Kushner is a traitor! End of story!
9
With the end of WW2, the US been the military and economic leader of the
world capitalistic political system. In general, the major players in this alliance ( Japan, Germany, England, France, Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia) all got in line and followed the policies that came from the .White House.
With China and Russia becoming full fledged players in this economic and political game, power centers are beginning to shift. The Trump/ Kushner
Business - political alliance with Russian business oligarchs and Vlad Putin , along with Netanyahuin Israel and the oil sheiks in Saudi Arabia ....all signal this new realignment.
America is freaking out....Russia is screwing around in our elections...."We are the ones who overthrow governments (Chile, Nicaragua, Grenada).... we fund CIA Media (Radio Free Europe), We buy politicians (Haiti Ukraine).
Who will control politics in America......the old Democrat-Republican power couple or the Trump/Kushner/Putin gang of neo fascists?
world capitalistic political system. In general, the major players in this alliance ( Japan, Germany, England, France, Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia) all got in line and followed the policies that came from the .White House.
With China and Russia becoming full fledged players in this economic and political game, power centers are beginning to shift. The Trump/ Kushner
Business - political alliance with Russian business oligarchs and Vlad Putin , along with Netanyahuin Israel and the oil sheiks in Saudi Arabia ....all signal this new realignment.
America is freaking out....Russia is screwing around in our elections...."We are the ones who overthrow governments (Chile, Nicaragua, Grenada).... we fund CIA Media (Radio Free Europe), We buy politicians (Haiti Ukraine).
Who will control politics in America......the old Democrat-Republican power couple or the Trump/Kushner/Putin gang of neo fascists?
6
Birds of a feather flock together.
3
There is NO REASON for the son-in-law who is not a government employee to meet with a sanctioned bank prior to this administration taking office. Not even a business reason. They are sanctioned!!! Dirty deeds...
7
There is no Chinese wall between individuals or corporations and government. Kremlin control through majority ownership of the levers of corporate power is an extreme example, but what of our own connections with industry? We tip the scales through the ExIm Bank, the Small Business Administration and many rules in contracting for services with the government, a major consumer. Our governmental thumbs may be more lightly on the scales, but they are there nonetheless.
1
It is really all about the money. When GOP pretend Trump et al didn't collude with Russia, they willfully choose to ignore the money trail. Sanctions. Tillerson. Ross. Donald. And Dimples. Kushner may get a pass for a while with Ivanka flogging "affordable glamour" and posing with yet another flawless child, but this family of Grifters are not going to pass as political neophytes and out-siders when their complex web of deals is repeatedly and fully exposed.
5
Isn't it time yet to begin prosecutions?
5
If the average American citizen did what Kushner is attempting, he would be behind bars ........
11
This is why business people have no place in politics. They get caught up in making a deal. Patriotism and optics don't occur to them.
13
That’s nothing compared to doing business in China.
4
Skullduggery has replaced ideology, which replaced patriotism, which replaced idealism a long time ago. And personal gain and ego lies at the heart of this steady downfall. It's long past time that this country should start adhering to the founding documents that established certain inalienable rights -- freedom of speech, separation of church and state, individual and human rights, equality. No one should run the United States as a personal cash cow for a bloated self and his/her friends.
7
Tried to recruit Carter Page or did he volunteer? His bizarre, glassy eyed devotion to Russia is truly creepy. The (very ill-advised) interview with Chris Matthews has to be seen to be believed. He is sycophantic to the Russians, self-destructive and lacking in insight to a degree even beyond Trump.
11
However you slice it or dice it, this is massive conflict-of-interest on a hitherto unprecedented scale. Or (likely) much worse...
8
"follow the money", just like Watergate
7
We must not let the current hearings and the Russian interference in our elections distract us from an equally important issue.
Shameless public servants, above all others, should be subjected to public shaming and held politically responsible for their shamelessness.
President Trump firmly believes there are no laws that forbid presidential conflicts of interest. He also has long evidenced a disdain for ethical norms.
The conflicts between Trump's presidential duties and his promotion of his own and his family's business interests is evident.
The public has a right to know the full extent and nature of Trump's and his family members' indebtedness to foreign banks, of their foreign business investments, and of their profits from these investments.
Trump's conflicts of interest may or may not be illegal, but the public should have the knowledge necessary to exert political and moral pressure
on both Trump and his GOP enablers.
Shameless public servants, above all others, should be subjected to public shaming and held politically responsible for their shamelessness.
President Trump firmly believes there are no laws that forbid presidential conflicts of interest. He also has long evidenced a disdain for ethical norms.
The conflicts between Trump's presidential duties and his promotion of his own and his family's business interests is evident.
The public has a right to know the full extent and nature of Trump's and his family members' indebtedness to foreign banks, of their foreign business investments, and of their profits from these investments.
Trump's conflicts of interest may or may not be illegal, but the public should have the knowledge necessary to exert political and moral pressure
on both Trump and his GOP enablers.
5
I'm glad that Mr. Kushner's contacts with the Russian ambassador and a sanctioned Russian bank are being investigated. The investigation is ongoing and it's certainly possible that the meetings were innocuous.
However, what strikes me is that one of Trump's sons said some years ago that the Trump Organization received a lot of Russian money. Now Mr. Kushner has spoken with the head of a sanctioned bank with very close ties to Putin. Other Trump advisers also have Russian entanglements: Paul Manafort, Carter Page, etc.
How can all this be a coincidence? Is it so common for American businessmen to have ties to a nation like Russia, which stands for everything Americans despise? It is a challenge for me to get past these facts and still conclude that there was no collusion. Yes, I know the investigation is ongoing, but wow! The implications are nearly unthinkable.
However, what strikes me is that one of Trump's sons said some years ago that the Trump Organization received a lot of Russian money. Now Mr. Kushner has spoken with the head of a sanctioned bank with very close ties to Putin. Other Trump advisers also have Russian entanglements: Paul Manafort, Carter Page, etc.
How can all this be a coincidence? Is it so common for American businessmen to have ties to a nation like Russia, which stands for everything Americans despise? It is a challenge for me to get past these facts and still conclude that there was no collusion. Yes, I know the investigation is ongoing, but wow! The implications are nearly unthinkable.
24
May I say, my fellow New York Times reader/commenters, how much I approve of and enjoy all this polite logorrhea we all devote to the subject of the dirt that has been destroying the American way of life so many of our ancestors, families, friends, neighbors and allies have sacrificed in NONVERBAL ACTION to gift us these treasures.
Apparently, they cast pearls before swine. Well-behaved, well-versed to be sure. Perhaps we're getting exactly what we deserve, while we keep debating the subtle nuances of dirt.
Apparently, they cast pearls before swine. Well-behaved, well-versed to be sure. Perhaps we're getting exactly what we deserve, while we keep debating the subtle nuances of dirt.
7
Trump's actions in appointing wealthy and corrupt cronies, not respecting the law and order for him and his allies, contempt for the court and tendency to centralize authority (by not filling in hundreds of vacancies) parallel those of Putin.
The only difference between the two is that Putin has succeeded in centralizing his band of thugs and has succeeded is being above the law while the democratic machinery in the US have successfully thwarted Trump's attempts to do the same.
As dysfunctional as our democracy looks on the surface since the partisan politics has taken a stronghold in DC and specially since 2016 presidential elections, we have to be proud of (relatively) solid judicial system we have compared to Russia.
I only hope that the system continues to get better after learning from current disastrous presidency.
The only difference between the two is that Putin has succeeded in centralizing his band of thugs and has succeeded is being above the law while the democratic machinery in the US have successfully thwarted Trump's attempts to do the same.
As dysfunctional as our democracy looks on the surface since the partisan politics has taken a stronghold in DC and specially since 2016 presidential elections, we have to be proud of (relatively) solid judicial system we have compared to Russia.
I only hope that the system continues to get better after learning from current disastrous presidency.
9
The Trump kleptocracy thrives.
Alas for the United States
Alas for the United States
17
Squeaker of the House Paul "Rat Boy" Ryan and Senate Malarky Leader Chinless Mitch McConnell, who handles the Sino side of Republican anti-American treachery, and their respective band of un-registered foreign agents in Congress, are as culpable as President Holster Mouth and the Trump Mafia.
Ridding ourselves of the Executive Branch miscreants will barely begin to clean up the Federal Government of the most destructive anti-American terrorists our country has ever known.
Ridding ourselves of the Executive Branch miscreants will barely begin to clean up the Federal Government of the most destructive anti-American terrorists our country has ever known.
23
Why do we have to go so deep when it is all out there for everyone to see? From day one Trump has been sending clear signals that he intends to use his position to benefit Trump and Kushner Enterprises. His ad hoc foreign policy and overture to cash-rich autocratic governments like Saudi Arabia and Russia must be understood under this prism. Autocratic Governments that can bail out Trump and Kushner Enterprises are valuable business partners while our traditional democratic allies are expendable.
Just follow Trump's Love of Money.
Just follow Trump's Love of Money.
28
Good article to help more Americans understand how Russia is different from the developed world (with the average household income in Russia in the same range as Greece and Portugal, it straddles two worlds).
In the US, if you aspire to senior positions in banking, you get an MBA from a prestigious school. In Russia is different, as Putin would say, you must get FSB degree.
If you look at the big picture here, instead of all of the little salacious scraps, there is little question about the intersection of the the Trump family empire, the Trump campaign and now Trump foreign policy favorably disposed to various corrupt regimes, but especially Russia.
The sole defense of Trump is very simple, the Nixon Rule, if the President does it, that means it's legal. We'll find out about that, but if anyone else is involved, they can go to prison. Trump staffers and family members may want to remember that. Nixon never went to prison, but a bunch of his staff did, and he forgot to pardon them before his resignation.
In the US, if you aspire to senior positions in banking, you get an MBA from a prestigious school. In Russia is different, as Putin would say, you must get FSB degree.
If you look at the big picture here, instead of all of the little salacious scraps, there is little question about the intersection of the the Trump family empire, the Trump campaign and now Trump foreign policy favorably disposed to various corrupt regimes, but especially Russia.
The sole defense of Trump is very simple, the Nixon Rule, if the President does it, that means it's legal. We'll find out about that, but if anyone else is involved, they can go to prison. Trump staffers and family members may want to remember that. Nixon never went to prison, but a bunch of his staff did, and he forgot to pardon them before his resignation.
19
Flynn will make a deal, and Kushner will go to prison. That's my bet with the info available at this time. The question is, will Trump pardon them? He will if he is still in office. And if they patiently wait for him, and trust him to do so. Otherwise, they might save their own skins by implicating Trump.
And who will pardon Trump?
And who will pardon Trump?
