interview Stormy Daniels for a Russian connection of a different sort!
I think that this committee, headed by the likes of Devin Nunes, was never going to find a thing. It was a farce, and a detraction, used mainly to promote the Trump Presidency and keep any facts that would endanger that presidency under cover. It was, in short, a tool, led by a tool.
13
I guess Putin's message delivered in the UK got through...
9
I don't doubt for a moment that was 'Putin's message' to the world.
And there will be blowback, that he does not foresee.
Yes, Republicans on the committee found no evidence of collusion...because they didn’t look for any.
7
Why can Mueller not find any evidence of collusion. Why can't the Democrats find any evidence of collusion? Maybe because there isn't any and hasn't ever been any collusion?
“We disagree with the narrative that they were trying to help Trump.”
That statement is a cover-up.
After 8 years of demonizing President Obama, who Trump still holds forth as a demon to provide his base with an "enemy," it is clear that the Republican Party has become an undemocratic, perhaps Fascist organ of propaganda.
12
To say this is the biggest joke any group of so called elected officials have ever come up with is an understatement. Unlike the GOP members and their comrades , we will say it, "You lie." Let's see, you defend, conspirator, cheater , liar, juvenile name- caller, prejudice, tax evader, etc. You should be so proud of yourselves. Where you close your eyes, cover your ears, and become silent, we will continue. You fall short of your job. You have done one big thing in making This move. You have fired up the people who know what you are about. We resent your thinking , we will accept your shoddy job. Your poor excuse for an investigation. Let us give you the name of someone who could show you how to run an investigation . Mr. Mueller is kind of busy right now, but I'm sure he could tutor you on "the right way," the "ethical way", to handle this case. I believe his first step would be : be willing to accept facts , and if it acts like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's a Russian Collusionist !
7
Good people on both sides, I'm sure.
4
The timing of the announcement was meant to mollify doubts by the voters and tip the scales in favor of GOP Siccone in today's special election in Western Pa. It is no different than the steel tariffs.
Trump knows that that every election is becoming a referendum not merely on his Presidency but impeachment proceedings in a Democratic House come November. TIllerson was fired ( via Twitter) as a distraction for tonights's news in case Siccone loses in Pa.
Pompeo is a hawk way in over his head however Tillerson evidenced a personal disloyalty which ultimately disqualified him. Pompeo will not only have Trump's back but provide a fake diplomatic cover as Trump looks to initiate a war and dare Congress to impeach a wartime President.
Early on Trump characterized the intelligence agencies as Nazis so he has already compromised an intelligence findings which may counter his arguments for war. Adding fuel to the fire, yesterday the House Intelligence Committee said that the CIA got it wrong on the findings that that Putin favored Trump in the Russia interference in the election .
Bannon argued that Trump would oversee "the de-construction of the Administrative state". He was right. I think what surprises if not alarms many Americans ( and others around the world) is the the pro-active participation by the GOP Congress. It is not merely complicit but a willing partner.
I urge NYT readers to familiarize themselves with Chaos Theory. We are in trouble.
5
Few are saying we have a Tom Clancy spy thriller possibility . . . what we may have is an Inspector Clouseu investigation.
11
How is it these folks so can be so casual in their unethical behavior. Who even asked you? You are biased. Confirmation bias is your favorite way of getting votes. It's criminal. Can we investigate them now? No, never mind. Look everyone, the way our two party system is working is just not what the forefathers had in mind. No one is supposed to represent greed and sloth and pride. Republicans are supposed to be the best of us serving the rest of us and Democrats are supposed to be of by and for the people. Do you consider yourself one of the best of us? Have you benefitted from this fine country, are ethical and want to give back and serve your nation? Then become a Republican. That's right, you heard me, infiltrate! Steal a page from the divide and conqueror's handbook, move in on their territory and disrupt and subject the dominant paradigm. According to the true meaning of Republican, the Obamas, Clinton's and Carters are all Republican's now. Don't throw this idea. IT is not working the way things stand. We can not allow one party to be overrun by corruption. Take a stand. A United Stand.
4
What a bunch of useless Republican toadies. Turn 'em out in 2018. I don't have nearly the evidence that Muller has, and I see one count of treason, four counts of collusion, infinite charges of obstruction, more every day, financial shenanigans, multiple porn star payoffs, etc. Nunes should be hauled in by Muller for obstruction, lying to congress, and aiding a criminal enterprise. And I fervently hope Muller has Trump's financials, because that is where the Russians are hiding, not to mention massive tax fraud. LOCK HIM UP!
4
In other news, Russian President Vladimir Putin lavished praise on President Donald Trump, but added that he was sorely disappointed with the U.S. political system, saying that it has been "eating itself up."
5
The Republican Congress is packed with liars. Lying is there modus operandi.
5
The Republicans in the house are nothing but treasonist partisan hacks . let us all hope that the nations voters see the Republican party for what its is " A disgraceful example of Party over Country z!
5
If Ronald Reagan was not impeached for his campaign collusion with Iran to hold American hostages until after election, Trump will not be impeached either.
See Iran-Contra.
2
“We disagree with the narrative that they were trying to help Trump.” Narrative? Excuse me, but that was a conclusion. A conclusion based on evidence. When politicians ignore factual evidence and insist that everything is simply competing story lines -- and we as a people let them -- we are finished.
3
I'm glad this sham investigation is over. It will be less of a distraction now.
They let key witnesses refuse to testify, without invoking any recognized privilege or immunity, and didn't charge them with contempt of congress. They haven't questioned other key witnesses because they are under indictment, although I don't know why they can't question the ones that already pleaded guilty.
But based on very incomplete information, they declare their investigation complete.
Good riddance.
If your country is more important to you than Trump, protect the Mueller investigation, so we can find out what real investigators can find when they actually look.
Mueller's reputation is rock solid, and there is more reason to expect that a Republican nominated by a Republican appointed by Trump, is on a witch hunt against Trump. Mueller will not bring a weak case against Trump.
Be patient (Republicans investigated Benghazi for six years) and wait for the results.
2
The GOP will hear from the citizens they are supposed to represent this November and in 2020.
I know a descendant of Rep. Thomas who was essentially Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s counterpart in the House during the Communist Bkacklisting era. To this day, the family doesn’t like to speak of him. This is the legacy these Republicans are leaving to their families.
1
The blue wave is acomin'.
2
Mueller has had enough time to get to the major issues by now. Either Mueller issues his preliminary findings OR he should also be shut down.
Time for a NY Times Headline: Mueller, what is taking you so long?
Mueller will finish his investigation when it is time. Period. Not when GOP hacks and their supporters say it is. Let the chips fall where they may, not where you want them to. This was a total sham, and democracy is the loser.
2
A "fulsome" investigation?? I don't know whether that came from Rep. Schiff or lack of copy editing, but am hopeful it's not the latter.
Meanwhile, Rep. Nunes announced that he's working with OJ to find the real killer.
2
Public figures used to care about their legacy. Not anymore. Republican collaborators with Russia are going to be the Aaron Burrs of our time.
2
Dear GOP, can the President shoot someone in the middle of 5th Ave and have your continued unwaivering support? History will not judge you kindly.
2
How does it feel to be part of Russia now ? With Putin as our President ?
3
Present tense "collusion", future tense "Collision"!
3
The GOP members of the House Intel Committee are like the monkeys that see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. They have conducted a sham investigation and have destroyed a committee that used to do essential work. Their loyalty is to Donald Trump, not to the Constitution and their constituents. They do not belong in Congress and I plan to do my best to see that they are not reelected in 2018. Enough!
2
Vote them out.
4
If they put as much effort into this as they put into investigating Benghazi, they would just be gettiing started.
2
The person occupying the WH is Putin's puppet! The Rotten to the Core GOP is ok with that! Along with the 38% who still support trump!
2
Is anyone surprised?
1
No collusion, how about treason
3
The media needs to realize and report that Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell are shutting down their investigations as they realize there is a pile of evidence and Trump AND PENCE will have to be impeached. They are doing this in an attempt to save their grip on power via the upcoming mid-term elections.
Sadly, the Republicans are our #1 weak spot with our cyber war with Russia - they are not smart and they don't hire smart people.....they hire rich inheritance class people and crooks. Just look at Betsy Devose.....just look at Devin Nunes (agriculture major and coke dealer at Cal Poly SLOS). Nunes always had the best coke in college.
4
Note that Trump lost his shirt in Atlantic City and then lost most of the money that he had left on the Trump Shuttle. Then Trump declared bankruptcy multiple times (I think that the total was six), stiffing his contractors and creditors.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/09/28/i-sold-trump...
Then Trump suddenly became fabulously wealthy. How did he do this? Trump won't say and neither will he release his tax returns, Closing the investigation without adequately investigating all this is scandalous.
4
Like everything Congress does this old saying rings true, " If your goal is to fail any excuse will work, but if you are looking to succeed there are no excuses" It's hard to be impartial when you have so many hands stuffing your pockets. Criminals of a feather flock together.
2
Is this really the United States of America? Hard to believe.
6
Donald Trump was, and is, accountable for the actions of every subordinate in his presidential campaign and current administration. As such, all investigations should hold him to that standard, whether or not he directly colluded with Russians.
2
We are in a state of utter collapse. This Republican Congress is so corrosively corrupt it staggers the imagination. We are losing America and no one has the courage to stop it. No one.
5
Did anyone really expect anything other than a partisan cover-up from House Republicans?
1
What did you expect House Republicans to say. There’s no way they will go against Trump.
1
What part of NO in no collusion don't rabid Trump haters not understand? Zip, Nada, zero, bupkus None
Two of the Republican House Intelligence Committee members represent NY: Peter King and Elise Stefanik. One is from NJ: Frank LoBiondo Please vote or even better run as a candidate against them. Here are the others: Devin Nunes, California; Mike Conaway, Texas; Rick Crawford, Arkansas; Trey Gowdy, South Carolina; Tom Rooney, Florida; Will Hurd, Texas; Mike Turner, Ohio; Brad Wenstrup, Ohio; Chris Stewart, Utah. They sabotaged the entire process and the committee is irretrievable broken, due to them. Vote them out. Start running against them now to defeat them in November. Insist on using paper ballots. Remember that the Republicans are counting on us to forget.
4
One may only admire the Republicans' complete shamelessness (apparently, they believe their constituents will swallow absolutely anything, like those tiger sharks found with tire chains, tires and a refrigerator in their guts), not to mention Trump's jumpng up and down on his own phonied-up good news yet again by firing Tillerson.
And then there're the remarkable attempts by Trumpists to crank up the, "President's a genius! Nobody can say the country's got problems!! Liberals are girly-men!!!"
But I refuse to believe that Adam Schiff used that much alliteration. No way.
1
"fulsome fact finding"?!
