This wrongdoing--welcoming Russian election sabotage, aiding that Russian sabotage, and acting consistently in the interests of Russia and against our own interests--constitute yet another impeachable offense.
Mr. Mueller noted that the Trump campaign welcomed the Russian sabotage of our 2016 election. Mueller also noted that the Russian sabotage was sweeping and systematic.
Trump extorted Ukraine into interfering in our 2020 election. Unless Ukraine publicly promised to interfere, Trump would no longer provide the military aid that they desperately need should they hope to resist the Russian invasion.
Trump has publicly solicited such election interference from Russia and China.
By Russia I am referring to the autocratic government of that nation, that is, to the murderous undemocratic nationalist billionaire Mr. Putin and his sycophantic kleptocrats.
3
Well, yes indeedy, Putin probably has a Brief Case full on Trump.
Don't forget the infamous "Golden Showers". And I bet Putin probably has copies of all Trump's tax returns and knows everything about Trump's money laundering. Putin is very clever, you know. He learned a few things all those years while he was in the KGB. And he's very good at manipulating people, especially those who are not too smart.
And If all goes as plannedl for Trump after he's out of office, we may look for a new 5 star TRUMP HOTEL in Russia to be built after he's out of office, on prime real estate, directly across from the famous Hermitage Museum in 'St.Peterburg.
2
Everything that Trump does helps Putin, and it’s not possible that it is just a coincidence.
Nancy Pelosi commented that with Trump, all roads lead to Putin.
He is obviously handing America over to Putin.
7
The tease on the top page says, "wittingly or unwittingly" - Pretty certain we don't need to worry about one of those.
1
The Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev made a chilling prediction in 1956: “We will take America without firing a shot. We do not have to invade the U.S. We will destroy you from within....”
Putin made Khrushchev's dream come true in November 2016.
8
Attorney General William Barr is connected to Rudi Giuliani at the hip, in a significant plot to whitewash American History.
The Attorney General has cherry picked documents and witnesses who disagree with our nation's Intelligence agencies, that the Russian Military GRU significantly invalidated the 2016 election, in favor of Vladimir Putin's puppet, Donald Trump.
2
Does anybody remember the 2 hour private chit-chat Trump had with Putin and then tore up the translators notes? What on earth went on in there? Did Trump agree to get out of Syria on Putin's timeline?
If the shoe were on the other foot, the Republicans would hammer a Democrat President mercilessly (and correctly) for conducting a secret meeting with our adversary in plain sight. We'd never hear the end of it. That meeting was huge and is now largely forgotten.
33
This is such basic stuff. It's something every freshman learns in International Relations 101. I understand that Trump, the most astoundingly ignorant and incurious president in modern times, doesn't get any of this. But doesn't have have advisors with foreign affairs expertise? It's not that the Russians are 10 feet tall. It's that this crew is utterly incompetent.
6
If Trump isn't a big Putin fan, no one is. Don't expect anything less than total fealty as the Donald is a jealous boy yearning for some Vladimir-attention, constantly.
It's his personality: Tyrant Envy.
6
For all the reasons in the comments below, I beg of all concerned Americans to take to the streets and write letters to editors. For street rallies, moveon has a sign up for rallies in your zip area the eve of the release of the House impeachment recommendations.
Indivisible has a Hubdialer for calls to constituents of Republican Senators who might flip. I've signed up for both actions.
Let's not accept defeat without giving it everything we've got.
5
Re”How Trump Is Helping Russia Help Trump Again”
Let us count the ways. Between the quid pro quos in Ukraine and now Turkey ( green light for Bagdaddi), the cover is thick and lush for Russia to stay focused on keeping their man in our White House. Hear that clinking sound?
You guessed it, it’s shots of vodka with laughter in the background.
6
I didn't vote for Trump. But simple math shows that the entire Russian propaganda effort had absolutely no effect on the outcome of the 2016 election.
HRC and pro-Clinton PACs spent $1.2 billion on her campaign and earned 66 million votes. Even though at least 40 million voters would have voted for her regardless, let's assume that she spent $1.2B/66M = $18 per vote.
Mueller reported a $1.25 million monthly budget for the propaganda effort by September 2016. So for the three months between the conventions and the election, that's $3.75 million. Although a significant part of the propaganda was meant to "sow division and discontent" rather than promote DJT, let's pretend it was 100% pro-Trump. At $18 per vote, $3.75 million "buys" you 208,000 votes.
Spread across 50 states, 208,000 votes is about 4,000 votes per state. Trump's closest swing-state win was +10,500 in Michigan.
Conclusion: Even using the most conservative math, the Russian operation did not tip a single state to Trump.
3
@Charles
Putin's efforts were not spread over 50 states. They were focused on key states, where only 70,000 votes decided the election. (And counted more than the 3 MILLION votes against trump.)
So by your own math, Putin threw the election to trump.
btw: Manafort was caught handing over detailed polling data to a Russian associate. He likely wasn't the only one providing guidance to Putin's massive operation, especially in light of the actions of Steve Bannon and Cambridge Analytica.
2
Republicans can't win unless they cheat.
7
It does seem that Mueller's adherence to the Department of Justice policy left his work to be distorted by the leadership of the Justice Department, which as we know now, is corrupt. I think if Mueller knew the extent to which Attorney General Barr was going to sell out his duty to the Constitution to help Trump perpetuate the lies and debunked conspiracy theories as he has for the past few months, then Mueller would have been stronger in his urgings that Trump needed to be impeached, removed and indicted.
2
No Kidding! Everything he does seems benefits Russia. He relates to dictators. He hopes to have a Trump "tower" in Moscow eventually. He does not really understand his responsibility as President of the US to national interests. He loves to distract with some not well thought out act when he is feeling "under appreciated". Most of what he promotes and his actions, do not even deserve analysis on the merits !
5
It’s unbelievable how far Trump and his associates can play very dirty , his getting way with e everything. We don’t have many options anymore. I want to believe he’s going to be impeached, God help us, but sometimes we are inside of a tunnel without end. What’s our last option? Because the evidence of criminal activities is plenty and clear!! They have no shame, and the abuse of power and lies are tremendous. Democrats have a big job ahead, to bring more senators to the final situation.
2
The author should have pointed out that there is no actual evidence that Russian meddling affected the outcome of the 2016 election. Feel free to speculate, of course.
2
@Timothy
Attempted crimes are crimes. Your point is beside the point.
8
Given Trump is a puppet of Vladimir Putin, this is no surprise. What was surprising, was when the specter of examining the call transcripts between Trump and other world leaders (after the bombshell Ukraine-Quid pro quo issue), Putin had ALOT to say about that. He basically stated that Congressional investigators will need the permission of Russia to view those calls! Putin might as well have screamed from the highest rooftop "Donald Trump, President of the United States, is willingly doing my bidding!"
7
There is a way out of this debacle: vote out Trump and as many Republican candidates as possible. It's not like the Democrats walk on water, but clearly, Putin prefers Trump and his GOP confederates (literally and figuratively) to the majority of Democrats.
Ergo, the only way safely forward is to vote out Trump and the GOP, and then push for a host of reforms to protect our country's electoral process.
But it starts with ousting Trump and the GOP in 2020 and beyond. They are fatally compromised by Putin's machinations.
6
The McCarthyite paranoia in this comments section is breathtaking. Trump is not a Russian asset, and if you believe that you seriously need to check your biases.
A little nuance is extremely necessary here. Russia clearly favored Trump as a candidate, as by all accounts he is significantly more isolationist than the warhawk Clinton is. Pulling back from permanent wars can be both an American voter preference a Putin one at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive.
The extent of Russian interference in the 2016 campaign was laughably minimal. They spent something like $200,000 on random Facebook meme pages in a $2 billion election. This advertising wasn't even well targeted- they spent only $2k in Wisconsin, for example. Anyone with any media sense understands the impressions were negligible.
Russia, by all accounts, is a weak kleptocratic petro-state with a barely functional GDP and an ineffective military and intelligence base. Yes, we should understand that they are a geopolitical foe. But please, do not give them more credit than they deserve.
2
AJ,
The Russian effect on our election cannot be measured in dollars. They were leveraging the Right-wing hate machine driven by conspiracy crackpots like Rush Limbaugh and Alex Jones. According to these two idiots. Hillary Clinton isn't just a warhawk, but a pedophile ring leader. A single web post can go viral very quickly. Politcal campaigns are monitored by Russian intelligence. The Trump campaign made it very clear they were looking for help from any quarter they could get it. Meetings with Russian Ambassador Kislyak were held by Sessions and Trump. Jared wanted to create a back channel from the Campaign directly to the Kremlin. The right-wing has succeeded in creating an evil government to be feared at home,the Trump administration.
Blue wave 2020!
7
@AJ
"The McCarthyite paranoia in this comments section is breathtaking. Trump is not a Russian asset ..."
It's almost as bad as our breathtaking paranoia about free and fair elections. The breathtakingly paranoid Mr. Mueller told us the Russian sabotage was sweeping and systemic. The breathtakingly paranoid Sec. Clinton is not a war hawk. And breathtakingly paranoid peace-at-any-cost isolationism (think 1930s America firsters) makes war more rather than less likely.
2
@AJ
Oh? Where did you get your very explicit info?
Cite your sources and maybe someone will believe it.
1
As we have come to learn, all roads from Trump lead to Putin, who obviously wields outsized influence over Trump.
5
Trump isn't simply "playing into Russia's hands." It has been apparent for some time that he IS a Russian asset. One need only examine decisions that consistently benefit Russia rather than our national security, his slavish devotion to Putin, and his conspiracy theories to discredit our own intelligence agencies' analysis and that of long time allies that Russia tried to sway our last election in his favor. My best guess is that when his financial records are exposed it will be visible for all to see that his shady business practices have been propped up by the Russian mob and Putin's circle of oligarchs. Money and greed are his hallmarks. He would throw the US and its interests under the bus in a heartbeat to maintain the illusion of his great wealth.
12
Apparently many wonder why Trump dances to Putin's
"music". The Russian and before that, the Soviet government viewed every foreigner who visited its country as a potential asset. I personally experienced it when I was there in 1972. With Trump's visits they hit the jackpot. It seems obvious to me that they collected an extensive audio and visual file, setting him up with female agents who exploited his sexual proclivities. To provide depth to their "catch" their banking system was directed to lend him capital for his business needs. (Realize, US banks avoid lending him any funds because they consider him a risky person to do business with. His businesses have declared bankruptcy on a number of occasions leaving lenders holding the bag.) He "knows" they could ruin him. I view him, at best, as a Russian agent, by default.
14
With all our intelligence resources one would think we could counter the Russian Internet influence. After all we spend huge sums on the NSA.
3
@LES Our intelligence resources are working around the clock to protect this nation, the vote, and you. They're just not telling you about it. Which..... by the nature of their business, is completely appropriate. Get over it. That "Deep State" you complain about? Yeah, that's the apparatus acting to PROTECT YOU! But, one thing they will NOT DO (thankfully) is send you and every other American an itemized accounting of their monthly/yearly activities. Use your brain.
6
I would rather play into Russia's hand than the Democrats. The Democrats truly terrify me. To me many of the witnesses are simply not credible. FOr example I think Mr. Taylor has a view of Ukraine that is simply not consistent with the facts. Any American who supported Maidan is anti-democratic. A democratic country solves political problems with elections not with riots in the streets.
Ukraine is not nor never has been a democratic country. You have only to look at its brief history and the Bandera movements in WWII to realize what an undemocratic country Ukraine is.
1
And Russia is democratic? Drivel.
4
@Judy Weller, it's hard to tell whether this bizarre and disjointed comment is serious, but because your Novorossiya badge suggests extremely strong pro-Putin leanings, I will treat it as sincere.
It is simply and shamefully unamerican to prefer an alliance with the Russian government over one with your fellow Americans. Trump's treachery might be due to the fact that he seems to be compromised by Russia, I don't know; what's the reason for your disregard for the national security of the U.S.? Why the interest in betraying your country?
5
@Judy Weller, Stars and bars noted. The rest of your post is a desperate stretch, and is irrelevant to the danger that trump* (and you too, apparently) pose to this country.
* No cap on purpose
Trump's admiration for Russia and his subservience to Putin figure a slow rolling dissolution of our democracy. If Trump gets a second term, look for Russia's influence on the U.S. to sharpen and for Putin to start using his power here to dismantle our way of life.
It's beyond comprehension why Americans are letting this happen.
8
@Rationalista
Just look at Judy Weller's comment and you'll see what Trump fans "think".
2
If creative diplomacy could bring Turkey and Russia into a closer relationship with the U.S. and Europe many problems could be avoided. Only a series of petty misconceptions and resentments stands in the way of this. We would have to set aside the fallacy of an American led coalition.
1
I'm not sure "playing into their hands" is quite the right term; he's simply doing what they want him to do, directed I assume via phone or email or whatever.
6
Loyalty to this country is not one of Trump's strengths. He is quick to ally himself personally and officially with autocratic leaders and states whose goals ultimately threaten our country. At home, he indulges in unethical and likely illegal behaviors continually ignoring expected public behavior of officials who've sworn oaths to conduct their duties with integrity. He is also hugely misinformed, not educating himself as he should or obtaining appropriate consultation and depending on partisan media personalities to inform him.
So, it is a combination: a disloyal man to his country who is ignorant about what's needed to be a responsible public official.
My view about how this comes about is not one that will be popular with readers here. I'm looking straight at the American public; he was elected by them. He may be reelected by them. Like him, expectation of loyalty to the Constitution, expectation for a well-educated public official - these have been disregarded.
4
You haven't been paying attention. Trump wants to do favors for Russia. These are not gaffes. They are on the same team. Horrible to admit the president of the United States is a Russian intelligence asset. But short of an employment contract, the evidence is overwhelming. They gave him millions and helped him get elected. He's trying to do what he can to help a top drawer client. And we are all helplessly watching, the best we can do is probably wait for the next election. Maybe the impeachment effort will work; so far Trump seems shockingly politically impervious to scandal.
8
For all the talk of Russian trolls and the Russian disinformation campaign, let's not forget why such a large portion of our electorate is so susceptible to that tactic in the first place. In my view, credit for preparing the ground for Russian disinformation goes squarely to Fox News and right-wing talk radio, which have spewed anti-liberal, anti-Democratic bile for more than two decades in the case of Fox, and more than three for right-wing talk radio.
Thanks to the likes of Fox and Rush, tens of millions of Americans believe that left-wing liberals are the real enemy. I don't know if Jesus wept, but I'll bet the Founders are spinning in their graves.
13
If you view Trump and everything he does through the reverse lens that Trump is an EMPLOYEE of Putin, everything he does makes perfect sense. He had to call and "ask permission" to allow our military to go in after Baghdadi.
7
Donald Trump is a Russian Agent. Wittingly or unwittingly (both are equally likely due to Trump's lack of thinking skills and his ignorance), Trump has worked throughout his entire Presidency to benefit Vladimir Putin and the rest of the corrupt oligarchy that control Russia's economic and political policies. This has been obvious since well before 2016 and the national media's credibility has been suffering as a result of its miserable failure to tell this story to the American people.
10
"Thanks Captain Obvious"
The single unifying and coherent aspect of Trump's foreign policy is his support for Putin. Trump is a traitor.
8
Consider Russia to not be like the U.S.S.R. and what you see is a country that has no real power to act beyond some very narrow self interests. It’s economy differs from Venezuela very little, and it is trying to coerce former Soviet republics into becoming captive economic partners to support it’s industries. Russia is a disrupter because it cannot prosper as it now exists.
Trump is just a silly ignorant man who is creating disorder without any purpose. He sees himself as a great leader but it’s only pretense. He subconsciously knows he’s lost.
