When your American cohorts on the other side of the isle, the people, not the representatives, have completely lost their way, what hope is there? Sad
2
The #5 allegation is misleading. George Papadopoulos received an email from a person purported to be a Moscow resident. The person claimed to have contacts inside the Russian Foreign Ministry who had email incriminating Hillary Clinton. He offered to set up a meeting, but the FBI charging documents show the meetings were never arranged. Papadopoulos never did anything with the email because he never had it. (People who take this allegation seriously must think Russian has email revealing Hillary did something criminal.)
The #6 allegation that “Russia offered the Trump campaign “official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary” is false. During the Trump Tower meeting, a Russian lawyer presented legal documents her law firm obtain as the result of litigation. No Russian officials attended the meeting. The Trump Tower meeting wasn’t secret. The Trump campaign didn’t send a press release announcing the meeting to the New York Times, but that doesn’t make it a secret meeting.
The article #7 allegation is false. Roger Stone did not secretly communicate with Guccifer 2.0. He sent Guccifer 2.0 a tweet without sharing it with the New York Times. That doesn’t make it a secret communication.
5
How did you manage to forget giving top secret intel to the Russians from our Isrealie allies. Anyone but the president does that and it’s treason. Only because he can declassify anything is he not facing life in prison. Of course alll Americans have to deal with the consequences of our allies no longer sharing top secret intel because Pontus leaks to the Russians.
4
" Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?"
Because they're not too bright?
4
Normal; what's that, anyway?
1
Guilty IS, as Guilty DOES. Thanks, GOP.
4
It looks like the man who could not get loans from US banks and who desperately needed money probably went to Russia (the Putin controlled mob) and now he owes them big time. If Muller can prove this, then Trump and his business are toast and he faces major time in prison. Facing this possibility Trump will stop at nothing to save his skin and the US needs to be prepared.
6
We need emoluments clause enforcement. Congress should pass laws defining legal statues that apply conforming to the spirit and words in the Constitution. Specifically, emoluments complaints investigations should be authorized by any 20 senators OR any 100 members of the house. Results of the investigation must lead to a speedy criminal trial of those who benefit, with appropriate criminal penalties spelled out, explicitly including the President, Vice President, and cabinet officers.
Upon conviction, the officeholder must resign until all appeals and punishment is complete. (ie a fine is paid, or a sentence served).
The 25th ammendment may also need tweaking.
The pardon power should be modified to explicitly exclude self-dealing.
An independent prosecutor act or similar needs to be implemented.
Treason needs do be defined as aiding adversaries in attempts to destroy constitutionally protected freedoms, such as the right to a free and fair vote, not just Congressionally defined official enemies we have formally declared war against.
2
hang on there, just hang on NYT, just because Russia interfered with the election, and Trump has business interests in Russia, and Trump loves Putin and surrounded his campaign with Russian related people, and Russians offered 'dirt' on Clinton, and that his aides met with Russian officials, and his son in law met with Putin's allies it doesn't mean he is guilty of anything, it could all mean nothing, it could just be one big coincidence couldn't it? And lets be honest Trump has denied that there was any collusion, isn't that enough from a man of honor, probably the man with the most honor ever and he has wonderful hair? I think Trump is doing a wonderful job, i think every single last one of us should give the President a big hand, two normal sized ones would be good as well.
2
I believe the truth is gradually coming out and it is not Trump, clownish as he is. but smooth-talking Obama who now has become a person of interest. Questions are being raised regarding his role in the FISA warrant and his too close oversight of the FBI investigation into Russian collusion despite his denials. If one wants to understand the true import of what is happening, one must go back to the poets and their sense of dramatic irony. Events are leading to the greatest fall imaginable.
2
Good op-ed piece, of course -- but it would have been better to have a shorter version of this months ago when many of these facts were already known.
Also, to be added is the fact that Trump&Co have lied about just about every one of these "encounters." Why would Americans trust Trump with anything?
And, as usual, just flip it: If Obama had a hotel or two somewhere in the world (say, Baku!), or many trips to Russia, or had once admitted to lusting after his daughter/s, he would have been finished.
2
In Mr. Trump guilt must coexist with incompetence, ignorance, self-interest, and impulsiveness. He does not have the ability to hide his guilt. He does not know how he should behave. His thoughts are overrun by unbridled self-interest. In short, any and all assertions of innocence do not stand a chance.
2
Opinions are just opinions. Trump's behavior is his method(normal for him as it has been well documented) to stir confusion and create fear. In the case where billions of lives are at stake, it would behoove more Americans to take into serious consideration to what Trump did, is doing currently, and to what is going to happen. It makes it difficult when those supporting him are just as delusional as he is. Or more shameful for those that do know and are being complicit. The less than subtle alternative facts and agendas he creates are distractions. Distasteful in the purest of forms to draw many people's attention away. Luckily for many, that political showmanship tactic does not work. It is a very serious matter when a "POTUS" has no leverage to their respective counterparts regarding USA's main adversaries. Especially if it is a military adversary. Wagering the brave lives of the men and women of the United States Uniformed Services is not commendable under any circumstance. As well as wagering the lives of all American citizens due to their own personal financial follies or potential gains. When one wants to showcase their nation's military might by announcing 'they' want to have a military parade in the nation's capital at the taxpayers expense; that is just ludicrous and financially irresponsible. Speaking of which, the new budget bill to prevent another government shutdown is soon to be voted on in Congress. Does it include that parade? Lets hope not. Just my opinion.
You ask the perfect question. Trump has been acting guilty regardless of whether he is actually guilty. What has convinced me that something is very wrong is his disinterest in the Russian interference in our elections and his embrace/acceptance of Putin's denial of Russian interference. Why is he believing Putin rather than our own intelligence agents?
3
The U.S. intelligence community concluded "that Moscow “aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him.” However, it also notes this strategy appear to backfire. The report stated that beginning in June Putin stopped praising Donald Trump "probably because Kremlin officials thought that any praise from Putin personally would backfire in the United States." In other words, the Russians realized they were hurting Trump, not helping him. People seem to have forgotten that Hillary Clinton repeatedly used Putin's praise of Trump against Trump. She made the Trump/Putin relationship a cornerstone of her campaign, telling voters it was wrong to vote for someone who admired Putin. So, Putin undoubtedly cost Trump votes.
It's time to consider a long-shot bet. Here's the scenario. Mueller's investigation takes down Trump (for a bunch of reasons) and Pence (for perjury) just as the Dems take the House. Nancy Pelosi becomes Speaker again and, with the departure of Trump and Pence, is elevated to the presidency. Can I get 100-to-1 odds on a Pelosi presidency? If so, it's a good bet.
I've done a lot of public records research. Starting back just before 2010, Russians became almost a third of the buyers on all Trump ultra-luxury properties. Interesting since Russia is 2% of the world economy. Russians who say they're retired non-commissioned officers from Russian army plunking down $1.5MM to $3MM in cash - no mortgage - for properties. At those properties, his sales manager and property manager were both graduates of Russia's FSB University - their spy school.
Then there's the Russian mobster with an Interpol warrant out for his arrest for fixing events at the Salt Lake City Olympics, who bought a huge unit right under Trump's in Trump Tower, and then ran a high end gambling ring there for a couple years before law enforcement rounded everyone up. (The mobster had already returned to Russia.)
Then there's Don Jr. saying the majority of the investment money, and buyers, are coming from Russia. And Deripaska, the guy Manafort offered PERSONAL briefings to about the campaign? He met with the Deputy PM of Russia on his yacht two weeks after Manafort's offer. (With hookers, who posted pictures on Instagram, so we know the event happened, and Deripaska's plane flew Moscow to Norway the day before the hooker pictures.)
I did a bunch of research like that trying to prove that all of this is a handful of coincidences being over-hyped. It's not. For his business to be so heavily reliant on a country that's as small as Canada economically...
One person commented on Trump, during the campaign, asking the Russians to hack Hillary's emails. Another person commenting, denied Trump ever said this. He did indeed say that - Google it yourself.
And, later Spicer, he then press agent, in one of hundreds of attempts to clean up behind the mess that is Trump, said he was 'just kidding'.
Here is the exact quote from the LA TImes:
“Russia, if you're listening, I hope you’ll be able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” he said, referring to deleted emails from the private account Hillary Clinton used as secretary of State...
The comments urging Russia to hack the State Department immediately drew widespread attention because they lend to the impression that Trump is actively encouraging another country to use cyberwarfare against the U.S. to affect the presidential election. If the emails are hacked and Trump wins, it also could make him appear beholden to foreign interests.
“If Russia or China or any other country has those emails, I’ve got to be honest with you. I’d love to see them,” he said later, declining to back down."
The emails were hacked...how did Trump reward the Russians?
If President Obama or any other Democrat said this, they would be subject to impeachment or rigorous Congressional hearings by the Republicans lasting for months.
Our "diligent, patriotic" Republicans in Congress, as usual in all Trump matters, said and did not a darned thing. We need to vote the whole lot of them out of office.
1
This is the greatest crime against our country. When the investigation is done, indictments handed down, and convictions achieved, the punishment should fit the crime. It appears to be treason, collusion with an enemy. The penalty is death. There is also money laundering and possible election tampering. If election tampering is proved, the election must be reversed in favor of Clinton, all of Trumps appointments vacated, all Executive Orders vacated. There will need to be a civil action to make Trump repay all costs of his occupancy and punitive damages of, say, ten times the amount of money laundering and costs of occupancy. I would commute death sentences to life without (hard time) and the condition that sentences could never be pardoned or further commuted.
2
As foolish as the Nunes memo is, we still should be demanding that Trump explain why, if he is innocent of any wrong doing, he is afraid of the Mueller investigation. An innocent person has nothing to fear from an investigation. Trump has said he will meet Mr. Mueller and that he would even testify under oath. Ask Trump why hasn't this meeting taken place.
We should also be demanding that the republicans release the Democratic memo to compare it's information against the claims in the republican Nunes memo. If the republicans don't release the Democratic memo, that would be another indication that the Nunes memo is nothing but baseless claims.
Trump is claiming "complete vindication" by the Nunes memo. Now that is a joke; a sick joke.
I believe the simplest explanations of Trump's behavior are the best. Trump and his family are, by and large, are innovative grifters who squandered their inherited wealth but ironically became very wealthy by leveraging an image of their faux wealth and power via branding.
Aside from acting guilty, I question whether Trump and his motley crew were bright enough and organized enough to actually collude in a meaningful way with Russian agents -- they thought that Carter Page was a total idiot for example and the rest of them don't seem too brilliant either.
Trump is actually freaking out about Mueller's probing Trump family money laundering activities over the past two decades which explains his desperation to shut down the investigation. This is also why Trump risked losing the election rather than release his tax returns which would have exposed extensive criminal activities.
1
We, via Mueller's investigation, need to see his tax returns... something stinks! Remember, this guy is a proven liar.
Trump hired Paul Manafort because of his work for the Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush and John McCain presidential campaigns.
Trump hired Carter Page because of his supposed expertise in Russian affairs. It would be odd if Page had no Russian experience.
1
The U.S. Intelligence Community has never asserted as established fact that Russia hacked DNC email. In its report (Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Election), the Intelligence Community stated it had “high confidence” in its judgment that Russia hacked the DNC servers. But in Annex B (Estimative Language) of its report, the Intelligence Community explains that “high confidence in a judgment does not imply that the assessment is a fact or a certainty, such judgements might be wrong.” WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has offered to provide proof WikiLeaks did not get the DNC email from Russian in exchange for the same type of immunity to prosecution afforded U.S. news media outlets when they publish purloined documents. The United States should take Assange up on his offer.
As the New York Times pointed out when the U.S. intelligence community released its report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, “The report provides no new evidence to support assertions that Moscow meddled covertly through hacking and other actions to boost the electoral chances of Donald J. Trump and undermine his rival, Hillary Clinton, but rests instead on what it describes as Moscow’s long record of trying to influence America’s political system.”
1
I am quite jaded with this question by now. Nobody is calling this naked emperor out, loud enough like the child's voice - there is no acting, just plain GUILTY!
"Actually, I doubt that there was anything so straightforward as a secret quid pro quo. Indeed, some of these links are so blatant that they seem confusingly exculpatory: Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?"
In other words, you have nothing. And by the way, those indictments you mention had nothing to do with the substance of Mueller's investigation, so why mention them?
2
I asked my compatriots of Facebook-Land, in their experience, if someone is acting really guilty, what percentage of the time is he or she actually guilty? (As of this moment replies are flooding in.) Trump is the toddler with the chocolate-covered face, saying, "I didn't eat the chocolate cake, honest!"
The longer a war goes on, the more each side comes to resemble the other.
It is astonishing to me that a self-professed progressive with a serious reputation would publish an article about literally anybody with the title, "If You're Innocent, Why Act So Guilty?"
This line of thinking is used to justify all kinds of egregious abuse of power, something that a writer like Nicholas Kristof would usually be expected to understand. But even he is not immune from the Trump effect, it seems.
Do you also support the NSA's warrentless spying on American citizens? If people have nothing to hide, what's the problem, right?
Same mentality. Doesn't matter that Trump is your target. The mentality itself is toxic and should be an embarrassment to someone with your political identity.
"Acting innocent," indeed.
1
Simple. He acts guilty because he is.
3
He’s a guilty actor who acts guiltily
At the Prayer Breakfast this morning, Trump mentioned that "In God we trust" is on our currency. There are many citizens today who are thinking: "In Mueller we trust."
11
My despair comes from the realization we have no "Lions of the Senate" anymore. Where are the leaders in congress with the ability to gather this great country up and right the ship. No one, I'm afraid. We need a group of congress people to stand up to Trump and those in the GOP who are sanctioning his behavior. Mueller can't fix our constitutional problems, only congress can...hence the despair.
15
Let's not forget that Trump also refuses to institute the sanctions Congress has mandated.
9
First, despite indictments, pleas, agreements, meetings, Mueller has shown no evidence to support collusion. While Russian disruption may have occurred, it is a leap to conclude that it was to benefit Trump. Everyone expected Hillary to win. Not surprised that the Russians tried to throw sand in the gears.
There is no "acting" guilty; there is just evidence, so far, none.
Nick: I know what you want to believe, but Trump can still be bad and dangerous for American and didn't collude with Russia. Your points would convince no competent jury.
2
Mueller has not yet shown the evidence he has to support any charge against Trump -- so what?
These aren't the points intended to convince a competent jury. Those will be made by the Mueller team.
He's not trying to make the case that there was collusion, from these facts -- he's trying to make the case that there is a lot of "smoke" there, definitely enough to justify the continuing Mueller investigation. Mueller is not done.
Trump's not just a liar and a fraud, he's a criminal: tax evasion, dirty money laundering, using his office for chasing biz 'deals', aiding and abetting foreign hostile powers (Russia), and a lot more. Like cheating at golf. That's treasonous!
10
Why has the adverb died in America? President Trump did not “act so guilty”. The correct grammar is “why act so guiltily”. And you don’t “eat good at Applebee’s”, you eat “well”. Let’s not let the adverb die.
3
No, "act so guilty" is not incorrect. It means to "act as if he is guilty," and to do so in an extreme ("so") fashion.
In the unlikely event Trump is innocent, his management of a nothingburger into a hot mess would still be evidence he is in over his head as president.
6
11. Russia is still at it: I was shocked to discover that Russian Twitter Bots had an active hand in promoting (perhaps successfully) the #ReleaseTheMemo hashtag, causing it to go viral:
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/02/04/trump-twitter-russian...
While this is not directly Trump's doing, the fact that he refuses to confront Russia's current and ongoing assaults on our countrywide political conversations is appalling (and suspicious).
Expect the Russians to try to help the Republicans to hold the House in 2018 (to help Trump remain in power) using these same propaganda techniques. Expect Trump to aid and abet THEM (by refusing to acknowledge the problem) as they aid and abet HIM.
6
There must have been a quid pro quo. The Russians weren't expending all these resources on behalf of Trump for nothing in return.
7
The best guess, I think, is that some or much of Trump's financing is dirty. Is it Russian is it straight up mob? Likely Russian, otherwise why all the weirdness about Russia in the first place?
Anyway, I agree with the premise of the article. Trump has something big to hide and it has to do with his finances. See: tax returns.
12
Definitely!
If Putin has no interest in spreading an economic system in the way that Stalin and Khrushchev did, what would be his motive in having a friend in the White House? I also do not think Putin and Russia have much interest in conquering any significant new territory. After the debacle in Afghanistan, Russia has no stomach for occupying territory where the population does not speak Russian and could involve fighting insurgents supported by outside interests. Russia has no interest in trying to subdue the populations of Poland or Lithuania even if Trump and/or NATO were willing to look the other way. Russia has already achieved most or all of the re-absorption of Russian speaking areas such as Crimea as it probably wishes.