1
House Intelligence Committee - now an oxymoron.
2
Vote! Vote! Vote! Time to vote out these Republicans.
3
It is clear that the Do-Nothing Dems will stop at nothing to go at Trump and denigrate him. However, when it comes to the American people they do nothing, niente, rien, nada, nicht, nyet...Meanwhile, all 'Get A Lot Done' Trump talks about is policy, jobs, production, growth, tariffs, tax cuts, stock market, steel, North Korea, China, immigration i.e. things that matter and things that will make America great again.
1
What else could the minions say? They are colluding too.
2
So the republican collaborators in Congress give the all clear. Laughable. Nauseating, but laughable.
1
I so don't care about this one way or the other. Really, this whole bit bores me to tears. It is a non-issue that has probably taken up more column-inches and has wasted more dollars than any other topic that the Times has covered in the past six months. Can we please move on to something else? Something important. Like whether the next iPhone will deep-six that stupid notch.
No Russia collusion! MAGA! Sorry for the bad news my Liberal friends. Too bad all the taxpayers money was wasted with this bogus investigation. The next smear campaign is this Stormy Daniels babe claiming to have had an affair with Trump. This tatic is getting so worn out that no one believes this but the Democrats. Seems to me another President was actually caught having an affair with an intern. Billy got off scott free. Oh wait he was a Democrat so it was OK right?
Still living in your delusional world?....if you really believe that the Nunes and his Intel.committee seriously investigated this very serious Russian breach of our democracy.......you should wait for the REAL serious Mueller investigation to be released.....reality has a way of catching up on fake investigations.
1
No surprises here. David Nunes, the head of the House intelligence committee was clearly a fifth columnist, bereft of morals, servile to liar and corrupt Trump, was the least able to follow the trails to find out what happened, seek the truth independent of republican party interests in covering possible graft by the ugly American in the Oval Office. Good riddance. Let the Special Counselor (Mueller) and the Senate intelligence committee, honest and decent, go on and, hopefully, find justice by ousting a most unscrupulous demagogue in the White House.
3
Rep. Schiff: Please look up meaning of "fulsome"!!
2
We are watching in real time the end of this country. Trump apparently pressured them to shut it down and helped write their instantly ready 150 page paper. Collusion? Traitor? Anyone who sits on the sidelines and doesn’t:
1. Support vetted media
2. Get active in Democrat campaigns
3. Get Democrats registered
4. Drive Democrats to polls on Election Day
If you don’t, you’re complicit. We are at war. Uncle Sam Needs You NOW!
1
In the ongoing saga as to how the GOP became the Party of Putin: House Republicans say nothing to see here. In claiming it's 'time to return to the people's agenda,' they mean it's time to return to Putin's agenda:
If “no collusion” why did Trump's transition team try so hard to create back channels with Russia? In 2016, Jared Kushner, Mike Flynn, & Russia's Sergey Kislyak secretly met. Kushner later testified before Congress Kislyak said they should set up a back channel.
Not long after, Kushner & Mike Flynn secretly met with Sheik Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, and to get that channel.
Next came a secret meeting with Erik Prince in the Seychelles Islands to finalize that channel!
Trump Team's earliest staffer Sam Newberg last week cried on national television that Trump colluded ---& knew ahead of time about the 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Trump’s son and Russians offering 'dirt on Hillary Clinton.'
We learned as well that Russia blocked Mitt Romney--a critic of Russia-- from becoming U.S. Secretary of State. And just weeks ago, Trump publicly rebuked his National Security Adviser General HR McMaster for saying Russian interference in the 2016 elections was “incontrovertible.”
In its report (Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions Recent US Elections), the U.S. intelligence community said “We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russia’s goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump. We have high confidence in these judgments.” However, in Annex B (Estimative Language) of the report, the intelligence community explained that “High confidence in a judgment does not imply that the assessment is a fact or a certainty, such judgements might be wrong.” The U.S. intelligence community has never asserted as established fact that Vladimir Putin personally ordered an influence campaign aimed at the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICA_2017_01.pdf
1
Republican members of this committee have colluded to help President Trump obstruct justice. Some would call that treason.
45
Just the latest travesty as GOP members of Congress reveal themselves to be a bunch of below mediocre, corrupt, rapacious, anti-democratic grifters, serving at the pleasure of global capital and the grifter-in-chief. No wonder Barack Obama looked traumatized after the election. Is this the price of the peaceful transition of power? Was it worth it?
21
This paves the way for Trump to say: no collusion! And, fire Mueller.
7
Off Trump tries to fire Mueller, every American needs to be on the street demanding his resignation.
The USA is more important than Trump.
Trump has denied doing anything wrong. What other proof could be necessary?
8
Yes, not only does he miss no opportunity to say, "No collusion, no collusion," but he has been asking the FBI for a letter that clears him of collusion since his first week in office.
Colluson is a polite word for treason. What other president starts out by asking for a letter that clears him of treason?
Devin Nunes is nothing more than a white house lackey. No collusion? How about cover-up? Is that a better word to describe the duplicitous actions of this House committee? Anyone who ¨rubs elbows¨with Trump gets tainted. Where is their backbone?!!
20
They seem to have added him as an after thought as a search of the article after skimming it yesterday and earlier this morning did not show his name.
House republicans obstruct justice.
17
In other words, after a year long investigation they had the colossal nerve to disagree with your position, one which you have no evidence for but you know must be right.
One gets the feeling they weren't looking all that hard...
12
BJW asks "Does Putin have something on all of these GOP members of the committee as well as the others who are behaving so strangely?"
Someone does. Maybe Putin, naybe the NRA that passed through Russian contributions to Trump, maybe the Koch(roach) Bros, Mercers, Addelson, DeVos, and a whole list of wealthy individuals crazed by money and power.
No matter what the behavior of the republican members of congress indicates a lot of bad faith.
There is no doubt that a large majority of republicans are bought and paid for leaving ordinary Americans in the lurch with no affordable health care, no affordable housing, and work wages that amount to a pittance.
The future looks grim for us ordinary folks taken for a ride by a bunch of greedy,cruel and stupid grifters whether we voted for them or not.
16
And Trump contributed to the Clintons too,
These Republicans may also be in the pocket of Russia.
It is hard to believe so much blatant evil in one place. God help us.
18
The committee was useless, so its dissolution is of no significance.
9
I consider the lack of any effort by the Republicans to protect the election process going forward from further Russian interference to be, in effect, collusion.
24
This sums up the downfall of the GOP since Reagan, and the danger ahead in just the next few months: they insist that reality is a narrative, and that you can disagree with that based not on evidence or reason, but simply because the facts don't add up to the story you want.
This leads only away from deliberation and rationality, a very dangerous trajectory indeed. By the end of this year the story they want to write will diverge so radically from the facts that they feel they have no recourse except violence. Some of them are saying as much already, and sadly, in its own cosseted precincts, this newspaper does not hear the rumble of what's approaching.
5
Yes, Trump is doing EVERYTHING that a president who wanted to rip up the constitution and become president for life would do, including saying it's great that Xi made himself president for life in China, and "maybe we should give that a shot here." Trump is actively attacking EVERY check on presidential power, including his own appointees. He called the Democrats traitors because they didn't clap for his speech. That is an impeachable offense by itself.
But the thing that scares me more is that, while Democrats throw around the world treason, they don't seem to take themselves seriously. For example, if Trump is a traitor, how do they justifying sending him legislation to sign? Republicans filibustered everything that Obama ever tried to do, but Republicans are giving Trump political wins, like a bigger military budget and now cutting bank regulations.
If you believe Trump is the enemy, treat him like the enemy.
If you're talking about potential armed revolution, I'm not too worried about Trump's base of out-of-shape angry old Baby Boomer white men with AR-15s and incipient dementia causing too much trouble.
Now that they've gotten rid of this pesky issue, they can go back to investigating Benghazi.
13
So now the Republicans can get back to opening yet another inquiry into Benghazi.
6
Okay now, is all this just making me paranoid or what—but has anyone noticed an appearance of odd pro-Trump comments showing up this morning, after Russia woke up? And they aren’t exactly just pro-Trump, but specifically anti-collusion. Who knows what is safe from the Russian interference machine.
10
I am right this minute listening to an interview in Russian being given to RadioFreeEurope/Radio Liberty by Andrey Illarionov (Cato Institute), Formerly a trusted Putin advisor, Mr. Illarionov is confirming that the well-known oligarchs (including those directly implicated in the ongoing investigation) have dramatically increased the number of pro-them lobbyists they are deploying daily in Washington, DC. Any given week, spending lavishly of their billions, these Russian oligarchs are now fearlessly delegating 'troops' ('troupes?') comprising expert American lobbyists to defend their "prerogatives."
And if such is the case, you can be sure the troll-and-bot army is also bringing in reinforcements.
Americans must mobilize actual human resources to push back against this onslaught. If you happen to know someone in the lobbying industry, let them know your displeasure at their willingness to sell out our Constitution in order to appease Putin & further enrich his already obscenely rich circle of friends!
March 24th is coming up. Galvanic action & forceful engagement are needed to let the Russians know America is not for sale. Resist!
Does anyone remember Republican Representives Charles Wiggins and Charles Sandman? They were Nixon’s fierce defenders during the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation of Watergate in 1974, which resulted in articles of impeachment and ultimately Nixon’s resignation. Perhaps the current Republican House members who have chosen to end the Russia investigation would like to investigate how these gentlemen are remembered (or not).
5
Both of those Nixon defenders ended up with judicial appointments from fellow Republicans and sat on the bench for the rest of their days. Republicans are big users of the spoils/patronage system to take care of "their own".
1
The one clear conclusion from the Intelligence Committee's investigation: there was collusion between the Committee and the White House
20
Surprise, surprise....I always give the benefit of the doubt, I try to keep a balanced understanding, I even try to understand how this country could elect such a President...I give up!!! If the majority of Americans or even only 30% of them believe this guy and the Repubblican party who ahve both for decades tried to dismantle civilty and reason in our country, well we are done for. President Don the con and hs cronies reign
5
Yes, but centrist Democrats still want to compromise with these enemies of the constitution.
How come Democrats can't make a case that following the constitution, including the Bill of Rights is better than doing the opposite.
Go read the constitution and then compare it to the Republican mission to slash taxes, deregulate trade, use the bible to make law, and excuse extrajudicial murders by law enforcement, because they declare people could before trial.
Centrist Democrats are Republicans in sheep's clothing. Stop letting centrist Democrats beg for compromise on your behalf and fight for the constitution and what it asks us to do: tax and regulate trade too provide for the general welfare.
Three are not reasonable people with different opinions.
Moderation in the face of the "greater evil" is a vice.
Probably better that this GOP controlled “investigation” or misinformation machine is silenced.
