Will the FBI and or Mueller be prosecuting this Russian spy ? As a US citizen I would expect a door crashing entrance to his domicile is in order. Squeezing him hopefully will bring some more criminal activity into light.
2
One more nail in the coffin. This seems like an important article with good information about one of the main players in the Russian controversy. With this meeting in June (and perhaps the one in April 2016 at the Mayflower), there were simply too many Russians closely connected to high levels of the Kremlin for these to be innocent meetings especially with the follow up WikiLeaks releases. The Trump people at the meeting - Don, Jr., Kushner, Manafort - were too high level also, and too amnesiac later.
How many Trump people does it take to change a lightbulb? Three - one to say it was about Russian orphans, one to say it was a waste of time, and one to talk to investigators.
How many Russians does it take to change a lightbulb? Five - none of whom have the slightest connection to the Kremlin. Just happened to be in the neighborhood.
How many Trump people does it take to change a lightbulb? Three - one to say it was about Russian orphans, one to say it was a waste of time, and one to talk to investigators.
How many Russians does it take to change a lightbulb? Five - none of whom have the slightest connection to the Kremlin. Just happened to be in the neighborhood.
5
So Magnitsky is actually still winning even though Putin killed him. This is why it's so important not to just focus on Trump being impeached or his resignation. We as Americans must never allow the Magnitsky Act to to overturned.!!! This is bigger than a Russian asset in the WH.
What baffles me is the explanation from this spy. He so happened to be in NYC at the time the Russian lawyer was to meet with Trump and his surrogates to devise a plan to "get info on Hillary." The reason why we know that collusion took place is obvious, Trump is President. Mueller can close the investigation and start indicting on that premise alone.. LOL but seriously.
What baffles me is the explanation from this spy. He so happened to be in NYC at the time the Russian lawyer was to meet with Trump and his surrogates to devise a plan to "get info on Hillary." The reason why we know that collusion took place is obvious, Trump is President. Mueller can close the investigation and start indicting on that premise alone.. LOL but seriously.
3
This story should be on the front page, but ... yeah I get it. It's not sexy.
But, nonetheless -- THIS IS THE STORY. This will open up the trail that will lead to public disclosures that would make Woodward and Bernstein ask to be transferred to the Arts and Entertainment section.
To get the juicy details, go check out The New Republic, July 13, 2017, "Trump's Russian Laundromat." When you read it, the pieces suddenly all fit.
And we wondered why Trump stayed in business so long when he was so bad at it. Ha!
But, nonetheless -- THIS IS THE STORY. This will open up the trail that will lead to public disclosures that would make Woodward and Bernstein ask to be transferred to the Arts and Entertainment section.
To get the juicy details, go check out The New Republic, July 13, 2017, "Trump's Russian Laundromat." When you read it, the pieces suddenly all fit.
And we wondered why Trump stayed in business so long when he was so bad at it. Ha!
8
Sounds as though he's thoroughly enjoyed the best of American culture, supported by a charismatic form of espionage. Remember that sociopaths are often some of the most charismatic people you'll meet--for as long as the relationship is in their best interest. Why not enjoy life and create their own meaning by destroying the security, meaning and welfare of those who would never imagine such a downfall? If this involves big ticket items, such as a country's political or economic system, it is the ultimate high.
6
Why tell us? Tell it to Mueller and take credit then?
2
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action." - Ian Fleming
The interactions between the Trump family and Russians are too numerous to be merely coincidental.
The interactions between the Trump family and Russians are too numerous to be merely coincidental.
15
Correct me If I'm wrong, but wasn't there mention of Kushner being passed something (not paper) at the start of the meeting with Veselnitskaya? Then he left almost immediately. Data in a hard device?
7
There are no suspicious ties between Trump family and Russia. Ann Coulter in "Human Events" says so.
"First, why on earth would Russia prefer a loose cannon, untested president like Trump to an utterly corrupt politician, who’d already shown she could be bought? The more corrupt you think Russia is, the more Putin ought to love Hillary as president."
Then why did the Russian Parliament cheer when they heard the news that Trump would be the next President of the United States?
"First, why on earth would Russia prefer a loose cannon, untested president like Trump to an utterly corrupt politician, who’d already shown she could be bought? The more corrupt you think Russia is, the more Putin ought to love Hillary as president."
Then why did the Russian Parliament cheer when they heard the news that Trump would be the next President of the United States?
7
Trump must be stopped: this nonsense has already gone too far and it's high time patriots worked together to ensure that 45 doesn't try to subvert the Constitution. As the saying goes, 'The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing'.
13
Despite the many differences in nationalities, countries of origin or ideologies, there is one common factor among Trump and the many characters in his orbit...greed.
13
But Donald Trump has no Russian connection, right?
7
He claims not to be a spy, Trump claims, and Nixon claimed not to be a crook. Read my lips, nothing to see, hear.
8
If Trump or members of his administration are found to have broken laws, I am sure the GOP would want them to be severely punished because of their strong support for law enforcement. And led by Sessions with their support for civil forfeiture, they would want this applied to the Trump business. Surely the GOP will not want to be called hypocrites!
12
Again, Thank you tRump supporters.
5
Today Phillip and Elizabeth wouldn't have to assume ultra complicated legends to do the Kremlin's bidding as Americans. Just emigrate under your own name and cage citizenship like this character did.
5
It is perfectly reasonable and appropriate to insist that Mr. Trump be treated as innocent in the absence of proof. It is *not* acceptable (or reasonable, or even remotely defensible) to shirk the duty to very thoroughly investigate. We have some responsibility to ourselves and our progeny to show good judgment and not be hopelessly naïve. Nations do not survive that way.
4
How do people like this enter the country and become citizens?
This kind of immigration issue is of much greater concern than Mexicans and Central and South Americans.
This kind of immigration issue is of much greater concern than Mexicans and Central and South Americans.
6
Totally agree. With enough money, anyone can gain citizenship in this corrupt Republic.
4
Mexicans and South American immigrants work hard and contribute to our society in so many ways. The Russian oligarchs, not so much.
