Hey y'all, let's get rid of Jeff Sessions and give Trump a chance to appoint a new Attorney General WHO HASN'T RECUSED HIMSELF from the Russia investigation. Wouldn't that be a swell idea?!
I don't know, sometimes I think liberals deserve Trump.
How come the NYT has no story about Donna Brazile admitting that Clinton took over the DNC, controlling the money, approval of all publications, and rigged the election against Sanders ?
2
“The court documents in the Papadopoulos case represent the most explicit evidence yet that Mr. Trump’s campaign was eager to coordinate with Russian officials to undermine his rival, Hillary Clinton. ”
Do you mean besides the Don Jr emails?
13
John Kelly has demonstrated that he holds racist sentiments. I don’t know why the media continues to portray him in a positive light and a moderating influence in the White House.
15
Sessions has lied barefaced about his relationship with the Russians. He is un-American and may have committed treason but why? Why would any American who loves his country collude with the Russians? He is a fascist, white supremacist. Why? This is America, LAND OF THE FREE. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH HIM? We understand that Trump is mentally deficient and incompetent but what is Sessions reasoning? I thought he was a Christian once upon a time but his behavior reveals he isn't because his behavior is not Christlike at all. Why has he betrayed our Democracy?
22
When Mr. Cobb assails Mueller’s charges against Papadopoulous as merely proof that Papadopoulus lied to the FBI and is not proof of collision, I say to myself, “Do you realize what you just admitted?"
Papadopoulous lied by saying there were no Russian contacts. The converse of this lie - the TRUTH - is that the Trump campaign did have Russian contacts.
Thus, Mr. Cobb is admitting there were Russian contacts with the Trump campaign.
Since there were Russian contacts with the Trump campaign, Mr. Sessions lied to Congress.
Additionally, Cobb, Trump and his apologist claim Papadopoulous was nothing more than a coffee boy and that when Sessions heard of his plan to get information from Russia, he was vigorously shut down.
If such narrative is to be believed, there would be no plausible reason for Ms. Sessions to forget that he took the coffee boy to the woodshed. Moreover, after being properly disciplined, Papadopoulous would have told the FBI the first time, “I had a hair-brained idea, but Sessions set me straight.” That story would have helped Trump and Papadopoulous.
Likewise, given Trump’s ego, Trump would have remembered the effrontery of a coffee boy driving outside his lane. Trump does not strike me as a forgive and forget type.
Show me your tax returns for the past 15 years if you want me to believe there was no collusion.
35
The only way you can know for sure that a politician is lying is if you see their lips moving.
10
The two indictments against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates and the unsealing of the guilty plea by George Papadopoulos indicate that Trump is in real trouble. There is no way that Trump can deny that Papadopoulos had tried to connect the campaign with Russians whom he believed had “dirt” on Hillary Clinton. Moreover he wasn't acting on his own: he had been encouraged by those higher up in Trump's inner circle - Sam Clovis, the campaign’s national co-chair, has been talking to Mueller and the grand jury.
Sessions is also in big trouble because he apparently lied under oath. He and Trump were at the national security meeting in Washington on March 31, 2016, when Papadopoulous bragged about his contact with Russia.
22
Time Sessions was charged with lying under oath.
21
The indictment against George Papadopoulos reveals that he proposed using contacts he claims to have cultivated before becoming a member of the Trump campaign team to arrange a meeting between Trump and Putin. Papadopoulos pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI by telling his discontinued communications with his “Russian” connects before joining the Trump campaign, but the record suggests what he communicated to them was that the Trump campaign refused to meet with Putin. The indictment plainly states no meeting ever took place. Sessions appears to be telling the truth when he said he was unaware of meetings with Russians.
Papadopoulos claims he met a Maltese professor—not a Russian professor—in London who introduced him to Putin’s niece. He later admitted the woman wasn’t Putin niece. No one, including the FBI and Papadopoulos, have been able to identify the mystery woman, probably because she doesn’t exist. The professor says Papadopoulos is lying.
1
Drip, Drip, Drip. Has there ever been an administration that that more contacts with Russia? And yeah, some people lied - maybe Papadopoulos and maybe Sessions and maybe Trump - we are getting closer and closer to knowing the truth
8
Funny. You left out the best part. The Kremlin told Mr. Papadopoulos about the stolen emails months before their existence was made public.
14
I wish someone at the NYT would call Jason Miller and ask him what was going on at that meeting with Trump and Sessions. Papadopoulos is sitting right next to Miller in the widely circulated photograph. The same Miller who would bust out laughing with derision on CNN every time Russian collusion was mentioned.
No sense in asking Sessions. He's obviously completely lost his memory. Or is a world-class liar. Either way, Sessions should be charged with perjury.
12
The two indictments against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates and the unsealing of the guilty plea by George Papadopoulos indicate that Trump is in real trouble. There is no way that Trump can deny that Papadopoulos had tried to connect the campaign with Russians whom he believed had “dirt” on Hillary Clinton. Moreover he wasn't acting on his own: he had been encouraged by those higher up in Trump's inner circle - Sam Clovis, the campaign’s national co-chair, has been talking to Mueller and the grand jury.
Sessions is also in big trouble because he apparently lied under oath. He and Trump were at the national security meeting in Washington on March 31, 2016, when Papadopoulous bragged about his contact with Russia.
13
There is no one in this administration that is not a liar -- Trump, Sessions, Kushner, Ivanka, along with his entire cabinet. Why would anyone believe a word out of their mouths. This includes upholding the Constitution and Bill of Rights of the US.
If these were out children (child day care center that it is), they would be punished one by one. Why doesn't this apply to public servants who have undermined our government and lied repeatedly.
13
Cannot believe anything that comes out of the mouths of either Trump or Sessions. Both are incompetent and both lie without hesitation.
14
"We have no indication that THIS George Papadopoulos came to THIS White House ," Mr. Cobb said.
This is "Alice Through the Looking Glass ", "1984" and Franz Kafka's "The Trial " rolled into one !
Is Cobb out of his mind?
Is Trump's whole administration full of liars?
17
julian3 even for a defense attorney, that statement by cobb, is pathetic. - my caps shift appears not to be working - surely he must be aware of how ridiculous he sounds. trump, or rather the republican party, has got to be paying him millions.
8
"I have a friend in London who can set up a meeting with the Russian President." In what universe does that imply that you're in discussions with the Russians? Georgie P said he knows a guy who might know someone in the Russian government. That's not collusion.
Furthermore, Sessions immediately said no, which is exactly what he should have said. Neither of those two facts is an issue, or illegal, or really newsworthy in any way.
1
Drip, Drip
8
but he lied under oath
9
They are the best America has to offer the world. Absolutely the best. Did you defend Nixon too, Jon?
7
I believe that Sessions was dishonest when he told Sen. Franken that he hadn't met with any Russians. It's commonplace for people to lie when they are worried about getting in trouble something. I think he could have lived next door to the Russian embassy and had tea every day with the ambassador every day and it wouldn't matter, but at the time of the hearing, I assume he believed he would be denied his AG office if he told the truth, so he lied, and then doubled down on it. I have no idea if Trump knew and is lying or forgot. But, again, I don't really care.
And, once again, this is a tenuous link which leads to the conclusion that the so-called collusion was thought about, but never occurred (not that it would have been a crime, anyway, unless there was some actual criminal act they were facilitating).
Sometimes, special prosecutors are investigating actual crimes, like with Irangate. But, other times, and it seems like more often, it is purely political witch hunt, like with Whitewater and after a hearing or so, Benghazi. I had no patience with those and no patience for this either. Unfortunately for Trump, he burned his bridges with a lot of Reps. too, so, he doesn't win a lot.