What Russia and Putin desperately need is money. Even if Putin asked Trump to have the American Treasury transfer, say $200 billion to Russia, that is not going to happen. Even Kellyanne Conway could not spin that one into anything that would be acceptable to the American people or congress. How could Trump cause Russia to gain $200 billion? The answer would be a $50 increase in the price of oil. What has caused most of the oil price spikes? That has been wars in the Middle East. In particular conflict involving Iran which could block moves by tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important petroleum transit choke point...” http://seekingalpha.com/article/4034048
2
If Trump is innocent of collusion with the Russians, he should get an Oscar for the best-ever imitation of a guilty person.
7
I'll bet a lot of hound dogs ask the same thing about the fox they're chasing.
Every development that has emanated from the White House this past year in response to the investigation into Russian interference in our election, and particularly these past couple of weeks with the infamous memos, adds to the sensation that our country is in free fall, and up has become down, right is now wrong, truth has become falsehood, law has become negotiable, the Constitution has become obsolete and oaths are optional. Is the truth really so frightening that we can't stand to know it? Will Donald Trump bring everything down rather than let it be exposed? If this is all in the service of protecting his "innocence" then this is one heck of a dance of death we're all gyrating to in order to do so.
1
It's classical psychological projection. Textbook case.
At this point the lies have collapsed from their own weight.
He's really bad at this.
Though the president still claims the threat to the integrity of our elections by Russia is fake news, in serious legal jeopardy remains his son, son-in-law and anyone who talked to Mike Flynn.
Admitting to firing Comey due to the Trump-Russia probe, and dictating a false narrative of his son's meeting with Russians constitute obstruction of justice.
Seeing no good options, Trump's lawyer quit him after that letter. Mueller already talked to that lawyer. Trump's doomed: wiretaps, and intelligence interceptions yet to be revealed.
4
It might be that a raison d'ete for an investigation of the President's ties to Russia is in order (In fact, it is proceeding); but whether those ties, largely, no doubt, of a business-oriented nature, have anything whatever to do with meddling or interfering with the 2016 election is quite another manner. In the course of business, expressing a preference, or even expressing insider information on a person who is deemed an undesirable choice for office hardly constitutes either of those two allegations. Perhaps it would have been possible for "interferers" to do so in such a manner as to make it appear that, say, tweaking the voting machines in pivotal states to record votes for Trump, which were actually cast for Clinton, was done by Russians, rather than the real, U.S. based culprits. Much of the attention now focused on certain Russians' proclivity to dislike Mrs. Clinton, could be obfuscatory in an attempt to obscure collusion between her and Trump before the election was even held, the campaign having been a charade, lacking substance, to reinforce the obscuring. She, I think, did not really want to be President, as she observed disaffection with her record in public office to be widespread; her failure to visit some of the pivotal states could be an indication of this. As only 40% of eligible people voted, all the hullabaloo about the popular vote is just so much more obscuring. That the people have been defrauded, there is no question, the question is "How?".
The GOP Congress is colluding with Trump by remaining silent during the obvious points brought up in this column. Perhaps there should an investigation into GOP congressional ties to Russia. After all, former senators Trent Lott and John Breaux are lobbyists for Gazprombank GPB, a subsidiary of Russia's third largest bank, Gazprombank.
4
I may have voted for Clinton (in no small part to avoid the very absurdities the Trump administration now generates), but there was one strategy I have categorically rejected since the first time I had to choose a candidate to support. Namely, candidates/government figures should not expect political support based on criminal trial standards, including their absolute right not to incriminate themselves. Whether it's Trump, Clinton, Roy Moore, Joe Arpaio or anyone else, it is the job of those who seek power to put my mind at ease.
What does this mean in practice? It means that, politically, Comey's testimony under threat of perjury weighs much heavier than Trump's risk-free denials. Comey has given his word. At the end of the day, Trump has not. Trump is unwilling to truly challenge Comey's testimony, so Comey's testimony is... unchallenged.
Secondly, the refusal to reveal relevant information or instructing others to do so is obviously suspect. Don't bother giving assurances about materials which you either: (1) have not read; or (2) are not willing to provide. This applied to Clinton's speeches. It applies to Trump's tax returns. It applies to partisan memos. Adding "believe me" to sentences doesn't help either.
Lastly, if a public figure categorically denies something, their later claims that their words/actions were legitimate wring hollow. Lying to the extent you think the public/investigators may not have evidence to the contrary is not "cooperating."
4
I always thought the point of Western systems of justice was that pople were innocent until proved guilty. The headline "If you're innocent, why behave like you are guilty? has a Stalinist or similaar kangaroo court sound to it. If Mr. Trump behaves erratically, it may be for any number of reasons. He is paranoid, or despises all people not on his side. But to make behavior a mode of detecting guil6t, is patently unfair. The headline of this article is as mean spritited as is Mr Trump.
I remember many Democrats revulsion to Bill CLiton in the lewisnky affair. Their objection was not to his actions-it was because "he lied". That it was a personal and family issue made no difference to them. I suspect that Dr K is behaving like many nay sayers during the Clinton administration: they wanted their man to be above even the appearance of being anything less than a saint and a superman. This sort of behavior on the left has repeatedly lost Democrats elections and is so judgmental that it disgusted ordinary Americans.
I hope Dr. K willnot make any more statements which imply that actual guilt follows the appearance of guilt. Otherwise, we'll never be able to elect anyone, because all of us have sore spots on the conscience.
The right to a presumption of innocence only exists in court. You and I and the Times are certainly not obligated to imagine that Mr. Trump, contrary to appearances, has done nothing wrong. Mr. Trump will be afforded that presumption when he's on trial.
1
I think Kristof has it right that there was no overt collusion -- or at least, scant evidence to support that theory. I believe what we are seeing in Trump is the reaction of a very experienced litigant who knows that even in the absence of overt collusion, there is plenty of dirt for Mueller to uncover. This includes most notably Russian financial ties that cause Trump to favor Putin's interests and give Putin leverage over him, and financial transactions that reek of money laundering. Also, as an experienced litigant, Trump knows that there is always risk in legal proceedings, that they tend to take on a life of their own and often lead to unexpected outcomes. Experienced litigators can tell you about cases they didn't think they could lose that they lost and cases they didn't think they could win that they won. Therefore, what Trump has learned through experience and probably intuitively appreciates is that you play hardball in almost every case to wear down your opponents and try to force them to go away before trial, rather than face the risk of an adverse result. That is what I think we are seeing here.
3
I agree. And, I think the difference is that in his business litigation, he could, in fact, wear down the other side. Continue suing when you're getting slow-rolled at every turn? Settle and move on. But this is NOT business litigation. And I have a feeling that Bob Mueller is not one to be worn down by whining and bleating and all the other stuff we're seeing out of the POTUS.
Trump is not only acting guilty. He's also interfering with an investigation of Russian interference with our democracy—something that any president should at minimum be able to fake an interest in.
I really hope that some of the Republicans shaming themselves on behalf of a con man will be charged with obstruction of justice, not for trying to save Trump, but for interfering with our finding out what a foreign power is trying to do to our nation.
5
Is it just me, or are other people scratching their heads? Wouldn't our security agencies have thoroughly vetted Clinton's and Trump's tax records before giving them a clean bill of health to run. I seem to remember that Timothy Geitner had to pay some back taxes before getting the green light for Treasury Secretary. So how would Trump's taxes still be an issue? It's like Obama's birth certificate - of course it was checked and cleared, as with every candidate. Still, I think Trump's two cases of laundering Russian money through his casinos (plus all the condo units in Trump Tower purchased with cash by Russians with questionable connections) would have been enough to make him too compromised to be approved as a candidate? Something isn't right that Trump got the passes that he did. I'm very curious what dirt he might have on our own agencies to be behaving so brazenly in the face of damaging evidence of Russian ties. Very curious indeed.
2
the government does not decide if someone can run for office based upon their tax returns. tax returns are private. Usually people running for office make their financial activities public... But this is currently not a requirement.
1
The fact that Russia interfered with the elections does not prove a direct connection to Trump. Putin’s purpose was broad - discredit American democracy, and it appears very likely that Trump actually winning was a (welcome) surprise.
What is extremely difficult to explain is why Trump absolutely goes out of his way to coddle Russia, without exceptions. When he wants to make a deal, Trump is well known to start with flattery, only to turn to insults and threats when he can’t get his way, and back to nice when things look good. He has always treated Russia/Putin like no others, as if... he would be very, very afraid of something and feels that he has to toe the line to a ridiculous degree.
Putin would not have minded if Trump would have mildly criticized him, to respect the old-fashioned Republican line. In fact, if Putin controls Trump, he would have ordered some criticism just to dispel any suspicions. Trump might not be taking direct orders from Putin, but something is very rotten here.
This anti-Trump article lists very peripheral items which do not prove that Trump and Russians colluded. Why would they (Russians) want Trump when they had full expectations of what Hilary, the uranium giver, would do?
The point #1 is overstated. The intelligence community had zero evidence, but stated that things to incriminate/involve Trump were likely. BTW, we are seeing who some of these (many wildly anti-Trump) intelligence officials are.
1
Trump behaves the way he does not because he is guilty but because he is exceedingly protective of his ego. It is the lens through which you have to view all things Trump. I don't think the Trump campaign conspired with Russia to win the election (just not smart enough to pull that off without being caught red-handed). But Trump can't even admit that Russia tried to influence the election because it would detract from his being solely responsible for winning. He isn't defensive because he is guilty. He is defensive because he is insecure.
Or it could be that he is defensive because he is both guilty and insecure. That seems the most likely explanation.
1
I think most people see this list and say duh!, but what can be done about it? That is the real risk here. No trust in our Legislature to protect our interests. No expectation in folks like Paul Ryan to do the right thing. Meanwhile, Trump pushes us to the "new normal" where we come to accept his dysfunction as expected. He endorsed a pedophile for Senate, and we already talk about what happened next. Think about that.
1
And, DT refuses to enforce the sanctions against Russia that Congress (miraculously) voted for in near unanimity and that he himself signed.
2
I often wonder if the missing piece is the purported Russian attack on the RNC, the contents of which have never been made clear. Maybe Republicans know what Russia has on them, and that explains their behavior. Lindsey Graham's email was also hacked, and one wonders what may have been in those emails as well.
3
All of the elements in this travesty make sense except one: Why did anyone associated with Russia confide in George Papadopoulos regarding their "dirt"?!
1
Strzok to Page: "Obama wants to know everything we're doing." Yet Obama insisted there was always a "line" between him and the FBI.
Obama on Hillary's private email server: "I didn't know about it till I heard it in the media." Then we learn that he emailed her private account under an assumed name.
Look guilty?
4
What does Obama have to do with Trump's apparent secret cooperation with Russia? I don't get it.
1
One thing is certain, and that is that Donald Trump will be brought down, and there will be great celebration all around the world when that happens. Humanity has never sustained a relationship with treasonous fascism, despite the ignorance that brought it in. It's just a question of when it will happen, and how long we have ot wait. Meanwhile, let's shine our dancing shoes, for there will indeed be dancing in the streets when the deceitful traitor and con-man Donald Trump is escorted out in handcuffs.
8
When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck comes to mind. When I observe the current U.S. President, walk and gesture like a liar, swim (OK... I have never seen him swim) like a liar and quack blatant lies in person, directly to media cameras and journalists. I call that President a liar. Another tell tale sign is the frequent immediate fearful expressions exhibited by his staff and supporters as Mr. Trump tells lie after lie. Mr Trump acts like an unaccountable, manipulative, uncontrollable liar because that is what he is.
7
Occam's Razor.
4
Your forgot Trump called on, shouted for Russia to hack for Hillary's emails.
9
Wrong you are. Please do not perpetuate this falsehood. Trump did not call on Russia to hack Hillary's emails (which, BTW they could not have done as the server was gone). What he suggested, if you bother to look at the quote, is his joke when the emails were "missing," was that the Russians might have them, so ask them.
I was wondering why Trump's plea to Russia was not on this list. That request was an example of overt collusion -- a request that a foreign adversary commit an illegal act (directing a spy agency to hand over illegally hacked information) against the U.S.
1
@KS
And what you fail to recognize is that Donald Trump has a habit of opening his mouth without thinking, and when caught always dismisses it as some kinf of a "joke".
Sorry. Not buying it.
1
“And if the Russians are listening, please find Hillary’s missing emails.” Nyet! If the Russians are listening, your time leading our stable genius to graze on the hay of treason is numbered. We have a new sheriff in town called Adam Schiff, and he’s onto our stable genius and his horse whisperer, Putin. It’s no wonder your Russian trolls and bots are working overtime to deride Schiff, and to undermine Mueller’s investigation because Putin and Friends are the puppet masters of Don the puppet to undermine American democracy. So sorry Putin, that soon the strings will be cut off from your matryoshka marionette.
7
And all because Hillary Rodham Clinton did not win the election.
3
Tell me. Is this simplicity on your behalf? ...Or just denial of the fact that Clinton won the popular vote by over 3 million -- and if elections were held again today, that would probably be even more.
People die far more often of smoke inhalation than burning. I hope our democracy will survive this constant attack by 'smoke & mirrors'.
1
Hmmmm, I wonder if he'll get away with this. With all these "clever" lawyers. congressmen, family, and supporters lying for him, I wouldn't be shocked.
I HOPE I'M WRONG!!
2
Why act guilty? He knows media are weak enough to cover his every inane Tweet and whatever else he says and does. Really, it's boring - what he does and what you write. Maybe one day media will catch on to this, too.
2
AND this was all known in one way or another (gut instinct when someone is praising Putin?) by the time Hillary said during a debate that he'd be a puppet of Russia if elected. Bob Mueller, we await your investigation to back up our instincts and nail these traitors.
4
First rule for anyone that is mandated to testify - never say anything without a lawyer present. First rule for anyone that is not mandated to testify - never agree to testify or answer any questions. Whatsoever. We all know, or should know, that many innocent people have been put in jail because of over-zealous interrogators. Anyone can become confused when attacked, which is exactly why Mueller wants to 'question' Trump. If he has compelling evidence, then compel Trump to testify. If not, stop supporting the removal of one's rights. Even Trump has rights and I hope he's smart enough to demand them.
I know people here and throughout the nation want to know if Trump is guilty of breaking the law, or committing treason. We have the right to demand an investigation, but only one that is objective. Just because we may not like the President is no reason to demand he testify without evidence. The minute we apply the law differently for one person vs. another, we are lost. Forever.
If we just assume that the Russians have the goods on Trump, and Putin -- said to be the world's richest man -- has set aside massive secret retirement accounts for McConnell, Ryan, Nunes and other complicit Republicans, all of this starts to make sense. Follow the money.
4
Nothing about the Trump administration of incompetents and opportunists has been honest.
The United States does not have a tradition of assassination of journalists whereas the murder of journalists by the Putin regime or political opponents has been documented.
The Washington Consensus, that amounts to the Oligarchy creating Privatization Agenda has come round in Trump to unite into one Oligarchy the Russian and American Oligarchs.
This is the point of Russian State involvement in the US elections. Trump's continuing position as the US Executive facilitates this agenda further.
If Russia wanted to be a state of the Union then it would have been brought up, while it aims to dominate the US politics and policies the US is brought down.
2
Can you imagine the Republicans rage and frothing at the mouth if President Obama did even half of what Trump has done with the Russians as outlined in this article?
Yet the Republicans in our Congress are silent, and even supportive of Trump, trying to kill or smear the Mueller investigation of Russian interference in out elections - the core of democracy itself.
The Republicans have sold their votes, our country - and their souls - to the very devil. No patriotism, only party above all else, including country.
Trump and his allies need to go away as soon as possible.
7
When Trump's "high crimes and misdemeanors" are finally exposed for all to see. it will be interesting to see the mad scramble by many Republicans to distance themselves from Trump. I wonder if Trump will be the first President in history to go to prison. After all, money laundering, Perjury, giving secrets to a foreign government clearly not friendly to the USA are criminal offenses, in my opinion.