2
Here you have Fake News from the bowels of the entirely corrupt GOP congress. Three of trumps "fellows" are already found guilty and talking to Mueller. Manafort worked for Russian oligarch close to Putin since 2006 and was paid $10 million per year, every year to work on Putin's global agenda. He instructed south american govts. on how to set up a dictatorship, just as trump is doing. Wilbur Ross is on the Board of Directors of Cyprus Bank, the criminals favorite place for money laundering;Russia interfered with the secretary of state selection, they didn't want mitt romney and and wanted rex tillerson because he is long time buddy of Putin who awarded tillerson the "Friend of Russia" medal for all the oil deals they have globally. Steve Mnuchin is the crocked "foreclosure King" from the real estate blow out, he made millions putting people out of their homes;the corruption is the White House is everywhere and the complicit GOP Congress is part of the coverup of Russian interference. Many GOP got huge "donations" from russian oligarchs during the 2016 campaign: McConnel $2.5 million, Scott Walker $2 million, Marco Rubio $1.5 million;We saw how nauseatingly the GOP Congress fell down worshipping trump when the GOP passed the illegitimate and deficit exploding tax cuts that benefitted the GOP Congress "bigly" as they are all millionaires or billionaires from their "donations". Those retiring are sailing off with huge tax relief, they reached the epitome of greed.
10
Republicans are giving "political hack packs" a bad name.
1. First the Midnight Escapade to the WH
2. The memo- attacking the FBI
3. Shutting down the committee's investigation
Chomsky referred to the Republicans as "the most dangerous organization in the world". Nunce behaves more like a Russian operative than a US Congressman.
13
Who would think Trump, at his age, has a fairy godmother?
4
I guess you can't find what you ain't looking for.
16
This article from The New Yorker in more thorough than anything this committee has put forward. And it is very incriminating.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/12/christopher-steele-the-man...
3
Aren’t Dems on that committee too?
1
Yes, but they have been blocked from providing any substantive input to the report. In fact Nunes had physical barriers/walls installed between the Republican and Democratic workers on this "bi-partisan" committee. This has been a Republican-skewed process from the beginning. Even Republicans have said that this committee is too polarized to be effective.
2
Psst...the Republicans ran the vote through over a weekend, without allowing Democrats even to know that they were voting or see the "report," they released.
1
The Democrats were ignored and kept out of the loop on everything. They weren't even consulted about ending the investigation.
We have one-party rule now. The GOP is behaving like an authoritarian tyrant (just like their leader, Donald Trump.)
2
Nope, no collusion here. Move along. Move along.
4
I understand that Democrats have probably taken some similar steps to protect their own in the history of this country but where does it end? “Democrats have turned private proceedings into a TV-spectacle to gain political points.” So basically they’re saying we understand the severity of what went down but we will never accept the responsibility on such a public stage? When does it end? Why can’t democrats and republicans alike realize that our public servants are no longer serving us, NO MATTER THE PARTY. When are we going to start questioning why we give these people our tax payer money just to vote along party lines, even if that isn’t the overwhelming voice from their constituents. Do they even listen to their constituents? When do we get to hold our officials accountable? When do we get to start making actual changes? The changes are never going to come in the form of public policy. We need to change the way our elected officials are allowed to live. When are we going to get back to the way the founding fathers intended government to be? Like jury duty where people can’t wait to serve their time and get out. In my opinion, which is all I have, I’d say a good time to start making changes is now when a reality tv star and his 4th wife sit in the White House using our tax payer money.
GOP have sold their souls ; Trumpism;money and power is more important than truth and America. Our Democracy is in real danger;if it dies;GOP has a major stake in that blame. Ray Sipe
7
The closing of the House Intelligence Committee investigation means nothing. Nunes is a Trump wannabe and Conway a close second. The only show in town is the Special Prosecutor, Robert Mueller. Trump should be afraid . Very afraid.
4
Everyone knows Republican is synonymous with liar, who cares what they find or say. Only Democrats know the truth, we all know that as well, especially Adam Schiff. He faulted their findings because he said they failed to pull up the floorboards in search of dirt. It's really time that MSNBC gave that man his own gig. Between them and Fox going to blows every night on air, does this country really even need a partisan divided congress and senate anyway?
4
In other news, Fox Security, Inc., reported that no breach of the henhouse occurred.
11
Time to investigate Nunes and co for Russkie links?
8
People that want to believe that Trump colluded with Russia to get elected will always believe it. Don't bother them with the facts their minds are made up! I guess it was human nature to think that there was some sinister force that got Trump elected beyond running a good campaign. I remember the tears streaming down faces at the Hillary camp when they announced that they did not win. I have never seen emotion like that. Never seen the depths of disappointment, and yet we have survived. The economy is good. We are working on North Korea. No one can say that the country is running off the rails.
1
That is to say, “as long as the trains run on time,” you don't mind having a corrupt, incompetent in charge. Deplorable.
7
So you feel that the word of the Republican report is final? You are good with Trump's 2,000+ verified lies? You are good with the massive turnover on Trump's staff? You only mention two good things 1) The economy, which was in very good shape before Trump took over 2) North Korea - nothing has happened there except for Trump impulsively accepting an invitation to talk. Running off the rails? No, but we are definitely viewed around the world as a nation of fools led by a fool. I'm not good with that.
2
Which facts in Mueller's multiple indictments are wrong? Which of the Russians that were charged are innocent? Which of the dozens of meetings between Trump campaign officials and Russian agents didn't occur?
1
The public is bored of the Russian meme beyond belief. Meanwhile Democrats have wasted months getting their feeble party together before the midterm elections. Good luck with that.
3
So we shouldn't prosecute treasonous crimes because you, speaking for the public, have become bored?
1
You’re still trying to change the outcome of the election. Get over it. She lost.
This is on the American voters. If repubs who ignore/enable Russian interference in own domestic elections are ignored it will get worse. Putin would love a little Putin in our WH. All politicians who white-wash this Russian behavior must be voted out as soon as possible.
3
Trump keeps bleating, "no collusion." a "tell," if ever there was one.
4
The one question that everyone is dancing around is this. Did Russian interference actually change the outcome of the election? How many of the 150 million Americans who saw the anti-Hillary propaganda on facebook (and that is not even the totality of their efforts) were influenced enough to vote for Trump? Trump can claim, without evidence, that Russian interference did not influence the election, but if so, why did the Russians bother? Do they like to waste money on futile projects?
If negative ads don't influence elections, then why does every candidate spend millions on them? Why did Trump Jr. say he loved it when the Russians promised him dirt on Hillary? The effectiveness of negative ads is something on which agreement is universal. But does this prove that without Russia Hillary would be president? No, but it leaves us with this problem. Considering the narrow margins in a few key states cleverly targeted by Russia, no American can be sure that our President, chosen by a minority of us, would be in the White House without Russia's act of war. Having the legitimacy of the U.S. president remain on open question is simply not tolerable. The election became official when Congress certified the outcome. It must decertify it, recall President Obama temporarily, and call for a new election. Trump could still win, but we must be sure that the American people, not the Russian, choose our President.
2
Whoa, what a relief. I was concerned for the our elections and democratic process. Dodged that bullet. We're secure. Spasibo, Republicans.
5
This might give Trump cover to fire Mueller.
2
Oh how I wish Devin Nunes is subjected to interrogation by Mr. Mueller regarding obstruction.
10
Well, that's that then.
There is certainly a lot of obstruction of justice going on with Trump. Maybe he didn't conspire with Russia but it is likely Jared Kushner, Don Trump Jr., Rick Gates, Roger Stone, George the greek, and Carter Page, and the old blonde lady did. And it is hard to believe they would coordinate with the Russians without telling dear old daddy about it.
4
This is an embarrassing and shameful day for the American system of government, and saying Conaway is in charge is just a bitter joke; this Nunes committee has been nothing more than the sock-puppet of DJT, Putin's fan-boy (and agent?) in the WH. I feel like hanging black crepe in my apartment.
There was no "investigation"; those that testified (behind closed doors) said what they wanted to say, and when (and if) they wanted to say it. They had to document NOTHING they said, and if they didn't want to answer any question for any reason whatsoever, the committee response was likely to be: 'okay; sorry we asked'.
This "SEE NO EVIL,HEAR NO EVIL" committee had put themselves out of the investigation business long ago, so on that one level, I'm glad the charade is over.
5
Well then the Republicans are going to kill Mueller's probe.. They must because more than likely he will find collusion and the Republicans cannot have that happening...
2
I guess the Democrats will just have to do their political defenestration the old fashioned way, by winning an honest majority in the House and in the Senate.
If they can manage this, and then impeach, then fine. I'll willingly accept that dumping Trump and the GOP reflects the will of the majority. But my guess is that the GOP will retain both houses, and will go onto win again in 2020.
If this comes to fruition, what's the liberal response going to be? How will many of you react? I realize that higher-order thinking and long term scenario planning may not be the left's strong suit (just look at the post 2016 meltdown that ensued when the "unthinkable" occurred), but I'd be curious to hear what the response might be.
Will it be an even stronger resistance, or a move to the middle?
1
Most Democrats are in the middle. "The Left" only exists in deplorable fever dreams.
The majority did not elect Trump. How do you feel about that?
3
Maybe there is something afoot that we don't understand other than the obvious..... Perhaps Mr. Ryan wanted this over, he realized how absurd and dangerous some of Mr. Nunes' actions were; especially after Mr. Nunes leaked text messages from a senior Senator on the Senate Intel committee. To say the least Mr. Nunes seems overly partisan and his judgement is somewhat compromised by his own hyper-partisanship. His strange and obsessive loyalty to the President, on display one summer evening in the bushes outside the WH a few months ago, is odd. To say the least Mr. Nunes' behavior by all reports is rather peculiar and certainly unfitting for a gentleman representing the House. It is sad that this Trump sycophant headed up what used to be an honorable committee. But that is Mr. Ryan's responsibility. Mr. Ryan owns that and it will eventually be written in the high school history books as such where his grandchildren and their children can ponder this odd choice to keep Mr. Nunes in that role. Sometimes it is is actual in your political party's long term interests to uphold the Constitution and do the do diligence required as part of your oversight duties. As for Mr. Nunes... there will always be a question surrounding Mr. Nunes' loyalties. I wonder about his ties to the Azores and how they fit into Portugal's turbulent political past. What motivated Mr. Nunes to act in the fashion he did/does?
Repubs seem to seem to have a problem seeing anything. Maybe they will feel wet feet as the water rises.
3
With the news this morning that Rex Tillerson was booted as Secretary of State for agreeing with Theresa May that Russia had poisoned two of its citizens, coupled with the endorsement of the Trump Administration's tactics by House Republicans it would appear that, at best, America's democracy is totally corrupt. This may be great for the Republican Party and Donald Trump in the short run, but in the long run, America is setting itself up to be Venezuela controlled and run by Putin and Russia.
