Why can't the headlines announce the story properly?
Trump publicly sided with a known enemy against his country -- and his intel services, and everyone in law enforcement, not to mention the American citizens -- having been informed in detail of the attack on our democracy. This is unprecedented. Many think it amounts to treason -- shouldn't that be hinted at in the headline?
That would be big news, if true, no?
Please write headlines more in keeping with the content of the story.
2
Does Trump believe Putin or US intelligence agencies?
• “I have confidence in both parties”
Does Trump endorse Nazis?
• “very fine people on both sides”
2
Putin speaks as Trump mouths the words
1
No one paying attention will have forgotten how nearly the entire Republican Party establishment, including John McCain, "abased themselves" during the 2016 primaries, rather than take the simple step (putting country ahead of personal selfishness) of forming an effective anti-Trump coalition during the primaries (Trump never had more than a minority of delegates until the last few weeks before the convention) or via a brokered convention.
Will those Republican "leaders" finally wake up now, do what is right for the country and impeach this corrupt, treasonous train wreck of a pseudo president? And will the ever-spineless Democrats finally stand up and push impeachment as well? If any of these politicians had half a backbone they might realize that Trump would very likely make "a deal" on resignation if pushed to do so by threat of impeachment and first-ever presidential removal. It is high time to save America and make long overdue substantive moves towards such a deal. The future reputation of every current member of the US Congress is on the line right now.
Stay tuned America and free world: Trumpdisaster is a long way from being confronted and dealt with.
1
Regardless of what transpired in Helsinki, I much rather have Donald J, Trump as the President of the United States than Hillary Rodham Clinton. Yes, the Russians may have "meddled" in the 2016 election, but there is still no evidence that they actually tampered with the actual vote. With regards to meddling, I would consider the voters who fell for their campaign ads fools. Most Americans had made up their minds for Donald Trump based on the man himself, not phony ads run by Russian trolls. As for hacking into the DNC emails, that shows poor cybersecurity by the Democrats. Besides posting the emails on Wikileaks provided transparency to the decision process; it showed America what the Democrats really think and how they conduct themselves. I will take Donald Trump over Hillary Rodham Clinton any day of the week. I support the President. I support Trump. Thank you.
2
They were NOT his intelligence services, they were Obama's and they hated him.
1
It wasn't a summit meeting, it was Trump's annual performance review with his boss.
3
Trump basically has no analytical or critical thinking skills. He has no interest in anything (except his own ratings) - so he has no knowledge or personal opinions. He will adopt the opinions of the last person he speaks to, provided that person express their personal admiration for Trump. Now remember that Trump speaks regularly with Putin (according to the white house so far 8 times by phone, and no information if he is alone or conversations are taped and later analyzed by professionals). So the former KGB agent sits with a room full of KGB expert manipulators talking to a gullible US novice president who is paranoid that his own security advisors are engaged in some kind of “deep state” conspiracy to “get him” (and who might have planted that idea in his head?). What could possibly go wrong? – EVERYTHING!
2
Shades of Pogo. We have seen the enemy, and he is us.
2
I listened to a good bit of this on my car radio this afternoon. To me the most shocking was where Trump rambled on about "no collusion" and "witch hunt" and how the server wasn't ever examined, followed by Putin repeating much of what our president had said, confirming his opinions as his own, and sounding like a good Trump supporter. A reporter asked did Putin have something over Trump. I don't think he needs anything to get what he wants. We already know what he has. Putin helped him win the presidency, and now Trump shows his gratitude for the win. No silly stuff about hookers in a Moscow hotel room. Just two men with a lot of power teaming up to share the spoils. I don't doubt they had a very good productive conversation in their time alone together. Wonder how long it will take for some journalist to get one of those translators to talk.
1
The bizarre news conference, where both Trump and Putin gave senseless refutations of evidence of Russian intelligence intervention in US election processes. clearly validates concerns that Russians attempted to covertly assist in electing Trump. However, as Putin said in his later interview with Wallace of Fox News, the news conference was not the place for Trump to publicly confront him, because they did not travel to a summit in Helsinki to publicly insult each other in front of the press, but to discuss problems in a private setting and to negotiate solutions where feasible. This should have been the simple news conference answer of both presidents to questions on this subject, but Trump apparently became rattled and perceived an actually nonexistent opportunity to attack the Mueller investigation, about which he is obviously obsessed.
2
Trump is a traitor to nation. Where is Congress?
General Kelly, please save us.
1
President Trump is either a communist who loves fascists, dictators, and autocrats or a fascist who loves communists, dictators, and autocrats. In either case there generally is no rule of law or concern about fair and open elections.
November. November is when this traitor's bill comes due.
I can only wonder what Trump said behind closed doors with Putin for two hours without anyone there.
When Trump says the types of Un-American comments he made in the press conference, who can doubt how much he must have fawned and kiss Putin's ring in private.
Embarrassing and Disgusting, Donald Trump has brought disgrace on himself and the office he holds.
Trump must need that hotel in Moscow real bad....
1
Trump is mentally unfit for leadership of any kind, but he has stumbled into a relationship with Russia that we have needed for a long time. These two powers MUST get along if the planet is to survive, after all. Putin may be a vicious man as many Russians seem to feel, and we might wish for the moral leadership of a Gorbachev. but Putin is strengthened, not hurt, by the constant attacks on him by both our parties, basically know-nothing politicians that don't even knowledge or remember the evil NATO has done by encircling Russia at her borders. Who is dumber, meaner in all this is hard to say.
1
Why have all the members of Congress not spoken out and acted responsibly to defend our Cyber assets against such attacks? Why has Congress not put forth funds to help each state harden our electronic voting machines, election databases, and software? It is not enough for many in Congress to say that the Russians attacked our election machinery, it is time to act. - to put our money, staff and material/operational resources to protect our Democracy now. It is not enough to place more sanctions on Russia. Forget about listening to Trump's individual words and counter words, but note the totality of his actions, as well as those of Congress. Congress needs to place its energy and focus not on protecting Trump, but securing our Cyber boarders. We and Congress need to mobilize, harden, and defend immediately to protect all our Cyber resources, infrastructure, and way of life. Don't we need to protect our security. We would certainly act if some material asset of the USA was attacked or that foreign soldiers landed on our steps. Well, they virtually have. Where is Congress?
1
Has anyone ever asked Trump why he called on Russia to go after Clinton’s emails?
2
And Russia wins the cold war by controlling the White House and destroying the western alliance.
1
Democrats think that by using the words “treason” and “traitor” they can remove President Trump without having to do the actual work necessary to defeat him at the ballot box. If successful, that would mean a President Pence. Say bye-bye to homosexual marriage right now, folks!
Democrats will fail in this and all their other schemes, because every personal attack on President Trump produces a new, highly motivated Republican voter. In these columns Democrats plead for other Democrats to vote this November. Republicans don’t have to plead. They are motivated to vote this November and in November 2020.
1
Outrageous, appalling. Isn’t this treason? Coming from the President, of all people. He is supposed to be leading the Nation. Instead Congress is correcting him. Whatever got him into this office better get him out of it. Bland comments from his party leaders make me wonder what kind of fools these are, too.
The only thing Trump loves is himself and he demonstrates it
every day with his words, actions, and deeds
in every aspect of his life.
He doesn't care if he shreds the precious democracy
we have the privilege to enjoy
that so many fought to create and to maintain.
His presidency is sickening and demoralizing.
6
How can a national disgrace make America great again?!
1
The trouble here is that we have no precedent for going forward. We have a minority political party calling all of the shots, merely because they have all of the monied kingmakers behind them. They lost the popular vote by nearly three millions votes, but they were still able to install a minority president who represents only the interests of the international globalist oligarchs. The American people are aghast, and yet we are told over and over that all we can do is vote in November.
So what if we vote in a Democratic Congress that will be embroiled in more investigations of the current president, with the Republican party sitting intransigently on the sidelines, refusing to cooperate yet again with any Democrats?
This has got to stop. We have to find a way to govern by consensus again. Otherwise, Americans will continue to suffer without healthcare, without a strong social safety net, without affordable higher education and housing, and without modern infrastructure projects.
And all because some selfish rich people want to get even richer on our backs and the backs of our children and grandchildren, who will be paying for the Republican tax cuts until climate change finally wipes us all out.
4
Trump is compromised. Talks like a Russian agent. America needs to have this traitor removed from the White House. The whole administration - removed. Trump is not a legit president. We need to drive this point daily in the free press. GOP are taking sides against America by supporting Trump. This has to stop. VOTE in November!!
5
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America... 45 doesn’t even know the meaning; DJ Trump is treacherous.
1
Trump is a pathological liar and has now added traitor to his list of accomplishments. He cannot be allowed to trash this nation as part of his self destructive ego driven aggrandizement.
3
There seems to be amazement that Trump would raise questions about our intelligence agency conclusion. A few presidents back was told without any doubt there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq just waiting to destroy us and other countries like Israel. After we invaded and found no WMDs, news agencies like the NYT ripped into him for years because he believed them. In 2016 Obama was warned by our intelligence agencies about Russian meddling, His response was to call Putin up and tell him he shouldn't do that. It wasn't until Trump became president that sanctions were imposed directly for election meddling It was also under Trump that our government, who relied heavily on Kaspersky, banned the use by our government. Usually when someone is punished, the goa to get them not to do something, You let them know that if they do the same thing again. they will be punished again. What did Obama think he would gain from placing sanction on Russia for taking over Crimea. The only stated goal I read, was to put economic pressure on the Russian people to push Putin out. It didn't happen and it isn't going to. What is our goal with the elections sanctions? We don't want them to mess with our elections. They have gotten the point even if they don't admit it. It is time to somehow find a way to reduce the tensions with Russia just like trump is doing with North Korea.
As is usual with the "facts are inconvenient" crowd, you leave out important details, such as Mitch McConnell's refusal to make a bipartisan statement to the US public regarding the Russian interference. He flatly turned down the request of the president (Obama), and refused to acknowledge that the interference was a problem. Obama did what he could with an uncooperative Congress, whose numbers include some Republicans who will probably turn out to be up to their necks in Russian rubles funneled through the NRA to Republican candidates. The Mueller investigation is getting more interesting every day.
2
Well, it still ignores the fact that Trump wasn't president. Obama could have done something. If he believe the accusations were true, he could have stopped the government from using Kaspersky who we had become majorly reliant on. He didn't and within 3 months of Trump becoming president Kaspersky was banned. But of course they had no idea Trump would win. So why bother. It was only after a bombastic self promoting reality show host took victort away from the DNC's anointed Queen President. that it became important. They had to find some excuse didn't they. But then along came Donna Brazile's book and the book, Shattered, and you find who Trump's win was helped by.
thank you , Mr. President....for not caving to pressure from the limited thinking of the Press Corps. Do Not follow the narrow conventions dictated by Journalists/Rumor Mongers who have no understanding...only a desparate need to control the agenda.
1
@Wherever Hugo Sorry to have to break the delusion but if are attempting to to impugn every living journalist by claiming they, not Trump, lack honesty and integrity your credibility is zero and, not to put too fine a point on it but, you are also a traitor. If you believe no facts at all believe this, you are fooling nobody.
1
I volunteered for the 82nd Airborne. My father served in Korea. His elder brother flew a PBY Catalina in WWI at 19 years old. We all became officers of the court; I began my career as a prosecutor. Now, a murderous Russian dictator is courted by a 'president' who never served our country, over a former U.S. Marine, prosecutor, and Special Counsel, and he calls his own intelligence agency liars. Do Republicans have no honor? No shame? No loyalty to our flag, Constitution, and millions of soldiers who have died for our Great Experiment?
7
There isn't anything the deep-swamp is accusing Putin of doing that we have not done in spades, e.g., our invasion of the Middle East and turning it into a firestorm--including a couple of assassinations and election meddling--since 1948.
Trump's problem is that he not only has the Sovietized mass-media coming out of New York City attacking him but the deep-swamp and both DNC-RNC Politburos, Ryan, Schumer et al.
Constitution seems to be their problem. How to terminate Trump's presidency without an obvious coup. Need something more subtle like a Mueller-FBI-NSA impeachment. Stay tuned.
4
The shock and terror of this political moment seems to have been too great for my mind to bear. Something has cracked and a strange defense mechanism seems to be kicking in. I find myself generating pseudo-rational excuses for Trump’s behavior in Helsinki, like “Trump may be placating Putin to make Putin lower his guard so he can be attacked or manipulated in some way.” or “Maybe this is a case of two psychopaths understanding each other and something good can come of it.” Of course these ideas are total rubbish, but I’m starting to mimic Trump’s mind, and the effort required to resist this is extreme.
How many others are on this same brink of insanity? How many have already crossed the line?
1
No reason to be confused here. Why would Trump attack or humiliate the man who got him elected even though Putin arrived 40 minutes late and drove a bigger car just to let Trump know who is in charge. The data has told us that Russia hacked US media. The intelligence is correct and Trump just bowed down to the man who got him elected. In fact he may have been selected by FSB and GRU back in the 1980s when they introduced the idea to him that he might be President of US. By the way what does the data on Trump and other Republicans say? Republicans in Congress don't care what he does, how much he lies, or how bizarre is behavior is as long as he signs every little piece of paper they put in front of him. They know he won't read it. Hello, America where are you?
3
What exactly is required to silence this loose cannon? As far as I can tell he has jumped through all the hoops towards impeachment, and perhaps treason. I wish we could all receive such leniency (well not really, because that would be utter chaos). Oh right, chaos is productive according to the loose cannon, awesome! The new norm. The precedents being set today are going to be very problematic going forward.
2
I say give it four days, and then the world will forget and move onto the next outrageously trollish thing that he says or does. This did not move the needle among his followers AT ALL. But I've noticed that the "script" that he and his followers use for his extremely defensive narrative of 2016 election events, has solidified, and gotten smaller, shorter, and narrower in scope, almost to a list of bullet points. Easy to memorize. I wonder if he is maybe prepping for that sit down with Mueller after all.
We will not forget. We are cataloguing this man's misdeeds and we will all be voting this November to put the brakes on the out-of-control Republican oligarchy.
3
To paraphrase the man himself: he just shot someone on Fifth Avenue in broad daylight and all his supporters in the polity and Congress still enable him. Only in this case he shot the American intelligence community, the independent counsel (naturally) and his own Justice Department while Vladimir Putin looked on and chuckled.
The man is and always has been a known quantity. Accusing him of being an infantile, four flushing, grifting, morally compromised ignoramus is to accuse him of being what he is, which is almost making no accusation at all.
It's the Gowdy's and Gohmerts, the McConnells and the Ryans, the Sessions, the Millers and the Conways et al, ad nauseam, world without end, amen, who need to understand that the bill is coming due and there is no sufficient line of credit in this world or the next to cover what they will owe the American people.
4
The Intelligence services work for the Deep State. The Deep State wants war to make money.
I implore you to stop understating what Russia has done and is doing. Meddle is what my grandmother did. Attack, as an act of war, is not simply "meddling".
1
This comment is in response to the Americans who believe that President Trump’s campaign to legitimize Russian President Vladimir Putin is based on Putin’s possession of damaging information on Trump. If true, Trump’s self-interested conduct could be an impeachable offense. Isn’t this one of the best reasons for our Congress to begin hearings on the Trump administration’s Russia policy, to find out what is behind Trump’s behavior?
1
Trump's real slogan is "Let's Betray America Greatly Again".
He is systematically destroying our norms and sense of decency.
He is systematically pitting Americans against one another.
He is systematically destroying our economy by erecting trade barriers with our most trusted allies.
He is systematically destroying our alliances that have keep the peace and helped defend the democratic countries, including the USA against the forces evil dictators such as Putin.
While, he probably can not be convicted of treason as defined by the constitution, his betrayal of our country's interest to that of a foreign power is tantamount to treason and he deserves to be removed from office and then prosecuted to the extent allowed under our laws. If what should happen comes to pass this man would spend the rest of his life in jail.
2
Putin & Trump are both repulsive, as are a large percentage of the world's leaders. A little background: Russiaphobia has been an American creed since the Communist Revolution of 1917. When I was a child - late '40s & '50s, we were told that Russia (the Soviet Union) was our enemy,
because they were commies & we were capis. Surprise, surprise! Even after The fall of the Soviet Union in '89, when Russia became Capi, like us (US), Russia remained the 'enemy', & the US continued to surround it, both militarily & political, in part by encouraging NATO membership in NATO for all of the now independent nations that had been part of the Soviet Union. Why wasn't the now no longer communist Russia asked to join? Because we needed an enemy, & Russia was (& is) so convenient for that purpose. Whatever the reason (& I suspect it's self-serving on Trump's part, as everything he does is) I'm glad our president is not encouraging the continuation of Russiaphobia in the US.
1
Treason it is but to prove it is another matter. The Pretend King Trump has the same Freedom of Speech rules as us, he can say it, but has he followed through with action like allowed Czar Putin hackers in or connected them with the right people. This is where Mueller's investigation should give us a clue. Clearly Czar Putin has a hold on him. We must draw a line when as a people we will finally intervene.
1
Comrades, we have found moose & squirrel.
1
An Oklahoma senator has stated it was the press' fault for asking the question. Inane, treasonous defense. A talented and honest President could have easily handled an answer to the question.
1
I just read elsewhere that Trump said his meeting with Putin had gone “ even better” than that with NATO. Funny how that works — fawning obsequiousness as opposed to loudmouthed insults.
The harder Trump tries to sound intelligent, informed, and decisive, the more he comes off as an embarrassment. Just stop it, already.
One cannot defend the indefensible.
1
Trump supporters are quick to crow that "Trump tells it like it is".
He certainly did that in Helsinki.
Anybody who hasn't sipped the Trump/GOP Kool Aid can clearly see that Trump is compromised and in bed with Putin. Trump and his supporters will correctly claim that after 1.5 yrs. Mueller hasn't yet presented any evidence of his malfeasance. Of course, that claim comes without even the slightest look-see into what Mueller is looking at.
Any armchair detective can find enough evidence of Trump's shady business deals with Russian oligarchs to realize a dedicated team of FBI agents must have volumes of evidence by now. Trump, Kushner, Don Jr. have made so many openly brazen blunders, it's probably difficult to wrap up the investigation because of the sheer magnitude of evidence that must be in their hands. It seems certain Trump's circle had/has Russian ties, even if the dotard managed to stay separate. Trump has tried to handcuff Mueller by stating the family finances are a red-line to the collusion inquiry. However, if Mueller follows the money trail, it's certain several financial crimes will be uncovered.
I hope his concern for the country overrides any threat from Trump lawyers and he presents all of his findings regarding Trump's criminal financial actions with Russian participants.
And hopefully soon.
We cannot continue to let a treacherous criminal run, that is, "ruin" and compromise our county and its security.
1
Mr. Ryan said, “There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideas.”
Nicely said, retiring House Speaker, given that Republicans in your House have so poorly served the American people. There is a moral equivalence between the two countries--neither are democracies.
This administration's regression to oligarchy, on the way to dictatorship, is the direct fault of the Republican-led administration.
The Constitution insists that the government provide for the common welfare.
How many times have Republicans voted to violate this directive, by limiting healthcare and food support, and insisted that babies be born rather than aborted, with no funds made available for their lives after birth.
Congress is forbidden to vote on measures that only benefit their class.
All of Congress should have recused themselves from voting on the tax plan, because it benefited only their class, and those richer. None did.
How many Republicanns sat on their hands and said nothing, turning away as Trump thumbed his nose at decent values and the law? All of them.
And NOW they're suddenly incensed by Trump's conduct?
Sorry, not buying it. At least we know Russia's a dictatorship eager to re-take Eastern Europe. It seems Trump's with Putin. Missing Trump's logic, maybe he wants to take over Western Europe--they do have valuable assets.
But this President wants to be a dictator, not part of a Democracy
2
All upsetting, but Congress will continue to do nothing about this President, not even censure him. Democrats don't seem to be able to do much either. The mass media just jumps from outrage to apoplexy without much result. All we get are furious tweets by celebrities and more macabre comedy shows. It's about time the American people and the NYT start admitting the failure of our political system and the need for substantive restructuring of our government and institutions
Trump supporters are quick to crow that "Trump tells it like it is".
He certainly did that in Helsinki.
Anybody who hasn't sipped the Trump/GOP Kool Aid can clearly see that Trump is compromised and in bed with Putin. Trump and his supporters will correctly claim that after 1.5 yrs. Mueller hasn't yet presented any evidence of his malfeasance. Of course, that claim comes without even the slightest look-see into what Mueller is looking at.
Any armchair detective can find enough evidence of Trump's shady business deals with Russian oligarchs to realize a dedicated team of FBI agents must have volumes of evidence by now. Trump, Kushner, Don Jr. have made so many openly brazen blunders, it's probably difficult to wrap up the investigation because of the sheer magnitude of evidence that must be in their hands. It seems certain Trump's circle had/has Russian ties, even if the dotard managed to stay separate. Trump has tried to handcuff Mueller by stating the family finances are a red-line to the collusion inquiry. However, if Mueller follows the money trail, it's certain several financial crimes will be uncovered.
I hope his concern for the country overrides any threat from Trump lawyers and he presents all of his findings regarding Trump's criminal financial actions with Russian participants.
And hopefully soon.
We cannot continue to let a treacherous criminal run, that is, "ruin" and compromise our county and its security.
How well I remember the lies and misstatements supported by the MSM in the run up to the Iraq war; how well I remember Colin Powell's address at the UN with unproven accusations against Iraq intended to gain support for our invasion, with very little push back from the MSM, I remember how Russia was being accused of invading Crimea and Ukraine like out of the blue with often no mention in our MSM of US involvement in the coup in Ukraine that preceded Crimea and any alleged support to the Russian speakers in Ukraine. And I have followed closely Syria and US support for the anti-Assad rebels/jihadists for our agenda of regime change and our MSM does not provide a critical accounting of that war. And from the time of Trump's successful election, he has been attacked unmercifully by the MSM and accused of collusion with Russia. The MSM has been very good at ginning up the American people so I am very suspect as to their comments and their motive.
I am not a fan of Pres. Trump but I do support his attempt at making peace with Russia. Seems the Democrats and the MSM are a bit unfavorable to peace.
1
This comment is made to address the Americans who believe that President Trump’s campaign to legitimize and even humanize Russian President Vladimir Putin may be based on Putin’s possession of damaging information on Trump. If this opinion turns out to be true, clearly President Trump’s self-interested conduct, which has compromised the integrity of our national security, could be an impeachable offense. Isn’t this one of the best reasons for our Congress to begin hearings on the Trump administration’s Russia policy, to find out what is behind Trumps behavior?
Regardless of what transpired in Helsinki, I am glad Donald Trump is the President of the United States of America rather than Hillary Rodham Clinton. I will take Trump any day of the week over Clinton. Thank you.
2
I agree with all who believe the Helsinki summit will go down in history - not in a good way, Trump is in Putin's pocket - the body language was a dead giveaway, that Russia meddled in our elections and will do it again. Every day, every meeting with a world leader - it's pretty unbelievable to be watching history in the making, as sad as it is.
But two things continue to amaze me. First is the seeming lack of interest by the Republican party. They, who are always the first to cry foul when a Democrat is at the helm, seem to be just fine with Trump actions, words, policy. I wonder every day...why? Their lack of patriotism is astonishing.
Second, there is the alternate reality that Trump and Co. are living in, which is getting very old. Trump cries 'fake news' every time a story comes on - yet usually what they are reporting on are direct quotes from Trump himself. How it is 'fake news' is a mystery to me. Then we have Mike Pence, who's statement after the Helsinki Summit seemed to have come from some alternate universe. It had no correlation to what we actually saw happening between Trump and Putin.
It's an embarrassing time, and a scary time to be an American. I just hope we can recover.
2
Trump has created a new "trump defense" to be used by criminal defense attorneys across the country. "Your honor, I have spoken to my client and he denies the charges in the strongest of ways. Therefore, this charges should be dismissed."