4
The difference between Putin & Trump are that Trump would like to achieve the same dominance over the American political system as Putin has over the Russia. Envy of gold palaces ,of the Russian government/business following every command of Putins is at the forefront Trump. He wants to establish a Trump dynasty. A man child the likes of a North Korean dictator .
17
H E, loved your description of Trump: "a man child". However, it does insult the real children of America.....
2
When will Republican leadership finally stand up to Trump & his team? Who is going to be the hero? As I'm watching Comey's testimony this morning - I'll give him credit for saying the "L" word - lie, referring to Trump. Something that hasn't come out of any Republican's mouth - yet.
20
On collusion, it is the "T" word--Treason. If that is the case, deliberate or unintended, then it is the Republicans who have been the knowing "Colluders" by stonewalling these investigations.
3
"When you talk to the head of a Russian bank or oil company, you are often talking to the Kremlin."
When you talk to the White House, you are often talking to the head of an American bank or oil company.
There it is!
When you talk to the White House, you are often talking to the head of an American bank or oil company.
There it is!
22
This piece makes the important point of underscoring why we should worry about the softening of the US position on Russia, even if one looks past the Russian interference in our election. The reason for sanctions on Russia was that they INVADED and ANNEXED a sovereign European nation (Ukraine). I recognize the folly in some of the Bush-era military adventures, but the military invasion and annexation of Ukraine by Russia was a totally unprecedented aggression since the end of WWII. And to anyone who suggests that all the back-channel communications (by Flynn, Kushner, and others) were not for the purpose of softening the US position on Russia, I would point you to the fact that the Trump administration's only policy demand from the party at the Republican National Convention was to soften the GOP's language on Russia.
31
Even the Dems called it an "untruth." Say the L word for goodness sake!
1
This is what Americans don't understand. Russia isn't a nation-state. It's a mafia territory. A large land mass governed by a small set of oligarchs who are running it for their own profit. They've taken control of most of the country's resources (leaving most Russians with falling living standards) and like other mafia families, they occasionally fight but mostly they cooperate and attempt to extend their control. (Like into Europe.) To the extent that there is ideology involved, it might be merely for control of others (like their embrace of the church) or it might reflect some actual beliefs -- ie, the bigotry towards any minorities. But its hard to tell.
So every time Trump says we should try to get along with Russia -- he doesn't mean the Russian people or anything like their democratic leadership. He means we should try to cooperate with a mob.
So every time Trump says we should try to get along with Russia -- he doesn't mean the Russian people or anything like their democratic leadership. He means we should try to cooperate with a mob.
47
Apparently there exists an unrealistic expectation that other countries would have systems devoid of corruption. Too bad the readers of NUTs can't recognize these institutional flaws in our own country
4
In five decades of following politics no member of the Republican or Democratic party ever had any communication with Russians during the campaign or after it unless through normal diplomatic channels and intelligence services of the United States government. It didn't happen because there was simply no reason for it to happen. Republicans seemed to have no unending curiosity about Benghazi with over 7 committees and investigations on the deaths of four Americans. They actually blamed Clinton for our compound being attached and had the mother of one of the fallen at their convention speaking to that. So if anyone really thinks they are concerned about truth, justice and the American way, they are seriously delusional. Why do they not want to answer questions under oath to tell the whole truth? Because they put the President above the Constitution that's why. Because you are either honest and have integrity or you don't. If you defend this administration history will record your actions and judgement will probably be unmerciful when all is said and done. I may not have agreed with Kasich but I would not have had to ever question his patriotism because he was transparent and released his taxes at a minimum. I did not agree with McCain but I respect his service to his country and honor his sacrifices. The Republican party chose poorly as did many of this country by electing people lacking in character, integrity and honesty. We are all the poorer for it and God help us all.
44
Excuse me, but what's not clear? All of Trump's associates are dirty. That's how he does things. The emphasis should be on all the dirt around Trump, not wether or not he's holding a shovel. Is he a victim here? It's just plain bad luck that every hand picked member of his administration, or under qualified family member was crooked, and Trump had no idea? I'll grant you that he's clueless in some ways, but not in regard to his minions having to serve him. "I need your loyalty" is his sole mantra. Aren't they supposed to serve us, and the country?
27
Even if solid evidence emerges that Trump is involved in financial ties to Russia. It is very naive to believe that Trump is somehow unique in this circumstance among presidents.
3
Unless you can prove the allegation that many presidents somehow have a financial ties to an enemy of our country, they remain unfounded allegations.
9
Do you have verifiable evidence that other presidents have had the same type of relationship with Russia?
I'm not aware of any but would be very interested to read anything in print about it.
I'm not aware of any but would be very interested to read anything in print about it.
5
`So....if Russian banks conduct business with US banks, and Russian banks are for all intents and purposes controlled by the Russian gov....have they silently infiltrated our banking system?
If Russian media companies, which ultimately are controlled by Putin, do business with US media companies...have they (not so) silently infiltrated our media?
I have always been one to scoff at conspiracy theories....but now.....?
If Russian media companies, which ultimately are controlled by Putin, do business with US media companies...have they (not so) silently infiltrated our media?
I have always been one to scoff at conspiracy theories....but now.....?
11
There is direct link between Mr. Kushner’s meeting with Mr. Gorkov in December and how votes were cast in the last November elections, don't you think?
The witch hunt continues, and slides further into absurdity.
How are we supposed to deal with a criminalized state which controls nuclear weapons and which is directly, intimately, proximally involved with every single geographic region, from Europe to the Middle East to west Asia, south Asia, and east Asia?
Any fair-minded and well-informed assessment of how to deal with Russia will begin and end with the obvious: It is not possible to have any influence over, or insight into, the making of policy by the Russian authorities while avoiding contact or dealings with criminals.
"This system _now_ includes organized crime and cybercriminals"
"Now"? It has always been thus. The Russian state was criminalized long ago - first under Lenin and the CPSU, then under Yeltsin, now under Putin.
The cybercrime aspect is new, but it's nothing more than a variant on the old Leninist tactics, including _dezinformatsiya_, or disinformation. There has not been any respect for rule of law or for the democratic process in Russia since 1917.
Surely the author, specialist that she is, knows that the Communist Party was up to its eyeballs in corruption and shady money transfers around the globe. One of the Gorbachev administration's top leaders famously said, "We weren't corrupt - we only TOOK bribes; we never _gave_ any bribes!"
As to our absurd fishing expedition, it will inevitably lead back to the Clintons and their pals-in-sleaze, including Tony Giustra. Careful what you wish for.
How are we supposed to deal with a criminalized state which controls nuclear weapons and which is directly, intimately, proximally involved with every single geographic region, from Europe to the Middle East to west Asia, south Asia, and east Asia?
Any fair-minded and well-informed assessment of how to deal with Russia will begin and end with the obvious: It is not possible to have any influence over, or insight into, the making of policy by the Russian authorities while avoiding contact or dealings with criminals.
"This system _now_ includes organized crime and cybercriminals"
"Now"? It has always been thus. The Russian state was criminalized long ago - first under Lenin and the CPSU, then under Yeltsin, now under Putin.
The cybercrime aspect is new, but it's nothing more than a variant on the old Leninist tactics, including _dezinformatsiya_, or disinformation. There has not been any respect for rule of law or for the democratic process in Russia since 1917.
Surely the author, specialist that she is, knows that the Communist Party was up to its eyeballs in corruption and shady money transfers around the globe. One of the Gorbachev administration's top leaders famously said, "We weren't corrupt - we only TOOK bribes; we never _gave_ any bribes!"
As to our absurd fishing expedition, it will inevitably lead back to the Clintons and their pals-in-sleaze, including Tony Giustra. Careful what you wish for.
I'm no fan of Trump or his clannish political style, but this op-ed is sloppy. E.g. VEB is not an ordinary commercial bank, but rather is (for almost 95 years) a state-owned development bank. Thus there's nothing strange about the fact that VEB is "regularly used by the Kremlin to finance politically important projects." (One could say the same thing about Ex-Im Bank or OPIC in the USA.)
As well, VEB is subject not to blocking sanctions (it is not a "specially designated national" in the language of US sanctions), but rather sectoral sanctions that prohibit only buying new equity issued by VEB or lending it money for a term over 30 days. "Actually doing business with the bank" in any other respect is entirely legal under US sanctions (though I admit it would be most irregular for Kushner to have sought a loan from VEB for his own business projects).
As an American living and working in Russia, I don't deny the element of truth in this op-ed. Certainly it is appropriate to investigate whether and how Russia interfered in the last presidential election. However, I am concerned that this is crossing over into a wave of unreasonable anti-Russia hysteria. The sort of grey area described here between governing bodies and senior figures in the private sector is common in many countries with which the US has a modus vivendi (and which have far worse human rights records than Russia), including China and Saudi Arabia. Let's keep our heads as the investigation unfurls.
As well, VEB is subject not to blocking sanctions (it is not a "specially designated national" in the language of US sanctions), but rather sectoral sanctions that prohibit only buying new equity issued by VEB or lending it money for a term over 30 days. "Actually doing business with the bank" in any other respect is entirely legal under US sanctions (though I admit it would be most irregular for Kushner to have sought a loan from VEB for his own business projects).
As an American living and working in Russia, I don't deny the element of truth in this op-ed. Certainly it is appropriate to investigate whether and how Russia interfered in the last presidential election. However, I am concerned that this is crossing over into a wave of unreasonable anti-Russia hysteria. The sort of grey area described here between governing bodies and senior figures in the private sector is common in many countries with which the US has a modus vivendi (and which have far worse human rights records than Russia), including China and Saudi Arabia. Let's keep our heads as the investigation unfurls.
4
WHO doesn't know this? Especially, WHO going into US gov't doesn't know this?
While everyone seems to be focused on the Comey testimony, let us remember that it is only one of the tentacles of the trump reach out. So many arms of the "administrative try"exist. Tho hard to keep the focus on so much at once, it is necessary.
We have watched, first in disbelief and then in horror at the machinations from so many rooms of the white house. We still need answers about tax returns, existing business interests, illegal family involvement, bogus charitable donations, Russian involvement with players and elections etc.
Only the tip of the iceberg!
We have watched, first in disbelief and then in horror at the machinations from so many rooms of the white house. We still need answers about tax returns, existing business interests, illegal family involvement, bogus charitable donations, Russian involvement with players and elections etc.
Only the tip of the iceberg!