6
After Nunes antics, did he not recuse himself,chairman or not?
Forget this committee,Congress,other than your usual disinterest is doing your jobs as usual,absolutely NO ONE can see past their partisan-coloured glasses?
How are you all able to stay upright with no spine?
2
If there was a Texas sized cow patty sitting on top of his head, Conway wouldn't find it. Cow patty, what cow patty? That said, folks like Representative Charles Dent, who are leaving should give Nunes et. al. a good dope slap on their way out. The GOP is committing slow but inexorable suicide. With Trump's capitulation to the NRA anyone and everyone who even smells of the Trump brand is toast in 2020. The students of Parkland will not forget.
5
K. Michael Conaway has a great Democratic opponent in the November election, Jennie Lou Leeder. Unless Leeder gets lots of campaign contributions, she has a huge hill to climb in our district that tends to vote 70% Republican. Perhaps this betrayal of America will help he defeat Conaway!
2
History will treat the hacks like Nunes and Connoway badly, as it will Trump. Compare Trump to Theresa May who just told Parliament Putin has engaged in state agression and state-sponsored terrorism and will be announcing severe sanctions on Russians. But the GOP and Trump refuse to even acknowledge Russia and Putin have done anything really bad. After all there is a big difference between meddling in the election system to create disorder etc etc, which is what the GOP are saying, and colluding with a candidate to get him elected. But let’s face it, the GOP know very well what Russia actually did but are putting their greed before honour. At the end of it there reputations as dishonest liars and enablers of a corrupt President will follow them into private life.
3
The Republican led House Committee was a fraud and a Trump protecting dog and pony show. This is what one would expect from a banana republic, not from the USA. Shame!!
3
Having lived through the Kennedy assassination, and multiples of others, how long did it take to unravel the truth?
What's up with the charade of " bipartisan committee?"
2
The Republicans admit that they were used by the Russians but were too stupid to realize they were being used. Hence no collusion.
1
How amazing: Don't compel testimony, attack the intelligence agencies that are trying to help you do your job, close your eyes, stop up your ears, and voila, you find NOTHING!
4
From Canada: how can we help?
5
Normally I might simply be speechless at such a brazen act of national treachery. Republicans are beyond the pale. Schiff is right, history will judge them harshly assuming we don't become a completely fascist society. But even Mussolini came to an ignominious end.
Thank goodness Rosenstein validated Meuller yesterday. Maybe there are still enough people of conscience left to get us through this despicable nightmare.
Now, today, Tillerson is gone and the new Sect of State is Pompeo, Trump's CIA Director. A real diplomat no doubt.
You couldn't write this stuff and be believable. It's like a Vonnegut or Hiassin novel. But this one is real and dangerous to our republic.
5
"Only Tom Clancy".... or perhaps Mueller could find evidence of conspiracy?
Muller helped to sale Iraq war to the American public back in the days.
Now he tries to sale hatred towards Russia with possible consequences of an open conflict with that country, though consequences can be very different: Russia is not Iraq.
1
I saw a squirrel the other day running around the yard, climbing into trees, hunting... The squirrel didn't find any evidence of collusion either.
11
“The bottom line: The Russians did commit active measures against our election in ’16, and we think they will do that in the future,” Mr. Conaway said. But, he added, “We disagree with the narrative that they were trying to help Trump.”
In another life I can easily picture Conaway and Nunes penning tobacco industry-funded reports stating there is no causal link between smoking and cancer.
8
Last month Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, listed what he said was evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, but the list was spectacular unconvincing. In fact, the examples Schiff listed tend to support President Trump’s assertion that no collusion occurred. For example, Schiff cited George Papadopoulos’ April 2016 conversations with a Maltese professor who told him Moscow had “dirt” on Hillary Clinton and the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting in which Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort and Paul Manafort met with lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya as evidence of collusion. These effort to obtain disparaging information about a political rival were lawful but unproductive. They raise the question: If Russia and Trump campaign was colluding with Moscow, why wasn’t it getting its information directly from the Kremlin? Why would the campaign rely on an obscure Maltese professor and a Russian lawyer who happened to be in the United States to defend her clients before a federal court?
1
Uh, to *obscure* the link with Moscow? Just spit-ballin'... And not for nothin', those are in fact *evidence* of conspiracy. That doesn't mean they prove anything. That's why the investigation should go on. At least talk to the people who have actually been indicted and/or pleaded guilty to felonies. Seems more than reasonable to me.
If you don't see collusion you're blind. It is illegal for a foreign government to try to influence an election in any way. That means they are not allowed to dish dirt on one of the candidates. The Trump team, as you admit, worked with the Russians to enable the Russian interference.
2
No Americans have been indicted for collusion with Russia to interfere with the 2016 election. No Americans have been indicted for anything they did as members of the Trump campaign or anything they did during the 2016 election. Papadopoulos was indicted for lying to the FBI during an interview conducted months after the election. He was not a member of the Trump campaign at the tome. The indictment against Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort and Rick gates are not related to the 2016 election.
Bob Mueller is our last hope for our democracy.
10
I am saddened by the state of this country. It is obvious that at the very least Don the Con Jr., Kushner, and Manafort colluded, Don Jr. admitted it. Paul Manafort's presence in the Trump campaign is obvious collusion. It's so sad that there are enough Americans who will elect these treasonous stooges. Party over country. And its a party that falsely preys on people's religious and racist sensitivities. Just terrible. Democracy is no guarantee. We may be witnessing what Aristotle predicted as "mob rule" and Tocqueville called "tyranny of the majority." Wake up people!
8
The Republican committee agrees that they interfered with the election. The question arises, why? One answer That clearly makes sense is to create Civil disruption among Americans and to benefit the Russian billionaires who run their corrupt government at the expense of their citizens. It would seem obvious considering Trumps associates and confirmed meetings with the Russians and how the Russians interfered, social media post against Clinton, that they would benefit if Trump won. Compounded by the fact that Trump rarely criticizes Russia and has spoken highly of Putin. Birds of a feather flock together.
5
At this point, the time is becoming more valuable than the money spent on this investigation. The fact that its' indictments have nothing to do with foreign meddling, let alone collusion, shows it's typical of every other partisan special councel created before it. As for foreign meddling of a sovereign state, well, is any develop country innocent?
1
In case you haven't noticed from Fox News reporting, the special counsel has indicted over a dozen Russians for interfering with the election. As any parent knows, "everybody does it" is not an excuse.
3
The fact that it's not over and it's the only thing in DC not leaking, I think your conclusion is ... premature.
And the last argument: ok, we interfere in elections overseas. So we should give the Russians a pass on interfering with ours?
2
By this report, the GOP (greedy old politicians) makes clear that its primary allegiance is not to our Country or her Citizens but to the band of oligarchs that buy them through bribes called political contributions.
All true Patriots are disgusted by this abdication of duty.
9
If the much more in depth Mueller investigation comes to a different conclusion then I think the members of this committee need to pay a significant penalty for creating a political opinion wrapped in the guise on an investigation. This playing politics while being paid to represent the needs of the American people needs to stop. Let's see what Mueller finds before we totally condemn this committee but it looks bad. Also, if this finding is used in any way to stop or discredit the Mueller investigation before it is complete, then the penalty paid by the committee needs to fit the crime of treason.
13
The headline might as well read "Vladimir Putin Found No Evidence Of Russian Collusion." They end the investigation without ever looking at Trump's tax returns. Really? Examining the tax returns would have been the first step in any credible investigation.
Devin Nunes, Paul Ryan and quite a few other Republicans are, themselves, guilty of collusion to commit treason against the U.S. Government and are in as deep as Trump, Kushner and the rest.
Nunes delivered on his promise to Trump that he made over a year ago to end this investigation. The entire episode is out of the Keystone Cops. A first year law student could convict this bunch. Mueller will be broadening his net for sure.
8
Too bad democrats just can't accept the idea that Trump won the election fair and square. They will have to think of another way to get rid of him and I'm sure their little minds are busily conjuring up other schemes. Get Adam Schiff on it. He'll surely come up with something brilliant.
OK he won (not the popular vote though), but can't you come up with some new material? "We won, get over it" - seriously? Yes, if we could find out another way to get rid of him that would be good. Let's hope the Mueller investigation does that, or maybe the Stormy Daniels incident. If the results of the Republican "investigation" make you feel comfortable that Trump is clean you are seriously deluded.
1
Republicans also attack our Intelligence Agencies, our justice department, our courts, Mr. Mueller and anyone else not allowing them to get away with their crimes. They never attack Putin and the murderous KGB though.
9
This emphasizes the importance of having an independent investigation. Thank you Robert Muller
8
Someday, the name of Devin Nunes will be as familiar to school children as Benedict Arnold was to my generation.
10
Why did the Russian “parliament” applaud the news of a Trump victory then? Because they know that Trump will not do anything when Russia tanks are rolling over Poland, other Eastern European countries, and are heading back to Berlin and Checkpoint Charlie.
5
Anything Nunes and his band of Trump stooges say is pure bunk that might just as well as been scripted by Trump. This was never an "investigation" anyway.
9
"No collusion" is not the only standard by which Russian interference in the 2016 election should be judged.
Even if there had not been collusion, what did Russia seek to accomplish? Did they seek merely to sow random confusion? Did they seek to tilt the election toward Donald Trump (House Intelligence Committee Republicans say "no")? Have Congressional investigations been thorough enough?
These should be starting points – not end points – for discussion.
3
Yes, "no collusion" have been the watchwords of Trump and the Republicans. I believe when Mueller's investigation is completed there definitely will be findings way beyond the collusion focus. I'm thinking obstruction of justice, money laundering, etc. will be the "end points" you describe. I'm sure the Russians did their part to influence things, but I believe it will be other illegal activities that will ultimately be the big findings of the investigation.
They better be praying that Mueller doesn't find any hard evidence. If he does the GOP Congress will go down in history as putting the President ahead of their Constitutional duty.
4
Utterly predictable. Would we expect anything less from these people, whose silence over the course of Trump's disastrous presidency is so telling?
8
P.S. The fact that this committee under the leadership of Doofus Nunes did not find that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians attempts to influence the 2016 election is not evidence that there was no collusion. It's hard to find something you are not looking for. The absence of evidence is not evidence. The obvious politicization of the House Committee under Nunes' leadership gives their conclusion no validity in the eyes of most Americans who care about who runs this country. Obviously Trump glommed onto this but the rest of us will wait for a real investigation result under Mr. Mueller.
6
After watching the Nunes circus perform for the past several months who really cares what this committee concludes. The Nunes show is a farce which has already been written off as a meaningless diversion from the real issue.
7
The Republicans can always join the Venezuelan Supreme Court.