If you are a Democrat or a Republican, it is highly unlikely I will vote for you, and this is why. Not that it matters to them - voting for independents or third parties does nothing. most of the time.
4
To suggest that the only reason he lied was because "he believed he would be denied his AG office if he told the truth..." doesn't ring true with me. It might if Sessions were the only person in Trump's campaign to lie about connections to Russia. However, plenty of members of Trump's campaign have not only lied about their connections but already been busted, including former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and Donald Trump, Jr. The question then moves from why were they meeting with Russians to why did so many members of the campaign lie about the meetings? Usually when there's this much lying going on, there's a reason for it. Contrary to this being a "political witch hunt," I am very interested to say the least in what Mueller's investigation uncovers with regards to our President's financial ties to Russia and if he is financially beholden to a foreign enemy. Also how involved he and his campaign (and the RNC) were in Russia's spreading fake news, hacking and releasing DNC e-mails to the public, hacking into Democratic databases, and attempts to break into and rig the vote in over 20 states.
4
The CDC ought to investigate a novel infection that ran rampant among Trump advisors over the past couple of years. Amnesia and fantasizing were major symptoms, but the Papadopolis indictment and guilty plea seem to have cured many of the afflicted. A few more indictments and exposure to sunlight are just what the doctor ordered.
5
Nice try everybody. In your desperation to lash out at Trump and Sessions you look silly. George P. was a bit player in the Trump campaign.
A lot of the press believes that this will be their "All the President's Men" moment so they assume that there is a conspiracy and presume guilt.
Given the hurdles to proving a crime (which Mueller must do) there is a much greater chance that all of this turns into nothing, that no one on the campaign is accused of anything. Manafort and Flynn will likely be charged, but not for anything they did during campaign.
1
Interesting. So Trump was lying when he praised George P. and called him an advisor? Why would Trump lie about this?
8
I totally support the investigation in the Trump Russia matter...but shouldn't the investigations be taking care to distinguish between contact with "Russians" (no other modifiers vs. Russian OFFICIALS/Russian GOVERNMENT?? With what information is presented, I'm not that impressed with this revelation that Jeff Sessions knew about Carter Page's trip to Russia as we know it. Shouldn't contact with Russian officials (not random private citizens) only be what matters and comes under scrutiny?
Admittedly I'm sure these Russia trips were probably shady in some way and Putin probably has hand in a lot over there, but for the purposes of building a sound case against our current government of cheaters, I feel like this is important.
1
The "low level junior volunteer coffee boy" has been wearing a wire for months. LORDY WE HOPE THERE ARE TAPES.
21
So much for "the greatest memory of all time."
15
Anyone who accuses me of wrongdoing is a liar.
Then, once the truth is known about the wrongdoing previously denied . . . .
I was mistaken, but what I denied was not really wrongdoing and, by the way, what others have been alleged to have done was much worse, and I deny any further wrongdoing.
Then, when the truth is known about further wrongdoing . . . .
I forgot, but what I forgot was not really wrongdoing and, by the way, what others have been alleged to have done, even if it has been definitively refuted, was much worse; reality is fiction; fiction is reality; the media is fake; and I deny any further wrongdoing . . . .
Then, when the truth is know about further wrongdoing . . . .
I deny what has already been definitively established as occurring and don't believe your eyes and your ears . . . .
With this crew, it is never-ending . . . .
19
and let's not gloss over the fact that Manafort's myriad exorbitant purchase were paid with wire transfers from the infamous Bank of Cyprus, notorious for its links to Russian oligarchs (and headed by Deutche Bank's disgraced CEO) and its willingness to launder their filthy lucre, and that of Trump's cronies. Its largest stockholder (and member of the board along with five Russian oligarchs)? our own Wilber Ross, Trump's Commerce Secretary. Dirty, dirty, dirty, through and through. The most corrupt and greedy cabinet in US history, with a gang of Ayn Randian, "prosperity gospel" zealots hanging around to wield the levers of power once Trump is forced out.
May the Dems get their house in order and offer us a viable alternative.
18
Sorry, lying twice to the senate is not a "gotcha" game...
9
Income tax evasion is what nailed Al Capone. Manafort was indicted for the same. If Flynn didn't disclose the Turkish work, he may way well have followed Manafort's example. Manafort and Gates deserve exactly what is coming at them. Flynn maybe next - and who knows, may be the big cahuna himself for the same crime.
13
What worries me is the theory that these suddenly candid admissions are aimed at making sure Sessions is forced out of office, thus allowing Trump to appoint someone who will fire Mueller, further obstruct the investigations, and protect the autocrat-in-training in the Oval Office.
What if keeping this despicable AG in office is the only way to prevent worse things from happening? I hate that the Republicans have again put us in the position of hoping for the least terrible of terrible choices.
Given the levels of mendacity, corruption, cronyism, and dysfunction demonstrated every day in this administration, I can't think of any reason this theory might not be true.
Meanwhile, the Republicans continue acting as the architects of democracy's ruination in their fanatical drive to make the rich richer. They are every bit as guilty as Trump's kitchen cabinet of autocrats, liars, and thieves.
17
I agree. The Republican Congress has ONLY one thing in mind; tax cuts for the rich!
8
Your worrying is pointless. No Republican senator would vote for the confirmation of a Trump A.G. who would not emphatically swear during his confirmation hearing that he would not prevent Mueller from completing in toto Mueller's investigation into the Trump administration's Russian ties.
It's ludicrous to even imagine that a Democratic senator. would vote to confirm a Trump A.G. (post Sessions). All it would take is three Republican non-confirmation votes.
Get some sleep, Arctos.
3
Papadopoulos is being groomed to be the fall guy or as the fans of Mueller like to think the smoking gun. Lowly P. claims to have heard that Russians had dirt on H. Clinton because they had possession of her emails. No corroborating evidence exists and Julian Assange has stated repeatedly that the Clinton emails were stolen by a disgruntled Democratic insider. Ultimately the emails honestly portrayed Clinton's views that she wanted to keep away from the public.
2
If Julian Assange is your measure of credibility then it's no wonder you're so willing to believe Trump despite his persistent lying.
8
There are no doubt people in Vegas who are placing bets on which offense will be Trump's downfall, considering the wide range of corruption and constant foolishness. If nothing else, he is an arrogant fool.
Since lying seems to be a daily occurrence, then I would put my money on perjury. But then there is conspiracy...
4
I'm no fan of Sessions but he did recuse himself garnering Trump's wrath. If he steps down then Trump will appoint an AG who would make it his or her priority to derail Mueller and the special council.
18
I'm not the least bit surprised by this news item. It seems to me that, given this revelation, it is time to earnestly begin the impeachment process to remove our so-called president from office. He has lied repeatedly to the American people and, consequently, cannot be trusted. Being proven dishonest and dishonorable should be proof enough that he is unfit to serve in the office of president of the United States.
Trump has made a mockery of his position and is trying to do the same with all things governmental, most recently the judicial branch and our system of justice. As a head of state, he is an embarrassment to our nation and a danger to the entire planet. He is reckless and impulsive. He surrounds himself with criminals and encourages their involvement in foreign affairs. While Sessions lied under oath, it sounds as though he tried to steer the meeting away from collaborating with a foreign nation to interfere with our election, and he exhibits remnants of what was once a conscience while Trump is clearly unconscionable.
I doubt that Trump will ever see jail-time, but he is a bully and a thug and a person of that caliber does not belong in the position of our national leader. At his urging his followers chanted "Lock Her Up" ad nauseam during the campaign. I think it's time we start a campaign to rid our nation of a diseased presidency and start chanting that slogan with a male pronoun substituted for the "her."