8
Word on the street in Washington is the FBI is currently staffing up with more forensic accountants and lawyers with expertise in financial crimes. Hard not to start connecting the dots between that and
--the Kremlin's modus operandi of researching its targets' needs/desires, ingratiating itself by meeting them and thus getting the target in its debt, literally and figuratively,
--Trump's desperate need for big money after the bankruptcy of his casinos,
--the refusal of American lenders to give him a nickel, given his history,
--Alfa Bank's direct computer tie to a Trump Organization server,
--Jared Kushner's stupid, incredibly leveraged purchase of 666 5th Avenue at twice its fair market value,
--his desperate need to syndicate that debt given how much he's already stiffed American lenders,
--his meeting with the head of the VEB on the Russian Ambassador's suggestion,
--his attempt to set up direct communications with the Kremlin on Russian networks protected from oversight by U.S. intelligence services, and
--Trump's firing of Comey, with Kushner's urging, immediately on hearing the FBI was expanding its investigation of the Trump campaign's financial links with Russia.
When I was an AUSA, I developed a healthy respect for the FBI and am convinced that if the dots do indeed connect, the FBI will find the connection. It remains to be seen whether Ryan, McConnell and the GOP leadership will remain willfully blind.
--the Kremlin's modus operandi of researching its targets' needs/desires, ingratiating itself by meeting them and thus getting the target in its debt, literally and figuratively,
--Trump's desperate need for big money after the bankruptcy of his casinos,
--the refusal of American lenders to give him a nickel, given his history,
--Alfa Bank's direct computer tie to a Trump Organization server,
--Jared Kushner's stupid, incredibly leveraged purchase of 666 5th Avenue at twice its fair market value,
--his desperate need to syndicate that debt given how much he's already stiffed American lenders,
--his meeting with the head of the VEB on the Russian Ambassador's suggestion,
--his attempt to set up direct communications with the Kremlin on Russian networks protected from oversight by U.S. intelligence services, and
--Trump's firing of Comey, with Kushner's urging, immediately on hearing the FBI was expanding its investigation of the Trump campaign's financial links with Russia.
When I was an AUSA, I developed a healthy respect for the FBI and am convinced that if the dots do indeed connect, the FBI will find the connection. It remains to be seen whether Ryan, McConnell and the GOP leadership will remain willfully blind.
21
The difficult issue is that this entire affair and tangle of Trump and his family with Russia is such a ball of mass confusion no one knows what to think or who to trust.
Many people don't even realize that Russia was the largest threat to U.S. security up until the Berlin Wall fell. They don't understand that many of the Russians in power were the very same people that wanted to destroy the United States.
It is much easier to just wrap your head around the simplistic Trump/GOP concept of Islam = Evil, and not try and even understand the different sects of a complex world religion. Also, it is easy to just say Immigrants = cause of all American problems, rather than take a hard look at real immigration reform.
While this Russia/Trump relationship is a huge (yuge?) issue, most people don't have time to even want to try and understand the complexity of the situation and how damaging it has been or could be to our country.
Personally, it is all I can do to get up and go to work in the morning, work all day, fight traffic home on the horrible roads that Trump will never fix, prepare dinner, eat, follow up on work e-mail, go to bed and wake up and do it all again, often with a weekend day thrown in.
Many Americans are in this situation so whatever Trump and Russia decide to collude on is a far distant concern.
So much easier to put on a red hat and just pretend that America is heading in some great direction because Trump and his complicit GOP counterparts tell me.
Many people don't even realize that Russia was the largest threat to U.S. security up until the Berlin Wall fell. They don't understand that many of the Russians in power were the very same people that wanted to destroy the United States.
It is much easier to just wrap your head around the simplistic Trump/GOP concept of Islam = Evil, and not try and even understand the different sects of a complex world religion. Also, it is easy to just say Immigrants = cause of all American problems, rather than take a hard look at real immigration reform.
While this Russia/Trump relationship is a huge (yuge?) issue, most people don't have time to even want to try and understand the complexity of the situation and how damaging it has been or could be to our country.
Personally, it is all I can do to get up and go to work in the morning, work all day, fight traffic home on the horrible roads that Trump will never fix, prepare dinner, eat, follow up on work e-mail, go to bed and wake up and do it all again, often with a weekend day thrown in.
Many Americans are in this situation so whatever Trump and Russia decide to collude on is a far distant concern.
So much easier to put on a red hat and just pretend that America is heading in some great direction because Trump and his complicit GOP counterparts tell me.
6
Follow the money.
9
Maybe what we need is neo McCarthyism for (or on) our aging millennial neoconservatives. But this time, for crying out loud, stay away from Hollywood and Broadway. Nah, that won't work. America's hinterlands are on Jared's side thinking there's power in numbers with caucasians from the steppes of the Caucasus and into the temperate forests, with respect to global demographics. And the Koch bros don't have the same enthusiasm for John Birch as pop did. And a state church like Russian Orthodox may be a good model for christian Americans who see state/church division as a negative, (i.e klepto-oligarchism is cool socialism/communism uncool with trickle down Jesus). So who's the puppet and who's the puppet master in this scenario? And is there a third party pulling the strings?
Excellent article. Clear, concise, makes perfect sense. An alternative world of finance available to the Trump family, unrestricted by concerns about former bankruptcies, credit scores, actual financial return on investment, etc. Any payment from these banks, even in the tens of millions, is essentially "bag money" for crooked deals and influence. Please F.B.I.: keep looking at the "pings" between the Alfa Bank computer and that computer in Trump Tower.
10
Were I asking questions during yesterday's hearing's and today, I would ask Do the Trump organizations owe more than 1 million dollars to Russian investors. I'd love to see Coates dodge that one.
7
Jared Kushner's meeting with Kislyak may well have been an attempt at espionage. If so he should be charged accordingly. The purpose of Kushner's meeting was to create a secret channel that was invisible to the AMERICAN Government. What has he going to pass through this secret channel? Secrets from his daily intelligence briefing? The Nuclear codes? Or was the meeting with Gorkov the Banker to arrange for secret payments to Trump and Kushner for US decisions made in Russia's favor?
12
All of this is extremely interesting and would have meant something in a long ago time when we had an ethical government, but with Trump and Kushner as well as Republicans in charge of Congress we become no better than Putin or any other authoritarian oligarchy.
It all fits together, Trump's strong arming of Comey, his demand for absolute loyalty not to the constitution but to Trump personally, His milking his position for profits and his around the world connections to authoritarian rulers that can aid his profits and so forth. if you put a con man, someone who has depended his whole life on bilking others, this is what you get. Thank you Trump nation.
It all fits together, Trump's strong arming of Comey, his demand for absolute loyalty not to the constitution but to Trump personally, His milking his position for profits and his around the world connections to authoritarian rulers that can aid his profits and so forth. if you put a con man, someone who has depended his whole life on bilking others, this is what you get. Thank you Trump nation.
14
When you talk to the head of a US corporation or bank, you are often talking to The White House.
5barris
I had no idea that the US Government owned all those private corporations and banks. Thanks for letting us all in on that secret.
I had no idea that the US Government owned all those private corporations and banks. Thanks for letting us all in on that secret.
1
My god, isn't this enough information to have Mr. Kushner frogmarched out of the White House?
What are we waiting for?
What are we waiting for?
"If what you say is true then the American government needs to investigate every American enterprise that has any dealing with Russia big or small, not just Mr Kushner."
The heads of most American Enterprises do not sit down to family dinners with the President and call him "Dad". I would also remind you that Kushner also has the same reputation for ruthlessness in business as his father-in-law. Two peas in a pod.
The heads of most American Enterprises do not sit down to family dinners with the President and call him "Dad". I would also remind you that Kushner also has the same reputation for ruthlessness in business as his father-in-law. Two peas in a pod.
4
It has been reported many times that Kushner has money problems because of his purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue for $1.8 BILLION (a then record price for a single building). It is reported that the building does not generate enough cash flow to cover the mortgage.
It is also well known that Donald Trump owes very large sums of money to foreign organizations, such as DeutscheBank.
You talk to a bank to get your hands on money the bank can provide.
The real question is what Trump and Kushner are or were prepared to offer the bank, and the Putin regime, in return.
It is also well known that Donald Trump owes very large sums of money to foreign organizations, such as DeutscheBank.
You talk to a bank to get your hands on money the bank can provide.
The real question is what Trump and Kushner are or were prepared to offer the bank, and the Putin regime, in return.
If we could only see all of the contents of Jared Kushner's personal, family and business tax returns and records then we would know what really motivates his Russian contacts.
What we know most about Jared is his innate, ignorant immature, incompetence and inexperience. Kushner is the son of an inherited real estate convicted felon father whose wife Ivanka inherited her wealth from her father Donald who also inherited his wealth. Kushner is no Bobbie nor Ted Kennedy nor George W. nor Jeb Bush.
While Ivanka Trump's mother Ivana shares an ethnic Slavic communist atheist heritage with Vladimir Putin. Melania Trump has a similar pedigree.
We already knew that Kushner is beholden to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli interference in American elections and politics by a domestic lobby, finance, mass media propaganda and espionage. Giving Vladimir Putin and Russia the same courtesy seems to make good financial business political sense to Mr. Kushner's interests.
What we know most about Jared is his innate, ignorant immature, incompetence and inexperience. Kushner is the son of an inherited real estate convicted felon father whose wife Ivanka inherited her wealth from her father Donald who also inherited his wealth. Kushner is no Bobbie nor Ted Kennedy nor George W. nor Jeb Bush.
While Ivanka Trump's mother Ivana shares an ethnic Slavic communist atheist heritage with Vladimir Putin. Melania Trump has a similar pedigree.
We already knew that Kushner is beholden to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli interference in American elections and politics by a domestic lobby, finance, mass media propaganda and espionage. Giving Vladimir Putin and Russia the same courtesy seems to make good financial business political sense to Mr. Kushner's interests.
6
There has already been enough evidence of criminality and Constitutional oaths broken. What is lacking is a conscience in the Congress, although I have noticed a weakening on the part of the GOP leadership. Rats do not remain on a sinking or in this case, a stinking ship.
6
It is very disturbing that Kushner would have anything whatsoever to do with those associated with Putin.
Whereas Trump uses Twitter in an effort to destroy or malign critics, Putin's regime has poisoned and assassinated critics.
Whereas Trump uses Twitter in an effort to destroy or malign critics, Putin's regime has poisoned and assassinated critics.
3
Thank you for the Russian civics and business lesson but what did Jared Kushner do that was wrong? Really, you are grasping at thin air in your pathetic attempts to smear Kushner.
Please use the correct terminology. This was NOT a back channel,
it WAS a covert channel designed to hide what Kushner was up to
from our own government. Shades of Iran Contra
He needs money and the banks here won't lend to him,
so he went to talk to the Russian banker for the moolah
It is not complicated. Press the "easy" button.
Oh yeah he omitted this from his disclosure forms.