4
our traitor president must be in touch with putin frequently to explain why he has not lifted the sanctions yet..that is the other part of the ukraine scheme, in addition to smearing biden. our president is a russian puppet and needs to be taken out of office, pronto.
6
It's clear, and open, Donald Trump is beholden to Putin and the Russian Oligarchs. Trump a multi bankrupt, idiot of a so called business man, by credible accounts was a failure. Just follow the money, and as Nancy Pelosi stated: "all roads with Trump, lead to Putin." Russia owns Trump, and is all about the money. Trump is a soulless body of insatiable greed. Trump has no loyalty, honor, education, nor conscience. He will say anything, betray and discard anyone who has no value, for him. Trump as was Hitler, is pure evil. If you don't see that by now you're either delusional, or trying to gain a favor under his regime.
8
Trumps is the deep state - the state of multinational corporate control that sees itself using any country for its imperial rule. Contrary to the MAGA propaganda and slogan, Trump represents complete defiance of governance set by the people of this nation. As someone in debt to many of these global entities, this is who Trump answers to, instead of the US Constitution and law. It is why he must be impeached.
8
Trying to figure out what is going on between Trump and Putin is always guesswork since it is impossible to determine if Putin controls Trump in some way or not. It can be speculated that Putin is in a position to take down Trump's real estate empire if Trump doesn't cooperate or that Putin could be using physical threats against Trump or his family if he doesn't go along. A lot is known how Putin, a former KGB agent, understands how to control people and it includes both compromising them and having them know there is a possibility of violence being used against them. Given all the relationships between Trump as well as his cronies with Russia I don't think anything can be ruled out. But also, nothing can be stated with certainly. The only way to be sure that Russia has no control over the US president is to get Trump out of office.
3
Of course he’s playing into Russia’s hand. He’s done nothing but since he took office. The question is, is it intentional. Does he just not get it, or is he doing Putin’s bidding?
5
Perhaps somebody can explain why withholding aide from an ally while simultaneously strengthening a hostile adversary is not treason.
12
No one can explain that.
1
@Martin, it's because we're not at war with Russia. Treason requires an "enemy," and an enemy requires a war. Words like "treasonous," "treachery," and "disloyalty" certainly apply, however.
1
As a Reagan Republican my concern is WHY Russia worked so hard to see Donald Trump elected. Putin's team clearly viewed Trump as more favorable to Russian interests. What departure from the age of Reagan for the GOP. Trump embraces the totalitarian Putin. Trump's policies like his weak and passive pullout in Syria or his tepid support for Ukraine (including his campaign watering down the GOP Platform on Ukraine) or his shakedown, withholding military aid, are helpful to Russian foreign policy. Trump is the ultimate anti-Reagan. Republicans who refuse to admit he has degraded U.S. foreign policy on Russia are part of the problem.
110
@Wesley -- Reagan was the catalyst to get me to quit the Republican Party. All this started with him. I wouldn't go around admitting that I was still a Reagan Republican.
33
@Wesley The Russians' inexpensive and almost surely ineffective US election meddling in 2016 was a clear win irrespective of the outcome. A Trump win, which neither they or anyone else expected, could easily enough be anticipated to produce unreasonable and often irrational Democratic reactions. On the other hand, a Clinton win would be punctuated by the existing loathing for her among many Republicans, egged on as it was by the Russian propaganda effort. Either way, the likely result was distraction in the US and consequent relief of pressure on Russia to behave according to international customs and norms.
10
@ChesBay
‘Homeless like to live that way’ to
‘Trees pollute to.’
4
Wittingly or unwittingly, you ask? Surely you don't believe Trump is being duped. Evidence supports his (and his conspirators') willing encouragement, assistance, and abetting of the Russians (and, until he got caught, the Ukrainians). Trump will stop at nothing to get reelected and wishes for a 12-year term to follow this one. Trump pulled out of northern Syria and handed Russia a gift. Trump thanks the Russians for their help killing of Al-Baghdadi but doesn't notify the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Trump has made his allegiances clear - to him and only to him with a shout out to anyone who assists him and a trampling of anyone whom he perceives to be his foe. The man is a menace and dangerous to our democracy, wittingly and proudly.
8
Serious stuff--how much are Dem candidates beating this "Russian pawn" drum? --Smear the other way, challenge anything Trump says as being pre-approved by Putin. Here's to the candidate who can summarize this in a few choice words as a campaign slogan.
1
The point of all this is to help Trump win in 2020. As usual, it's all about him.
2
“Trump, and Mark Zuckerberg, are the two blades of a pair of scissors that is cutting the fabric of truth to ribbons.”
— Bernard Henri-Levi
French philosopher
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled.”
— Mark Twain
Trump, with great help from the GOP, is rotting the soul of America. 2020 can’t come soon enough.
6
First of all, there has already been plenty of coverage of the interference that Russia is ALREADY running, in favor of Trump, that is focused on the 2020 election -- including on Facebook, etc. Did the writer do no research? Second, as to the broader issue of Trump's advancement of Russia's interests, this is what is missing from the coverage of the Ukraine scandal, the primary focus of which was clearly investigating the 2016 election. It seems to be accepted that Trump's motivation was solely his "obsession" with the legitimacy of his election. This is naïve and counter to everything we know about Trump. The findings that Russia interfered are the basis for very effective sanctions that are strangling Russia's economy -- for example, Exxon's (Tillerson) $500 billion petroleum development cannot go forward unless the sanctions are reversed. Why hasn't anyone probed the very important question of Trump's motives for trying to attack the findings that Russia interfered????
2
So let me get this straight; Trump pressures a foreign leader to do his political dirty work. Lies incessantly. Calls on a foreign power to interfere in an election. Abandons our allies. Pals around with dictators. Reps say, "Well he shouldn't do that, but it's not impeachable."
Clinton has a sexual affair in the White House. "IMPEACH!, IMPEACH!"
Republican motto: POWER AND PARTY BEFORE COUNTRY!
9
The amount of and variety of damage that the inhabitant of the White House continues to do is staggering.
6
Anyone buying Trumps garbage this time will deserve what they get with no exceptions. It is time to assure this man is out of the WH no later than Jan 20 2021 and arrested upon leaving to be tried for his crimes.
5
An issue you don't address: The Democrats seem to be incompetent, at countering misinformation, false labeling, etc.
2
@PeterE
Those with ethics and standards are always inherently at a disadvantage in countering those who don’t.
8
@PeterE
It's difficult to counter misinformation, obfuscation, and outright lies when almost half of the country only watches FOX and never actually sees the overwhelming evidence that Trump and the GOP are destroying the US from within.
Don't blame the Democrats. Blame the wilful ignorance of Trump's base. Blame the perpetrators. Blame Murcdoch.
6
Trump isn't just playing into Russia's hands, he is in Russia's hands! From the more than 100 instances of contact documented in the Mueller investigation, to this Syria debacle where he handed the entire region to Putin for nothing, to this Ukraine outrage, there is just too much evidence now to suggest that Trump is indeed a Russian asset -- and there is absolutely no way it is an unwitting one. Trump may be ignorant of the ways of Government, but he is very savvy in the ways of crime. He knows what he's doing here, and it's not in America's best interests.
4
@Brannon Perkison : And here is the quote from Vanity Fair supporting the fact that Russia has bought into Trump property in a big way:
"A number of reports have indicated the Trump Organization received substantial financing from Russia when the business was struggling in the mid 1990s and again during the Great Recession, since major U.S. banks had refused to loan money to him. Most recently, Reuters reported that a group of 63 Russia billionaires have invested nearly $100 million in several Trump properties in Florida. Donald Trump Jr. himself famously said in 2008 that “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.”
Donald Trump has maintained that neither he nor his businesses have any ties to Russia whatsoever.
That is absolutely not true, his son Donald Trump, Jr. admitted it, and thus Trump's tax returns will not be released. I would go so far as to say it is quite possible Donald Trump has been financially positioned for blackmail. Which may explain Trump's "favors" done for the benefit of Russia - which just keep on coming! Trump has been bought - and when his taxes are released it will confirm what many Americans believe to be the truth about him - a total sell-out and traitor.
7
The long history of disinformation by Russian is demonstrated by the long, harmful tail that has evolved from an early effort. The “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” were forged by Russian intelligence under the Czars. Over a century later they still fuel antisemitism and are still published in the Middle East and elsewhere. Whatever disinformation Russia creates may have ill consequences in the U.S. for decades to come.
2
I think the Republican Party calls this the Russia Strategy...
1
Heads, Russia wins. Tails, Russia wins.
Just look at Trump’s efforts to spur Ukrainian “investigations.” If Trump succeeded in getting Zelensky to investigate the claim it was Ukraine, not Russia, that interfered in America’s 2016 election (or at least announce such an investigation), he would finally have an excuse to release Russia from the Magnitsky sanctions. And if Zelensky declined, Trump would continue to weaken Ukrainian defenses to Russian aggression. And even when Trump’s Ukrainian efforts got stymied by a whistleblower, it was still a Russian win: Trump apparently handed Putin a big strip of Syria as a consolation prize.
And look at how American greed spurs on the success of Russia’s trolls. Mark Zuckerberg is more than happy to amplify their social media messages, making money from Facebook accounts generated in their wake while hiding behind a mantra of free speech coupled with his own supposed weakness (stopping Russian trolls “is beyond my pay grade”). And Moscow Mitch is equally happy to lift Russian sanctions, at least selectively, and to slow walk election security legislation so long as Russian investment money flows into Kentucky.
Trump may be helping Russia help him win, but others are helping, too. And even so, Russia wins regardless. Even if Putin is unsuccessful in throwing the 2020 election to Trump, he has still thrown our country into constitutional chaos and taken the bloom off democracy’s rose.
3
Our government is failing. First, Donald Trump is what the Electoral College was supposed to protect us from.
Second, half his senior agency leaders are serving without Senate confirmation, as at will employees, who better be loyal.
Third, we are allowing Russians and others to interfere with the administration of government and our electoral process. In any other administration, this would be an act of war. Now, it's a trade-off for Trump Tower Moscow.
When the history of this administration is finally written, it will be the press and a few honorable civil servants who have saved us from the abyss. We must be vigilant.
10
It’s confirmed, our government HAS failed. This administration has only helped other governments not fail. Trump is allowing the Turkish government to succeed in their policies, and the same with Russia and the Saudi’s. Those governments can’t fail with trump running our country. He gives them everything in order for him to accomplish his goal. His goal is to increase HIS bank account. He cares nothing about the USA! MAGA stands for “make Americans groan again.” Every time he opens his mouth, we all groan! He’s the most unpatriotic president our country has ever had.
4
Google News feeder is also apparently doing nothing to stop its platform from being used for Russian propoganda.
This article from the Russian Government's propoganda organization, Sputnick News, was the number one article on my Google News feed on about October 1:
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201909301076918870-impeachment-inquiry-taking-toll-dems-sold-joe-biden-down-the-river/
1
@Dianne
This is an interesting article, not terribly different from what one can find in the American media.
It's a viewpoint, not propaganda.
You seem to think that anything the Russians say is propaganda. That's not true for them any more than it's true for us.
Trust the intelligence of your countrypeople to recognize false news.
Beats having Big Sibling looking after us.
This was the cabal's game from the beginning. Iz nachala. Right,Putin?
2
"Wittingly or unwittingly ..."?
Why all this beating around the bush ... call a spade a spade! And the spade is that trump is a Russian operative. no question. The very people who know this trump and his patsy AG Barr are right now hell bent on destroying. Helsinki revealed that trump is effectively a Russian operative, his telling behavior clearly treasonous in plain sight. What we’re left with now is the precarious situation of an un-indicted criminal in the oval office scot-free to continue his campaign of wreaking havoc and chaos on the nation. What a pathetic and dangerous travesty!
10
UNwittingly?????
6
A good companion piece to this is Timothy Snyder’s October 16th NYT’s opinion “How Hitler Pioneered ‘Fake News’.” Of the many interesting insights into modern propaganda he makes, he writes,
“It begins with a total devotion to persuasive technique, passes through the creation of a pure myth, and ends with the speaker leading his country on a chase for fake phantoms that ends over real graves. In “Mein Kampf,” Hitler wrote that propaganda “must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over.” I think even Hitler would be impressed with Trump. And silly me, I thought Americans were smarter than that.
10
Any American Voter in 2016 who Voted for Trump..an obnoxious candidate endorsed and aided by Russia...and put the Worst President in American History in office...helped Russia's 2016 Election Interference! Barr who misrepresented Mueller's findings has also aided Russia. He's running around the globe on our tax dollars Investigating the origin of the Mueller Probe? Trump publicly...on national tv...in front of the world... asked for and got Russia's help in revealing Clinton's emails !After his election he was photographed laughing with the Russians ..in the White House no less...bragging about how he had fired Comey the FBI Director to take pressure off Flynn who had ties to Russia. Manfort had enough Russian money that was confiscated... that it covered the Mueller Investigation! Millions of dollars! There you go ...I solved the riddle..I'm not even going to charge for my Investigation since solving the case was so easy. Would someone please tell Bill that unless he wants to work for free....we'd like him to come home and stop wasting our tax dollars and ...time !! The GOP and Fox Nation are plainly and simply...UNAMERICAN !! They are aiding Russia's Interference not only in our elections....but our daily lives!!! In 2016...what did you do...to make sure our Democracy stays intact?? In the case of Trump,the GOP, and Fox...the answer is...NOTHING! How UNPATRIOTIC !!!
8
Pres. Donald Trump yesterday had to call Putin of Russia to get OK about Baghdad daddy and not to call Congress or notified them because Democrats would leak it out. This is kind of crazy not to notify the Security Council of Congress this puts a very dangerous action. One might say they had a notify who because he would shoot down High fighters Jets that's okay but not to talk to the people in Congress is very bad in case it escalated too far worse problems without notifying them American people Congress.
5
“All roads with you lied to Putin...”
These words spoken by Nancy Pelosi directly to Donald Trump‘s face sum it up. Nearly every single one of Donald Trump‘s international transactions has benefited Russia. This would lead us to believe that Mr. Trump is acting unwittingly or knowingly as a foreign agent for a hostile foreign power, namely Russia . It may seem incredible to us, but it is entirely possible. This is also what the House needs to be investigating. And they need to start by getting Donald Trump‘s tax returns. Get his tax returns and the ballgame will be over ; he will at that point likely be arrested once he is no longer a government employee .
7
Yes Russia under Putin regrets the downsizing of his country after the USSR dissolved and the resulting loss of status in many countries eyes. NATO expanding all around Russia of course created a sense of defeat for Russia . Putin has engaged in a campaign to expand Russia's influence in the world and he has accomplished that witness current events where Putin outplays Trump constantly. Interference in our elections is a proven fact Trump rejects as it offends his fragile ego. THe United States and UK engineered a coup in Iran to install a Shah friendly to western oil companies. USA engineered a coup to depose the Allende govt in Chile I worked at a company involved in Latin America and the staff applauded when Allende shot himself in the back with a machine gun? We are not angels in a dangerous world that requires the USA be prepared to protect it's interests and Putin albeit his KGB background may just want a seat at the table and is not interested in war anymore than we are.
Which Democratic candidates for president are hammering Trump for his long record of subservience to Putin?
Demanding transcripts of his phone calls with Putin and to interview U.S. translators in their private chats?
Calling out his reliance on Russian cyber warriors to distort if not outright rig our elections?
For Trump’s pattern of extorting corrupt foreign leaders to help re-elect him?
Which candidates are laying out why Russia is our enemy, and why serving Russian interests is treason?
I’m not hearing it. Another case of too many Democrats having no fire in the belly to fight the fights that truly matter.
5
@JB
All of the candidates know these things to be true. But they are debating among themselves at the moment.