2
The truth is out there and perhaps its involves the entire cabinet, Congress and the DJT family. Yes, this is how power and money merges. The end game seems to be that DJT to remain as POTUS by pardoning all convicted co-conspirators. Therefor, when Mueller determines to take down DJT, he must strike at him first, prior to taking down additional cabinet appointees, Congress members and his family. Pence would also have to be rendered ineffective and removed because the entire election outcome was rotten to the core. If that is not the way Mueller strategically announces arrests and possesses the evidence to make this house of cards collapse, I am afraid that Fox News, the Koch guys, white nationalists, need I say more, would have succeeded in causing America to crumble. Bye, bye to the Bill of Rights, Constitution, rule of law, branches of the government, separation of church and state, equal protection under the law, except for the landed gentry and/or the wealthy. Hence, this country will be back where it started with all working folks reduced to slaves. Please, God help us and Mr. Mueller.
2
The simple explanation, is that Trump was informed of the Obama administration shenanigans early on so he decided to use it as a means to turn the narrative onto Clinton over a period of two years. By creating hints of something, where there is actually nothing, the press has been completely manipulated by fabricated stories built on leaks of lies. It also has allowed him to filter his inner circle by shedding those who wantonly leak. This is not normal, because the press has not been normal. Trump has been in control of the media since long before the election. That is why he outran everyone else in the primaries. He is just better at this now that he is the president. And he has the keys to the national security apparatus. So he knows what he knows. He just makes the press think they know, what he knows. This is all great fun!
1
I notice you're from Estonia...
4
Right. It's the Press. Clearly, you're either delusional or living in an alternate universe.
5
we shall see how it all ends!
The list should also include that we know that:
(13) Trump revealed classified information to the Russian ambassador and other Russian officials when he met with them in the Oval Office last spring, and
(14) Trump has refused to implement the law passed overwhelmingly by Congress requiring him to implement additional sanctions against Russia and Russians because of their interference with the presidential election.
15
In his dealings with Russia, Trump is either (1) guilty of something, or (2) an ignoramus concerning a great many basic things relating to government, diplomacy and public service or (3) both. Which it is is hard to tell, because the gigantic tangle of lies that envelopes his long career as a con artist is full of contradictions. And opinion columns are also not going to unearth the truth about this. That is why we need to have Mueller's investigation proceed carefully, thoroughly and unimpeded. And why we need the Congress to finally take action to press hard for the release of tax returns and divestment from conflicts of interest.
5
Talk about burying the lead. "....I doubt there was anything so straightforward as a quid pro quo." Russia wanted to disrupt the United States by making the victory of whoever won illegitimate. It didn't need to collude with anyone to do that. But here we are with day after day after day of fevered headlines, division, and investigations that leak like the S.S. Minnow. All of which accomplish exactly what the Russians wanted. I didn't vote for Trump, think those who did made a horrendous mistake, and hope he is a one term president. But remember back when the media anguished over whether Trump would accept the results of the election? Maybe it's time for Mr. Kristof and the other members of the chattering classes to ask themselves the same question.
4
Why does collusion require a quid pro quo? Simply accepting Russian assistance is enough.
1
Just because indictment hasn't been tried on a sitting president of the United States doesn't mean it shouldn't be. Mueller might be the first to test it!
7
1. Trump has enormous debts, and decades of “shady” business practices with Russians, and others. It’s about money. He’s a crook in bed with organized international crime syndicates. Can we give up with this “collusion” nonsense?
2. Russia influenced the elections using means facilitated by “big data” concerns and algorithms, including “platforms” that hundreds of millions of people use every day out of pathetic ignorance and addiction. Anyone and any organization can use these tools. And by “tools” I mean both the instruments and the Zuckerbergs.
(1.) will be uncovered by the special prosecutor, or some one or body. It is only a matter of time.
Whether or not (2.) is admitted and effectively addressed will determine whether this country will endure.
4
There are no good short term outcomes. Impeachment? President Trump, Pence, Ryan, Hatch (soon to be Romney), Tillerson, Mnuchin, Mattis, Sessions? Are you kidding me? Even the upcoming midterms indicate less of a swing toward restoring Democratic majorities than had been hoped for just a month ago. The absolute best and only long term response is for Democrats to eschew their coastal, urban, elite, anti-religion, globalizing, condescending, politically correct images and fan out into the vast areas of the United States where Republicans hold sway and rebuild their constituencies from the grass roots up. This project could take 10 years of longer. Unless and until Democrats care about convincing majorities of American citizens in convincing geographic majorities of the country, including the white working class and most of "fly over America", they will not regain control of the government, nor should they. Given the Republican led anti-democratic movements in gerrymandering, voter restriction, erosion of the courts, etc, the Democratic party may never regain control of a functioning democracy. Democrats didn't lose their majority status by accident. They threw it away deliberately and it will take time to rebuild.
Nick, I'm disappointed in you. It's all there in plain sight:
"Actually, I doubt that there was anything so straightforward as a secret quid pro quo. Indeed, some of these links are so blatant that they seem confusingly exculpatory."
Remember when Donald Trump said he could shoot someone on 5th avenue and get away with it? Remember when he said he would release his tax returns? Remember when he admitted on national television that one of the main reasons he fired Comey was "this Russian thing"? Does anyone with half a brain doubt that his own self interest comes first in his mind, and maybe he cares about his children, but the rest of us folks, not so much. He is one of the most un-Christian people who ever lived, and yet, the evangelicals support him.
This man is some kind of evil genius. I don't understand why anyone would think he would be an acceptable leader of our country, but apparently, he was able to convince a large enough minority of our fellow voters that, with a little help from Putin, he is now an embarrassment to us all on the world stage as his minions wreck our government.
8
Thank you for enumerating Candidate Thump and acting as president #45 involvement and ties to Russian influences in our elections and policy.
Now for 3 solutions and finding the depths of involvement
1- follow the money.
2-Follow the money.
3-Follow the Money!
Thank you Mr.Mueller
8
To me as much troublesome POTUS is, same as troublesome are all the national security agencies for not acting appropriately. Mr Trumps affiliations with Russian oriented interests and Russian attempts to infiltrate into the electoral procedures were well known way too long before the elections of 2016.
2
Instead of wasting money on a military parade, why not put the dollars towards non-hackable, verifiable voting machines. That's a defense expenditure, right?
10
The answer to the question posed by the headline is that no man is innocent. If you continue to look for wrongdoing on the part of anyone you will eventually find some. So, naturally Trump doesn't like this whole investigation and has taken some actions (ineffective and probably stupid) to try to stop it. As a reminder, at this point all the evidence suggests is that two or more members of the Trump campaign (importantly, not Trump himself) were willing, even eager, to accept information from the Russians, and some of his unders lied about contacts with Russians, most likely I suspect for PR reasons. That's not exactly angelic behavior, but it doesn't prove Trump did anything illegal. For this whole collusion story to have real legs, Mueller would need to prove an agreement by Trump himself with the Russians to break the law. Merely accepting information, even if such information was previously illegally obtained (e.g. by hacking email accounts) would not suffice. There's actually no evidence anyone in the Trump campaign, much less Trump himself, aided in the illegal hacking of emails, nor is their evidence that he entered into an agreement with Russians to hack emails. It's pretty unlikely any such evidence will turn up. I'm not saying Mueller won't find something actionable; I'm sure Trump has broken the law at some point or another...
1
Hey, the man is guilty and knows it. In fact the whole Republican Party knows it. They just can't let it sink in that they elected an unpaid Russian agent to the white house. Probably the most guilty person after Trump is Paul Ryan who has refused to do his sworn duty to begin impeachment process. This very possibly the end of the Republican Party as we have known it. I believe 59 individuals received jail time in Watergate. This is so much bigger.
6
Donald Trump has been a shady businessman all of his life. He has stayed out of jail so far by skirting the edge of the law, by having good lawyers, and by staying at least somewhat "under the radar." The whole Russian business is only part of his problem. The real estate business in New York City is not run by Boy Scouts. A close look at his financial records will no doubt turn up ties to money laundering, mobsters only some of whom are Russian and to who knows what other odds and ends. He will not succeed for long in hiding his tax returns from Mueller's group. Now that he has a special prosecutor on his case, the investigation will wander into all of his shenanigans. He will not avoid the resulting stench.
8
Thank you for explaining this very clearly and concisely.
Now, can you explain this to Trump? (Note: keep it to one page and use 1st Grade words like "bad" and "good" and use lots of superlatives "the best, the worst." Also, use a few stick figure drawings).
7
Trump himself may not actually be guilty of a quid pro Quo as this writer suggests, but he doesn't have any other option than to act as he does to end the investigation....he most likely fears that if he acknowledges Russian interference, the legitimacy of his presidency will be at stake.
2
Get on with it Muller!!!
4
We all, myself included, tend to focus on Trump rather than the people and conditions that put him in office and keep him there. If Trump (and his cabal of political brethren) were to disappear tomorrow the problem would likely remain.
The real deal with the devil is between the Republican party and Trump's angry base, both of whom believe what Lewis Lapham so succinctly pointed out years ago about the core Republican belief: That money is good for rich people and bad for poor people.
It might take a couple of generations to re-educate our country (perhaps our world) that there are more patriotic things to do than get as rich as possible. I'm not particularly religious, but the Biblical admonition that love of money is the root of all evil seems to have its clearest illustration these days.
6
Do we not also know that the the DNC paid Fusion GPS for a "dossier" created by Russian intelligence sources?
For heaven's sake, Wilbur - do YOU still not know that said dossier was originally paid for by REPUBLICANS, to the try to stop Trump from gaining the party nomination? Do YOU still not know that opposite research is done by BOTH parties, and that commissioning such a report from a private organization is legal, but a party working with a HOSTILE FOREIGN GOVERNMENT to obtain information is NOT? You could fact check, if you were interested...
2
I wish the media would spend time on the real corrupting influence on our election system. Things like how the DNC colluded with one campaign at the expense of another to influence the outcome. Things like scheduling debates to draw the least possible viewers. Shutting down polling stations early to suppress the vote in certain areas where the voters in that area favor the other candidate. Mr. Kristof, our election system is already so corrupted by this and other actions such as gerrymandering, and voter suppression techniques used by BOTH parties. It makes the Russian stuff look insignificant compared to our homegrown election corruption. So when you and the other neoliberal chant it's Russia, Russia, Russia, you loose all legitimacy and credibility and people just turn off. I have. I get it, you don't like Trump. Neither do I, but we have Trump because the neo liberals and their corporate cronies in the main stream media propped him up so that Hillary could run against him, and win. Who would have thought she was so inept as to reject her base in favor of suburban Republicans and not campaign in Wisconsin?
15
Go after the little crimes first - which were indeed scurrilous - or the big one that has international connections with our longest term sworn enemy? You'd have to include T's several year ceaseless obfuscation and media scams - the constant mocking and defaming of the duly elected President - Obama - that T spearheaded - at least so he claimed and others reported.
what the Ds did was reprehensible - I agree. What T and his financial backers (including the Russians) have done is grand larceny at the least - more likely treason. Perspective helps in situations like this to set the focus.
3
At first I took offense to your (FXQ) comment but on seconding reading and a bit of thought I slowly realized much of what you (FXQ) wrote does have merit. The DEMs Hillary I mean was too arrogant. I was not happy with her as a candidate, I too wanted change, thus we got Trump. Not said but implied is that money is the corrupting factor. If only the campaign finance reform law had not been struck down in Citizens United. Then alternative candidates would have a better chance.
Already enshrined in the Blame Game Hall of Fame, Donald Trump-Alone-Can-Fix-It recently broke the All Time Record for Buck Passing in a single season. In a dramatic, Hail-Mary Buck Pass, Trump-Alone targeted Congressional Democrats with charges of "treason" for not clapping at his speech. Bypassing his usual favorite receiver, Hilary Clinton, Trump-Alone faked everyone out of their shoes before landing the strike. Not only did the trick play demean the receivers, it simultaneously trivialized the topic of "treason," removing any threat that the "Fake Media" would treat seriously the Buck Passer-in-Chief's betrayal of his oath of office by siding with Russia against the United States. Simply Brilliant! I fear we may never see this much talent on the Field of Play ever again!
8
Trump wants the Russians to interfere with our elections, because he knows they will spread likes about the Democrat's candidates and falsely tout what a great guy he is. He also wants to take the heat off Don, Jr. and Jared who would have done whatever it took to get Trump elected, even if it meant conspiring with the Russians. I suspect he's already been advised that an obstruction of justice charge is close to being a reality, so he and his spineless toadies in Congress are doing all they can to discredit and end the investigation.
9
If Hillary had done these things, Jason Chaffetz and Trey Gowdy would have her impeached by now.
Instead, even they are so embarrassed by Trump and other Republicans that they quit.
8
Would someone please explain the participation of Fox "News" (aka "trump TV") in this swamp? Is it just profit or is it something even more sinister?
12
Hillary's not looking so good either. Then there are all those questions about the dossier and the role it played in the FBI's application to the FISA court to obtain a warrant to spy on Trump and his associates during the campaign and while he was President-elect. No problem with any of that, or does our hatred of Trump blind us to all those other revelations that suggest that if anyone was colluding with the Russians it was the Democrats--?
1
ed - Get it straight. Hillary Clinton is not the President of the United States of America.
8
@Ed: I guess you didn't notice, Ed, that Hillary Clinton is not in the White House. No, the Democrats were not colluding with the Russians.
7
i have read and commented on a tremendous number of stories since the NYTimes went digital/online so many years ago. A comment I see for this story
will be the first one I must steal and reprint.
This touched my heart and left tears in my eyes. with apologies...
Good Can Win
and will
3
Not to mention, he's not enforcing Russian sanctions voted in overwhelmingly by Congress. It's the quo to their quid.
8
I hope fervently that Mueller and his all-star team have been able to access Trump's tax returns. I have this feeling that they reveal a lot about the suspect money that has changed hands between the Trump Organisation and some unsavoury Russian figures.
8
I'm wondering if he was forthcoming on his tax returns. He is clearly a liar and a con man, so why would he report any earnings to the IRS?
2
Through all this chaos, many still ask the unanswered question. Why are the Republicans so silent concerning the fiasco that is happening in the WH, even if it could result in significant losses in the upcoming 2018 mid-terms? Well, Trump made a deal that so far, is probably the only deal he has made of any consequence and he made it with the Republicans.
He told them that if they protect him from any of his antics, illegal activities, conflicts of interest and pending investigations that could occur as a result of any or all of these things, he would sign ANY bill they put on his desk and he probably won't even bother reading them.
So far, if there is any doubt whatsoever, clearly, Republicans are living up to their side of the bargain and they don't care whether or not he is guilty. The sad fact is when Congress is "suppose" to act as the check and balance to the whims of the President, this Congress is acting as Trump's enablers.
5
The problem is not Trump, but the Trump Voter. For a variety if reasons - all of which can be rationally understood from a sufficiently detached perspective - these people abase themselves in the manner of opioid addicts and other self-harmers. The idea of Trump getting away with self-harm to America is deeply appealing to them. Acting guilty adds to that appeal, no matter how repulsive it appears to responsible citizens of any party.
6
As the article said, there might not have been an actual quid pro quo. Absent that, his supporters will say he has done nothing wrong. They've heard about all these other "little" problems over many months and have managed to dismiss them as unimportant. The GOP in congress will continue to look the other way. Nothing he has done has yet disgraced him in his supporters' minds. Just the opposite.
Barring the discovery of a payoff directly from Putin to Trump, the GOP will support him. Then again, they have already ignored so much, even that could be dismissed as just political slander from the left. Party Over Country.
3
As a lawyer with 40 years of experience may I humbly suggest that this is not a smoking gun. At a bare minimum, this is a smoking cannon.
13
During Trump's lifetime in his business, he was involved in over 4000 lawsuits and even now there are 120 lawsuits pending against him and his company. For any leader of any country, this has to be an all time record for such litigation. He is a man that has lived with chaos throughout his life and he seems to get some bizarre thrill out of it, it is almost like an adrenalin hit that has to be constantly fed to him to continue to exist.
Sadly, because he is so unpredictable and sociopathic, this is the LAST type of individual that a country would want or need to be its leader. Remember, he thrives on chaos because you will never know what he is going to say or do next and it seems that a significant portion of the American public love it.
6
He acts guilty because he is guilty.
12
As he dreams at night of his fantasy parade, does he picture the soldiers raising their right arms out straight in salute as they pass by?
6
he probably does...
but, together with the terrible tax "cut" bill, it's the old bread and circuses dodge, served a la Trump.
4
Let's stop talking about Trump's demands and focus on our Senators and Congressmen. Have we elected them to represent the people or to kneel to Trump? Do they think their weak behavior toward Trump's craziness serves them well? They better watch out and begin to vote morally instead of greedily.
I'm watching my own representatives in Florida and will kick them out next election if they continue to forget who sent them to represent the people of this nation.
4
Putin is alive and well and interfering with our U.S. elections still and nothing has been done because somehow Trump and the GOP must know that Putin will be supporting GOP candidates and that, to me, is treason.