Everything these people omit involves Russia. HMMMM
it WAS a covert channel designed to hide what Kushner was up to
from our own government. Shades of Iran Contra
He needs money and the banks here won't lend to him,
so he went to talk to the Russian banker for the moolah
It is not complicated. Press the "easy" button.
Oh yeah he omitted this from his disclosure forms.
Everything these people omit involves Russia. HMMMM
12
GOP, put the ignorance card back up your sleeve. It's not accepted here or a valid legal defense here. Stop being feeble lap dogs. Country first! Truly MAGA. Truth and honor need to matter.
Jared Kushner waded in way over his diapers in dealing with the Russians. That he was following orders hardly inspires confidence in the one ordering the meetings.
3
The son-in-law a Furrier named Going Down in this narrative is the sacrifice , a probable diversionary scapegoat in this semi-tragic comedy. In the biblical story Noah's son Ham the father of Kush is cursed for seeing his father's nakedness. I love a good story.
When will the American people understand that their system of government is broken given the fact that it vomited up a criminal thug like Trump. There is no greater time for patriots than when your country is in danger... and it is.
The rule by the corporate 1% and their enablers in the GOP and yes, also some elements of the Democrats, has produced a sort of capitalism on steroids trying to push the wealth of the nation upward. Are there any patriots left....I'm not so sure.
The rule by the corporate 1% and their enablers in the GOP and yes, also some elements of the Democrats, has produced a sort of capitalism on steroids trying to push the wealth of the nation upward. Are there any patriots left....I'm not so sure.
3
Either Kushner and the Trumps didn't know Putin is a murderous thug who controls everything that happens in Russian big business or they didn't care. Either way, almost half the people who voted for Trump seem to think that is just fine. So SAD!
4
Perhaps Kushner is too young to have watched the Godfather.If he had, he would have known that talking to a Russian so called Oligarch is like talking to a mid level soldier in the Corleone family.Bu it may be that, given his experience in NYC Real Estate, he knew but saw it as the "cost of doing business".Time for the White Trash to leave the White House.
7
But it's ok to talk to Cuban dictators and Iranian despots? And who can forget Obama caught on a hot mike whispering to the Russians that it will get better after the elections?
2
As corrupt and crooked as his father in law and felon father....incompetent blowhard.....
3
Kushner must be in serious hock to Russian banks/oligarchs, so must his father in law, Trump.
3
It is also interesting to note that Trump was and is only fixated on whether he personally is under investigation. He doesn't seem to give a hang about anyone else. Or the fact the Russia purposefully tried or did influence the 2016 election.
3
The Kushner's are criminals , see Jared's touching memories of his father in jail, who financed Trump projects and sealed it with a marriage. No New York family would get in bed with Trump or his criminal kids; so they whored her off to the Kushner's; yikes
Look at the NYT article about the slum apartments that the Kushner's own.
Lock them up
Lock them up
Look at the NYT article about the slum apartments that the Kushner's own.
Lock them up
Lock them up
5
Americans are innocent until proven guilty. That said, Twitter doesn't keep trump awake at night. Past money laundering does. Go get him.
3
Thrust into the deep end of the pool, baby-trump property manager boy flails, gasping for air. Weighed down by his heavy portfolio and assorted bloated Russian hacks, he gurgles and disappears beneath the surface of the water.
2
"Russian banks conduct legitimate business." Why do we in the civilized world allow this, given the integration of Russian banking, organized crime, and the Putin dictatorship? Why legitimate them for anything? Shouldn't it be obvious and expected that they will then reach out and do everything in their power to corrupt our own institutions?
Banking with mobsters has always been a good way to get your legs broken.
Banking with mobsters has always been a good way to get your legs broken.
1
The most charitable interpretation of the limited facts available to us is that Lil' Jared, a child of wealth and privilege used to moving in elite circles because of his criminal daddy's money, felt perfectly entitled to meet with the Russian banker-cum-spy because that's what 35-year-old Harvard grads from rich families do. How else do you keep up with your peers in the class-notes sections of the alumni magazines from your posh private schools?
3
Based on my experiences with doing business in the People's Republic of China, the Russia situation as described in this piece is identical to the situation in China. The structure of the Chinese Communist Party extends into every Chinese economic entity of any consequence to the extent that if you are involved with that entity, the CCP and the central government is your de jure or de facto partner. Thus, the party and the central government is looking at every economic relationship and can facilitate or inpede it. Mr. Kushner's activities in Russia (and its client states) ought to be viewed through this lens.
5
"In developed capitalist democracies, financial, media and energy companies are private enterprises that don’t report to presidents. In Russia, things are different."
Here it is different. Congress members and The President report to the CEOs of financial, media and energy companies.
Here it is different. Congress members and The President report to the CEOs of financial, media and energy companies.
12
Is this just another case of the outlandish hubris typical of someone who didn't earn their own outlandish wealth, much less position in the world? Is it even possible to convey to such people that their wealth doesn't in and of itself entitle them to do whatever it is they want in any context?
16
And if you are in the President's inner circle the FBI is listening in.
3
They should be listening!
The oval office is full of traitors, thieves, liars, sycophants and grifters!
The oval office is full of traitors, thieves, liars, sycophants and grifters!
1
Thank you for the clearly written opening statement in the coming trial against the Trump-Kushner mob family.
Hmm! So the Russian government owns the Russian Banks. How backward can you get!! In America it's just the opposite! The big banks own the government!! No question our system is much better, right?
I think the best advice that I have heard over the Russian investigation is: Follow the money!
The Russians have trump and kushner over a barrel because of all of the under the table loans that are outstanding to the Russian banks by the trump family.
There is some proof in this by way of one of trumps sons saying that they have been trying to get into the Russian Market for a long time.
I have little proof of what I am about to say, but it makes a lot of sense because of all the weaving and dodging by trump and his minions.
First is trumps refusal to release his tax returns. There has got to be a wealth of information about loans and connections to all sorts of questionable financial dealings in those returns, and the sooner that is made public, the sooner we actually see what trump and his family is hiding.
Second, establishing a back channel to Russia has been a life saver in past times, but this back channel is sinister. A back channel using secure communications outside the purview of American Intelligence Agencies begs the question why??? The answer seems even more sinister, to conduct business and inform the Russians of our Intelligence movements before they take place.
The trump family is all about money, and they are using the US government to enrich themselves without regard to our democracy or our Constitution. The sooner we, as a nation, wake up to this fact, the sooner we can ride ourselves of this cancer called trump and his family!!!
The Russians have trump and kushner over a barrel because of all of the under the table loans that are outstanding to the Russian banks by the trump family.
There is some proof in this by way of one of trumps sons saying that they have been trying to get into the Russian Market for a long time.
I have little proof of what I am about to say, but it makes a lot of sense because of all the weaving and dodging by trump and his minions.
First is trumps refusal to release his tax returns. There has got to be a wealth of information about loans and connections to all sorts of questionable financial dealings in those returns, and the sooner that is made public, the sooner we actually see what trump and his family is hiding.
Second, establishing a back channel to Russia has been a life saver in past times, but this back channel is sinister. A back channel using secure communications outside the purview of American Intelligence Agencies begs the question why??? The answer seems even more sinister, to conduct business and inform the Russians of our Intelligence movements before they take place.
The trump family is all about money, and they are using the US government to enrich themselves without regard to our democracy or our Constitution. The sooner we, as a nation, wake up to this fact, the sooner we can ride ourselves of this cancer called trump and his family!!!
38
It is easy to corrupt the American system and compromise the public officials here. Our whole society is kneeling to wealth and the 1%. They control the media . what you watch , what you read, the Senate with their soft money. How many of the traitors in the GOP are schilling for Trump and his Russian backers. It only takes a few billion to corrupt and steal the government from the people. Russia spend 65 billion on defense, we spend 650 billion. Who is getting their moneys worth?
20
We must ask ourselves why this doesn't seem to pose a problem with our relations with China? Will the NYTs try to claim that the relationship between industry and government are less intertwined there than in Russia?
Yet there doesn't seem to be any hysteria over American dealings there?
Yet there doesn't seem to be any hysteria over American dealings there?
2
how many reported "secret" meeting between trump administration and China????
1
Seems pretty clear that Trump and his ilk are indebted to Russia. We just don't know the extent of that debt. Trump's tax returns would be a good place to start.
10
"It is possible the meeting was entirely legal (although actually doing business with the bank would not have been). "
Entirely legal, like they got together to talk about their children and grandchildren? Right! Got it, now! Maybe they spoke about which country has more unicorns, too.
Entirely legal, like they got together to talk about their children and grandchildren? Right! Got it, now! Maybe they spoke about which country has more unicorns, too.
10
"Ivanka and I love to ski. You got any good ski resorts in Russia?"
Many nations have nationalized entire industries and own their own medial outlets. When you talk to Aramco, you are talking to Saudi Arabia. When you talk to Pemex, you are talking to Mexico. When you are talking to the BBC, you are talking to the United Kingdom. When you talk to National Public Radio, you are talking to the United States. There is nothing illegal, unethical or unusual about doing business with state-owned businesses or media outlets.
1
You are wrong here
I don't know about the BBC but NPR is NOT owned/run by the US government. Just listening to the coverage can tell you that! Maybe you are confusing it with Fox News ?
2
Maybe in Texas, but not the rest of the civilized world!
Obviously The White House and the Russian bank, the VEB gave differing accounts. While the White House said Kushner met Sergey Gorkov and other foreign representatives as a transition official to “help advance the president’s foreign policy goals,” the VEB said it was part of talks with business leaders about the bank’s development strategy. It said Kushner was representing his real estate empire. charactering the discussions as "negotiations."
The half-hour meeting was set up by Ambassador Kislyak, and may have been an effort to establish a secret channel of communication between the Trump administration and the Kremlin. For many who knew Gorkov, he is not just a banker, but also a Kremlin agent, due to his background as a graduate of Russia's spy academy. He could pass on a message that was entrusted to him by the Kremlin to the Trump administration and vice versa. Indeed, Kushner might one day regret for harbouring grand ambitions - to go to great lengths to serve a president, whose legitimacy is highly contentious, making the fortunes of the Trumps and Kushners intertwined,
The half-hour meeting was set up by Ambassador Kislyak, and may have been an effort to establish a secret channel of communication between the Trump administration and the Kremlin. For many who knew Gorkov, he is not just a banker, but also a Kremlin agent, due to his background as a graduate of Russia's spy academy. He could pass on a message that was entrusted to him by the Kremlin to the Trump administration and vice versa. Indeed, Kushner might one day regret for harbouring grand ambitions - to go to great lengths to serve a president, whose legitimacy is highly contentious, making the fortunes of the Trumps and Kushners intertwined,
5
The unfortunate commonality between Putin Inc., Trump Inc., and Kushner Inc. is their belief that they are above the restraints placed upon others. The words hubris and chutzpah come to mind.