The nominee will be hammering these points when the time comes. Now is not the time.
@JB
Thank you!!
I know many political elites here in Moscow, and I can tell you two things. They universally loathed and feared Obama and Hillary. And they literally adore Trump. One, the love that he's vulgar and crass, Trump could easily pass for a member of the Duma. And two, they believe Trump is making America weaker and Europe more vulnerable, it doesn't matter if it's by design or just as a by-product of Trump's ignorance. And because the Russians support Trump, now most Trumpers support the Kremlin over the interests of their own country.
10
@Mark Nuckols An earlier poster here, with the stars and bars as her avatar, stated that she will stand with the Russians before Democrats. I'm sure that she's not the only one.
We know that Trump is a Russian asset if not worse. So why new concern?
3
@n1789
Next presidential election.
1
In 2016, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Michael Flynn, Brad Parscale and Kellyanne Conway all shared content on social media created by the Internet Research Agency, according to the Mueller report. All in all, wrote Mr. Mueller, individuals affiliated with the Trump campaign shared “dozens” of pieces of agency-produced content.
This is why I’d like to see the a few things from Facebook, Twitter and the like. 1. Identify yourself - to eliminate bots and identify businesses and individuals. 2. Mark any bogus information as such - tags of false, hate speech, memes perhaps with an icon indicator so that when people share it they will know what they are doing. 3. Keep totals on their profile. 4. When they get to a threshold amount, lock their account.
1
If war with Russia is the objective, a causus belli will be found, even if it has to be invented. Looking forward to the always reliably patriotic US media giving strong support to President Warren, as she rallies the nation and our glorious, never praised enough American fighting men and women, to rescue from Russian aggression our valiant Estonian allies . . . . "Where have all the flowers gone?/ Gone to graveyards everyone!/Oh when will they ever learn?"
@Red Allover - Your suggestion?
He is playing into Russia's hands because Trump is in Russia's pocket.
3
Any way you look at it Donald Trump's Presidency is the beginning of the end of the greatest nation the world has ever known. The democratic glory that the 20th century gave rise to from here on out will only devolve. Maybe like Icarus we simply flew too close to the sun. Some believe technology will not save us but I don't see how. To the contrary, it will prove to be a noose around our collective neck. A garrote in the hand of authoritarian oligarchs whose prime motivation is their own privilege. In their eyes, we have become a fattened cow ready for slaughter. The more we fragment, the further we divide, the easier it will become for the oligarchs to take control. The less we engage with one another, the more we embrace the other-ness of our fellow Americans, the more we forget how much we have at stake and how much we have to lose, then the more certain our demise will become. We can not afford to say this is just more of the same old same old, it is not. True, the reverberations of our societal spasms would not loom so large if we were still in the 19th century, the space and distance inherent in that time would allow for their dissipation, their absorption, and their lessons to be acknowledged. Not today. For all the advantage that technology has brought to the table, it has also brought with it frightful peril. And I am no Luddite. I obviously have grave concerns for the future of our country and I think you should too. Red or Blue, you should too.
102
@EC Edit: "Some believe technology will save us but I don't see how."
3
I concur completely. Once the wheel of history starts to turn no empire remains unscathed. Like it or not the age of American dominance is over. Hard to believe I wore my countries uniform on the battlefield of Vietnam to have it all unravel in my own lifetime. My generation should hang its collective head in shame.
70
@Skeeter
No generation acts in isolation. Responsibility for our current state of affairs rests with everyone and no one. Trying to place blame is just an exercise in futility. We've all failed in one way or another, part of being human. What we're most responsible for is how we respond here and now.
10
So when will trump &Co get arrested and taken away in handcuffs? Resigning and impeachment is not enough considering what they have done and continue to do, but now they have ramp up their pace and will continue looting and doing all they can to help Putin. This must be stopped now before more lives are lost, more damage done, and end the Russian interference in our country. They are not our friends and Putin is despised by most Russians...other than the old women who actually buy into his Mr Macho pose. The future belongs to the young people and he has his boot on their throats.
2
It is doubtful that all propaganda of this nature can be stopped. What needs to happen is, people need to be continuously made aware that such misinformation is out there, and should not be used as a basis for deciding upon which candidates to vote for. The fact that the Trump organization is supporting such activity is disgusting.
51
@Eric S
His base will never understand what Trump is because they don't want to. It's that simple. Or perhaps I should say, they are that simple.
6
@Eric S
But who among those supported by Trump's minions would ever tell them this?
And who among non-Trumpers would ever be believed by Trumpers??
Where is the source viewed as neutral and truthful by those in the middle, or those who are still on the fence (if they exist)?
Too bad the anti-science, anti-"elite" movement has removed the possibility of listening to those who actually know stuff.
1
@Eric S
The fairness doctrines which republicans did away with would help and then maybe so many republicans wouldn't be so misinformed by getting their propaganda from fox news.
Trump's Ukrainian interaction does 2 things. It attempts to cast the Bidens in an unfavorable light. It also attempts to turn the focus of the 2016 election interference away from Russia and onto the Ukraine. Add this to the president's sudden withdrawal of our small cadre of troops from Syria where they were successfully acting as a peace keeping buffer. He did this without consulting any of the experts we pay for as taxpayers. They would at least have advised him about the role the Kurds play today. The result here: Russians are occupying our installation and superseding our position in the region. Apparently, this was the intent as the president informed Russia ahead of the action against al Bagdaddhi but he did not alert the proper congressional leaders. Both of these are wins for Russia.
On top of this, the president is proud of the fact that he has sent troops to guard Saudi oil because he claims Saudis will pay. So that makes our troops mercenaries in the service of a government that sanctioned the murder our U.S. citizen and reporter, Jamal Khashoggi.
All this if you are keeping score.
26
@JF 'We' are also now 'securing' Syrian/Kurdish oil. How do the oil companies react to the changing political influences in the oil fields. Exports-oil supplies- do not seem to have been affected. All oil production winds up in the same 'pipelines' and gets onto to same ships or to gas stations around the world.
1
@JF
I've been listening to talk radio to see why they have such a following. First of all, they do not deal in facts. They just repeatedly insult journalists, newspapers and government officials if they say anything critical about Trump. They do not allow any person with a whiff of difference with Trump through their screen.
Although they pay lip service to the fact that they are officially categorized as
"talk radio" they talk as if they are really a news agency interpreting what the mainstream says or prints.
LIES, LIES, AND MORE LIES. I found that there is one thing that they all have in common-- their voices. Although each voice is different or unique, each commands attention. It is as if each one went to a broadcasting school to learn how to modulate their voice
What does that have to do with us? It is another skirmish in the battle for the heart and mind. The question-- where do we stack up-- with the power of the truth or the slimy shinanogens of the right?
1
"It is providing immense tinder for the pyre of propaganda that the Russian intelligence services may ignite for the 2020 election."
You would be better off reporting on the lies, misinformation and sins of omission at our homegrown propaganda operation:
www.toptalkradio.com
8
@Bartolo
Not either/or, it’s both/and. This is a crucially important story. So’s that.
2
The Russians aim to sow chaos and confusion in this country anyway they can. I would say that the biggest dupes so far have been the Democrats and main stream media whose McCarthyist Russian collusion campaign based on rumors, lies, leaks, speculations and, yes, likely Russian disinformation, did more damage to the unity of this country than anything in recent memory. Folks, the Russians are playing with your heads no matter what side you are on and it's time to wake up.
2
@rpe123 You might set the alarm clock for yourself as well. The idea that the Mueller investigation was 'McCarthyist' is downright ridiculous!
1
@rpe123
"...based on rumors, lies, leaks, speculations..."
Really? The Mueller report was definitive on hundreds of citations of fact. And the current investigations of whistle blower complaints are revealing still more damning facts. Your characterization of clearly legitimate alarm by credible career public servants as "McCarthyist Russian collusion" is both absurd and reprehensible.
3
@rpe123
Duped? Victims, but we’re all victims.
1
It's always been with knowledge
3
Propaganda 101:
Take a kernel of information, concoct a plausible lie, and stick to that lie no matter what.
"Joe Biden is corrupt (but not me)."
Now these message boards are filled with "Biden = corruption" comments. Where are the monitors when you need them? Asleep at the wheel, no doubt.
10
@Moehoward
So even if the charges against the Bidens are false (as they seem to be) the damage is done. We have already seen the way our Liar in Chief can make lies act like truths. Sorry, Joe.
2
Trump is a traitor conspiring with Russia to undo the West's post WWII world order. The election is only a part of the plan.
29
Yes, the propagator of the current disinformation scheme sits in the White House.
Russia is simply following his lead.
13
Trump and his chumps think (if that is the word) "whatt me worry?" the old Mad Magazine slogan. We win when the Russians help us.,
Until they don't win.
Then the squealing and "blame the Democrats" fake outrage will start. And more sophmoric stunts like Matt gaetz's breaking security will follow.
Word for all this: Republicans are short sighted losers.
10
Seems like instead of MAGA it should be MRGA.
17
Half-wittingly.
5
The Chinese and the Iranians have been hurt badly by the Russians interfering in our elections. Does anyone honestly think that these countries will sit around doing nothing after seeing how effective electoral interference can be? We better watch out because 2020 may be a wild free for all.
5
It's beyond comprehension that Trump's cooperation with - an coercion of - foreign entities was not considered a crime by Mueller, and worse, it completely acceptable to Republicans! The acts he is engaged in, or is directly having his associates perform for him, are treasonous! He is inviting interference in our democratic processes. How is that allowed!
Of course the answer is that it's allowed because the craven, hypocritical, and also treasonous Republicans allow it.
They all need to be impeached, or prosecuted and jailed. They are a "clear and present danger" to our nation.
22
This is a puffed-up hollow report
1) It recycles the long-repeated claim that Mueller proved 2016 Russian intervention.
2) We have alarm that Barr might "undermine the integrity of the Mueller report".
You know, the Mueller report isn't the Constitution or the Bible. Casting it into doubt isn't lèse-majesté, or blasphemy, or a violation of the integrity of sacred words.
3) Wrong once, the author doubles down: Giuliani seeks to "taint the findings of the Mueller investigation." Taint? Yup. Giuliani, too, is profaning Mueller's sainted words.
The author then tries to stampede any of those who question his condemnation of Barr and Giuliani:
"The efforts of the two provide 'immense tinder for the pyre of propaganda that the Russian intelligence services may ignite for the 2020 election.' "
4) Far from being beyond criticism, Mueller's effort is at best mediocre.
Everything hinges on Mueller's assertion of Russia's misleading of about 150 million Americans by spending a hundred thousand bucks on Facebook.
But he gives no meaningful justification for the assertion.
I tried to recreate his result using FB information about the effect of a dollar spent on Facebook. My result was always thousands of persons, not over a hundred million.
Try it. See what you get.
Mueller didn't perform such a competent analysis. The forty pages on the scope of any Russian assault contain only anecdotes.
That's a beginning, not a conclusion.
@alyosha Of course! The conclusion is working its way through Congress-and likely-through the courts now-and to the 2020 election.
Based on everything I’ve read—in- and outside of the Mueller Report and reliable, legitimate news sources—Trump and his henchmen have been working on behalf of Putin’s goals and interests from day one. From Trump’s “Russia, if you’re listening....” Hillary e-mail entreaty and open-ended invitations to Putin and others to help him rig our elections, to his endless praise and flattery of the Kremlin and efforts to sow chaos, confusion and distrust in his “own” country, Trump appears to have never been off the Russian payroll. Those long red ties Trump wears below his thighs are not just a sartorial embarrassment—they are a metaphor for his unwavering loyalty and “long red ties” to Mother Russia and the very short leash on which she and Putin have him.
18
Oh for heaven’s sake can we stop with the “unwittingly” angle? Of course Trump knows exactly what he is doing in supporting Putin’s agenda. Why else would he have private meetings with Putin and then destroy the notes? Trump is compromised. Please, no more pearl clutching.
Say its name, he’s a traitor to the country.
30
Why do all of you assume you're immune to disinformation? If you carefully read the hard news articles in this paper about the Mueller investigation's origins you'll understand why they're being investigated. The Times rarely lies but is masterful at obfuscation.
I hope Mr. Barr ate well in Italy on my dime. Should he need restaurant reservations the next trip, he can contact me.
4
Wittingly, obviously.
4
Can we please remember the meeting the donald had with the troll army in the WH?
Can we please state the obvious when Putin knows before Pelosi about the raid?
the donald himself is part and parcel of the Russian disinformation campaign, Look at his behavior. He learned at the knee well.
16
Zach Dorfmans opinion piece reads like the script from an Alex Jones Conspiracy Hour Radio Show. Good stuff. Too bad, the scholarly Zach Dorfman leaves out so much of the background.
1. Todays Ukraine is stitched together out of pieces of "Russia"....yes. a Valid Claim can be made that eastern Ukrain and Crimea are indeed part of Russia.
2. Kiev, now in Ukraine, was once capital of Mother Russia. Help. This is getting confusing. And Zach Dorfman seems to be the most confused of all!
3. Can Zach Dorfman comment on the Bush Admin's meddling in Ukranian politics back in the 1990s?? Back when a lady on Bush's staff actually Married the future President of Ukraine?? Yes. That happened.
4. The Yellow Press Corps even went so far as to mock the Russian Foreign Diplomat that suggested the best solution....redraw the map of Ukraine.
But Zach Dorfman chooses to remain inside the comfort zone of Conspiracy Theory.
Alex Jones phone lines are open! Call Now!
@Wherever Hugo
You want background? As a condition for joining the UN after WWII, i.e., peer play, the USSR insisted both Ukraine and Byelorussia (now Belarus) had to be recognized as separate nations from the Russian SSR and given their own seats in the General Assembly. You, and Russia, can have it both ways, if you like. But it’s just malicious, as hoc propaganda.
2
@Wherever Hugo
You want background? As a condition for joining the UN after WWII, i.e., [auto correct correction] power play, the USSR insisted both Ukraine and Byelorussia (now Belarus) had to be recognized as separate nations from the Russian SSR and given their own seats in the General Assembly. You, and Russia, can have it both ways, if you like. But it’s just malicious, as hoc propaganda.
[autocorrect correction] power play
The best agent Russia has ever recruited sits in the Oval Office.
12
Christine McM/Boston has posted a very prescient comment on this Op-Ed. The handwriting is on the wall. Moscow Mitch has slow-walked the House’s bill to protect our “sacred” (Trump’s words, post-winning in 2016) free and fair elections. I understand, according to news leaks yesterday, that Trump called Putin FIRST after the successsful extermination of ISIS leader al-Baghdadi ... for congratulations?? ... THEN he informed Congress. If this isn’t living proof of his personal priorities and affiliations, then what is? It appears that RUSSIA takes precedence over America in his book. I too, want to know what they have on him? Or is he just under some spell???
9
Once Barr, Giuliani, et al complete there phony counter narrative in which the Ukraine (not Russia) colluded with HRC and the Democratic Party to block his ascendency to the White House — then watch out.
The Hunter Biden corruption linkage is just a way to knock Joe out of the race leaving Trump to mop up what the right wing sees as easy victory over a Bernie (socialist/commie), Warren (Pocahontas/socialist, AND a woman) or even better, a Harris (black woman) Buttigieg (gay).
And the same Americans who bought Don the Grifter’s CEO acumen as a reality TV Star will adore him even more.
Thanks Mr. Dorfman for trying (not hopefully in vain) to alert the American people to the demise of Democracy at the hands of a fascist loving cabal of right wing billionaires.
9
If given a chance, Trump will try to change the constitution and declare himself President for Life. His heroes are : Putin, Orban, Ben Salman, Al Sissi, Erdogan, Kim Jong Un,,,
He emulates these autocrats and will do anything to imitate them...