If you are allowing an enemy foreign government to conduct cyber warfare against our democracy and our vote, then you are committing treason, and I don't care who you are, president or representative or senator or Joe Citizen.
Where is the invisible woman, Secretary Nielsen, from Homeland Security in all this? Why is Trump and his GOP allowing the integrity of our elections to be interfered with? Why wasn't FB and Twitter made to do a better job of vetting other than tweaking non-human, non-working algorithms?
Their answer to distract us was to attack our U.S. intelligence community and I find that traitorous as well and Trump should just wear a sign stating 'I AM GUILTY' as his actions scream this not to mention he must have lied countless times to the FBI as his lawyers fear perjury charges. You do not have to worry about perjury unless you lie.
FB and Twitter should be charged with aiding and abetting foreign criminal acts being made against American citizens. All in the name of their maintaining a trillion dollar social media industry. Again, I call it profits over patriotism which appears to the motto of this entire WH administration.
9
Let's not forget that the NRA is funneling Russian monetary donations to the GOP.
11
Nicholas, you're content with FISA warrant abuse, collusion with the Russians by the DNC/Clinton campaign, politicization of the FBI and DOJ and attempts by the aforementioned to influence US election results? Trump is mindless and confused, but that should not provide cover for corruption by the Democratic machine.
2
as a Democrat, I have to say I believe you give far too much credit to our Party as far as its ability to connive is concerned. the Democrats do not have it together enough to be as effective and sneaky as you imagine.
perhaps you spend too much time gazing into reflective waters.
2
Try keeping your eye on the ball. This is not about Hillary Clinton. She is not the POTUS.
1
Item #6 on this list represents an unfortunate distortion when it says Trump's people met "secretly" with Russians in Trump Tower. All campaign meetings by staff are secret in that they are normally not publicly announced. This is a small matter, but it is important not to slip into the kinds of distortions that right wing media use all the time to make small deals into big, imaginary scandals which are then repeated and repeated until people forget that the original charge was itself made up.
It would be more correct to say they held the meeting and then tried to keep it secret, including an initial statement totally misstating the purpose. The fact that they tried to cover it up is ultimately more damning than calling it a secret meeting. It was a meeting they wanted to keep secret but were unable to do so, even by lying about its purpose.
7
This is the thing tha confuses me as well. It's clear Mueller's investigation will not find anything really damning of DT directly. If he seriously thought we had a Manchurian candidate, he would act sooner rather than later. Obstruction of justice really doesn't matter because DT is President. Outside of impeachment (or another election), he is above the law. In fact, if Mueller does his job, which he seems to be serious about, it will likely jail some actors, but otherwise provide the ultimate cover to put the Russia question to rest. So why are Nunes and Trump acting so worried about it?
The POTUS is not above the law, that was already decided under Nixon during Watergate. Nixon was impeached for obstruction of justice. The Russians are still trying to meddle in American politics and elections, but the Republicans and Trump don't seem to worry about that at all and don't do anything to safeguard the integrity of American elections. So the Russia question won't be put to rest anytime soon.
3
Your post is wrong on so many levels. An investigation like this takes a long time because there are so mnay things, and people that need to be looked into. More importantly, Trump is NOT above the law. Being President does not mean that our laws and the Constitution do not apply to Trump. Trump and Nunes will not be cleared of any crimes.
3
Why isn't all THIS treason?? Pot calling the kettle black.
Mr. Mueller, I hope you're on this!
3
Subpoena him and make him testify under oath to the grand jury and if he perjures himself, lock him up.
6
And Trump accuses unapplauding democrats of treason. I'd put Trump in the top 5 of Americans most likely to be found guilty of treason.
6
How about the 5/10/17 meeting with Mr Kislyak and Mr Lavtov, Ambassadr and Foreigh Minister respectivily in the Oval Office. No American reporters were allowed. Only Russians. TASS published the photos.
So peculiar.
6
Many Trump supporters, including me, feel that Trump has been "set up" by The FBI and Clinton Administration. The fake Steel produced dossier used by a FISA court to allow spying on the Trump Campaign is just the start. How would you act, if it were YOU that discovered a fake document about yourself, with no verification at all, had been created just to allow the FBI to spy on you and look for dirt!!?? You would be crying outrage and looking for indictments in this abuse of power by the FBI. So it is with Trump. He is pushing back against the outrageous abuse of power that was produced and exists solely to bring down the opposition party. Watch out Liberals, if it works, you could be on the menu next!
1
The Steele dossier is very real and in large part independently verified, although there may be some parts that are not verified (yet). A FISA warrant is only granted after a thorough review by an independent court. The warrant in question did not allow spying on the Trump campaign, but surveillance of Carter Page since 2013, after very suspicious contacts with Russians, long before the Steele dossier came into existence. The latest extension of the warrant was granted based on the previous findings from surveillance, perhaps other sources, and the Steele dossier only provided added rationale for continued surveillance. Even if the Steele dossier had not existed, the continuation of the surveillance would in all likelihood have been approved... Please mind your facts, facts still matter.
5
The Clinton Administration ended in 1993.
2
"Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?"
Really you are asking why Trump would do such an obviously stupid thing. He has gotten away with saying so much, why stop there. It's not, nor has it ever been in his DNA to hold back his thoughts - he thinks he is 'above the law' so he goes 'below the belt'!
Trump - the guy who could get away with shooting someone in the middle of 5th Avenue...It is so obvious he is guilty....keep following the bouncing ball all the way from the WH to the Kremlin. Let's get this guy!
5
I think that in reality Trump is innocent in the Russian thing, but he is fundamentally somebody with a guilty conscience. Because he knows the accusations that he is an idiot are true.
Why would you doubt there is a secret quid prop quo? Do you not understand what being "compromised" is, or even what the Russians call "a useful idiot"? Compromised means being blackmailed, which is quid pro quo.
While summing up what is known here is a service, do some reporting, and tell us if there really is a link to Russian influence and the NRA. That and these quid pro quos under American law is Criminal.
2
Whatever he did the republicans have become abettor's to his crimes. I'm thinking the worst - cannibalism.
4
I've been incredibly angry at and with Trump, and finally wrote him this letter:
Do you have an enemy’s list? If so, please be sure my name is on it. I’d be embarrassed to be left off. Did you know there’s been a 50% rise in the number of law enforcement officers shot this year? Of course you didn’t know, and don't care. The blame for that increase falls directly at your feet. Why? Because you’ve lied to the public about the “corrupt” FBI, and Justice Department, agencies which have, for a great number of years, worked to protect this Nation, its Constitution, and its citizens. Your lies have corroded, not only the reputations of each of them, but the reputations of all law enforcement.
You’ve lied, cheated, and fraudulently obtained both money and position. I frankly don’t know if our nation will survive the damages caused by your Presidency. I hope the Secret Service protect you and your family well.
It would be terrible if your demise were to make you a martyr…though I am aware of no cause, other than your own aggrandizement, that you represent.
It's important, is that American voters learn who and what you really are, so they work for the disempowerment of both you and your Party. I await your massive defeat at the polls, or your ultimate indictment by the wheels of Justice.
You Sir, are a loser, and so long as you remain in office, so are the American people. I look forward to one again being proud to be an American. Thank God for the First Amendment!
8
DT is just a dumpster fire, there is nothing he won't do, we know this, we're not even surprised anymore. When you keep a tiger cub as a pet you better have a plan...
If Mueller doesn't find a quid pro quo, then Trump will not be impeached, and probably not even if one is found, On the planet where Sean Hannity and Trump supporters live, none of the dozen truths you point to exist. On that planet the truth is that the FBI and the Dept. of Justice teamed up to frame Trump and throw the election to Hillary Clinton. On that planet Hillary colluded with the Russians to drain America of the uranium it needs to make nuclear weapons. On that planet Obama had Trump's "wires tapped", the secret FISA court authorized the illegal surveillance of good citizen Carter Page, and Democrats who don't applaud madly when Dear Leader Trump speaks are traitors. People scoffed when she said it, but Kellyanne Conway's "alternative facts" view of the truth is proved more accurate by the day.
10
Children love parades....and that person in the White House is an overgrown child. How about one of the toy manufacturers sending him a set of toy soldiers and all the accrutraments needed so he can create his own parade in the Oval Office. That way we wouldn't have to waste 21 million dollars.
4
"He is not acting innocent." And yet. Some deplorables, including our Republican lawmakers, continue to defend him. Go figure!
4
Nixon won in a landslide in 1972 and left in disgrace in 1974. It was hard to find people who voted for him. The same will happen to Trump. As the noose tightens on Trump his zealous supporters and foolish Republican party enablers will drop him like a bad habit. Trump will be an ugly stain in our history, but right will prevail.
6
So here's the sad truth: to Trump's supporters, it simply doesn't matter if he colluded with Russia and/or obstructed justice to cover it up. As long as the great evil of liberalism and Hillary have been defeated, the end justifies the means. Justice, morality, ethics, and the Constitution all be dammed.
4
It is a tragedy that the con man mentally unstable pathological liar got elected with KGB help. We are a joke to the outside world because of this clueless man. As expected, his cabinet is filled with most imcompetent corrupt swamp. His buddy Vladimir is very happy that he got his wish and the clueless con man is destroying everything we need for our survival- the air we breathe, water we drink, jobs and education we need. The Trump dynasty is on a mission to become several billion dollars richer by the end of the Presidency. What a shame.
3
Why would Kristol write such a desperate article? Is the truth about the Democrats slander conspiracy getting too close?
Russia interfered: Irrelevant
Trump has longstanding interest in Russia: True, but not indicting. The leverage angle is speculation
Trump has a soft spot for Putin: Opinion, not fact. Quotes offered were Trump blowing smoke.
Trump picked people with ties to Russia: So? An equally reasonable speculation is that Trump intended to deal with Russia differently than the President who watched Russia take the Crimea, and stood behind his red line on Assad.
Russia confided in the Trump Campaign; Papadopoulos a significant advisor? Please! At least Kristol had the decency to say he's clueless as to any consequence.
Trump aides secretly met with Russians: So why not tell us what came from Junior's meeting? Nothing burger perhaps?
7. Roger Stone communicated with a Russian mouthpiece. Read FactCheck for the truth. You won't find any here.
8. More secret contacts; "Presumably" is the operative word.
9. Sergey Gorkov: Finally some red meat. Hard to tell what Kushner was thinking. Clearly seems indicative of a mind set of paranoia and mistrust of our government. Sounds like the other candidate in the race. Not a good move.
10. Trump aides falsely denied contact. This one falls under "depends on what the meaning of is is". Lesson, always qualify the scope of any question, otherwise NYT journalists will do that for you in the most unfavorable way.
Robert Mueller and his team obviously disagree with your whitewashed assessment of the criminal behavior of trump and his campaign. Tick, tick, tick....
This is a lying fake news article. I watched NBC news last night and Jeh Johnson, DHS director stated that Russia did NOT make a difference in the election. But he was concerned about the mid-terms 2018. Johnson also stated that they knew Russia was trying to interfere 1 year before the election 2016 yet did not report on it, Obama was informed and they did nothing to secure our cyber systems from attacks. Why not? So this article is targeting the puppet readers. The author of this article knows exactly what he is doing, he is playing with your heads. Go to NBC and check out the interview with Jeh Johnson last night.
1
It is hard to determine the impact that Russia had on the 2016 election, but the fact that they tried and will try again should concern every American.
The nightmare here is...GOP/Russians get to Meuller. This whole thing is so bizzare that I can't help but think everybody gets paid-off some how and Trump becomes king. Like the song says "It's the end of the world as we know it"
The photo is very relevant. I expect the film will come out once even the FSB tires of this jerk's antics.And then there will be potential for more domestic violence in and round the White House.
This is even leaving out Trump’s own words when he told Lester Holt "When I decided to [fire Comey], I said to myself, I said you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story."
I mean, forget your smoking gun. There’s the bullet.
2
Mr. Kristof is very naive and he must not read his own newspaper. Being investigated by a special counsel has to be unsettling. And the Times has made so very clear that hordes of innocent people are in prison. To suggest that innocence assures not being charged, and to suggest that only the guilty are intimidated by investigations is to reject the brilliant and oh so true teachings of this newspaper which the entire staff signs off on. Mr. Kristof is not only naive he is in danger of losing his job. I suggest that he visit a prison and ask the prisoners if they are guilty -- that should teach him that there is nary a criminal in our prison system.
Uhhhh...because he’s guilty.....
1
We hold these truths to be self-evident: Trump is dancing in quicksand. The only questions are: will anyone throw him rope and will it be long or strong enough? The only thing missing at this point is him moving into the Watergate hotel and changing his middle name to Millhous.
2
Of course he's committed and is committing treason. Of course Nick has to back away from what is staring him in the face, but that doesn't make it false. Do not forget what Goebbels said: "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will come to believe it.... It thus becomes vitally important for the state to...repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the state.".
Nuff said, PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
1
Trump is the Manchurian Candidate. Because he is a Russian agent, he cannot be said to be colluding. He is the enemy, plain and simple.
2
Trump is so profligate with his lies and so parsimonious with the truth, to distrust him is to be on the safe side of a "deal." He has a cast of Wormtongues at his beck and call; their declarations twist, distort and fog the landscape of our seat of government. What riches, what power, one must ask, has he promised them all? Given second chances, would Flynn, Spicer, even Bannon return to the fold? Even Wormtongues are not protected when push meets shove.
And this I believe to be a lie: Flynn lied to Pence. Let us determine the truth at that point in time and work forward from there.
Quack, quack, quack!
If it has feathers like a duck; if it walks like a duck; if it has feet like a duck; if it flies like a duck; if it swims like a duck; if it eats like a duck; and if it talks like a duck; what is it?
A rhinoceros, according to almost all Republicans.
3
President Trump is innocent until proven.....oh, heck, let's face it...he'll certainly be found guilty. And, if the investigation digs deep enough, he'll be found guilty of committing many crimes.
2
Not just him, either.
2
Our president is simultaneously shameless and shameful. This is not the kind of personality that many of us have encountered. We are flummoxed and powerless, a country betrayed by a gullible electorate, a corrupt Republican party, and a sociopath who is both amoral and immoral.
We are witnessing a mutant political entity that derives its power from a complete absence of conscience or empathy. Supporters of this brazen pretender admire his "guts". He seems courageous in his willingness to insult, lash out, boast of sexual conquest, lie without fear of consequence, to name a few, but this is not bravery, it is the revelation of a mind shaped by fear, greed, and the single minded, remorseless pursuit of power.
3
We (the American people) don’t need to establish guilt to act. To impeach is to indict, to justifiably accuse. We just want him out of there. These 12points themselves overwhelmingly add up to an indictment.
1
Part of Trump's game is to dance and shift—like a Mohammad Ali in the ring—and throw something new into the wind every day or so.
This dance and shift routine has been his life-time meal ticket, interspersed with 6 bankruptcies.
He shakes his jowls, sets his jaw, engorges his face, and makes a vortex with his tiny mouth about the same size as the gesticulating circle with his tiny fingers and thumb—that's all part of the show.
2
Trump's character comes into bold relief with the most recent news story -- hiring a known wife batterer as his personal secretary and then -- in a move that is the definition of fulminating chutzpah -- feeding his loyal but naive assistant Hope Hicks to Porter so that she, too, could have her bone structure rearranged.
What a guy!
3
"Kushner also privately asked the Russians about using Russian equipment to establish a secret communications channel to the Kremlin."
How did this little matter seem to just fall by the roadside? Trump wants to spout of about treason? Here it is, here it bloody is.
Oh, sorry, I guess they had promised it would only be used for discussing adoption policy. My bad.
4
Everyone, including Republicans, knows or should know by now that Trump is Putin's puppet. Why do they still support him?
7
You forgot Michael Flynn!
4
Boogie on. But these details mean nothing to a significant part of our populace that admires, wants, and thrills, at the idea of an authoritarian leader who sticks his thumb in the eye of the opposition because he loves Putinism.
And those same people wave flags like crazy and speak of the Constitution as if holy writ. No matter. They lust for an authoritarian leader. These arguments are just more grist to be twisted in their fascist mill.
2
We know why Trump is acting so guilty but what about the GOP? Why are they enabling Trump with lies, smears and questioning American law enforcement agencies?
Yeah, okay, they want to continue the power, privilege and money flowing their way. But the GOP/RNC are doing more than that. They too are hiding secrets behind their smear propaganda campaign.
Just how much Russian money is flowing into the American political system?
It's NOT going to the Democrats that's for sure. So how would the GOP/RNC get this largesse? Through the NRA secretive donors? Through secretive LLC's kept secret through Citizens United legislation?