While Mr. Putin holds power in a kleptocracy with no history of democratic ideals, President Trump and Mr. Kushner still live in a country governed by the rule of law. In the coming months the Trump/Kushner actions will be adjudicated according to the rule of law. It should be very interesting. If only public education had been a real priority over the last decades we might have had a more discerning electorate and been spared all this.
President Trump and Jared Kushner are lightweights compared to Mr. Putin. His KGB bona fides trump the Trump/Kushner smarts... look at the mess we're in!
While Mr. Putin holds power in a kleptocracy with no history of democratic ideals, President Trump and Mr. Kushner still live in a country governed by the rule of law. In the coming months the Trump/Kushner actions will be adjudicated according to the rule of law. It should be very interesting. If only public education had been a real priority over the last decades we might have had a more discerning electorate and been spared all this.
President Trump and Jared Kushner are lightweights compared to Mr. Putin. His KGB bona fides trump the Trump/Kushner smarts... look at the mess we're in!
11
Is it possible for Congress to take a little peak at the tax forms of Mr. Trump % Trump Corporation?
How much Russian money is due?
How much Russian money is due?
15
Your article concludes "Russian banks conduct legitimate business with law-abiding companies around the world, including American banks. But their close ties to the Russian government make Mr. Kushner’s meeting with Mr. Gorkov worthy of deeper scrutiny." If what you say is true then the American government needs to investigate every American enterprise that has any dealing with Russia big or small, not just Mr Kushner. This is particularly true as many top officers in many American enterprises have worked for the Government Bureaucracies that managed their industries they now work in. Of course many USA government agencies are populated by the folks that worked in the private industries they now regulate. At least we now know why Vladimir Putin has that mischievous grin. He is by far the greatest KGB agent of all time.
15
Not necessarily true. Kushner's close ties to the President, his own high profile job in the White House and his business connections to the Russians which make him a target to be compromised if possible make Kushner more than deserving of intense scrutiny. And I don't think Kushner or Trump can argue that they are rookies. You don't get a pass if you work in the White House the Office of the most powerful CEO on the planet. Kushner deserves intense and continuing scrutiny. That is how it should be particularly if you are the President's son-in-law. The Presidency is not another Trump family business by any means.
The potential for serious conflict of interest with Trump and his family is almost limitless. This is just the beginning. The tip of the iceberg.
The potential for serious conflict of interest with Trump and his family is almost limitless. This is just the beginning. The tip of the iceberg.
39
Seems to me that more than a few executives of American companies have close and regular contact with agencies and executives of the U.S. Government,; maybe we should be careful about criticizing similar contacts between Russian businessmen and the Russian Government? We even have a lot of folks who regularly rotate between private businesses and government positions --- whether they be lobbyists or Goldman Sachs executives.
1
If this is true than it just highlights the continual unholy alliance between the public and private sectors, whether domestic and foreign, that our capitalists/entrepreneurs -- despite their frequent Libertarian, laissez-fairist, anti-government harangues -- always seem to inhabit and richly profit from. Privatize profiteering but socialize costs and losses all the while shunning tax responsibilities to the American citizenry in general.
4
It is patently clear that dealing with a bank under US and European sanctions is unlawful, PERIOD. Furthermore since VEB is an arm of a Russian governement riddled with corruption, backed by Putin and his oligarchs (who would be jailed for their crimes in the West), taking their money amounts to state-sponsored money-laundering and subjects the borrowers to possible blackmail or worse. These are the tentacles of Russian power wrapped around Trump and Kushner necks, compromising their ability to put the nation's interests above their own. It is the obvious reason Trump has been so eager to embrace all things Russian and to try everything, including discreditng the media, to keep all of this secret. I'm afraid there is no pleasure, but plentuy of irony in saying: LOCK 'EM UP!
34
Page refused the slice of Rosneft he was offered and Kushner never got financing from VEB, so you have some conspiracy, but no theft or fraud shown... But I agree, the potential for huge conflicts of interest exists.
To Trump supporters: ask yourselves the following questions: if this was all so innocent and Trump and his associates are being persecuted for attempting to carry on normal everyday business: 1. why would Trump be totally kept out of the loop-why would his associates and family carry on business with a regime they KNEW was being watched and was corrupt from the bottom to the top. And 2. Wasn't there any other place to carry on business without putting yourself in an amazingly compromised position than Russia? No other banks in the rest of the world would do business with you? Kind of like a mom and pop store feeling the only place to get a loan was the mob. The question really for Trump is: what was it he had to do or pay to keep the Russians quiet? If it is a non starter, why didn't he divulge this from the beginning? Or at any time thereafter? If draining the swamp is what you're after, you clearly are willing to still accept an awful lot of muck.
36
That's the question....no other banks anywhere else in the world willing to do business with the Kushners?
Draining the swamp to reveal the manure pit!
1
The problem is that the U.S. is no longer a democracy. If you want a real OECD democracy you have to look to a nation that (Hints):
-- jailed its President
-- jailed the dynastical head of its largest corporation.
So when will Trump be jailed? When will Messrs Goldman and Sachs be jailed for bankrupting hundreds and thousands of U.S. pensioners?
It's a sad day when South Korea has to give the U.S.A. a lesson in democracy.
-- jailed its President
-- jailed the dynastical head of its largest corporation.
So when will Trump be jailed? When will Messrs Goldman and Sachs be jailed for bankrupting hundreds and thousands of U.S. pensioners?
It's a sad day when South Korea has to give the U.S.A. a lesson in democracy.
67
No contact with Russian officials known to have KGB ties
is casual or innocent. The Russians are not our friends and never will be.
Even if there is nothing to it which I doubt very much Kushner's contact demonstrates extremely bad judgement and proves Trump and his
family simply are not prepared for the rigors of the Presidency. You get no slack for being a rookie when you hold the most powerful Office in the world. The possibilities for serious conflict of interest between Trump Inc and the Presidency are almost limitless. Kushner is just one example. The tip of the iceberg. How much will Trump and his family profit from the Presidency?
I would guess billions. Have they profited significantly already? Yes.
Trump and/or his family traitor to America for Russian cash? I think the Special Counsel should subpoena Trump's tax returns and those of his family. Where did Trump and/or his son-in-law get cash to finance their real estate empires?
So many serious questions and so few honest answers. We need honesty not loyalty from Trump and his family.
is casual or innocent. The Russians are not our friends and never will be.
Even if there is nothing to it which I doubt very much Kushner's contact demonstrates extremely bad judgement and proves Trump and his
family simply are not prepared for the rigors of the Presidency. You get no slack for being a rookie when you hold the most powerful Office in the world. The possibilities for serious conflict of interest between Trump Inc and the Presidency are almost limitless. Kushner is just one example. The tip of the iceberg. How much will Trump and his family profit from the Presidency?
I would guess billions. Have they profited significantly already? Yes.
Trump and/or his family traitor to America for Russian cash? I think the Special Counsel should subpoena Trump's tax returns and those of his family. Where did Trump and/or his son-in-law get cash to finance their real estate empires?
So many serious questions and so few honest answers. We need honesty not loyalty from Trump and his family.
14
The Russian government is a criminal enterprise. It very likely that Mr. Kushner's family business has tapped, or attempted to tap this vast source of dark money. It is also more than quite likely that Donald Trump himself through his secretive businesses has utilized these sources.
Donald Trump claims his businesses have no Russian connections. What weight does his word carry with anyone who is not supremely gullible or deranged?
The truth is poised to come out. It will be karmic justice. Hopefully, it won't come too late for America and the World to pick up the pieces and take a positive tack.
Donald Trump claims his businesses have no Russian connections. What weight does his word carry with anyone who is not supremely gullible or deranged?
The truth is poised to come out. It will be karmic justice. Hopefully, it won't come too late for America and the World to pick up the pieces and take a positive tack.
35
When you have billions of barrels of black stuff under your feet that is by definition "black money".... there is literally no way to equitably distribute it. Even Norway and Scotland couldn't do it. Of course he enriched his friends. That was the smart and self-preserving move any judo master would make. I'm just trying to be objective. I think Russians have the President they deserve, and so do we.
2
The only thing shocking about this not-so-new-news is that so little is being done about the abuses of office that Trump and his family and minions have enjoyed since January. Much of this information was suspected, being investigated and reported even before November 8th, yet our nation opened the gates to power and pecuniary privilege to these modern day scavengers. My hope is that we don't get so mired in scandal and inappropriate government actions that we are no longer aware of the stench and that something is done soon before the damage is so severe that our whole system has to start from scratch..
11
"Was it related to some diplomatic issue, as the White House has suggested? Or was it about Trump or Kushner family enterprises?"
If they were doing illegal banking business, then "some diplomatic issue" was just the "legal" cover story -- but it's just as bad, ethically. The son-in-law and campaign advisor to the POTUS-elect had no business conducting foreign policy in secret while President Obama and the actual diplomats under his administration were still on the job.
Imagine if Chelsea Clinton or Amy Carter did this? In the middle of Russian hacking to influence an election? The Republicans would have gone ballistic. But hey, it's their man behind the curtain, so we get crickets.
If they were doing illegal banking business, then "some diplomatic issue" was just the "legal" cover story -- but it's just as bad, ethically. The son-in-law and campaign advisor to the POTUS-elect had no business conducting foreign policy in secret while President Obama and the actual diplomats under his administration were still on the job.
Imagine if Chelsea Clinton or Amy Carter did this? In the middle of Russian hacking to influence an election? The Republicans would have gone ballistic. But hey, it's their man behind the curtain, so we get crickets.
Jared Kushner's crime is not his naïveté or his lack of experience in diplomacy and government. His crime is knowing his lack of depth and yet having the arrogance - particularly in thinking he was capable of brokering peace talks in the Middle East!
16
Putin is being very effective at pushing his agenda of destabilizing American and European institutions. At the same time, we have a presidential family in need of investment, willing to out self-interest over ethics (see Trump University), and conducting secret talk with Russian government-linked banks and lying about it.
This is a TON of circumstantial evidence. The most you can say in defence of Trump and Kushner is that they were too stupid to understand what was going on. That's hardly a ringing endorsement of Trump's fitness for office.
This is a TON of circumstantial evidence. The most you can say in defence of Trump and Kushner is that they were too stupid to understand what was going on. That's hardly a ringing endorsement of Trump's fitness for office.
11
Putin's pretty effective at everything he does. I wish America would accept Russia as a peer competitor and ally of necessity and wipe out the Islamic State with the Russians, not the sadistic Saudis.
Putin through his Russian banks provides a series of services from those you desperately require to those you can't refuse. Trump et al therefore may not be self made men perhaps on account of their inherited fortune but they're made men all the same.