4
He is,above all, in the clutches of unacknowledged and apparently ,in this case, untreatable personality disorders.
It is possible to function extremely well, indeed in a superior manner ,with certain treated mental illnesses.
Unfortunately, these do not seem to include malevolent narcissism and sociopathy .
Those surrounding Trump, both family and Congress, must be held responsible for allowing this dangerous state of affairs to continue.
3
Trump hasn't been accused of lying under oath. He had never testified under oath about Russian contacts.
45 hasn't done anything different from candidate DJT. There is little doubt that the vast majority of his voters were well aware of all his lying and dishonesty. Nor did they expect him to be any different once elected.
The hurtful truth is that the set-up of your election system produced a president duly elected despite ─ and in many cases even because ─ of deep character flaws. Therefore, unless additional facts accrue, the very people who elected 45 will consider any impeachment of him as illegitimate.
I'd wait with chanting until a cause like obstruction of justice is coming up when sufficient followers will wake up and grudgingly see cause to abandon their Great Leader. It's not sufficient to be morally right, you need the political circumstances to both have a president impeached AND removed from office.
1
Can anyone explain to me why Jeff Sessions has not already been charged with perjury before a congressional committee? Why is he not already spending his days and nights in the GrayBar Hotel?
5
Could Special Counsel Mueller hurry up and disclose whatever real evidence he has already because this Administration will obfuscate forever. Especially with this President who can fire him and pardon all the felons involved in this schadenfreude. Trump Jr. has even boasted and confirmed a meeting, his glee to find dirt even if it was from Russia. His son-in-law Kuschner has ALSO admitted he was present. And Trump and Sessions had no knowledge? If not. my dog ate my homework.
3
Pay no attention to the men behind the curtain. Neither are a wizard by any means! For 9-10 months I've been made sick daily by watching the never ending news stories about the WH. The sooner it comes to an end the better I'll feel !!!!
3
Trump, Sessions, and Papadopoulos were all at the meeting at which Papadopoulos told the gathering of the possibility of a meeting with high ranking Russians, possibly even Putin. The outcome of the comment is not as important as the fact that both trump and Sessions denied knowledge of what was said and have consistently lied whenever they were asked about their Russian connections.
3
This is YUGE. The most important story of the year so far. NYT should do more to push this. Our leaders are deliberately misleading us about their connections to Russia. The obvious question is “Why?” and journos everywhere should be asking it.
3
George Papadopoulos proposed using contacts he supposedly developed before becoming part of the Trump campaign team to set up a meeting between Trump and Putin, but the indictment against him clearly states the proposed meetings never took place. Jeff Session appears to have told the truth when said he was unaware of any meetings with Russian to discuss interference in the 2016 election.
It is highly doubtful Papadopoulos had any contact with Russians. He initially claimed a Maltese professor who teaches in London introduced him to Putin's niece. He now admits he the woman he supposedly met wasn't Putin's niece, since his claim could have been easily disproved. There is doubt any mysterious woman existed. The Maltese professor admits he met Papadopoulos, but dismisses claims that he possessed "dirt" on Hillary Clinton or offered to arrange any meeting as "incredible."
1
Again with the Trump administration's extremely convenient forgetfulness. In particular, Congress and Mueller need to sit everyone around Trump down (starting with Sessions and Kushner) and paraphrase "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels":
"If you hold anything back... I'll indict you.
If you bend the truth or I think you're bending the truth... I'll indict you.
If you 'forget' anything... I'll indict you.
In fact, you're gonna have to work very hard to stay out of prison, guys.
Now, do you understand everything I've just said?
'Cause if you don't... I'll indict you.
Now, Mr. Sessions and Mr. Kushner... for the very last time... you may enlighten me."
36
Seconded!
2
If Trump and Sessions both made a false statement about learning of one of their campaign workers reaching out to representatives of the Russian government, that does not automatically mean that they lied. But viewing that “mistake” in light of the vigorous denunciations of any suggestion of a link with the Russians that both Trump and Sessions have repeatedly made points in the other direction: a deliberate “mistake”—a lie.
The statement that the article reports, if true, suggests a guilty mind—JD Gordon reported: “And [Sessions] said that no one should talk about it because it might leak.”
Thank you Mr. Mueller and Mr. Franken, Giant of the Senate.
17
Proving Trump is a liar is the easy part. Getting his lemming like followers to care is the real issue. Too many of us fellow citizens don't believe or care about the steady stream of verifiable nonsense emanating from this White House. Are we that stupid or are we of such low character that we accept being taken for fools? SAD.
34
"We don't civics in the classroom any more the people are hip and smart they know what is going on."
Is what I imagine was the argument that got us the worst in a series of very bad decisions on education and taxation over the last 60 years.
1
Unfortunately, we're that stupid.
2
If you stand up in a public forum and inveigle Russian to hack your political opponents emails then your campaign has had contact with Russia.
30
If connections to Russia and Putin were so innocent and pro-American interests, then why is there so much lying about who said what and when? In addition, if a Republican Senate and Congress won't put the American people first over party, then its time for the American people to never vote for anything Republican ever again. Whomever is Federal, or State level up for election must be strongly rebuffed by no one of conscience casting one vote for that individual, regardless.
Another rule of thumb is if people lie about important or even inconsequential things, then when it comes to this type of thing or a tax proposal, they can never be believed. DJT and his ilk have 'cried wolf' way too often. Please impeach him, his VP and all members of his cabinet. This cabal has got to go and receive their proper comeuppance. LOCK THEM UP!!
22
The entire White House with TeamTrump at the helm, is playing three-card monty with the media. Scrambling to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic that is this administration, Trump seems to be the only one who thinks he will get away with election fraud. But that is because of his early training by former council to the disgraced Sen. Joe McCarthy: admit no guilt; admit no wrongdoing; lie incessently to straight-arm the media; challenge and hit back with everything to stop investigations; show no mercy; make no friends (they will betray you); delete any inner emotions that could lead to empathy or compassion.
I have hoped to see Donny Jr led away in handcuffs from his cozy abode in Trump Tower by the FBI for his role in connecting the campaign to Putin.
And most recently, our Liar-in-Chief's college records defy his endless bragging as a great student. Speech therapists describe his communication skill as that of a 5th grader; more and more psychologists and psychiatrists portray him as immensley unstable, unhinged, narcissistic, and unable to tell the truth. This is the foundation upon which he urges himself to over-promise and under-deliver.
This noose that Mueller is fashioning will find its intended guest as each indictment of others finds truth in the dark recesses of a criminal enterprise occupying the Oval Office. Cabinet leaders are preparing for civil litigation into their industry relationships.
The swamp must be drained.
20
There once was a lawyer named Sessions
Who left us with many impressions
Known for his politeness
As well as his whiteness
And now for his major transgressions
43
The fact that someone says "they have a friend" is not evidence of two parties having been brought together - what we would call "contact".
As for just how important a deal maker Papadopoulos really is, according to Wikipedia, he "has lived for the past several years with relatives in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago".
Can anybody tell me what real deal he has ever put together?
Papadopoulos plead guilty to making false statements to FBI agents about contacts he had with the Russian government in 2016. This is clear proof there was no wrong doing - if something wrong had been done, he would have been charged with doing the "wrong thing" - whatever that might have been.
A "false statements to the FBI" charge, is a sure sign of a witch hunt. It is the tool of the prosecutor who has nothing. Apparently, Papadopoulos is so big a zero, that he could not even be blackmailed with income tax evasion charges.
Where's the beef? It's been a long time.