6
Gee, do you think Trump is working for Putin? Just a thought.
6
Trumpster Fire is an agent of the Russian government. He’s been doing so much damage to our institutions and world standing that they must believe they just hit the lottery. The Rosenbergs have nothing on this degenerate in the White House who is quite literally making Russia great again.
4
This is all completely obvious at this point. It's also obvious you can't fix stupid, you can only outnumber them. The only convo at the DNC s/b increasing turnout. Anything is a waste of breath.
3
Zach, you and your editors are wimps at best. "Russia may use this propaganda in our 2020 elections"? Please provide us with one reason why Russia won't use this propaganda in our 2020 elections? And why is there no mention of the phone call from Putin to Trump on October 13 which was followed by Trump calling Erdogan to tell him the US was pulling out of Syria immediately and he was free to kill all the Kurds he wanted?
8
Why is this in the Opinion pages? These are undisputed facts.
6
Trump is creating the impression that there is dirt on the Biden, and that he was asking for someone to find it. I don't think it's been repeated enough recently by the media, including NYT, that there is no probable cause, or any cause, to think there is dirt.
It's not that he asked for an investigation, it's that he wanted a public announcement of an investigation, which he and his supporters could point to, even if it had no basis.
This is a smear campaign - make an accusation and some people will think it's true. It's likely that all the publicity around this, and around Trump's handling of this, is hurting Biden more than Trump.
68
@Ken
Trump is about to be impeached, not Biden who may have benefited for the attention of Trump, Pompeo, Pence and Barr's corruption.
1
@Ken
"This is a smear campaign - make an accusation and some people will think it's true."
John Quincy Adams complained about this back in 1826.
What does Freedom of Speech mean? Is it Freedom to Lie? Can a witness under oath in a court have lie freely? Can Purdue Pharma make any claim it wants about oxycontin? What about political speech?
In 2016 Facebook was a main channel for Russian divisive disinformation. Mark Z now says says mistakes were made, but political speech is different. Is it?
Is a lie not a lie if it is political speech? Is libel not libel? We worry about distracted driving and cellphone-distracted pedestrians, but expect distracted voters to sort grains of truth from disinformation, both domestic and foreign-based.
Is a publisher. social media platform, or broadcaster free of any responsibility for distributing lies even if Rohingya people die as a result, or American blacks?
Freedom of Religion does not entitle zealots to burn witches. Freedom of Assembly does not make mob violence OK. Freedom of Speech/Press is not freedom from truth and facts, nor is it freedom of propaganda. We hold these Truths to be self-evident.
1
I know Mr. Dorfman is being careful, and correctly so. But does anyone actually believe there's anything unwitting about Trump's desperately seeking Russian help this time too?
6
"Wittingly or unwittingly"? It seems to me awfully naive at this point to entertain the possibility that this is unwitting.
I suppose it's possible, for example, that someone could set out just to trim their shrubbery, and end up unwittingly trimming it into the shape of a unicorn. Possible, but vanishingly unlikely.
3
He feels comfortable there -- in Russia's hands.
3
Its a cabinet full of полезные дураки (useful fools). And its almost difficult to fathom that the party that prided itself on bringing down the Soviet Union single-handedly (well that's the myth at least) will now be known as the party that assisted a foreign leader (Putin) to subvert our own democracy. And for what? It would appear that Trump is leading this effort in order to cover up his own sordid past and dealings with tainted individuals from Russia, Kazakhstan, and elsewhere in the ex-Soviet block.
3
I'm done. Trump is a Manchurian Candidate clear and simple. There is nothing else to discuss. We can only envision where he is taking us. Trump is here to destroy the United States. Accept it. It's what Putin wants. Just accept it.
7
"There is nothing to stop President Trump from publicly soliciting assistance from the Russian intelligence services."
Well, only traitors do that. Right?
8
I think a more accurate headline would be "Trump is Doing What Russia wants."
4
Thanks Rudy and Fellow Republicans!
Thought you were Patriots, not Vampires.
3
By the way of Ukraine, how Putin must regret his man Obama. Remember that the Ukrainians were BEGGING Obama to sell them some antitank defense weapons, but Obama always said NYET! No weapons whatsoever for Ukrainians under Obama.
Only when Trump became President, Trump kept his election promise and provided weapons. Stopping Putin's aggression. To the distress of Putin.
Obama always put first and foremost his relationship with Putin.
When 17 agencies concluded that Russia was interfering in the elections in 2016 under Obama's watch, Obama chose not to take any executive action to stem it. Biden seconded.
Compare this to Trump, who made sure through executive actions that the 2018 elections went on smoothly, without interference.
It goes without saying that with Obama compromised this way, the only way out was to claim, against all logic, that Trump works for Putin. Even after a three year $40 million investigation of Mueller concluded the opposite, diehards continue to push it.
Well, now it has come time to pay. The criminals who started it all will be hit hard. Maybe Trump will sue the DNC for all the money which they have and they will gather... He should be ruthless, since we are not a banana republic.
1
@novoad And then-there's the 'other side'! Interesting? version of misinformation/misleading propaganda. This is what we are 'in for'.
Please. Don't start up with this nonsense of " disseminating and amplifying disinformation through popular social media platforms."
That nonsense looks quite trivial in hindsight, to everyone and it looked trivial to many of us when it was supposedly happening.
Very little money spent on that and much of it after the election. And the portion of the media it included was trivial and it seemed like just more ignorant nonsense spread on those media. very few minds were affected by that so calle "interference." Most people do no bye the idea that it had any significant effect. One of the most phony stories of our times.
2
Our definition of the word "asset" has sure expanded! I guess Webster needs to add, 5. An individual with a high involuntary capacity to be "weaponized" by mother Russia (see "weaponize", new Webster definition no. 3).
This definition will surely not extend to any foreign entity or self-interested body. (In this case, Hillary and many American politicians would be assets of Saudi Arabia, Israel and the military industrial complex, requiring major vocabulary revisions.)
2
How strange a situation is this, where the former communist arch-rival of the USA despised especially by American conservatives now marches in lock step with the American hard right to install and prop up a US president, and where many Republican Party die-hards prefer the head of Russia, installed undemocratically, to Democrats righting to preserve voting rights. I've even seen them wearing Russia hats. The GOP has become so weird.
3
This is totally disgusting! As a former Army (Vietnam) veteran and retired law enforcement, I can't believe this is being allowed to occur in our country by a major political party (Hint: Republicans). We currently have a gangster/outlaw in the White House. The Dems must proceed forthwith with impeachment hearings before it is too late to save our democracy!
5
At first I was depressed by the idea that Russia might try to help Trump win again in 2020. A chaotic administration is always a boon for the Kremlin, allowing Putin to pursue his globaly agenda without restraint.
After I’ve read this article in Forbes: “Why Russia And Saudi Arabia Secretly Want The Democrats To Beat Trump” – by its senior contributor, Ellen R. Wald on September 10, 2019, I harbour the hope that Trump could still be voted out of office next year.
Wald argues that despite the perception that Putin and the Saudi Crown Prince, MBS support Trump, they also feel that he is bad for their fossil fuel business, whose revenues (Russia 40% and Saudi Arabia 70%) make up the backbone of their economies.
"In fact, their countries’ economic fortunes and their own political futures may depend on whether a Democrat can beat the president next year."
Trump has implemented policies that have helped expand oil and natural gas production at home. Currently oil production in the US has exploded to unprecedented levels - above 12 million barrels per day, which is the most in the world.
On the other hand, Democratic candidates have called for tackling climate change and protecting the environment, which would take a toll on fracking and drilling in the US.
The CNN Climate Town Hall in September and polls show that voters rate climate change as one of their highest priorities.
Although this judgement makes sense, it all depends on the voters' mood in 2020.
2
Is this how the justice systems works ?! The AG goes to gather information ? Is he like a private detective ?
3
The very act of coercing Ukraine to undermine the truth of the 2016 sabotage is proof. We know that Russia did it for Trump, and is still doing it. Therefore Trump-Giuliani is still Russia.
2
Trump let the Russians know what he was up to and at the same time excluded democrat members of the gang of eight.
Imagine the uproar if Obama dared to something as petty as this. The man is bringing us to the brink of partisan violence.
2
At this point, having reached round two, I think we can stop calling it the"Russian attempt to interfere our election" and call it what it is, the"Russian attempt to get their man in the White House reelected."
2
Unwitting? Hardly. When his Ukraine deal didn't work out for Putin, he then had to move on to the next item on the list: abandon the Kurds, increase Russia's influence in Middle East. Check.
There is a pattern to this madness. Republicans are up to their necks in it for campaign grift and aluminum mills for their districts. Duh.
2
Throughout the Cold War, when the FBI, CIA and other intelligence agencies were enagaged in an unrelenting struggle with the KGB and GRU, the Soviets were able to score significant intelligence victories.
So, too, did the United States.
Today's Russia is just as formibable a foe as was the Soviet Union.
However, today Trump has not only let down our guard, but virtually invited the Russians to degrade our national security.
2
In the past three years Trump hasn't made a decision that Putin wouldn't have also made. What does that tell us?
2
Until now Trump has been treated with kid gloves and we can see the devastating effects.
But one thing can still save this country, that is when finally Trump would be treated and prosecuted for what he really is: a traitor.
2
Many profound comments here. Especially important is someone's mention of the all Republican talk radio constantly in the ears of so many drivers. But even more profound is the fact that NYT commenters have so many great comments, but we get tweede de from the center or left leaning talking heads in the major media. The question is why?
This has the makings of an endless cycle. Moscow Mitch invites and supports Russian aid to his party and Russia supports the Republican Party to harm the United States. McConnell stays in power. Russia undermines the very idea of America by dangling power to McConnell and his supporters as they sabotage America. Republican pundits ignore Russia and take cover by talking about judicial appointments and tax breaks as democracy, relationships with allies and our very elections are sabotaged.
I was amazed that Americans would vote for Putin's candidate of choice. But then, I was amazed that Republicans voted W a second term after he made America the champion of torture and lied to us to start a war.
Policy debates are important. But I fail to see how voting for Republicans at this time is not a vote to support Putin.
31
With so much evidence that foreign interference is destroying our democracy, a huge question remains: why is Matt Zuckerberg’s Facebook enabling foreign political, social attacks to continue? Sure, he’s getting paid in Rubbles and perhaps even renminby (China), but above all, he seems intent for a Trump re-election; which is fine if that’s he’s political bent. However, it wrong to interfere with the democratic process . Notwithstanding the evidence of Trump’s wrong doing, he’s still being supported by the likes of big donor money from the likes of Sheldon Adelson, Stephen Ross, Ronald Lauder ( cosmetic manufacturer) and Netanyahu.
8
As the Mueller Report showed, Russia clearly played a role in the 2016 election. But unquestionably more significant was the role played by FOX News and AM radio, where the mass distribution of resentment, fear and misinformation is their 24/7 bottom line. Sadly for the rest of us, the audience for these "news" outlets is, basically, the Trump voter. Since they are clearly in the minority, we have but one alternative: out-number them at the polls—up and down the ticket—in 2020.
31
@Tim Exactly! Fox News is like a chapter right out of George Orwell’s 1984. Lies and deception 24/7 at the service of Big Brother Trump.
3
My few Republican friends who acknowledge Trump is taking the country down a dark hole shrug their shoulder when asked if they will switch their vote in the next election. Being intelligent and well informed doesn't seem to lessen their identification as Republican above all else. That leaves them and those who are even less informed vulnerable to all the propoganda: it will remain critically unchallenged as it is useful in confirming their choice to re-elect Trump.
15
@Sue the Cat You are so right! My few remaining trump friends may say how they hate his tweets, or "I don't believe everything he says," but they will vote because the GOP has systemically taught them that Dems are socialists who will take all your money and guns.
3
Everything is basically in place for the Russians to continue to wage a disinformation campaign to take down US democracy. They have been doing this for about 100 years but unsuccessfully until Mark Zuckerberg and other social media creators came along and unwittingly opened the door for the Russians to succeed. Putin's goal seems pretty clear, to increase Russian influence in the world not by improving the Russian economy or military but by destroying democracy in the US and Western Europe. And doing it cheaply, largely with social media bots. Helping elect Trump was key and certainly helping Trump get re-elected will be a paramount goal for Putin.
12
@Bob - Let's just make sure that Trump does not get re-elected. Maybe Facebook and other prime sources for misinformation can be curtailed.
7
Trump appeared to be a Russian asset during the 2016 campaign. He fawned over, and ran interference for Vladimir Putin, while Russian operatives were trying hard to support Trump's election.
His son, son-in-law and Paul Manafort met with Russians, drooling to get dirt on Hillary Clinton. Small wonder U.S. Intelligence was investigating the Trump campaign.
There is no doubt Russia will interfere again in the 2020 election to support their guy in the White House.
16
"Wittingly or unwittingly, the president and his allies are helping to propagate another disinformation campaign — one that will most likely aid Russia, yet again, in its efforts to intervene corruptly in the American electoral process." We're way past the "unwittingly" phase. Trump and his sycophants know perfectly well that foreign actors with Russia in the lead are working to undermine the 2020 election and help the Donald. There were times that the Republicans would have called this "collusion" treason but now they stick their collective heads in the sand and bleat disingenuous nonsense. "Wining" is the only thing that matters & "wining" with Russian help is just a thing that they have to live with to crush their "enemies" & fellow citizens.
15
@John Chastain Yes. Once or twice, admiring Russia is "unwitting." Consistently siding with Russia -- over your own people, over your long-time allies -- well, whatever wits he has are squarely with the Kremlin.
2
The author used the term, "government-sanctioned". The word "sanction" has two distinct definitions:
1. a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule.
2. official permission or approval for an action.
We normally read about sanctions used in the first sense, it is good to see it used in the second sense once in a while. After all, "sanction" originally meant "blessed" or "authorized". The word "sanction" from the Latin verb "sancire" to make holy.
4
These moves are anti American nothing more. There’s NO reason for foreign help from anyone for any candidate.
10
Why can’t we be more like Europe and shut down the internet 2 months before election and listen to the debates on TV and make up our minds that way
12
Anyone who lives in New York knows that DJT is a completely dishonest and morally compromised person. What really bothers me the most is that Republicans seem okay with this.
46
@Joe - How come Trump's New York reputation did not precede him in Washington, DC? Maybe we'd better do more thorough checking on our candidates, so this doesn't happen again.
3
@Joe Pre Internet, in the New York City Media Market, any TV producer who did one of those dreary Sat - Sun public affairs shows knew that, if the primary guest cancelled, they always could get Trump into the studio quickly...he was always good to fill the news hole with bluster and boast, about the next big thing....those of us who saw this in the 80's and 90's knew him a buffoon, but those who only saw "The Apprentice" saw a scripted and untrue depiction of DJT..but that was the one that got elected.
2
Pretty much everything Trump is actively doing, he deflects by accusing others of committing. From his Shadow Government mix of family members, personal attorney, and "acting" government employees is the "Deep State" he claims is the "swamp" he has drained. Government contracts and employment positions are sold to those who financially support him and the RNC. Those who are brave to speak out against these gross abuses of power that are impacting our laws, democracy, and National Security are attacked by Trump and his Republican henchmen. Such actions are unethical, vile, and disgracefully unpatriotic!
13
Trump, his cabinet, most of the GOP who colluded , some of his family should spend life in prison.
18
Trump's Shadow Government is the Deep State he and Republicans are and have been complaining about. But as with so many other instances concerning this WH administration and R party, as long as they're doing it; it's ok. Party before Country makes for a nest of hypocrites crying foul on procedures while ignoring the very principles that are meant to be the ethical accompaniments to them.