8
Leon Tolstoy would reject the Trump scandal as a basis for a novel because there are too many Russians involved to be believable.
7
I wonder if Mueller can trace Bitcoin payments in addition to campaign payments made in cash. Also it takes minutes to exchange money and/or thumb drives. Follow the money.
5
""Mr. Akhmetshin, 49, said he is no Russian spy. “I am the target of a well-coordinated and financed smear campaign,” he said last month in a text message to The Times."
"Keenly intelligent, relentlessly charming and assiduously opaque about his work, Mr. Akhmetshin sometimes referred to his contacts by pseudonyms and collected his salary in stacks of hundred-dollar bills."
Somehow quote #1 doesn't jibe with statement #2. Who gets salary in raw cash and delivers thumb drives, but drug dealers and/or people engaged in criminal activities?
This whole Russian affair is getting awfully complex, but that meeting still strikes me as awfully suspicious, first for the "dangle" aspect, and second for the convenient cover of Russian adoptions Don Jr. could use as an excuse.
As for the subject of this article, I'm sure there are plenty of characters who have made out like a bandit as the newly liberated Soviet Union made its transition to a kleptocracy. This guy is just one of the unsavory players, and I'm sure he wouldn't have been invited to this meeting without a good reason by Vladmir Putin himself.
"Keenly intelligent, relentlessly charming and assiduously opaque about his work, Mr. Akhmetshin sometimes referred to his contacts by pseudonyms and collected his salary in stacks of hundred-dollar bills."
Somehow quote #1 doesn't jibe with statement #2. Who gets salary in raw cash and delivers thumb drives, but drug dealers and/or people engaged in criminal activities?
This whole Russian affair is getting awfully complex, but that meeting still strikes me as awfully suspicious, first for the "dangle" aspect, and second for the convenient cover of Russian adoptions Don Jr. could use as an excuse.
As for the subject of this article, I'm sure there are plenty of characters who have made out like a bandit as the newly liberated Soviet Union made its transition to a kleptocracy. This guy is just one of the unsavory players, and I'm sure he wouldn't have been invited to this meeting without a good reason by Vladmir Putin himself.
15
If anyone is surprised by this, I have a bridge to sell....
When it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, talks like a duck....
Most of us believe that Trump and his people are guilty of something, be it collusion or other dirty-dealing. I hope Mr. Mueller can present his case sooner rather than later. Every day that passes, Trump harms this nation. The longer it takes, the harder it will be to repair the damage.
When it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, talks like a duck....
Most of us believe that Trump and his people are guilty of something, be it collusion or other dirty-dealing. I hope Mr. Mueller can present his case sooner rather than later. Every day that passes, Trump harms this nation. The longer it takes, the harder it will be to repair the damage.
25
Nothing surprises me anymore. President DJ Trump is a corrupt, self serving, incurious, braggart. But this was all well known and understood before the election. Those who put him in power (from neglect, inaction or direct action) will need to remove him from power.
The systems of democracy, fair play, and justice need to be constantly upheld and protected because, guess what, the DJ Trumps of the world are ready, willing and fully capable of turning every situation to their advantage, regardless of the consequences for everyone else. People like DJ Trump are rulers and leaders all over the world, because they are unafraid and in some circumstances enabled to do whatever it takes, legal, illegal, corrupt, or not to get ahead, consolidate power, control and money under their influence. This the world we live in! Frightening, precarious, difficult times (again).
The systems of democracy, fair play, and justice need to be constantly upheld and protected because, guess what, the DJ Trumps of the world are ready, willing and fully capable of turning every situation to their advantage, regardless of the consequences for everyone else. People like DJ Trump are rulers and leaders all over the world, because they are unafraid and in some circumstances enabled to do whatever it takes, legal, illegal, corrupt, or not to get ahead, consolidate power, control and money under their influence. This the world we live in! Frightening, precarious, difficult times (again).
13
Nothing wrong with Putin. He's a great leader who loves his people and his country.
1
Until you publish anything against him...then he kills you. What a guy!
8
Something is definitely rotten and it is not in Hamlet's Denmark, but at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C.
16
How is it that so many Russian agents and organized crime characters gain admission to the US and then are granted citizenship. Where is "extreme vetting" when we really need it?
24
Well, with regard to Akhmetshin, the article says that he was granted citizenship in 2009. Apparently the people doing the vetting at that time -- during the early Obama years, with Hillary Clinton at State -- found him useful.
1
That is a stretch. Likely, no one who comprehended his risks ever looked at his applications. Likely lied enough to never reach high level vetting.
2
I'm afraid it's not a stretch when you consider the connection the article mentions between Akhmetshin and Edward Lieberman, whose wife was Bill Clinton's Deputy Chief of Staff.
3
Don Jr. gave a speech shortly after meeting with Russians with Kremlin ties to get dirt on Hillary ,where he was outraged that he was asked about meeting with any Russians. Like his father he also seems to have a credibility problem which sets him up for perjury charges when lying to a federal investigator. Even if Trump fires all investigators looking into the TRumps unsavory past the truth will come out as his former aides roll over on higher ups to avoid prison much like Nixon's did. Eventually Trump will resign as part of a deal to save Don jR ,Jared and himself of course. THe main issue is to keep the Russians from hacking our elections ,compromising Trump with dirt they have. Transparency and the bright light of justice will serve in that end despite Trump's hyper fake news and neo nazi marchers he turns out. Every day as Trump reveals his lack of morals ,ignorance and incompetence more GOP supporters will bail leaving 25% fanatics white supremacists and neo nazis his remaining base.
10
After all these revelations, it would seem unbelievable that Trump and his team were not somehow involved in an exchange of sorts with Russian operatives. Whether it's about, money, power, or influence, something will reveal Trump's involvement.
16
Thank you, Dee, for clearly expressing what the MSM wants everyone to think: "Well, with all these 'revelations' there just *must* be collusion there...somewhere...somehow...sometime." Let's see, the FBI started its investigation over a year ago, four committees in Congress are investigating, Mueller's investigating...and we're *still* waiting for evidence. [BTW, that's *evidence* - not "revelations," not rumors, not unnamed sources, not speculation, nor innuendo and character assassination...]