Why is the GOP not concerned with Trump ignoring and refusing to implement the new Russian sanctions?
Why is the GOP/RNC totally unconcerned with Russian hacking? Do they actually hope for 'help' from Russian hackers in the 2018/2020 elections?
Why is the GOP not looking into what we now know to be factual - that Russian hackers did succeed in penetrating some voting computer systems?
The GOP is starting to act squirrelly just like their Dear Leader.
3
It's probably safe to assume that most Americans haven't got a clue about how the Russians really operate -- which is why so many stubbornly cling onto the idea that the Cold War ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when just the opposite is true.
Anyone familiar with the rise of Vladimir Putin knows he was first groomed as an Intelligence officer before being hand-picked by Boris Yeltsin to the post of president and for all practical purposes, he's still following the KGB Handbook no matter how much he denies it.
There's no doubt they are still very much involved not only in U.S. elections, but in free democratic elections wherever they might occur -- and social media platforms are the ideal way for them to achieve this.
This is not conspiracy theory. This is fact.
And because an uneducated and uniformed American public that increasingly turns to Facebook or Twitter as a primary news source, it's easier than ever to manipulate them.
What we are witnessing now is the slow demise of this country at the hands of one of its own leaders.
This is not "winning".
2
There isn't a question of Trump's culpability in working with a foreign (and adversarial) power in order to get himself elected. His constant lying, really since becoming "someone" years ago are self-evident. He has always been a huckster, a plugger, a kind of Barnum who ultimately became a prisoner of his own press notices, even as he failed in business. The truth of the matter is that we elected—a word open to discussion in light of his opponent gathering 3 million more votes than he did by a wide margin—a deeply dysfunctional human being; a delusional, needy, sociopath and pathological liar.
The far greater question is the willingness of the Republican Party to continence this man. Any thinking member of Congress knows the president is a sick and dangerous chief executive who will leave lasting physical, economic, and political scars on the nation for years to come.
Yet the majority party—Trump's party—refuses to stand up for the nation; to stand up for a greater purpose than to simply keep one's job or pass a piece of legislation they favor. The nagging question in my mind why no Republican, not one, will stand up and say the king is wearing no clothes. Not a one of them is willing to even face the prospect of falling on his own sword in the interest of his nation in a time of need.
They all know. The truth of it all cannot be swept aside, yet they are all as mute as rocks.
1
Really, really good question.
All of this puts Fox News in the position of being able to end this whole travesty: simply stop defending and start questioning the behavior of Donald Trump.
2
And lose ratings, audience and most importantly, money? NO WAY.
Ka-ching!
2
To MAGA I say, SMRGA! Stop Making Russia Great Again.
Trump is guilty as sin.
You also forgot to mention that Trump vetoed sanctions against Russia that were voted by the Senate 92-4.
2
A worthwhile sum-up. But you raise one question that seems to have pretty obvious answer. "...some of these links are so blatant that they seem confusingly exculpatory: Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?" Confusingly exculpatory? Not at all. Trump has made a public show of his sycophantic fawning over Putin, despite all suspicions, because Trump is STUPID -- and he thinks the American voting public is, too. On that latter point, he just might be right.
1
Let's be honest. He never wanted the responsibilities of the presidency. He simply wanted the title. And, for all practical purposes, he delivered one monologue rehearsal speech for the entire campaign. He would gauge audience reaction to know when to repeat one line so as to strengthen applause. And it worked. He basked in the Klieg lights from one stage to the next.
But he never prepared for the starring role once he got the lead. He did no homework. He didn't know that Obamacare had no impact on his group employee health coverage. He had no clue as to what the Articles of the Constitution are. He couldn't find Israel on a map if he tried.
More than likely, just like in Hollywood, he had friends in high places (foreign, no doubt) that helped him get the lead role. And since then, he has been for all practical purposes, clueless. He can't act innocent because he isn't. But, what he can do is act scared. Because he is.
1
Trump supporters do not want to be confused with facts. And it appears that the Republicans on the House Intelligence do not want to be confused either.
Mike Pence is surely lying through his teeth and hopefully will be testifying in front of a Grand Jury . And Kushner, being the clueless person that he is, probably did not know he should notify the FBI. Or perhaps, being the privileged person that he is, did not think the rules applied to him.
So all of these real facts, which have been proven, do not add up to a hill of beans until the Republicans decide to do the right thing like stop acting complicit and releasing memos that try to obfuscate the truth.
But I am not going to hold my breath. The Republican House and Senate have too much to lose if Trump and the rest have to go. Facts be damned.
Mueller is our only hope.
2
You're forgetting that he met with three top Russian spy chiefs last week in secret. One was banned by sanctions, but the State Department gave him a visa anyway. Watch Rachel Maddow. They didn't let any Americans know. Reuters saw this on Russian news. The Russians are bragging about their new powerful friend in America. I'm afraid of this lawless man having power to order the military to put martial law on our country and that the Republicans in Congress seem to be encouraging it. I hope this military parade is not his stage for announcing his authoritarian takeover. Sean Hannity and you Republican congressmen, don't you fear that God will hold you accountable for all the wreckage to our God-created nation?
"He is not acting innocent."
Nor were the witches of Salem. "Frankly", they were "suspicious" too.
Mr. Kristof, why don't you just wait for the facts to emerge? Why all this endless and needless speculation? I understand the need to feed your base, but speculation is cheap. And now, when you are saying nothing new, boring.
Maybe speculation is all you people have got. But when the truth does emerge, the whole truth, I believe you will be in for a rude awakening.
And you'll pretend that you are "shocked".
3
Of course, the praising makes perfect sense if all "the dossier" is true (we know a good deal of it is); if Putin is blackmailing Trump, then Trump would fold like a cardboard box and say Putin's the biggest, greatest, handsomest, smartest man ever to run a country....
2
I believe that a sound legal argument can be made to the effect that Trump cannot pardon his co-conspirators anymore than he can pardon himself under the theory that the criminal act of one conspirator is imputed to the others. If Trump is charged with Obstruction of Justice, then this would be grounds for impeachment. I disagree with the Republican misconception that a President cannot be charged with a crime and prosecuted in a federal court of law. Nothing in the Constitution provides for Presidential immunity from prosecution under a strict reading the Constitution.
1
Oh I so do hope you are right, as a Canadian we did not study the
American Constitution to any great degree, and I am not a Political Science major, just an extremely interested friend of America, but I really would love to see this excuse for a President charged and prosecuted, and fervently hope that your comments regarding Rep. misconception are correct.
Trump has been a real estate developer in Manhattan for decades, has a tenuous hold on morality, thinks that winning is what counts, and has been in financial turmoil many times over the years. There have to have been many shady and illegal dealings. Mueller has uncovered some of them. Trump, the rat, is scurrying for cover.
4
The Manchurian candidate has taken our democracy, with collusion from a complicit Republican party, and is now trampling over our constitution. Now he wants a "beautiful" military parade to show how military he is and to get the military complicit with his actions and misdeeds. How our government could not see that an all volunteer military, also known as mercenaries throughout history, would not support a dangerous strong man speaks to our innocence and blindness. Freedom does not come free, and it reqires diligent citizen oversight of those who would hijack our rights.
3
PLEASE....
Trump was elected to bring change and to drain the swamp. In retrospect, Obama was elected to bring hope and change. Under Obama, the only thing that changed was a weakening of America.
Trump is a serious man who just happens to be a fighter - something he has done all his life. Of course he has riled the power structure in DC! More power to him!
Bring it on - He loves a good fight..
2
Picked people with ties to Russia...don't forget about Tillerson at State Department. This whole situation is so incredibly dangerous. Why isn't anything being done to stop this administration and its continued refusal to stop the influence campaign?
How come nobody is discussing the more obvious issue here: Treason. Much of what Trump is saying, doing, or trying to do, is undermining the democratic integrity of the USA in deference to Russian interests. Why wouldn't that be considered treasonous?
3
11.a Trump has done NOTHING to address the Russian interference with the 2016 election, nor with its continuing efforts to do so in the upcoming midterm election, in violation of his presidential oath of office.
2
Trump may be found guilty of many things, one of which could be treason. Treason is defined as giving aid or comfort to the enemy. Trump has given aid to Russia by not instituting the sanctions that Congress voted to enact. Trump is cozying up to Russia at every turn and talking to Putin on a regular basis-cooking up who knows what. Trump is doing nothing about Russia's interference in our election- which is another aspect of treason-"any attempt to impair the well-being of a state to which one owes one's allegiance". These are not the actions of a patriot and Congress needs to act or they are accomplices to all that Trump does.
4
Just yesterday Tillerson warned that Russia is still interfering in our elections and nothing has been done by the Trump administration to mitigate the problem. Against all evidence Trump still refuses to acknowledge that there has been, is, or will be any Russian interference, and will take no action to protect our elections. At the same time Trump refuses to act on the sanctions passed by both houses of Congress against Russia stating that we no longer have a problem with Russia. The truth is upside down...
2
ah, the rich fantasy lives of progressives, the members of the "resistance" -- the times commentariat. I mean, you take a bunch of innocuous "facts" that is --things that are purported to be true but in several cases they haven't actually been proven. You attribute the most sinister motivations possible to each and every event and take as gospel things that have clearly proven to be unrelated (like the indictments of Manafort and his partner by Mueller for activities completely unrelated to Trump or his campaign).
I'm surprised you don't have in here that Trump likes his salads or hamburgers with Russian dressing or that some of his associates drink Stoli.
There is no evidence that Trump's campaign colluded with Russia in 2016. The evidence that Russians hacked the DNC is shaky and even more shaky is that Putin ordered it or any official of the Russian government did --- or that the intention was to help Trump win. And even if that is true, is there a law saying that a foreign entity can't have a rooting interest in our elections? I believe the Clinton's have taken money from all sorts of foreign entities and I believe the "steele" dossier was based on anonymous Russian sources who provided information to a foreign national.
All these kind of articles do is show how hostile and silly the resistance is.
No, what these articles do is show how suspicious we need to be, in the face of
attacks by foreign entities. We are under siege from many sides and should not wait until everything is "proven" before becoming aware of dangers to our country. This stance is not "silly". Wake up!!
Mari -- yes, we need better cyber security and stronger security period. But that's not what this article is about -- it's trying to make a case that Trump colluded. Out of thin air. There was no collusion between Russia and Trump.
Because Trump’s real fear is being investigated for money laundering that could both put him in jail and destroy the myth of Trump the business person.
2
Part of me is beginning to think the dust cloud is more about the November elections than Trump personally. Hence, the Republican complicity. He's in deep trouble along with most of his family. Everyone knows it. Trump is banking that if he can confuse the issue long enough to maintain the House and/or Senate through midterms. If Republicans can hang on, there will be enough political capital to end the Mueller investigation and Trump walks. Republicans are okay with this because what other alternative do they have? There's one pretty clear answer to that question: Retirement.
1
Everybody is trying to document and explain Trump's behavior in
clear and rational terms. And Trump just adds to the bizarre list of
utterances and actions on a daily basis. It is time for the critics to start
explaining why they still allow Trump to continue.
He has not acted like an innocent person since Day One. As Mueller's investigation gets closer to him, Trump's interest in advancing himself, usually his only interest, has now morphed into a far more dangerous obsession, which is defending himself at all cost. Trump knows what he has done, and he may well know much of what Mueller knows.
Trump fights even minor slights viciously. It should come as no surprise that he would fight Mueller with every tactic at his disposal, including those that would destroy the democratic and constitutional order of our country. He knows that Mueller has the authority to try to indict him, convict him, and send him to a long tern in prison or even to the death penalty if he is convicted of treason.
It seems inevitable that he will arrange for Mueller to be fired. He is unconcerned about the political consequences of doing so. That is much too theoretical for him. Trump is worried about his personal survival as a free man.
Firing Mueller may give him the escape route to resign as President, as did Nixon, if impeach and removal is likely, which is by no means certain. If he resigned, he would not be humbled because he does not have that capacity. He would not go gentle into that good night.
Instead, he would survive as a loudmouth with a Twitter feed, a regular show on Fox News, and a businessman who makes lots of money on the side. It would beat prison or death. Trump would proclaim himself as the winner, no doubt.
1
My current wonderment is why some lawmakers who were criticizing and opposing Donald Trump are now so sickeningly supporting him and his personal agenda. Of course, I can't think of any rational reason, because reason doesn't enter into Trump's equations, so it must be something else. If Trump really does have millions of dollars, that might easily explain the sudden shifts. It is probably true that most people, even those elected to serve the electors, have their price.
1
I would love to see Trump supporters/Congress presented with a list of things that Trump said about Russia, but they are presented as having come from Hillary Clinton say, 5 years ago.
Trump supporters are then asked, should we investigate and possibly prosecute Hillary Clinton for these statements? Be interesting to see what they have to say.
1
Occam's Razor: The straightforward answer is that he is acting guilty because he is guilty.
2
This whole fight centers around whether "russians" equals "Russia". The Resistance says yes...DJT says no. We'll see what Mueller says. If it's the former, everyone in the WH is going home in disgrace. If it's the latter, even if obstruction charges are included, the status quo prevails.
Ironically Trump’s attitude to truth – that it is irrelevant – explains his ‘not acting innocent’. He simply cannot imagine that the outcome of the Mueller investigation will be the objective truth and fact based so he fears the outcome whether he is in fact innocent or not and is carrying out his usual abhorrent and baseless attacks on anything he perceives as a threat regardless of the consequences of attacking what should be THE arbiter of truth.
1
Trump has gotten away with everything so far. Why would he alter his path now? Also: "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." So please allow him a little more time to dig his own grave.
1
Does anyone really believe that Don Jr made any significant decisions without his father’s involvement? Trump has positioned his son as a cutout, so it’s doubtful that illegal Trump actions can be found. His son was a puppet and directed all the illegal activity, but will clearly receive a Presidential pardon. Trump’s base will cheer his forgiveness and for supporting his family.
The State courts are our only hope.
1
Trump is not the problem. Trump is a symptom. The problem, the disease actually, is the Republican Party!
Apart from a further exposure of the deceit in (and corruption of) US federal politics, and the role of big money in the two big parties and elections, something that has been repeatedly exposed since at least the 1950s, the Trump affair should be raising the more pressing question: what in heaven's name goes on in corporate America? How can US enterprises from family firms like Trump's to incorporated entities be so unaccountable, so legally and morally challenged in their practices, so abusive of their power and wealth, so lawyered and accountanted-up that they are virtually untouchable? This is gangster cronyism with neatly complicit politicians, just like Sicily of old or Russia of today. The politics we see is merely epiphenomenal -- minor symptoms of the deep, pervasive criminality, and the complete disregard of democratic norms and the rule of law. Under those conditions, it makes not a jot of difference who sits in Congress or the Oval Office. An America with more in common with Russia, North Korea and the Philippines than with the Netherlands, Britain or Denmark is not a happy outcome.
Whether Trump colluded with the Russians or not, he definitely does act like a guilty man. Nor does he seem concerned at all with Russian interference in our elections, even though he does not admit that the Russians helped him win the election.
Either he is the world's greatest fool or he is pleased that Russians are interfering with our country's internal workings. Wait, isn't that the same thing?
In any case, there is no question that Trump leans toward autocracy, witness his "treason" complaint about those who did not applaud his speech.
I hope Mueller is close to charging him with something that will remove him from office.
1. March 21, 2016: Trump meets with the editorial board of the Washington Post.
Asked about his foreign policy team, Trump volunteers the names of Carter Page and George Papadopoulos (who has now pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts he had with the Russian government during the 2016 presidential campaign).
Oct. 30, 2017: In an interview MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, Page discusses Papadaopoulos’ guilty plea, admitting that he was on campaign email chains with Papadopoulos about Russia.
2. It was Roger Stone who delivered Paul Manafort to Trump. Trump claims to know "the best people" but, clearly, he doesn't.
Guilty IS, as guilty DOES. Period.
"Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?"
Arrogance, plain and simple.
If Trump is so clearly guilty, why the need for the DNC and Hilary Clinton to compile a fraudulent Dossier? Of course, you needed something in order to justify those FISA warrants. For the liberals, the ends do justify the means.
We know that our entire foreign diplomatic corp attempts to interfere in our elections, not just the Russians, and depending on which nationality among Americans the foreign lobby counts as its foreign adversary, the country’s lobbyists interfere in our elections. American financial supporters of the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland, the American-Israeli Political Action Committee, college chapters of the Boycott, Divest, Sanction Israel movement, and the American Anglophile audience of the British Broadcasting Corp.’s media outlets here ——all divide us as some foreign allies to some Americans are foreign hostile powers to other Americans.