6
Republicans turned facts and truth telling into a partisan issue, and that hurts us a nation. This is something that is done in lesser developed countries who's governments are in turmoil.
Republicans, why are you doing this to our great country ? Get a good and honest person to represent your views - Control and power can still be had with honesty and integrity, or at least I would like to think so.
7
Someone should publish a study showing how little Republicans care about America.
5
Side note: Really appreciate how the Times keeps Mr. Trumps tweets in all caps. Adds a lot to the narrative.
Because, as everyone knows, if it is in all caps, it must be true. Yes people, that is the logic of our President.
4
Congressional Republicans find the Donald - and his administration - totally free of any connection to Russian meddling in or before the election!
I cant wait for the mid-term elections!!
A New House, and a New Senate!!!
3
The idea that the Committee could arrive at a dispassionate and objective conclusion without interviewing Manafort, Gates, Flynn, and Papadopoulos is absurd. Whatever the truth is about Russian interference, this maneuver is a brazen whitewash based solely on a political agenda. And they're not even hiding it well.
Vote these lying, self-serving betrayers of democracy out of office!
7
In the McCarthy era, there was a notorious House UnAmerican Activities Committee. Now, in the Nunez era, there's an UnAmerican House Actives Committee.
6
How about: "BECAUSE OF Mueller's Push, House Republicans......"?
also, the embarrassment of Devin Nunes...
and they didn't bother to inform the Dems on the committee?
Deplorable!!!
7
Lol at you people, it is truly sad. "No evidence of collusion" so you say "well thats it, he definitely colluded". Be honest, you want him to have colluded because, at this point, after all these months and years of saying it, you'd look like fools if it turned out to be false. And, really, when have democrats ever looked like fools?
1
I think you meant when have Democrats not looked like fools.
But most Dems, including me and the ones I know, are impatient with the whole thing of an apparent haste to come to a conclusion, when the real investigation is going to be Mueller's. And that is not finished and I am not looking for one outcome or the other, I want the truth. I personally hope he finds there was NOT any collusion, as I fear how that would turn our country upside down and inside out. Imagine the partisan warfare in THAT environment.
I just look at the Republican efforts to get done, finished, wrapped, stamped, and sent to the storeroom as an unseemly partisan effort. Democrats on the committee are left with no option but to partisan them back. Sad, as the saying goes.
1
Remember that the scope of the Mueller investigation is not just collusion. Do you really believe there will be no findings of wrongdoing at all? You are making some pretty bold generalizations and conclusions there. Let's see how the real investigation turns out.
The Republicans desperately wanted to put a stamp of NOT GUILTY on their White House leader/puppet before Mueller unearths more criminality in the 2016 Trump campaign. As Shakespeare wrote, "Something's rotten in the state of Denmark." Rotten, and it stinks to high heaven.
4
Such embarrassing dishonesty. Please fellow Americans...we must remove all the lying, cheating, stealing K. Michael Conaways from both Houses of Congress. We must stifle the urge to begin hysterically laughing and focus all our energy on getting all intelligent and awake citizens to the polls.
5
Republicans have zero credibility and this little group carries zero legal weight. All the republicans do by selling out our national security to protect a traitor and fraud is make me look forward to November.
5
Start looking for skeletons in Conway & Nunes' closets. Men like these always, always, have them. Just look at Gingrich & Hastert as examples.
4
Treason, thy name is GOP/Trump. Expect Trump to move quickly on "his agenda". Or is really "his agenda"?
2
After a year Mueller has expanded his investigation? Truly a fishing expedition. And a political hatchet job.
Jim in Wilmette
Are you saying that when Mueller finds wrongdoing in the course of the investigation he should not pursue it? That would be contrary to performing their duties to protect America. That is some pretty un-American commenting there.
Takes a year to find anything? I repeat; a fishing expedition!
Republicans in Congress have shown themselves willing to be played for liars and fools by President Stand for Nothing and his cronies.
It's only 309 days until November 6 - the world is watching.
4
The left says no WMDs, but Mueller’s investigation grows.
That comment makes zero sense. Of course the investigation grows - they are finding new crimes that have been committed. That's the way these investigations work.
Devin Nunes and his committee did not look for Trump's collusion with the Russians, and they did not find it. Shocking!
Never send a Nunes to do a Mueller's job...
7
Well, the Republicans did it again. They've once again proven to the nation why they cannot be trusted to hold any position of leadership, let alone elected office. When provided with enough evidence to show that unequivocally two and two make four, for Republicans to come up with a scratch your head and wonder reply like, "I don't know about that" should tell the American people all they need to know about their judgement.
We the people must set about to remove these Trump sycophants from office, the sooner the better, or otherwise face the perils of a republic run amok. Franklin stated "we have given you a republic, if you can keep it". Well, America? Can you?
DD
Manhattan
10
Let's call it a "Matter".
Robert Mueller is very close to putting the Republicans in the execution block.
4
Gutless House Republicans! I can't wait for the 2018 mid-term elections.
7
A duck is not a duck just because it quacks. But it is not a dove either.
1
When a republic rots and the hyenas lick their chops on the carcass, the people of conscience have a duty to fulfill, and, one way or another, we will.
4
Its fascinating how the Republicans all turn into Inspector Jarverts when they are investigating Democrats but morph into Barney Fifes when they have to investigate their own.
5
Devin Nunes and Mike Conaway aren't fooling anyone with their blatant partisanship that so clearly places party above country. Conaway pathetically spins that that instead of collusion, Trump's team possessed "bad judgment, inappropriate meetings, inappropriate judgment..." No, Conaway it's called spying, it's called cooperating with the enemy, it's behavior that only Benedict Arnold would have loved. Utterly revolting how these Republican false patriots ignore their duty to our nation.
defend ls equally poor liars as they a(R-Texas), the lawmaker leading the committee’s probe, told reporters that the worst the investigation uncovered involved “perhaps some bad judgment, inappropriate meetings, inappropriate judgment at taking meetings.”
4
Nunes and the Republican members of his committee have now joined the coverup.
3
Republicans in congress should be tried for dereliction of duty after Mueller put’s Donny & Co. away.
2
Time for Democratic patriots to start investigating the Republicans who have been compromised by Russians and Russian money.
3
It's time to start thinking of the GOP as a gang instead of a political party. Form another conservative party, normal conservatives!
1
Tomorrow they'll turn to truly urgent business: investigating Benghazi again.
2
In other news, the Mafia - after extensive and impartial investigation - declares that John Gotti was innocent.
4
If interference with our elections is an act of war, then aiding them is treason. I’d like to see Nunes in jail for it.
2
The only recorse is to vote out GOPers everywhere. Start with Saccone in PA today and then continue this effort on Nov. 6. Only this action will help.
4
We hear no evil, see no evil and therefore we speak no evil...
After all the machinations from Kid Nunes, the Trump driven report that was released, their refusing to call and use the power of subpoena and only doing what Trump tells them to do...they are an embarrassment...
The Senate report and Mueller will ultimately be remembered as what is actually true...Conaway should really be embarrassed that he is attaching his name to this report...but in the era of Trump nothing is embarrassing.
3
Trump's only crime was winning the election.
Mueller is too slow and too nothing. Stop it - waste of money.
The collusion was between the White House and the House GOP led House Intelligence (oxymoron) Committee. Nunes, Conway and Gowdy have shown their color. Gowdy knows what's coming and is stepping down. Nunes and Conway will soon be gone - 238 days.
4
There are hours and hours of video from Kremlin-controlled news media referring to "our Trump," and even "our Trampushka" (applying the Russian diminutive suffix that is a universally recognized term of endearment). There is a video of the Russian Duma in special session as the vote count is about to be announced in favor of Trump, with Zhirinovsky raising a toast as all the Russian legislators present respond with reciprocal salutes, full champagne flutes in hand, to celebrate "our victory" -- something that has never, ever before happened in Russian history.
There are no equivalent videos from Russia referring to "our Hillary" or using affectionate words to refer to her. (None for any other candidate, either, including RT-gala guest Jill Stein, who sat at the same table as Putin and Flynn.)
The GOP imagines all Americans are blind, daft or senile.
Vote the Democratic ticket in 2018 & 2020.
6
Who are the House Republicans trying to fool? When history of this is written, Republicans will be on the wrong side of it.
3
“We disagree with the narrative that they were trying to help Trump.”
Wink.
Wink.
1
I think “lickspittle” applies here. Nunes & Company have chosen to ignore the findings of every intelligence agency.
2
It's amazing that of the 700+ comments that the NYTimes received when I read this article that none of them consider the possibility that there was no evidence of collusion between Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia to sway the 2016 election.
Then proposition that Putin, a confirmed Marxist, would prefer Trump, a confirmed capitalist, to Sander's/Clinton/Obama is unlikely . . It is far more probable that the Russians prefer to see a socialist (COMPARE THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH CUBA AND VENEZUALA) t in the White House-their natural gravity is the Democratic party- I believe is that when Obama told Putin that he would have greater flexibility in his second term, he was referring to a "COLLUSION"-designed to advance Russian's global agenda and power- a natural alliance between socialist believing partners. Obama/Clinton/Sanders redistribution of wealth by taxation and social welfare programs
Would like to see headlines that state how the notorious gop failed to consult the Dems on their "committee" before coming to this premature conclusion. But it's always the same kind of headline. Might as well be about Hillary's emails.
Our government continues to chip away at its credibility (now with sledgehammers), and it becomes more and more disgusting discovering just who the elected representatives are representing. Will this republic live to 250 years? At this rate, should it?
5
At least now with the House investigation shut down, Trump can offer his lackey Devin Nunes a job in the West Wing. In Trump's eyes, Nunes has earned it.
6
Yawn. Is anybody really surprised by this? Just remember this in November.
4
Actually , remember it during the Primary don't forget it come November.
This decision falls into the same category as climate change denial, "tobacco causes cancer" denial and "sugar causes ill-health" denial. All coming from the same section of society.
7
When is our vaunted congress going to have the guts to cut this guy off? Clearly a witch hunt going off the rails. Cut Mueller off.
2
Freudian slip???? vaunted, really? Surely you jest.
Mueller is a modern American hero. Still trying to wrap my head and visuals around a 'hunt going off the rails', not an association I would have ever made.
2
It's a shame that honor is so rare these days. Mr. Nunes has been a lapdog for the so-called president, now Mr. Conaway is serving as a stooge for Mr. Nunes. We all know that Mr. Trump committed treason by getting into bed with Putin, and it's obvious that the Republican Party has been complicit by rolling over and allowing its platform to be corrupted while defending an administration that is proving so cancerous to our democracy.