3
LOL. The thing wrong wasn't Padapulous, it was the campaign lying under oath and otherwise, and Eric Trump explicitly setting up meetings with Russians offering dirt.
3
"The Beef" is coming!
2
What is "so big a zero" sitting at a meeting of the NSC that included the POTUS and USAG? Your willful blindness is obvious.
The lie to the FBI was denying he had contacts/communications, which are provable. How did "so big a zero" have contacts/communications with Russian emissaries? If he had had no contacts/communications, or if such were very innocent, why the necessity to lie to the FBI about it? Again, your willful blindness is obvious.
2
How can anyone in the trump administration remember anything since they have been under so much stress since the election to try to get the out of control trump in line. The administration has been totally chaotic and dealing with 'fire drills' almost daily. It is getting more clear that there was collusion with the Russians by the trump/republican campaign. One issue is; what do we do once it is clear that this occurred, do we declare Clinton president? Pence as part of the administration and campaign is in the same boat as trump regardless of whether he knew of the collusion or not. We are talking election fraud.
14
Very good points. I do not see having Hillary Clinton declared president under any scenario. This is the main reason for all this inquiry - not withstanding that any illegal activity SHOULD be exposed and prosecuted if warranted -- the disgruntled Democratic party is NOT going to bring in Ms. Clinton through the back door. The Democratic party should never have nominated Ms. Clinton - she could not have won under any reasonable scenario. She is unlikeable, she is not Bill.
The bottom line is, if Mr. Trump is removed, welcome President Pence.
1
It is obvious from this article that there was no "lie" involved on the part of president trump, or AG Sessions. Papadoupolus claimed, that he could arrange a meeting. No knows if he could actually do that, given that the idea was squelched. It is a desperate grasping at straws, to claim that this testimony establishes a connection between the Trump campaign and anyone in Russia.
2
It seems to me you're looking at this whole affair through Russe colored glasses.
1
LOL. No lie except the two outright lies recorded on video, one of which was under oath. "I know of no contact with Russia by anyone in the campaign". A campaign member stating in a meeting with both Trump and Session, that he had direct contact, and Putin was trying to set up a meeting. If that isn't a lie, you live on planet lala land.
7
If nobody knows, why is it obvious?
3
The only question now is the size of the onion being peeled back by the special prosecutor. As Trump continues his efforts to derail the investigation, his close enablers increase their efforts to misdirect our attention. Meanwhile, Mr. Mueller, Constitution in hand, sweeps aside the lies and presses on toward a final resolution. He intends, Mr. President, to make America great again.
94
Hey, a guy who looks at pictures of his paltry inaugural crowd and says it’s the biggest ever, and who contradicts himself within the 140 characters of a tweet, is not going to be abashed even by a video of him with his team recording plans to get Russian assistance during or after his campaign. Flaunting reality and running his mouth is built in.
The question is: how do we get rid of this guy?? And how do we avoid getting Pence instead??
56
The GOP controlled Congress will do nothing, so all voters must ensure they pay the price next November. The answer is to work now to elect local Democrats and not to fall for the Hillary distraction.
4
Don't forget his lie about the weather.
1
Lying is a profession with Trump, his family, and his minions. So tragic.
19
It seems that some of the comments have been made by people, who have not seen pics of Papadopoulos sitting at a conference room table near Trump and Pence.
22
I am absolutely shocked. Shocked! Please don't tell me that Donald J. Trump and Jefferson Sessions lied about whether they knew about the Trump campaign's Russian contacts. Please tell me this isn't so.
23
So they want us to think that there's an alternate George Papadopoulis who just happened to visit the White House? Come on. This is as ludicrous as KellyAnne Conway's idiocy. The entire trump administration needs to get out of our White House. Any GOP who continue to back him (in order to push through their atavistic agenda) needs to be replaced in our Congress. Remember, it was only 29% of registered voters who put the Orange dog in office. At this point, I no longer care what they think. I want America the Beautiful back.
39
Does this mean POTUS Trump lied to the American people? Yes it does.
26
How do you know if President Donald trump is lying?
If he is speaking, he is lying. That is how.
16
This is the third explicit lie under oath Mr Sessions has been caught in and the 4th known felony since taking the AG job. The 4th felony is his participation in the firing of Comey.
When is someone going to do something about our criminal Attorney general? His transparent contextualizing of the questions after the fact are as good as a guilty plea.
Mr Cobb no one has said or implied that Papadopoulos was a "thought leader" they have said he had a seat at the table and when he spoke he spoke of his contacts with Russians whom he could avail himself of to set up a Putin meeting with Trump among other things.
38
This is America. We did away with the fear of the Lord a long while ago. We substituted that with fear of the Law. But we are so gifted that we built into a law certain exemptions. If lawbreakers have money, they need not fear the law. This is why America is so obsessed with catching poor, indigent, breaking the law. By locking these miserables we SHOW, statistically, how strict we are on law lawbreakers.
For all we know Papadopolos might succeed Trump as the next president.
1
Everyone in this administration, from Trump to Papadopoulos, has lied multiple times. Everyone in this administration has also had convenient amnesia about their contacts or their efforts to set up contacts in Russia.
Individually, each forgotten detail may be deemed benign and given a benefit of doubt. Collectively, however, all lying about Russian contacts amounts to metastasized malignancy. A serious pattern of morale depravity and willful abuse to gain power and keep it. And yet, republicans -politicians and voters alike -refuse to see it as such.
We as nation have lost our ability to claim high ground on any sociopolitical matter.
18
NOT we as a nation - that applies ONLY to the Republicans in the House and Senate, the Vice President, Trump himself, his family, and his Cabinet and the Cabinet members' individually hand-picked deputies who are busy gutting various government agencies. It also ONLY applies to Republicans who voted for and support Trump and his "policies," along with the fake "Christians," the alt-right, the KKK, the Nazis, and the white supremacists. Put the blame squarely where it lies - NOT with a majority of Americans who voted for Hillary Clinton and other candidates.
4
TRUE! And well-said I might add.
I share your indignation but I warn everyone to use overblown, too expansive generalizations. I am reasonably sure that NOT "everyone in this administration" has lied or suffers from selective amnesia. TOO MANY for sure and FAR TOO MANY of the higher-ups, too, but NOT EVERYONE. Beware of hyperbole!
And as far as I know, Mr. Papadopouços is not a member of this administration.
2
Trump will fire Sessions, just liked Manfort and Flynn.It will allow Trump to argue that he has zero tolerance for anyone associated with Russia. Of course we are being asked to ignore that Trump says the Russia meddling is a
hoax".
A replacement for Sessions is not a priority as - who would take the job at this point? - because Trump will zero in on removing Rosenstein who now reports to him.
There will be no Saturday Night Massacre as even the complicit GOP Congress could not rationalize so egregious to their wealthy handlers and base. But the gradual poisoning of the Justice Department is more palatable starting with the firing of Comey.
Mueller is in the White House at this point. The Oval Office too. Kushner knows he is in trouble and probably the next indictment after Flynn and perhaps Stone. He has his attorneys and White House Communications issuing statements that Mr Kushner is not a target of the investigation. Mueller never said that but it is right out of the Trump playbook: say it enough and it becomes true.
T
14
If nothing more, this situation demonstrates the corruption in the White House. Little Don needs to grasp the fact that being president is not the same as a real estate deal where he can trick and gouge anyone that suits him. While integrity and honesty should rule the day, this government is about getting your way by any means available. The administration is packed with sycophants with questionable morals. It's un unreality show.
16
Trump and Sessions have lost any credibility. Perjury is a crime. He lied three times under oath and he is supposed to be the head of the justice department? This whole administration seems to be collectively lying and it's time they are held to account. God speed, Mr. Mueller.