There is no political consensus on which countries Americans ought to consider our enemy and which we ought to consider allies. There is no political consensus on which countries have undue influence over our political elections and which do not, which ones ought to have a political role here and which ones threaten our democracy.
Recall that within living memory a majority of our Congress and our Presidents once issued qualified defense of the white supremacist government of South Africa, either abstaining or vetoing United Nations condemnations. It took awhile for American leaders to see that racist South Africa’s attempt to influence public opinion here was as threatening (such as purchasing a Minnesota newspaper) to our country as some like Nicholas Kristof consider the Russians. Domestic politics is foreign politics.
When the extent and the depths of Trump's involvement with the Russians and their money is revealed, and it is made plain why only the Russians were singled out for soft handling, Trump's world and his presidency will unravel. That is assuming Robert Mueller isn't fired first, which is a strong possibility, since Donald will do exactly what one would expect a cornered rat will do, to think otherwise is pure naivety. Mueller will get the axe and Donald will deal with the consequences.
We're headed for a constitutional crisis, probably far worse than Watergate. The question is, will the Republicans have the backbone to do their duty and put loyalty to the nation above loyalty to Donald. Secondly, will Donald's base realize all his deceptions and renounce him, or has he so beguiled them that he has created a divided nation?
91
The craziest part of this entire thing is this: 35% of Americans distrust their government completely, but the same 35% view the Russian government as truthful. That is a paradox that I will never understand. Brain washing is real.
3
Nick says "... we know... Russia interfered in the election."
No we don't. This is just a naked assertion, probably wishful thinking, too.
It's also a classic Big Lie technique: to endlessly repeat an untruth until the public simply swallows it because they hear it over and over. Shameful.
4
I don't care if Bob Mueller to investigate me... do you care if he investigates you?
How about this hashtag:
#investigatemebob
Think about it. Most of us apparently have something in common with President Trump in terms of Russia.
Here is what millions of Americans have in common with what President Trump
says about himself and Russia:
We have:
- no business connections in Russia
- no secret meetings with Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign
- no collusion or collaboration with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign
- no one we know who had any connection with Russia
Furthermore:
- we feel that any evidence about our relationship with Russia is a "nothing burger" a complete phony story.
- we know we are completely innocent of any of these allegations about Russia.
So, since we and President Trump have ALL these things in common and are so convinced of our innocence…
WE happily say to Bob Mueller - "INVESTIGATE ME BOB!"
We have nothing to hide, just as the President says about himself.
Let's see how many Americans are willing to sign on to this campaign and say
"INVESTIGATE ME BOB!" and let's see if Donald Trump is one of those Americans.
If he is not willing to say that.... ummm, why not?
He and we are all innocent, right?
#Investigate me Bob!
7
The following quote from this article is terrifying: Trump defended Putin from allegations that he interfered in elections and killed journalists. “You think our country is so innocent?”
In other words, Trump thinks its fine to kill journalists - OUR journalists. This also reveals his utter disdain for the law.
16
The book "Collusion" spells all this out. Worth a read.
1
I have read that book too, and it's great. I am surprised it is not getting more mention. All those ignorant Trump supporters should read this book. Although I think "conspiracy" is a better word than "collusion." What the book clearly shows is that Trump's entire business career has consisted of involvement with shady criminal characters, first Italian mafia, then Russians. Why didn't the "liberal media" expose that during 2016? I guess making money with ratings off of Trump's entertainment value was a higher priority for them.
All of this and more was confirmed in the documentary "Confidence Man" in the Netflix series "Dirty Money".
I don't want to sound flippant, but if a public figure like Trump as "perfected" the art of covering up the fact that 2/3 of his head is hairless by meticulously spinning his locks into a bizarre and distracting shape, why is it any wonder that he is very good at living the rest of his life under false pretenses?
12
Trump whines about a Democratic witch hunt, but all his detractors are republican. Rosenstein, McCabe, Wray and Mueller are all republican.
1 year into Trumps first term, 6 members of Trumps inner circle are under federal criminal investigation. 2 indictments and 2 guilty pleas.
Were it Obama, would republicans be so tolerant?
15
Trump act guilty because he is guilty and is really lousy at covering it up. They all are. It’s like they’re wearing T- shirts with “Lock Me Up” printed on them.
2
Trump is what he is: a despicable crook with minimal integrity but lots of street smart learned from gangsters in Queens. But I am constantly baffled by the adoration of his base. From a distance they seem to be hard working, law abiding citizens who love America and will die for it. How can they still support Trump after a year of lies, blackmail, crude behavior - everything these people will teach their children NOT to be. I just can't understand them.
11
John Gotti and Al Capone were adored by many people. The difference between them and the Trump/Republicans is at least Gotti and Capone had principles.
@kristof isn’t a lot of what you presented circumstantial? Further Since when have we impeached presidents based on “ acting guilty?”
1
You are missing the point, Greg. Trump is acting guilty, and there's plenty of publicly known reasons that Trump should be investigated. The Mueller investigation must continue in the public interest. If there's hard evidence, Mueller will have it.
1
Though what Mr. Kristof has presented is circumstantial, it is a lot of evidence that all points in the same direction, that Donald Trump is amazingly guilty of some sort of collusion or complicity with the Russians. The hard evidence will appear if Robert Mueller is allowed to complete his investigation, but the odds of that happening are narrowing. If he is dismissed, will the Trump base still claim that Donald must be innocent because no evidence was delivered? Or will they realize that a crime has been committed? How much smoke does it take to make some people realize there is a fire?
Impeachment was never mentioned. And yes much is circumstantial, but on a whole paints a bad picture. Does that mean it is all true? Not necessarily, but serious enough to find out - which is what Bob Mueller is supposed to be doing.
That Trump actively tries to discredit anyone involved who might get to the bottom of it (including journalists), on top of the growing pile of circumstantial evidence, does make it look like he is hiding something. That was the point of this piece.
I personally have thought for a long time that he has been compromised by the Russians as well as being involved in illegal business activities that he doesn’t want to come to light - which may or may not be connected. Nothing he has done so far makes me think this is less likely.
Is he guilty? We will see. But he sure acts like it.
1
Trump is guilty as sin, as we all know. But we must never forget how the Republicans have shifted attention away from his dealings with Russia, and made the investigation into his affairs look like the actual criminal enterprise. But this is something they have always done. So we must never indulge in the fantasy that when presented with conclusive evidence from Mueller's inquiry the Republicans will finally admit the truth that the president is a traitor. Now, doing everything they can to thwart the investigation, they are as guilty of treason as he is.
7
Ever since I started watching him in his campaign run (I refuse to watch him anymore), I thought Trump was a liar, a con man, in way over his head, and only in this to further his brand. Nothing he has said or done since has changed my mind. The evidence is coming out, despite his smokescreen.
6
Not to forget trump meeting alone inside the oval office with the two Russians and their press aide (re: spies).
7
Is the "Grand Old Party" getting ready to "dump Trump" and put in Pence?
Our Republic is wading into deep water.
The political years 2018-2024 should be very interesting.
1
Nice bullet point presentation that could have continued for ten more pages with relevant facts. If Mueller doesn't nail the crook and his cohorts, of late I have been given more hope by the fact that the Senate Judiciary Committee just referred Christopher Steele to the Justice Department for potential indictment. How stupid could these Senators be? I am guessing Mr. Steele might be more than just a little ticked off by this treatment and I am also guessing that this very capable James Bond of MI6 might get the last laugh in this matter. I mean this one super sleuth was more capable than all of American intelligence in deciphering who Trump was and what he was up to. From Russia with Love, Mr. Trump.
6
Yes, devastating scandal. But the argument that if people have nothing to hide they won't mind being questioned, indicted, going to trial. And of course if they're innocent, they won't mind heading to jail afterward. There are a hundred reasons an innocent person doesn't want the DA or whomever all up in their lives. And Trump has portrayed the investigation as a sheer political persecution., which is quite the sort of thing that targets innocent people. Anyway, The Russia stuff should sink him. But this is world's silliest argument.
4
Let's face the truth America has a despot in the Oval Office. His campaign to undermine the FBI and Justice Department because they are loyal to the Constitution and the rule of law and not loyal to him is the most blatant and dangerous example of his demagoguery.
Those who do not stand and applaud when he gives a speech are treasonous. And those who march with torches chanting anti-Semitic slogans are good people.
Now he wants a military parade so he can stand with his chest puffed out and salute the troops like Putin and Kim Jong-un. He says its to honor our troops but don't be fooled its to honor our narcissistic leader.
6
Not implementing sanctions against Russia. And guess who is complicit - Rex!
6
For too long we've ignored the cancer that has eaten away at our social and political fabric. trump symbolizes everything that is wrong with our country. His gross ineptitude and egregious behavior make it impossible to ignore any longer. The remedy is two-fold: voters must deal with hose senators and representatives who are morally corrupt and beholden to big money donors; the special prosecutor and courts must deal with any crimes that may have been committed by trump and his family.
4
Wouldn't a normal person in power, who values democratic institutions say something like:
"OMG ! Someone appears to be interfering with our elections! The cornerstone of democracy ! We have to get the bottom of this! Let me help any way I can!"
Instead, we get a POTUS who tries to BLOCK and DISCREDIT the investigation ? Huh ?
That, in and of itself is consciousness of guilt.
(btw- non sequitur here - WHERE ARE THE TAX RETURNS ?)
5
Nick, you say "Actually, I doubt that there was anything so straightforward as a secret quid pro quo". David Brooks has already said he doesn't believe that the Russians and Trump conspired together. I'm puzzled why NY Times opinion writers are already drawing conclusions? Why not wait for Mueller to present the evidence? As your column states, something fishy is going on. Trump is behaving like a guilty man. His history is a man with no scruples, ruled by greed. Putin has a motive in reversing sanctions and to weaken America's standing in the world. I'm keeping an open mind, and NYT writers should , too. Mueller and the FBI will let us know the level of criminality that occurred here.
3
Rachel Maddow has done a good job showing how Donald Trump may have been used to launder Russian money and be a front for Russian real estate scams.
3
If Shakespeare were alive today, he would say this:
"The president doth protest too much, methinks"
Why did Trump's associations with Felix Sater and Tevfik Arif, Russia-enmeshed hoods, not make your list? These jokers are prime potential links for money laundering.
2
No quid pro quo?? How about "you get me elected and I'll be sure to get rid of the Magnitsky Act"?
2
The immediate impression, by your refresher'course' now, is declare Trump (and Pence) 'guilty as charged', both in colluding with Russia's agents, and then denying it occurred (obstruction of justice). I concur with you; if there is no conflict of interest, why the doggone opposition to let Mueller carry his investigation to conclusion? It sounds as though we are dealing with a mafia here, intent in getting away with 'murder'...while distracting us with a bunch of malarkey (nonsense). Is there anything, however atrocious, our current sexual predator can't do, and still get away with it, with a complicit republican party condoning his graft? No scruples nor shame?
Excellent. Trump is not very bright. Any dealings with Russia were of course designed to give him "deniability". He has steadfastly followed that script, inserting often, and often gratuitously, denials of any collusion etc. He thinks his denials carry some weight, so that investigations will conclude that, while there may have been suspicious interactions of people around him with Russia, he did not know of them and is completely innocent. This deniability charade will of course be shattered by Mueller's detective work and Trump's own stupid errors. We await the dénouement with eagerness.
2
So what's the vigorish, donny-boy? What are you giving the Russians back for their money keeping you out of yet another bankruptcy? Mueller is putting the pieces together, but we'd just love to hear about the money laundering from you directly in a guilty plea.
1
The vigorish is taking over the FBI and CIA by Russian Intelligence Agencies.
That thing circling the drain is our democracy. Well done America! Bully and hearty congrats!
If facts were the crux of the matter for the 30%, they wouldn't exist. This is about feelings. Trump is the same as a multitude of ranters who give permission and support to those who are tired of feeling bad about the nasty, selfish, racist and misogynist things they think and say. O'Reilly, Hannity, etc., all exist to make things feel good for people who want unchallenged and simplistic answers that exonerate them from responsibility and shield the power structure. Don't have the life you want? Someone poorer than you stole your birthright.
3
What Trump is really hiding may be his tax returns. Possibly he lied on his tax returns. The Russia connection may be just a smoke screen,
“For four decades Trump’s property empire effectively functioned as a laundromat for Moscow money.”
p. 301, “Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win”
1
I wonder if Putin will be supplying a Russian regiment to march in Trumps's military parade?
3
Of course, it seems the most direct collusion link is the Clinton campaign paying (through their law firm, Perkins Coie) Fusion GPS, who paid Steele, who paid Russian sources—many of them Russian intelligence—for dirt on Trump.
Why is this not collusion?
1
Did you read the transcription of the GPS testimony to Congress? If not, I recommend that you do. It sheds a lot of light on how that dossier came to be.
If he's so guilty, why hasn't he been charged.....over 1 year investigation, and the only thing that has turned up is the DNC fixed the election for Hillary....Obama was involved with obstruction of justice. So far the Democrats are looking real bad!
When innocents run from the authorities, we all know what can happen.
If this were a traffic stop, Donald, and you were ....
To the names of "people with ties to Russia". should you not add Trump's Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson?
1
Quite frankly, only fools demand Trump behave differently. It's particularly tedious when they do it only to showcase how they think things should be handled. How many times are we going to read pundits who believe they know exactly how things *should* work?
13. Ivana and Melania Trump are both ethnic Slavic communist atheists by nature and nurture like Vladimir Putin.
Innocence is presumed under the Constitution no matter how you act.
1
there is no doubt that the russians, since the communist era began, have been engaged in an effort to subvert democracy, it has been intense, it has taken many forms, and its success has been due nearly as much to our gullibility (as the "useful idiots" lenin predicted) as their ingenuity.
no doubt either that, among the primary targets (in addition to media and education, already compromised), is our election system, the vote and the processes by which we form our choices (media and schools again)...render those confused or incoherent and the battle is won, not with shots fired but with our culture, its ideals and institutions eroded, "buried" as kruschev predicted.
that trump is complicit in any way (other than by his own "useful idioocy" is ludicrous, why would the russians create any cooperative efforts whether with "loose cannon" trump or "let's-just-wait-til-i'm-elected" obama (a wink that seems to have escaped mr kristol's "speculation") when they are better off with our politicals (and media and education operatives) as pawns, responsive to being moved about as putin, the current chess master (far more qualified to lead a subversive effort than any of our present political, media, education leadership are to recognize much less nullify one) chooses.
that we are rather trapped in mindless bickering than a unified effort in behalf of "our common defense" and "the general Welfare" is all the "complicity" that the russians need.
Don’t forget Don Jr. went on a secret hunting vacation to very remote Alaska.
Not proof of anything of course but not a bad place to rendezvous with a Russian agent...
1
How Trump acts is only important to people who believe in logic, truth and a thread of normalcy. Trumps behavior doesn't matter to the Trump supporter it is a facet of his cult celebrity. They literally don't care what he does, he could be guilty as sin. The Republican party protects him and his supporters are absolutely incorrigible, the worst he is, the more they like it. The entire country is being held hostage by a plot in a Feline movie where the absurd has hijacked reality.
1
Wouldn't a likely question be- 'What other country did tey ave such contacts with?'. I mean, if this is anywhere near innocent & in preparation to running the U.S.A. then there would be world-wide contacts, yes? Then of course there's the tax returns. This is NOT about politics- after all DJT didnt expect to win the election! Its about MONEY LAUNDERING !!
1
“Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.”
Donald Trump, Jr., speaking in Moscow in 2008 about the Trump Organization, as cited in the book “Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win,” by Luke Harding
1
Because he is Guilty
1
Good to keep things simple and uncomplicated, because it is hard to keep up with the madness here. That's one thing Trump banks on: we'll tire of it all and just accept him as supreme leader/despot.
Life is hard, harder now with money and power concentrating into the hands of a few and the many seeing less chances for advancement and what we call a 'middle class life'. The shine is off the American Dream. It looks as fake as our President's honor.
People are scared, and if NYTimes readers were the poor, they'd be scared, too. Part of the problem is those with some savings, a home, some security, don't really 'relate' to what poverty is, means, destroys. We're not that interested or committed to real equality. Humans are a bit greedy and self-interested: just look at who we elected.
Some of his most ignorant supporters say, 'He got rich, and he says he can help me get rich'. So dumb, but worse, so dishonorable, so immoral, so lost with no real compassion and connection to the whole.
Trump will fall, and take as many with him as he can. He has no moral code or honor. That's part of the reason he acts like he's now in the military: he avoided it when called, so now he likes the pretending with no danger, just folks applauding his lies.