Please, Republicans - please read a book, watch a movie, stop by the Library of Congress. In our relatively short history as a country there are ample role models of men and women of courage, dignity and integrity from whom you can draw inspiration and direction. And please stop blindly supporting the deeply flawed, morally wanting current occupant of the White House. As the evidence mounts your anemic attempts to protect him are becoming increasingly pathetic.
7
People keep phrasing it as they disagreed with Mueller. No, they disagreed with Mueller, the CIA, the NSA, etc. They disagreed with every reputable source we use to guard the safety of our country. Essentially they disagreed with reality as seen by everyone except themselves and Trump.
3
This is low, even for the House GOP. They truly have no shame.
5
Nunes is an enemy of the truth and the American people.
4
If you are wondering why you should vote for a democrat in 2018 and 2020 this is it. Remember the witch hunt the GOP went on about Bengazi? This is much more serious and treasonous if it were to be true, and there IS evidence of Russia being involved in our elections - that part is proven. The part about whether or not Trump and his campaign colluded - well the GOP doesn't want that to be a fact, so they proclaim it's not. Nevermind the rest of the evidence that hasn't been scrubbed. They know the only way for them to hold on to power is to shine up their POTUS.
Trump has not instituted the actual sanctions his own party has already approve in Congress! Doesn't that tell anyone something?
9
Once again the House of Representatives proves why it is the junior house of Congress. All they did was waste time and money putting on a sham investigation led by a majority party who had already determined the outcome before they spoke to a single witness. The only shame is that now Despicable Donald can use this as cover against the more legitimate investigations. It also provides fodder for his gullible followers who desperately want to delude themselves that they didn't vote in the biggest conman ever and, quite possibly, a traitor.
2
Maybe the Republicans are so inured to collusion they wouldn't recognize it if it slapped them in the face.
4
'... Conaway, the Texas Republican ... said ... the Russian did commit active interference .. and they will do that in the future.' This will be the GOP pretext to suspend future elections ( and turn is into a full dictatorship). This is where they are headed (as when they applauded at Trump's "joke" about Xi in China [ending his term limits] that we should try that here. GOP is angling for that).
2
The craven partisans are going to look either stupid, compromised or treasonous or all of the above when Mueller proves a conspiracy against the United States to help Trump and obstruction of justice by the House Republicans and Trump.
2
What a joke.
The house has not been privy to any of the GJ proceedings.
They are as clueless as the rest of us regarding exactly what has crawled out from under the rrocks that the incorruptible Mueller has kicked over.
Wait.
3
Congratulations to the committee for forever besmeaching the reputation of its work, it’s members and its party. The American people don’t soon forgive treachery.... just ask Benedict Arnold how that worked out for him. It’s an insult to anyone with a low level reading ability to deny collusion. Junior’s meeting alone should have been cause for strong censure at a minimum.
The die is cast and these folks will have forever painted themselves scarlet letter red.
No honor. No courage. No patriotism. No motels.
.....and all 10000% self inflicted.
See you at the ballot box from here to eternity.
3
To reach such a conclusion requires a willful - and probably perfidious - disregard for the facts and the abundance evidence that is there for all to see. It is a shameful display of cowardice and corruption.
7
Did anyone seriously expect that the spineless cowards who constitute the Republican contingent in Congress would come to any other conclusion? As long as Trump mindlessly signs whatever regressive legislation they put onto his desk they will never challenge their dream President.
From this veteran's perspective they all look like traitors to the country and yet our support the military voters continue to elect them. Shameful.
2
Traitors. Cowards. Betrayers of the public trust. Every House Member that voted to release this "report" should never be allowed to hold public office again. Speaker Ryan and Devin Nunes should be tried, convicted and sentenced for conspiracy to obstruct justice. And the 2016 elections should be vacated. Remove all political appointees, including Gorsuch, and re-do the presidential election this November.
5
Jim A.Now you and I would hit it off "bigly".I agree with everything you say and it's about time someone said what I've been thinking for 400 plus days.
Republican toadies decide to back their man, putting party before country, and landing a blow to the constitution. Alarm bells are ringing. We have to do everything we can to get people registered to vote; help people get to the voting booth -- keeping an eye on the security of the voting process -- and vote them out! We need to make some noise and resist, every step of the way!
3
The House investigation, led by Mr. Memo Devin Nunes, was always the Sergeant Schultz investigation..."I see nothing". It was always clear this investigation was going nowhere and that the sycophantic, party over country Republicans, would never really probe Trump's collusion with Russia. We need to vote out all of the traitorous Republicans and elect progressive Democrats who will impeach Trump once he is indicted by special counsel Mueller.
2
I am so sick of this administration and this Republican Congress. They should all be drummed out of Washington, every last one of them.
3
There is no evidence of intelligence in the GOP in the House of Representatives. Ryan has repeatedly failed to hold Nunes accountable for his sleazy and unethical behavior. Nunes has repeatedly failed to uphold his oath of office. The Republicans on the Committee should all face charges of Obstruction of Justice as well as ethics violations. Throw them all out of office.
3
The House of Representatives is beyond hope as a governing body, so it's just as well that they stop wasting everyone's time and money here. They're not in the truth business, so anything they will come up with can go right from the committee to a garbage can.
2
The GOP is complicit in Russia’s meddling with this sham and mockery of a finding, which is contrary to the country’s own intelligence agencies!
1
This...all of this, is our own fault. For years we have treated these lying legislators in the GOP (and Blue Dogs) as if they had a point, as if they had earned respect, as if they had a valid argument. There should have been outrage long before this, fiercely pointed out by the Democrats, by the media, and by us, the voters. We should have been loudly calling them out on their lies and their indecency. I've been watching this tumor grow since 1995, waiting for when these low characters finally go too far. Yet year after year, we just move the bar lower. We deserve this until we decide to change it.
4
The foxes have been guarding the hen house for the last 14 months. What can go wrong?
2
Mueller's probe won't find collusion either or get any more significant indictments. There is no smoking gun or otherwise it would have been leaked by the many leakers on both sides. Trumps campaign team was not competent enough to do anything "majorly" illegal regarding the election.
1
Anyone remember the Warren Commission?
1
Republican Rep. Conaway of Texas agrees that Russia with the conclusion that Russia had interfered with the election, but disagrees with the narrative that they were trying to help Trump - comparing that "narrative" to a spy-novel.
How convenient. He sounds like his almost name-sake Kellyanne Conway using proclaiming that "alternative facts are also facts", and uses the logo MASA - Make America Stupid again.
1
Any single party-controlled report on something as important as this is totally worthless - which is the GOP's intention. Delay, obfuscate, try to create doubt.
The Party Of Lincoln has become the party of liars. It is sad.
2
They can smirk and finger wag all they want. When it comes Mueller's turn, they have zero power to end an investigation. ZERO.
2
Nothing about the Steele dossier? We can assume it may be all true or just partially true. If Nunes was investigating Hillary, we would be approaching the end of the first quarter in this game. How many times has this committee interviewed the perpetrator? Trump needs a healthy impeachment to help MAGA.
2
I guess there is nothing totally wrong with the R's investigation.... although it is remarkably suspec because it is so partisan.
Nothing wrong with it because Congress role is to enact laws... and not enforce them. In this regard, they have a right to their opinion.... but it isn't worth as much as the opinion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) whose role is to enforce laws.
I'll look forward to the conclusions of the DOJ.
Darly
1
If the Russians meddled in the 2016 elections, why they were doing it? Why did Mr. Trump junior meet with the Russians that promised him dirt on Mrs. Clinton?
2
It's easy to conclude there was no collusion when there's no evidence of collusion. You Demwits can whine and stomp your feet, but Mueller has not presented ANY evidence of a crime by President Trump. Not a single charge or even innuendo. Oddly enough, there is tons of SOLID evidence that Hillary colluded with a foreign spy and the Russians to create a dossier and change the outcome of the election in Hillary's favor.
1
No collusion but a real conflict of interest, Trump owes so much money to Russian interests that they could put him into bankruptcy. So instead of defending US interests as he should he bows to his private interests. Follow the money!!!
3
Remember the treason, the corruptions, the lies of this President and his party. Remember and voice it. The Republicans are promoting lying, concentrated wealth and property (and therefore, poverty), bullying, adultery, fake patriotism, race and religious hatred, etc.
Speak about what we (Democrats) believe in. Speak about community and equality as being inseparable. They are. Speak about ending poverty, and billionaire's running politics. The stain of Republicans is becoming more extreme. Evangelicals have been caught in these sinful actions. Disgraceful.
We need Democrats to be good and honorable. We need to save America from Republicans.
5
Um isn't that breaking with the conclusions of EVERY U.S. Intelligence agency, re: House Republicans saying that Russians didn't favor Trump's candidacy? Isn't that called either a lying or deceit? Either way spells democratic failure and treason by the Republicans
2
History will record this. The past is not full of heroes only... A great deal of fools fill our history books.
2
And now, the GOP's complicity is complete.
They have sold their soul to the devil and have given our nation the finger in order to serve their own self interest.
1
The only ones applauding this rushed and bogus finding are the White House, the Russians, and the Republicans. Doesn't that say something?
3
The only probe that matters is Muellers...the Intelligence Committee might have kept the skeletons behind closed doors for now, but they will be revealed in time.
2
The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Next thing you know, the sympathy for Donald articles are going to start appearing after he's out, but many questions remain; will he sneak into the White House scotch every night, will he get on his knees and pray with Henry, (O Henry, will you visit the Donald?) will he talk about hate and winners and letting them hate and not hating them back, as the enemies list unfurls just like his tie?
The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Desperately trying hard to get onto the enemies list, all the best to you and yours, sincerely.
1
And this decision being driven by Trump's lackey Devin Nunes...big deal. Now the democrats will put out a report of their own.
This is a good example of how the GOP puts party over country first.
They don't give a hoot.
2
Russia will continue to exploit our differences with the goal of polarizing our country. The play book is much the same as with Mrs Clinton's action to overthrow the elected president of the Ukraine. People in glass houses should not throw stones.
It is mind boggling how GOP, the anti-communist party of 80' became the party of Trump and pro-Russia. What the GOP committee says has no bearing on the Mueller's investigation. It only shows how much the republican party has bent away from the interest of the country.
1
A reader comment for a similar NYTImes article said it best: It is impossible to debate or reason facts with the GOP and its supporters. The only way is to defeat them at the ballot box.
2
Conveniently shared news by the Republican led House Committee right before the Pennsylvania special election.
2
Good. Shut it down. They have shamed the words "intelligence" and "committee" enough already. Pack up that clown car and move on to the next stop. They need to leave this work to the adults. Much the same could be said of the House in general.
1
Nunes' personal loyalty to Trump supersedes any responsibility he feels to the US Constitution. He would make a fine banana republic "legislator."
1
We can reopen it in January after we take the house....