5
Look. Kushner and Flynn both lied about their contacts with Russians on their security forms. Kushner still has his top security clearance. Asking for a private back channel communications line is tantamount to treason. Back in the day he would have been treated accordingly.
Looking the other way not only normalizes dangerous behavior, it enables it.
Looking the other way not only normalizes dangerous behavior, it enables it.
19
Isn't it curious that the contacts that several of the Trump team "forgot" to mention on their forms were with the Russians. And in particular, the same Russian.
Gosh, golly, what a coincidence.
Gosh, golly, what a coincidence.
2
If this had been Mrs.Clinton or any democrat ,
the uproar would have been deafening.
She would have been impeached by now.
Instead the do nothing republican congress does just that:
Nothing. They are as guilty of treason as trump is.
the uproar would have been deafening.
She would have been impeached by now.
Instead the do nothing republican congress does just that:
Nothing. They are as guilty of treason as trump is.
56
If only Trump and those around him including Jared and Flynn and others would not have been connected to Russia.
Think of the money, time, and energy Donald could have saved to Make America Great as Donald said he was going to do. Now he has an excuse. It's all the country's fault for being so preoccupied with torturing him over Russia!
Think of the money, time, and energy Donald could have saved to Make America Great as Donald said he was going to do. Now he has an excuse. It's all the country's fault for being so preoccupied with torturing him over Russia!
5
Pardon Me.
Wikipedia reminds us that a Presidential Pardon is, "A pardon is a government decision to allow a person who has been convicted of a crime to be free and absolved of that conviction, as if never convicted.
President Trump has the power to pardon Kushner and all the rest of his comrades. He will use this power without remorse and dare his spineless Republican cronies to stop him. It's what demagogues do.
So pardon me if my attention isn't too focused on this page of the farce.
Wikipedia reminds us that a Presidential Pardon is, "A pardon is a government decision to allow a person who has been convicted of a crime to be free and absolved of that conviction, as if never convicted.
President Trump has the power to pardon Kushner and all the rest of his comrades. He will use this power without remorse and dare his spineless Republican cronies to stop him. It's what demagogues do.
So pardon me if my attention isn't too focused on this page of the farce.
6
Why would Kushner meet with a bank that was under sanctioned by the United States. Obviously for no good. If you look at what this Administration has done so far it is absolutely terrifying. Trump is undermining our democracy and every Department of our government from the inside out. The Senate and Congress need to act to prevent Trump and his administration from enacting any more changes until we get to the bottom of this. If the Republicans on the hill refuse to do this we can surely replace them
10
Do you really expect the republicans to sanction a man who's delivering every wish they've had over the past century to curtail the Bill of Rights?
1
As a self employed person there are perks to my job that I know many people envy such as the freedom to take a big chunk of time off today to watch Comey testify. I'm not happy about this. I have a project deadline coming up and this is cutting into that time period. I will have to make up that time this weekend or at night.
Part of these reason I'm watching I tell myself is that it is my civic duty to stay informed on important issues and this is a big one, but there also is a part of me that can't look away from this like a car accident. It's at those times when I put on my detective hat as I slowly creep by and with a few bits of information try to piece what just happened on the highway and often times move my cell phone further awAy from arms reach.I think that is just human nature.
This Kushner thing, the Russia probe, and the Trump meddling is like a 6 car pile up on the freeway and there have been multiple casualties. It's breathtaking to watch and beyond comprehension that someone could be that reckless with the law. Isn't government by its very nature an exercise of legality? However in this lesson in civic duty I feel absolutely no sympathy for these future convicted criminals and their reckless and idiotic behavior. There are simply lines you do not cross in this world and in this case it seems there were no lines they wouldn't cross. Thank God our founders thought these things out clearly.
Part of these reason I'm watching I tell myself is that it is my civic duty to stay informed on important issues and this is a big one, but there also is a part of me that can't look away from this like a car accident. It's at those times when I put on my detective hat as I slowly creep by and with a few bits of information try to piece what just happened on the highway and often times move my cell phone further awAy from arms reach.I think that is just human nature.
This Kushner thing, the Russia probe, and the Trump meddling is like a 6 car pile up on the freeway and there have been multiple casualties. It's breathtaking to watch and beyond comprehension that someone could be that reckless with the law. Isn't government by its very nature an exercise of legality? However in this lesson in civic duty I feel absolutely no sympathy for these future convicted criminals and their reckless and idiotic behavior. There are simply lines you do not cross in this world and in this case it seems there were no lines they wouldn't cross. Thank God our founders thought these things out clearly.
The Russian govt owns their corporations? US corporations practically own the US govt. We turn our elections over to corporate megadonors, who invest in candidates and set policy limits. They get great investment returns, as our wealth gap widens.
Ex Pres Jimmy Carter said we veer toward Oligarchy since today no one can run for office unless raise multi millions to start. Citizens can’t compete. Politicians must listen to their super rich sponsors.
Princeton’s Martin Gilens’ statistics showed the US citizen majority has little influence on policy, vs the donor elites.
The Fox News huge media monopoly is the mouthpiece of the dominant party and has pushed our politics to the right, amplifying hostility, putting liberals on the defensive.
Ironic that our richest rw election donors, the Koch Brothers, are using their fortune that started from their father’s work industrializing Russia for Joseph Stalin,
The dominance of big money influence is a bigger threat to our democracy and economic security than any Russian hacker or spy.
Our govt bailed out Wall St banks, lowered taxes, kept regulations weak, but did much less for average people with no clout.
Putin may hack voting machines, but our Gop has scandalously, deliberately trashed voting rights with voter ID laws, closed polling places, and by redrawn districts in their favor.
Let’s repair our faltering democracy by election finance reform. Dump the Trump, his courtiers, family and foreign accomplices.
Ex Pres Jimmy Carter said we veer toward Oligarchy since today no one can run for office unless raise multi millions to start. Citizens can’t compete. Politicians must listen to their super rich sponsors.
Princeton’s Martin Gilens’ statistics showed the US citizen majority has little influence on policy, vs the donor elites.
The Fox News huge media monopoly is the mouthpiece of the dominant party and has pushed our politics to the right, amplifying hostility, putting liberals on the defensive.
Ironic that our richest rw election donors, the Koch Brothers, are using their fortune that started from their father’s work industrializing Russia for Joseph Stalin,
The dominance of big money influence is a bigger threat to our democracy and economic security than any Russian hacker or spy.
Our govt bailed out Wall St banks, lowered taxes, kept regulations weak, but did much less for average people with no clout.
Putin may hack voting machines, but our Gop has scandalously, deliberately trashed voting rights with voter ID laws, closed polling places, and by redrawn districts in their favor.
Let’s repair our faltering democracy by election finance reform. Dump the Trump, his courtiers, family and foreign accomplices.
20
How long must we wait for Republicans to be angry, out raged, aware, interested or even mildly curious that their president and his cronies are tight with the Russian mob? For all the grandstanding and outrage over Obama and Clinton for minor offenses, you would think they would be all over this, but instead we have crickets.
12
Jared is the much vaunted architect of the Trump campaign data mining center. Senator Mark Warner has commented that the precision with which the Russian disinformation campaign and targeting were done was very strange. The speculation is that the Russians were given polling data and information by US sources which allowed them to achieve this.
Given his role, Jared Kushner would have been in a position to supply such information to the Russians. This is a potential connection that is no doubt being explored.
These are very primitive clannish people, the Trumps and the Kushners. I have no doubt that Jared was happy to play kingmaker for the Donald. I also have no doubt that Jared was first in line to meet with payroll after the election. Thanks to his attempt to redeem the Kushner name and "empire" with Dad in prison, he made a dim witted purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue. Jared needed the loot.
Given his role, Jared Kushner would have been in a position to supply such information to the Russians. This is a potential connection that is no doubt being explored.
These are very primitive clannish people, the Trumps and the Kushners. I have no doubt that Jared was happy to play kingmaker for the Donald. I also have no doubt that Jared was first in line to meet with payroll after the election. Thanks to his attempt to redeem the Kushner name and "empire" with Dad in prison, he made a dim witted purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue. Jared needed the loot.
9
With Putin in our White House, Americans are seeing what a pretend democracy is all about. It is all about destroying the allegiances that America has built up and weakening our power, so Putin and his thugs can run the world.
And make no mistake about it, the greatest allies Trump and Putin have are Congressional Republicans who would sell their mothers if it let them cut taxes to the rich and take from the poor things like health care and housing.
Disgusting to watch, and of fearful importance.
Ike would be gathering armies if he were alive today. He would have some pretty choice things to say about Kushner's arrogance.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
And make no mistake about it, the greatest allies Trump and Putin have are Congressional Republicans who would sell their mothers if it let them cut taxes to the rich and take from the poor things like health care and housing.
Disgusting to watch, and of fearful importance.
Ike would be gathering armies if he were alive today. He would have some pretty choice things to say about Kushner's arrogance.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
11
Kushner needs to testify under oath about what he was doing during this meeting.
8
How did Vladimir Putin become the richest man in the world, estimated to be worth $200 billion? Simple. He stole it. Gazprom is Exhibit 1. Putin simply arrested and jailed the founder of Gazprom and "nationalized" the company and clearly took the lion's share. He made his daughter, a "gymnastic dancer" (whatever that is) a billionaire through not-so-transparent sleight of hand.
Marxist Socialism is the State owning the means of production, with the goal of the State withering away to leave a communal society, "Communist". But Putin's state ownership of all the means of production, combined with a nationalist, expansionist one party state, far more closely rivals National Socialism, than Marx's internationalist Socialism. His willingness to destroy and disrupt nations and relationships means, unfortunately, Russia is now, as Senators McCain, Rubio, and Menendez point out, the REAL threat.
The pity is, it didn't have to be, but Putin's greed destroyed his nation's future as a prosperous, strong Western-style democracy, like so many former satellite and Soviet states.
Is it any surprise that neither Trump, nor his son-in-law Jared Kushner, influenced by both his criminal father and possibly criminal father-in-law, is too blind and too lax to realize he's up to his neck in trouble?
Marxist Socialism is the State owning the means of production, with the goal of the State withering away to leave a communal society, "Communist". But Putin's state ownership of all the means of production, combined with a nationalist, expansionist one party state, far more closely rivals National Socialism, than Marx's internationalist Socialism. His willingness to destroy and disrupt nations and relationships means, unfortunately, Russia is now, as Senators McCain, Rubio, and Menendez point out, the REAL threat.
The pity is, it didn't have to be, but Putin's greed destroyed his nation's future as a prosperous, strong Western-style democracy, like so many former satellite and Soviet states.