Trump's is the Era of Moral Relativism. There's no right or wrong. A week or two ago, it was enough to prove the Russians subverted our elections and understand yes, that's wrong on its face and the Russians should pay. But now it's "oh, well we meddle in other countries' elections all the time, so it's ok that Russia meddled in ours." Yes, we meddled -- in Latin America and other places and the results weren't pretty -- but our CIA never put a Russian leader in power.
Trump's relativism lacks principles, a moral center or even core beliefs. Everything's a transaction. So if Strongman X gets me on this "deal," I'll best him on the next deal. Or I'll get Strongman Y to corner X so he comes around to my view. And all that frilly rule of law and democracy and alliances stuff is for patsies. Putting down our country while kneeling like an acolyte ready to lick Putin's iron boot is so horrendous I can't imagine anything worse than giving Putin the nuclear codes and inviting him to incinerate New York.
I noticed how approving Putin was during Trump's childish recitation of his "speech." It was Darth Vadar coaching his infant son on how to rule an empire. I agree with David Brooks: the damage may never be undone because the whole post-WWII order has come toppling down. That may have been set in motion before Trump, but it was still savable. Now, who knows. It's time to rein in the powers of the Presidency, before it's too late.
Senator Graham warned that he would check Putin’s-now-Trump’s ball for listening devices and “never let it in the White House” (see other NYT article).
Has anyone thought to check Trump himself for listening devices and maybe keep him away from the White House?
(Actually half serious here, since we know from one of Trump’s first international relations moves that he thinks it is fine to share highly classified intelligence, shared in confidence by an actual ally, with his Russian buddies.)
Maybe in some future an observed holiday will come out of this. I propose Helsinki Day. On this day you don't see any reason why something obvious would be the case. You also either are the subversive agent of some puppet-master on this day, or you've decided to play a real good one (on TV). Helsinki Day's a companion day to April Fool's, Halloween, and, of course, Purge Day, with many pranks and puzzles. Concrete pie. Rope tricks.
I seem to recall Trump not only asking Russia to commit a crime that would help his campaign which they then did, starting the next day), but also publicly stating that he was aware of and believed that the 2016 election was “rigged.” And they were. By the Russians.
Why do people ascribe these Trump remarks to ignorance or humor or hyperbole? If a man says he knows that his sister will be murdered, and the sister is then murdered we acknowledge that the man had prior knowledge of the crime and get our law enforcement to act accordingly. If we also heard the man ask someone to do the deed or to commit a contributing crime, such as kidnapping, we expect law enforcement to hold both the kidnapper AND the man who requested the kidnapping accountable not just for the kidnapping itself, but also to accessory to murder.
How is what Donald J Trump said and did, especially in light of what Russia then did and was doing, any different?
Congress is the DA’s in this scenario. Why won’t they prosecute?
1
Trump goes from Wrong to Wrong Again. If we don't recognize the pattern by now, then we never will. He is intent on destroying the international order and America's position in that order. He seems in an unreasonable rush to offend each and every one of America's allys. But he isn't smart enough to know that his plans to Make America Great Again will take time. American manufacturing has migrated offshore for thirty years or longer. Repatriation will not take thirty years, but certainly longer than four or five. He needs to think along the lines of a new Marshall Plan for the United States. It will take time , money and intelligence. But Trump certainly lacks the intelligence and patience.
I am authorized to ask & answer: What would Elizabeth (Nadezhda) and Philip (Mikhail or Mischa) Jennings [The Americans] think? Sure, they officially retired--to Moscow--in December 1987. I asked them today. They say that the parallel US State will prevail, and try to keep the current President's actions--or fallout from them-- in line without a disruptive impeachment after the Fall elections. The Jenningses [as they were known to American friends and to their own two children] are concerned that this deep US state is currently under severe stress--but it is not prone to accepting failure, nor defeat. They quietly became advisors to Mikhail Gorbachev--who's doing well, thank you--and who himself survived 1987, as we all know, before things went downhill for him in 1991. I may expand on their concerns over today or tomorrow. Others may add more profoundly here to what they really think.
"Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, seconded him. “I would completely agree with that,” he said. “We all ought to start rowing in the same direction, let’s get everybody to work, let’s do the great things that the president has fought for for the American economy so that we can beat our competitors on the battlefield rather than in sniping at each other through the media.”'
Well, then act like a leader who knows how to get everyone on board then, Mr Trump. Get everyone rowing in the same direction. As a leader, this is part of your job. If you can't sell the idea, then you're no salesmen. You won't get me on board by making excuses or insulting my side of the aisle. Be a joiner, you clown. You can't close the deal if you can't get us all rowing in one direction.
6
Congressional Republicans: You are failing all of us. Please do you job. A democracy cannot survive this type of betrayal.
11
@Lefthandman
"Congressional Republicans: You are failing all of us."
They aren't failing Trump supporters.
1
Previous complaints about an Obama apology tour? Trump came out to the world stage to slap the hands of all U.S. citizens and to apologize for the non-existent role that the U.S had in Russian election meddling.
And still, the GOP sits by...
Shameful
10
"Trump’s Critics Have a New Word in Their Vocabulary: Treason"
... is a headline along this article on the front page... "Treason" is not a new word in our vocabulary. Trump is as transparent a bad guy as the bad guy from any 1980s TV show... you see him when he first walks on camera, and you just know... "that's the bad guy..."
All of this, when you step back and look, is sooo transparently clear... everything he does is controversial... every expert chimes in on every action saying the same thing every time... "this is dangerous and I don't think it will work out like they think it will..." And it's always explained away under the guise of "abstract politics".
Let me ask you this... (assuming clearly that he is corrupt and a traitor, selling us out for a foreign country...) what do we do about all the changes he has already made? Shouldn't each and every choice he has made be viewed from the point of view that the policy he supported was intentionally ruinous?
What is our recourse? For the supreme court noms? For the environmental policies? For the immigration policies? For the tax breaks? For the appointments of judges to literally everything he has done including what he hasn't done?
He's a traitor. That's not new to us. But what are we going to do about it when everyone else comes on board?
6
Could it be that Helsinki is the place where Trump started to sink?
3
With Trump as President, I now totally understand how the people of Germany went on with their lives during the Holocaust, as if nothing were happening. Today, the economy is strong, we are almost at full employment so our response to witnessing treason broadcast on international television is to shake our finger at our televisions, write a couple of comments online and then get on with our lives. By the way, there are still children in the US being held in cages. Now get back to work everybody!
11
Sing this to the tune of Bob the Builder:
Trump the traitor, did he do it? Yes HE DID! Benadict Arnold rolled good ole George under the wagon but this is paled until Trump beat him all the same. In making our country look like a national shame. It's SAD that Trump praised Putin over the US of A! Trump the traitor, Yes he did it! He just DID!
2
Mr. "Bone Spurs" would not defend his country then....and he's thrown it under the bus, now.
Quelle surprise!.....NOT.
5
Watching Fox News desperately scramble to salvage something, anything, from the grotesquery of Trump's Putin Is Our Pal news conference, one has only one question: Who is the bigger traitor to America, this cowardly, sniveling president or his enablers at Fox? Seems to me it's pretty much a toss-up.
13
Take a look at the company hired to handle Maryland's elections. Who do you think they have ties to???? Russia folks
4
Putin must be in dictator heaven. I'll be he thought he'd never find a president of the United States who would be ignorant enough to attack his own intelligence agencies and align himself with him.
7
What do the American Veterans Associaton say about, trump, putin say about Helsinki?
4
Simply stated, our president is a nasty piece of work.
15
Until now I thought Trump was just ignorant and boorish. Now I know he is a traitor, and criminally complicit in hiding his betrayal of our nation.
15
Without the Republicans and his supporters this scenario would never have occurred. The backers are as much to blame and as guilt of treason because they must know somewhere in their souls they are on the side of evil. They have no excuse and should be damned along with that lunatic sociopath.
20
Someone's got it in for me....They're planting stories in the press.......Idiot Wind......blowing every time you move your teeth......People see me all the time and they just can't remember how to act.......Their minds are filled with big ideas,
images, and distorted facts.....Idiot Wind......Blowing from the Grand Coulee Dam to the Capitol!!
4
Hugo,
Give props to Bob Dylan please.
"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disentrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country."
Abraham Lincoln, Annual Message to Congress -- Concluding Remarks, 1862
3
Perhaps President Trump will remain in office for the next six years because he is very useful to important sets of people: the 1%, the Congressional Republicans, the religious right, and the Russians. Regardless of his behavior he will be supported by these people as long as he delivers for them.
3
We the voters need to demand an immediate, transparent, bi-partisan commission dealing with the safety of our mid term elections. Trump has not chaired a single meeting about the attack and our response, and Sessions admits that nothing is being done. This is collusion.
16
"I wanted Trump to win but didn't interfere," said the richest man in the world and president of Russia.
"I asked Russia to help but they didn't," said the president of the former superpower, the United States of America.
Putin and Trump colluded on their denials.
7
People are wondering what Trump got out of the summit in Helsinki. One has to wonder, however, what Putin thought he was getting from it. He might as well have openly outed his asset. The only conceivable reason is vanity - he wanted to brag in front of the world that he now controls the US. For strategic purposes, however, this summit was as big a mistake for him as it was for Trump.
We now enter a dangerous territory that should be handled with utmost care. US-Russia relations have been ruined for years to come, especially after Trump is removed from office. The likelihood of war has not been higher since the Cold War, even if its consequences for impoverished and badly equipped Russia would be disastrous. Domestically, Trump's supporters are about to be humiliated in ways that few populations have experienced before. There is no question that Trump has to be isolated but, again, this has to be done with care. Congress must refuse co-operation with any part of his agenda, including Supreme Court nominees, and then we just sit by and wait for the elections. Trump should not be impeached but thrown out by the voters after both parties campaign against him in unison.
5
Recently I too have been wondering what Putin hopes to gain by all this. China is going to be the beneficiary economically. And does Russia really want a fully rearmed Germany on its border? France has the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world and Britain the fifth. Western Europe will be no pushover. Europe has its own armaments industry and I don't see the US refusing to sell arms to Europe.
Extraordinary. Lincoln and Washington are climbing out of their graves. But we're living in an alternate, very polarized, bizarre reality where Trump is god and Putin isn't far behind.
The GOP media is painting a very different picture of what the rest of us are clearly seeing; it's the Emperor's New Clothes effect, where up is down, 2 plus 2 equals 5 and fake is real.
Fox applauds the Helsinki spectacle as a big success for Trump, who is supposedly very "tough" on Russia, more so than any other president. Refusing to believe that Putin attacked our election system is tough?
4
Yes. TrumPutin backers read the books 1984 and Brave New World not as literature, but as textbooks.
Let’s hope they and their spawn don’t take other dystopian novels as textbooks as well.
I am not surprised by this. It is not even startling to me. Trump sees the US government as his enemy. He is siding with powerful corrupt leaders who he shares a kinship with. He thinks his own government is out to get him which is basically true. He is not working for us, the US citizen, he is working for himself and the deeply privileged whether they are American or not.
12
This is not about the US versus Russia. This is about a globalized oligarchy trying to solidify its grasp on the world's most powerful countries.
We have one of the world's richest, most unscrupulous men, Vladimir Putin (a man who began as a spy & showed himself willing to jail & murder political opponents on his way to what is effectively a dictatorship veiled in a pretense of democracy), manipulating a weak American president whose only goal is to enrich himself through his office.
Putin wants US sanctions against Russia to be lifted & he sees his chance in Trump. Before sanctions, Trump sold high-priced real estate to Russians who needed to launder money. Post sanctions, he helped to launder the ill-gotten gains of men from a variety of former Soviet countries - all of whom are either in jail for corruption or have been investigated for same. Of course, Trump would love to see the sanctions lifted, too. It would mean more business for him, & a huge influx of money from highly questionable sources into the US.
Anyone who wonders why Republicans don't do anything does not realize that nearly all are in office to make money. They are not in politics to serve the public. Trump & his supporters see nothing wrong with getting rich by any means necessary. The will argue that the business of America is business. They are willing to destroy & discredit this country's legal system because it will benefit them. We cannot allow the foxes to legislate for the henhouse!
9
Donald J. Trump, elected President of the United States behaves as if he is a foreign agent acting on behalf of Russia. His behavior at the meeting in Findland was outrageous. He had words of praise for only one man and country. And, that was Vladimir Putin and Russia. If President Trump is unable to fulfill his responsibilities as President of the United States of America, he best resign before he faces a growing sentiment for him to be removed. The Republican members of Congress best act before Donald J. Trump irreparable destroys the country we love.
4
As President Obama wisely observed about the current global challenge to democracy: "... those in power seek to undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy meaning.” Putin and Trump are two of the most salient examples of this threat to democratic values.
We should not be surprised, however, that Trump betrayed the American intelligence community while standing with Putin on the international stage at Helsinki. When Trump stood in front of the stars on the wall at Langley honoring the fallen heroes of the CIA, he debased himself and the moment by complaining about the reporting on the "crowd size" at his inauguration. The reason for his malevolent narcissism can be found in the truth originally stated by Lord Acton, that "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Throughout his career Trump has had absolute power that has had no checks or balances.
The spineless moral cowardice of the current Congress ensures that Trump will be permitted to continue his destructive behavior with no checks or balances and heaven knows what further betrayals and destruction he will foment in the future. One thing we know from the lessons of history: When tyrants like Putin and Trump are allowed to proceed unbridled and unchecked it often leads to war; the significant difference in this case is that this war will be a nuclear war that threatens the survival of the entire planet. Something must be done before such a global tragedy becomes inevitable.
8
President Trump is both unable and unstable. He is unable to be the moral leader to ALL of the citizens of the United States. He is unstable in dealing with ALL of our allies and friends around the world.
There is now a voice that grows stronger every day. It speaks to all the citizens who listen and who hear “cast a vote in November to return to sanity in our country” and lean-in to hear “this vote will then lead to a vote to impeach President Trump.”
This voice is not colored by red or blue. It has no color. It is a clear call. If you hear it than all the rest is commentary!
17
Imagine if Obama, or any Democratic president for that matter said what Trump said at that podium. A GOP congress would have already started the impeachment process.
3
We seem to really want Russia to be our greatest adversary so we can have something to feel superior over, so why are complaining so much when they behave adversarialy? We just have no idea how to be satisfied. We should thank them for only hacking us and nothing worse. The treason of Trump is not his trying to work with them but not trying to work harder against them in order to satisfy that need for our own superiority. To the rest of the world this must make us appear to be very selfish.
1
"...Aides steered clear of the front of the plane to avoid being tapped for a venting session with Mr. Trump." You can only re-arrange the deck chairs so long before we call go down with this alleged captain of the free world.
10
And not so long ago, Republicans were in a self-righteous rage about Obama and his "apology" tour that they perceived as weak and kow-towing to the US's enemies. Obama was, however, trying a different approach to diplomacy to attempt to heal bad relations with certain countries. He did it while still maintaining US integrity and interests and perserving the dignity of the office of the President.
What we have here with 45 is an up is down, night is day, gaslighting of the American people, not to mention of our security, diplomatic and other government professionals. Trump is making fools of us and of the United States as a nation. What's next? Asking Putin if he wants to set up his own office inside the White House? I will be contacting all my state reps very soon to demand that Trump be held accountable for his treasonous actions. For someone who values loyalty so much, it really is astounding that Trump cannot even recognize his own disloyalty to his county and his fellow citizens.
3
@MCA Ah, but in Trump's world, loyalty flows only one way -- from the little people to him.
Neville Chamberlain had nothing on Trump. Trump went further than appeasing Putin Trump justified Putin.s aggression and attack on our country. I have never seen an American President humiliate himself yesterday. I guess Trump can only be tough with people not in the room with him. It looked like Trump even drooped his shoulders in the presence of his Boss.A person could have turned the sound down on their press conference and seen who the Alfa Male was and it sure wasn't the tall guy.
9
Putin is the face of the Russian government. Behind him is the KGB, Russian generals, Russian businessmen. Relations with Russia do not hinge on making nice with Putin, there are many other interests in play here - for example access to natural resources in many different parts of the world. How much better to have approached Putin with the confidence that should come from being the leader of the world's largest democracy and as the defender of democracy throughout the world. Again, hoping that Putin likes you so that he plays nice is the height of fallacy!
2
Trump's motivation is very very simple: he wants to be a dictator. He wants to destroy NATO and G7, and our domestic institutions, because they limit US power.
No need to wonder if Putin is blackmailing Trump. He's simply a mal-adapted kid who can't join in a discussion or compromise to be a part of a community. Instead, the only way he can assert his self identity is to tear everything down.
2
Th Russian poisoning of British citizens, resulting in one death, may have been a warning to Trump. Their alliance may be deeper then we can imagine at this moment. And tomorrow, who knows?
3
Meddling is part of the process. We have big money controlling candidates, and telling voters how to think. Where PAC money comes from is anybody's guess. Hillary lost because she is worthless. She spent $1.2 billion on her campaign. It's no secret that Russia (and many others) did not want her to be president.
2
@Frank: As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton made an enemy of Putin, because she stood up to him and his attempts to interfere in American politics. Putin went after her with everything in his arsenal. Two of his secret weapons are obviously Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
What the large majority of you seem to be missing is that the election of Trump is a response to your behavior. The left has shown a complete lack of tolerance and civility for anyone with opposing opinions and has bullied them. The left has also overlooked the welfare of anyone who isn’t in their coalition. This was apparent in the treatment of George W. Bush who was proclaimed a devil during his presidency and went into overdrive during the Obama Administration when the left actually held power. The left declared the debate on many issues to be over. If you didn’t stand with the left you were “on the wrong side of history” and proclaimed a racist, bigot, etc., etc. Well, a large portion of the population was fed up and rejected the left and the “establishment” and elected Trump. Putting up HRC as a candidate (someone who is equally polarizing to Americans) was another huge mistake. How does it feel to be on the other side of power in American politics now that you exterminated tolerance, decency and civility? Your hysteria is over the top and will only serve to get Trump reelected. I don’t see any introspection by the left. No consideration of what you did wrong as a faction to produce Trump. You just attempt to demonize him, blame the Russians and dig yourselves in deeper to your already deep hole. Yes, Trump has his issues, but you also need to grow up, return to civility and return to the table, instead of continuing what has been nearly a two year tantrum.
3
@Mike I hear you! Thanks for the insights. Trump supporters have made themselves very clear, and we hear them loud and clear. Their voices are being heard, listened to, and understood.
You may not like this, but the more I listen to them, seek to understand, empathize, sympathize, the less respect I have for them. It's sad, because many of Trump's supporters are good people. But they are also adults, so I refuse to treat them like children and hand them a lollipop. Honestly, if I listened to Fox News regularly, I would support Trump too. But I'm an adult and have learned basic fact checking. Trump may be making his supporters feel better, but he has not proven to be a good leader of our country.
3
Mike,
What’s your definition of civility? Is it only to be applied to the left? Trump sure doesn’t display any.
1
@Mike
Trump supporters are in the minority and always will be.
By the way, no Trump supporter is in a position to tell anyone else to grow up.
Not even toddlers.
1
Trump has to have consciously known that he was triggering an avalanche of opposition by what he did yesterday. But why do it.
My hunch is that he was taking a page from his buddy Erdogan's playbook. In the expectation that he would trigger an impeachment hysteria, he would produce a rapid metamorphosis of the Russian meddling issue into an alleged "coup attempt", thus permitting him to fire Rosenstein and Mueller, and control the direction of the midterm elections.
I don't think it is possible that he produced this result out of pure incompetence and ignorance.
1
You are giving him way too much credit!
1
The tepid Republican response to this disgraceful performance is not surprising. If they sincerely believe the Russian meddling assessments of our intelligence agencies to be true, then they should openly support a bill to protect the Mueller investigation from any further interference from DT or the Republican congressional ship of fools and sycophants.
4
Trump is the master denier. No wonder he buys into Putin's denials. Trump has a warped concept about ever owning up to mistakes. His playbook: Deny, deny, deny. More troubling is the fact that many congressional Republicans are continuing to excuse Trump's sleeping with the enemy. Some have expressed their chagrin but I would be astonished if they do anything more than have their say. At the very least, a congressional censure of Trump would be in order.
2
The majority of the American people also question the legitimacy of the US intelligence community. Shall we say...weapons of mass destruction?
1
@Indie Voter
"Shall we say...weapons of mass destruction?"
Apple, meet orange.
Please, stop the uninformed comparisons. WMD' s were trumped up lie by Dick Cheney, not the intelligence community.
1
Trump's actions are despicable, but what do we do when Pence, who is sticking up for Trump's abominable behavior, is waiting in the wings?
4
As if POWERFUL made a difference in Putin’s response. One would think a liar (Trump) would recognize another liar (Putin). Actually, I think Trump knows Putin is lying. Trump is performing for those under his spell, including himself.
4
there's the answer
"powerfully" tell him he's unfit for the Office
3
Our president insult our country and what he gets back: a soccer ball. What a trade genius! So much winning!
4
@Fernando
I think perhaps Putin was being playful in a cruel way--making the fool look like more of a fool.
2
why are we still expecting this "president" to do the right thing for the American people? he has already made it clear where his priorities lie, and that is not in promoting the interests of the US - he is promoting the interests of Russia!
3
Little emphasized is that Putin offered to have Russian prosecutors work directly with Mueller’s team to help investigate Russian influence on American elections.
That was right before he mentioned casually at the press conference that Hillary Clinton has accepted $400 million of illegal Russian money.
Uh oh.
1
I'll be Putin was powerful in his denial of meddling in our 2016 election. Putin is in dictator heaven. He thought he'd never find a president of the United States ignorant enough to attack his own security agencies and align himself with him.
2
Are we all going to let these two men make the world free from democracy?
3
As ugly as it looked yesterday, not much Putin can do other than brag to his elite... and most of them I bet know that it was a hollow victory if any at all...
Putin is stuck in non-performing economy with no additional revenue streams other than oil/gas and some arms on very buyer friendly terms… So, yeah he and Trump are both doing victory lapses for the only reason just to impress the TV viewing audiences… Trump though might have blown chances of some Republicans for Nov. election where it’s close call.
Everybody knows who when and where interfered in what… Unfortunate thing for us is that the Dems will become even more intransigent and belligerent in their stance against… whatever it is… SCOTUS nominee, immigration… etc
So, more of the same with more fodder for the late night comedy and talk shows of both kinds…
Trump has repeatedly said he's more knowledgeable than the experts on all sorts of subjects. Almost always he's spectacularly wrong, of course.
Who knew health care was complicated? Everybody but him. Who knew Frederick Douglass was long dead? Everybody but Trump.
But sometimes through no fault of his own he hits. His calling out George W Bush and the intel community for the erroneous assertions that Iraq had WMD was applauded by sophisticates such as your own Maureen Dowd. I'd suggest the NYT show how this time, RE Putin, the intelligence community is correct.
3
While I'm pleased to see that even some Republicans are condemning Trump they need to take action. This is clearly a case of treason. They need to be talking impeachment.
5
@Bob Hawthorne Even if Trump's actions in Helsinki do not meet the Constitutional definition of treason (personally I think they do, but I'm not a lawyer), they most certainly qualify as evidence of "high crimes and misdemeanors" -- also impeachable offenses. Don't hold your breath, though -- the Republicans in Congress will continue to put party ahead of country
The President regularly tells lies to weaken and diminish his own justice department, and fires those who investigate him and his allies. Now he supports a foreign enemy government in attacking our country's institutions. Isn't this the very definition of failing to uphold and defend the constitution and its citizens?
When will the NYT and other leading media make the case for impeachment?? Will they wait until our democracy is in total shambles?
5
All this talk is cheap, folks. WHEN are they going to march into his office and tell him he has to resign????
4
Helsinki proved that Putin is knowledgeable in ways that Trump will never be.
Putin is offering vodka toasts as Trump destroys America’s credibility.
Putin, because he listens to his intelligence officers, will out-con Don the Con.
Putin knows Trump's behavior is largely Id driven--that his responses to the slightest provocation are immediate, uncensored, often vengeful and contrary to his own and America's interests.