1
Here's the GOP game plan:
1. Hold committee hearings to determine whether Russia meddled in America's 2016 national election.
2. Find that Russia indeed meddled in the election.
3. Classify the meddling as inconsequential.
4. Conclude that no further investigation of Russian meddling is necessary, desired, or profitable.
5. Introduce legislation to close down Robert Mueller's investigation and to destroy its records.
6. Go to the White House and get your picture taken with DJT.
7. Go home and tell your constituents what a grand job you did to protect America from Robert Mueller and his investigators and lawyers.
8. Deposit the checks sent you by the NRA.
3
How can they call the investigation "FINI!" when many of the people called to testify invoked fake executive privilege and gave no substantive responses?
3
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell. --Confucius.
1
What a relief, I've got to tell you it's not my first instinct to believe a republican, but now they are finally telling the truth about their redefining of truth.
1
In the end its what Mr Mueller has to say. I await his findings.
1
The Reps think by closing things down or even ignoring facts they can deflect the Mueller outcome. Sad.
3
Congratulations to the committee for forever besmeaching the reputation of its work, it’s members and its party. The American people don’t soon forgive treachery.... just ask Benedict Arnold how that worked out for him.
It’s an insult to anyone with a low level reading ability to deny collusion. Junior’s meeting alone should have been cause for strong censure at a minimum.
The die is cast and these folks will have forever painted themselves scarlet letter red.
No honor. No courage. No patriotism. No morals. .....and all 10000% self inflicted.
See you at the ballot box from here to eternity.
2
And before all the evidence is in, on the eve of special House elections:
Republicans on the House committee publish their skewed version of their findings: that the Russians, without breathing one word to the RNC or anybody connected with the effort to elect Trump President, spontaneously named him “their man” and did everything in their power to see him elected despite a loss by several points in the popular vote.
Scary enough.
Terrifying is the GOP’s conversion of a Congressional Bipartisan Project into a Committee to Re-Elect the President whitewash, refusing, with a sledgehammer to even attach the “other” less-convenient, and potentially equally cherry-picked version by “the gentle-members if the other party” as an appendix, in the kind of committee that, by traditions of bipartisanship, NEVER released a Majority Members Only document.
Until the Democrats get the Black Budget agencies to drop the high classification of this report, with the removal of names, contact tradecraft used, and allegedly still secret operations, we won’t have a chance to see a uniform report.
And that will require merging two documents with conflicting findings, with the GOP placing Party above claims by spies of National Security, and the law requiring Democrats from saying anything still considered Secret or Top Secret.
Autocracy above Law from the “law’n’order party”. If GW Bush can out spies because a spouse wont hew to GOP line, why not Trump’s Congressional Shield as well?
"THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE" is an oxymoron. Who cares what they conclude because they are not taking all evidence into consideration to draw ther ferociously partisan "conclusions". A total farce.
VOTE in November 2018 and remove these biased hypocrites from Congress.
4
The Republican members of this committee are going to look pretty silly if Mueller finds differently.
2
A sadder commentary on democracy could not have been written. Giving up the idea of America for partisan gain, the Republicans continue to tear at the soul of the country. Abandoning their "fake" fiscal restraint for political gain, they add their "fake" investigation and report into the Russian attack to their litany of stench.
1
having read the article and most of the comments -- until they became ridiculously redundant -- I have to say the progressive left just can't handle the truth. Of course, there must have been collusion between Russia and Trump. How else to explain Hillary's loss (or was it all those white women who at the last minute followed the orders of husbands, bosses, even children to vote for Trump when they had intended to vote for her).
If there had been any evidence of collusion uncovered over the last 14 months by anyone, you can bet your bottom dollar that some democratic party faithful would have leaked it to the press. And you can bet that some Woodward and/or Bernstein would have found their deep throat. But nothing like that has happened. The indictments that make the left giddy have nothing to do with Trump's campaign or Trump and the guilty pleas by Flynn and Paplopadoulos were for lying to the FBI about legal acts.
So -- would someone offer up some evidence of collusion rather than just assuming it had to have happened. And since there is no evidence, how about a clear theory of why either Trump would have colluded with Russia or vice versa. I've yet to hear that. There was no reason for them to collude.
Quite frankly, all the left has been able to offer are loony ideas (the Russians have been grooming Trump for years) that are loonier than Oliver Stone's JFK.
I agree with Chris, who said "party before country."
I have simply stopped being appalled, day by day, by this administration, and instead simply relying on the severely sane people in this country who speak out, including those journalists in the NYT, WAPO, CNN, and MSNBC.
And of course, we always look forward to FOX reporting on such breaking news as burger emojis.
1
If I invited gang members to find dirt on someone as Trump did with Russia, or if I met with gang members at my home as Trump people met with Russians in Trump Tower, and if my people were involved in shady deals with gangs as was Flynn, Manafort, Gates, and others with Russians, I would probably be considered to be engaged in criminal activity. Thus, how can anyone saying there is NO collusion, when we have all this activity going on non-stop by Trump, his people, and the Russians? If this House "investigation" were to be believed of "no collusion", they sadly are in the wrong business, incompetent, liars, or worse, acting in collusion themselves with Russia via Trump and his folks. You can't have it both ways, you either support the experts who tell you there was Russian meddling in our government, or you are calling the experts incompetents or liars. Same people that know more about protecting America and do this every day, than this sad and pathetic bunch of the GOP Congress who know nothing but collect a paycheck and protect their equally incompetent and lying President. These people must be voted out of office. Enough is enough of their lies and corruption. America comes first, not Trump, not the Russians, and certainly not YOU, the GOP.
4
Thanks goodness -- myopia, cataracts, strabismus, and blindness are no stumbling blocks to establishing the truth!
Finally, we will stop hearing from Nunes, the Russian mouthpiece.
Let the serious people continue their work on the Russia-Trump collusion.
4
This is a set up, of course. When Mueller does find that there was at at least some collusion between the Trump organization and that, yes, the Russians did favor Trump, a doubt will forever be cast over Mueller's legitimate investigation so that the Trump base can point to these sham Republican "findings" as the legit investigation.
Typical modern day Republican corruption. Whether it's their NRA paydays, or stripping healthcare from millions or a massive tax giveaway to the mega wealthy or lying for the worst and slimiest president in history they have fallen so far away from their job to represent this nation. They are despicable. My 3 war veteran father would have hated them. He hated all corruption.
3
When everything comes to light and the severity of the Russian operation and Trumpian collusion is made clear, I believe the republican members of this "intelligence" committee should all be charged with treason or at the least, aiding and abetting treason. The level of their complete failure to act in the interest of this nation criminal, but sadly, not surprising. They have been failing this country for decades now, on healthcare, climate change, gun control, voting rights, civil rights, human rights—all in the name of money and power. Contemporary media just makes the level of their complete corruption plainly obvious for the world to see.
2
Nunes’ shenanigans are weird ... while supposedly recused, he does his own solo Russia investigation, sends staffers to England, sends out at least 3 rounds of subpoenas, working against the his committees official work, doing his best to discredit Steele and the dossier and trying to frame Clinton.
3
The problem is...the American people don't care. This is strictly a Washington story.
What this means is that Mueller will keep looking as long as he can to find some little thing even though it had nothing to do with Trump- Russia collusion that the main stream media has been harping about for 18 months. It turns out that Mrs. Clinton, Podesta and "Uranium One" are the big Russia collusion. Why would Mrs. Clinton think that it was OK to sell Russia 20% of our Uranium if the Russians are so evil?
With whom does Nunes collude, and when did he begin?
1
Average American worker, having to compete with a foreign labor force having been imported precisely to make his own position redundant, superfluous, and to drive down wages all around, look's upon Mueller's "chasse aux sorcieres" as an egregious example of misplaced resources which would have been more usefully spent repairing sub standard housing in the Bronx, just 1 example, where 12 people perished in a building that was obviously a fire trap.Thanks Mayor De Blasio, Gov. Cuomo.Nothing has been proven,nothing will be as a result of Mueller probe, and wags have it that Russian collusion is a complete fairy tale concocted by Podesta to seek another reason for HRC's defeat besides her own unfitness as a candidate.Read that million dollars has been allocated to clear up discrepancies in De Blasio's campaign contributions. Money should have been spent on improving lives of the needy. Those who advocate open borders and sanctuary cities, again at taxpayer expense, refuse to recognize that we are already trillions in debt, have so many poor folk of our own to look after. Can't blame Mueller for his ego trip, h wanting to remain in the limelight, but his probe has as much credibility as the Warren Commission following regicide in Dallas in '63 which was a cover up to conceal role of mil. industrial complex and LBJ in the conspiracy to kill JFK.Obama spent millions meddling in Israeli election in failed bid to have Netanyahu defeated. So, what's all the fighting about now?
November may be too late to save America.
1
The only real collusion demonstrated so far was the Hillary campaign colluding with Kremlin contacts to attack Trumpworld followed by Obama appointed federal officials using the information to then spy on Trumpworld.
None of your readers seems in the least disturbed by the use of federal intelligence agencies to surveill a political campaign, as long as its a republican target.
Hopefully the good people of PA-18 will be smarter and better read than the nonsense the republicans pulled today and select the lever for Conor Lamb. This little show was for the low information Fox News voter and to provide wall to wall coverage to the 33% that are filled with hate and fear and will always vote for the faux news candidate - rather than with their ow n eyes.
2
Like everything else the Republicans in Congress do, this action has no credibility at all.
1
I wonder what these Republicans will do if Mr. Mueller finds evidence of high crime and misdemeanors. I don't see any Howard Bakers among them.
1
Big surprise . . . . did anyone really think there would be a different outcome?
1
"Important witnesses have not been interviewed, and records have not been subpoenaed, including bank documents and certain communications" Why are we asking for conclusions again? When the above is said and done THEN we can ask for conclusions. Until then if you have nothing better to do get to work on how to make America great again because this administration must have been campaigning on (Antanyms).
I for one do not have any difficulty at all believing the most horrendous things said about Trump. His vile conduct is exhibited every day thanks MSM that feels compelled to report on his every utterance. We knew many moons ago that things would get worst and still it boggles the imagination.
2
Well, the GOP did the shallow vs. the deep throat, Trump-six fix on this. No surprises here in the GOP sycophant sphere.
1
Biologists have found evidence that the amoeba like Devin Nunes lacks a spine and grey matter.
1
Republicans had to choose between national security and political security...
That was easy!
1
Notice that Representative Schiff offers no evidence to contradict the key claims of the report even as he condemns it. I am more than willing to wait for any evidence the Democrats would like to offer in their own report. But don't, NYTimes, let that stop you from beating the drum for a charge you assumed from the Clinton campaign and have marched to, without yourselves offering any evidence, since. It used to be that you printed news in one place and editorials in another. Thanks for having given us this President.