3
Um, nobody flies this many people in from all over the world, including their own translator, and the doofus, Rob Goldstone, who did not attend the meeting but was in the hotel, for an "inconsequential meeting" that DT Jr. said "made no sense." Right. The whole thing screams Russian collusion, and there is absolutely no way The Donald didn't know about this meeting, as his repeated attempts to downplay it have certainly shown. Trump cheated so loud and clear, it's sickening. I just hope they can catch him directly.
24
"In short, Mr. Akhmetshin’s projects over two decades in Washington routinely advanced the Kremlin’s interests, especially after he became an American citizen in 2009." Say WHAT? By what standards is this country deciding who stays (wealthy covert agents for Putin) and who goes (the tired, wretched and poor). Oh, wait. I guess I answered my own question- the standard is financial.
17
How does this country tolerate so much shocking, Prima Facie evidence of illegal and immoral behavior engaged in by Trump, his family and inner circle? I have no doubt that, to those in big business and government here and abroad over decades, Trump was shunned by most and embraced by a few with criminal or autocratic intent.
Our nation's morals have been severely compromised and our Constitution trampled.
Our nation's morals have been severely compromised and our Constitution trampled.
13
To DT's die-hard supporters: why is it ALWAYS Russia? Did they ever meet a lobbyist for India? Or look into establishing a back-channel with China? How many connections with Russia does that make now? Still not convinced that there's something there?
Not that I should be surprised anymore, but I was absolutely disgusted at the complete absence of humanity displayed when DT made a plug for his winery after an innocent human being had been MURDERED. The man is appalling. Yet how can millions of Americans still support him? It boggles the mind. What is happening to this country?
Not that I should be surprised anymore, but I was absolutely disgusted at the complete absence of humanity displayed when DT made a plug for his winery after an innocent human being had been MURDERED. The man is appalling. Yet how can millions of Americans still support him? It boggles the mind. What is happening to this country?
27
Uh, maybe since no one is *looking* for lobbyists from India, or back-channels with China, is why none have been found.
2
wayenrgf,
Are you insinuating that Trump is too dense to simply point out that he met with equal numbers of Chinese and Indian officials? Instead all we get is castigation of anyone asking very reasonable questions.
And what it comes down to at this point is that there are enough suspicious 'coincidences' that it would be inexplicably foolish *not* to investigate.
Are you insinuating that Trump is too dense to simply point out that he met with equal numbers of Chinese and Indian officials? Instead all we get is castigation of anyone asking very reasonable questions.
And what it comes down to at this point is that there are enough suspicious 'coincidences' that it would be inexplicably foolish *not* to investigate.
1
It's very concerning; something is going on, but I am afraid Mr. Mueller has not put it all together yet. Frankly, I doubt it's coincidence that so many men with ties to Russia and Putin served on the Trump campaign or met with campaign officials. It's going to feel like a very long wait for Mr. Mueller to finish his work. :-(
17
The Parties take precedence over the Nation. This is a phenonemon that is difficult to accept. Our reps are for themselves first, party second, Nation third. Is it any wonder we are in such a mess politically? Interestingly, this arrangement has probably been the status quo since 1776. The order keeper now happens to be a gross incompetent who most certainly does not have the Nation's best interests first. It is more than likely that the Apprentice does not know what our best interests are.
15
see also VP Pence's statement that he is a CHRISTIAN first, a Republican second, and an American third.
why does the GOP favor people who put America so far down the line when promoting figures for national office? is this revealing of their attitude?
why does the GOP favor people who put America so far down the line when promoting figures for national office? is this revealing of their attitude?
1
This article shares some of the info in one in the new issue of The New Yorker, an article that convinces me of Trump's indebtedness to Putin and Russian banks. Putin's obsession with Gazprom, "the source of his personal fortune," betrays any professed innocence of tampering with the U. S. election.
21
The New Yorker article from its August 21st issue, highlights a proposed resort and highrise luxury condo in Batumi, Georgia, on the Black Sea with Russians from former satellites campaigning for him to build there. It proved to be a fiasco but Trump was paid millions just to persuade or seduce in consulting fees. The author makes an excellent point about "willful ignorance" as indefensible in court.
14
"Last year, Mr. Akhmetshin took on a new project high on the Kremlin’s agenda: a $240,000 lobbying campaign to amend the Magnitsky Act, which imposes sanctions on Russians for human rights abuses."
We know how fond Putian is of SANCTIONS.
"Sergei L. Magnitsky, a Russian tax lawyer who DIED in CUSTODY after he uncovered a $230 million tax fraud allegedly tied to Russian officials."
What a coincidence...so many Russians keep accidentally dying when they make Putin angry.
That Russian Lobbying campaign was represented by Mr. Akhmetshin and a Russian lawyer named Natalia Veselnitskaya.
Another coincidence! Natalia Veselnitskaya and Akhmetshin just happened to be meeting Trump's son Don, Jr., Jared and Manafort...(just those nobody's in the Trump campaign right?) at Trump Tower.
But noooo problem because it was just about Hillary or Russian adoptions right?
Mr. Mueller ....we know you and your fellow experts can see thru this Russian-Trump ruse.
We know how fond Putian is of SANCTIONS.
"Sergei L. Magnitsky, a Russian tax lawyer who DIED in CUSTODY after he uncovered a $230 million tax fraud allegedly tied to Russian officials."
What a coincidence...so many Russians keep accidentally dying when they make Putin angry.
That Russian Lobbying campaign was represented by Mr. Akhmetshin and a Russian lawyer named Natalia Veselnitskaya.
Another coincidence! Natalia Veselnitskaya and Akhmetshin just happened to be meeting Trump's son Don, Jr., Jared and Manafort...(just those nobody's in the Trump campaign right?) at Trump Tower.
But noooo problem because it was just about Hillary or Russian adoptions right?
Mr. Mueller ....we know you and your fellow experts can see thru this Russian-Trump ruse.