Putin knows that the narcissistic Trump responds to manipulative flattery.
Putin knows that if Trump is to be successful, he would have to possess a coherent vision of America's objectives and a sense of the threats to our national interests posed by others.
Putin knows that Trump has no such vision or focused sense of threats.
Putin knows Trump's vision is as incoherent as his use of language.
Putin knows Trump’s run-on sentences, sentence fragments, repetitions of trite "pronouncements," low-level vocabulary, non-sequiturs, lack of all semblance of logic, inane tweets, etc., are emblematic of Trump's jejune, limited, out of focus, stunted and fragmented psyche.
Putin knows that Trump lacks the reflective capacity to be a world leader. Trump scarcely acknowledges that there is a world out there, inhabited by other people, concerning which he should form a coherent vision, and over and against which he should reflect on the quality of his own character and comportment.
Trump the Unready has proven to be no match for Vlad the Impaler.
6
I never thought I'd be watching my country willfully commit slow suicide right in front of me like this, but here we are.
4
Has there been one executive action where the Executive Branch has made it easier for Russia in Jan 20, 2017? I do not know of one. I suspect if President Trump had been asked the question in terms of the Crimean takeover or support of nerve gas attacks in Syria, his response would be different. He has made clear he will never personally accept any statement that his election victory was tainted in any way. He will respond to defend his stance regardless of the perception he creates. He is alone on that point in the Executive Branch. Every single adviser around him both disagrees and has made a career of being tough on Russia. I expect the leaders have made an agreement among themselves to let President Trump say what he wants, but not allow any policy changes that weaken pressure on Russia. Is being that sensitive about the election a mature or sensible behavior. No, but it is not the end of the world.
Does what a President says really matter in the long run? After decades of following every syllable out of the White House, maybe the correct answer is no longer unless backed by action.
2
And as to the Republicans? Well denial is a strong force within ourselves. We use it because if we allow the truth to sink in, if we allow it to permeate our consciousness and fill our being then we will be forced to act. It is this inner command to act, to stand up, to make an uncomfortable choice that most of us flee from. Easier to keep telling ourselves that what we see appearing before our faces can't possibly be happening then to look at the long string of evidence that points to things being otherwise. Whether it's the radical change in the climate or Trump's long history of being cultivated by and nurtured by the Russians to act in their self interest and against the interest of his own nation, Republicans will most likely continue to deny what is in front of their face. They will do so because to do otherwise would force them to be brave, courageous, patriotic and create conflict with former colleagues, and take appropriate action to stop this man from destroying our alliances, losing our friends, and doing the bidding of our enemy. Such a choice the Republicans are too scared to make.
7
Surprised? Shocked? I keep reading this morning about all the people who are shocked by Donald Trump's shameful performance yesterday in Helsinki but keep asking myself why. He simply dragged out his same old, tired excuses and bizarre imaginings. Where's Hillary Clinton's email server? It's the Democrat's fault. He won the election hugely.The investigation into Russian interference in our election is a hoax, a witch hunt. He has regularly denigrated and insulted most of of the institutions Americans revere and rely upon to insure our safety and our democracy. Putin says he didn't do it? His usual defense of the most despicable, disgusting of his allies(remember Roy Moore?) is that he said strongly, he didn't do it. IMHO Donald Trump simply showed himself again, on the world stage and standing beside one of our greatest adversaries who he has been all along, a treacherous, treasonous thug.
13
this is like during the revolutionary war, George Washington asking Benedict Arnold if he was a traitor and spying on America for Britain and Benedict saying of course not and George saying well that's good enough for me.
5
I don't understand why we (er, The Times) expect anything but buffoonery from this man. He is a buffoon ; he always has been, and now that he is a tyrant fanboy (if not outright tyrant), he's not going to change. The coverage seems to be surprised by this, which in-turn baffles me. Can we please shift focus to covering Congress, who are the only ones who can do something about him? They continue to fall down on their job of providing a check to executive power. In fact, one could argue they are enabling criminals (going back to stealing a SCOTUS seat from Obama and the citizenry who voted for him). So why don't we put the onus of them to do their jobs? If not now, when?? There's an election coming up, ya know?
11
Simply said, two words sum up Trump/Putin summit. DISLOYAL & TREASON.
8
Is there anything more moronic than one mobster blithely announcing that he asked another mobster whether he "did anything bad" and disingenuously delivering up to us, who he is to serve, that the idiotic answer was "Why no, no I din do nuttin' wrong!"
10
If someone unknown was lighting fires and burning down forests, people might wonder. What is the arsonist’s motivation? What is his goal?
If the pyromaniac began to target homes, it is natural that people would become more curious about the perpetrator’s psyche. Why does he persist? Why is he ramping up?
If the arsonist expanded his attacks to businesses and industrial parks, people would be intensely concerned and baffled. Why in god’s name is he doing this?
If the pyromaniac was doing this publicly and his fires were not only destroying structures that people had spent years building but also threatening their safety, what would people do? Stand by and ponder the why? Or stop the arsonist in his tracks, and let the why come out or not at his trial?
Donald Trump has set America’s values on fire. He torched democracy and civility. He douses the law, justice and our intelligence agencies with gasoline, and smirks as he flicks his lighter and fans the flames. He has sent international trade up in smoke. At his hand, our relationships with friends and allies lay charred and smoldering. And now he stands, self-satisfied, next to our enemy Russia, grinning and offering Putin a handful of matches.
At this point, who gives a damn as to why? What matters now is to stop the perpetrator and the devastation. If his rationale becomes clear at some time, fine. If we never learn why, that’s fine too, as long as we stop the traitor and restore our nation and its integrity.
10
I caught my son with his hand in the cookie jar a couple days ago, but because he was "strong and powerful" in his denial, I believed him rather than my own eyes. Sound familiar?
9
The President of the United States is Putin's apprentice now--how rich.
7
Anyone that knew anything, realized that DT was going to double down on his support for Putin, and their government. That has been obvious since DT was running for election. For those who were indifferent to this aspect of his individual foreign policy belief, they must also believe in leaders who are authoritative, brutal, liars, killers, etc. Unfortunately, there are plenty of them around the world at this time. This group that voted for DT seems to tout a constitution in this country that they know little about, other than the 2nd. amendment, the rest of it, not so much. Those with this belief about the 2nd. amendment, really believe that you should shoot first, and ask questions later, but when someone is dead, there is no later. They are really a very ignorant group, and it would take a attack like what has happened with Novichok in England, here in America, to wake them from their slumber. Then, they would probably not believe it came from Russia.
6
At first I thought, like most people here, that this was a disgraceful performance of craven subordination to Putin, an updated Manchurian Candidate, through whatever dirt Putin holds on Trump. But then I thought that, if that were the case, it would be much more useful for Putin to keep Trump as a silent agent, spewing out the expected words from a US president dealing with Russia, but favoring it on the quiet.
This is so crass, so evident and so damaging to America and to Trump himself that the most likely explanation is that he's lost his mind, or at least the plot.
5
It’s refreshing to see the USA awake and Europe shaken and stirred. Was there election meddling ... yes and no. There was - of course - but it also took millions of Americans who participated in various ways! Likewise, it is equally uneducated to call Trump’s meeting with Putin “treason”, and to think in “good country - bad country” terms. Some of the comments seem written mindlessly angry and rather outdated. While I have a hard time imagining Americans can get over their deeply ingrained fear of "communism", or not being “first” in the world ... I was hoping this meeting could lead to a more constructive relationship with Russia - which is what the world does need.
3
I totally, agree with you.
So, even before the question of "good country - bad country", as you put it, what about the flag? Do you believe in it? Do you respect it?
The flag represents the USA, it represents the President of the USA, it also represents all federal institutions that make the USA, and that includes the FBI and other federal agencies.
As the President of the USA, if you publicly question the integrity of your own institutions, the federal institutions of the USA, you are insulting the flag.
Trump committed treason - he disgraced the flag of the USA and all it stands for, and for the whole world to see, and frankly, laugh.
As for Europe, they just signed a groundbreaking trade agreement with Japan today, they'll be doing just fine without Trump - they actually stopped paying attention a while ago as you see if you read their press.
This nation is consumed with the Trump Campaign/Russia collusion investigation. Kavanaugh's big concern is that a President cannot govern effectively when all of his time is taken up defending himself against these investigations.
The solution is that both parties must select candidates who are eligible to run for the presidency, using universally accepted criteria. TRUMP would have been ineligible to run based on his refusal to release his tax returns, murky finances (loans from Russia), charges of racism and bigotry; No experience in governance; affairs with folks like Stormy Daniels and several others. Do Americans really want to be represented by such a shady character?
4
Military people are discharge dishonorably for committing adultery so should the commander in chief. He is a horrific model for every one.
Lots of allegations but so far no proof. Who would trust anything our intelligence agencies say? From Tonkin Bay to weapons of mass destruction in Iraq to today their job is to feed the American people misinformation to further the government's goals at home and abroad. Trump may be one of the worse presidents but on the issue trying to have better relations with Russia he is certainly right and should ignore our mendacious intelligence establisment's attempts to keep the "Russia card" in play to justify their overblown budgets.
3
Trump makes Neville Chamberlain's concessions to Hitler look like an historic British diplomatic victory.
6
I dont blame Trump with all the crooked FBI employees and politicians in this country. If I were Trump I would not trust them either.
2
Americans are not calling trump a traitor as a rhetorical device but as a factual description of a leader who puts his country in danger for the benefit of an enemy.
6
DT - the man who sold the world. He surely is the artist of a deal!
6
MRGA.....
4
Russian Stooge Lackey Trump. Impeach.
9
Add to Helsinki news conference we witnessed Trump choking like a dog.
5
Hey... Trumpie is right again...
Putin did powerfully deny it.
1
You guys have limited time to save your democracy and with it, ours. This man is a by instinct, beliefs and behaviour, a fascist who likes fascist leaders, and hates his democratic "allies"
5
Putin is the president that Trump longs to be.
7
I think Rolling stone should retract their 2006 article on George Bush.
1
Wake up America! Trump is on Russia's side; not Americas. Vote out GOP to save America. Ray Sipe
7
Canada shares the American continent with the US. That makes us ‘Americans’, too, but there is a lot we do not share – so near and yet so far. Thankfully we have never elected a dangerously unqualified demagogue. Presidents have come from all walks of life, and among those elected who had never previously held public office (Taylor, Grant, Hoover, and Eisenhower) most had previously been appointed to prominent public office. He is the only one who had not, nor did he serve in the military - the fact he was able to weasel out of serving should have served as a warning re: his suitability. Bone spurs=bone head? But seriously, this man is the “…clear and present danger” alluded to by Oliver Wendell Holmes a century ago.
4
Long ago Vladimir Lenin coined the term, "useful idiot," to describe people like Trump who, wittingly or otherwise, advance Russia's interests. In Trump's case, what makes for his idiocy? First, idiocy itself. Trump is an utterly ignorant person, so locked in his own insecure narcissism, that he has never been able to learn anything from anyone. That is why he "trusts his gut instinct." He has nothing else to fall back on. Trump, in short, is a solipsistic ignoramus.
Second, Trump instinctively sides with authoritarian "strong men" and hopes to emulate them, probably, once again, because of a deep insecurity about his own strength and manhood, small hands and all that. Third, Trump has a record of shady business involvements in Russia and with Russian controlled financial "oligarchs," undoubtedly reaching the level of criminality. Fourth, Trump knows--or at the least fears--Putin may have some candid footage from his Moscow trips documenting his sexual activities--maybe during that secret two-hour plus meeting, they watched x-rated Trump videos together. In other words, Putin likely possesses two types of kompromat on Trump, one of financial criminality, the other of embarrassing sexual frolics. The Russians are masters at gathering this kind of stuff.
Taken together, or separately, this goes far in explaining Trump's fawning, puppet-like supineness alongside Putin in Helsinki. Gut-wrenching to any red-blooded American
7
Has our U.S. President become the new Neville Chamberlain?
Is the Helsinki 2018 meeting become the new Munich 1938 meeting?
Is this the "peace for our time?"
3
Yes, a very productive secret one-on-one meeting (certainly not a summit) where trump got the ok to build his towers in putinland.
2
It would not surprise me if the American interpreter had a fatal accident in the next few days.
6
I think Trump is playing Russia off the EU to get a better trade deal. After all, he knows business but nothing else. But what a foolish and dangerous game. I am wondering if Putin does have something on him. I originally thought that was a longshot but I am now thinking, who knows. I am no liberal but this guy is a fool.
4
@BryanHe does NOT know business! I am so tired of this ridiculous assertion. He has failed at EVERYTHING.
Remember the old saying "The house always wins"? Not in a Trump Casino! The guy leveled an entire city with his lack of business acumen.
Just STOP!!
3
"I don’t see any reason why it would be” Russia that was responsible for the election hacking, Trump added." Why? Maybe because Hillary knew that Putin is an untrustworthy, murderous,treacherous, KGB agent/tyrant bent on world domination, you buffoon! There was no election interference, no Story Daniels, No Playboy bunnies, no fraudulent condo sales, no fraudulent Trump University activities. Melania, condo buyers, tuition payers - who are you going to believe, Me, or your lying eyes?!
6
And the winner is.....drumroll....Putin!!!
4
Read the comment of Ed from Honolulu, which the NYTimes has picked, and you will see our problem: Americans who are so turned around by right wing propaganda they no longer know which way is up, reinterpreting the blatant treason of our own president as an heroic, history-making effort to transform worn out international paradigms!
Our problem is not Trump; Trump is the symptom. Our problem is poorly-educated, intellectually vulnerable citizens confused by ideologically-driven, politically irresponsible media companies out to make a buck and to destroy any attempt to regulate their predatory capitalism. The benighted souls these companies prey upon are discovering the dangerous power of their own minds to reconfigure facts to support their worst political prejudices and tribal impulses.
“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven,” said Milton’s Satan. Our democracy is threatened less by Putin and his toady Trump than by the democratization of this diabolic relativism.
13
@Chris Buczinsky: Well said, thank you.
2
Let's hear Dershowitz defend him now.
12
And while we're at it: Let's hope Rand Paul keeps his Trump-lovin' trap shut for a while...
2
Donald Trump has consistently exhibited the emotional level of a two-year-old, the dreaded "terrible two" stage of toddlerhood, when children learn the meaning of "no."
A two-year-old will reflexively disagree with authority figures, thereby establishing his/her independence and sense of empowerment.
Thus, Trump's performance in Helsinki is utterly in keeping with the mindset of "no." Our intelligence community is a powerful authority figure.
The majority of children grow past this stage and come to feel a part of the larger community of humankind and work cooperatively within it.
Trump is stuck in "no", and apparently, so are many in the congress and in his base.
Let us hope that the majority who acknowledge their shared fate with the community on this planet will vote to support our "republic, if you can keep it"* in November.
*Benjamin Franklin after the Constitutional Convention.
2
If I were an intelligent intelligence officer, I wouldn’t make it look like I did it. That would be, as Obama once said, "stupid shit" and hardly plausibly deniable.
Perhaps the same boys who would call Putin the Pasty would refuse take orders from a M’am.
1
Before his surrender to the dictator Putin in Helsinki, those Americans who supported Trump could state that they supported his policies despite his vulgar and clumsy behavior, which they foolishly mistook for a "new style" of politics that they believed would result in a greater, stronger America. But his kowtowing toward Putin and his dismissal of the UNANIMOUS finding by our 17 security agencies that Russian interfered in the 2016 election, has left Trumpists with a stark choice as American citizens: Do they continue to support a coward and a traitor who endangers every freedom-loving person in the world, or do they demonstrate patriotism (and a desire to protect themselves, and their families, friends, and communities) by decisively rejecting Donald J. Trump, the enemy of the American people? Well, their leading propaganda source, Fox News, roundly condemned the obsequious behavior of the President Fox previously promoted as the savior of American values. You cannot call what Trump did "fake news," as the Helsinki press conference was broadcast worldwide. Any Trumpist who refuses to acknowledge that Trump betrayed this country in Helsinki is either a Russian agent or an American traitor. In this case, there is no middle ground for any of us whether we voted for or against Trump. In fact, Trump supporters, you all should as mad as hell and demanding Trump's immediate resignation.
10
We likely will never know for sure what Putin has on Trump that is so damning, because Trump is keeping up his end of the bargain to the nth degree, He could not care in the least that he is disrupting and unraveling all that is decent and honorable and cohesive in open societies, all in the name of protecting himself (I bet Putin has videos of Trump with prostitutes peeing all over him and everything else, and lots more). I wish a modern-day Kafka could somehow capture all this, so that when the curtain is brought down on America and all that it once stood for, we can at least read it while we weep.
7
Senator Feinstein had requested to interview Maria Butina to determine if she used the NRA to establish communications or to funnel Russian money to the trump campaign. Butina refused to comply, citing the lack of Republican support. The Republican party has not only been complacent, but it's also been complicit with regards to foreign interference in our democracy. Democrats in the Senate & Congress need leverage if they've any hope of fighting to limit, minimize and stop the damage caused by the trump regime and the Republican party of trump. Vote like hell in November & out the GOP. All of them.
11
I am outraged by Trump's publicly stating that Russian intelligence is more trustworthy than the United States intelligence, but I recall that the first person Trump wanted a sit-down with after the election was Putin. At the time it made no sense. Now it damnably does.
8
@Mrs. Cat
To be fair, he didn't s Russian intelligence was more trustworthy than US intelligence, only equally trustworthy. Small difference.
Whether Trump is innocent of collusion or not, imagine this. Putin tells Trump that Trump has come here with evidence of Russian election meddling that is undeniable. "If I denied it, no one would believe me. Instead, let's say I walk out of this meeting and tell the press that, in the interest of a new and HONEST RELATIONSHIP that I will confess to meddling in the American elections and apologize. In the interest of HONESTY, I'll also admit and apologize for colluding with the Trump campaign to get him elected instead of Hillary." Then Putin will tell Trump "you will support me in my denial unless you want me to go confess to your press".
There is a certain hypocrisy in the criticism of Donald Trump's acceptance of Vladimir Putin's claim that he didn't meddle in the US election.
The NY Times should tell the full story. In 1996, Bill Clinton provided $10.2 billion to help defray debts accrued in the first Boris Yeltsin administration. His help may have altered the results of Boris Yeltsin's election to a second term.
Yeltsin's second term was a disaster. There was an impeachment attempt. Finally, Yeltsin resigned in 1999 in favor of Vladimir Putin.
Putin believes, seemingly correctly, that the US meddled in the Russian election of 1996.
In the 2008 election it is likely that hackers found a way to access the emails of John Podesta. Then Julian Assange broadcast the contents to the world.
There is a grey area as to who was responsible. The hackers? Julian Assange? Assange would argue that people have a right to the data even if it was obtained illegally.
The hackers would likely deny they had any contact with Putin. Perhaps they were indeed loose cannons who shared Putin's resentment of America's meddling in Russia's earlier election.
We can try to use an unproven accusation as a reason to exercise sanctions against Russia.
But people should be allowed to have alternate opinions. Trump has to weigh the cost of such sanctions against the leverage he might achieve by simply moving on.
While we fight about the election past, we ignore present problems, some of them huge.
1
Trump isn’t playing chess. He is a moron.
10
Among other things, I trust you won't mind if I hack YOUR accounts and YOUR Facebook and YOUR messages and YOUR love letters and above all YOUR business materials, and publish them for all to see.
@Jake Wagner
John Podesta's email was hacked in 2008 too???
I suggest that Congress draft and pass with a vote that cannot be vetoed a resolution similar to the following:
"We, the Congress of the United States of America and representatives of all the citizens of our country, strongly condemn the government of the Russian Federation for its blatant interference in the nationwide elections of 2016, compromising the sovereignty our great country."
If Congress cannot muster up the courage to do this, the United States of America as we have long known it is doomed.
5
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
I guess these were simply words spewed from the mouth of Donald Trump on January 20, 2017, for if he meant even ONE word of this oath, he would not have sided with Putin but rather, with the American people. I am mystified and at a loss as to how a President of the United States could turn his back on this country. Apparently, his only loyalty is to himself and Vladimir Putin. Just when I think the bar could not go any lower with Trump, he manages to sink himself and this country into an even deeper and alarming state.
6
If Trumps actins with Putin, his insult to America and history, his denial of evidence, denial of our enemies, denial of our allies, his inhumanity, the corruption and the erosion of all decency, diplomacy and intelligence doesn’t get the actions for his removal from office we are doomed. The markets are up. The banks love him.
B of A had a banner year with astounding numbers, built on billions from the Trump GOP corrupt tax cut bribe to republicans and democrats much greater than their fines. Oh but the markets are all up. The environment worsens with a factually unstoppable accelerated inertia. Heads in the sand America is getting beaten down by the factually interconnected Trump GOP NRA Russian spy absolute connection.
Melania and Ivanka no longer feign their little humanity posture but rather strut with the invincible walk of a dictators family. In the end they know they are rich.
5
The American people deserve to know what Trump discussed with Putin. What classified information is Trump discussing with Putin that we cannot know? There should be none. Putin is the enemy of the United States. He and Trump should not have secrets between them that we do not know.
6
Unfortunately, this too will blow over in time. Nothing will happen except maybe a few more lies. Then we will all move on to the next thing crisis. The roller-coaster is on an endless loop.
What should sink in is that it is clear we have a delusional, reckless and uninformed President.
11
'Powerful." "Strong." Trump is helpless before those words. He'll compromise America's future to be seen as strong and powerful by authoritarian dictators who might allow him into their club.
3
Trump is a Russian spy, dangling on strings from Putin's fingers, twitching and gurning like some demented character in a Punch & Judy show. I cannot understand why his own party has not already deposed him as being unfit to command your great country. I hope I live long enough to see him indicted as a traitor and rotting in prison.
6
My eyes were opened about our government when Clapper testified publically to the Senate about mass data collection not occurring a bit before the Snowden Revelations.
He was not charged by the Justice Department, not fired by the President, and not impeached by Congress.
We have recently seen Comey firesd after Rosenstein's memo, McAbbe fired apparently for "Lack of Candor", and Strzok and page apparent bias hearings. If my understanding is correct Strzok was lead the investigator.
And what about FBI examination of the DNC server that was at or near the heart of the Russia investigation.
We need to clean up our government. Trust is not an entitlement, it is earned.
Did anyone catch Jeanine Pirro’s defense of Trump? What’s her angle in playing so dumb? Just to get a job with him? I couldn’t imagine why, she must just be bored (in addition to lacking in any integrity.) Her and Hannity are anti-American in a jingoistic wrapper.
3
Lincoln speaking about Fort Sumter: "I think we've all been foolish. We should have had this dialogue a long time ago... And I think we're all to blame."
FDR speaking about Pearl Harbor: "I think we've all been foolish. We should have had this dialogue a long time ago... And I think we're all to blame."
GW Bush speaking about 9/11: "I think we've all been foolish. We should have had this dialogue a long time ago... And I think we're all to blame."
Not.
6
We need a tariff on Trump....he is a national security risk.
4
Not only was Putin's "denial powerful", but his ability to make the president of the United States his "puppy dog" deserves mention as well.
Trump is now 0-2 vs the dictators of this world as he is no match for their intelligence and cunning. Perhaps he should cut his losses and think carefully before meeting another.
2
It appears Mr. Trump's bone spur ailment is now affecting his brain and backbone . SAD.
3
RUSSIA TRAVEL BAN........come on Schumer and Pelosi start doing something!
One thing for sure....Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are nearly invisible and are very weak....kind of like Obama.
The Democrats should be demanding we enact a travel ban with Russia and that ICE immediately round up and deport all Russian visitors and none-US citizens from Russia.
Russia is our enemy.....not families and babies trying escape gangs and corrupt regimes in S. America and Central America.
5
We have become the United States of Russia, and are ostensibly governed by the 2016 version of the Manchurian candidate.
I have never been more horrified or afraid of what my country has done or of what it is becoming.