Is it any surprise that neither Trump, nor his son-in-law Jared Kushner, influenced by both his criminal father and possibly criminal father-in-law, is too blind and too lax to realize he's up to his neck in trouble?
6
Our President's greed and ostentation makes Putin seem modest and parsimonious.
1
You lie down with dogs you wake up with fleas. I agree with JodyK and her comment below, Trump wants what Putin has - most definitely. He is working hard toward that goal and the American Resistance is working harder to keep him from it.
When will Congress impeach this man and remove him from office? America does not want a Putin wannabe as president. A man who is an enemy within as far as climate control, maintaining relations with our European allies, our health, our welfare, our national security, and our reputation as a country. He is a growing menace and the GOP keeps watering this toxic "plant" so that he is spreading like kudzu.
When will Congress impeach this man and remove him from office? America does not want a Putin wannabe as president. A man who is an enemy within as far as climate control, maintaining relations with our European allies, our health, our welfare, our national security, and our reputation as a country. He is a growing menace and the GOP keeps watering this toxic "plant" so that he is spreading like kudzu.
10
At least there is one thing we can be grateful for - from everything we've seen and heard or not heard, Jared Kushner appears to be one of the least smart cookies in this extremely dim administration- much better suited to "slum-lording" than reorganizing the government and finding peace in the Middle East.
5
Mr Chase's illustration is superb, epitomizing the issue raised in the article.
1
And if Putin wants the Russian minorities in the Baltic States to resume their "rightful" place of authority and control with the aid of his "special forces," will Trump honor our country's NATO obligations? If not, NATO is dead.
If Putin's military has access to our country's military codes and communications, will he not use these to his advantage.
In Trump's personal loyalty, alternative fact government, who can anyone trust?
Republicans in and out of government are complicit by their actions and inactions in the undermining of our national security. Have "they" no shame?
A forensic audit of Trump's tax returns, businesses, partnerships, financial relationships and obligations is long overdue. It might also be fruitful to pursue financial audits of other Trump "advisors" and appointees: Kushner, Ross, Price, Pruitt, and Tillerson.
The "reasons" behind the Trump administration's policies will then be clearly understood.
Do the "haves' of the Republican Party have no "love of country?" Responsibility for the lives and well being of the "have nots?" Allegiance to their sworn oaths of office?
If Putin's military has access to our country's military codes and communications, will he not use these to his advantage.
In Trump's personal loyalty, alternative fact government, who can anyone trust?
Republicans in and out of government are complicit by their actions and inactions in the undermining of our national security. Have "they" no shame?
A forensic audit of Trump's tax returns, businesses, partnerships, financial relationships and obligations is long overdue. It might also be fruitful to pursue financial audits of other Trump "advisors" and appointees: Kushner, Ross, Price, Pruitt, and Tillerson.
The "reasons" behind the Trump administration's policies will then be clearly understood.
Do the "haves' of the Republican Party have no "love of country?" Responsibility for the lives and well being of the "have nots?" Allegiance to their sworn oaths of office?
11
With full knowledge of the Russian oligarchic power structure and Putin's full control over the vertically integrated competing power centres, Jared Kushner was certainly not discussing the US national interests with the Russian interlocutor. It was obviously his private real estate and other business interests that must be high on his mind while talking to the Russian banker.
19
I read this column and I think - Donald Trump wants what Vladimir Putin has - and that's why he admires Putin so much. He wants "a vertical of power", where everyone reports, and is loyal, to him and everything is controlled by him.
And, unfortunately, for Trump, but lucky for all of us, that's not what you get in a democracy, that has three equal branches of government. Thank goodness.
And, unfortunately, for Trump, but lucky for all of us, that's not what you get in a democracy, that has three equal branches of government. Thank goodness.
85
"....that's not what you get in a democracy, that has three equal branches of government."
That would be questionable with the current Congress in control.
That would be questionable with the current Congress in control.
39
Questionable? No, Fact! With the withering moderate Pubs afraid more for their political futures than for the future of a government of the People, by the People and for the People. With Pubs like this we would have lost the Revolutionary War. Have they never read Patrick Henry`s speech? That covers the withering weaklings now we should focus on the blatant double dealing Pubs who would sell our country for their own personal gain.
Donald Trump directed all of these people, including Kushner to meet with the Russians. Stone, Flynn and even Trump's attorney have deep ties to the Kremlin. Trump is protecting himself from the scandal of his own actions, the what and why are contained in the dossier compiled by the Kremlin to hold over his head like a carrot on a stick. In exchange, Putin gets access into our government to weaken and then control it. I have no doubt that Trump pressured Dan Coats as he probably did with Pence who was on the transition team. It's cold and hard but we must wake up to what Trump is doing, micromanaging as only someone who do who expects complete loyalty.
95
A carrot is held in front of the subject to entice them into a desired movement. The Thug Putin holds the Sword of Damocles over Trump and most of the Oligarchs in Russia.
"The Russian government owns the major television outlets and, according to Russian journalists, sets the daily news agenda."
In the US, one major television network owns Donald Trump's political party.
In the US, one major television network owns Donald Trump's political party.
130
And that was by design.
1
"In the US, one major television network owns Donald Trump's political party."
That fits right in with trump's loyalty demands. Will the Congress stop his insanity? Or will we end up similar to what Putin has?
That fits right in with trump's loyalty demands. Will the Congress stop his insanity? Or will we end up similar to what Putin has?
1
Let’s not be naïve – this didn’t start with Putin but with Stalin. The NYT lambastes Trump on his Cuba position, because isolation worked SO well for over fifty years; yet much of the 20th century’s instability was caused by opposed interests between the West and the Soviet Union.
So Russia is evidently an oligarchy run by Putin. Neither Trump nor Kushner made it that but are faced with leading in creating a more stable world SOMEHOW in the teeth of what Russia so clearly is and has been for MANY decades. Do you do as Obama and merely sniff while not engaging (then being played by them) … or do you seek influence by talking with them? Deciding that question is one of the powers we accord a president, not a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia – who operated in an administration that was singularly ineffective in doing ANYTHING productive with those entities.
Ms. Farkas believes that we should know what Kushner and Gorkov discussed, apparently because the deals by which U.S. foreign policy are facilitated should be parsed by every Tom, Dick and Harriet – particularly when ideologically self-interested demonization can be so usefully abetted by fishing expeditions. Her side lost: inadequate numbers really care that she doesn’t like or trust Trump or Kushner. It’s up to Trump to decide the propriety of a backchannel, but with one or without you’re not going to change Putin or Russia. Yet you might dicker with them.
So Russia is evidently an oligarchy run by Putin. Neither Trump nor Kushner made it that but are faced with leading in creating a more stable world SOMEHOW in the teeth of what Russia so clearly is and has been for MANY decades. Do you do as Obama and merely sniff while not engaging (then being played by them) … or do you seek influence by talking with them? Deciding that question is one of the powers we accord a president, not a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia – who operated in an administration that was singularly ineffective in doing ANYTHING productive with those entities.
Ms. Farkas believes that we should know what Kushner and Gorkov discussed, apparently because the deals by which U.S. foreign policy are facilitated should be parsed by every Tom, Dick and Harriet – particularly when ideologically self-interested demonization can be so usefully abetted by fishing expeditions. Her side lost: inadequate numbers really care that she doesn’t like or trust Trump or Kushner. It’s up to Trump to decide the propriety of a backchannel, but with one or without you’re not going to change Putin or Russia. Yet you might dicker with them.
2
" yet much of the 20th century’s instability was caused by opposed interests between the West and the Soviet Union."
I believe that was called the Cold War. Fear of International Communism drove the US to make a lot of mistakes. It wasn't that there was no threat, but the threat was undeniably magnified. The dominoes in Vietnam didn't fall after the US finally admitted the war was a big mistake. Fear of Communism was used to stifle efforts to liberalize, in the original meaning of the word, politics throughout the Third World.
Hillary Clinton lost the election despite polls that showed people didn't like or trust Donald Trump. Maybe the numbers who really care are inadequate to dethrone him, but his approval ratings suggest that most people question what he's doing.
It may be be that the US can't "change Putin or Russia." At this point,it seems more likely that Putin and Russia are attempting to change the US. "Dickering" with them might make it worse. Let's not be naive.
I believe that was called the Cold War. Fear of International Communism drove the US to make a lot of mistakes. It wasn't that there was no threat, but the threat was undeniably magnified. The dominoes in Vietnam didn't fall after the US finally admitted the war was a big mistake. Fear of Communism was used to stifle efforts to liberalize, in the original meaning of the word, politics throughout the Third World.
Hillary Clinton lost the election despite polls that showed people didn't like or trust Donald Trump. Maybe the numbers who really care are inadequate to dethrone him, but his approval ratings suggest that most people question what he's doing.
It may be be that the US can't "change Putin or Russia." At this point,it seems more likely that Putin and Russia are attempting to change the US. "Dickering" with them might make it worse. Let's not be naive.
8
Betsy S:
I guess my point is that this isn't a Greek polis of 25 centuries ago. It's a republic and we empower representatives to govern us. If every decision that we actually empower a president to make -- such as setting up and employing a backchannel with another global player -- is subject to the veto authority of people already adamantly opposed to him for a LOT of personal and ideological reasons, then that's no way to run a cathouse. Particularly when those seeking the veto lost a seminal election and the power to impose their will on us.
I guess my point is that this isn't a Greek polis of 25 centuries ago. It's a republic and we empower representatives to govern us. If every decision that we actually empower a president to make -- such as setting up and employing a backchannel with another global player -- is subject to the veto authority of people already adamantly opposed to him for a LOT of personal and ideological reasons, then that's no way to run a cathouse. Particularly when those seeking the veto lost a seminal election and the power to impose their will on us.
yes it's up to him to decide the "propriety of a backchannel", but it's also up to the other branches of government and the voting population to hold him accountable for when he incorrectly decides the propriety of said backchannel.
We don't yet know what the Trump family is getting from the Russians, aside from various multi-million dollar investments made in their businesses over the years, but we can clearly see what the Russians are getting: the dismantling of over 70 years of an international order led by the US, NATO and our other allies.
This is the crime, people. Not whether a conversation between specific individuals resulted in one small thing or another. We have an administration in power here that is handing the Russians whatever they want on the geopolitical stage. Why they're doing it doesn't seem as important as the fact that it has begun, it is really happening, it is continuing.
Our leadership is not serving our interests, it is serving theirs.
This is the crime, people. Not whether a conversation between specific individuals resulted in one small thing or another. We have an administration in power here that is handing the Russians whatever they want on the geopolitical stage. Why they're doing it doesn't seem as important as the fact that it has begun, it is really happening, it is continuing.
Our leadership is not serving our interests, it is serving theirs.