16
Last week's events in Charlottesville followed by Trump's comments had us all sidetracked for a while, and talking about the Civil War. I'm not saying that the Civil War wasn't important. However, I am glad to see this article today and hope that it gets us back to discussing and investigating important matters in the present, such as Trump's financial connections to Russians and how they may have interfered in the 2016 election. We can't have a meaningful discussion on the ramifications of the Civil War and its impact on today's society until we get to the bottom of how this inept and unqualified man crept into our White House.
17
If nothing else have learned about another culture, form of government, way to know people without really meeting them, or talking with them, or knowing how important they really are with their motherland. This administrations different characters could give lessons to all of us. More Russians, banks, oligarchs, financial holdings. Truly unbelievable. And to think some of our congress men had the inside info for a lot longer than we. And most important to them along with Trump, they have learned how generous the Russians can be. Maybe we will be able to get our healthcare after all. Someone will make a deal with the Big V and he'll want his money laundered , minor technicality, and there it goes. Of course it won't do anything , but they will sell it. Russian 101.
1
Akhmetshin is but one of dozens of players involved in a massive web of nefarious and often criminal ties, deals, and plots that go back decades and involve a massive operation to dominate Ukraine along with many concurrent efforts to court Trump businesses and launder money through them, as I note here in a piece that involves a year of research, with exclusive information you will not find anywhere else: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/think-you-know-how-deep-trump-russia-goes...
8
Before Trump, or BT as American history will record it, I had no idea there was so much Russian intrigue going on and most of it connected to Trump and Clan Trump plus so many associates! Books written on this entire unsavory Russian hacking and criminal investigation will be thicker reads than Tolstoy's War and Peace. The plot sort of merges The Spy Who Came in From The Cold with Putin (Peyton) Place.
I wonder if this influence peddler, just another sleazy character in the continuing saga, knows Dmitry Rybolovlev, the Russian oligarch who purchased a Trump property in Miami for 95 million, in 2008, the highest price ever paid for comparative properties at that time.
On 10/3016 Dmitry was in Las Vegas same time as Trump rally.
On 11/3/2016 Dmitry and his private plane were near another Trump rally, this one in Concord, NC. (Is Concord a new Russian tourist attraction? Who knew!)
On 2/10/17 Dmitry was in Miami same time Trump was at Mar-a-Lago.
On 3/10/17 Dmitry's yacht was anchored @100 feet away from the Mercer yacht in the British Virgin Islands. I believe the Mercers were generous donors and are big time Trump supporters. (But hey, a guy has to park his multi million dollar yacht somewhere!)
There is a timeline out at billmoyers.com created by Atty. Steven Harper. It is a lengthy but thorough history of activity, and it is always being updated.
Despite occasionally dreaming about rubles, I am thankful that all the people in my world are poor but honest.
I wonder if this influence peddler, just another sleazy character in the continuing saga, knows Dmitry Rybolovlev, the Russian oligarch who purchased a Trump property in Miami for 95 million, in 2008, the highest price ever paid for comparative properties at that time.
On 10/3016 Dmitry was in Las Vegas same time as Trump rally.
On 11/3/2016 Dmitry and his private plane were near another Trump rally, this one in Concord, NC. (Is Concord a new Russian tourist attraction? Who knew!)
On 2/10/17 Dmitry was in Miami same time Trump was at Mar-a-Lago.
On 3/10/17 Dmitry's yacht was anchored @100 feet away from the Mercer yacht in the British Virgin Islands. I believe the Mercers were generous donors and are big time Trump supporters. (But hey, a guy has to park his multi million dollar yacht somewhere!)
There is a timeline out at billmoyers.com created by Atty. Steven Harper. It is a lengthy but thorough history of activity, and it is always being updated.
Despite occasionally dreaming about rubles, I am thankful that all the people in my world are poor but honest.
9
Here's the most intriguing takeaway from this article:
"Mr. Akhmetshin’s gateway to Washington was Edward Lieberman, a lawyer with corporate and political clients in former Soviet countries who was married to President Bill Clinton’s former deputy chief of staff, Evelyn S. Lieberman, who died in 2015. He called Mr. Lieberman, who could not be reached for comment, a personal adviser."
I'd be curious to know more about Akhmetshin's connection with the Liebermans and the Liebermans' connection with the Clintons, as it appears to have been a close one indeed.
"Mr. Akhmetshin’s gateway to Washington was Edward Lieberman, a lawyer with corporate and political clients in former Soviet countries who was married to President Bill Clinton’s former deputy chief of staff, Evelyn S. Lieberman, who died in 2015. He called Mr. Lieberman, who could not be reached for comment, a personal adviser."
I'd be curious to know more about Akhmetshin's connection with the Liebermans and the Liebermans' connection with the Clintons, as it appears to have been a close one indeed.
2
I am very happy that Hillary Clinton never met with any influence peddlers. I thought that's what politics is..
1
??
2
Is our problem Russia or is it Capital influencing leaders in The Capital of our country? What has become of morality - is it any wonder why so many Americans feel disenfranchised? Our politicians respond to their respected parties and not to the people that elect them to office. Influence peddling is obviously a big and valuable business. Can we blame Americans who voted for Trump when in there hearts they were voting for what they thought would be honesty in government? Is the problem lobbyist influencing and buying our politicians or is it in the morality of our country?
14
Collusion is only illegal if it part of a criminal conspiracy to commit a crime. The Trump Tower meeting would have violated no campaign laws if Vladimir Putin had personally attended and handed documents incriminating Hillary Clinton directly to Donald Trump Jr. There is no U.S. law against accepting endorsements or damaging information about political opponents from foreign governments or heads of foreign government. It is not illegal to meet 2with foreign leaders or their emissaries. Clinton met during the 2016 with heads of foreign government at the United Nations General Assembly. Donald Trump flew to Mexican City to discuss campaign issues with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto. U.S. campaign laws permit foreign nationals to work as volunteers in U.S. political campaigns. The Clinton campaign publically recruited foreign nationals—including thousands of unauthorized immigrants enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program—to work for Hillary. They stuffed envelopes, conducted voter registration drives, organized rallies, and gave campaign speeches. They were instrumental in turning out the Latino vote, which gave Hillary her four-million vote margin in California and accounted for her victory in the popular vote.