4
This farce of a con man is beyond pathetic. He is downright dangerous. How did we let this happen?
6
Did anyone notice that Trump WINKED at Putin when they sat down at the press conference.
w.i.n.k.e.d. winked.
7
By his words and deeds, the United States president is clearly and shockingly a traitor to his own country. publicly "giving aid and comfort" to US geopolitical foe Russia for all the world to see, WHILE taking the word of thug dictator Putin over his own intelligence agencies. Cyber war is still war, folks, which is exactly what Russia did in 2016, complicitly with the Trump campaign.
4
I think we now have Russian collusion on video, amirite?
10
If this is not the tipping point, how far does it have to go for this president to be removed from office? Unfortunately, we may have to find out. Or are there enough republicans to put some backbone in their rhetoric? Are there sensible and decent republicans who have truly had enough? Enough to vote for impeachment and conviction? Will we have to wait for both houses to flip to the democrats? For 2020 to flip the presidency? Can America as we know it survive 2 and 1/2 more years of Trump doing everything he can to destroy it? Let this be the tipping point. Enough is enough.
10
@Jay D. - I hear you! And even if Congress is flipped we still have to contend with a Republican party - with powerful, financial oligarch donors - that does not serve the American people. Rather, they destroy. And their cultists are willfully blind to it all.
2
We need to find out what transpired 2-hour meeting Trump had with Putin, alone and without aides, only interpreters. Can we get a small bi-partisan group of legislators (who care about this country, not Trump or their parties) to subpoena the interpreter to see what transpired in their meeting?
Can Muller subpoena the interpreter to see whether anything involving Trump/Russion collusion in the 2016 election were brought up? Further, to determine whether Trump protected his own interests above our country's and what he promised Putin; hence, the private one-on-one.
5
How come no one brings up the major driving force for Trump his whole life, something he appears to care more about than country or perhaps even family: MONEY. Putin, according to some, is the richest person in the world and worth at least $200 billion. This certainly is of interest to Trump. Since Trump's bankruptcies in the 90's, Russia and it's oligarchs have been his major source of cash especially as western banks wanted no part of his various projects. What deals behind closed doors (over the years and especially yesterday) has trump made?
20
If Trump now says he has great confidence in his intelligence the people is that going to mean anything really? No to will not.
Trump needs to get the message and understand that the Congress has power over him, that they all are answerable to the American people, that the office of POTUS is not for self- aggrandizement If this Congress will not, we desperately need a change.
Our president has a "pack animal" complex. In our nation and among our allies he presumes the "Top Dog" stance and disdains failure to comply with his undemocratic will by rational world leaders. He is intrinsically an authoritarian, and gets on well with others like himself. Among "alpha dog" type leaders, he is a "pack member. Our president considers Mr. Putin the prime "Alpha Dog" among world alpha leaders so Mr. Trump rolls over on his back and exposes himself to his master. Presumably he learned these behaviors at his home when he was growing up, and these ways were reinforced when he attended a military academy style High School. We lost a rational negotiator in Mr. Obama,
11
corrected: If Trump now says he has great confidence in his intelligence people is that going to mean anything really? No it will not. Trump needs to get the message and understand that the Congress has power over him, that they all are answerable to the American people, that the office of POTUS is not for self- aggrandizement If this Congress will not get that message across to Trump, we desperately need a change in the Congress not only the Presidency.
5
Consider that Republicans in congress have been briefed in great detail on Russian activity. They know a lot more than we do. it may even be too shocking or too embarrassing to tell the American public how vulnerable we are. But the Republicans are still willing to push all that aside because, better Putin than a Democrat. That's their idea of making America great again.
8
If you study the actions of the intelligences agencies under Obama, you have to have pause about their creditability. From lying to congress to showing bias in their investigations; and that doesn’t cover hiding information on a partisan basis from congress investigators. I think it is going to take some time to rut out all those bad actors so this president can get on with America's business.
1
Beyond wondering where your proof for any of that is hiding, I object to your adjective, "America's."
1
@tonyjm hey tonyjm, what credentials do you sport that give you the ability to credibly study, let alone comment upon intelligence agencies? got a clearance? read the daily traffic? brief any big whigs? no? then your sources are lack credibility and your assessments, hackneyed. stop. save yourself the embarrassment.
1
This article and all the other journalistic responses to this debacle - and all comments - should be required reading for all those Americans who voted for this guy. And they all should be called to explain how they can possibly still agree with this latest horror. And why...
6
Trump is brilliant. He is remaking the brand of Putin and Kim. He is giving them a makeover on the world stage, so they can do solid work and deals going down the road. Brilliant.
3
Trumpski has to have been the family name.
1
We may never know what Trump and Putin discussed in private unless the interpreter someday spills his guts. But it doesn't take much to imagine that Putin was bragging about his autocracy, that he is immune from and above the law. That he, Putin, is the law and Trump is a weak leader if he cannot exercise autocratic rule. Trump was likely mesmerized while Putin told him what life is like for a supreme dictatorial leader, the stuff of Trumps dreams. The news conference was just a demonstration of Trumps incompetence. The worst is yet to come.
12
@JW If the interpreter doesn't die in a mysterious accident first...
4
Another possibility: There's a verbal quid pro quo in place that post-Trump's presidency Trump will get his Moscow hotel and access to other business opportunities in Russia and its satellites.
8
It's important to remember that the assessment which asserted that Russia hacked the Democratic emails was produced by four agencies that belong to the larger intelligence community: NSA, CIA, FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
In other words, the assessment, which was produced by hand-picked analysts from the CIA, FBI and NSA, was not the product of all of the 17 elements that comprise the community, but only four.
Also, there is reason to believe the emails were leaked, not hacked.
Since the assessment became part of the foundational narrative of the Russia probe, it's important to know what really happened.
1
What could Putin possible have "on" Trump that would lead our President to grovel -- nay -- fawn, before such a miscreant as Vladimir Putin? My imagination is overwhelmed by the appalling possibilities...
10
Forget the DNC servers! What did Trumpand Putin talk about in their SECRET meeting for approximately two hours? The American public should know and have access to Trump"s tax returns and his financials.
It's nice to argue with members of the other party, but if there's no USA to argue over, then Trump and Putin have won.
5
It's amazing to me everyone is still scratching their heads on this one. THEY ARE LYING! Can't everyone see that? LOL Is it that easy to pull the wool over someone's eyes, these days. Just say the opposite of what is true, and then you are off the hook? The intelligence agencies have exhaustive systems of checks and balances based on data, and a man with a massive track record of untruths, denies the facts and now there is doubt... Mind boggling.
7
The so-called president continues to bask in the glow of Republican loyalty.
That's because he brought a list of Republican mid-term victors back and is in the process of making calls to them now.
MAGA MAGA MAGA
Based upon his pathetic tweets so far today, Trump is doubling down on his Helsinki comments. The only entity that can curb this man's self-delusions is Congress. But other than a scattering of tsk-tsks, the Republicans' strategy today is to push this story off the front page as quickly as possible by lining up votes for Kavanaugh and figuring out whose ox to gore (besides the poor) to pay for the ginormous tax cuts that no one in the GOP wants to talk about.
In fact, when you think about it, there are two things today's Republican Party simply will not talk about at all: one is Trump, the other is the tax cuts. What a Party!
5
DJT refuses to release his tax returns because he is indebted to Russian banks, the Russian mob, or Putin himself. This press conference 'trumps' it all.
Okay, congressional representatives & senators , time for "High crimes & misdemeanors"
6
The media needs to stop using the Trump administration's preferred word, meddling. The indictment indicates cyber-attack.
5
The question to Congress, and specifically the Republicans is...in light of the treason and lying and siding with an enemy in the face of facts, calling our intelligence community liars, calling the Mueller investigation a 'witch hunt', which is hotly finding the paths trump created in this collusion.....
What are YOU going to do about this? Are YOU going to save democracy?
Time to step up or step out! Elections are on the way........
4
There has never been a more critical time for all our past living presidents to collectively denounce trump’s denial to defend our country, voice support for our government’s intelligence work, and deplore trump’s support for a murderous dictator!
10
We need the GOP to step up to the plate and admit wrongdoing on Trumps part instead of cozying up to him and the Russians.
2
@Louise Totally agree! That’s a given. But the ‘not so’GOP seems to — with few exceptions — have by their inaction to trump’s praise of Russia applied for Russian citizenship!
From Rod Rosenstein’s press conference on the indictments—Rosenstein stated “There is no allegation in this indictment that any American citizen committed a crime. There is no allegation that the conspiracy changed the vote count or affected any election result.”
The Democrats still have not figured out why they lost so they will lose again in 2020.
1
@Jonathan,
I think this time, the Jill Steiner, Gary (forget his last name) and bernie-bots will not stay home. That will be enough to swing about 50,000 votes spread across the rust-belt. That's all it took
@GreenfieldUnless the economy dramatically collapses President Trump will be reelected in 2020. The GOP could not have been given a better set of circumstances with the Democrats moving to the far left with proposals to abolish ICE and other leftist proposals. The personal wealth of many Americans has increased significantly since President Trump took office—that is if they had stock investments. Unemployment for blacks and Hispanics is much better, so those groups while they might not vote for President Trump will not go to the polls for the Democrats. If you look at the history of one-term Presidents they all lost because the economy was weak. The Democrats ran Clinton on the “we hate Trump” platform and lost.
Next time I pay cards, I don't think I can make myself say I have a trump card... know what I mean?
2
According to the most recent Gallup poll (July 9 - 15) president trump had a 90% approval rating from Republicans (8% from Democrats). The next poll should reveal their true colors.
Think about this, fill the Rose Bowl with 100,000 Republicans and 90,000 think Trump is doing a good job.
11
Here's the problem: a majority of us see what a disaster Trump is, and how complicit the GOP is. We know we need to vote them out in November.
But can we even have an election? How will we know if the vote totals reported in the newspaper are the actual numbers, that they haven't been manipulated by hackers at the Kremlin? The Republicans will do nothing to prevent this, because they are the Russian's tools.
18
@Jomo Ah-ha! Good point! Maybe that’s why the best Mitch McConnell can do is say Russia is not our friend! I hadn’t thought of that angle for republicans so meekly accepting trump’s denial of Russia’s successes in tearing our country apart and destabilizing our entire electoral process!
After reading all the Republican congress members' reaction comments, it is clear that they all, except those who are leaving Congress, are afraid of Donald Trump just as Trump is afraid of Vladimir Putin. They just couldn't summon the courage and the patriotic conviction to criticize the man who spoke the abhorrent words, as if those words did not come from his mouth.They could not say, "Our president disgraced this Congress, our government and our citizens today in the eyes of the world as no other president has ever done. He has weakened our democracy, our national security and our standing in the world. He has broken trust with the American people. He owes all of us a sincere and unmitigated apology. No excuses. No blaming others. Do it, Mr. President, or resign." Instead, we got "He missed an opportunity..." No patriotic American should now miss the opportunity to vote every one of them out of our Congress in November.
17
Why is Trump supporting Putin, the ex KGB agent and strongman. Is it that admitting Russian meddling would tarnish his election? a completely ego driven reason. Is it economic that he has made deals with the Russians? If so he is selling out our country for economic gain. Is it that he is being blackmailed by the Russians who have dirt on him? Unlikely as the revelation of dirt has never stopped Trump before. Or is it that he really did collude with Russia to steal an election? Probably as the simplest reason and therefore the correct one. Or is it all of the above.
In any case what will his GOP enablers do about it. And that is the real question. When someone like Newt Gingrich one of those original enablers throws in the towel perhaps we are beginning to see the end of this nightmare.
5
In a world where there is no objective truth, where facts are relegated to being “fake news,” and where accountability is eschewed as too politically difficult to enforce, a leader like Trump thrives. The President has made his short political career by forging a narrative to fit his agenda. Trump supporters have looked past these reality distortions because the myth making facilitated ends they endorsed. Trump’s support of Putin in direct contradiction to clear, irrefutable facts is no different than past narratives he has woven around immigration, Charlottesville, tax reform, and more. What differentiates this situation is Trump’s objective is not what his Republican supporters desire. Well
Dr. Frankenstein, you built this monster. Piece by piece every time you said it was ok the President got the details wrong. Every time you decided to let the truth slide because you really wanted that bill passed. Everytime you put his bizarre gradiose, bullying behavior down as unimportant. Daylight has shown the true face of this President and the only one who can stop it is its creators.
3
"Peter Carr, a spokesman for the special counsel, had no comment on the idea."
Ah but when Mueller speaks...
At this point I am convinced that Donald Trump is an honest-to-goodness traitor.
Perhaps Republican politicians are starting to wake up to this possibility and what its confirmation would mean for their party. If Mueller presents clear and convincing evidence that Trump is a traitor there will be no middle ground, either you believe Trump is a traitor or you believe Mueller, Rosenstein, Comey & countless other members of the Justice Department are engaged in a treasonous attack on poor Donald.
As for the 40% that will supposedly stick with Trump no matter what I suspect it will be more like 30%. So we might have a situation in which 70% of Americans believe our president is a traitor. That would not be a tenable situation on any level. That puts actual impeachment & removal right in the middle of the table.
PS When I say traitor I'm not speaking in a strictly legal sense but about what the average American's reaction will be.
10
It's now 2018. Drop it. Trump is doing a fantastic job.
1
its interesting that you don't provide any evidence of this. You approve of yesterday's groveling by Trump? I thought you trump supporters liked how mean and anti PC this guy is supposed to be.
2
@Michael Smith Trump is doing a fantastic job. - For the enemies of your country. Are you a Putin shill? I suspect so.
3
Get it? Trump is not your friend.
11
The multiple comments appearing here are spot on and quite clear in their force and focus. One thing that occurred to me and which no has mentioned is that just possibly Trump's kowtowing and catering to Putin is that Putin can give him the one thing in the world that Trump wants most of all: a big hotel in Moscow with his name plastered on it. And I am not being facetious. Trump, as we all know, is only concerned about Trump and his bank account. Not even his family enters this narrow focus. Hide and watch. If Putin wants to reward Trump for handing him everything had wanted, i.e. the dissolution of NATO, taking back countries that left the USSR, etc., then he will give Trump what he wants. Trump is too dumb to recognize all the strings with which he will be tied. But then, puppets really don't know who the puppetmaster is. They are merely there for the show.
4
We the people of the United States of America believe in democracy.
7
The defiance of America wrought by its president is merely a smokescreen to his egotistical nefarious dealings, including hiding his tax forms and business propositions. Look what is happening in our country behind his smokescreen......the destruction of years of environmental protection, drilling on public parks land, the oil pipeline through the heartland, business deals to enrich his family holdings...to name a few behind the "screen" deals.
2
45 is president because of two factors. Constant free media coverage of his rally's, and interference from outside groups who didn't want a woman to be president. The use of bots, and social media manipulation to divide u.s. citizens along political & racial terms helped 45. He is an illegitimate president and everything he has done as president including appointing supreme court judges. To me which I know is not possible, the 2016 results should be thrown out and Hillary names president of the US.
6
Trump gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar and he blames Obama for leaving the jars cover off.We have put up with Trump's blaming of Obama for everything short of the Bubonic Plague and have given him a pass on it. Trump takes credit for things he has not done and blames other people for his shortcomings. I wonder how tough guy two fisted Trump is going to wiggle his way out of this one? Putin had a Cheshire cats smile on his face while Trump talked knowing he had the mouse,Trump, by the tail.
13
Don't be so cynical you guys, what would they gain from lying?.... Oh, wait a minute!
6
Liars tend to believe that a "powerful denial" is an effective way to avoid the truth and its consequences. A major reason for falsehoods is to enable their utterers to skirt a weakening of their position or a loss of face. It is why politicians, whose currency is control and power, are so frequently dishonest. They have everything to lose by confessing an error or misdeed.
It is no surprise that the US president who is seldom truthful would be impressed by a "powerful denial" by his Russian counterpart. It is more important to convey a noisy appearance of integrity than it is to have any. Both men know that, and their amicable relationship is based on it.
3
Trump is a bully. Bullies are cowards.
Cowards ingratiate themselves to those who they believe are superior and who frighten them. Cowards do this in the hope that the seemingly-stronger bully will so appreciate obeisance and subjugation that the stronger bully (i.e., Putin) will decide not to hurt the weaker bully (i.e., Trump) in any way.
Cowards even betray their friends in order to further their own cozying up to the person that frightens them; hence, Trump downgraded American intelligence organizations and sided with Putin. Kow-towing is the easiest way for the coward to interact with someone he considers to be very strong.
Cowards will never admit to their own fears but will label and belittle everyone else with the faults that really describe themselves, such as: calling others liars, thieves and rapists, spewing their own fake news, and -- without any realization that illegal immigration is nowhere near the despicable crime that was committed when Trump ordered government employees to tear babies, toddlers, and other children from their mother's arms -- kidnapping children on a mass scale, and then losing children due to lax record keeping amid inadequate planning and preparation.
From revering Putin to kidnapping helpless children, Trump has disclosed what a true coward he is.
Zero tolerance for Trump, going forward. Such a base individual should never be permitted to nominate any U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
5
I liked Browder’s comments, that the Magnitsky Act was Putin’s “Achilles heel”, because it results in Putin’s personally losing money. That sounds like it could be quite significant.
1
Doesn't get better than watching the two (RNC-DNC) American Politburos and their deep-swamp fellows go apoplectic about Trump's visit--not a Summit, by the way--with Putin.
Rand Paul is the only one who has been both thoughtful and on the mark. Time to move out of the past--CIA's Brennan, Clapper, and Hayden especially. Besides, there's nothing Putin has done that could possibly equal what warmongers Bush-Cheney did to the Middle East post 9/11.
And weren't there John McCainesque Wanted Posters accusing Kennedy of "Treason" hanging about Dallas back in the day?
1
Well, there're teensy things like, oh, aiding and abetting Assad as he kills and gasses tens of thousands or you know, bombing civilians in the former SSRs or having reporters shot and thrown out windows, stuff like that.
Mere bagatelles, of course, from a KGB colonel.
Good grief, I despise fake leftisme. Especially of the "A vote against Trump is a vote for Cheney," variety, and that goes triple for fake libertarianism.
Here's a thought, courtesy of the Situationists: "the world won't be happy till the last bureaucrat is hung with the guts of the last capitalist."
1
@Robert
You really think that all those Bush-Cheney bombs didn't dismember a few innocent children? This is not to say that Putin's support didn't indirectly kill a number of humans. But by whatever measure, he stands in Bush-Cheney's shadow. US is guilty of everything they've been accusing Putin of doing, including election meddling since 1948 and a few assassinations along the way.
@Robert
How about "teensy things like, oh" killing thousands of Iraqi citizens--i.e., Putin stands in Bush-Cheney's warmongering shadow. The deep-swamp is the enemy here, not Putin.
It is ridiculous to see this complete meltdown of American politicians on both side. It seems that Trump has inadvertently unified the country!
Enough of this nonsense of looking for an enemy at any cost! So some Russian spies hacked HC computers? Big deal! The whole city of Atlanta was also hacked! Evidently, the US is lacking basic computer security, to say the least.
Putin is no more enemy of the US than Obama was of Israel, when meddling in its affairs.
1
The lack of urgency and support by Trump & Republicans in confronting the election meddling situation is abhorrent beyond comprehension. They better hope Russia does not have kompromat on another politician and, or better yet, switch sides in the next election.
4
Why will Trump agree with anything that makes his election look any less legitimate? It is that plain and simple. He would rather side with foreign dictators than his country's intelligence findings.
2
Donald Trump stood on a stage with Vladimir Putin and, after allowing Putin to essentially lay out the terms of American policy, Trump went on to repeatedly refer to Putin as “the President,” without uttering a word to rebuke any of Russia’s hostile behavior over the past decade(s).
This comes from the same United States President who literally wraps himself around the American flag, and does anything and everything to avoid taking responsibility. What’s it going to take for the American people to wake up?
8
@ubique Well quite a few of us already have. And I believe that number is about to grow a lot. I really hope Mr. Mueller can finish up soon. I predict that after Mueller releases his findings something like 65% to 70% of Americans will believe that Trump is a traitor.
2
Donald Trump stood and forcefully said he believed a former Communist spy and current dictator of Russia. Trump's words are a testimony against himself. I've read some GOP congressmen, and senators want Trump to "clarify" his remarks. The word "clarify" means "to make understandable or free of confusion." How can he clarify that about which he was clear as crystal?
3
What does Putin have on Trump? It's so obvious it's annoying to hear talking heads argue about it. Trump knows that Putin swung the election. He's one of his biggest donors. So how what Republicans? That ball has been in our court for awhile. Your responses so far are to amass more $$$ than ever to keep power. Some may call it treason but until you do, you're complicit.
6
So, Trump was supposed to say, "Oh yes, there was Russian meddling that led to my unexpected election to be the President of the USA". He said he won the election fair and square against HRC without colluding with the Russians. For that he is now being demonized by the Trump haters. This is going to be another attempt to smear Trump that will not stick after a week.
2
@Qcell yes, he was supposed to say that Russians meddled, but they did not successfully alter any votes. See how easy and truthful that was?
3
yes he was supposed to say that. That's what a real leader would do, and he would be rewarded with the trust of the people he leads. That you can't see that is mind-boggling.
4
@Qcell. Hi, Qcell. Great post. By the way, how's the weather in Moscow, today?
1
The Constitution says: “Every person owing allegiance to the United States who levies war against them, or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason." According to the Yale Law Journal, giving aid and comfort is generally committed in connection with a war waged against the United States by a foreign power (in this case a cyber war). The big question is what happens when the perpetrator is the Commander in Chief himself?
5
Trump is either a weakling being blackmailed, or dependent on Russia for business or a fool. Either way, more than any other president, his tax returns and financial dealings should be closely scrutinized. Is there no one in DC who can make this happen?
6
We can only hope that "the encounter with Mr. Putin would linger over Republicans heading into the midterm elections this fall."
People, we need to VOTE, we need to get our family, neighbors and friends to VOTE!
3
T for Treason! When Putin was asked about the alleged "compromat" on Trump, Putin quickly ended the discussion by dismissing and then saying, (edited) "speak no further on that" until, that is, Trump interjected with his usual "witchhunt, no collusion, fake news...." Study Putin's reaction, he quickly looks over at Trump in disbelief that Trump was speaking. It is if it had been rehearsed and Trump broke from their script. After all, Trump met privately with Putin for two hours alone! Plus, study how many times that they talk about nuclear weapons and that both countries are the larger nuclear powers on the planet. Is that a veiled threat? Plus, when asked by Wallace on Fox news about the video of a Russian weapon striking Florida near Maralago, Putin lies and says it is not Florida. And my last query, a journalist creates a commotion before Trump and Putin enters the press conference, he resists and then is taken out but before he does, he writes something about the nuclear treaty on paper. What was that all about? Why are we not asking questions about that?
2
The only rational explanation: The president thought he was on a FOX & FRIENDS State News set.
4
As headlined by Politico, the question of the [congressional] GOP to the world: “What would you like us to do?” can be answered using 2nd grade arithmetic.
+ American banks won’t do business with Trump companies.
+ Russian oligarchs do lots of business with Trump.
+ Trump won’t disclose his Income Tax Returns.
+ Trump cashes in by meeting with foreign leaders at Mar-a-Largo.
+ Trump tells us that American intelligence agencies are not to be trusted.
+ Trump says that Mueller’s investigation is a witch hunt.
+ Trump tweets new lies each day.
+ Trump’s tariffs and his attacks on NATO alienate America’s allies.
+ Trump’s tax policy leads to corporate investment abroad, not at home.
+ Trump’s immigration policies deprive aging America of young workers.
+ Trump makes his buddy, Putin, very happy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
= Trump is a treasonous crook.
+ Most of the congressional GOP has collaborated with Trump.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
= The free world answers the GOP, “Remove Trump from office or resign.”