28
DOES the road wind uphill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day's journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
No you will not find Russia at the end.
1
President Trump singing to Mr. Putin:
The long and winding road
that leads to your door
Will never disappear,
I've seen that road before
It always leads me here,
lead me to your door.
Follow that road Mr. Mueller!
1
My whole life...I have never seen such incredible liars. People who easily bold face lie without a gleam of remorse, without a hint of quilt or shame. It's as if they feel emboldened to create a whole new world of an alternative reality in an attempt to excuse away Trump and his behavior as normal , instead of the bizarre-o world that it is.
126
Mueller III, or MIII as I like to refer to him obviously can look at this in the scope of his inquiry.
Prepare the luxury set of cells at Gitmo for the traitors.
4
Would those luxury cells be the ones whose walls are lined with excrement art left behind by previous tenants?
I do not know if it is me, but it seems so many journalist are missing the point. The real question is why didn't Trump report this TERRORIST attack??? Russians have been hacking the DNC, the CIA, the IRS. Who is Trump loyal to? When they told them that they had Clinton's emails, they were admitting to a crime. So it is not the opposition research with Russia that is the crime it is..
1) They did not report the crime.
2) They decided to accept stolen material
3) They aided a terrorist in their crime.
It is called conspiracy. Instead of complaining about how people are talking about it, report and ask Trump tougher questions. Our national security depends on journalist understanding what the FBI is looking for. Who is Trump loyal to when he won't even report a terrorist attack? Does not reporting a crime, but instead participating in the crime make you guilty of aiding? Yes!!! Ding, Ding, Ding.
15
TWO people have the name George Papadopoulos?
7
John Smith equivalent in Greece......
1
To Pam:
Of course they can!
It's an extremely common name.
But there are no multiple "White Houses" in the U.S. Government.
Cobb's made an absolute fool of himself.
1
We know that Everything that Donald Trump says is a Lie because that is his Nature. The people who do the will of Donald Trump must therefore also be liars.
John 8:44 John 8:44 "You belong to your Father the Devil, and your will is to do your Father’s desires. He was a Murderer from the Beginning, and has nothing to do with the Truth, because there is no Truth in him. When he Lies, he speaks according to his own Nature, for he is a Liar and the Father of Lies.
7
If lying his nature, then it was the will of God that he should lie. Who are you to fight the will of God. You should be saying "HOSSANA", praise the Lord and pass the Buck.
Please, please, tell me it would be a punishable crime to lie to Congress, even a greasy Republican one. Lying to Congress should disqualify Sessions as the AG. It is not as if the next nominee will be any better since it is clear that a never ending list of enablers are willing to check their integrity at the White House door. But it would be some satisfaction to see a few of these Cheshire cats made to pay for their profligacy.
14
There is absolutely no question in my mind that significant audio and video recordings exist of Trump and his team plotting this conspiracy out. It took the release of Nixon's WH recordings discussing the cover-up to spur Republicans to finally take action against him and I'm convinced the court of public outcry once that evidence is revealed about Trump is the only thing that will seal the case against him with his dwindling supporter-base. It will happen, you can count on it--too many people have this evidence around the world.
56
Spot on. Me seems 45 has lost any usefulness for Putin, and if there should be more confrontation about Syria, Russia will deliver the goods. The U.S. will be paralyzed for about a year, and there will be enough dirt to sully a potential president Pence, too.
Not a very bright prospect, mind you.
1
Another damning detail emerges about our President.
Another crack in the foundation of our democracy.
Another collective yawn from the Republicans.
I’m afraid we’re past the point of no return on the road to...authoritarianism? Civil war? Decline into irrelevance?
15
We have already achieved the latter.
1
Sessions forgot the now infamous Mayflower hotel meeting. And his other meeting with the Russian ambassador. He forgot attempting to shut down Papadopoulos when he suggested a Putin Trump meeting. He forgot warning Trump’s team he advised against the Russian meeting as it could leak, which it has. And Al Franken did not ask him if surrogates had continuous contacts with Russians he asked “You don’t believe that surrogates from the Trump campaign had communications with the Russians?” It’s called lying not forgetting.
153
Al Franken is playing politics and enjoying every minute of the publicity. However, that doesn't make him wrong. Sessions original moral outrage looks more like contempt for office with each new revelation. I don't want Sessions to step down though. Trump could then appoint a new AG over the Russian investigation. That's a win for Trump.
You have to appreciate the spin the White House can muster though. Show of hands: How many people have ever been in a closed door meeting with a presidential candidate and his top staff? Keep your hands raised: How many of you were allowed to speak at this meeting much less pitch an idea? We still find the White House relentlessly trying to diminish Papadopoulos to an outsider's role. The notion is absurd but they're going with that as an excuse.
Ty Cobb is funny too. Not just the mustache, his speech too. Why does it matter whether Papadopoulos visited the White House? The misconduct took place during the election. Unless Papdopoulos was offering Russian contact services to President Obama, why would he have ever visited the White House in 2016? A site seeing tour? His non-appearance is consistent with the accusation against Trump.
These people are so discredited I can't even name a comparison. The only thing truly amazing is that some people still believe the Trump administration is honest. How do you even begin to explain their unerring support?
15
Just to clarify: It is Al Franken's job to "play politics". Of course, in these extremely dark times, I would not describe it as "play", it takes a copious amount of stamina to deal with this nightmare. God help our country!
6
The way I read the article, Mr Cobb suggests there are two Papadopoulos'. Well, there are two Ty Cobbs.
3
I see your point. We should also note Al Franken is a comedian by training. I'm pretty sure he modeled his style and image after Garrison Keillor. You should Google his White House press dinner if you haven't seen it. Perhaps we should say Al Franken is "acting" political. What does that say about people who take politics as a serious endeavor?
They are all evasive.
President Donald Trump on Friday morning said that he does not “remember much” about a meeting during the 2016 campaign attended by George Papadopoulos, the former campaign aide who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Kremlin-linked individuals during the 2016 race.
“I don’t remember much about that meeting. It was a very unimportant meeting. Took place a long time — don’t remember much about it,” Trump told reporters Friday morning outside the White House when asked about the Papadopolous meeting.
Trump does not clearly recall the meeting despite having “one of the greatest memories of all time,” as he boasted just last week.
25
It would be nice if a Republican (who wasn't retiring) would say the kind of things that Leahy and Blumenthal are saying.
16
Selling real estate as money laundering vehicles for decades and being brazen enough to think that getting caught would never happen
13
Of course he's lying, but if he goes, Trump appoints another AG, one who is not recused, one who can fire Mueller. Danged if you do, Danged if you don't.
4
Of course, if it implicates Trump, “it never happened.”
If it raises him up and makes him look like a savior... well, get on your knees! It’s time to worship!
But Mueller and his crew are obviously doing far more in the background than we - or “he” (Mr. I ALONE!) - can possibly imagine. Mueller has chess pieces that we never dreamed of. And the dreams of the Trumpists are turning into nightmares. As Mueller noose tightens. As the dragnet, it becomes clear, has been cast to its maximum and then some.
Two camps exist in this country. One enjoyed the the first nine months of 2017, basking in the apparent power and the glory. But now, nine months later, the time for ‘delivery’ is upon us. And the second camp, which suffered through these dreary, dreadful months - one day worse than the next - sees a glimmer of hope.
Now comes into view the POWER of a group of dedicated, selfless prosecutors, circling around crimes and an investigation for which they were born: The task that will likely mark the rest of their lives and may play a role in the first line of each of their obituaries.