You're wrong. It's illegal for a foreign national to make non-monetary contributions to political campaigns that can be shown to have value. Surely, damaging information about Hillary Clinton, or her campaign, had tremendous value to the Trump campaign.
The Federal Elections Commission allows a foreign national to "serve as an uncompensated volunteer for a campaign or political party. However, the individual may not serve in a decision-making capacity within the committee."
The Federal Elections Commission allows a foreign national to "serve as an uncompensated volunteer for a campaign or political party. However, the individual may not serve in a decision-making capacity within the committee."
4
Lying under oath is a crime.
Obstruction of justice is a crime.
Not filing as a foreign agent is a crime.
Violating U.S. sanctions is a crime. Comrade.
Obstruction of justice is a crime.
Not filing as a foreign agent is a crime.
Violating U.S. sanctions is a crime. Comrade.
28
You're kidding, right? stuffing envelopes vs. hacking the opposition party's emails?
It's not illegal to meet with foreign officials. However, it is illegal to peddle influence, conspire to commit a crime or, as you so eloquently pointed out, to collude. Whether donald, or his campaign representatives, or, for that matter, his White House staff members, violated any laws remains to be seen. However, there is definitely enough "smoke" here to warrant a thorough investigation as to whether there is also a fire.
It's not illegal to meet with foreign officials. However, it is illegal to peddle influence, conspire to commit a crime or, as you so eloquently pointed out, to collude. Whether donald, or his campaign representatives, or, for that matter, his White House staff members, violated any laws remains to be seen. However, there is definitely enough "smoke" here to warrant a thorough investigation as to whether there is also a fire.
6
Seriously - just HOW MUCH EVIDENCE is needed to come to the conclusion regarding Russian (Putin) interference in our Presidential Election??? We have enough - it's time for the GOP controlled Congress to take ACTION to remove him from office, BEFORE more damage is done to our Democracy.
19
Many foreign government tried to influence the 2016 election. Mexico’s meddling was much more effective than Russia’s meddling. Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto compared Trump to Hitler and Mussolini. Mexican consulates launched a campaign to encourage the three million Mexican nationals residing legally in the United States to become voters by applying for dual citizenship. Austin-based Mexico consular general Carlos González Gutiérrez said, “There are more than 600,000 Mexican legal residents living in Texas who have the right to U.S. citizenship. We have been instructed by the secretary of foreign affairs to promote aggressively the benefits of dual citizenship.” Mexico warned Mexican Americans they would be subjected to racial profiling if Trump were elected. The Clinton campaign colluded by encouraging Mexican nationals residing legally or illegally in the United States to make their voices heard. Waving Mexican flags, they staged some of the election campaign largest and most violent demonstrations. Thousands of foreign national enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program worked as volunteers for Hillary Clinton. They helped Clinton rolled up her four-million voted margin in California, which accounted for her victory in the popular vote. And it was completely legal. U.S. election laws allows candidates to accept campaign help for foreign nationals and foreign governments as long as they don’t take money.
1
Russian election meddling and potential Trump campaign collusion cannot be dismissed as routine political lobbying.
14
Another example of the best government money can buy?
7
And Putin's been putting bags over the heads of his cyber experts and charging them with treason.
I think the only way we'll ever know the full story is if Trump, in fact, knows it, and finally cracks during a press conference, spills it all and says, "So what, I'm president and you're not!".
http://www.thedailybeast.com/did-a-mole-who-must-not-be-named-leak-plot-...
I think the only way we'll ever know the full story is if Trump, in fact, knows it, and finally cracks during a press conference, spills it all and says, "So what, I'm president and you're not!".
http://www.thedailybeast.com/did-a-mole-who-must-not-be-named-leak-plot-...
4
The only thing missing from this revelation is whether or not Rinat Akhmetshin ignored using an obvious 'cell phone', instead using a 'shoe phone' similar to the communication device one of our own Secret Agents used back in the 60's. I'm talking about the intrepid Maxwell Smart-aka Agent 86. Smart gained access to a telephone handset by simply removing the sole from one of his shoes. How could it not be probable this Russian didn't employ this same ingenious strategy, one in all likihood which connected him to Putin himself? Mueller needs to investigate this angle. And fast. Fast! Very Fast, maybe on the firsat day back from the Labor Day Weekend Vacation Break. Strong!
3
And meanwhile, back at the ranch, Mueller keeps grinding away. Tick tock, tick tock.
13
Trump's company is a laundromat for the Russians.
This is why Trump was talking about the ability to pardon himself and his family. Our so-called President has been taking money from international criminals, involved in sex slavery, illegal arms, drugs and anything else these world class criminals can get their filthy hands on.
I don't believe that Mueller is going to come up with a strong case of collusion. It's going to just like Nixon - follow the money. The trail will lead to an exposure of the Trump family's illegal activities.
Note to Eric and Donny Jr. - if you're not already shredding papers and hammering hard drives, you'd better get to it. Those footsteps you hear are not going to get any softer, and saying it's a witch hunt isn't going to make it go away.
Believe me.
This is why Trump was talking about the ability to pardon himself and his family. Our so-called President has been taking money from international criminals, involved in sex slavery, illegal arms, drugs and anything else these world class criminals can get their filthy hands on.
I don't believe that Mueller is going to come up with a strong case of collusion. It's going to just like Nixon - follow the money. The trail will lead to an exposure of the Trump family's illegal activities.
Note to Eric and Donny Jr. - if you're not already shredding papers and hammering hard drives, you'd better get to it. Those footsteps you hear are not going to get any softer, and saying it's a witch hunt isn't going to make it go away.
Believe me.
20
If the Russians hacked... all they did was show us copies of The Democrats emails that showed vast dishonesty. Good on them.
The Russian woman lawyer who met with Trump jr. does not speak English.
How can Trump lr. collude with a Russian who does not speak English?