9
I remember reading an article in a newspaper back in 1987 when trump came back from his trip to Soviet Moscow... he blew the whole thing off, implying it wasn’t fruitful and that the Soviets weren’t serious enough or willing to make a deal that interested him.
Yet oddly from then on he picked up a constant stream of Russian business contacts and associates.
For decades from the smallest insignificant details to big deals, one way or another you could find a Russian connection.
There are no coincidences in trump’s life, nor are there in the affairs of those connected to the Russian government.
Whether or not it was a long term investment or some dirt they had on him from day one, you can’t convince me Russians didn’t have him on a long loose leash for decades... While I doubt they ever would’ve pegged this idiot as anyone capable of becoming president, they no doubt took full advantage of any possibilities once they knew their asset had a chance.
They definitely help him, and I’m pretty sure he fully expected them to juice the number of votes he got.
They interfered before and they will do it again, probably more brazenly than ever.
America has been thrown into chaos by this administration, whether fully by design or as a result of the divisive greed and corruption the republicans have fully embraced... the Russians don’t ignore opportunities like that... and they will exploit every facet and flaw of this regime.
12
I remember during the cold war the Left loved Russia. Funny how things change.
1
@CJ
A lot of things changed about Russia in that time. I would think that opposing corrupt oligarchies headed by authoritarians would not be a partisan issue, but here we are.
5
@CJ
You “remember” falsely. For one thing, it was the USSR, not Russia. For another, there was a broad consensus in the US, across the entire political spectrum, that the USSR and its communist ideology calling for proletarian world conquest was our enemy and the enemy of freedom. Any American who “loved Russia” back then was regarded as strange and presumably disloyal.
How ironic that we now have Trump cozying up to Putin of the KGB and acting just like a totalitarian dictator with no regard for traditional American values or truth itself. Your comment itself is the kind of untruth we would have expected to find in Pravda.
8
@CJ
"The Left" never loved Russia, or the USSR.
That's another reactionary regressive fantasy, akin to claiming that "The Right" was in love with Fascism.
4
Let's be clear.
We are not only being influenced by what has happened in Ukraine, we are Ukraine.
They too had a Russian stooge as leader, thanks to vile Americans including Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign manager. That stooge did what he could to disrupt Ukrainian politics and will, and even had protestors killed, until he ran away to Russia with Putin's help.
We in America have a Putin stooge sitting in our White House, doing what he can to ruin our government, and to divide the American people so America descends to the same putrid depths as Russia...oligarchic paradise that it is.
I look to Putin to help Trump escape prison, the same way he helped Vanukovych run away. Time will tell.
Hugh
11
@Hugh Massengill - Trump could be "solicited" for the Trump Siberia when he loses the election, or is impeached from office. He seems to like it over there.
2
Why is Trump so obedient to Putin? What does he hold over Trump?
11
@fromupstate - When we know that (with evidence, of course), it will be all over for Trump.
2
My best guess is that it's very profitable money-laundering by the Trump Organization for Putin and his cronies. What strikes me is that if Trump actually WERE a conscious agent of Putin, he would be doing pretty much exactly the same things that he is doing: damaging US alliances, advancing Russia's goals in Syria, undermining the faith of Americans in their institutions, denying obvious and provable Russian interference in our elections. The principle called "Occam's Razor" holds that the simplest explanation for any situation is usually the best. Not only can I not think of a simpler explanation for Trump's behavior than complicity with Putin, I can't think of ANY other explanation that fits all of the facts. Can you?
1
Pelosi, "All roads lead to Putin."
The road map is found in Deutsche Bank's Justin Kennedy records of money laundering for the Russian oligarchs through loans to the Trumps. Trump is just paying off his loans with other people's lives and security.
Always "Follow the money."
21
"Wittingly or unwittingly"???? As if there's any doubt Trump dances to Putin's tune?
11
@marks No , no doubt about that, it's obvious and proven
1
Does Trump do anything “Wittingly”?
This obsession with Russia is reaching insane levels -- hysteria that rivals the witch trials of Joe McCarthy and Richard Nixon. Please stop. We are not at war with Russia. We have not declared war on Russia. Russia has not declared war on us. And the specter we seem to be lunging at is the Soviet Union, long gone. Let's worry about what we are doing right here at home to foment distrust and spread disinformation, and we can start with the New York Times and other mainstream outlets stating as facts that this politician or that politician is a Russian proxy or stooge. How is this proper work for the Fourth Estate? It's basically propaganda.
2
@jack, thanks muchly for stating what might be termed Leningrad's view of Trump's ongoing collusion with the government of Russia.
1
@jack
While your unsourced comment on the internet was very persuasive, I think the multiple intelligence agencies telling us that Russian has and is interfering in our elections in "systematic and sweeping" ways are more persuasive.
4
@jack
The hysterical Mr. Mueller and his insanely obsessed team told us that the Russians sabotaged our elections in a sweeping and systematic manner, in order to help the Trump campaign. The NY Times and other members of the Constitutional free press are a vital piece of our system of democracy.
1
stop obsessing about Russia. Trump is a domestic product of America. Russians may be playing some role, but it is an American electorate that sent an overt, in your face racist, first to Republican nomination, in spite of a wide field of candidates there, next to the White House.
The problem is America, not Russia. The problem is with the American political party, the Republican Party, which morphed into a Christian Fascist movement in pursuit of political power. This is the problem. Repeat after me: this is the problem that needs to be dealt with, not Russia.
To be sure, Trump deserves impeachment, because his activities are now openly treasonous. So did Reagan. We are not even pretending that "October Surprise" is a theory. In fact, the same fixer of Iran-Contra is now trying to fix the latest scandal of the Republicans. Be it as it may: the problem is the Republican Party and those who support it. Not Russia and Russian interference, this is just the frosting on this cake of excrements.
5
@mf
Well, it’s not either/or, it’s both.
2
Trump me all you want but Trump is not helping the Russians he is a Russian asset whose main goal is to hand America over to the Russians and destroy our democracy.
He has had a grand plan of destruction and listening to his bigoted mouth that has bad mouthed our military and deliberately kept Nancy out of the loop with this raid. This is not democracy this is a want to be dictator who believes that he is America. .
We are a democracy not one white man and his GOP cronies telling the rest of us to march in lock step with the Russians.
Trump is the greatest threat to the world and he is in our face the enemy of the Americans, especially to the people who voted him in.
9
why is he still there? why are we allowing an incompetent fool to lead us down a path of destruction?
12
I figured Trump to be a traitor the moment he asked Putin to hack Democrats, and Democrats should remind Americans that most Republicans have no interest in protecting our elections so long as they got their man, the charlatan who's ripped off millions of people and continues to hoodwink the base he probably hates.
11
trump should have been arrested when he called out to Russia about the emails. He is a horror show of criminality and always has been.
12
Except that Biden's corruption, unlike Russiagate, is true. Minor problem.
@Michael Livingston’s
Explain how you know this. Please. Real thinkers want to know.
3
@Michael Livingston’s
Except, of course, that it’s not, unlike Russiagate. The sun comes up in the east, and Trump lies.
1
@Michael Livingston’s
Except, of course, that it’s not, unlike Russiagate. The sun comes up in the east, and Trump lies.
Where are our vociferous "better dead than red" Republican "patriots" in all of this? Has Matt Gaetz been a matryoshka doll all along, showing one side of his face when it's time to be Mr. America, then abetting Putin's puppets when it's time to protect his favorite would be dictator and his appointed henchmen? And where was the sargent-at-arms while Baby Gaetz was playing philosophically incensed hero and "lynching" a legal closed door meeting?
The Republican house and senate have shown themselves to be no more than wrapped around the flag opportunist patriots, seemingly ready to sell the country down the proverbial drain for a few drachmas.
3
@GL - Whatever happened to the dictum of "avoid doing anything that even looks improper," or words to that effect? We have swung so far away from center that it's dizzying. It make Sanders and Warren look all the more appealing. What a mess Democrats inherit after the "anything goes" Republicans are finally voted out of office.
@Barbara Again.
Trump is a Putin asset and should be treated as such. He is a clear and present danger to this country and has proven his unfitness in engineering the slaughter of trusted allies, his unwillingness to be accountable, his apparent subservience to Vladimir Putin, and his use of his power of office to extort a foreign leader to produce kompromat on his domestic political rival. He should be in handcuffs by now as should his enablers in Congress.
9
"Wittingly or unwittingly, the president and his allies are helping to propagate another disinformation campaign — "
Unwittingly? Oh please...
7
Another round of liberal Democrats choosing to ignore facts. The Biden family leveraged his position for financial gain. This is not a Russia story but another smear campaign by the Democrats.
@George
This isn't about Biden. It's about Trump digging for dirt on Biden that didn't exist before he made it up.
But you keep that distraction going. Just like Obama's birth certificate.
4
@George
Another Trump supporter engaging in projection. The smear is Trump’s, of course. Trump lies.
2
The answer: “wittingly “
5
The safeguards to democracy need to be legislative, judicial and structural.
An ex-employee of Cambridge Analytica describes the precision with which it formulated and targeted propaganda in 2016 —and outlines current vulnerabilities.
“They used the word ‘deterrence’ to describe people targeted for voter suppression. They sent slanderous materials to people whose data showed they would only ever vote for Hillary Clinton... They promoted fear-based falsehoods demeaning women, Mexicans, and African Americans. Seeing the internal case studies after the election shook me to my core, and now it’s happening again... “
https://www.fastcompany.com/90420833/ex-cambridge-analytica-employee-if-trump-wins-in-2020-blame-facebook
40
Mr Dorfman, you sound as if you think benefiting Russian election interference was some inadvertent side effect of Trump’s ineptitude rather than a calculated if not directed result. I think the work of reporters like The Guardian’s Luke Harding or the Center for American Progress’s Russia Section report and their podcast, The Asset paint a credible and supported picture of the fact that we have a president who either willingly or through coercion, blackmail or bribery is deliberately carrying out the Russian agenda.
18
The real problem here is only partially Russian meddling, but rather that Trump's base already believes allegations against Democrats Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. Without a fertile field Russian disinformation would not stick. rather many of the allegations have started with rumors spread among Trump supporters and Trump and his Russian enablers are seeking threads of information to corroborate them. GOP dirty politics has now spread around the world corrupting everything it touches.
4
I’m sure the people who care about the topic of the never ending Russo-Trump disinformation loop are more knowledgeable than they want to be on the topic and the trumpian sycophants are inoculated from the truth.
Do we need another essay restating the earth is more than 5,000 years old or humans and dinosaurs didn’t exist at the same time?
We’re not going to beat Trumps ridiculous reality show with reruns of National Geographic.
2
How can someone who works for Putin be playing right into Russia's hands.
Trump is doing the best job he can to say thank you for the help in the 2016 election and he's hopping for the same thing in the 2020 election.
5
Trump is aligned with Putin's intent to destroy western democracies and he is turning the "keys" to our government over to Russia.
It is happening before our very eyes. But somehow, Americans can't take peel their eyes away long enough from fantasy football to see and express their horror about it.
8
Commentary like this is important. But in the current environment, it tends to distort. That is because there is much evidence that Trump has colluded with Russia. And it falls on us readers to make the critical distinction.
Intentional conduct designed to promote Russian interests is criminal, whether it is helping them to tamper with our elections or giving them nuclear secrets. Doing things that incidentally help the Russians is a whole different thing. Intentional criminal conduct and the unintentional consequences of policy decisions are vastly different. Those that fail to make the distinction and lump them together tend to deceive, intentionally or not. If the messenger does not make this explicit, it is up to us to read critically.
1
@michjas
He is a useful idiot and Russian tool because he is a sociopath whose purpose in life is to hurt and destroy and get away with it so he can tell himself he’s a “winner,” and the Russians have figured out how to make him financially dependent on them and how to play him like a balalaika. His “policy decisions” are clearly not the product of any rational process to advance US interests either domestically or in the world. I don’t think he’s even capable of acting in good faith in any setting or relationship. So your distinction is available for purposes of spin, a real consideration in politics and the courtroom, I concede, but, really, it’s a distinction without a difference.
1
@michjas
He is a useful idiot and Russian tool because he is a sociopath whose purpose in life is to hurt and destroy and get away with it so he can tell himself he’s a “winner,” and the Russians have figured out how to make him financially dependent on them and how to play him like a balalaika. His “policy decisions” are clearly not the product of any rational process to advance US interests either domestically or in the world. I don’t think he’s even capable of acting in good faith in any setting or relationship. So your distinction is available for purposes of spin, a real consideration in politics and the courtroom, I concede, but, really, it’s a distinction without a difference.
If Trump knew what he was doing maybe he would not want Russian help, or maybe he would. The problem is that he only knows minute-to-minute gratification so we don't know what he would do if he knew what he was doing. What we do know is that what is actually happening is bad for democracy generally, bad for America, and corrupt to its core.
It used to be said of South American dictators that they were bad dictators, but at least they were "our" dictators, i.e. not outwardly communist. Now, we have to own that Trump is a bad president in many ways and he is sadly, our president, temporarily.
"Wittingly or unwittingly"? When a president calls a foreign leader and asks for an investigation of his opponents in exchange for desperately needed military aid, it's "wittingly."
6
Thank you Mr. Dorfman for this clear analysis. Russians are never, ever to be underestimated.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of the US population, including the Big Orange and his ilk, are ignorant of their power and their centuries old history of deceit, lies and subversion.
Socialism continues to be a dirty word among Republicans just for the fact that it aims to provide healthcare for all as well as free education.
On the other side, many of them secretely admire the subjugation of the population with police force and military power, as well as the economic power in the hands of very few elites.
So yes, in the end, they will all do what Moscow tells them to do, willingly or unwilligly.
Sad times we are living in now...
1
And yet, like all autocrats in fake democracies, we're supposed to wait for and rely on rigged corrupted elections to vote out a terrible leader, as Republicans are misleading Americans to do, rather than impeach. Indeed, with such a rigged system, trump like Putin and Kim, will claim 90% majority votes no different from his crowd size claims.
The Russians "could not have conjured up a more fertile environment for their influence apparatus" as the Republican party - their witting accomplices and influence actors.
Nothing unwitting about helping out the Russians from the very start. Globe trotting Barr is seeking retribution against those who outed the trump as a likely Russian agent - just like Putin has his thugs carrying out his retributions worldwide who have outed his tyranical ways. Barr's trips to Italy no doubt include investigating Pizzagate too.
In the end trump, the 2020 election will turn on a flipped dime -heads he wins, tails he wins. He wins as he claims 90% of the votes - just as Kim and tyrants do - or he wins if he loses claiming the election was corrupted and thus he won't leave.
Don't believe your own eyes, ears or your own vote.
3
@PAN I think the actions of the 20 or 30 thousand Americans at the World Series game yesterday (Sunday) where Trump was booed very loudly and with "Lock Him Up" chants even louder gives me hope that a better day is coming...with only to parties to chose from...I think the Democrats are a better bet to bring that "better day" home to America.
America already has a robust disinformation machine in Fox News, Breitbart, et al. It is up to the electorate to be vigilant in assessing news sources. Sadly, in the wake of the 2016 election, one has little hope.
6
@Richard - American know-how doesn't sit on its laurels, or hope.
“Unwittingly”? What a charitable - and inaccurate - interpretation that is.
Trump and Giuliani are well aware of what they are doing. Trump, whether he actually is one or not, has acted like a Russian agent at every turn. And right now, without waiting for 2020, is Russia is using its cyber warfare capabilities to help Trump undermine with the public an ironclad case for impeachment.
Russia’s activities, aided and abetted by our own President’s traitorous behavior, pose a grave national security threat to the United States and our democracy. Without free and fair elections unfettered by foreign interference, its all over, folks.