If I were tasked to write the dossier on this debacle it might go something like this. '08 collapse was engineered, rewarded, and any will to criminally prosecute the conspiracy made the law itself anecdotal. Citizens United passes in '10. The Kochs increase their wealth 10-fold. Putin comes to understand he has more in common with them and the likes of Addelson and Mercers and recognizes they need Lloyd, Diamon, and the gang to run roughshod so the bell inside his head goes off when Trump invited him to his Moscow Pagent. He considered his leverage. Trump in deep with Deutsche Bank. Deutsche in Putin's pocket. Trump is already laundering for Putin's cronies, most likely under Putin's direction. Putin needs sanctions removed. Needs Exxon technology. The deal is made. Unwittingly, The Times props up Hillary and stands on the sideline while DNC buries Bernie. Trump plagiarized Bernie and with the help of Bannon tweaks Bernie's platform for White Supremacy. Putin understood that play since his early training at the KGB. What he didn't understand until we showed him was how the law and democracy are facades in America and Congress, the Judiciary, and Media bow to money, end of story. Putin simply joined our game because he wants a piece of the action. Putin regards Schiff and Maddow as much as a threat as Meghan Kelly. Welcome to the new age.
1
I hope that all Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee will enjoy going through life with the characterizations "dupe and traitor" attached to their names.
3
“The bottom line: The Russians did commit active measures against our election in ’16, and we think they will do that in the future,” Mr. Conaway said.
So this means they will pressure Trump to enact sanctions and get serious about technology to stop this in the future? LOL
2
What truly reveals their role as a propaganda mouthpiece for the WH is their failure to call for immediate measures to blunt Russian interference in US elections. Regardless of the intention of the interference, it should be stopped and Russia should be punished.
2
Of course, releasing this statement the day before the Pennsylvania special election was just coincidence ... right?
Quisling is defined as a term originating in Norway, which is used in Scandinavian languages and in English for a person who collaborates with an enemy occupying force – or more generally as a synonym for traitor. When all the facts associated with the Russian investigation come out, the Republicans on the Committee and their actual leader, Paul Ryan, will be memorialized by this word.
1
Russian disinformation campaigns are as old as dirt itself.
The Russian collusion narrative against the appalling DJT, though, is nothing more than a Clinton campaign dirty trick. Follow the money from the DNC and the Clinton campaign through a law firm to Christopher Steele. It’s there for anyone to see. Just take off the blinders.
Same for the millions paid to the Clinton Foundation while Mrs Clinton was Secretary of State by Russian front companies not normally known for their charitable adventures. It used to be called influence peddling when our politicians had some sense of propriety.
The GOP just announced that they are replacing "e pluribus unum" on the coinage with "Party before country".
It’s time for all Americans to realize that the Republican Party has sold out to the Russians.
Ryan: "That's a beautiful suit of new clothes, Mr. Trump!"
"Despite Mueller's push?" That fact-based investigation has nothing to do with the GOP's bogus dog & pony show, which is completely partisans.
1
it would be laughable if it wasn't so sad.
A week or 2 before the last presidential election President Obama emphatically stated there was no evidence at all and furthermore it was next to impossible to tamper in US elections.
You guys been on a epic Witch Hunt ever since.
I wish the NYT and other outlets would stop repeating falsehoods as though they are meaningful statements. If they have no substantive value, why do the "we are fair so we will report it, as there are always 2 sides" approach.
This issue with this Republican subversion of truth is not that it is "Despite Mueller's Push" as this headline proclams it to be. As noted in the body of this article, the news here is that it is a conclusion reached despite a failure to first interview key witnesses and subpoena documents. Certainly those facts can be investigated, rather than merely reported as something "Democrats say."
Come on, NY Times, you can do better. This type of "we just report it" attitude towards attempts at manipulating Americans made by irresponsible politicians is what brought us the Trump presidency in the first place.
1
And they looked so hard, too!
1
After Trump clinched the GOP nomination, House Chair Devin Nunes came out in support of Trump and organized a fundraiser for him in August 2016.
On the transition team, Nunes was biased from the start!!!
Speaker Ryan--loyal to Trump--stuck by Nunes against any calls for an independent commission to investigate Team Trump's ties to Russia.
After ethics violations forced Nunes' own recusal, his GOP replacement for committee chair, Mike Conaway, already had denied Russian interference in the election, saying it was like “Mexican soap opera stars …. influencing the vote in Nevada.”
And during FBI Director James Comey's interview, Chairman Conaway cut him off after Comey referenced Hillary Clinton and said “logically, when [Russia] wanted her to lose.” Conaway didn't want it in the record.
Next, GOP's Trey Gowdy tried to change the intelligence committee focus to Obama staff. Then out came the pro-Trump sham document "The Nunes Memo."
Fast forward to now:
Our National Security chief told the nation--and the world-- Trump has NOT ordered the agencies to disrupt RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE in our upcoming elections.
1
I don't think I could be more disgusted with Republicans. This is nothing less that an abrogation of their constitutional duty to guarantee that the rule of law is maintained and the national security protected. It sanctions Treason.
This seems like treasonous behavior on the part of the members of the majority party.
REALITY: democrats need to put up or shut up on evidence they claim to have since this is their last chance to make a case i.e. Mueller has also moved on from collusion claims
As we all knew since last year...when there were numerous leaks but not a single leak incriminated Team Trump...there is no Russian collusion by Team Trump.
There is, however, collusion by Obama, Hillary and the rest of the Dem hierarchy to destroy Trump by illegal surveillance and FISA court abuses.
1
Imagine Ronald Reagan seeing his party buddy up to the autocratic ruler of modern day Russia ignoring the democratic principles upon which the US was built.
Yes, and I suspect that if Frank Nitti had been in charge of the investigation against Al Capone, they might have found him totally innocent as well.
2
How can the House investigation be complete when it did not subpoena and examine Donald Trump’s tax returns?
2
Mr. Conway: “We disagree with the narrative that they (the Russians) were trying to help Trump.”
That's like saying Tom Brady wears the jersey of the Patriots, but he does not try to advance the football across the goal line.
1
It's no coincidence that this decision was made on the same day when the Prime Minister of Britain claimed that Russia has declared ware on Britain in the poisoning of an MI6 agent. After seeing the repeated collusion between the Nunes and the White House, the Republican arm of the House Intelligence Committee has shown itself to be entirely corrupt and fully in line with the act of a majority of Republicans at the beginning of Trumps term to effectively kill the non-partisan, independent Office of Congressional Ethics. Nunes, as the leader of the House "Intelligence" committee has shown himself to be a total puppet of the Administration and thus corrupted any of the objectivity that the oversight committee was designed to implement. Putin is winning in breaking up the Post World War II alliances starting with his influence on Brexit, the constant efforts to support fascists far right racist candidates and to spread division and chaos among democracies will exploiting corruption and the worst instincts of otherwise better humans.
2
The Republicans who run this investigation remind me of George W Bush standing on the deck of that aircraft carrier saying, "Mission accomplished." Meanwhile, the war continues...
2
These men have just carved themselves into History. This craven choice will be the only thing their names are remembered for.
3
Nunes and the other members of the Intelligence Committed are now accessories after the fact to Trump's crimes.
It's time for republicans to choose: do you stand with Trump/Putin or do you stand with the United States?
2
I don't know if the Trump Campaign secretly colluded with Russia and we may never know or see it proven one way or another. I do know that Nunes has colluded with the White House to obstruct justice. It is quite obvious House Republicans can't be trusted at all when it comes to investigating the Russian meddling in the election. Apparently Nunes is too young to remember Watergate and that most of the people who went to prison were not involved in the break in at all but for the coverup. The crimes of Watergate pale compaired to what is going on here. Being in the majority Republicans believe they are insulated from the consequences of their actions. They shouldn't count on it.
3
In other words, House Republicans are aiding and abetting Trump. Nothing changes without harsh punishments for criminals in elected office that threaten national security. No man should be above the law.
3
They claim this, despite the news coming out at the moment about the Seychelles meeting and the (second) attempt of Trump people colluding to set up a back channel to Russia—one inaccessible to our own intelligence people?!
I am nearly speechless.
For this alone, Nunes should be investigated for obstruction of justice.
4
I am finding it difficult to believe the Republican legislators are really American people.
6
The House Committee investigation lead by Devin Nunes, not Michael Conaway, has been an obvious joke from the start. They have absolutely no credibility and their corruption is now complete and on display for the world to see. The corrupt, disreputable republicans on this committee must be removed and replaced as soon as possible.
3
New book RUSSIAN ROULETTE is now available on Kindle and soon in bookstores. Quite detailed. Worth a read.
4
Devin Nunes has risen in the ranks of politics. That only means he will fall farther and harder.
1
Gee, imagine that. A Republican "investigation" finds no wrong doing on the part of a Republican President. Was there ever any doubt that the outcome would be otherwise?
2
“We disagree with the narrative that they were trying to help Trump.” A simple question.. after all of the information that has reached the light of objective analysis and mature thinking.... just who were they trying to help?
1
The GOP house gives another victory to Putin and this is an addition that Trump did not enforce the sanction.
2
The Mueller investigation is looking for facts. The republicans in Congress are looking for a way out!
No wonder the two are finding different things!
DJT will not finish one term in office. It’s all but a certainty it’s just how it ends that remains to be seen.
Resist. Vote. Repeat.
3
We have witnessed what it is like to have an immature 12-ish year old as president, but now we see clearly what it is like to have all his equally immature 'buds' and classmates covering for him too. Unbelievable...except it is happening.
3
The investigation is not complete, and the Republican's have a vested interest in the conclusion. Are we surprised by their rhetoric?
1
Of course they found nothing.
Republicans would have had to admit to Paul Ryan's and Mitch McConnell's collusion in 2016 when they refused to have Congress act when they were informed of Russian hacking.
The GOP rot starts at the top and goes throughout the entire party.
The Oath of Office to uphold the Constitution means nothing to Republicans.
Let's show as many as we can the door in November.
Vote.
1
EVERY special prosecutor ever named at the federal level had as a starting point a crime to investigate - EXCEPT this one.
The entire U.S. Treasury seemed to be opened for Mueller's effort to salvage some discredited Democrat lawyers' reputations. At last, for once, these jaded characters have no limits on what they can spend investigating a crime-free situation. So what if they produce nothing?
I suspect that one day the special prosecutor provision will have to be amended to disallow the process crimes - like a witness getting crossed up on what he had told the lawyers. Process crimes - all Mueller has on Americans - are an open admission that there never was anything to investigate.
2
The Republican Party seems to approach its tasks by determining a desired outcome and then denying existence of any evidence that doesn't support their predetermined outcome. I have voted for many Republicans in my lifetime. But given their current approach to governing I cannot see a scenario going forward where I could ever vote for one again because the group cannot be trusted to so anything right.
2