10
"Stable genius" "convefe" and now this. It's pretty clear that Trump is demented. This is really scaring me. What fascinates me is to watch his defenders try to deflect the truth by coming with endless "but what about"..... rather than accept the truth. It's one thing to back "draining the swamp", it's quite another to side with our deadliest geopolitical enemy over our own intelligence community.
5
Republicans nominally control our government. Republican hand-wringing over Trump's treachery is meaningless unless it is matched by action. Otherwise, America is in the same position as Great Britain in 1938 after Munich. The disaster looms, but grows closer daily as inaction paralyzes those in control.
Until we see action by Republicans to fix the mess they created in 2016, our country faces the same fate as Britons did in 1939, waiting for the holocaust.
1
When the Fake President speaks of ‘fake news,’ people listen!
Yes misters Trump, O’Connell, Pence, Paul, et al, I am sorry you can’t be better friends with a murderous dictator who commands armies that shoot down civilian airliners (Malaysian flight 37) and a lengthy list of other egregious international crimes! When you don’t outright and loudly condemn a leader who ignores his own government’s intelligence and accepts this dictator’s word is nothing short of treasonous! He is putting our country at grave risk as he continues to protec us from Russia’s assaults on our government — us.
Hold on a second.
When Mueller charged the 12 Russians he made it sound like they identified each of them being up to no good.
Turns out he just took the names off the Russian office directory.
1
@True Observer - great job you're doing there, you should be writing for Sputnik News! Oh wait - you are!
1
What Trump in his solipsistic world probably really can't bear is the idea that his "big win" over Clinton could be tarnished. For that he is willing to kowtow to Putin, patronize our European allies, and disrespect our intelligence agencies. He has no grasp of anything other than himself, his business interests, and what he perceives to be his public image. Putin must have laughed all the way home after that fiasco.
Why do so many American people fall for this incompetent charlatan? Maybe they've finally found the leader they deserve. Too bad for everyone else.
2
The question was loaded to cause this result-either call Putin a liar, and thus destroy his mission to better our relationship, or to put it all behind us. Strange that the warmongers should be liberals. Calling him a traitor however is rabid- insane.
1
You are on the wrong side of history. I hope you remember that for the rest of your life.
4
The intelligence community was also "highly confident" Iraq had WMD. https://www.cia.gov/news-information/speeches-testimony/2004/tenet_georg...
Iraq War estimated deaths:
Lancet survey (March 2003 – July 2006): 654,965 (95% CI: 392,979–942,636)
Iraq Family Health Survey (March 2003 – July 2006): 151,000 (95% CI: 104,000–223,000)
PLOS Medicine Study: (March 2003 – June 2011): 405,000 (95% CI: 48,000–751,000), in addition to 55,000 deaths missed due to emigration.
Documented deaths from violence:
Iraq Body Count (2003 – 14 December 2011): 103,160–113,728 civilian deaths recorded, and 12,438 new deaths added from the Iraq War Logs
Associated Press (March 2003 – April 2009): 110,600
3
@Howard
"The intelligence community was also "highly confident" Iraq had WMD."
Apple, meet orange.
2
@KNVB:Raiders Everything Trump has done to ruin our country to this point pales in comparison to the affects of the Iraq war and the problems that have arisen because of it.
This president is vindictive, derisively labeling opponents and attacking critics like the media. He should understand backlash.
He had better hope that the intelligence services remain professional in their work. He has now given them a compelling reason to become the biased organizations he has been claiming they are.
3
Paul Ryan gave a brief press conference Tuesday in which he asserted that Russia meddled in the Trump election. That's good. In the same breath, the speaker said it is was clear that the interference had "no material" effect on the vote's outcome.
Says who, exactly, Paul Ryan?
No governmental body reports examining the question of whether Putin helped put Trump over the top. Not the intelligence community findings. Not the House or Senate investigations. And not the Mueller probe, to date. Nobody, no body, has attempted to unravel that knot.
Paul Ryan tossed that "no influence" sop to Trump, who grows rabid at any mention of the possibility that Russia delivered him votes. The speaker also made clear he planned no post-summit measures nor directly criticized the president in reaction to this national betrayal. Ryan noted that Congress had already passed Russia sanctions. But given that that was quite some time before the Helsinki press conference, it should be clear, Paul Ryan, it did not work.
If Republican Congressmen can slam the man's betrayal without criticizing the man, and they propose no remedy to the damage, the words of condemnation they apply to Trump's act should also be visited upon them.
12
@Peggy Rogers I believe that the Russian meddling in the 2016 election did change voter's minds. If you believe in the power of advertising and marketing to make one product more appealing, enough to change your mind, like Pepsi over Coke, you can see that constant "marketing of Trump" and denigration of Hillary by unknown sources could, indeed, persuade voters to change their votes. It worked.
8
President Trump enjoys joking. Don't take him seriously. He is an honest leader and we need him at the present moment because he could make everyone laugh out loud. We are all feel depressed at this juncture in a divided nation and a fractured world. Our intelligence community could do a better job in the future under a stronger lady leader recently appointed by President Trump.
2
Trump is an honest leader? I guess you enjoy joking too.
3
If this doesn’t show patriotic Republicans that they need to swallow their pride and pull the D this November, nothing will. Take a hit for your country and focus on rebuilding your party after the election. That’s honest advice from a Democrat who believes that it is still best for America to have at least two fully functioning major parties over the long term. If you choose not to do this now, it’s highly likely that you are simply winding up the spring on an eventual generational backlash that could last well into the next century. The America we know may not survive both the current shock and eventual counter shock.
8
This is so bad there should be calls for resignation from major players. Where are they?
10
I am surprised on couple of points ...
(1) No journalists asked Trump (or Putin) that they had their private conference for two hours. Which matters, other than election meddling, they discussed?
(2) During entire press conference, Trump seemed to avoid direct eye contacts. He was more robotic and pale; and he mumbled more non-sense than normal.
There is no doubt in majority of Americans' minds that Trump is compromised. He was pale as if there were harsh discussion and threats made to him during private meeting before press conference.
Media outlets should have gotten the expert help to focus on Trump's body language and try to make sense of treasonous stance Trump has taken.
6
Yes! I saw this — I noticed his odd and strangely submissive body language, as well. His voice was softer and higher pitched; though tall and large in physical stature, he seemed very small in presence, especially compared to Putin — who is actually much physically smaller; he looked exhausted; and his thoughts and speech were more disjointed and run-on than usual.
What was discussed during that one-on-one, that clearly stressed him out, and led to his shocking behavior on the world’s stage? Transcripts should absolutely be released, or the translator deposed. Pronto!
1
In his biggest reality TV event yet, Trump demonstrated to the world what a truly hollow shell he is. He tanked the Trump brand, the U.S. brand, the western alliance brand, and logic. I hope that Trump enterprises suffer from this: that's the only thing that will get his attention.
6
Dear NY Times,
"Meddling" is the wrong word. Why so soft? Meddling is something my grandmother did being nosy about her neighbors business. What the Russians did was not mere "meddling."
Why the softball on this? What the Russians did was an attack on our country, not some "meddling." The language downplays what happened. And what likely is still happening.
You can do better. The Russians are attacking our democracy, and other democracies around the world, not "meddling."
6
When will the media recognize TREASON. When will the media support America rather than Trump and the GOP. Russia helped Trump win the election. It was a coordinated effort since 2013 that included the Republican Party, both State and National level as indicated in recent indictment and a criminal complaint. Trump works for Putin as evidenced by the so-called summit in Helsinki. Trump trembled with fear of Putin during the press conference. Putin played him like a used fiddle. Putin cryptically said he had Kompromat on Trump. Putin requested that his Intelligence Services be allowed to interrogate an American Citizen, Mr. Browder, who is responsible for the Magnitsky Act. Trump agreed to this proposal. Thought it was a nice idea. Horrors...the very idea an American President would turn over a US Citizen to Russia to be interrogated and possibly poisoned is why Trump must be impeached and then jailed for his crimes against the United States. This was conspiracy pure and simple. All of the Congress Persons, GOP and NRA officials mentioned in the indictment and criminal complaint must be identified, investigated, and jailed if need be after trial.
10
@RML You think the media supports Trump? Is this a joke?
Yes, he has his own news station, have you seen it, it's called Fox. The hey are considered media, but its really propaganda.
1
Putin forced Trump to play Russian Roulette at the Helsinki summit and Trump took the bullet. The question now is whether he is a dead man walking?
3
The rest of the world is laughing at this. Headline on one satire story today is ... "Americans remain divided over meeting between their leader and president Trump."
Sadly, there's not as much satire there as I would like.
2
In the echo chamber of media, it appears that Putin/Russia is the biggest threat we face - it isn't - we should be worrying about shoring up our Cyber defenses against the next election hack. We know there is meddling and mid-terms are coming up in Nov/2018. It's not just the Russians who see opportunity, it's everyone. Like China. Readers, let's keep our eye on the ball.
4
For those of you who don't know the motivations of Putin, he is ex-KGB and considers the soviet union era as the golden age of prosperity for Russia. The main goal of him and his cronies is to bring back those days and apparently in his mind the only way to do that is through dissolution and weakening of western alliances and crumbling of the United States from within.
So far he has succeeded spectacularly in that pursuit. Of course, that is not going to bring back the soviet union no matter what Putin believes. But the damage to the west is real.
All that to say that whatever Putin is (and has been) doing is not in the least bit surprising. It was to be expected and it fits the narrative of Russian oligarchs and their ideologies.
What IS surprising is the fact that almost 40% of Americans are so very clearly deluded and have been duped by our thuggish president. They are steadfast in their support of the president. This is not something to be proud of, but rather to be ashamed of. If the western democracies are to survive into the future, two main things need to happen:
1. Level playing field for money. We have a huge disproportion of rich individuals and corporations as opposed to the rest of the country (most of whom are living paycheck to paycheck).
2. Education. You'd be surprised how powerful knowledge can be. Take the profit out of education sector and insulate it from non-scientific dogma pushers whose only goal is to keep the masses ignorant.
7
Trump will never admit that there was Russian or any other meddling in the election. it undermines his already dubious claim to the Office of the President of the United States. That said, he was kissing Mr. Putin's...cheek...throughout the campaign, so whatever the Russian mobster and murderer-in-chief knows about Mr. Trump, he's known it for a long time. Or, Mr. Trump was aware of the Russians' election meddling on his behalf and simply sought to see it continue. Whatever else you say about Mr. Trump, he is laser-focused on preserving his own interests (in fame, money and power) and is in no way subtle about his activities in that regard. Trump admires Putin in part based on his ability to maintain his international power, fame (infamy) and lifestyle for so many decades. How Putin did it isn't really an issue. We know Trump has no scruples when it comes to getting what his ego wants.
5
Hon. John Brennan, calls Trump's actions treasonous. And the evidence supports him. What has been Trump's defense against Mr. Brennan? That he once in 1976, voted for a communist candidate. Based on Mr. Trump's actions and his words, you would think this is a badge of honor. After all, his best friend wannabe is the head of the Russian communist party.Tell Mr. Trump to make up his mind and then impeach him.
1
It would be a real treat if the Republican party would start taking an active interest in protecting American democracy.
OK, so they're pitiful at governance. They can't pass legislation to save their souls, and when they do, it's a complete fiscal give-away to the many of the wealthiest interests on the planet. So you guys have left our economic flank wide-open and exposed. Nice job.
And we're all by now well-aware of your apathy toward medical care for the nation's citizens, your indifference toward educating the populace, and "the infrastructure" isn't even worth a mention. OK, so we have that figured-out, and yet you still garner enough votes to hold power.
But I think there must be more than a handful of you guys who served in the military, and/or otherwise have a more than a romantic attachment toward the idea of the United States as a democratic republic.
...as something worth protecting...
After watching the joint press conference and reading the commentaries and reactions, I went home and opened a bottle of wine to toast to the late, great, United States.
This is treason in slow-motion, and you're all just looking the other way...
7
i saw a sheepish POTUS next to Putin. Trump was almost a different person from NATO meetings. He said nothing about Crimea and his response to German’s buying Russian gas was simply methane gas. it is strange to see an american president in front of the world taking on democrats taking on his own intelligence services it is unheard and still difficult to comprehend! i keep asking why on earth he would behave this way? i have no anawer
4
Thankfully I never wasted my money on buying The Art of the Deal.
5
By refusing to bite the hand that feeds him, Trump only heightened the suspicion of collusion and inspired every intelligence professional in the US to search for and reveal the truth. Even a mediocre actor would have feigned anger or at least annoyance at Russia's actions. Trump couldn't even manage that. Witch hunt? Trump is going to be seeing Dorothys everywhere and buckets of water in his sleep.
2
For decades the world made fun of Italy because of Berlusconi. He did everything he wanted for 20 years.
Now is your turn. Hope you american are smarter then us italian.
12
@Andrea Musumeci "Hope you american are smarter then us italian."
We are not.
But thank you very much for your good wishes, and we all wish the very best for you as well.
Hope you like Americans and especially Americans of Italian heritage -- you may be seeing a lot more of us in the future. (If nothing else, your real property values stand to go up some.)
2
Shameful. I never thought I would see the day when an American president would bow down before a former KGB agent and publicly blame America for poor relations with Russia, praise a regime that invaded Crimea and hacked the U.S. election, and insult U.S. citizens and law enforcement who've devoted their lives to serving this country.
Unfortunately, if there is one thing we know for certain at this point it is that the Republicans will not hold him accountable. The only way forward is to replace those Republicans with patriots who are willing to take the actions necessary to remove this traitor from office.
14
Of course Putin denied it! Did he honestly think a dictator was going to say, "Yes, Trump. I did it but by golly, I'm so sorry. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" This is insane!
3
How the once mighty have fallen. From Abraham Lincoln to Donald Trump...The Republican Party has sold its soul to the devil.
10
Fellow readers,
It's all well and good to write a note to the NYT and vent your anger with the most disgraceful president this nation has ever suffered, but how many of you have gotten in touch with your elected representatives and demanded that they take action to win mid-term elections and pressure republicans to put a leash on their boy?
If you aren't demanding action from your elected representatives and are not prepared to protest, you are part of the problem no matter how many notes you write to the times.
5
This is not your daddy's Reagan:
"President Putin, tear down this Democracy!"
1
All Russians are proud of Comrade Trump and his desire to make Russia great again !
5
This is nothing but mass hysteria caused by the Main Stream Media.
I am not impressed nor do I believe anything written in the press any more. Too much Fake News passing off as opinions circulating these days.
3
If Trump was the Manchurian Candidate, how would things look any different?
2
Gives new meaning to the election term "red state"...*not laughing*
2
The most troubling and worrisome aspect of Trump's rejection and distrust of US Intelligence is the consequences of this position. All international relations are based not on what you wish them t be, but on what they really are. All responses are predicated on the correct knowledge of their positions and actions.
And this information is provided precisely try the Intel community.
If Trump has no trust and faith in them, on what will his decisions be based? Is he going to depend, as sit seems, totally on his delusional concept of his own infallibility? If the US is going to depend on that, our county is in for big. even catastrophic, troubles.
13
How is Trump not accountable to the American people and doesn't have to have some kind of record of his and Putin's 2 hour love fest? I want multiple top level administration (as bipartisan as possible) to have access to that conversation. He should not have private conversations of anything other than an incidental nature with other world leaders.
8
@Renee Hoewing
Putin has a recording. He'll use it when he needs to embarrass Trump.
2
Trump is trying to game the balance of power.
By calling Europe a "foe" and threatening to leave NATO, Trump then can shift the Power Balance . If Russia becomes a benign threat or possibly an Allie then China is counter balanced.
Don't get me wrong I dislike Trump
2
“President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.”
Yeah, well, so was President Richard Nixon when he emphatically stated, "I am NOT a crook".
Strong statements such as these only go to show that liars and individuals with actions to hide ARE extremely strong and powerful in their denials.
Trump's support of Putin is merely the pot calling the kettle black - they're both untrustworthy with a plethora of private and personal agendas guiding and fueling their words and actions.
11
At last, some Congress persons are waking up to the Disgrace in Chief. I don't want to just hear words of condemnation - we need action to control this menace to our country. His words were dangerously traitorous. He favors an enemy of our country over American citizens and institutions of government. This is a failure to uphold the oath he swore at inauguration. Maybe not up to the definition of treason, but the presidential equivalent of "fiduciary irresponsibility".
4
"President Putin says it's not Russia. I don't see any reason why it would be," he replied."
Mr. President, do you need glasses????
2
@matty Naw, just a brain transplant!
If Putin didn't know before, that he has Trump under his thumb, he sure does now. What an embarrassment. And now, this only further weakens the US vs Russia. There's no way Trump can step back from this public denial.
3
I'm just sick over what this President has done. Mitch McConnell and his Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. They are allowing Trump to make a laughing stock of America. If the Republicans don't stand up for AMERICA surely we are doomed.
8
"What about?" is a response of the weak minded.
It's become clear that "Idiocracy" was a documentary film...
4
“President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.”
Lets guess what Putin could have said:
1. I cut you organization from our money!
2. I release info on you laundering Russian money!
3. I release FBS tape on your kinky sex!
4. I release our 25 years records of you being our man!
5. I will transfer 25 billions to your accounts after you lift sanctions!
Anything else?
12
"Powerful in his denial."
From one denier to another - of course the denial sounds good.
4
Trump gave in to Putin yesterday at the Helsinki meeting. Stand up for America and protect us from Russian interference. ALL the intelligence services state the Russians interfered in American elections. Trump denies this and backs Putin; a KGB agent. Protect America from Russian influence. Thanks; Ray Sipe
1
McCain should switch parties before he dies and force Ducey to appoint a democrat.
6
Never surprised at the treasonous tactics this businessman takes to add to his coffers. Just frustrated the GOP doesn't do something other than shake their heads and wring their hands. Our country is in jeopardy of becoming as morally corrupt as Putin Land. And when once again when an election is decided for us by Russia , they'll do nothing. Don't for one moment confuse Trump with being a statesmen. He has no attributes that define a true statesman. Much like most in office today who could stop the direction this congress goes in.
4
While the idea of 'being friends with Russia' on the surface sounds like a nice idea, let's place that in recent-history context:
1 - This is a country that wasn't allowed to participate in the Olympics due to widespread, state-sponsored doping
2 - This is a country whose government shot down a CIVILIAN airliner, killing all 283 people aboard
3 - This is a country that used a nerve agent on foreign soil to poison people
4 - This is a country that, for the first time since World War 2, took over another country's land for its own
5 - (and finally) This is a country that has attacked our democracy by (arguably successfully) driving wedges between our citizens
"With friends like this, who needs enemies?"
12
I would like to share this brilliant piece from Slate that was just send by my daughter, and to be clear not in any way normalized the national shame and disaster that we collectively experience every hour of the day, but to bring hope and put things in perspective for all the readers who just like me going through head spinning emotions and internal disgust watching what's going on in our country.
Yes, this too shall pass. Here we go...
Is 2016 the Worst Year in History?
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/history/2016/07/is_2016_...
1
Can congress subpoena trump's translator? Don't we all deserve to know what the so-called Commander in Chief had to say to our greatest enemy, and vice versa?
8
@Kathleen
A subpoena will never happen as long as the do-nothing repubicans control the House and Senate.
Apparently the US translator in the one on one meeting can be subpoenaed.
Maybe this could be on national TV?
4
@Brandy Danu
A subpoena will never happen as long as the do-nothing repubicans control the House and Senate.
I suppose it would be more palatable if Trump had put up a strong public front, and then sent a message that goes something like, "Tell Putin I can be more flexible after the election".
1
Perhaps after the Russians 'help' us with the investigation into their 12 indicted agents, we can can have them help us shore up our cyber-security defenses, especially related to the mid-term elections. I honestly wonder if that was discussed during the two hour meeting... And completely not surprised if it was. Kaspersky Labs voting booths, anyone??
1
So our "intelligence" agencies could not counter the clumsy Russian attempts to hack DNC, DNCC, and H. Clinton's private server? The Russian attempts were meant to be clumsy, they wanted to be found hacking the DNC, and DNCC servers, they did not want to be found hacking H. Clinton's private server. That information is very valuable, to be used in the event of a H. Clinton victory. Criticism of our "intelligence" agencies is valid, Trump just shouldn't have done it the way he did.
We have now to consider the actions and impacts of President Trump, and what they add up to:
* Double-dealing and undermining of the elected leader of the UK;
* Consistent choices to weaken NATO, the EU, and trans-Pacific partnerships;
* Blatant hostility and directionless provocation of Canada and Mexico;
* Calculated erosion of the institutions of economic collaboration that have, for 70+ years, underpinned an expanding comity of the world's governments, and the moral and economic strength of the U.S.;
* Obsessive focus on disrupting and dismantling the investigation of the 2016 election;
* Continuous diminishment and attacks on the value of a free and independent press (which constitutes an attack on the US Constitution and a violation of his Oath of Office);
* And now, tellingly, a cowardly demonstration of fealty and submissiveness to the single world leader who has the most to gain from all of these other choices.
Donald Trump, whether through calculation, manipulation by others, or sheer incompetence, is harming the U.S. and strengthening a foreign power with almost every major decision of his Presidency.
14
This week we learned the names of 12 Russian military officers at the Kremlin who directed the cyberattack on the United States, along with the dates of the attacks. We also learned through another indictment that senior Republican politicians had opened a backchannel to the Kremlin through the NRA.
These indictments were the result of excellent investigations by the top intelligence agencies of the United States, the top counterespionage division of the FBI, and other investigative avenues including financial. Mr. Mueller, the special counsel, has an impeccable background -- like most of the agents, he is a lifelong Republican. Joining as an enlisted private after a degree from Princeton, he fought in Vietnam as a marine where he was awarded a Bronze Star with valor and a Purple Heart. He went to law school in Virginia, and then served his country in the FBI.
The contrast between an investigation that has resulted in 32 people being indicted, multiple guilty pleas, and more than a hundred criminal charges and Trump's comments in Moscow is glaring.
Trump's treason comes from his own mouth, and the role of GOP politicians is alarming.
Putin is an enemy. Trump was abjectly submissive on the world stage. This damaged the United States, and was the first time a president ever acted in such a cowardly, despicable manner towards an enemy.
3
This has a lot do with his incredible narcissism and his fear of being found out as a fraud. If Russia interfered then it means he did not win on his own, and that the game was rigged. This is a huge threat to his ego, which is apparently more important than truth, intelligence, justice or anything else. He is so threatened and self absorbed that he can turn even this into something about himself and incredulously he manages to believe the reality he has created.
7
It's likely that Trump believes the rather documented reports of Russian interference in his election. It is not in his DNA to recognize publicly that they probably did so, given his obvious sensitivity to the legitimacy of his election. It is just something that will forever plague the legitimacy of his election, and this is a guy who seems fully capable of living in a world of denial. For better, or much more for worse, this is our Dear Leader.
1
So much outrage, so little to show for it. If children in cages doesn't stir action what makes us believe that this latest episode will?
Watch for some kind of manufactured crisis in the next 24 to 48 hours to distract from this.
Squirrel!
5
I sincerely hope that when Trump's Presidency collapses, his entire economic half tottering empire, built on deceit and obscure loans, will collapse as well, and that his surname may become synonymous with shame, lies and deceit. This will contribute to a thorough cleansing of the US from his dreadful heritage.
7
Jerome- you find It amusing "listening to all of those children" who were horrified by the press conference? Children like Dan Coates? You think Hillary is a phony, and Trump isn't? All politicians shift to some degree with the wind, but Hillary was a dedicated public servant all of her life. You may not agree with many of her goals, such as getting health insurance for all (heaven forbid!) but why insult her?
The consensus around the world, and among a majority of adults in the US, is that Trump is compulsive liar and con artist. Here's what's genuine about him- in league with his super rich Republican masters he is genuinely trying to destroy the essential underpinnings of a dignified life for 99% of Americans. Looks like you fell for it, Jerome, though I am sorry to say so. You're not the only one. Maybe you are not planning on using Medicare or Social Security. Or, are you just a fan of murderous dictators like Putin. Is that now the American way?