3
The article mentions: "...Joe Biden’s alleged (and unsubstantiated) intervention ... into Burisma Holdings ... where Hunter Biden sat on the board of directors."
That word -- "unsubstantiated"-- is used over and over again, but I've read, only once or twice, a explanation of why those allegations are, in fact, "unsubstantiated." Why isn't this clarified more often.
More important, I wish Joe Biden would provide a full accounting: he needs to be more active in his own defense. He needs to fight back -- clearly. and loudly.
One has to wonder how he would stand up to Trump's accusations in a debate? We all know how vile Trump can be.
1
As long as America continues to confuse the right of free speech with a 'right to lie', be it on Facebook, Twitter, FOX or Sinclair, our country will be vulnerable to election highjacking.
5
Putin has done an excellent job of injecting mistrust and division into American politics. His efforts no doubt continue. Trump is not clever enough to recognize the problem let alone do anything about it. Or maybe Trump just understands that Putin's goal is to keep him in office, same as the clueless Trump supporters.
1
The puppet strings from Russia to Trump are still intact. Right wing media is still plugged into the Russian fake information machine. Trump supporters are still wired into the Russian brainwashing conduit on social media.
As a result, Russia now has control over what used to be Syria. Israel now has Iran knocking on its northern border through its proxies and a land bridge to the Mediterranean. Turkey has fallen into Russia's orbit. The Ukraine is being battered by Russia and is terribly vulnerable. And don't forget North Korea is rapidly developing medium range ballistic missiles that can carry nukes and Trump says he doesn't care.
Putin is rising in power all over the world. He is extending his reach into Africa. He wants control of the resources in the arctic. Trump doesn't care.
All Trump cares about is Trump. So much so that he is happy to turn a blind eye to Russian interference if he thinks that will keep him power.
So who is Trump really working for? Why is the press the enemy and Russia the friend? How does the beginning of the Mueller investigation in anyway taint the conviction of dozens of Trump associates? They still committed the crimes. If a police officer stops a car with a tail light out and discovers a murderer, the murderer is still guilty if convicted.
Trump is so intertwined with Russia, and his actions so help Russia, and his support of Russia is so unfailing, we have to ask. Just who is he working for?
1
I find the timing of the recent raid/killing so interesting. Could it be a coincidence that it comes on the heels of the Syrian troop withdrawal and the phone call with Erdogan? Is Trump making deals with Syria and Russia? It's good that this notorious leader is dead, but did it come at some cost that we don't know about? He seems to have a penchant for icky (to put it mildly) people, seriously. He is uncomfortable with good people. It all makes me very nervous.
1
Everyone should stop and think for a moment. Trump has already won -- unless Pompeo and Barr are arrested by Congress this week. Ignore this at your own peril.
This strikes me as one of the most important pieces the Times has published. And how terrifying that the GOP has actually managed to prevent our responding to these threats in ANY substantial way.
1
A more complete rundown of election meddling would include US efforts to influence elections in:
Iran.
Iraq.
Ukraine
Russia
Ecuador
Colombia
Venezuela
....
Should I continue?
1
This article makes me feel even more sick, sad, and hopeless for the survival of our democracy. Only the discovery of what Putin has been blackmailing Trump with could help our country now. All the Republican senators would then turn against him.
Isn't Trump's cavalier and risky relationship with Putin novel and exciting? And what about his climate change denial? He's playing Russian Roulette for us all !
Corrupt leaders always lead to destruction :
476 : downfall of the Roman Empire
1991 : downfall of the Soviet empire
2020 : downfall of the US empire
1
Yes TRUMP ET CO are WILLINGLY doing the bidding of Putin...and. Let’s not forget the fires in California who is the bane of their collusion. Oddly even we can see that it is Trumpsters setting the fires to California as a tactic of War against the Democrats.
1
wittingly or unwittingly? do we still have to ask?
3
According to news' stories I've seen this morning, Trump informed Putin ahead of time about the raid in Northern Syria to kill the ISIS leader, but did not inform the heads of Congress. Trump said he didn't inform people like Nancy Pelosi "because Washington leaks like nothing I've ever seen before."
So, according to Trump, Putin can be trusted but not Pelosi.
Trump is clearly working for Russia.
3
Ask yourself, is it possible that every decision trump makes favors Putin's Russia by coincidence?
6
When examined through the lens of "What is Mr. Trump doing for Russia?", the Syria pullout makes sense as do other seemingly bewildering moves. This is the Manchurian Candidate brought into reality.
113
@SB that is the lens through which the press has so far failed to probe the Ukraine scandal. What is Trump's motive for seeking to reverse the findings that Russia interfered in the 2016 election? It seems to be accepted, without critical examination. that he is simply obsessed with his own legitimacy. This is naive and contrary to everything we know about Trump. Is it just a coincidence that the findings that Russia interfered in 2016 are the basis for very effective sanctions that are strangling Russia's economy? I think not.
2
When Trump asked the Russians to assist his presidential campaign by stealing documents which were the property of the American people, he committed a crime. No other presidential candidate in the history of the nation had ever been so dismissive of the norms governing our elections. It's impossible to even think that Eisenhower would have asked Khrushchev for information about Stevenson, to say nothing of Kennedy or Reagan. Yet substantial parts of the current electorate are indifferent to Trump's destruction of those rules that distinguish us from less democratic nations. These are perilous times for democratic values.
2
The question of how deep the house congressional investigations should delve into the misdeeds and corruption of Trump and his administration before voting on their Articles of Impeachment and moving on to the senate is perplexing.
Far beyond any political or legal knowledge I have.
However, after watching Trump for three years make one incomprehensible move after another, I sincerely hope that the TRUTH concerning Trump-Putin, Trump-Russia is brought to light by these proceedings. Time after time, Trump has made decisions that put Russian interests equal-to or ahead of those of the U.S.A.
Why???
3
I rather think that Trump and Putin are playing together to gain more and more power over Americans or Russians. Neither one or the other care about their country.
3
Seems to me to be a full collaboration, from the Russian-only photos in the Oval office with their ambassadors after his inauguration proves to the no-record hours long meetings with Putin, to the Russia-benefit foreign policy dismantling decades of democratic global networks and gains. It is surreal it is in plain sight with willing GOP accomplices, American governance becoming fully end-state capitalism, for sale and singly transactional. What's not for sale is what we should be asking.
8
@AL ...I think that it is important to realize that many of the Republican Senators and Congress men and women are beholding to their districts and states that support Trump and everything Trump believes in and what he does on a daily basis. It isn't about "the American people" any more...they are just doing what their voters in those very red states want them to do. America really isn't United any more...when Jim Jordan comments about the "American People"...he is talking about the 200,000 +/- people who voted for him in the 4th District in Ohio. 200,000 +/- out of 140,000,000 in the electorate. November 2020 will be a historic election...it will be one for the history books...which path did America take...Dictatorship... or the Constitution.
1
This is a sad, dangerous, and unprecedented situation that we find ourselves in today. One party, so bent on retaining power, is actively soliciting the support of an foreign adversary (possibly several) to help it discredit its political opponents and win elections. I cannot believe I'm witnessing this happen. I am truly speechless. Can someone explain to me why this is not considered treason? How do those of us that want to maintain a representative democracy deal with it?
14
The best defense, it is to show what was the role of Hunter in the company for which he got $50K a month. To me, just this fact is rising suspicious of improprieties at best. What was the revenue of the company, how many other individuals had similar salaries? Just because Trump is corrupt, doesn't mean that Hunter Biden is not.
1
@Yulia: I think you are right, Hunter Biden may be as bad as Eric, Ivanka, and Don Jr.
2
Trump doesn’t care whether Ukraine ever even starts an investigation into this Nonsense ... he just wanted Zelensky to announce one so he could pound that hammer, this years email mantra. Disgusting indeed, and probably treasonous.
1
Maybe it's time to dig up Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here" and be forewarned.
7
We live in very dangerous times. Trump is not acting alone. He has the backing of the entire Republican Party and a media propaganda apparatus. Republicans see their path to domination through Russia and the Russian oil oligarchs. Democracy is not the goal here. Christianity has never been about democracy. It has been about power, money, and domination. The Republican Party has fully unmasked itself as a white Christian nationalist party (fascist) in alliance with those same elements in Northern Europe and Russia. The prominence of ultra conservative white Evangelicals and white Catholics (northern hemisphere) in the power structure of the Republican Party is glaring evidence. And there is lots of money behind it and a religious cosmology.
11
I am ever amazed and impressed that Putin managed to kneecap the US for less than the price of one squadron of jet fighters. The troll factories, where the disinformation is spread to every platform, staffed by no doubt patriotic Russians, plus a few of your friends underwriting loans to Donald, means control.
With this control, suddenly Russia can move a few pieces on the chessboard.
Not one shot fired, no one killed directly. What was just a nice place to launder your money to a guy through NYC Real Estate unexpectedly became a major asset.
Ownership of POTUS along with compromise and money to a few others has pulled the Republican party in a way no one could have imagined. Putin is brilliant. Wish our guy was.
11
The Russians do not need to "weaponize" Trump's comments. Trump is their weapon.
15
The author states: ..."which narratives — however invidious — have already gained currency among a credulous subsection of the American electorate."
This is an unusual statement to appear in the Times. It indicates that a subsection of Americans are easily influenced, without questioning, narratives pushed by Russian disinformation. This is obvious to some of us. Yet the Times persistently presents the problem as one-sided, coming from elsewhere. It is two-sided. To be successful, disinformation must have a receptive and "credulous" audience. That is an audience that exists within a subsection of the the American electorate.
8
There should be little doubt that Trump is a Russian asset. Putin handles him, in plane sight. Trump controls his party through fear while dazzling his cult with lies and propaganda. Later, when historians finally prove what is obvious, let's hope some of the traitors can be held accountable. Only then can this shameful period be closed and forgotten.
19
@Rocketscientist, I agree completely.
Here's an essay I wrote outlining the clear evidence that Trump is working for Putin.
https://medium.com/@bobcraig_25317/is-donald-trump-a-russian-agent-eae0a9d78afa
2
In a just America with real patriots on both sides of the aisle, Trump would not only be out of office but he and his criminal circle would be in jail. The GOP wing who continue to support Trump despite the overwhelming (public!) evidence will someday be seen as traitors. Literal traitors who violated their oaths of office, supported a treasonous Russian operative (he told Putin before he told America about the raid), and cowards of the first water. Every day that goes by without full throated condemnation by the GOP of Trump's crimes will only add fuel to the fire which will burn down the entire party.
10
Republican leaders by their sycophantic enabling of Trump tacitly support this foreign interference.
It's a threat to our democracy. Not the biggest threat, however.
The most effective disinformation campaign is what comes out of Trump's mouth and his twittering fingers.
10
"Interesting times . . ." We have that going for us. Which is nice. -C
If Trump or his associates knowingly amplify, pass along, re-Tweet, etc., propaganda generated by Russia, would this not be an instance of collusion with a foreign enemy? I.e., treason?
10
I’m interested to know why Barr keeps visiting Italy? How do they figure into the disinformation equation?
1
@Sunshine
It appears Bill Barr is part of the Opus Dei network. Maybe his visits have nothing to do with the Italian government, but rather to get conservative Catholic support at the Vatican( the Raymond Burke wing) for Trump. Steve Bannon is heavily involved in this Italian-American conservative axis.
1
Trump has been playing into Russia's hands since he took office. I am still waiting for a coherent and believable explanation of his strange subservience to Putin.
227
@Christy it isn't strange at all. Putin controls him for some reason. Why else no transcripts or records of the their conversations? Why else not even records of how many times they talk--I hear it's several and even many times a month. Why is every single decision taken by Trump, even impulsive or irrational moves, designed to benefit Putin? The Russian dictator has something on him, and calls the tunes. Trump dances over and over. It's not just "strange" or "unusual" or "puzzling". It's alarming and needs to be investigated, which is why Trump has prety much locked up the DOJ and any pathway to honest investigations launched by Democrats.
It's a slow rolling soft coup, aided and directed by Putin. In the America I was born and raised in, no American president could act like a Manchurian candidate for even 5 minutes without official Washington taking action.
42
@Christy The pee tape, but it is minor. More important is years of money laundering for Russian Oligarchs by funding Trump's building projects and buying his expensive condos in many of those projects, in addition to Russian Oligarch funding of the Republican party through the conduit of the NRA and other vehicles.
30
@Christy : When Trump's taxes are released, you may just get that "coherent and believable explanation" you are looking for, Christy. There is a reason Trump will not release his tax returns even though he promised to do so on the campaign trail -and every other candidate running for President or Vice President has done so since Watergate. And as far as funding his real estate projects, NYC banks stopped lending to Trump in 1990-1991...so who- other than Deutsche Bank - is lending to him?
29
Nothing unwitting about it.
Trump is working hard to help Russia on all fronts -- including undermining the integrity our elections -- as well as looking out for himself and his family.
I still strongly believe that Trump is working to protect and grow his own financial interests with Russia -- and staying on good terms with Putin is key -- but he also seems as interested now in protecting himself behind this bogus idea that presidents can't be indicted. I suspect he sees potential jail time if he doesn't win, so my guess is we've only just begun to see the stops he'll dislodge in his effort to protect himself and his family.
Sadly, it does not appear we have many left in the so-called Justice Department or even the CIA who are willing to stop him.
26
Greetings from Russia!
As for me, I like that Trump doesn't support socialism, welfare state, enforcement of equality and other buzz words. All citizens are individuals, so every person make its own decisions based on his unique experience of life. I like that Trump is implementing some libertarian policies in the US, and it would be great to see such things in Russia eventually.
Yes, you may don't like him, but your country has a 1st amendment and you definitely can use a hate speech rethoric towards your president.
1
@Nikolay If we're lucky, Trump will ask for asylum in your country before we kick him out of office. He'll fit right in with the rest of the unfortunately corrupt oligarchy that runs Russia.
2
As a student of language and linguistics, I would venture to say that this comment was not written by a Russian national. It begs the question of what one will find to be truthful or not in a disinformation campaign and that might prove to be increasingly more difficult to ascertain among uninformed and informed voters.
1
Like it or not, the Russians won. In 2016 they won, and now, for similar reasons, it is reasonable to project that they will win again.
This did not happen because they are especially clever or powerful; they are neither of those. And contrary to the persistent message of self-serving media personalities, politicians, and editors, they probably had no measurable effect on the 2016 election, and did not elect Donald Trump to the presidency. The Russians "won" in 2016 and are looking to repeat in 2020 because Americans, some well intentioned, and others almost surely not, magnified their propaganda effort from a tiny and often laughable enterprise to a fearsome or even overwhelming onslaught on the US political system. The problem is not the Russians, but fear of them.
The result in 2016 has poisoned US national politics since, leading to wild accusations of treason and both genuine and show investigations piled on each other. It distracts from matters of genuine concern and has led the inexperienced, ignorant, and volatile man actually elected, fairly and by the long standing rules, to overreactions that far exceed those of his various attackers, and aggravate an already unfortunate situation.
The drums of fear continue to beat, despite the fact that the Russian attack had little effect in the past and defenses, generally, are quite a lot better now. The problem is not the Russians, but Americans' lack of understanding of and confidence in the strength of our institutions.
9
@Thomas D. Dial
The problem is not 'America's' lack of understanding and confidence in our institutions, but rather the GOP's lack thereof.
6
Why can't we ban political ads on social media? Why is this a far-fetched idea? Sure, individuals and small groups will still band together and make memes and all, but we are about to have a $1B+ presidential election and a sizable portion of that is PAC money that gets poured into disinformation on social media. Think about it, over $1,000,000,000 to try and get elected president. That just does not seem right to me.