We now glimpse the POWER of Justice. Working for our nation, against the power of evil. Evil at the center of our government. Evil unloosed there - by gullible voters willing to believe a master of charade, showmanship, shell games, shysterism, scams. And SADISM.
Till now! BUT NOW...
“Let Justice roll down like a river,” said one of the prophets.
Amen! Say I.
22
Someone needs to define “low-level volunteer” in the Trump campaign; do low-level volunteers participate in meetings that include the candidate, a sitting US Senator, and two future White House advisors? And may I point out that when Managort’s activities first came under scrutiny, the White House downplayed his role in the campaign even though he was its manager for 5 months. Incidentally, Manafort wasn’t paid either; Does that make him a “volunteer?”
157
The phrase "Low level volunteer" as uttered by Trump, means "MORALLY LOW". Trump, believes in himself. Trump is AMORAL - so, he does not want to judge him on Moral VALUES.
When Trump said he was unaware of contacts with “Russia,” he obviously meant the Russian government. Sessions told the Senate Judiciary Committee that “I have never met with or had any conversation with any Russians or any foreign officials concerning any type of interference with any campaign or election in the United States. Further, I have no knowledge of any such conversations by anyone connected to the Trump campaign.” The record appears to show Sessions was telling the truth.
Before becoming part of the Trump campaign team, George Papadopoulos met Professor Joseph Mifsud, who is Maltese, not Russian, and a mysterious woman he claimed to be Vladimir Putin’s niece. He claims they possessed “dirt” on Hillary Clinton and offered to set up a meeting between Trump and Vladimir Putin. The professor, who is the director of the London Academy of Diplomacy, describes Papadopoulos’ claims as “incredible.” They are also laughable. Papadopoulos has admitted the woman wasn’t Putin’s niece, since that claim could be easily disproved. There’s considerable doubt the woman ever existed. If she did exist, the FBI would have identified her.
After joining the Trump campaign, Papadopoulos proposed using his “contacts” to set up a meeting between Trump and Putin, but the meeting was never arranged. The indictment against Papadopoulos states the proposed meeting never happened. A conversation about interfering in the 2016 election never took place.
2
So you're saying that when Sessions met with the Russian ambassador he didn't talk about interference with any campaign or election? How would you know what they talked about?
And Session's claim that he had no knowledge of any conversation between a Trump campaigner and a foreign official is obviously false. For all he knew, Papadopoulos was correct in his stated belief that the foreign agents with whom he was in frequent contact were indeed Russian agents. (And because the professor had the hacked emails before they were published by Assange, among many other tells, the professor sure does look like a Russian agent.)
5
Mo one has alleged that Sessions and the Russian ambassador discussed ways to interfere with the 2010 election during their meeting on Capitol Hill. Members of their staffs attended and took note. The Russian ambassador frequently met with senators in their offices. He met with Sessions because Sessions was head of the Senate Armed Forces committee.
Are you applying for the job of press secretary? You're definitely a much smoother liar than the current one.
1
"That cooperation agreement fueled speculation that Mr. Papadopoulos had secretly recorded his conversations with White House officials this summer. "
Oh, if only it were so!
5
Keep digging Mr. Mueller.
Surgery on an organization as corrupt as Trump Inc. requires great skill to uncover all the malignancies.
13
Ty Cobb had better sharpen his cleats. It's about to get bumpy.
5
It is time for Mr. Mueller to insist that Trump and Sessions repeat their lies publicly and under oath. Then the nation will have an unimpeded opportunity to remove this sociopath and his minions from office permanently.
13
It is a sad state of affairs when our President and Attorney General are both proven liars. Trump, of course, lies continuously and repeatedly about everything. Sessions should have known better.
The lie and coverup are often worse than the act. See Nixon, Richard.
12
Of course sessions lied; of course Trump lied. Now, what are we the people going to do about it?
10
Rumor has it that several so-called "saintly" conservatives want Mueller to recuse himself from the Russian investigation. Obviously they are afraid that their "sainted" president might be exposed for treason with Russia and them with him. They would be better off clamming up, leaving Mueller, an obviously good man, do his job, lest they risk losing theirs.
We want the truth about the Trump campaign and its activity. The Obama uranium deal theses conservatives are harping on is a pig in a poke---a trumpite distraction from getting at the truth about something much more important---Trump's campaign collusion with Russia.
11
How many times does the Attorney General of the United States get to lie before Congress before we throw the book at him and "Lock Him Up"?
Haul this little weasel, Sessions, back in before the Senate Judiciary Committee and hammer him for the truth and then file charges against him for obstruction of justice.
17
Always incredibly entertaining to watch the cockroaches scurry for cover when someone steps Into the room and turns on the light!
8
Did Sessions tell George P to contact the FBI re his russian contacts? No? Hmm?
7
You would think that, after touting his business abilities and his great mind, high IQ and quick-study abilities, Donald Trump would have picked up by this time in his presidency how the government actually works.
Clue to El Presidente - if you want the Justice Department to investigate the Dems all you have to do is ask them to launch an investigation.
1
...and, don't you think that's what Trump has already done?
There is NO THERE THERE....it's a bogus thing to do, investigate something that was done during the last administration, totally above board, totally sensible. To investigate it is just a distraction to hopefully benefit Trump.
1
Not how it works!s
Prez is supposed to stay completely neutral. Separation of Powers. Remember?
2
He can request it, he can't obstruct it.
President Obama directed the JD to investigate leakers during his term.
2
Have no lessons been learned? Why is this headline "Records Suggest Otherwise." instead of a straightforward "They Lied."?
10
The Sessions is the chief law enforcement officer for AmeriKa. Did you ll see that? That's AmeriKa with a " K." My respect for law enforcement at all levels, that is local, state and now federal is at an all-time low, seriously just slightly higher than my respect for.....Jeff Sessions. The con continues and you just can't make this stuff up anymore You can't.
7
The pattern continues to be that Trump et al deny any knowledge of... , but as bits and pieces come to light and they're shown to be lying, they try another version of denial and try to distract off to Hillary or terrorists or something.
It's fortunate that many rampant liars are also spontaneous liars who aren't very good at lying effectively or keeping their stories straight. With this Pres we are also helped by his failure to even consult with his advisors before saying something. There seems to be a belief that if they tell a substitute story, we'll all just forget the last version and believe the new one - After all the Trump supporters believe anything so why wouldn't the rest of us...
It's also fortunate that investigators like FBI are very good at retaining facts and evidence & comparing one statement to another. This is a great hazard for habitual liars. And the more Trump et al respond to the bits of info that come out and the early charges, the more statements FBI will have to work with.
While I'm frustrated at how slowly the investigations have produced results that we can see, solid documentation is the better course. It seems their process is to tightening the noose around Trump & allies, with charges of underlings so well proven that they'll roll over on the higher level conspirators. One has to assume FBI will have the same solid evidence when they get to Trump & team. Frustratingly slow at times, but probably the most effective approach.
8
It seems that the President and the Attorney General have practiced a very specific sort of lying...or a minimum, concealing relevant information. Both were asked if they knew of campaign staff contacts with Russia. Both men have used the interpreation that "campaign contacts with Russia" means contacts ordered by the candidate or his senior campaign staff. Since Papadopoulus initiated the contact, the candidate and the campaign had no "official" contacts. By that criteria, a "no" answer is telling the exact truth, providing you omit any "unofficial" contacts. Just like Mr. Page's trip to Russia or Mr. Sessions' contact with the Russian ambassador not being contacts, because the events were not "campaign" business.
5
If lying about a blow job is perjury to the point of impeachment then Sessions and Trump need to be charged with perjury, and Trump needs impeached. We are either a country of laws or we are not. Good people don't lie to the public they have been elected to serve.