Your suggestion that people who are dismayed by Trumps' actions are merely immature, whining "children" represents an extremely flawed analysis of the situation. I, for one, am not a child. Neither is Dan Coates. I can't help but resent your implication. Are you aware of how insulting it is to millions of us? Allow me to suggest that you look a bit deeper for an explanation of the unprecedented resistance to this president.
12
All bullies are also cowards. We seem to be stuck with the greatest example of this truth.
7
There is no question about it, Trump must RESIGN immediately!
6
@Irwin Hewitt
The MOST common sense comment that I have read today. Enough talk....how can this president ever regain any sense of respect and credibility around the world again? He simply can't as one cannot erase those terrible words from yesterday and pretend that it never happened....therefore he needs to leave immediately by resigning. Impeachment takes TOO long!
Reading the comments from the Democrats it is clear they have not figured out why they lost so they will lose in in 2020.
2
There are plenty of anti-Trump Republicans, too.
3
@Informed Citizen Doesn't mean the Democrats will win in 2020. If you recall there were many never Trump RINOS around in 2016--and he beat them all.
Dear NYT,
Please do your part to stop making all of this circus possible. Your repeated articles to explore the half-baked thoughts of Trump supporters, dutiful reporting of every tweeted utterance, and careful analysis of all of the divisive policies have made Trump seem Presidential and normal.
This is not normal, and everything about this administration needs to be prefaced within the proper context—liberal democratic values are under attack. All of your reporting on Trump and his supporters should clearly outline the nature and scope this attack so they can make respond accordingly. Our well-being and way of life are at stake.
3
Your anger is misplaced and should be directed at the person creating the news, not the messenger reporting it.
2
@Informed Citizen
No, in these treacherous times, it is incumbent on ALL citizens and institutions to call it like it is —“fascism.”
If there are any Republicans left that are not Russian recruits or operatives, how do you feel now that Putin has taken over this presidency? Is this why you worked to get elected? Putin has the same goals as the Communists, and the same goal as the Tsars--take over the world. He has taken over the United States, without one shot fired.
3
Special Counsel Robert Muller’s indictment of 12 Russian intelligence agency officers is just theater. Muller knows Russia isn’t going to extradite them. Putin pointed out during the Helsinki press conference that the proper procedure is provided by the 1999 U.S.-Russian Federation Mutual Assistance on Criminal Cases Treaty. Putin said he would allow Muller or members of his investigative team to travel to Moscow to interrogate the Russian officials about the charges. The treaty permits representatives of either country to “pose questions directly or to formulate questions to be posed to the person being questioned.” In return, Putin said Russia would expect that the Americans to reciprocate, permitting Russian prosecutors travel to the United States to question U.S. law enforcement and intelligence service officials he said Russia believes are involved in criminal actions against Russia.
Instead of issuing grandstanding indictment, the United States should abide by the treaty and insist Russia also abide by the treaty.
https://www.congress.gov/106/cdoc/tdoc22/CDOC-106tdoc22.pdf
2
So what. There will be warrants out for their arrest. That means no summering in the south of France or hanging around Trump Tower in New York.
2
Now they can summer in Crimea.
1
The Republicans are in thrall to a petulant child in diapers. They get the Nobel Prize for hypocrisy.
The Democrats should be screaming in the halls of Congress for impeachment. But they will wait to see what Mueller has to say, and then they will wait to see if they have permission from the DNC to say anything at all.
And “The People”? Most of us are going: “what the…?” and wondering why the people we elected aren’t doing their job. A feeling of betrayal turns like a knife in our collective gut.
But there are others who are convinced of a deep state that is taking their freedoms away. Evidence? They don’t need any, just a wink from the petulant child. They are ferociously tribal and are armed to continue the Civil War the South started 160 years ago (the one that never really ended but continued under various guises) - a war for a caste system, supremacy of the individual, property rights, myth and religion, and law of the jungle.
Welcome to the Dis-United States of America. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men can’t (will never) put America together again.
8
If President Obama had acted like this toward Mr. Putin, there would be calls not just for his impeachment but his head.
Talk about White privilege.
Why do you think the Kremlin was loathe to have Mrs. Clinton as president...it was because they knew that, despite all her flaws, she could not be controlled like our current President Trumpski.
But..all things pass..and when Mr. Trump fades out of the limelight (in 2020 hopefully, 2024 at the least)..the amount backlash from the new administration against his disaster of a presidency will be unprecedented..
And..more importantly..he will not be president..so we can tell him "sorry..you have lost your turn".
peace out
6
How can we protest this nationally? How do we voice our opinions? How do we resist? New York Times, can you please help us and tell us how to organize; or perhaps list effective, efficient and proactive methods to stop this madness. And, where are the good guys? Who is working behind the scenes to see this ends? Where is the modern day leader of the resistance?
1
@KD
Vote like hell in November, for Democrats across the board and vote in numbers too big to cheat or manipulate.
Above the streets of Washington, DC is the Arlington Cemetery which I have walked through several times in the past. Today I ask myself and my fellow Americans if those fallen soldiers resting there could talk what would they want to say to us about yesterday?
7
What does Putin have on Trump that would lead our President to grovel -- nay -- fawn, before such a miscreant as Vladimir Putin? The imagination is overwhelmed by the appalling possibilities...
4
It's amusing to watch the leftist media flip out over anything Trump says or does. Yesterday CNN and the Washington Post both reported that Trump never spoke to Putin about meddling before Trump was even done with their private meeting. Obama's foreign policy was a real disaster but Obama always got a pass from the media with every silly thing he ever did. Feigned outrage is currently on full display in the media.
1
"Powerful In His Denial " denial D E N I A L = Don't Even Notice I Am Lying
6
Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-Un, Rodrigo Duterte, Recep Tayyip Erdogan--
Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are.
10
The NYTimes needs to make a small space on their masthead for a daily photograph of the White House, so the American people can see what country's flag is flying there.
7
Fake News You Can Use
Vladimir Putin from Russia wins 2018 Ventriloquist of the Year First Prize in Helsinki with his puppet Donald.
7
Not since when then-British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met with Adolf Hitler in 1938 has one country's chief of state so easily---and willingly, perhaps----been so publicly played by another.
8
@David Bartlett
And it all happened with country being 10 times weaker than US.
At least Chamberlain thought he was doing the right thing. Trump's Consciousness of Guilt makes this far worse.
Treason.
While clearly, Trump is unsuited to be President(shipping jobs to cheaper labor, shutting down factories, devastating families and communities lead to electoral desperation), we should indeed view other nations more like competitors than enemies. As Rand Paul said, we have helped rig many foreign elections--surely readers aren't that myopic. Spoiling for fights and wars nowadays will make the 40 million lives lost in WWII look like cupcakes.
1
@tennvol30736
Sorry. Stopped at the mention of Rand Paul.
2
"Aboard Air Force One back to Washington, Mr. Trump’s mood grew foul as the breadth of the critical reactions became clear, according to some people briefed on the flight."
Was it something I said, he wondered.
8
On yesterday I literally sat at the edge of my chair listening as the "Putin-Trump" Finland joint press conference devolved into a nightmarish Frederico Fellini movie dream sequence.
In vain, while attempting to translate Donald Trump's ramblings into anything remotely/vaguely coherent, instantly my overriding fear was that of the President uttering the following Russian scripted remarks:
"...Vladimir Putin is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life."
Perhaps at some point during the November 2013 Miss Universe pageant Donald Trump was actually brainwashed by Russian KGB officer/Russian Federation president Vladimir Putin?
If ever there existed a Manchurian Candidate moment, President Donald Trump's effusive praise of Vladimir Putin in Finland on yesterday was it.
An American President, while on foreign soil, denigrating and questioning the veracity of American intelligence was a national and international disgrace.
Furthermore, President Trump's acquiescent with Vladimir Putin and Russian intelligence... freely grant the rogue regime blanket immunity from any/all consequences for engaging 2016 cyberattacks meant to undermine American Democracy, appeared personally cathartic.
Unfortunately, sadly, it appears America has been without a President since January 20th 2017. All but remains at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue today is either a puppet or Manchurian Presidency elected for and controlled by Russian Federation influence.
5
“Of all our passions and appetites, the love of power is of the most imperious and unsociable nature, since the pride of one man requires the submission of the multitude. In the tumult of civil discord the laws of society lose their force, and their place is seldom supplied by those of humanity.”
—Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
3
Trump is a traitor.
Plain and simple.
A President turned on his own country.
The Republican Party is enabling treason. The ruling legislative branch is against the people. Unless you are rich in Republican's America, you don't deserve healthcare, a chance for a pension or a decent education without being completely drowned in debt, owned by the banks. 90% of the population must live in poverty so that 10% can flourish.
Government agencies that work tirelessly to protect the safety and health of the American people are being dismantled from within by the Trump administration right and left, fueled by ever-greedy billionaires and their corporations.
The highest court in the land is about to have its moral and patriotic compass flushed down the toilet for decades, thanks in large to obstructionist in chief, Mitch McConnell.
The last elections were distorted by a foreign dictator and his shadow funders.
The mainstream media has been focusing for years on selling fear, gossip, high speed car chases and bigmouthed TV personalities. Its journalistic credibility at this point is worthless. And yes, they too are owned by a handful of billionaires.
"Social media" has done a number on us all. Guess what?
Them too are owned by billionaires that are laughing all the way to the bank.
The NRA, homegrown American terrorism, is literally getting away with murder.
It's time to take to the streets. To dedicate at least a day a week to create resistance among more people.
2
I am patiently waiting for the leader, either Republican or Democrat, who is up to the task of ripping our democracy from the white knuckled clutches of our President.
4
@J Gray It won't be a repubican. If the GOP haven't held trump accountable by now, it never will. Democrats are trying to hold trump accountable but they don't have the leverage. The only way to change that is to vote for Democrats across the board in November -- in numbers too big to cheat or manipulate.
"Strong and Powerful"?? Does anyone else suspect Putin told trump to call him strong and powerful during his answers? so trump obliged? It was very out of character. Trump looked so deflated and out of his element. He's not use to being number 2 I guess. Trump was right about one thing....The Putin/Helsinki meeting was the easiest. He just had to stand there while Putin put his hand up the back of Trumps jacket to make his mouth move. I didn't notice, but did Putin take a drink of water during is ventriloquist routine?? Strong and Powerful indeed! Don the Con or Trump the Chump?
1
whats worse, being installed by a foreign power or an email server, you tell me?
8
To the Republican Party I say thank you for yet another "Worst President in American History (djt)". Previous contenders for that title were Hoover and Harding, also Republicans. Yesterday Trump surpassed both of them by orders of magnitude to become The Absolute Greatest All-Time Worst President.
6
Trump abased himself and America before an enemy dictator who has repeatedly threatened our servicemen...we just had to kill over two hundred of his thugs in Syria when they initiated an attack on our soldiers. His jets buzz our warships in the Baltic. He is directly responsible for shooting down Flight MH17 with one American on board as well as citizens from every NATO country--and before some Trump idiot bashes NATO, don't forget our NATO allies sacrificed many lives to support us in Afghanistan. Americans are dead because of Putin and Trump seems impressed by that. Trump is a Traitor.
3
You can take the word "duck" out of the lexicon of American biology.... but they will still waddle, swim, fly, and quack.
You can take the phrase "pathological narcissistic personality disorder" out of the DSM5... but they will still lie, triangulate, scapegoat, refuse to be accountable, exploit, manipulate, and manifest sadistic tendencies.
Even if they happen to be a POTUS.
2
Darrell ‘Subpoena’ Issa and Trey ‘Benghazi’ Gowdy should get to investigate Trump’s equivocation.
5
Donald....YOU'RE FIRED!
3
All former living presidents should sign a letter calling for Trump's immediate removal from office. It should be read on the House and Senate floors, and entered into the Congressional Record. It's a bipartisan group, respected and experienced in matters pertaining to the Oval Office. It will start the momentum toward the inevitable and necessary end of this disastrous administration.
7
I wonder, if his supporters could have seen this dismal performance before the election, if they still would have thought that voting for an "outsider" with "no political experience" would be a good idea.
7
This is a watershed moment in our history. Which way will we go?
4
My personal belief is that trump has been compromised and is being blackmailed by Putin. To me, this is exactly what he was telling us when he stood beside Putin and said he did not believe ANY U.S. Intelligence, or Senate, or Justice Department.... and that he believed Putin. And then, while standing beside Putin in front of the world, said the United States of America should take responsibility. He threw our country and ALL of it's Intelligence Agencies under the bus and backed Putin. I believe he did what he was told to do. There is only one other choice for his actions, and that would be that he is WILLINGLY working with Putin to end our Democracy and cause discourse in our government an among our people. Do not forget to pile that on top of the NATO Summit where he "degraded" every one of our Allies. How much clearer does it have to be Mitch McConnell?? Paul Ryan?? And, do not forget there is someone sitting in Congress that IS already compromised by Russia/Putin. It was in the reports.
5
@Never
If compromised wouldn't Trump try to not to appear compromised and therefore would be careful not to do exactly what he did yesterday (and all the times before)? Or is he not smart enough to realize that he looks compromised in what he is doing?
If he is not compromised it is even worse because he seems to be expressing his sincere beliefs, and finds it astounding people don't agree with him.
Even Trump will realize he stepped in something pretty deep if Rand Paul has to defend him.
3
All the red flags point clearly to Trumps subversion of America. Calling the press an "enemy of the American People' was just as shocking as Trump blaming the United States for mistreating poor defenseless misunderstood Russia. Does Congress have enough true patriots to finally impeach or censure Trump? Republican members of Congress need to find the fortitude to stand-up, not resign in frustration, and take Trump to task to the fullest extent of the law. Patriots like Nathan Hale and Paul Revere are desperately needed to ward off this new and insidious enemy of the republic.
5
Since the Administration is not helping Trump in his thanks to his Russian benefactors, Trump has to keep them at bay the only way left to him, the Helsinki way.
At this point, it should be obvious to Members of both Houses of Congress that President Trump’s behavior in Helsinki meets both the letter and the spirit of the 25th Amendment to Constitution, to wit: “...the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office”.
5
I admit I haven't even read this article yet but here's my suggestion to deal with this man. Do not allow him to leave this country anymore or to allow him on the world stage. That's when he gets into the most trouble when his republicans aren't with him. Republicans should refuse to let him out of their sight. There hasn't been one time since he's been president that going to a foreign country has been good for him or for this country. This last one should be the straw that breaks the camel's back. He was appalling. He threw all of us under the bus. If he likes Putin so much, I suggest he move to Russia.
4
"Russia if you are listening- could you please provide us with the hidden notes from the two hour closed door meeting on 7/15, between Putin and Trump?"
13
When will some newspaper, magazine, TV network, organization, government agency, or private citizen dig into Trump's life and find out what hold the Russians have over him?
It must be something terrible for Trump to stand on a stage with Putin and publicly admit that he takes Putin's word over that of his own intelligence agencies! To say what a great guy Putin really is while ignoring Syria, Ukraine, Crimea and poison gas. To blame the poor relationship between the two countries on HIS OWN country!
I always felt that this president was a buffoon who was being used by the Republican Party to cut taxes and business regulations. But he has gone far beyond that and become a traitor to his country!
4
I seem to remember Hillary Clinton, during one of the debates, saying Trump was a Putin puppet. Too bad some people didn't listen to her.
14
“I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” - Donald Trump, 1/23/16
Yesterday Donald J Trump shot Uncle Sam. Now we learn if he was right.
8
Neville Chamberlain must be sighing with relief...he's no longer the biggest fool to head up a democracy.
7
Trump: Putin, from everything I have seen, has no respect for this person. (points to Hillary Clinton)
Hillary Clinton: Well, that's because He'd rather have a puppet as President of the United States.
Trump: No puppet! No puppet!
Hillary Clinton: It's pretty clear, and you won't admit it, that the Russians have engaged in cyber attacks.......
Trump: No! You're the puppet!
Hillary Clinton: .....against the United States, that you encourage espionage against our country, that you are willing to spout the Putin line, sign up for his wish list, break up NATO, do whatever he wants to do, and that you will continue to get help from him.
October 2016 Debate
16
With what our Quisling in Chief said publicly, can you imagine what he said to Vlad when they spent 2 hours together off the record?
God help us all.
5
It’s about oil, stupid, and Russia as a potential market for American cars and other goods. That’s why Trump is being so nice to Putin although the Democrats are too stupid to get it. Trump has dismissed Europe as a trading “foe.” They would love like crazy to get into the Russian market, but Trump will beat them to the punch.
2
I think we can do without their blood money. And when you have to call people stupid, you have lost.
1
@Carol lee
Ed from Honolulu is a Russian troll, and the Rooskies, relative to the combined Western European nations, don't have a pot in which to relieve themselves (i.e., they really don't have any money).
So . . . .
Our President has joined Team Putin
But I think as sure as shootin’
His fall will be swift
Giving Dems a lift
So say the laws of Isaac Newton
7
Good job, Trump voters . . . . NOT!
2
We have an enemy in the White House.
5
Our Republican reps don't have the brass monkeys to stand up to Trump and do the right thing for this nation. Cowards, one and all.
1
Our President is owned by the Kremlin. What a joke or more accurately, a catastrophe. Time to impeach!!!
2
Now he's teaming up with Putin against the US intelligence community? What's next? A new edition of the Hitler Stalin Pact signed in 1939? Only this time it will be the Trump Putin Pact to divide Europe up evenly between the two superpowers. What we are witnessing right now is something even the creative minds in Hollywood would have a hard time coming up with. What have American voters done to their country and to the world? Unimaginable.
3
Since the intelligence services were willing to forsake non-partisanship in their kowtowing to Obama and Hillary by going after Trump, it is perfectly reasonable that Trump would be less than confident in the accuracy of their product.
@WAYNESBOROOBSERVER quite the unsupported assertion ya got there. any facts to back those claims up? "no," you say? "go 'google it' yourself, you say? well then it's all just that much smack. period. dot.
If greatness were rolling around in a trough or swimming in mud then we would be almost there. It is that simple, right?
1
Competitors ?
Russia and USA have hundreds of nuclear weapons aimed at each other’s cities.
We are not competitors, we are adversaries.
2
Where do I start? First and foremost I find it Treasonus to use the Term "Rigged Witch Hunt" in a foreign Country Stand Next to the man who is the President of the Country that all our intelligence agencies state Meddled in our Election. When has a President of the U.S. gone to foreign Soil and disparaged the opposing Political Party? To go to Helsinki and when asked a question about Russia's involvement he brings up E-mail server of his opponent almost 2 years after the election. It is time for good proud Americans to take to the Streets and let all in Congress know this is not acceptable behavior . This is Not about being a Republican or a Demacrat, this behavior is not Acceptable for anyone regardless of Party. This Man has made the United States Fools in the eyes of our Allis and the World. Mr. Putin went back to Russia a Happy Man.
5
Goodness, whatever next? And we thought our problems with our government were bad!
1
I’m really trying to figure out what Republicans stand for. Law and order?
Family values? Patriotism? Truth and sincerity? They’ve made a laughing stock out of all those issues. The only thing they stand for is themselves because their leader is someone who only cares about himself. And he has shown them the way and they have taken it. The me myself and I party. Give us what we want and you can basically destroy the rest of America. That I got mine you get yours party. Vote them all out in November and impeach this embarrassment and his Vice President.
2
It is one thing to see DJT throw protocol out the airlock and watch DJT pose for the camera at every opportunity. It is another to see "...risk politics in the pursuit of peace than risk peace in pursuit of politics" DJT simply buckle and wither standing next to a known adversary. History will decide on whose side DJT will stand; "Peace in our time" Neville Chamberlin or "the two great dangers which menace the homes of the people: War and Tyranny" Winston Churchill
1
What Donald Trump did in Helsinki made Franklin Roosevelt's actions in Yalta in 1945 look brilliant.
Let’s ask the real question, the one behind our astonishment and revulsion at the way our supposedly tough-guy President scrapes and bows and blows kisses every time he gets near Vladimir Putin. How far would he let Putin go? He doesn't mind Russia corrupting our elections (he rather likes it) or seizing Crimea, or de-stabilizing Ukraine. If they went after the Baltics or even Poland, would he stand up to that? Would he withdraw from NATO to avoid confrontation with the man he admires so much? Would he give Putin our nuclear codes, if Vladimir really, really wanted them and asked nicely? I'm not sure how many minutes we’d have to respond if, God forbid, Russia launched an attack on the United States, but do we feel confident that Trump would finally man-up and defend the country he has sworn to protect? The answer tells us everything: We don’t know.
5
We DO know! He'd sell us out as he has recently.
1
Only one thing is surprising about the summit, and that is that there remain Republican Members of Congress who have not disavowed Trump. It is the most shameful display I have seen in 65 years of living in America. There can be no denying that the one and only logical explanation is that Putin owns him, either through financing his sleazy web of businesses, or through illicit aid to his campaign, or through compromising personal information, and likely all three.
12
@Joseph Folz
@H. Clark
@J Gray It's not going to happen as long as Repubicans control the House and Senate. If the repubicans haven't held trump accountable by now, they never will. Democrats are trying to hold trump accountable but they don't have the leverage. The only way to change that is to vote for Democrats across the board in November -- in numbers too big to cheat or manipulate.
I find it ominous, disturbing and very discouraging that so many people fail to see or don’t want to admit,what trump did in Helsinki is wrong. It says to me that these States Of America will not be United again in my lifetime. Very, very sad times for the USA.
4
Trump is the end game of the greed and corruption in our government that has escalated every generation. The USA was divided , internally weak and paralyzed by 2016 , from the systemic debauchery. The Russians know that one can buy anything they desire in a capitalist system without morals. Putin bought the presidency and I suspect some Congress people.
2
President Obama's government was a whole lotta things, and not all good. But amoral and debauched? Naw, not even close.
And he was also competent, as were the folks he hired--which separates him from Donald Trump even more than the moral issues. I mean, Trumpists and the rest of the GOP keep yakking about how well, they don't endorse Trump's wacko behavior, but hey, look at all he's Getting Done.
Fact is, the only competent part of this Administration is the judge-hunt, and they farmed that out to the Federalist Society. These other guys couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat.
Oh, wait...I am being unfair, and there IS one other competent part of this government. The one with Rod Rosenstein and Robert Mueller in it.
2
Pres. Trump’s body language spoke even louder than his words in Helsinki. This was not vanity or naïveté - it was fear, defeat and submission. Watch him walk into to briefing room and make your own judgment. The only explanation is that Putin had just finished telling him he’d better stop this Russia foolishness “or else.”
7
Julian Assange: Russia didn't hack Podesta. We published several emails which show Podesta responding to a phishing email, Assange said. Podesta gave out that his password was the word "password". His own staff said this email that you've received, this is totally legitimate. So, this is something a 14-year-old kid could have hacked Podesta that way.
FBI lovers: We'll stop him (Trump).
Mueller: 12 guys with $95000 in bitcoin posted fake news on facebook, and rigged the '16 election. Putin is behind this, and I have no way of proving it. And I can't link any Americans to ties with Russia. A whooping $95000 in bitcoin to sway America from Hilary to Trump.
Putin to Megyn Kelly: we don't care who the U.S. president is , more or less the same people are always in charge.
US Gov: yes, we planted agents in Trump's campaign, no, they were not spies. Yes, they did answer to President Obama.
US Media: Trump is Putin's poodle! He didn't ask about the 12 Russians with their $95000 in bitcoin! Why doesn't he believe his own intelligence!
Trump: our relationship with Russia is as bad as it's ever been, thanks to political swamp creatures.
1
Well, that certainly has all the pseudo-facts, bizarre warps of reality, and general incoherence that have become the hallmarks of Trump and the Trumpists.
My only real questions have to do with the trouble figuring out whether this sort of stuff comes from the totally gullible, the totally cynical, or the totally Boris Badenoff.
4
He took an oath to protect the US Constitution and simply gave it away to Putin.
6
There is only one headline that would fit today:
That Does It! Donald J. Trump Has To Go!
3
Why did Trump wink at Putin at the beginning of the conference?