21
@CW
The NYT has done a terrific job of confusing it's readers about the first amendment. A proud day no doubt.
@CW Because.....SCOTUS and Citizens United.
"How Trump Is Helping Russia Help Trump Again: Wittingly or unwittingly, the president and his allies are helping to propagate another disinformation campaign."
When can we finally set aside the question of whether he knows what he is doing or not? If, day in and day out, in everything he says and does, he behaves like a Russian agent, advancing Russian aims and undermining our own, then what else is he?
69
@Robert I guess the point is, Trump's a Russian agent but far too stupid to know it. Unfortunately the Republicans have no standards other than what's in it for themselves. They demonstrate zero concern for the needs of their constituents, much less the country or world as a whole. Their careers are dependent on the unwitted, of whom there are many.
4
If the current politicians have any moral courage,and pride for their country and its democracy,then not only they must pass the law to outlaw any political ad from any form of media,and including likes of Facebook and Twitter. Of course,the SCOTUS must have been enlightened to avoid free wheeling interpretations of free speech etc etc.
2
It appears that there is an opportunity for a group or individuals partial to the Democrats to play the same game against Trump. This is what our elections have devolved into - a race to spread untruths.
4
@donaldo That's the thing about Trump, you don't have to engage in a "untruth" campaign against him. The reality is outrageous enough that telling the truth about him already seems like an exaggeration. But the truth is even worse and Trump is the perfect sock puppet for Putin to manipulate & credulous people to believe.
5
@donaldo What lies are being spread about Trump?
3
@donaldo
Oh dear, the usual both-sides-do-it excuse of Trumpists.
1
Just get off Social Media for the duration of this administration. Don't tempt anyone to hold your attention by even being there to read it. There are many ways to get information, especially by just listening to actually speeches made by candidates and fact checking them. Swear off social media and do not let that influence opinion. Just don't go there.
12
@mouseone The problem with that is that we then leave social media to the gullibles with no one to counter the disinformation. I don't know what the best treatment is for cancer, but I do know it's not to let it go untreated.
3
Once we accept that trump and russia are the same entity the sooner we can stop asking questions and start acting to put an end to it.
31
Even worse than "finding" Hunter Biden's emails, the GRU or IRA could make up incriminating emails which could then be used for Barr to open investigations of Hunter Biden (or even Joe Biden!). They seem to have mixed some made-up material into the release of John Podesta's emails in 2016.
There will no doubt be extreme criticism of Democratic primaries and attempts to split progressives and centrists. The far right nature of the Trump movement means that the remainder of the voters is too large to coalesce around issues. The risk is that a significant number of this opposition will stay home, and this is the point of the Russian influence campaign.
Facebook and Twitter should ban all political information in the last 30 days before the election. The media must be very careful not to amplify false information.
11
I am not a lawyer but have mingled with many lawyers over the last 40 years. I have learned a phrase that applies here: "You are assuming facts not in evidence."
The true fact here is that Trump is not "playing into Russia's hands."
HE WORKS FOR RUSSIA! He is just doing the job for which he was "elected."
31
@Eero: No. See, this is an example of the wrong kind of thinking. This is leaping from lots of information about a complicated situation, to a simple, specific claim, which I think we can say is certainly not true. Russia supported him, as the candidate of chaos and resentment, because that's the kind of person he has always been; and also because his opponent was HRC, hated by the Russians. A lot of what he does benefits them, because chaos and weakness on our side is what they want to see. But to say he "works for them" reduces it to a very practical claim: where are his paychecks? Who is his supervisor? No, he doesn't "work for them", except in the sense that all the racists and talk radio crazies metaphorically work for them, in that they weaken the US, and tarnish the whole idea of democratic government.
1
Disinformation is a primary weapon for Trump. It always has been and one could argue that it is perhaps the thing that Trump is best skilled at. The Trump campaign led by Brad Parscale will be relying heavily on a disinformation propaganda strategy for 2020 and they already have help from Facebook. Russians will join in the already existing framework.
This is all done out in the open. There is NO 'unwittingly'. The Trump campaign knows what it is doing, wants to do it and will accept any and all help from foreign entities. Who is going to stop them? America's laws are such that the claim 'I didn't know' will find purchase in any argument including the courts.
We do not have to wait.
This is happening NOW. It's just the beginning.
26
What really frightens and horrifies me is that we KNOW all this--yet we don't see to be able to stop it or even prevent the misinformation from having its intended effect. Why???
61
@EA One answer to this question is that collectively between Trump and his Republican cohorts, there has been no national effort to strengthen and protect the American elective process against foreign interference,
Far from it. They are anticipating with delight another four years of Donald Trump with the help of Russia?
When does politics become treason?
18
@EA Part of it is, the question of "we". "We" know all this, but a very substantial minority don't recognize it at all. It's not just the stereotypical ignorant Trump supporters; I've had a college professor assure me that the NYT is totally discredited and publishes nothing but lies about Trump. That's a special kind of ignorance. People at the highest levels of government and civilian society are promoting a narrative that is the opposite of what "we" know.
On a more philosophical level, there has never been a way that we could simply make falsehoods go away. It's in the nature of information, let alone the ideal of free speech. The assurance that truth will inevitably win out in the marketplace of ideas doesn't seem to ring very true, these days.
5
wittingly or unwittingly ?
1
There is no doubt in my mind that trump will leverage Russian help to try to win the election just as he did in 2016. This time, his kids can no longer claim ignorance.
His past betrayals beget future betrayals. Every road trump is on leads to Putin.
26
“rewarded mightily by our press”
What did Trump mean, Russia would probably be rewarded mightily “by our press.” How could the press reward Russia? Watching the tape, it’s apparent these last three words were added as an afterthought to hide the fact that it was really Trump who was offering to reward Russia mightily for their political help.
8
@Tim On the other hand, remember how much our mainstream press was assisting Trump's campaign in those days, not because they wanted him to win, but because he was crazily newsworthy. As were all the emails, HRC or DNC. If anyone had found those missing emails, the story of how they were lost and found would have been blazoned all over the news, no matter how innocuous the emails themselves actually were. The "reward" would have been the additional publicity for their campaign of disruption.
1
@John Bergstrom
You be the judge:
Incremental publicity for Russia’s campaign of disruption vs:
Trump attacking NATO,
Trump attacking US allies,
Preferring Putin’s assurances to US intelligence,
Withholding approved aid for Ukraine,
Pulling out of Syria,
Etc..
Rewarded mightily? Trump was not making a nuanced point, as subsequent events have shown.
It should be clear to everyone at this point that Trump and the Republican Party as well welcome Russian interference on their behalf. "Moscow Mitch" certainly did in 2016; so did some House Republicans.
Republicans have convinced themselves that they are the only legitimate rulers of America, and if they have to sabotage democracy to stay in power and keep the money flowing upwards, they are fine with that.
Trump's admiration for Putin and other autocrats goes hand in hand with the GOP determination to turn America into a corrupt oligarchy. Everything they do has that as their end game. They've been working on it for decades.
The Powell Memo goes a long way towards explaining how we got here. https://billmoyers.com/content/the-powell-memo-a-call-to-arms-for-corporations/
34
@Larry Roth
Thanks, you are 100% accurate, the Republicans will destroy our Republic to serve the American oligarchs while enriching themselves.
4
In a sane country Republicans would do what they could to protect our elections, but they have consistently declined to do so. This, along with court-rigging, voter ID laws designed to keep the poor and people of color from voting, and gerrymandering, suggests that they are simply content to allow democracy to fail while they line their pockets. They believe they hold all the cards: an AG, a Supreme Court and a Senate that will protect the American Dictator at all costs. But beyond that, their supporters -- along with Putin, MBS and other dictators around the world -- gloat and high-five one another. The rest of us must keep fighting back as we can and encouraging one another so we don't fall into despair.
26
This column states that numerous intelligence reports on Russian activities have been presented to various congressional committees, which include members from both the Democratic and Republican parties. And yet the GOP continues to fully support Trump, to the point of thwarting investigations into his and his associates' behavior while doing absolutely nothing to prevent a recurrence of the foreign election meddling that occurred in 2016. My question is this - how is this not tantamount to treason?
54
@Michael
It is treason. But the donor money they get makes it all better.
1
Someday we will learn why Trump sold out the country to Putin. What is likely is that the most shocking thing will be how cheap it was.
P.S. "treason" only applies when the country is in a declared war, which was last during WW2. But traitorous applies anytime.
1
The answer to one question is the key to this whole mess: “Why is Donald Trump afraid of Vladimir Putin?”
Trump’s narcissism manifests itself in belligerence and disrespect toward everyone, except Putin. How can this be? With a few tweets and offhand remarks to ‘put Putin in his place,’ Trump could diffuse the whole Russia thing. Yet the deference and obsequiousness continues.
Whether it’s “kompromat,” financial debts, or both, Trump is desperately afraid of Putin, and he will continue to gladly sell out the US in service to Russia as long as he remains in office. Why is Trump afraid of Putin?
Answer that one question, and we’ll have the clear reason why Trump must be removed as soon as possible.
117
@Michael
Whatever the reason, it’s obvious that Trump favors Putin and Russia over the interests of the US. Another important question to ask is why Republicans in Congress are putting their loyalty and/or fear of losing an election over the interests of the US and the lawless precedents this administration is setting, especially Trump and Barr. Why have so many Republicans made trips to Russia, a country with an economy about the size of New York state and a small import/export impact on the US economy? What are Republicans getting out of the Russian relationship?
103
@Michael
Americans seem to have a soft spot for Russian intrigue. For many, the only Russian word they know is "Kompromat"! Growing up with Boris and Natasha has sure taken a toll.
5
@Michael
My one question is who did Joseph Mifsud work for.
3
We should teach our children a skill called critical thinking, question everything one is told, regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees. look at important questions from all sides, don't jump to conclusions. This course used to be called "philosophy" and has been taught since ancient times, but every American university dropped it as because it was not "useful".
We have replaced critical thinking with "confirmation bias", the habit of rejecting any idea, no matter how well substantiated, that conflicts with our existing beliefs and believing anything, no matter how absurd, that agrees with our existing beliefs.
17
@Dan Woodard MD Our sadly debased educational system is guilty of many things, but the failure to teach critical thinking and media literacy is the one we should most regret.
@Dan Woodard MD Half the country does teach their children this. Half the country doesn't.
1
What a nightmare and now we have an Attorney General running around the world trying to find dirt on the investigators who investigated the Russian influence on the Trump campaign and our election process. The Trump administration to my knowledge has done absolutely nothing to protect our elections. The fortunate thing is that the 25-35% of the country that slavishly supports Trump, who are the targets of Russia's disinformation campaign, will hopefully be the only people who fall for it. And I stress the word hope.
43
@SLF Unfortunately, it appears that, through their anti-Hillary campaign targeting key minority voters, Sanders supporters, etc., they were also able to convince Democrats to stay home. There's no reason to believe they won't use this strategy again. Trump supporters aren't the only ones who fall for disinformation campaigns.
2
Shadow diplomacy by Trump certainly needs investigation. But so does what happened under Obama when his Secy of State and VP both exploited their offices for their family to get big money from corrupt Ukrainian companies. The Clinton foundation and Hunter Biden.
The US taxpayers send aid to Ukraine to invest in energy. Burisma in trouble for their shady deals and under investigation hires Hunter Biden and Devin Archer to their board. Archer with connections to John Kerry meets the VP before he visits Ukraine.
That US tax payer money did it go to Burisma? And through Burisma to Hunter Biden We know the latter part. But this needs investigation for sure.
The quid pro quo is not the issue. Joe Biden held up the aid to Ukraine also until they fired the prosecutor. May be for a good cause. But still a quid pro quo.
Trump however should have let the RNC handle all this or may be used a law firm to hire someone like Steele instead of Guliani to make a dossier to give to the FBI.
1
@Kris So what you're saying is that President Obama's VP Biden and both Secretary's of State, Clinton and Kerry were reaping money from corrupt Ukrainian companies. There's no doubt that Hunter Biden's involvement in Burisma, a Ukrainian energy exploration company was questionable. However, though multiple British and American investigations were completed, there was NO evidence of foul play - just bad judgement. Secondly, I can find absolutely NO mention of Clinton or Kerry regarding any Ukrainian corruption.
I am not saying that I approve of what Hunter Biden die, but when one compares what Hunter Biden did to what the ENTIRE Trump family is currently doing now, it is like comparing an ant hill to a volcano. He used poor judgement and never took a penny of American taxpayer money, but the Trump's fly around the world pretending to be representatives of America - ALL OF WHICH is on the American taxpayers bill.
9
Kris,
The big difference is that Biden, acting as the Vice President, withheld monies
to eliminate corruption by removing the prosecutor at that time to insure that shady deals were not continuing. He did NOT withhold taxpayer monies to ask for interference in his upcoming election as Trump did. This quid pro quo was Trump’s way of asserting pressure for his OWN political gain. That’s the difference.
8
@Kris
Biden held up loan guaranties in furtherance of stated US policy.
Trump held up Congressionally approved funds for his own personal political benefit.
The Trump Foundation was shut down because Trump and his children treated the charity like their own personal cash machine. The Clinton Foundation still is in operation and is highly rated.
By all means, let’s investigate nepotism in government. Let’s start with the current President and his children.
3
Trump will do what is best for Trump.
Not what's best for America.
Not what's best for democracy.
Not what's best for the world.
Trump will do whatever gets him closer to having Trump Towers Moscow.
It's his only priority.
Just like Trump Towers Istanbul was.
Vote Democratic in 2020.
Every office, Every seat.
48
"There is nothing to stop President Trump from publicly soliciting assistance from the Russian intelligence services."
That's a pretty big problem. I also don't think that statement is necessarily true. Impeachment was specifically worded with foreign interference in mind. As a matter of fact, Trump is already in violation of the same law we're discussing in Ukraine.
§30121.
It shall be unlawful for-
(2) a person to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution or donation from a foreign national.
Soliciting intelligence services from Russia is illegal. The problem of course is the Republican Senate. Alexander Hamilton spoke to this problem in Federalist 65.
"... the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of the parties than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt."
Meaning Republicans are likely to ignore guilt simply because they have the power to do so. Not unlike Merrick Garland, a brute and unapologetic display of raw political power but one McConnell is clearly willing to wield.
However, impeachment would often fall into factions vying for survival, Hamilton called for the provision anyway. Perhaps because even if Trump survives impeachment on a brazenly partisan basis, there will be a consequence to his Party. If not in the present then eventually. Ask yourself why Democrats aren't pursuing Trump's FEC violations? The answer has everything to do with Bill Clinton's acquittal.
5
If public opinion clearly favours impeachment, Sitting Republicans will begin to worry that their re-election will be at risk if they protect trump from a legitimate impeachment process. At this point, they will turn on trump to protect themselves. It seems to already be happening, to some extent.
2
@Andy
If Trump was requesting fabricated or just favorable RESULTS of their justice-seeking inquiries then you might be able able to consider it a "contribution or donation". Otherwise, I don't thing you've got anything. (And that "emoluments clause" of the constitution concerns 'quid pro quo' toward, not from, the president.)
3
@carl bumba
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Accepting Russian aid is a violation of the above.
If the President of Ukraine provided an investigation of Biden, and trump uses it then he is in violation of the the above clause.
3
The criminal in the White House has not learned his lesson and Putin would love to repeat his success from 2016. If there is any hope, however, it will be that Biden will not be the democratic candidate and we will instead have a social democrat with a history that inspires trust and an ideology that will blunt Russian interests in our election. There are still socialists in Russia and they won't attack Bernie with the same zeal as Biden or Warren. In fact, he may actually divide the forces Putin has relied on for so long and give him more problems than he is able to manage with corruption and greed.