Speak, listen, write, fight, vote. Good can win.
163
As obviously guilty as Trump is, he will not "fail" unless the Democrats and anyone else with a conscience vote out the Republican enablers in November. For once, and for the sake of our country, Democrats, please get your act together. Stop shooting yourselves in the foot. Unite behind any Democrat who runs in November even if you don't agree with everything he/she promotes. At least with a Deomcratic majority we have a chance of enacting favorable legislation but, more importantly, we have a chance of breaking up Don the Con's mob of gangsters. We all know he's guilty. Let's stick together and do something about it, for ourselves, for our country, for future generations and for the world.
1
Well, many Americans call themselves Independent, and change parties at will. Many seem to like Trump now, because they think he's helped the economy. Very short-sighted voters.
Stick together. Yes. That is my answer, too.
1
Thank you for your works that good can win.
Good recap, this column is more news analysis than Op-Ed. Given the seriousness of the issue, this belongs on the front page as a standing tally of Trump-Kremlin collusion evidence.
Imagine similar circumstances with a Democratic President. If the Right Wing crazy media can get so worked up over their misinterpretation of an out-of-context text message (without checking with the source as responsible journalism requires), imagine their reaction to actual collusion with a hostile foreign government. (the one building an autonomous nuclear torpedo that can depopulate the all Blue West Coast).
"Thousands of Democratic officials jailed in collusion case. Hundreds of senior Administration officials and their families sent to Guantanamo prison. Supreme Court affirms new voting laws requiring loyalty oath. Martial law declared in major cities to curb protests."
Maybe I am wrong but I get the impression that about 40% of the country would think the above is a darn fine idea.
2
And he ain't. Innocent, that is.
1
I am reminded of an observation attributed to my Friend Giovanni's Mom: I don't like to go to Doctors, they always find something wrong with you."
There is something else. At nearly every opportunity, Donald Trump has spoken and acted so as to advance Russia/Putin security policy. At nearly every opportunity, he has spoken and acted to undermine American security policy. Why? Those with actual field experience in counter-intelligence will tell you that all this consistent with the disinformation/penetration/disruption operations that Russian intelligence agencies have been using and perfecting for decades. Every day the evidence is clearer and more convincing that the president, for whatever reason, is acting as a Russian intelligence asset.
8
Kristof lays it all out very clearly. All one has to do is connect the dots. The Russians are just another weapon in Trump's arsenal along with Fox News, Right Wing talk radio, and most troubling, the Republican Party. They all serve to not only protect this president, but actively to undermine the very fabric of American institutions. This amounts to the most dangerous ( and treasonous) threat to American democracy in history.
3
Notice that while we know Robert Mueller has subpoenaed Trump records from Deutsche Bank we have heard nothing since. Methinks there are many more shoes waiting to drop. Where there's smoke there's fire, and all that possibly laundered money is smoking. When a Russian pays $95 million for a property Trump bought for $40 million you know there's something going on.
3
Who is the better actor, Trump or Reagan?
A) on screen B) in politics
There is something inherently wrong with our checks and balances. It's blatantly obvious that Trump is a liar at best and a traitor at worst. He is methodically damaging our institutions and our reputation in the world community. Yet it seems our hands are tied. A person we know is unfit for office is still a few steps away from the nuclear button and is making budget decisions that will likely bankrupt our country. I can envision the Russia investigation being delayed and obstructed through the entire Trump presidency. Where are the leaders who will make America functional again?
4
Kristof, when have you ever given him the presumption of innocence, of anything? You cast stones at him for existing, and even when his actions are things that Obama also did, we find reasons to hate those very same actions.
Let's all check out confirmation bias and rationalization, and take a deep breath
1
bravo Joe -- unfortunately you are commenting in a progressive enclave.
I’m 64, retired, healthy, and OK financially. Trump has poisoned the fields and we will feel it for a long time (policy, ethics, normalizing detestable behavior, creating a McCarthy-esque atmosphere, and more...) I’ll still be around for quite a while yet, but I’ll be glad to be gone while this country and this Earth becomes what we’ve allowed him to let it become. Never thought I’d say such a thing.
4
Taking all of these points into consideration, why wouldn't anyone believe that Trump and Putin made a deal in, say, 2013, in which Putin assists Trump in his election? In exchange for Russia's access to our government, relaxing the sanctions, and assorted behind-the-scenes manipulations, Trump and his family's debts to Russia's various banking arrangements would be taken care of.
I've never been one for conspiracies, but Mr. Kristof certainly got me thinking.
Well let's see now. Trump had, and still has, extensive involvement in various real estate and financial dealings in Russia, which of course he denies. No matter, He lies about everything, But even that doesn't seem to warrant the vehement attempts he's made to quash any kind investigation into his activities, not the least of which is harsh and sever attempts to destroy the credibility of the FBI and other intelligence agencies. There must be something else that has him not only refusing to put into effect the sanctions that were approved by the vast majority of both parties but also, even now, not bothering to take any steps about the current electronic meddling in our elections. I have a feeling Putin has some absolutely gorgeous videos of Trump's sexual activities he engaged in during his many trips over there. I can imagine what would happen if Putin put them out on the internet for all the world to see. That would pretty much be the end for somebody who so really and truly deserves it.
2
The part that amazes me is that because of the hatred for Hillary Clinton, a full 25% of our country do not care that they're being targeted and completely manipulated by a foreign government that is hostile to our country. Not even a second thought is given as to why Putin wants trump to be president. They simply gloss over it and ignore all evidence and rational thought. It's just amazing to me. I wish I had the ability to do that. It would be so much easier.
6
As the article states at the end, it mentions something I've said all along to friends and anyone who would listen: "He (Trump) is not action innocent."
The Russian influence in our democratic process and now our government, is being glossed over by the GOP leadership in both houses of Congress and many base supporters of Trump. They just don't want to believe our democratic process is susceptible to tampering by anyone, much less an outside, adversarial influence. Of course, the GOP likes to bash the Democrats for cheating at the ballots, which is something they actually do through their "unconnected" outside groups. Cheating occurs in many ways and the GOP has refused to admit they are the ones who always try to dissuade voters, send out false letters on official-looking letterheads telling people the election is on another day (that happened here in Ohio in 2012). It seems many in the GOP now wish to win at any cost, to help further the agenda which the wealthy wish to retain and advance.
The influence within the Trump campaign and now White House has been dismally interwoven with people who have Russian contacts. Many of those people are being investigated by Mueller and it is likely more are scheduled, including Trump. Every single other piece of news discussed by the administration is part of a smoke screen to focus attention away from the Russian connection. Base supporters will be appeased, but the rest of the country are appalled and worried about our democracy.
1
Let me correct a quote used. It should read "He (Trump) is not acting innocent."
One of the most brazen things that Trump has done lately -- in the past couple of weeks -- is to have his people meet with Russian intelligence officials, including one that was already banned by sanctions from entering the U.S.
At the same time, he is "declining" to implement sanctions against Russia that were passed by Congress with overwhelming, veto-proof majorities and that he himself signed into law.
Is this possible to spin without involving some notion of potential treason?
4
I am not a Trump fan at all. But he was elected (apparantly) by an angry America that he found and touched with his promises. Post exlection now that he sits in the Presidents chair we hear and read a daily drone which put simply indicates he wasn’t legitimately elected because the Russians manipulated our election. Interestingly, at least in my midwest corner of the world the subject of the Russian’s meddeling never occurs in conversation,,,,,,,by anyone.
For me...I just need to read the list of things the Russians did to change our election results in sufficient detail to provide foundation. These would include and act (e.g. facebook ads) and the impact (e.g. number of voters who voted for Trump when they otherwise wouldn’t have). In my mind the most severe impact they could have had is if they hacked out voting systems in such a way that the results were false.
The NY Times and other reputaable media, unless I missed it, are who I look to who would perhaps provide such a list with their vast resources and access to our system. Again, not a fan of Trump but at least one person who can’t yet tie together the aaccusation with a reasonable cause and demonstrated false result.
When Trump changes the subject from Russian meddling to trashing some of our own behavior you know that he is hiding something or at least justifying Russian behavior. Of course the US has issues of its own, but the question was not about that. It was asking the president for what he would do about Russian behavior.
Trump claims to put America first, but does that mean to run down our country first before protecting it against Russian meddling?
People like Trump get elected by a populace that considers "reality television" a form of reality, and turns to social media rather than education.
Trumpism and its kind are social-media transmitted diseases.
1
Mr. Kristof's list of facts is beyond dispute and those facts are taking their toll on the GOP. I've taken solace in the recent special election results in Wisconsin and especially Missouri, where districts that went for Trump by double-digits turned blue by double-digits. The base Trump voter isn't as dumb as progressives make them out to be, but I do think they're a proud and stubborn lot. They aren't admitting fault in political polls but in the privacy of the voting booth - who knows?
3
Most money movers that are involved in global shenanigans like large scale money laundering, keep a low profile and, for the most part, get away with it by keeping under the radar of public scrutiny. Trump became the POTUS with all eyes on him. He will eventually be brought down by his own ego.
3
The untold story IMHO is that Russia hacked election systems in key electoral states, changed votes and/or bought off election officials, and handed Trump the election. That's what really happened. You don't need that many votes given our electoral system to win. They targeted Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Won it by about 100K votes, and we have what we have. Follow the cyber and money trail. That's the real story. Mueller needs to hurry.
2
Look the bottom line, if there is one with a guy like Trump, is that if you have nothing to hide why aren't you willing to show your tax returns and cooperate with a Mueller investigation to show everyone you have nothing to hide.
I'd also like to add he hired Flynn whose connections are to Russia & Turkey, despite being warned about him from the Obama admin. Also there is the fact that Trump could not borrow anymore from anyone, so it's said, and I believe it. that he borrowed at least 500 million form gangsters with ties to Putin.
2
During America’s “Red Scare” lasting from roughly 1947 To 1956, millions of Americans succumbed to McCarthyism and saw a Russian “commie” behind every bush and hundreds of loyal Americans were hounded as “traitors” (sometimes to suicide) with no regard for evidence.
Now we have well documented evidence that Putin’s people and Russian “bots” are influencing our democratic institutions and finding a sympathetic ear, and more, in Trump and his close associates and family who appear willing to sell this country downriver for financial gain and political power, and millions of Trump diehards can’t be bothered to pay attention.
Even if Mueller’s investigation uncovers irrefutable evidence of collusion between the Russians and our executive branch, I’m no longer sure it will ever be enough to awake the GOP Congress and Trump electorate from their self-induced slumber. They are too far gone.
2
Republicans in Congress appear to be bending to the will of Twitter hashtag memes. I sometimes wonder how much of the support they feel for their growing allegiance to Trump isn't just mistaking these bot-amplified memes as legitimate voter support. Of legit, grassroots support, how much is influenced by the bandwagon effect of these memes? Trump certainly is guilty of something, but he is also led around by these memes. The whole thing is a mess.
Our President has never felt himself constrained by laws. ethics. or morals and he has spent his life thumbing his nose at these things. It is no stretch of the imagination, given his known history, he has sold his soul to the Russian devil.
He now uses Nunes and his other Republican buddies to attempt to wriggle from the encircling net. As the ages of Republican Statesmen/Women is becoming, or has already become, extinct, he just might succeed. Perhaps we ought we start mandating Russian as a language requirement in high schools across the nation? The ball is in the Republican court!
Subpoena the tax return. The Russia connections will be apparent there, along with tax benefits to Trump family & Trump businesses of the new tax law, promulgated entirely for personal gain.
President Trump is not innocent. That is the simple answer to the question posed in the headline. Trump himself is aware of his culpability more than anyone else. Why else is he adamantly refusing to release his tax returns despite persistent demand for it? He knows that the tax returns would reveal many of his dealings, some of them questionable, in Russia.
If Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election were a hoax, as he repeatedly said they were, why didn't he allow the former F.B.I. director James Comey to complete his investigation into it? Why did he fire him? And why does he keep threatening to fire special counsel Robert Mueller III who took over the investigation from Comey and is also looking into the entire gamut of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election?
Mr. Trump is paranoid that the truth will soon out. That's why he is trying to divert people's attention form the investigation. That's why he is behaving like a schizophrenic.
3
Trump was laundering money for the Russian oligarchs. There is probably a lot more dubious if not illegal activity with Russians , and others , in his tax returns .
Money laundering was never a problem until Trump won the election.
The GOP will never impeach Trump for Obstruction of Justice. And failing to impeach Trump is far more pernicious than the Obstruction itself; authoritarianism will have firmly taken hold and the Constitution will be rewritten.
Mueller knows this as well which is why he is quietly focused on the tax returns and banking records. Not even the craven GOP Congress will be able to spin blatant financial fraud. The tax returns and banking records will be the equivalent of the photos of Porter's beaten wives. And just like Porter's sponsor Orin Hatch did an about face, so too will the GOP turn on Trump when they see the banking records .
This White House is about abuse: Constitutional, executive , institutional , sexual and domestic. Every aspect of our society is victimized, abused , by this Administration. I believe in Mueller, and we can only hope that the other players in our collective drama are as brave as Porter's ex-wives .
4
This is a great summary (of old news) and shows why the Russian Investigation is going nowhere in terms of legal or political harm to the President.
During a discussion of a novel that describes torture in a nation ruled by a mad dictator, one of my students described his experience living under a totalitarian regime. He said that, after a while, the atrocities and injustice that you experience or hear about each day become normal. You shut them out to allow yourself to live. When the unthinkable becomes the quotidian, you must enter a state of denial to survive.
That is what has happened to our nation. These continuing revelations – sufficient to sink any other president or other public official – have numbed us. The GOP is letting democracy die, and we are behaving like prisoners in a totalitarian regime. We expect more news such as the items listed by Nick, and are no longer shocked that nothing has been done to remove Trump from office. Stupidity, venality and cruelty have become our expected daily diet.
Trump now demands that the 4th of July or other national holiday feature a parade celebrating, not our democratic institutions and cultural diversity, but rather our military might. Once again, the GOP says nothing as the indicia of dictatorship besmirch our democracy. Ryan, McConnell, et al, share Trump’s guilt – they are complicit in this disaster. He is a money launderer, and they are Trump launderers – they legitimize Trump to accomplish their anti-middle-class legislative agenda.
My student escaped the totalitarian regime. The novelist escaped to write of a dictator’s atrocities. Will we survive Trump?
What do Trump and the sanctions have in common? Russian money.
Why is Trump so in thrall to Russia? Russian money.
What is Trump desperate to prevent? Mueller following the money.
1
I believe Trump's fear is multi-faceted. I believe he is not as rich as he claims. I believe he has extensive financial ties to Russia. I believe his financial empire is a house of cards. I believe there are other Stormy Davises out there. And I believe he is guilty of things no one has yet suspected. I believe he fears an intensive investigation could destroy him.
And, I believe he thinks he can beat the rap because beating the rap is a way of life for him.
4
During s discussion lof a novel that describes torture in a nation ruled by a mad dictator, one of my students described his experience living under a totalitarian regime. He said that, after a while, the atrocities and injustice that you experience or hear about each day become normal. You shut them to allow yourself to live. When the unthinkable becomes the quotidian, you must enter a state of denial to survive.
That is what has happened to our nation. These contining revelations – sufficient to sink any other president or other public official – have numbed us. The GOP is letting democracy die, and we are behaving like prisoners in a totalitarian regime. We expect more news such as the items listed by Nick, and are no longer shocked that nothing has been done to remove Trump from office. Stupidity, venality and cruelty have become our expected daily diet.
Trump now demands that the 4th of July or other national holiday feature a parade celebrating, not our democratic institutions and cultural diversity, but rather our military might. Once again, the GOP says nothing as the indicia of dictatorship besmirch our democracy. Ryan, McConnell, et al, share Trump’s guilt – they are complicit in this disaster. He is a money launderer, and they are Trump launderers – they legitimize Trump to accomplish their anti-middle-class legislative agenda.
My student escaped the totalitarian regime. The novelist escaped to write of a dictator’s atrocities. Will we survive Trump?
Trump has lived a sordid and perverse existence. He is a very dangerous individual capable of committing the most heinous acts against others.
As a result of the ongoing state and federal investigations into his crimes there is good reason to believe that his time in office will soon end.
The only question remaining is who will help him abscond absent arrest and prosecution? My money is on the Republican leadership who will part the waters to aid in his escape. The sooner they do so, the sooner our nation can return to some sense of normalcy.