3
Holy shitake mushrooms! I’d say yesterday’s press conference erased any shadow of doubt that Putin has ‘dirt’ of some kind on Trump. What else could explain Trump’s pathetic, pandering performance? He trashed his own country and tipped his hat to a hostile foreign dictator; and still, most Republicans said nothing.
Trump has consistently denied he is beholden in any way to Putin / Russian banks / Russian oligarchs, but it's clear the time has come for the Republican party to band together, finally put country over party and demand that Trump prove he is not under any foreign influence.
Not sure they could do anything about the alleged ‘pee tape’, but one good and definitive way for Trump to prove his allegiance to the US is not tainted by foreign influences of any stripe would be for Congress to demand to see both his business and personal tax filings for the last ten years. If he has nothing to hide, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?
4
Putin has blackmail on Trump; has to be. GOP is pathetic and will do nothing. Vote out GOP for change. Ray Sipe
5
Will someone please explain to our President what it means to be loyal to your country, that patriotism extends beyond the borders, and the United States does not want to hang out with the “mean girls”!
4
So Trump "says" Putin Was "Powerful in His Denial of Meddling" ?
Really? Really? What ELSE would we expect Putin to say?
The real question is why any credence whatsoever is given to such a transparent lie?
But it gets better...
Trump also "publicly challenged the conclusion of his own intelligence agencies that Moscow interfered in the 2016 presidential election"?
So Trump believes Putin, say so in public, and disparages the US intelligence service, whose view is clear (and clearly correct!)?
If it looks like a Manchurian Candidate, and quacks like a Manchurian candidate, then is IS a Manchurian Candidate, brainwashed, bought-off with lucre, or intimidated by Russian surveillance info.
Treason is treason!
6
And the Trumpsters cheer. Let’s face it. When Americans tear down America from the inside and our leaders do nothing, time to start learning Russian.
5
You have to question U. S. intelligence when 63 million desperate, despairing, deplorable and despicable Americans voted for Donald John Trump, Sr. aka Bone Spurs aka Golfheart aka Lady Part Grabber aka Reality TV Star.
Besides Trump does question the quality and reliability of Russian military intelligence aka GRU nor Russian domestic intelligence aka FSB nor Russian foreign intelligence aka SVR.
1
@Blackmamba
Errata 2nd paragraph 1st sentence
'...Trump does NOT ….'
1
It seems that either Trump is now psychotic or he is really interested in destroying democracy. Will the Republicans and Democrats wake up and get him out of office?
4
@bb
@H. Clark
@J Gray It's not going to happen as long as Repubicans control the House and Senate. If the repubicans haven't held trump accountable by now, they never will. Democrats are trying to hold trump accountable but they don't have the leverage. The only way to change that is to vote for Democrats across the board in November -- in numbers too big to cheat or manipulate.
Donald Trump could not bother with the protocol of a courtesy bow with the queen of England, but he performed like a trained dog in front of Putin. Geez!
5
Trump's fawning on Vladimir Putin, the enemy of the USA, at the Helsinki Meeting, is the saddest day for the US that I can remember next to the day Trump was elected to the Presidency of the United States.
3
While in America they are focusing on the cosmetics of the Russian interference on the 2016 elections - has America never interfered with the domestic politics of other nations anyway? - they are missing the larger picture: a concerted attack towards the weakening (or destruction?) of Europe and America (thanks to Trump who should have been arrested upon his landing in the US).
As a response to Trump's recents attack against Europe, I wish the Europeans kicked American military bases from European soil and for instance let them dock their nuclear submarines somewhere else, like TelAviv maybe?
Because asking for more money from the Europeans to support NATO is as preposterous as wanting Mexico to pay for the wall. Let Israel pay for its own defense.
1
If ever there was a serious national security threat facing this country, you're looking at it. Our president looks/is scared of another head of state and most likely compromised. In the meantime, the political leaders on both sides are in a state of inertia. Therefore, we the American people have to do something about our future. What are we waiting for?
2
The Republicans please act before it is too late. do not support any of his request to the Congress,, do not approve any new nomination. Clearly ask him to resign.
1
@claude
If the repubicans haven't held trump accountable by now, they never will. Democrats are trying to hold trump accountable but they don't have the leverage. The only way to change that is to vote for Democrats across the board in November -- in numbers too big to cheat or manipulate.
Unless Congress takes action against this president, including no SCOTUS nomination hearings, then it's Thoughts and Prayers for America.
I don't care about what they say. We need actions to correct all the damage this person has committed against our country.
3
Our country now looks second class and weak with the show business president we have buckling to Russia. There has to be something more to this, only Putin and Trump knows what went on when Trump went to the Ms Universe contest in Russia. May God help us.
3
Why isn't the POTUS preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution of the United States? You're biting the hand that feeds you, Mr. President. And you've broken your oath.
The same people who were apoplectic because President Obama wore a tan suit have only impotent mumbles - or nothing to say at all - after Mr. Trump publicly attacked our country and our institutions of justice in defense of Russia. And those people want to remain in control of the Legislative Branch after this year’s elections. They will, if midterm apathy reigns.
1
Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski need to vote against confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the court. They both may be republicans but they should be Patriots first. They should say it's because they can't support a POTUS pick until after the Mueller investigation -- especially at the heels of this shameful and treasonous way of remarking about his own intelligence agencies vs. Putin's manipulation of our democracy.
They say 85% of the GOP support Trump. Well where are the 15% who support the USA?
4
Trump is conflating his personal narcissistic needs & desires with what’s good for the USA and planet earth.
In my opinion, this qualifies as “high crimes and misdemeanors” as called out in Article Two of the United States Constitution.
Congress, the ball is in your court.
Tom D.
11
Without a doubt has to be the greatest coup for the KGB/FSB. Capture of the American Presidency. This surpasses 'the Cambridge spies' or Klaus Fuchs selling Manhattan Project secrets. So surreal seeing Trump's performance for all the world to see. Tom Clancy could not have dreamed up a story-line like this. Unbelievable.
2
There's a traditional Somail saying that can't be improved upon in this situation:
Me against my brother.
My brother and I against the family.
My family against the clan.
My clan against the country.
My country against the world.
But of course, any 4 year old knows you don't go against the family. And any 16 year old knows it's country first.
Even if Trump had absolutely nothing to do with the Russian cyber attacks on the 2016 election, enough Americans are now firmly convinced that he’s in Putin’s pocket. That belief alone gives Putin control.
"Look Donny boy, you either get rid of those sanctions or I'll tell Mueller you were involved.
"But I wasn't?"
"Doesn't matter."
Trump has committed political suicide.
2
Enough. The New York Times, and other reputable news sources, ought to be calling for trump’s impeachment — in BLOCK LETTER headlines. No mincing words: trump and his cohorts and apologists are traitors. Time for this presidency to end. Waiting for the indictment. Anything short of that will be a failure on mueller’s part: a report to this Congress will be a waste of time, as would the recommendation to convene grand jury proceedings.
3
I expected nothing less from Donald. Don Jr. told us more than a year ago that the Trump Organization didn't need to impress American banks because most of its lending came from Russians. Donald has persistently refused to open his books to the public, and consistently acted as if Russia has a strangle hold on him for reasons about which pundits keep guessing. He has protected relations with Russia for personal reasons, ignoring planes shot down, nations invaded, and support for Assad, among other horrifics, not for national reasons, but for personal ones. The threat of having Russian loans called in that would bankrupt the Trump Organization is his greatest fear, and as an egomaniac, its no wonder that in his head it's "Donald first!" He willingly will continue to trash the FBI, Intelligence, the CIA, Mueller, and be Putin's poodle. That's who Donald is.
12
My very dear American friends, what else will it take for you to react as the great nation you are? Please WAKE UP! It is not too late (yet).
4
For anyone who believes in body language, one look at the photos is enough to establish who is the king, and who is the court jester.
3
Like a loose cannon on this trip he called NATO into question attacking several heads of state, said the EU is an enemy, said Britain is out of control but said nothing about the Russian skripal poisoning, then appallingly he stabbed US intelligence services in the back by siding with a dictator because he was firm in his denial of interfering in the election! And the man is fool enough to believe Putin likes him!
Today the Kremlin must be rubbing their hands together knowing Trump is weak and easily led. Knowing the threat of US retaliation to their expansionism plans and increased meddling with US allies is zero. They must have something huge on Trump and it's being leveraged.
3
Great headline NYT.....
I've been questioning U.S. intelligence on the 2016 election too.
How could we put this complicit, amoral narcissist in our highest office.
Another bludgeoning of Truth. Can it survive?
1
Trump has cemented his status as Putin's Useful Fool.
2
TRA'ITOR, n. L. traditor; trado, to deliver.
1. One who violates his allegiance and betrays his country; one guilty of treason; one who, in breach of trust, delivers his country to its enemy, or any fort or place entrusted to his defense, or who surrenders an army or body of troops to the enemy, unless when vanquished; or one who takes arms and levies war against his country; or one who aids an enemy in conquering his country. See Treason.
2. One who betrays his trust.
2
In retrospect, all Trump’s actions undermine American credibility and sow discord among us, the very thing Putin would want his puppet to do.
Froms Trump perspective, as long as he can accumulate more power and wealth he’ll do Putin’s bidding. With all he has he feels inadequate and needs to prove himself.
The entire republican congress, and cabinet members are complicit in this situation.
This denial is what enables the Hitlers and Stalin’s of this world to commit atrocities unchecked. Sick people in power enabled by deniers.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon (unless you're Ben Carson) to figure out out Trump's "summit" was his thank you and payback to Putin for helping him win the election.
4
Trump is doing exactly what putin wanted. Attacking the global order, including NATO, that ensured the safety and prosperity that smericans have taken for granted for decades. Putin now has the go ahead from trump to interfere in any country’s internal politics, including america, and to assasinate his opponents wherever and whenever he pleases. Putin and trump are together trying to cover up their collusion in 2016. Trump should be impeached and seen for what he is-a person with mental problems, manipulative, limitless in his greed, self serving , a weak backyard bully, and a traitor
3
I wonder how Trump's mesmerized mob, aka his "base" takes in his treason.
Is that worse than shooting someone on Fifth Avenue? Is there no limit to their fealty to this evil, repulsive, thoroughly stupid man?
Will they enjoy living in an annex of Russia?
3
Let’s see...
Trump and Putin met alone for 130 minutes. What is the run time of that “pee” tape?
4
This must be grounds for impeachment, or the removal of POTUS for failed mental capacity.
3
@Antoine
Grounds for impeachment must have existed, then, when Obama drew an red line in the sand and followed up by ignoring it, signaling to the world the weakness of our leadership under the failed Bluffer in Chief. Did you call for it then?
What about when Putin marched into Crimea? Did we hear the Left calling for impeachment then?
This is manufactured outrage, just as we see every week from the Left. It's hard to keep up with it all, and fact to the contrary never seem to matter.
If Trump succeeds in obtaining the reset with Russia that Hillary said she sought, will the Left cheer or call for his impeachment? If he takes a strong stand, will they call him a bully--a president intent on blowing up the world in a nuclear war?
Of course they will.
The Left eats impeachment for breakfast.
Now we know what the "J" in Donald J. Trump stands for - JUDAS!
5
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/07/deep-state-is-in-a-panic-fearin...
Once again my comment was buried. It is VERY important so I repeat:
There are five living Presidents - most elected/hired by WE THE PEOPLE without interference by the International Mafia Robber Barons.
NOW is the time for those fine, honorable men to step up and put The Con Don and his Robber Baron brethren in OUR governments/agencies at all levels under CITIZENS' ARREST FOR TREASON.
The five men can work together to save/preserve/restore true democratic governance in OUR United States of America.
Media talking heads, pundits, elected officials and average people across America and around the world are asking what can be done. OUR U.S. Constitution did not take into consideration a 40+ year hostile financial government takeover war by the International Mafia Top 1% Global Financial Elite.
NOW is the time to make the necessary changes to OUR U.S. Constitution to stop it. WE THE PEOPLE must DEMAND that the Justice Department and entire legal system be removed from the President's power. WE must DEMAND that they confiscate all the inherited/stolen wealth the Robber Barons are using to try to destroy OUR lives. OUR five past Presidents must take the lead in saving OUR democracy and preventing WW3.
Please, Good Men, just do it. No more talking and wringing hands. Just Do It.
5
This what you get when some people make so much money or, simply by virtue of their colour, they are convinced they are God's chosen few, which justifies anything:
A Russian agent for President.
Europe as a foe.
Children in cages.
A tsunami of lies.
A parade of grift, theft and ignorance for government.
The environment, the planet and the future be damned. Health care denied.
Gun worship.
Race hatred.
Police executions.
Kamikazi trade war.
Fawning over despots, offending allies.
Destruction of democracy.
Ruled by a minority.
A rigged judiciary.
Misogyny.
Pathetic public education.
Crumbling infrastructure.
Grinding poverty and addiction.
Victimising the poor.
Obscene wealth with its own propaganda services.
Vote suppression and gerrymandering.
No effective opposition.
This is the American Nightmare. The dream is over, shot like like that giraffe by a wealthy ghoul out having fun killing things. Time to put your phone down and get ready to march straight to the polling booth and vote like your life depended on it, because it does. And before these people take that right away from you, because they can.
8
Treason
5
It's laugh or cry time or maybe both or neither. Pardon the following pun. But THIS is what the headline of every paper should be stating:
Trump and Putin Sink in Hell in Helsinki
1
At times like these I am reminded of the movie "Network" and that recast in a presidential setting would be prophetic.
Donald Trump is mad as hell and must be removed from office immediately.
2
impeach this disgraceful embarassing traitor
8
@Chris: call mitch
1
I can why Trump says what he does. For over a year and a half the intelligence community has investigated him and the people around him, along with the Russians. So far they indicted a bunch of Russians, hacking and using social media, to screw up the election. So far, no collusion with the Trump campaign. The investigation isn't over, but if Trump believes he did nothing wrong and the intelligence community keeps investigating, why would he hold them up to be such great people? Especially when you have people like Comey, McCabe, Strzok, et al, who have done nothing but try to bring Trump down. Ever since the rise of the evil empire as Reagan called it, we have always had summits with the Russians. The enemy of our enemy is our friend. China is the enemy. Russia is a pain in the butt, has half the world's nukes, thus you have to deal with them, but China is the enemy. Make no doubt.
2
Your spin didn't quite make it all the way around, did you get distracted by a tweet?
1
Truth be told, I have never been a fan of President Trump. However, his amorality, egomania and pinball management style are the stuff of disputes between loyal citizens. But these disputes should end at our borders, at which point we should unite against our foes and the foes of our allies. The G7 and NATO conferences made me think that this president doesn't know a friend from a foe. Helsinki has changed that opinion. Whether from kompromat or mental illness, this president has chosen to side with our enemy, facts to the contrary be damned. This presidency has, in my opinion, become so toxic to democracy worldwide that it should behoove our Congress end it. That I have just written the preceding is evidence of the fear that this president has instilled in me.
6
Gee, Maybe the Russians DO have a little pee tape.
3
@Mary Crain:
No way! Trump says it is the biggest. The baddest. The goldest, like his digs up Mordor Tower in NYC. It is the EST-EST of everything. Nothing below par here!
So much makes sense if the P tape is real. Putin and Putin's translator are alone with him for two hours and Putin scares the crap out of him. Poor Donny fell for a honey trap in a Moscow hotel, and now he's a Russian asset.
3
This entire spectacle is probably the most flattering thing the US political system can assert, that aside from the mundane systemic corruption of the the politico-media complex, the private donors, the lobbying, the corporate media, that THIS is somehow the scourge to our "democracy" is perhaps the most "reassuring" and misleading perception that we already had a fair system. Secondly, because of this glaringly obvious contradiction wrapped in total hypocrisy, I do wonder what the real agenda is here for manufacturing the consent for a largely left-leaning Cold War.
Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. But who are we talking about: The Donald, Putin or both? IDK
Trump's private 1-1 meetings with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un defy common sense and betray national security.
Even for the most capable, knowledgeable American President - not elected with Russia's direct help - American advisers must be present.
Private meetings with no American witnesses under such circumstances is far more nefarious.
We have already witnessed the fact that the North Koreans increased nuclear activity after a private meeting with Trump despite loud proclamations to the contrary.
What Putin and Trump discussed and agreed to do while he is being investigated is unclear, but as Putin said "The ball is in your court."
It is highly probable that Putin advised him on how to respond to the investigation at this stage, and what Putin would do to support Trump after the Special Prosecutor releases damning information.
National security advisors and intelligence agencies should be prepared for a diversionary tactic sponsored by Russia, North Korea, Hezbollah or other entities in Putin's orbit.
The only explanation for private talks with two dictators, while openly disparaging America's closest free democratic allies, is to plot and plan the response to the inevitable release of more damaging information.
America's security and intelligence forces, and those of her long-standing allies prior to Kremlin interference in our elections, should be on high alert for what Putin, Trump and Jong-un planned secretly behind closed doors.
7
The main stream media and even some media considered to be on the left, such as MSNBC, have been too soft on Mr. Trump. He met for 2 hours alone with Putin an then made a statement entirely pro-Putin and anti-USA. What possible explanation can there be except that Trump is a Russian agent? To how much "benefit of the doubt" is Trump entitled? I for one have grown tired of all of this pussyfooting around the obvious.
13
Honestly, I don't see the same bad things in the Trump administration that most of his critics do. Bringing us back from the brink of nuclear war with North Korea? Great! (And I don't think the hawkish Hillary Clinton would have done this). Getting out of the deal with Iran. Great again! The Iranian regime appears to be tottering as a result. Buttering up Putin? Look, you have to compare Trump's controversial statements yesterday against the reduction in the chances of nuclear war which resulted, and I think the latter is far more important.
Professor Stephen Cohen says we are now closer to nuclear war with Russia than ever before, even during the Cuban missile crisis, and if this chance is reduced because of Trump's actions, that's more important than anything else. Plus, I totally don't trust our intelligence agencies which lied us into wars in Iraq and Vietnam and also lied about their universal surveillance of Americans.
What I do find horrendous about Trump is his support for the separation of parents and children at the Mexican border and his dreadful Supreme Court picks. Trump is a mixed bag--the very good combined with the terrible. But the mainstream media, including the New York Times, is focusing on the wrong things.
You - the Republican members of Congress who visited Russian officials to smooth over the differences created by their intrusive activities into our fundamental, democratic process of voting on the day we, as a country, celebrate our Independence – will be remembered as men who enabled Trump to not only once again kow-tow to this brutal assassin, but to do so while disparaging our own intelligence organizations while standing right next to him. This liar still promotes the charade that Putin is somehow honorable, a man to be believed over the evidence collected and concluded as fact by members of his own party as to have interfered with our democratic process. And still Trump embraces Putin without a shade of shame. And still a Republican-controlled Congress does nothing to stand up to this horrible excuse of a human being. When does this disgrace end and when will good men do something?
4
For all Trump supporters: any doubt now about the man who, with help from his favorite autocrat, stole the 2016 presidential election?
3
Regardless of what Muller finally releases, Trump's core supporters will not care. I have family in Appalachia. I am in West Virginia four to five days per week, and I own farms in rural Ohio. You know the visceral hatred many Americans have for Trump? Double that and you'll get an idea how Trump supporters feel about Hillary, Barack and Nancy.
2
Osama Bin Laden and Son of Sam said they didn't do it either...
3
FDR could meet with Stalin, a man who orchestrated the deaths of millions.
It is not that outrageous for Trump to meet with Putin.
3
Do you not see the difference between meeting with someone and defending a tyrant against your own country?
5
Oh wow, you’re really reaching with that one.
2
@Purity of it's not the meeting, it's deprecating facility that followed in the press conference, wherein POTUS derided/demeaned institutions upon which the republic is founded. failing to recognize that fact is an act of omission/commission on your part which renders you and yours complicit.
1
We all remember the times when the US president blindly followed and misled the rest of the world with the “intelligence” from the US agencies. That didn’t turn out quite well, did it?
1
With a little assist from Dick Cheney.
I am surprised anyone would think he would fly all the way to Finland to publically insult Putin and call him a liar. There is an opportunity to save money and human lives if we could cooperate on issues like Syria, Iran, China and fundamentalist Islam in Africa and the M.E.
3
@allright but he did publicly insult everyone else!
"Whether it's their illegal annexation of Crimea, their incursion into the Donbass in Ukraine and the fact that we're glad to have 200 Canadian soldiers there helping to train Ukrainian armies. Whether it's their interference in Syria and the support for the murderous Assad regime, whether it's what they were responsible for in the chemical weapons attack in Salisbury on U.K. soil against British nationals. Canada has always been clear."
That’s what a normal leader says.
2
This is just the ultimate proof that Donald J. Trump is not intelligent enough to be POTUS. We elected the class clown when we elected this fool as POTUS. Donald Trump is the sign that the America we thought we knew is no longer. Trump is now presiding over the worst decline of a civilization in the history of civilization. For those who still don't understand, this is what it means to have a"very stable genius" as the head of our government.
3
By placing his trust in Vladimir Putin, one can see that President Trump lacks intelligence.
2
I’m-each net anyone? Ryan? McConnell? Any early warnings of patriotism or integrity breaking out? How about that constitutional oath- party of superior values? Nothing but a bunch of cowardly wimps.
1
Make the US part of Russia if it is what the red states want.
1
Unbelievable. Trump addresses Putin as “the president” rather than “Mr. Putin.”
2
Dear Trump Supporter, Do you want the United States of American to become a state of the Russian Federation? It’s time for you to stand up and accept reality, Trump works for and supports Putin. You are just being used.
12
President Trump is a national disgrace. He embarrassed himself and the country. He came across as weak, submissive and obsequious to Putin. I cringed when watching parts of his news conference. Couldn't stand to watch the whole thing. What a shame! How can a self-professed tough guy, who attacks just about everyone and everything, turn into jelly in the presence of Vladimir. Something's up for sure. It is very suspicious to say the least.
6
My thoughts : I am not a conspiracy theory believer but I am forced to:
Putin has dirt on Trump.
Paul Ryan knows.
Mitch McConnell knows .
Lindsey Graham and Grassley know .
The whole GOP knows.
Use the compromised president to sign all the bills that the GOP wants .
Fulfill the GOP agenda .
Keep the wolves at bay .
Let the president know they have the power to keep the wolves at bay .
Control him.
But keep the optics for the votes .
Make him whip up the base to win .
Attack the FBI / Mueller but they will not shut down Mueller yet because u need a leash .
But the FBI/intelligence community can’t let it happen : they know and they will defend the USA and prevent it from happening .
But can’t bring it out in the open because faith in the institution will be lost !
pence is waiting .
The lobbyists can’t let it happen : the money bags can’t let it happen .
At the end : we are all compromised .
The Brit’s know .they are among the best intelligence agencies . The CIA/ NIA knows .
The Mossad knows - ....
Only if life were as simple as when Obama was there .
6
I would like to ask again. What is the penalty for a seating US President if accused of high treason?
3
DeNiel ain’t no river in Egypt. There is video of Candidate Trump asking for Russia to hack the Democrats. A known liar, Trump has now wandered into the forbidden landscape of TREASON.
2
Remember the Dixie Chicks...
2
And what does Trump's America First base think? crickets
2
Blah, blah, blah. EVERY DAY, the tweets and the behavior are more outrageous, and the responding indignation is louder, and then ...... zzzzz. Other than Tom Steyer, is ANYONE out there willing to consider serious, strong, and Constitutionally legal steps to remove this dangerous president from office?
8
There are five living Presidents - most elected/hired by WE THE PEOPLE without interference by the International Mafia Robber Barons.
NOW is the time for those fine, honorable men to step up and put The Con Don and his Robber Baron brethren in OUR governments/agencies at all levels under CITIZENS' ARREST FOR TREASON.
The five men can work together to save/preserve/restore true democratic governance in OUR United States of America.
Media talking heads, pundits, elected officials and average people across America and around the world are asking what can be done. OUR U.S. Constitution did not take into consideration a 40+ year hostile financial government takeover war by the International Mafia Top 1% Global Financial Elite.