The Russian woman lawyer who met with Trump jr. does not speak English.
How can Trump lr. collude with a Russian who does not speak English?
Translator. Maybe Manafirt speaks Russian.
3
Hahaha. You sure you're in Spain and not say, Moscow?
How could Don Jr. collude? Let me count the ways...
How could Don Jr. collude? Let me count the ways...
1
Well, if you liked that, you're really gonna like what comes next, Comrade.
1
Another one? Aren't we surprised? No. Speed it up Mr. Mueller, we've got to get this cesspool drained.
9
No, Mr. Mueller, take the time to do it right. One minor typo on the most airtight case and the Republicans will focus everything on that: "How can you believe these charges? Forget the incriminating photos, there's a comma splice in paragraph 23!" And grammar-phobic Trumpistas will parrot: "Comma splice error on paragraph 23, so it's obviously an Obamacare setup." CNN will stage rowdy arguments among panels of English majors. Then general voters will get so lost in the debate over rules of commas and conjunctions that all will be forgotten and Trump will move on to the next controversy.
Imagine the furor if any of this happened on Hillary's watch..we'd never hear the end of it.Just look at the whitewater witch hunt,benghazi,vince foster.This is misogyny pure and simple and is an appalling statement about our hateful male population.By- the- by can putin screw around with cyber whatever that controls our ships???these collisions are sure looking odd.Trump,Pence and entire adm. family,cabinet and GOP congress must be removed ASAP
24
Actually, a lot of Akhmetshin's activities did happen under the Clintons' watch (both Bill and Hillary). Please read the article:
"Mr. Akhmetshin’s gateway to Washington was Edward Lieberman, a lawyer with corporate and political clients in former Soviet countries who was married to President Bill Clinton’s former deputy chief of staff, Evelyn S. Lieberman, who died in 2015. He called Mr. Lieberman, who could not be reached for comment, a personal adviser.
"Together the two started the Eurasian Institute for Economic and Political Research. Supposedly set up to promote democratic reforms in former Soviet states, it was essentially a vehicle to burnish the reputation of one client, Akezhan Kazhegeldin, an ex-K.G.B. officer and the former prime minister of Kazakhstan. Mr. Kazhegeldin had fled under a cloud of corruption charges and was seeking Washington’s support to challenge his rival, Kazakhstan’s president, Nursultan Nazarbayev."
This suggests a pretty direct connection between the Clintons and Akhmetshin--unless you're willing to assume that Mr. and Mrs. Lieberman never crossed paths even though they were married to each other. Then there's the timing of Akhmetshin's citizenship, 2009. In 2009, Obama was in the WH and Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State. A full accounting of Akhmetshin's activities and connections in the US would begin in the mid-1990s and work its way forward.
"Mr. Akhmetshin’s gateway to Washington was Edward Lieberman, a lawyer with corporate and political clients in former Soviet countries who was married to President Bill Clinton’s former deputy chief of staff, Evelyn S. Lieberman, who died in 2015. He called Mr. Lieberman, who could not be reached for comment, a personal adviser.
"Together the two started the Eurasian Institute for Economic and Political Research. Supposedly set up to promote democratic reforms in former Soviet states, it was essentially a vehicle to burnish the reputation of one client, Akezhan Kazhegeldin, an ex-K.G.B. officer and the former prime minister of Kazakhstan. Mr. Kazhegeldin had fled under a cloud of corruption charges and was seeking Washington’s support to challenge his rival, Kazakhstan’s president, Nursultan Nazarbayev."
This suggests a pretty direct connection between the Clintons and Akhmetshin--unless you're willing to assume that Mr. and Mrs. Lieberman never crossed paths even though they were married to each other. Then there's the timing of Akhmetshin's citizenship, 2009. In 2009, Obama was in the WH and Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State. A full accounting of Akhmetshin's activities and connections in the US would begin in the mid-1990s and work its way forward.
Trump's tax returns hold the key. Dirty Russian money arriving in the form of loans through Deutsche Bank.
That's why Comey was canned.
Keep digging, Mueller.
That's why Comey was canned.
Keep digging, Mueller.
50
Akhmetshin was invited to Trump Tower as “part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.”
Akhmetshin said he was a "last-minute guest at an inconsequential get-together."
Inconsequential? Let's have Mr Mueller decide what is inconsequential.
The web between Russia and Trump is deep, otherwise if inconsequential, release those tax returns.
Akhmetshin said he was a "last-minute guest at an inconsequential get-together."
Inconsequential? Let's have Mr Mueller decide what is inconsequential.
The web between Russia and Trump is deep, otherwise if inconsequential, release those tax returns.
20
It continues to amaze me that people seem surprised, shocked even, that Russians (citizens or not) are NOT our friends but are working actively against the United States and everything it stands for, every single day of every single year. It also continues to amaze me that Trump's open association with such people for years continues to be seen as "no there, there." Yeah, right. Doesn't say much about the brain power of most Americans these days, even the ones who are supposedly "smart." Geesh.
18
I understand that Mr. Akhmetshin had somehow obtained US citizenship (or at the very least a permanent resident status.) May I ask on what grounds? Was it some very special skill indispensable to the country? Or was he a downtrodden refugee? Dear Mr. Trump and Mr. Sessions, where is the deportation force when we really need it?!
18
How did he become an American citizen? How isn't he in jail for treason? Why hasn't he been deported? Why is he in the US. This is intolerable and Can't last. How is in the US right now? He must be deported.
14
Now we need to get his communication devices and anything else to uncover the truth. Don't send him back yet
2
He will then fall out of a window or be hit by a drunken driver and never testify in court. He should ask for protectgive custody.
Another lead for a very thorough story.
Akhmetshin was involved in promoting a film intended to smear Magnitsky, directed by Andrei Nekrasov and shown at the Newseum.
Akhmetshin was at that showing.
Bill Browder runs Hermitage Capital Management and was a client of Magnitsky.
July 17 Radio Free EU is a source
Akhmetshin was involved in promoting a film intended to smear Magnitsky, directed by Andrei Nekrasov and shown at the Newseum.