22
The interesting thing about Sessions immediate reaction to Papadopoulos's proposal was that such an action might be leaked rather than not that it was a very wrong thing to do.
22
If what J.D. Gordon said were true, and Sessions "vehemently opposed the idea" that Papadopoulus proposed in the meeting on March 31, 2016, then the AG must indeed have lied under oath. (AG was right to vehemently oppose it, of course.) I can almost understand forgetting some minor detail in one of hundreds of meetings and thousands of conversations, but the adverb used to describe the AG's reaction begs otherwise. Mr. Mueller, thank you already.
18
I lived through Watergate. All the same arguments being made by Republicans now ("they were nobodies," "we forgot those insignificant details,"). The strategy is the same. Smear anyone and everyone who discovers evidence harmful to the party and the president, even those who were formerly insiders.
27
Jeff Sessions has lied under oath multiple times at this point...and now the Senate wants to bring him back to the table to "come clean?" As if that will actually happen. Jeff Sessions admits to his lies ("I forgot about that") only when the evidence surfaces and he has no other option than to suggest his memory is exceptionally flawed. He may not lie with the efficiency of Mr. Trump, but he's definitely honing his skills.
21
Can't wait for the next round of Franken vs. Sessions!!
18
Sessions has already been proven to have lied to Congress under oath. The consequences? A chance to come back and lie some more.
Why wouldn't he lie, when those are the only consequences? How about we actually hold him in contempt and charge him with perjury like us peons would be?
How about we at least pay lip service to the Rule of Law once in a while?
27
Perhaps there some politics are being played by special council, which to some degree would be understandable.
Otherwise, one would wonder if the special council is hoping to find a hand-written letter from Putin to prove there has been collision.
How many presidents do we know, whose advisors and members of his cabinet had so much connection to Russia. If the president were a democrat, he would have been already in jail.
22
One is reminded of Putin’s Russia, where his state media never criticize and his legislators never, ever criticize him. He could shoot someone in the middle of red square and nobody would blink an eye, or his equivalent of Sanders would glorify his actions or blame the media for being so ridiculously concerned. Trump is clearly taking lessons from Russia’s new tsar who has embodied himself as Russia’s protector, and as Trump slowly tries to marginalize the judiciary, the “fake media” and congress, he is on target to copy Putin and become America’s tsar. Scary ain’t the word!
17
Will a republican congress and republican senate move to impeach a republican president? Not in this day and age. Party before country, is the new mantra.
42
I have to admit that I take enormous pleasure in the "what if" scenario being dangled by CNN that Papadopolous might have been wearing a wire after agreeing to cooperate with the Mueller investigation. Whether or not it is true, it must definitely cause severe stomach problems.
9
Sessions should start planning to spend some more time with his family.
14
Jeff Sessions lied under oath. Trump lied, and lies, incessantly. The Russian interference in the 2016 election is one of the greatest threats to the integrity of our democracy that we have ever faced. That it was aided and abetted by members of this administration is unconscionable and appears treasonous.
Equally revolting is the complete and utter silence of the Republican members of Congress. After their endless charades of "patriotism" they have proven themselves to be rank hypocrites. We all know that if a fraction of what the Trump administration has already done had taken place under a Democratic administration, that President would have been impeached long ago.
The Trump administration is a snake pit of corruption, and a clear and present danger to the freedoms and rule of law that we cherish. Keep up the good work, Mr. Mueller.
112
Trump has a long nose from all the Russia lies.
He acknowledged that Mike Flynn had shared his ties to Russians with Trump, when the public story was different. Mike Pence had defended Flynn publicly. Either Pence was in on it and lied, or Trump set him up to parrot a lie.
Trump lied about the campaign's and family's meeting with Russians, then tried to chalk it up to normal politics.
Trump lies nonchalantly, but they are still screaming lies.
38
@NM -- Right you are! The president is a Pinocchio. Believe it or not, Jeff Sessions was the president's Jiminy Cricket at first but then climbed aboard the president's band wagon because his conscience was not his guide after all. Guess where that got him today?
6
Thanks so much for your reply, silver bullet. There is something perversely cartoonish about this administration, not at all endearing.
Sessions sold any credibility he ever had for Trump's xenophobia. Sessions looked sadistically happy when he talked about expelling the Dreamers. That justified the humiliations to him.
I really enjoy your posts. Thanks, as always, for writing. Best regards.
5
@NM -- And I enjoy your posts as well. Keep up the good work!
3
I bet the reason the GOP is not willing to raise issues with Trump's campagin collaboration is because Manafort caught them up in Russian money laundry services at the convention. Why was Nigel Farage accompanied by a young man to their convention using a false name? He was arrested before he could leave our country on federal charges of laundering drug money in bit coins on the dark web...and then blackmailing his stupid clients. Were these the two men making much of leniency for Putin's aggression?
George Cottrell, Nigel's 22 year old volunteer, for what reason it is still unclear.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/07/former-nigel-farage-aid...
4
Link broken
How do you spell "collusion"?
8
THIS WAY: Conspiracy!
2
And when will the truth matter? When a critical mass of people rejects dog whistling and "he's my guy thinking." We are in a period where world views matter much more than facts. I hope Mueller is allowed to do his job and that the rule of law will prevail. I hope team Trump does not try to destroy the very institutions that make America a democracy in the name of winning. I hope the 60+ million who voted for Trump ultimately care more about our country than him but I am not holding my breath. I place my faith in the majority of people who did not vote for him to re-engage with politics and fight for the country we believe in. Hopefully we really are in the last gasp of the Civil War.
79
I remember that the last guy who lied under oath was impeached for lying about a consensual encounter that really was no one’s business. I hope the same standard and level of outrage is applied here.
261
Ha, Ha! Haven't you paid any attention to how republicans play the game?
The last sentence here should be the most concerning for those defending the current occupants of the White House. Papadopoulos's guilty plea for lying was obviously inspired by evidence Mueller's team gathered and presented to him. That the public hasn't seen all of that evidence yet suggests prosecutors are holding it back to test the veracity of those now distancing themselves from Mr. Papadopoulos. The more officials deny their awareness of the Russian conduit established by Mr. Papadopoulos, the more they open themselves to future 'recollection refreshment' with the same evidence, and a similar plea of guilt for misleading investigators and the public.
58
They didn't need to present any evidence, as he admitted to lying. Straightforward since he told them one thing, which was verifiable proven to be false. However, it is clear that this is all they had him on.
Who knows what other info they have?
I know you're dedicated to nailing the president, but let's be honest. Being told in an interview by a young enthusiastic and unpaid campaign worker that someone had contacts with Russians that could assist in getting a meeting with Putin is a very long way from being "in contact" with the Russians or "colluding with" the Russians.
Beyond that, should the president not get credit for realizing Manafort and Gates were a potential problem and firing them months before the election?
3
Trump was happy and satisfied with Manafort as his campaign manager until the press investigated Manafort's work overseas and tied him to Russia through his work for pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Yanukovych-- who fled to Russia after he was voted out of office. Manafort became a high profile problem so Trump replaced him. Gates, however, stayed on Trump's campaign team and into the early days of the Trump administration in a lower profile position. The Putin-Yanukovych-Manafort&Gates-Trump daisy chain is definitely cause for alarm. It has become even more sinister now that Manafort has also been connected to the Russian mafia.
85
Gates was not fired months before the election. Let’s use your test in reverse: should the president’s judgment about having. 3 this far criminals in his immediate orbit be a problem worth pursuing? Also—why all the lies if he “had the good judgment to fire Manafort”?