189
Jared is a slumlord, darn tootin'
For Putin he seems to be rootin'
Both spend lots of time
In dealing with slime
With special attention to lootin'.
For Putin he seems to be rootin'
Both spend lots of time
In dealing with slime
With special attention to lootin'.
148
Well said Larry...I am sharing your poetry with my network!!
1
One of your best, Larry!
How odd, for two years republicans screamed Benghazi! Had about 12 investigations that all uncovered no wrongdoing.
But, getting these same republicans to investigate Kushner, Flynn, Manafort and others potentially colluding with Russia is nearly impossible.
Kushners desire to go to the Russian embassy, use their encrypted hardware to speak to Moscow is a major red flag. Why does he still hold a clearance?
But, getting these same republicans to investigate Kushner, Flynn, Manafort and others potentially colluding with Russia is nearly impossible.
Kushners desire to go to the Russian embassy, use their encrypted hardware to speak to Moscow is a major red flag. Why does he still hold a clearance?
244
Current GOP member in the house and senate seem to love Russkies (Russia with Love).
As the public breathlessly awaits the testimony of James Comey today it appears that it is the media needs to take a deep breath. We've basically been treated to the same story for the last several weeks.
Did Trump's people conspire with the Russians to interfere with the election? (Interfere is the preferred term these days even though no actual laws are ever mentioned)
Did Trump or his people offer a quid pro quo to the Russians in exchange for lifting sanctions?
More importantly did such an offer, if it occurred involve personal profit, not national policy?
So far it seems that the answer to all these questions is that although the Trump administration appears to be run as a corporate piggy bank, there's not yet any evidence of any crime. So what Kushner said or didn't say is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
Rather than focus on all this speculation we should be taking a closer look at the policies of this administration and try to calculate the loses. Whether it's health care, the environment, military spending, student loans, public schools for sale, tax cuts for the wealthy or foreign policy, Trump seems determined to create his own brand of "vertical power."
While much is said about Trump support among the white working class, little is said about the traditional GOP voter or members of congress that seem to be in on this fire sale.
Trump doesn't just admire Putin, he wants to be America's version of the boss of the oligarchs. And so far it's working.
Did Trump's people conspire with the Russians to interfere with the election? (Interfere is the preferred term these days even though no actual laws are ever mentioned)
Did Trump or his people offer a quid pro quo to the Russians in exchange for lifting sanctions?
More importantly did such an offer, if it occurred involve personal profit, not national policy?
So far it seems that the answer to all these questions is that although the Trump administration appears to be run as a corporate piggy bank, there's not yet any evidence of any crime. So what Kushner said or didn't say is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
Rather than focus on all this speculation we should be taking a closer look at the policies of this administration and try to calculate the loses. Whether it's health care, the environment, military spending, student loans, public schools for sale, tax cuts for the wealthy or foreign policy, Trump seems determined to create his own brand of "vertical power."
While much is said about Trump support among the white working class, little is said about the traditional GOP voter or members of congress that seem to be in on this fire sale.
Trump doesn't just admire Putin, he wants to be America's version of the boss of the oligarchs. And so far it's working.
71
Agreed, but those tax returns, including the attached schedules, must be disclosed.
This family is using the Federal Government for their private gain and to add insult to injury the Trump's are totally incompetent.
This family is using the Federal Government for their private gain and to add insult to injury the Trump's are totally incompetent.
There appears to be a very long history between Trump and Russia. 30 years -- what are we to make of that?
64
The mere fact that Trump has a love affair with Putin should set off alarm bells in any thinking citizen of a democracy. History will not look kindly on a Trumps enablers in congress.
197
I tell my Republican friends substitute Chelsea Clinton or her Husband with Jared Kushner and tell me your heads would not be exploding!
Collusion with Russian hackers is not what worries Trump it is the possible uncovering of financial crimes that scares Trump. I don't think it is coincidence that Trump fired Comey not long after the FBI brought in the Treasury departments financial crimes division into the investigation. Also explains Trump constantly asking and demanding Comey to state he personally is not under investigation. When it comes to Trump just follow the money and all questions will eventually be answered. We are in the early days my friends.
Collusion with Russian hackers is not what worries Trump it is the possible uncovering of financial crimes that scares Trump. I don't think it is coincidence that Trump fired Comey not long after the FBI brought in the Treasury departments financial crimes division into the investigation. Also explains Trump constantly asking and demanding Comey to state he personally is not under investigation. When it comes to Trump just follow the money and all questions will eventually be answered. We are in the early days my friends.
375
"We should know what they discussed"-- but will we?
There has been so much obfuscation, refusal to comment, doublespeak, and evasion, I'm not sure that we will get the truth. Jared Kushner, in the spirit of cooperation has promised to testify until all he knows. What's to keep him from lying?
Donald Trump has normalized and legitimized lying. Everyone around him feels entitled to lie as well. And why not? So far he has never been challenged or made to pay the price. And neither has Jared.
As Comey's testimony made clear, a meeting between two people is a matter of "he said, she said". But at least here in America, we have both sides.
In the case of the Kushner meeting, we only get his side to grill in Congress. Gorkov, the spy, has already maintains the meeting was about business, presumably Kushner's need for financing.
Again two sides--but who trusts a spy? Who trusts Kushner, tied at the hip to Donald Trump who lies with impunity?
We are dealing with slippery operators and a bunch of Russian oligarchs and spies who hacked our election. This is without a doubt the messiest mess to hit these shores.
James Clapper was right in saying Watergate pales before this growing and pernicious scandal.
Because what we're facing in our own country is the formation of Trump's personal oligarchy, where lies obfuscate truth, the leader demands loyalty, cabinet members refused to testify. and a complicit legislature goes along.
Is this "making America great again?".
There has been so much obfuscation, refusal to comment, doublespeak, and evasion, I'm not sure that we will get the truth. Jared Kushner, in the spirit of cooperation has promised to testify until all he knows. What's to keep him from lying?
Donald Trump has normalized and legitimized lying. Everyone around him feels entitled to lie as well. And why not? So far he has never been challenged or made to pay the price. And neither has Jared.
As Comey's testimony made clear, a meeting between two people is a matter of "he said, she said". But at least here in America, we have both sides.
In the case of the Kushner meeting, we only get his side to grill in Congress. Gorkov, the spy, has already maintains the meeting was about business, presumably Kushner's need for financing.
Again two sides--but who trusts a spy? Who trusts Kushner, tied at the hip to Donald Trump who lies with impunity?
We are dealing with slippery operators and a bunch of Russian oligarchs and spies who hacked our election. This is without a doubt the messiest mess to hit these shores.
James Clapper was right in saying Watergate pales before this growing and pernicious scandal.
Because what we're facing in our own country is the formation of Trump's personal oligarchy, where lies obfuscate truth, the leader demands loyalty, cabinet members refused to testify. and a complicit legislature goes along.
Is this "making America great again?".
255
We can always waterboard Jared.
After all, his own father-in-law believes this is a legitimate way to arrive at the truth.
After all, his own father-in-law believes this is a legitimate way to arrive at the truth.
1
Kushner knows that - the relationship between the Russian banks and the Russian government. Trump knows that. Everyone in American politics knows that. Everyone in authority in the U.S. knows that. Yet Kushner is allowed to proceed. Does that tell you anything about our country and where it is heading under this administration?
330
It tells me we should also be investigating those in Congress who are greasing the wheels of this Handcart.
It tells us where our country might be heading.
But even worse, it tells us where our country already is.
But even worse, it tells us where our country already is.
"In developed capitalist democracies, financial, media and energy companies are private enterprises that don’t report to presidents."
In China that is not true. In Japan that is not true. Nor in Korea. Nor in Singapore. And not in Russia.
Government-business links are important in many countries, and quite open.
We don't do that. At least, we don't admit that the rotating from business into Administrative offices and back to business amounts to that.
If there is enough money and power, then the government is there.
In China that is not true. In Japan that is not true. Nor in Korea. Nor in Singapore. And not in Russia.
Government-business links are important in many countries, and quite open.
We don't do that. At least, we don't admit that the rotating from business into Administrative offices and back to business amounts to that.
If there is enough money and power, then the government is there.
43
What Evelyn Farkas is saying is that is it impossible to meet secretly with a Russian bank official to discuss anything, based on the premise that bank = Kremlin and therefore the contents of the meeting should be reported, i.e. "we should know what they discussed", although it is not clear who the "we" is.
Is a "premise" enough for such reasoning? Might this type of premise apply to senior bank executives in many countries, some friendly to the US and some not? Should secret meetings be allowed with them? What if banks or industries are nationalized? Does that not make them = government?
In December Mr. Kushner was still a private citizen. Can private citizens meet with Russian executives? I think that Secretary Tillerson while at Exxon certainly did.
The law should be clear; apparently it is not. The law should not be based on a premise of bank = Kremlin but on facts. Time after time it appears that guidelines are amorphous. Time after time the answer is "nobody expected the need for Trump guidelines". This too is weak. Establish clear law and guidelines.
Is a "premise" enough for such reasoning? Might this type of premise apply to senior bank executives in many countries, some friendly to the US and some not? Should secret meetings be allowed with them? What if banks or industries are nationalized? Does that not make them = government?
In December Mr. Kushner was still a private citizen. Can private citizens meet with Russian executives? I think that Secretary Tillerson while at Exxon certainly did.
The law should be clear; apparently it is not. The law should not be based on a premise of bank = Kremlin but on facts. Time after time it appears that guidelines are amorphous. Time after time the answer is "nobody expected the need for Trump guidelines". This too is weak. Establish clear law and guidelines.
33
Mr. Kushner met with VEB Bank head Mr. Gorkov at the recommendation of Russian Ambassador Kislyak. He met with Kislyak representing president elect Trump apparently to discuss opening a backchanel for Trump with Russia. Either he met with Gorkov on this topic, or on other matters of concern to the Trump transition team or on matters of concern to Kushner's own business. Insofar has Kushner is now a senior official in the White House any of those topics would be a matter of interest to the American people, the we that the author Farkas is referring to.
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The meeting might have been perfectly legal, and they may not have discussed any illegal actions. But that is beside the point.
Kushner was very much part of the transition team for the incoming president. Any meeting with the head of a Russian bank under sanctions was always going to be a highly questionable move. Why risk it?
There is no good answer to this question. Kushner was either knowingly engaging in some very shady discussions or he was incredibly stupid. In the very least, his clearance should be revoked immediately.
Kushner was very much part of the transition team for the incoming president. Any meeting with the head of a Russian bank under sanctions was always going to be a highly questionable move. Why risk it?
There is no good answer to this question. Kushner was either knowingly engaging in some very shady discussions or he was incredibly stupid. In the very least, his clearance should be revoked immediately.
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