Akhmetshin was at that showing.
Bill Browder runs Hermitage Capital Management and was a client of Magnitsky.
July 17 Radio Free EU is a source
12
I love these "leaked" stories that are preparing us (the American public) for the big Trump take-down. Like a good prosecutor the Mueller bunch are preparing us with a basic foundation on which to make our collective decision--is he (Trump), or is he not guilty of colluding with Russia to steal the election, money laundering, conflict of interest, extreme nepotism, and ---------, ---------, fill in the blanks.
The verdict rests with the American people to empower those charged with enforcing the rule of law.
The verdict rests with the American people to empower those charged with enforcing the rule of law.
10
Looks to me like cleaning the WH swamp is harder than he thought.
8
Trump's campaign staff will be shown to have colluded with Russian secret police and oligarchs. I also believe Donald Trump's financial history will show ties to organized crime syndicates over a long period of time because no one else would lend Trump money, and because Trump's behavior would seek out shady associations. Drawn into the circle of nefarious conduct will be Trump campaign associates, business relationships, and family members.
I am hopeful Robert Mueller's team will spare no effort to root out the full extent of the egregious breaches of law and common decency conducted by Trump over the decades. Trump needs to be fully exposed, and all who have ties to him who participated in criminal activities must do time in prison - with no parole extended by Mike Pence.
I am hopeful Robert Mueller's team will spare no effort to root out the full extent of the egregious breaches of law and common decency conducted by Trump over the decades. Trump needs to be fully exposed, and all who have ties to him who participated in criminal activities must do time in prison - with no parole extended by Mike Pence.
16
The Russian connection to Trump and the collusion of the Trump's with Russia gets stickier and sticker. Wait until the financial connection comes out between the Trumps and Kushner's. Trump went bankrupt 6 times and lots of law suits against him with pay-outs like Trump-U. Someone bailed him out.
13
"a last-minute guest at an inconsequential get-together". That's what Junior said about the meeting he attended last year accompanied by Mr. Kushner and Mr. Manafort with Russian operatives who promised dirt on Hillary Clinton. There is a distinct pattern of obfuscation here. Maybe this web of deceit will eventually ensnare the president and all his men.
66
Please include a few women in that roundup: Kellyanne Conway, Betsy DeVos, and maybe even Ivanka, too. You can't have worked that close to this administration and not have heard or known something.
8
Make Moscow, Coal, Neo-Nazis and Lying Great Again: Trump 2017
77
Love you Socrates, always:)
6
I've been reading a lot about the Trump campaign-Russia connection and the plot continues to thicken. And it all keeps coming back to the Magnitsky Act. This is a big deal to Putin, and what he has done and will continue to do cannot be underestimated. The way Putin has intertwined himself and his needs into our country scares the heck out of me and I'm hoping all the investigations get to the bottom of this soon and put an end to it.
72
Look for members of Congress (House of Representatives, in particular) to be stuck to this tar baby. There are Republicans from California whose names have surfaced several times in connection with ties to Russia (as "friends") and who could always be counted upon to cast favorable votes.
Yes, the investigation needs to get to the very ugly bottom of all of this. It's time our democratic process got a full dose of brilliant rays of sunshine to root out the corruption driven by pay-for-play.
Yes, the investigation needs to get to the very ugly bottom of all of this. It's time our democratic process got a full dose of brilliant rays of sunshine to root out the corruption driven by pay-for-play.
14
Peter, Californian Nunes is very linked to Russia, from Snopes:
According to Scott Dworkin of the respected Democratic Coalition Against Trump, the Nunes’ winery has a Russian distributor who is close to Vladimir Putin. This means Nunes has the vast majority of his small net worth tied up in a business venture which partially relies on sales in Russia. At the least, Nunes benefits greatly if Trump remains in office long enough to continue repealing Russian sanctions. Is this why Nunes is so desperate to protect Trump?
According to Scott Dworkin of the respected Democratic Coalition Against Trump, the Nunes’ winery has a Russian distributor who is close to Vladimir Putin. This means Nunes has the vast majority of his small net worth tied up in a business venture which partially relies on sales in Russia. At the least, Nunes benefits greatly if Trump remains in office long enough to continue repealing Russian sanctions. Is this why Nunes is so desperate to protect Trump?
1
Seems there are more than 11,000 lobbyists in Washington and some say the number is really many times that. Of those lobbyists no doubt there are many who have ties to foreign governments and may be influencing our elected officials. And maybe they are influencing for peace? This seemingly manufactured hysteria is over the top. Russia is not going anywhere and neither is their leader. Shouldn't we be working for peace between countries?
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-obama-lobbying-sb-idUSTRE58C1NX20090913
https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-obama-lobbying-sb-idUSTRE58C1NX20090913
https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/
2
Congratulations! Great job of making black into white. Most of those lobbyists are in it for the money, and Trumpsters and bought and paid for Republicans are busy enacting their agenda.
Money first, planet last. Putin's oligarchs own Trump and his circle of intimates, except for the Kochtopus, Mercer, and Rove ones, who are equally as bad.
Peace? Have you noticed North Korea? Did you see the violence in Charlottesville? Have you noticed that high-powered multiple person killing machines are becoming ever more common, and that more people are killed by Americans using guns by far than by almost anything else these days? Kids and accidents?
Death and destruction sells. And the Republicans/NRA are front and center with all that.
Money first, planet last. Putin's oligarchs own Trump and his circle of intimates, except for the Kochtopus, Mercer, and Rove ones, who are equally as bad.
Peace? Have you noticed North Korea? Did you see the violence in Charlottesville? Have you noticed that high-powered multiple person killing machines are becoming ever more common, and that more people are killed by Americans using guns by far than by almost anything else these days? Kids and accidents?
Death and destruction sells. And the Republicans/NRA are front and center with all that.
22
With respecy, when a candidate, Mr. Trump on several occasions encouraged Russia to release stolen - via a cyber attack - emails from the Democratic Party. Such treason alone, warrants an extensive investigation into possible collusion between Russia, Trump and his campaign. Indeed, this investigation should leave no stone unturned and is far from being "over-the-top".