4
Yes, both were fired after the media released information about Manafort s illegal actions in Ukraine and Gate’s involvements with Russia. Sessions memory is still selective about everything Russian, and the lies just keep on coming
And you think Trump deserves credit for a firing, after the media spotlights their guilt? Sessions is obviously next, so let’s all hide our heads in the sand and praise Donald.
Trump is either the leader of this plot to undermine our election, or has unknowingly surrounded himself with unethical liars just because they will sing his praises.
I’m not sure which is worse.
13
“This is another example in an alarming pattern in which you, the nation’s top law enforcement official, apparently failed to tell the truth, under oath,” he wrote. I am not fond of many U.S. Senators but I am definitely a big fan of Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota. Watching his back and forth with Jeff Sessions has been one of the saving graces of this terrible year in politics.
169
Kamala Harris too - if they hadn’t shut her up!
2
Purportedly, Jeff Sessions shut down Mr. Papadopoulos' big "Trump-Putin meet up" idea because "it was a bad idea that he did not want associated with the campaign." I think that has been Mr. Sessions' modus operandi ever since - make sure that this idea of Trump/Russia is not associated with the campaign. That doesn't mean there weren't connections. Obviously there were! Sessions himself spoke with the Russian ambassador during the campaign.
But, Sessions' goal is not the truth. Otherwise, perhaps at the time he would have gone to the FBI to report this odd circumstance of Russians approaching a campaign "volunteer" about setting up a meeting with Putin. Or, you know, he might have come forward about any of this stuff when the information about Russia interfering in our election came to light.
All of this would be despicable under any circumstances, but this man is the Attorney General of the United States. A sorry state of affairs, indeed.
53
I love it. The criminals hate truth. That's why Trump fired most of the Attorney Generals at the State level when he took office. They were the only ones who could have been of danger to he and his mob.
35
And we see a new evasive answer being used by the criminals in the Trump administration (yes lying to the FBI or congress is a crime!). Rather than use the old, well used phrase made popular by other organized crime figures, "I take the fifth" we now are faced with "I don't recall that specific event', "I mis-spoke earlier", "he was low-level", "he wasn't paid", etc.. Almost like Bart Simpson, "i didn't do it", "nobody saw me do it", "I'll never do it again". In summary, keep up the lies until forced, by evidence, to recant.
7
One of two outcomes can be seen from Mueller's investigation. One, Trump, and all those who drink his Kool-Aid, will be disgraced, their reputations shredded and not a few may end up with a taxpayer-paid holiday in the federal Crossbar Hotel chain. The other is the collapse of American government, its reputation shredded and its citizens imprisoned on this continent, persona non grata in what remains of a free world.
The Republican Party ... the Enabler Party ... is running out of time to act. The choice of which outcome happens is in their hands.
89
Another outcome is 3 more years of ongoing investigations until either Trump is repudiated at the polls (assuming no hanky panky) or his behavior is endorsed and the investigations quashed.
The president "listened with interest". Not revulsion or disgust but with interest. He wasn't appalled at the idea of a foreign government interfering with the American electoral process. The president obviously lied to the reporter when questioned about his campaign's contacts with the Russians. The truth is coming out, little by little. And Jeff Sessions is unfit to serve as AG, as is his boss to be the nation's president.
137
What? The Trump administration appears to have lied about contacts with Russia during the campaign? How completely out of character. Seriously, why even bother with an oath to tell the truth when the lies slip off tongues as if they had no weight or meaning? When the lies about little things like the size of a crowd or bigger things like Mexico paying for the wall pile up, the credibility of the office and the administration is eroded and the damage to the office will be long lasting.
52
I'm " suggesting " they are both irredeemable LIARS. Period.
22
It has become the new normal that most rational people have some level of presumption that Trump is a serial liar. Therefore, none of this seems the least bit surprising. News of this sort of corruption would have been national crises only a few months ago. This won't even get interesting to the broader public until Kushner gets snared.
32
Jeff Sessions the Attorney General has perjured himself more than once, this is the Trump way. They first deny any contact or even any knowledge of anyone meeting Russians.
I guess we shouldn't be surprised by the chronic lying that goes on from this administration, it starts with the Pathological Liar in Chief and everyone seems to follow suit, Pence, Sanders, Sessions, Kushner, Don Junior, Flynn, Mnuchin, John Kelly and now they trot out H.R. McMasters with him pushing the Trump speak, I don't trust him either.
There seems to be one golden thread that runs through the Trump team and that is lying, not good for the country and not good for our future.
62
It is long past time to impeach Trump. The Republican Party should act if they want to come out out clean.
56
Even if this did happen, please note that collusion is not a crime. As to the Republican Party, which is a mess, coming out clean, it would have to go some to beat the dirtiness of the Democrat Party with its systemic law-breaking posited and followed through by HRC. Politics: don't go into it if you have any other more honest option.
1
Annabelle - Do you have any idea how silly you sound with this kind of ignorant drivel? Why embarrass yourself?
3
It appears that when the truth is inconvenient, Trump abandons it.
29
Looking forward to more 'Mueller Fridays'... Flynn is obviously going to be next as the circle closes in on the Oval Office.
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Circle is not closing on white house. Manafort and Flynn are in trouble for issues that pre-dated Trump.
Next.
"We have no indication that this George Papadopoulos came to this White House,” Mr. Cobb said, adding that a different person with the same name had entered the White House this year.
Of course, since there are no public records of who has visited the Trump White House, we may never know if this is true...
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...Right! And how many George Papadopoulos' could there be that would be coming to the White House?
7
And what are the chances that a different person with the same name entered the White House this year? Really, these people are despicable.
3
Sessions denied under oath so that should trigger perjury charges shouldn't it? It's quite telling about the approach to the truth this administration has when the nation's top law enforcement person lies under oath. Of course with Trump, he lies with ease about everything.
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Attorney general Jeff Sessions has been exposed as a serial liar. He's disgraced the office of "chief law enforcement officer" and must resign. If not, he should be impeached. There's absolutely nothing he can now say that will be credible. He must go!
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I don't disagree but if he goes Trump might replace him with someone like say, David Duke. Then what horrors could arise in the Justice Department?
1
Trump would be happy to see him gone. He's had to recuse himself from the Russian investigation. If Trump gets to pick another AG, no doubt it will be someone who will fire Mueller at the first opportunity.
Nasty man kleptocrat has employed the Russians to help him win the election, he has committed treason. He asks that HRC be punished for the lies in the DNC...She did not ask for a foreign government to intervene. Nothing is going to absolve him of his misdeeds. He needs to resign or be impeached. He is desperate to put HRC in jail, but he has done much worse, Her actions are not an excuse for his bad behavior, her are not treason. His bad actions are treason, not collusion, and he needs to go to jail.
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Does any of this matter? With the Republicans in Congress holding themselves and the Executive Branch to a different level of standards, can we still expect to see these people held to account?
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We can try. We can embarrass and discredit them.
5
'“We have no indication that this George Papadopoulos came to this White House,” Mr. Cobb said, adding that a different person with the same name had entered the White House this year.'
"A different person with the same name"? How many "different persons" are named "George Papadopoulos"? It is irritating enough when the inmates are running the asylum, but couldn't they PLEASE try to make at least a little sense?
3
Pressure from the 150 million voters in America.
4
The president and the attorney general were personally told of these contacts between a campaign adviser and the Kremlin. They both lied to all of us. The attorney general lied to the Senate under oath. Other campaign advisers attended those meetings and are also presumably aware of the lies. The daily parade of lies is sickening. I believe Mr. Mueller needs to question them both officially, in a context where lies have consequences.
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