2
@CR Hare The Democratic field, so far, does not show much promise. Biden, unless he stumbles, probably has the best chance of winning nationally. Warren, Sanders, and perhaps Harris are fringe candidates even among traditional Democrats and many Democratic-leaning independents; one of them might win nomination, but winning the election would be a stretch against a healthy Trump. Buttigieg, while a centrist with genuine appeal across the full political spectrum would be hampered as a nominee by homophobic bigotry. The others are unlikely to be significant at the convention and will not be nominated.
Some days it seems the Democrats are intent on losing the election next year.
1
The biggest problem here is that most voters are low information and don't care about Trump's shenanigans, Russia and Ukraine. They don't care about McConnell and the Republicans refusing to try to alleviate the problem. They don't care about Trump not releasing his tax returns and they don't care about Republican voter suppression efforts. That's why the Republicans can get away with what they've been doing. Not only do most voters not care, the Republican base approves.
21
Why would Trump want to taint the results of the Mueller report when it more damaging to Democrats than to Trump? Why are the Democrats in congress and in the media so incurious about the alleged FISA court abuses and the corruption that started the Special Council in the first place? What the FBI did with the Steele Dossier as a pretext to spy on the Trump campaign should and will be investigated, and all Americans should want to know how a group of beaurocrats in the FBI, the DNC, and the intelligence community could try and railroad a president with a fake dossier that was sourced from russian intelligence, to discredit Trump before he even took office.
4
@RD I for one am extremely eager to learn of all these alleged FISA court abuses, and how unelected bureaucrats in the FBI, the DNC, and the intelligence community conspired to somehow convince a Republican Attorney General to appoint a Republican former FBI Director to investigate ties between the Trump campaign and the highest levels of the Russian government.
Bring it on! Let the truth come out!
And let's also find out where the nearly-bankrupt National Rifle Association found $60 million to spend in the 2016 campaign. Let's find out why Trump is dismantling the State Department, abandoning our NATO allies, and ceding geopolitical leadership in the Middle East to Russia.
Inquiring minds want to know!
46
@RD Just as the article said: disinformation has found it’s target.
3
@RD I'm curious as to how you would explain why the Senate Intel Committee, a Republican-led committee with the highest-level access to classified information, determined that the Russians did interfere in the 2016 presidential election and did so in support of Trump's campaign. From the report:"... based our findings on the entire body of intelligence reporting included in the ICA. The Committee finds the difference in confidence levels between the NSA and the CIA and FBI on the assessment that “Putin and the Russian Government aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances” appropriately represents analytic differences and was reached in a professional and transparent manner.
In all the interviews of those who drafted and prepared the ICA, the Committee heard consistently that analysts were under no politically motivated pressure to reach any conclusions. All analysts expressed that they were free to debate, object to content, and assess confidence levels, as is normal and proper for the analytic process. As the inquiry has progressed since January 2017, the Committee has seen additional examples of Russia’s attempts to sow discord, undermine democratic institutions, and interfere in U.S. elections and those of our allies." You can read the full report yourself.
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So that measley "troll-factory" office building is supposed to concern us? Let's compare this to the installations and compounds in the US dedicated to "producing, disseminating and amplifying disinformation through popular social media platforms." I think I read that this "factory" had an annual operating budget of 1-2 million dollars (or was it rubles?). Analogous operations within our many intelligence agencies, like the NSA, probably have budgets totaling more than 100 times this. This commitment to "weaponizing" anything that can advance our national interest is dwarfed by our mainstream media's commitment to the lucrative and empowering narrative that our democracy is under attack by the Russians. Why doesn't our media (or Mueller) reveal the Russian's best "weapons" used against us in 2016? Maybe because they are so cheesy, lame and unsophisticated (and "targeting" both Hillary and Trump supporters) that it would make a mockery of our political and media establishments' claims. The number of votes actually changed by these twitter and facebook activities within the high seas of pre-election internet is planktonic. But what about the flip side? Our continuous PR campaign against the Russians? Consider how many Americans today believe, erroneously, that Trump was aware of and/or cooperated with the Russians in concerted effort to get him elected. In contrast, 'pathetic attempts to create discord, unbeknownst to Trump' - none of this is common opinion.
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@carl bumba
I'm not at all sure what's "common opinion."
Let's remember that no one, including Trump and the Russians, expected him to win the election. It seems likely that the Russian "meddling" was designed to weaken Hillary Clinton's presidency.
Let's also remember that the Democrats didn't weaponize the information about Russian activities. The Obama administration gave in to Mitch McConnell too easily when it came to making Russian activity public. So far as I know, the Clinton campaign never used the Steele dossier in its publicity.
I think we know of some efforts by the Trump campaign to work with Russians, the Don Jr, Manafort, Kushner meeting as a prime example. Mueller told us of many other contacts and indicted some Russians in absentia for their roles.
Mueller also said that it wasn't his role to bring charges against the president. That's up to Congress, which is constitutionally charged to bring impeachment proceedings for bad behavior.
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@carl bumba, Please name names. Please name the analogous NSA and other US Government projects, organizations, etc. that are waging a dirty information war with Russia, creating and disseminating lies to be seeded among the Russian people and the world to destabilize Russia and undermine its interests. How about some examples of specific lies the US has invented and tried to make viral to undermine Russia? How about providing some links to Facebook ads or other e-propaganda placed to inflame divisions in Russian society? Direct us to credible books or reports documenting this. If our attempts to undermine Russia consist only of having given aid to Russian NGO's to buy photocopiers, I'm not sure our efforts are so much greater - as you say - than those of the IRA and Russian military.
@Betsy S
Yes. Because no one expected Trump to win - no matter what - the FBI investigation of Hillary was acknowledged before the election, imo, to PROTECT the democrats and the election results from being challenged by repub's afterwards when it would have come out.
And remember, the Russians apparently had the damaging DNC and Podesta emails (which they did not adjust in the slightest) well before Hillary clinched the nomination. She would have SURELY lost to Bernie if they released this in the spring of 2016 when they had it. She should thank the Russians for this!
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"Wittingly or unwittingly, the president and his allies are helping to propagate another disinformation campaign--one that will most likely aid Russia, yet again, in its efforts to intervene corruptly in the American electoral process." There is absolutely no way the president and his allies are "unwitting" in their current actions. They are "witting". They may have been "unwitting" in 2016, but by now they are showing that they will betray their country to remain in power. Every American who believes in democracy should be shocked and outraged by the response of this president and his allies to the careful documentation of Russian interference listed in the Mueller Report.
Five Trump associates including Kellyanne Conway and both Trump sons shared content of social media generated by the Russian intelligence services. These five associates should apologize. Instead there is the horrifying effort on the part of Bill Barr to undermine the report.
Putin's interests are not ours. Trump continues to strengthen Putin's position though his disparagement of NATO, his apparent friendliness and admiration for Putin, by sharing state secrets in the Oval Office with Kisylak, his recent actions in Syria, and his attempts to shake down Ukraine in return for manufactured information on the Bidens.
These are truly frightening times for our democracy. It is clear Trump knows what he is doing.
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@LC You could not have put it more succinctly: "the president and his allies ... will betray their country to remain in power." The question is, will the American people permit it? We shall find out soon enough.
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Not only is Trump a traitor but there are other GOP members of Congress, that are compromised.
GOP Senators went to the Kremlin on July 4, 2018:
Richard C. Shelby (Ala.),
Steve Daines (Mont.),
John Hoeven (N.D.),
John Neely Kennedy (La.),
Jerry Moran (Kan.),
John Thune (S.D.),
Ron Johnson (Wisconsin),
Rand Paul (Kentucky),
and House of Rep. Kay Granger (Tex.).
We have a real serious problem with Russian moles in Congress which explains their actions for doing nothing when Trump cozies up Putin.
There still has been no plausible explanation of why they went to the Kremlin...other than RU$$IAN $$$.
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The subtitle "The efforts by presidential associates like Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine are helping set up a 2020 disinformation campaign" walks too easily over the possibilities for direct hacking and therefore more directly assure a victory for Trump. Election systems are weak (and way too little has been done to upgrade them) and the GOP in the senate has done a very efficient job in stopping any and all federal initiatives to strengthen these systems. And let's certainly not forget that the Russians have an open invitation to meddle, from Trump himself.
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Remember that Senator McConnell fought to *prevent* passage of a federal measure to improve election security ahead of the 2020 presidential campaign. It is a mistake to attribute the threat to free and fair U.S. elections only to Donald Trump. The Republican Party fully supports any warping of the democratic process they think will help elect their candidates.
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@J
See also: Russian money laundered by the NRA to benefit the Party of Trump.
See also: Party of Trump was also hacked by the Russians prior to 2016....and not a peep resulted...
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@Nathan Hansard
The people that vote for the likes of McConnell and Graham are equally complicit.
They know full well what those frauds are up to but the government money keeps rolling in to support them so all is OK.
What we need is for the money paid in Federal taxes is exactly what the stated receive back and not a penny more.
If only. Ah well. I can dream.
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"Washington is consumed by the impeachment inquiry that has followed the release of the whistle-blower complaint in late September alleging that Trump administration officials and associates sought to coerce Ukraine into politically motivated investigations."
As important as the rest of Mr. Dorfman's opinion piece is, it's the first sentence that says so much about everything that is wrong with our country at the moment.
First, the fact that Washington -- but not the rest of the country by-and-large -- is "consumed" by the impeachment inquiry shows both how much damage has already been done by endless internet disinformation that has seeped into our mobile phones, our workplaces, and almost every room in our homes.
Second, the fact that the evidence adduced thus far by the House -- that the U.S. president's actions with respect to Ukraine are so far above and beyond the "appearance of impropriety" as to be unmeasurable -- has not prompted the president to have resigned already, shows not merely this man's complete lack of a moral compass, but also how the fundamental worldview and morality of Americans has shifted to a place we perhaps could not have dreamed of just a few short years ago.
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@ALB I agree. When my brother tells me that Trump was "smart" to avoid paying his taxes and that we should all do that, I know our country is in big trouble.
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@ALB Trump is a psychopath. The hallmark of psychopathy is lack of a conscience. A conscience is actually a form of intelligence--the ability to imagine the feelings of others, and the presence of emotional structures to resonate with their perceived discomfort.
I feel your pain and I care about it. Trump has neither of those abilities. It's a form of selective intellectual/emotional disability.
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Because politicians have done squat to to shore up our elections and prevent meddling, Trump will happily feed content to Russian trolls who in turn will amplify it.
They have discerned our essential weaknesses--political polarization and yes, gullibility--to develop new weapons of war more powerful than missiles and bombs.
Moreover, Trump acts more like a Russian asset than a US president, either by inclination or Kompromat. If one looks at his foreign policy moves, why is it that Russia always benefits? Remember Pelosi's words: "with you, all roads lead to Russia."
Now, with the upcoming campaign, it's as if Trump has his own private misinformation ad agency, ready to strike at a moment's notice, no matter who the Democratic candidate is.
Trump is ceding our country by default--turning us almost into a satellite of Russia-- and I want to know what they have on him.
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@ChristineMcM
as a fan of your comments, I respectfully disagree that it is "politicians" at fault here. There is one party that has taken steps to shore up our elections and democracy and another party that has blocked and stymied those efforts. Oh, and it's the same with voter suppression efforts.
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@Rocko World: my bad, you're correct. It's only the GOP, specifically McConnell, who has blocked everything and only grudgingly gave states a puny amount for polling assistance. But I guess when I wrote 'politicians", I included my own party, Democrats, who have been too timid on this issue. They should be blasting Republicans to the sky on their willful passivity which allows Russia free rein in meddling. I respect Democratic leadership immensely, but in the era of Trump, an abundance of caution is just as bad as complicity.
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@ChristineMcM When it comes to content, let us not forget that Mark Zuckerberg is letting Facebook amplify the disinformation. Quisling is not too strong a word.
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The House needs to subpoena all records of Trump’s private meetings with Putin as well as testimony of any interpreters. Trump’s relationship with Putin has not been fully investigated. Mueller really dropped the ball.
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@James: Mueller made many referrals to other prosecutors, which are certain to cover the other aspects of Trump's treason. Mueller did not drop the ball, he fulfilled his particular assignment and the fruits of his labors will come to fruition through the referrals. This is one reason Trump is trying so desperately to get elected again, believing being in office would protect him. On this latter point I believe he will be proven wrong.
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@James ABSOLUTELY! Looks like you’ve hit the nail on the head. This is the missing piece. I am still haunted by the smirk of Putin’s face when the two men came out of their “private conference” and stood at podiums next to one another in Helsinki. It appeared to me that Putin had won something or had something over Trump; and, Trump looked a little shocked. That look was similar to a post-Election moment in the lobby of Trump Tower when FBI agents had just informed Trump of particulars in the Steele Dossier. PLEASE investigate this “Private Meeting” before this goes any further.
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@tbs But what came of those referrals? I have heard nothing other than Barr running around saying a sitting president can not be investigated or indicted (and trying to investigate and indict anyone else as a distraction).
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Question: Given his previous behavior as an agent for foreign corporations and governments, and his (based on transcripts and incomplete reports of testimony before Congress, are there grounds for requesting a temporary order restraining Mr. Giuliani from leaving the US?
The head of the Trump private defense team evidence and released testimony so far demonstrates he is suborning either perjury, lies by foreign governments prohibited by what his client calls the “phony” Emoluments Ban on acceptance of anything of value from foreign governments by a sitting president, or simple obstruction of justice, waving the power of his client to bring or block aid, etc.
His actions appear to go far above those of a good lawyer doing what he can to collect material in defense of a client, but making an international plea to some interesting characters that it would be in the best interest of their nation and themselves to create noise to obscure the data, threatening efforts to decide whether Trump has committed crimes worthy of impeachment, and to convince members of his party to break with its nominal head and follow the oaths they spoke when they took seats in Congress.
Banning a citizen from freedom to travel the world is a serious matter and limitation on tights.
But it seems Giuliani is on a crime spree of his own, and, based on the White House’s own words, is aiding Trump’s apparent ongoing organized criminal effort to obstruct justice.
Any legal specialists interested?
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At times it feels as if the Trump-Russia speed bump has been driven over so many times that we've almost become immune. Dorfman's piece is a welcome relief to that tedium, inasmuch as he has concisely focused attention on the problem. Add to his piece the concern for improved Russian (and other) capability to engage in such political interference. Deep fakes, and newly-minted memes, for example, may make 2016's effort look amateurish. Hold on to your hats, things are going get nasty.
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@ACT. Yes, 2020 will make 2016 look amateurish. But it won't just be Russia promoting Trump, there will also be other countries pushing anti-Trump messages.
The social media firms will rake in billions. But by my not spending any time at all on social media, or TV, I won't see any of it.
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@Don Wiss If you can completely reject social media you are in a small minority.
@ACT We know the plots, we know the actors, and yet we seem powerless as we watch as the play continues.
How is it that 35% of our population has come to hate the 65% to such an extent that they will believe any and all misinformation- whether it comes from Russia, Rudy or Republicans.
President Obama was born outside the US.
Michelle Obama wants to force feed you your vegetables.
Hunter Biden is the source of all corruption in Eastern Europe- while Rudy has oligarchs on speed dial.
Any gun, anywhere, by anybody is a good public health position.
Climate change is a Chinese hoax.
All ridiculous assertions on their faces.
When your only motivation is to put a thumb in the eye of the opponent (all of whom you regard as the enemies of the State) any gossip is a call to action.
Old lies never die, and new, bigger lies, are the air that the 35% breathes and needs to survive.
We can hope that this is a house of cards will soon collapse. But, I would argue that that is the greatest fear right now- maybe that house of cards has a foundation of misinformation so deep that it can't be broken.
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