8
Are you aware that some of Vlad's 'offshore assets' are affected by the Magnitsky Act and, as you know, ol' man time keeps score no matter what. Vlad can't be presidented forever!
2
What a web of intrigue concerning Trump's position and several of his aides concerning Russia's interests...and the stealing of the United States' presidency by a most inept and morally devoid bully. The thought that unscrupulous Trump, and his enablers, had nothing to do with collusion, remains a 'convenient' fantasy at best.
23
How can there be any question about Trump's collusion with Russia??? EVERY time a new name is mentioned, it's always Russia, and secret, money laden, meetings/conversations..etc... Yes the investigation is between Russia/Trump... but my God Did these Trump people even KNOW any other people But Russians. ENOUGH!!!! Lets rid ourselves of this unstable, incompetent Russian puppet..
42
I'm more interested in the relationship to the reputed Russian-Mafia real-estate connection. Many of these people were under indictment for money laundering using real-estate, with a high profile trial to begin in NY early in 2017. Trump gets elected, the Federal Prosecutor is fired and the justice department signs a deal with the Russians that is in their favor. Their lawyer was at the Don Jr. meeting and left something (as yet undefined) behind (the deal perhaps?).
80
It sounds to me like, Mueller has Manafort, Flynn, and now Donald Jr. perhaps Kushner in serious legal jeopardy. I suspect one of them, my guess is Manafort is singing. I also suspect some of the bizarre behavior on the part of the President is related to stress induced by the investigation. The question is, how many russian agents are imbedded in our government with access to our national secrets. I also suspect Mercer, and the Alt Right media are a part of this conspiracy. The plot is indeed thickening.
44
Where are Trump's tax returns for recent years? He has refused to show them, alleging they are under "audit". Audits do not preclude presenting tax returns; Trump's returns have been under audit for 13 years? An investigative reporter for The New Yorker managed to unearth returns which showed loan deposits of 250M laundered via the Bank of Cyprus to Deutsche Bank. The recent "property purchase" of Trump FL property for 95M appears to be another Russian oligarch's financial rescue of a failed Trump enterprise; the money arrived on a private jet. How many Russians have invested in apartments in the NYC Trump Tower? Jared's slum holdings in NJ require financial rescue; where will Jared get a large loan to salvage his failed real estate dealings? A lot of questionable money is sloshing around the current President, unfortunately, and the trail always leads to Russian money. I believe Mueller will follow the money trail; he will connect the dots; and, hopefully, this feckless grifter will vacate the Oval Office.
4
Keep digging, digging, digging, Robert Mueller, and you will find the Mother Lode.
84
My guess is that Mueller has found the mother lode. I lived in New York most of my life and I could have found the mother lode myself. Mueller just has to get all the legal ducks pinned down so he can prosecute.
11
With all of this information by Immigration Officials, why was Mr. Akhmetshin granted American Citizenship? There is a lot more to this story.
I bet this is the reason that Trump wants Immigration reform(sic).
I bet this is the reason that Trump wants Immigration reform(sic).
21
Remember Trump's distrust the NSA. He claims has his own sources whom he trusts more. This report seems to verify why.
13
Interactive Timeline: Everything We Know About Russia and President Trump http://billmoyers.com/story/trump-russia-timeline/ Read and weep.
9
WOW. Thank you!
Follow the money honey!
17
Under what pretense did the US allow Mr. Akhmetshin become a US citizen. Why did he need to be a US citizen.
55
Did you not notice his trips to Russian increased after becoming a US citizen?
It makes coming and going at lot easier, especially coming into the US.
It makes coming and going at lot easier, especially coming into the US.
7
These are true sleeper cells. Russians that become citizens are a cheaper and more effective way to spy than actual spies assigned to the Russian Embassy. They can also get closer to Trump. Remember, spying now is not so much about military resources, but about gaining access to economic resources, and Trump is the perfect partner.
8
I suggest we change "perfect partner" to perfect patsy -- much more descriptive of the relationship.
4
“I think he works for us. I don’t think he works for them,” said Lanny Wiles, a veteran Republican political operative who has worked with Mr. Akhmetshin for more than 15 years. “But I don’t know what he really does.”
And that attitude, right there, says everything about how the GOP let this happen. The camaraderie of money whitewashed and excused everything else.
And that attitude, right there, says everything about how the GOP let this happen. The camaraderie of money whitewashed and excused everything else.
45
In fairness, he reasonably estimated that their was only a 50% probability that Akhmetshin was an actual Russian spy. So, really not important.
Let me guess.....
Just another thing *dt and his cadre of fools "forgot" to mention.....
dt* is so crooked he makes the figure 8 look like a straight line.
Just another thing *dt and his cadre of fools "forgot" to mention.....
dt* is so crooked he makes the figure 8 look like a straight line.
24
Well, Trumpsters are creating distractions a mile a minute. First nuclear war and destroying the southeast Pacific, then Nazi promotion. About time we focused on our traitor-in-chief and all his allies, kleptocracy central.
They're bent on making a quite killing (in every sense), bombing the casino on wall street, and then taking the money out of the system for themselves.
What they don't realize is that wrecking our one and only hospitable planet, poisoning its water, ruining its oceans, disrupting weather until it becomes unbearable, leaving toxic waste dumps here there and everywhere, will in the end not even benefit them.
Time to reach for the best in ourselves, not the worst, and work together.
They're bent on making a quite killing (in every sense), bombing the casino on wall street, and then taking the money out of the system for themselves.
What they don't realize is that wrecking our one and only hospitable planet, poisoning its water, ruining its oceans, disrupting weather until it becomes unbearable, leaving toxic waste dumps here there and everywhere, will in the end not even benefit them.
Time to reach for the best in ourselves, not the worst, and work together.
50
bombing the casino in the sense of blowing it so huge it has to pop, I meant.
5
Trump has become the Appeaser in Chief!
8
The Republican Congress which enables Trump is every bit as treasonous as he is. All selling out America for money, in one form or another.
61