NOW is the time to make the necessary changes to OUR U.S. Constitution to stop it. WE THE PEOPLE must DEMAND that the Justice Department and entire legal system be removed from the President's power. WE must DEMAND that they confiscate all the inherited/stolen wealth the Robber Barons are using to try to destroy OUR lives. OUR five past Presidents must take the lead in saving OUR democracy and preventing WW3.
Please, Good Men, just do it. No more talking and wringing hands. Just Do It.
5
“We had direct, open, deeply productive dialogue,” Mr. Trump said. “It went very well.”
To which I would add, “deeply productive for whom?” Certainly not for the US or, for that matter, the rest of the world.
2
Another punishing day for President Trump in the media. But no worries, President Obama is providing an escape route for President Trump. President Obama's words in South Africa provide a clear contrast in styles between the two presidents. Whereas President Obama was concerned about "media headlines", accolades and positive lede stories about his administration, President Trump is concerned about results, the economy, energy production, and strong standing around the world. President Trump's actions towards Russia did not change. Sanctions against Russia remain, NATO military exercises will continue and he didn't pay a single penny. That's a huge change, President Obama bribed with billions of dollars in cash adversary nations.
Yes, President Trump could have taken a more supportive tone towards U.S. intelligence agency, but these are the same agencies which try to prevent him from becoming a U.S. President. Furthermore, the actions by Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein last Friday had the intended effect to deflate the results of the Russian and U.S. leaders. The timing for the announcement to indict 12 Russian officers is curious.
Strange times indeed, strange times which President Obama helped create. He did nothing about Russia interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential elections. Well, not entirely, he did warn President Putin to "cut it out".
3
“Strong standing around the world “. Are you kidding? The economy? You must be joking. Trump has vilified every thing the US once stood for.
1
Ah, yes, DARVO. That's what the core of his faithful do when they are backed into a corner like terrified animals.
1
@Zejee NATO Members are paying, NOKO negotiations are still on going, Assad has not launched another gas attack against his own people, ISIS has been eliminated, etc.
The economy is very strong. Strike that, the economy is awesome.
It's nevertheless stunning to note that In U.S. (and Britain about the Brexit) all the emphases is put on certain Russian meddling even if there was a blatant intervention in those two countries very important votes by that British Cambridge Analytica plus the Canadian Aggregate IQ, creating the outrageous massive manipulation of citizen's data from Facebook an American company in U.S. and in Europe.
3
Call your senators. Call your congressman. It could make a difference. It’s time to get rid of Trump and put America first.
4
The question is: Now, what do we do?
2
Does anyone remember the Iraq War? It was brought to us by the very same intel community that is so sure now. We lost over 4,000 KIA and over 31,000 wounded, is that a sign of a slam dunk? Not to mention untold billions of dollars wasted. Even if true, we have overthrown rulers we didn't like and Obama sent Axelrod to Israel to meddle in their elections. We act like we are saints and the rest of the world is evil. No, this is the way nations conduct themselves, in whatever form is available to them. Also, we had a U2 spy plane shot down over Russia, but somehow we have clean hands? Until some comes up with proof that Putin "fixed" the voting system than Trump won and Hillary lost, a result that the swamp can't accept.
2
@sob
Excuses, excuses. I remember the Iraq war and the outing of Valerie Plame when her husband had the temerity to tell the truth. It was not the intelligence community but the White House that did that. They distorted and even lied about information from the intelligence community.
4
Trump is the person that knows the best how our intelligence agencies have been operating.
It its unfortunate that some of the leadership of the intelligence agencies were corrupted by democrats and political motivation and have engaged in a conspiracy to take down a political opponent.
There is a battle ongoing between the deep state, that believes it can do as it pleases, and an outsider - the people's representative.
The extent of the rot is in the process of being uncovered.
If you think it is the deep state that is acting in the interests of the American people, you delude yourself.
2
@Ken
Listen to Trump's words. Ignore, for the moment, conspiracy theories about a "deep state." Just listen to his precise words. He is aligning us with our old and proven enemy. This cannot turn out well.
2
@Harry
No, Harry, what I heard was a man explaining how the leaders of the two largest nuclear powers discussed several topics including Russia’s interference in the elections.
The Democrats are trying too hard to make Russia the enemy of all enemies.
The leaders also discussed Iran, Syria, ISIS, how to cooperate on terrorism and nuclear weapons and other issues.
Trump did the adult thing in trying to improve relations with Russia even as the Democrats writhe around in their Russia hating and bombastic rhetoric.
@Ken
Ronald Reagan, "Evil empire." Need I say more?
Just listen to Flake, McCain, and other Republicans who aren't running again. The rest are afraid of their shadows. Those are speaking the truth.
Russia did attempt to and actually did interfere with our election. Trump cannot stand having his legitimacy challenged even though the election was certified.
We actually don't know what they discussed in private, and we cannot accept as truth what they say. Both men are proven liars.
Perhaps the President found it difficult to criticize another country for engaging in a practice that the US has been systematically carrying out virtually everywhere in the world for the past 75 years?
2
@Steve
You are right about the practice and wrong about the president.
I have said before that today's GOP-ers are for all intents and purposes functioning as a fifth column, a seditious force that is deliberately working to corrode a nation and its values from within. Certainly, Trump's Helsinki performance and its prelude at NATO and in Britain show Trump himself to be worthy of this description. And, although it may still be early to determine definitively, the latest Trump approval numbers show a slight uptick in one or two polls, indicating that his GOP base continues to like what it sees, meaning they too are on board with Trump's anti-American behavior and rants. This, in concert with the Congressional GOP's tepid response to Trump's atrocities (John McCain, the exception), suggest the Republican Party is more than OK with the attack on our core values because they are aiding and abetting this attack from within. For the short term, the message is this: do not elect or re-elect members of the Republican party for anything. For the long term, American conservatives should probably break away from and form a brand new party, as the current GOP is rotten to the core.
5
Trump said that the Russians didn't have anything on him because they would have used it by now. That is totally incorrect. If they used it, it would only damage him and destroy its worth to them. The exact opposite is true: If they have something on him, it is only valuable to them until they use it. This makes me think that they do have something.
See: RevolutionOfReason.com
6
This election year has provoked a conflagration of assumptions and opinions which, combined with the acceleration of instantaneous and incessant news reporting, have all conjoined to form an enormous garishly swelling and careening bobble head that we call Politics. Daniel Boone, by some accounts said "Poly Ticks - Blood Suckers All". We all knew what Trump was all about, we all new what the Clinton regime was all about, we all, or Should, know that our beloved government has, since it's beginnings engaged in nefarious and morally contradictory actions taken in response to real or perceived present or future threats in order to sustain our freedom. My point being: we have always done the same things that everyone is jumping up and down about concerning Russia, as if we are not guilty of doing the exact same things in our own interest. As humans, we do the same thing in our private lives to further our own interests. Everyone with their heads stuck in the sand are yapping about Russia and Trump when we might just step back, take a breath, and not be so sanctimonious.
1
There seem to be two trains of thought to explain Trump's dismissal of the intelligence community's findings. 1: Trump doesn't want to admit that he might not have won on his own merits. 2: Russia has damaging information on Trump and Trump is selling out the US to protect himself. It's pretty clear to me the explanation is #1: use Occam's Razor.
What is less explicable is how little the GOP cares about Democracy. All the GOP congress people responding to Trump's comments have declined to speak favorably of Democracy as a system of government. It never enters the picture. Trump never says anything positive about Democracy. He seems to treat voting as incidental and something to entertain the rubes while powerful people get to make all the decisions. All that GOP patriotic talk was just talk after all.
2
Looking ahead to the 2020 presidential election, is it legal to write in Putin's name instead of voting for Trump? The U.S. president is only an infatuated apprentice to Russia's tsar-wannabe, so it's more efficient and honest to mark a ballot with the name of the real decider of what's best for America.
2
Lots of confidence expressed here from the "Bush Lied, People Died" crowd in the intelligence community, that would be the same one that falsely found WMDs in Iraq (as argued by this paper). Has Obama ever admitted that he was wrong when he told Romney, years ago, "the cold war is over, man." Or when he told the Russian ambassador "I can do more after the election". Obama signals weakness to the Russians for 8 years, who took the opportunity to live up to their reputation, while the media and this paper adored him for just being him. I suppose the reporter yesterday who asked the blunt question before cameras will be praised, but was it helpful to put both leaders on the spot? You can fault Trump for not expecting that, but for all of the complaining about his comments regarding "no collusion", the liberal press constantly "conflate" the two. I too would like to see those 30,000 emails onHRCs server. And to my recollection, neither she nor her campaign have denied the authenticity or accuracy of the leaked emails, the reflections on her character, the tactics used to destroy Bernie, etc. But the left are all anticommunists now. Why so upset at the enemy of a country that thrives on white privilege. Why so much respect for the European nations, largely white, that colonized us, the seed of our white privilege? Indictments that are showpieces..no defendant will ever be arraigned, and they know it. Much sound and fury signifying nothing. A political stunt.
1
We must stand up and fight with all our might against DJT's nominee to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, ever getting seated! The way I see it is Republicans, minus John McCain, don't care how much damage he does to our country as long as they gain full control over women's bodies again and the President has even more Executive Power than he does now.
Mark my words Republicans will DO NOTHING! They want that seat on the bench more than they want to protect our democracy!
4
John Brennan said this morning that Putin probably recorded the conversation he had with Trump and could use it for leverage.
Trump is a threat to our national security. Based on the anti-American statements he made while defending Russia at yesterday's press conference, he should be considered to be an asset of the Russian Federation.
Congress has got to act and protect us from Trump, who will sell out the U.S.to protect himself.
12
There is another aspect of this that the American public is completely missing.
The only reason Trump can get away with his undermining and subversive actions and words is because of the extreme right wing propaganda coming for Fox News.
I was interested in what messaging Trump's base, and even Trump himself would be getting so I tuned into Fox yesterday after the Trump/Putin press conference.
What I saw was an unbelievable level of propaganda. Fox blamed everyone but Russia and went to extremes to make Trump's utterly irrational love of Putin try to seem normal. Facts were turned into outright lies and used to distort and misrepresent the truth. Critical context and background was completely manipulated to attack others in the most destructive way possible.
I was left stunned and bewildered. It is abundantly clear that America would not be so divided against each other and Putin/Trump would not have an opportunity to attack democracy and freedom if Fox would be held accountable for the level of vile destructive propaganda it freely spreads.
America is being attacked from within by an amazing level of propaganda...you need to stop this or it will tear you apart.
19
It’s time to reenact the FCC Fairness Doctrine or alternate law whereby a “news” outlet is still accountable for fact-based reporting or not permitted to call themselves news. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FCC_fairness_doctrine
1
In one news conference, Mr. Trump has made it clear that the American people are Putin's and Russia's serfs. We are no longer a free and independent nation.
4
The Russians meddled to stop hard-on-Russia, experienced Hillary from getting elected and helping business-ties-to Russia, inexperienced Trump to get elected. So why would anyone expect Trump to go to Russia and denounce Putin for meddling. He went to THANK HIM for meddling and helping to get him elected.
11
My, how the memories on the Left are short.
Hillary sought "a reset" with Russia and Obama, on a open mike (transparency at last) promised the Russians that he would have more flexibility after the election. And he did: He did not stop them from taking Crimea.
Where were all the outraged Democrats then? Calling for Obama's impeachment? Don't make us laugh.
3
Why doesn't congress do something. I mean really start moving towards getting this guy out of office! Or at least getting rid of his ‘advisers’ otherwise....
I see a dystopian America on the horizon.
8
The title of the article says it all. Obviously the NYTimes wants people to think that Trump is in cahoots with Putin because he is physically standing next him. And you wonder why a large swath of the country feels much of the news including this paper, sadly, is disingenuous.
3
Did you read the entire title of this article? You know, those words with more than two syllables? "Intelligence" is a tough one, just like the word "gaslighting."
2
In the last days, a king shall rise and make a God out of himself, magnifying himself over everyone and insist on total autonomy. He will boast that he is greater than them all. (Daniel 11:36,37)
The King of the North will worship his military and spend lavishly on it. (Daniel 11:38). The strategy taken by this King of the North unravels and begins to become ($) very costly to him.
This empire will start losing his friends and allies. His allies will start to turn on him and, in the end, find himself all alone and isolated.
All of humanity becomes roused because of the policies enacted by the king of the north. (Daniel7:2)
The sanctuary of humanity becomes completed disturbed and polarized. People will become divided and start to wage war against each other. The cycle of chaos becomes commonplace.
This King will start to become worried that he is losing power and begin to spy on everyone. This king will start making unilateral decisions and become the world’s police force. It will try to ENFORCE its Will.
Giving no respect or consideration to subservient people or land. This King will act according to his own will. So great will he fancy himself to be, that he will even take on the Prince of Princes in battle, but in doing so he will seal his own doom. (Daniel 8:25)
2
I do not understand why the New York Times does not use the term dictator when Vladimir Putin's name comes up, rather than president, which grants him equal standing and stature, with an American president (even a treasonous American president.)? Vladimir Putin is a dictator in the grand old tradition and does not deserve the polite, kid glove treatment.
4
Putin was "very strong and powerful".
Jethro was very strong and powerful hungry all the time.
Is it that kind of powerful he means?
Tell us Mr. President, are y'all fixin' to pluck not only America's allies but America itself? When you and the brazenly self-interested Republican sycophants hanging on your coattails succeed in alienating every one of the countries that has stood by you through thick and thin, where then will America turn to for support when it needs it? Putin? Good luck with that!
4
From the other side of the world
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/1504994/in-us-condemnation-mounts...
2
Trump's new 2020 hat slogan: "Make Putin and Russia great again".
It's a natural for Republicans congressmen and Trump who have been fawning over how they love Putin for years.
So is yesterday's "meeting" between Putin & Trump going to generate the House & Senate GOP to say and do what they are lawfully obligated to enforce? I would suggest beginning the process of removing Trump from office.
2
I'm still in shock and numb from Trump throwing our country under the bus. And there's not even a scintilla of remorse. OMG.
4
And we still allow this president to have a security clearance?
3
He came across as weak and too nice to Putin. Age (72) and jetlag have taken their toll. He's finished. From now on, wherever he goes, he will be made fun of. He is finished.
5
Is is finally time to chant "Lock him up"? If not now, when?
4
Ignorance and arrogance on view for the world.
Does he even know what it means to be an American?
Or only a Trumpian?
His performance was both tragic and astonishing.
What a sad day.
1
Did Russia just win the Cold War?
Would congress now please draft and submit the Articles of Impeachment...
4
I hope a citizen group leads an effort to bring charges of treason against Trump.
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and ...
18 U.S. Code § 2381 - Treason | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
3
In the fall of 2016, Hillary Clinton strongly warned us about this.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/16/1781063/-Hillary-Clinton-s-re...
But the only "bombshell" characterizations in the days before the election ( eg Lester Holt led the NBC evening news with that word), the obsession of the political reporters, were about Clinton's aide's husband's computer.
I would like to imagine that political reporters have learned their lessons earned at America's great expense, and will focus on substance now. Or have they?
1
Trump wants Muller to provide undeniable evidence or shut up. Pretty smart move.
1
The few apparent Fox News/Infowars/Breitbart-drunk commenters defending Trump all have the same disease: “whataboutism”. This is a tried and true tactic of disinformation campaigns especially Russian. We’re talking about a sophisticated Russian cyber war to help Trump win in 2016 - an outcome Putin says he sought. The evidence is so compelling even the GOP Senate Intelligence Committee agrees this war on our democracy occurred and continues. And the Trumpist defense? What about what the U.S. did in Chile? What about Hillary’s server and emails? Etc. They’d be thrown off any debate team for their inability to stay on topic and lame efforts to divert attention.
8
I was embarrassed to hear our President says that. That said, here are some other US-Russia doozies: “I’ll have more flexibility after the election.” -Obama; “Here’s a button that says ‘Reset’” (while actually saying ‘Overcharged’) -Hillary; “The 1980’s called, they want their foreign policy back.” -Obama to Romney after he said Russia was our biggest threat...
But compare the *actions* of Trump to Obama with regard to Russia. Obama: Was eloquent while being incredibly weak - something Putin could clearly smell from Moscow. Did nothing when Russia invaded Georgia; did nothing when Russia invaded Ukraine; killed a missile defense deal with Poland; did nothing in Syria; left huge power voids in Iraq and Libya. Trump’s record: Condemned Germany for enabling Putin with their GazProm pipeline and energy dependence on Russia; armed the Ukrainians with powerful weapons; gave the green light to the US-Poland missile defense deal; killed 200 Russian mercenaries while bombing Syria; stopped ISIS in less than a year; made NATO stronger by actually *getting* what Obama asked for (2% of GDP expenditures from the other partners)...
See a pattern here? Obama was eloquent but weak and ineffective. Trump’s every word is an international incident but is actually effective. It’s too bad this is our only choice but I will take good actions over good words any day.
3
The Russians indicted were low level using low level tactics. They were not KGB. And they were not looking to get Trump elected. At the time of the hacking no one gave Trump a chance of winning the election including the Russians. What the Russians were clearely doing was trying to dig up dirt to use against the next US president after she was elected. Clinton said she deleted 30000 emails because they were personal. What if they weren’t personal and Putin has them. There is a chance that Putin is resentful that Trump won. Maybe Putin is telling the truth that Russia never tried to influence the election. They were trying to get information on Clinton in effort to influence her after becoming president. They were spying.
Astonishing how conservatives -- of which I am one -- can, after decades of being the "tough guys" against Communism/Russia (see: Reaganites), dispose of all that for political expediency. This will come back to haunt us conservatives in a very powerful way, and fairly soon.
4
What I find equally "disturbing" is that so many members of your Senate when faced with unthinkable words and actions by your president, continue to defer to bluster or prevarication...and not action. Your Senate has abdicated its constitutional responsibilities in its failure to constrain a rogue president, which leaves it only to the people to fix the problem. Good luck my dear friends and neighbors...you're gonna need it.
7
What does Putin really have on Trump? How much in hock is he and his family to Russian oligarchs and the Russian mob? His financial history and bankruptcies make it almost impossible for him to get conventional financing from any legitimate financial institution. His own son a few years outright said that the bulk of their financing was Russian. Add to that the likely additional compromising information they have and our President, as he displayed in Helsinki, is totally "owned" by Russia. Now, we need to see how the Republican leadership behaves and the response it makes to this clearly treasonous event.
6
It might be a relatively small matter but it does give an indication of Putin's character. Some years ago when Patriot owner Robert Kraft met Putin, Putin asked Kraft if he could try on Kraft's first Super Bowl ring. Putin then absconded with the valuable ring and to this day he claims that it was given to him as a gift when the truth is he stole it. This is the guy that Trump trusts.
2
@Milliband This has nothing to do with trust. All that we see is a smoke screen for what's really happening: an attempt by Trump and Putin to forge a totalitarian alliance. Wake up, America, before it's too late.
Is this a news story or an editorial? It takes FBI and CIA contentions as fact without analysis or criticism. WHY is the mainstream media acting like this is the Cold War again? Russia is no longer even a Communist nation, thanks to constant U.S. economic pressure and the USSR's need for a military machine to protect itself from the U.S., which devastated the USSR's ability to provide for its citizens. I am certainly not a supporter of Trump's, with his racist immigration stance, etc. But it does make sense for the U.S. and Russia to maintain a level economic and political relationship, or does the NYT prefer to see WWIII? Much of the manufactured journalism regarding Russia's alleged interference in the U.S. elections is coming from the Democrats' anger that they did not win. They had a candidate with no platform of her own for the people of the U.S., a warmonger who was highly instrumental in the devastating US/NATO war against Libya which now has U.S. combat boots all over Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East and which created Al Quaeda out of the remnants of the CIA-backed "rebels" in Libya. The U.S. destroyed Libya and assassinated its leader because Gaddafi wanted to initiate a separate gold standard currency that would compete with U.S. and European currencies, and unite the continent of Africa including building an all-African military to defend against the U.S. and NATO.
2
The FBI and the CIA protect the interests and security of the nation.
Those in America who choose to advance the interests of a foreign aggressor: a dictatorship that jails political opponents, kills journalists and dissidents on native and international sovereign soil, invades sovereign nations, systematically manipulates democratic elections and corrupts business and politics is a kleptocratic dictatorship.
It is worse than Communism, in that the Russian people do not benefit from their natural resources and economy. Wealth is held by a small number of people and people who resist are brutally oppressed.
Many groups living within the country, like LGBT people, those of the Jewish faith, and those who seek freedom - are tortured and killed.
Unlike Russia’s prosperous neighbors China and South Korea, Russia’s economy is a basket case. Senator John McCain called it “a gas station impersonating a country run by the Mafia.”
Friends of Putin, supporters of Trump, embrace violence, torture, oppression, massive corruption and an utter lack of the laws governing human rights.
Russia’s interference in sovereign democratic elections, use of nerve gas, oppression of their people, and violation of international laws will not go unanswered - merely delayed.
2
I heard Trump say there was no evidence of "collusion". "meddling" was not said. There is a world of difference between the two in legal meaning. As a Trump supporter, had he said "meddling", he would have lost me. But he distinctly said "collusion". The main stream media including the NYT chose not to make the distinction because "meddling" sells a lot better to the public and loses my faith in the media.
1
It looks SNL but sadly it's real life. What happened to the tough guy we usually see in the MAGA rallies? What happened to the America First ideology? All of that disappeared when he was next to Putin. I never saw an individual so low energy next to a foreign leader.
Republicans please wake up! Take action before a bigger damage occurs!
Mr. President, go play that soccer ball you got from Putin and leave the job to someone qualified!
1
It appears that the only way to stop this undermining of our country and its more precious values is to vote in a Democratic Congress this fall -- in fewer than four months.
Even if you are a lifelong Republican, what choice do you have? You knew Trump was not great when you (probably) voted for him, but you were certain that Clinton was worse, and you thought that his worst instincts would be held in check by his advisers and Congress. Even Democrats held similar views. We all were wrong, so wrong.
Ignorance of basic facts along with no interest in learning them, an incredibly corrupt administration, extreme narcissism, and essentially pathological lying make Trump the most dangerous person in America today.
Ronald Reagan must be turning over in his grave -- along with every other dead president this country has ever had.
I believe in a strong opposition party, one with strong moral and ethical standards. We can all argue about ideology and find compromise, but this president brooks no compromise, no quarter.
I am sorry to say so, but everyone no matter their affiliation, must pull the lever or mark the box for names with a D beside them in the fall. Once this aberration has passed, you can return to business as usual. We are under attack from a foreign enemy. The ballot box is your weapon to repel that enemy.
12
The admiration of Putin is Trump's revenge on Western Europe, which he thinks exploits the United States for decades. Helsinki is proof that Trump sees the future in Russian-American relations, not in Europe anymore. As Obama turned to the Pacific, Trump tilts towards Moscow.
1
The Congress should immediately call a special session to censure and a take a vote of No Confidence regarding Trump's actions. For a President of this country to point fingers at our Intelligence Agency and the Muller's investigation as a "with Hunt" and agree with a sworn enemy of our Country amounts to Treason in my book.
Trump"s actions are not a mistake, Mr Gingrich, it is Treason.
If a Democratic President said this, he would be impeached immediately then tried for Treason.
Kudos to Senator McCain. He is the only Republican to forcefully condemn Trump's actions.
By Trump's own statement of "he has confidence in both parties" is a boldface lie. The worst one he has told so far.
What other excuse can the Republican Congress have to support this traitor to our freedoms?
Ryan, McConnell and Portman have not condemned Trump. They have mildly inferred that he might be mistaken or misguided.
How stupid are they? I forgot, they are not stupid. They are hanging onto power they no longer deserve, if they ever did. They too are colluding to keep Trump in power, so as not to lose their own.
Instead of "Crying for Argentina" I now cry for the United States. A country I love and cannot believe how low we have sunk.
8