2
Don't be so sure about some of your conclusions in 12. Context matters, and the key to the so-sloppy-as-to-be-exculpatory tradecraft is to recall that no one ever expected Trump to actually win the election. Plan A was for Trump to parlay his loss into the creation of a FOX clone, albeit a younger, hipper, version. There was no plan B.
If you are elected POTUS and your spouse's immediate reaction is to weep and then subsequently grow coldly furious with you it might be because you promised that you would not be elected.
The tax returns are the real key. They would probably reveal that:
1. He's been financed by the Russians for years.
2. His business empire is actually underwater.
3. Both of the above.
Trump would fear humiliation above all other things. If the wheels of justice start officially grinding in the direction of his tax returns he will resign rather than be revealed to be a loser.
1
Our government is massively increasing the spending on the domestic affairs and defense budget, while cutting the taxes and piling up the national debt.
Our journalists as the worst kind of prostitutes that work for their pimps and the patrons with the deep pockets are trying to pleasure the customers (the readers, the listeners and the viewers) by persuading them there is nothing wrong with the activities they are involved in or witnessing with their eyes…
What are our leading pundits and the columnists doing? Blaming Trump for all the sins of this world!
They are incapable of understanding that if we were good, Mr. Trump would never get elected.
It’s so convenient to blame somebody else for our sins…
Intellectually we haven’t moved a single inch from the ancient times. Even then they used to sacrifice a lamb to clean up our misdeeds.
While such a practice might provide the short-term psychological relief it does not solve our problems, but just provides more time for them to grow exponentially…
There's another Trump "secret," hiding in plain sight: a father-daughter relationship that, while not a crime in New York and New Jersey as it's between two consenting adults, appears to be the ultimate in bad form and contrary to the teachings of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
To say the photo of a teen-aged Ivanka sitting on her father's knee at a public event (in a way that some women use to stimulate themselves) is inappropriate is an understatement.
Trump is the immoral authority of a rogue GOP.
In business, anyway (and politics), following the money is generally the path most likely to yield both truth and motive. Trump's Potemkin Village business empire is a fallacy, a manipulation of some unfortunate US bankruptcy laws, and the magical US government tax rebate called 'the loss carry forward.' Trump never made a penny. Trump's Daddy gave the Donald the orignal bucks, remember? Big Daddy Trump was the real businessman. And then, when Don-of-the-tiny-fingers blew through that, Big Daddy shored up the little Donald again. The Atlantic City debacle? Remember?. Now Big Daddy is dead and gone. And now, amazingly, no US banks will agree to cushion the Donald's inevitable repeat of his signature Olympic financial stunt: the free-fall. Then, the newly-minted Russian oligarchs, replete with loot from once-public Soviet coffers spied with their little eyes a fantastic opportunity. The samovar and the silver jam spoon - and the vodka and the women - were proffered, and the Donald gulped gratefully. Now they own him. And we will pay for it.
6
Twitter and Facebook need to get their collective acts together and write an algorithm to combat bots and close down fake accounts. Also people need to take a step away from social media, hang out with real people and read news from real sources.
1
There is no doubt that it is already beyond proof that this administration is knee deep in Collusion, and gross obstruction. These are the same republicans that read the riot act when democrats get a comparative parking ticket. The entire Republican Party are tresonist and are willing to sell our constitution for there job security.
1
Seems I saw a statistic some time ago that indicated that those in Congress, both houses, spend an inordinate amount of their congressional day working on getting re-elected, not working on legislation. If that isn't bad enough, now they have even less time in their mission, with this Nunes/White House inspired attack on the FBI to protect the exalted one.
In all of the congressional investigations on Russia, I am assuming Mr. Mueller will have all of their information at a minimum. But there will be much intel with Muellers team that those in Congress are not yet privy.
There is still a lot of smoke. Mr. Mueller may be witnessing a fire. Let him work, and Congress get back to what your constituents elected you for.
1
Am I a voice in the wilderness here because I'm still stuck on the fact the FBI did nothing to bring Trump down before he became a candidate, even though the lying, the posing, the fraud and the money laundering that are behind all this pathetic squirming were there to be discovered. In other words, they did nothing to protect the nation from this clown and standards for the presidency are none existent. Trying to do it now is a little late. Damage done. So the burning question for me is: why not? What was all that smoke about Hillary's emails?
Anyhow, the Dems had better have an solid plan in place to capitalize on the firing of Mueller because it’s going to happen. Acting shocked and appalled while being outmanoeuvred by low rodent cunning isn’t going to cut it, never did. It’s time to bring out the razors and step up their game to counter with the biggest con ever run in America; Trump makes Bernie Madoff look like Mother Theresa. And it won’t be enough to beat the GOP at the polls; the Republican Party must be thoroughly and permanently discredited. It would be a service to the nation. Stately decorum in the face of this malevolent freak-show is a waste of decency. The good news is that Mueller is shaping up to be a perfectly irresistible bait for what could be the sting of the century: to catch the crooked President and sink his party. If the Dems can bring it off, they will be exposing the GOP, once and for all, as the corrupt and nihilistic mob they have become.
1
Trump's every word and action screams consciousness of guilt. Trump is guilty, guilty, guilty.
2
Sorry Nick but all you're doing is recycling old stories and preaching to the choir as usual. Most of these Russian stories occurred before Trump decided to throw his hat in the presidential race. Trump had business connections with the Russians? Trump attended an after Miss Universe pageant party which took place in Moscow.
Sorry but none of this even approaches the Constitutional definition of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Oh I think I’ll wait for Mr. Mueller to answer that.
1
I reread this piece.
This is really unhinged.
Go read Holman Jenkins or Kimberley Strassel at the Wall Street Journal. Or Daniel Henninger's excellent assessment today of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
It is really a throwback to McCarthy Era fright nights, except it is Liberals who are squealing about illicit Russia contacts.
I know a few people in the UK who are still seething about Obama's decision to insert himself on the side of globalists to urge voters NOT to vote for Brexit. Between that and his coy whisperings to Medvedev on a hot mic, I think Democrats and Liberals need to check their medications or take a vacation and come back with their heads cleared.
Another reason we have to keep digging the 'Russia thing' is to find all dirt Putin may have on Trump and make them public.
This way, Putin can not use them to blackmail Trump.
1
Thanks Gail. They're traitors. The republican party, Trump and his circle, all traitors. As for Trump supporters, they are a missing paycheck away from being homeless, at least that's what the goon squad yammering in the background at Trump rallies looks to be. Trouble times ahead but if we can conduct a couple more elections, and see to it they're free of manipulations both foreign and domestic, we might pull the country back from the ledge.
1
I hate to agree with President Trump but when he said "You think our country is so innocent?" and "I think our country does plenty of killing also" , he is right.
1) USA interfered in 81 elections in 47 countries.
2) USA was involved in 33 assassination plots from 1949 to 1991.
3) USA supported terrorism in Afghanistan, Cuba, Nicaragua.
4) USA supported invasion against sovereign country Nicaragua (1980s), Cuba (Bay of Pigs-1961), Guatemala (1954) or invade countries Santo Domingo (1965) Grenada (1983). And to conclude;
5) USA supported coup d'état against democratic government: Iran (1953), Chili (1970).
The last paragraph says it all. Quid pro quo may be hard to prove. Foolish intertwining of self-enriching interests may be easier to demonstrate.
The trick is to discover if those interests benefited the Trump administration or Trump personally. If he didn't directly trade influence for an election, did he indirectly trade it for investments?
Treason is a word we should not bandy about lightly, although of course that is another standard that Trump has tossed on the trash heap of good taste and leadership. Corruption, however, is perfectly reasonable to speak about, to question and to explore.
Trump's administration has reeked of potential (and demonstrable - see Mike Flynn) corruption from the very beginning. Are we supposed to believe that it couldn't, wouldn't extend to one of the most successful kleptocracies of our modern era?
Sure! And I have the inside track on a bridge I'd like to sell you!
While we are naming guilty parties, don't forget Ryan, McConnell, Pence and the entire Republican power structure. They willfully look the other way while Trump befouls the Presidency and makes us an international embarrassment and a safe haven for racists and bigots. They excuse him and abet him by running Congressional interference and by refusing to exercise real Congressional oversight. If HRC were in the White House, Congress would be holding hearings 24/7 blaming her for everything and anything. These feckless hypocrites who all wear flag lapel pins are happy to have a Putin stooge in the White House as long as he Is willing to destroy the social safety net and give huge tax breaks to their donors.
1
This relationship between the Trumps and the Russians doesn't surprise me at all. Trump has been through all the US and European bankers and lost them all money. Why would they lend to him again? Just like the man with no credit or other resources, he's reduced to dealing with Shylock - the Russian mafia. As long as he keeps "paying the vig" (whatever that entails),he'll be okay with them, but they certainly aren't people I would want to do business with. Wonder if he will end up in cement shoes?
The Russians are coming. The Russians are coming.
No, They are already here.
1
On Russia, there are three types who miff me. First, the rightists who think the real conspiracy is the Deep State's effort to undermine the president and that Russiagate is an invention of the media. Second, the leftists (and here I mean those, like the late Robert Parry, who delight in using the term "neocon" and "neoliberal" endlessly) who think that, whatever Russia may or may not have done, it's nothing compared to what the United States has done to undermine democracy in the past, and besides, the Ukrainian Crisis was brought about by a coup partly engineered by Victoria Nuland. Third, the liberals who overstate the case and act as if it's a certainty Trump will wind up in prison.
Of these, the first are the clearest present danger. Yesterday, feeling especially masochistic as I was, I decided to tune in to Hannity's radio program and see what the greater mass of idiotic conservatives in this country are hearing daily. And all I can say is, God bless you, Sean Hannity. If he actually believes half of what he said, he needs his mental health evaluated. This is all terribly funny, yes, but he's teaching conservative voters, who are frightfully ill-informed already, that the whole galaxy is conspiring against them.
How many conservative voters actually read the WSJ or The Weekly Standard or National Review? Even though some of what is in the latter two is bad enough, talk radio and Internet insanity own the GOP. Trump is what happens when crazy people control your party.
A big bear hug, from Russia with love
We play checkers while you’re playing chess
No wonder, you’re getting the best
We’ve lost our edge in realpolitik
Exploited our weakness, our country is sick
Drive a wedge, split the middle
Mastering our instrument like a fiddle
Better than the Charlie Daniels Band
The devil went down while our heads in the sand
Our huge guy loves you, shows his affection
Too many coincidences, too many connections
Build his brand in your country, hey ‘sup
Reoccurring characters continue to pop up
Sold his Florida mansion for a ridiculous price
Convenient buyer, look it up, wow that’s nice
No loans from banks cause he wouldn’t pay
Except for DB who laundered money out of your country
Inconsistent story his team you bet
It didn’t happen or did they forget?
Conned our populace, yes you tried us
We believe the internet when it supports our bias
Leak some emails which adds to the fun
Let people interpret, let their minds run
We used to have honor, really put America first
Lost our moral compass, race to the worst
Distract, deny without any hesitation
Do anything to end the investigation
It wasn’t just about influencing the election
It was sowing discord without any detection
Too many, too shallow to figure out the prank
Easier to blame than to admit and be frank
Well played, nice work, you won this round
But we’ll emerge eventually… and turn this around
I hope
I think it's important to ask - why act guilt if innocent?
It is also important we do not ask "When did you stop beating your wife?"
As Joe Friday would say "Just the facts ma'am"
Mr. Kristof, does a great job recapping just those.
He plans on throwing a parade so we will forget about his guilt.
It does not seem credible to have this much smoke with no fire.
1
The immigrant doing most damage to our country is Rupert Murdock and his Faux News. Their attacks on Adam Schiff coordinated by the Russian smear machine on social media is outrages. Congressman Schiff is a brilliant and moral man that is a defender of Truth. Truth doesn't die and will eventually surface, so Republicans willing to join the coverup and bring false charges will someday face the truth and with it the shame on those denying it now.
48
Can someone please explain to me, in all seriousness, why a character like Trump would seek to become POTUS. Why bring all this scrutiny on himself? If he was getting rich doing business with the Russians, why wouldn't he just remain in the private sector, and continue on as usual. He is completely unqualified in every way - by experience, by temperament, by intellect, by morality. This whole thing - Trump as President - makes no sense to me.
27
Trump sought the presidency and likes it very much because he loves applause. In the position of the most powerful person in the world he assumed he would receive unending applause; he achieved his goal - just look at his cabinet meetings and the adulating Republican Senators and Representatives.
7
I suspect the answer is because Trump - like everyone else - never truly expected to be elected. He ran for president as a major publicity stunt that backfired insofar as it actually resulted in his election.
I think the election was just another reality show to Trump, in which he was the star. He did not expect to win, but his ego is too fragile for him to admit that, with dire consequences for us all.
“President Trump, if you’re innocent, why act so guilty?”
“He is not acting innocent.”
That’s because he’s guilty.
“Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?”
“Frankly, it’s suspicious that Trump is throwing up so much dust and trying so hard to delegitimize the investigation.”
Trump is an expert con artist. Don’t underestimate his abilities on that front.
We should have a permanent nonpartisan special prosecutor for all presidents, tasked with investigating serious criminal wrongdoing, such as collusion and conspiracy with a foreign power against the United States. We have already established that we can appoint temporary counsels as needed. If we appoint them indefinitely, perhaps future Trump-like hopefuls would never become candidates in the first place – they would be scared away. That could save us from a great deal of trouble in the future.
149
I disagree.
"Acting" innocent or guilty is not proof of either.
Having a permanent special prosecutor smacks of a police state, with presidents presumed guilty of wrongdoing instead of the opposite.
The electorate needs to hold its politicians to a higher standard of honesty, integrity, and commitment to the laws and Constitution of the United States.
If we do that, if we stop outsourcing our civic duty, the need for special prosecutors will be few and far between.
1
Blue Moon,
You give Trump too much credit by labeling him an "expert con artist". He is Chauncy Gardener from "Being There" - a total incompetent whose inane utterances and actions have been generally misinterpreted as reflecting some sort of underlying cleverness.
Any 5-year-old could do what Trump is doing. It takes zero intelligence to ignore facts and reality, randomly change positions, whine about being treated unfairly, tell blatantly obvious lies on a daily basis, engage in juvenile name-calling, and demand credit for the achievements of others.
Those of us who see cleverness (much less a "grand strategy") in Trump's behavior are, I think, projecting our own rationality on what is actually 'mindless chaos' - like what happens when taking a Rorschach test..
1
Permanent prosecutor good idea. And what about finding a way to throttle back the monarchical executive power we have fallen into?
1
I just pray that some of the Trump family crimes end up in New York STATE COURTS where they can’t be pardoned by the president. I’m looking for Eric Schneiderman to be our savior after Mueller hands him the real dossier..
43
I suspect his ham-fisted attempts at obstruction have been aimed at preventing scrutiny of his dodgy business dealings and Russian mafia connections. This may well be where he’s most vulnerable.
He's using the Nixon playbook.
Lie, deny, delay, rebuff, withhold, discredit anything and everything that threatens your supremacy and power.
45 years after Watergate, trump the 45th president. Didn't we say "never again" in the 1970's? History repeats itself and it is up to the American voters to pass along the institutional/political memory for generations to come.
24
History has repeated itself because the American voters have decided on their bottom line: me before you and I was here first.
All those Dreamers want the best jobs: lettuce picking, farm working and sanitation.
We cannot have that!
The president is a criminal, firmly in the grip of Russian organized crime (which is synonymous with Russia's government). The FBI is probably the Russian mafias arch nemesis. That's why he's trying to destroy the FBI.
And as respect appointees with ties with Russia, let's not forget Tillerson, Wilbur Ross, and, above all, Flynn. Devin Nunes has ties too, and though they seem tenuous now, I'll wait to see developments. The Russians aren't shy about ratcheting up their influence.
27
Justin,
i doubt you can back up that the Russian government and Russian organized crime are the same. I lived there for a while and realized that there was a hard to see line between criminals an businessmen (which became a Russian word as well). But i doubt that Putin is mobster. Is he corrupt? Yes, but so are our members of congress and senate, its just how you draw your lines.
Echoing Eric Caine's earlier comment, it is high time the American people, specifically those who still vehemently support Trump and the GOP, awaken to the reality that this column details. Russia is now nothing more than a kleptocratic mafia state, being systematically looted by those in power. That is Trump's, and to a large extent the GOP's, target environment here in the US, and they are well along the path of establishing same. When our so-called representatives turn a blind eye to Russian interference in our electoral process, even as they strive to throw sand in the gears of an investigation into same, and when most representatives leave congressional service far more wealthy than when they arrived, well, the dots are not difficult to connect. Our nation, especially our democracy, is in grave danger. If the people cannot shake off partisan ideology long enough to recognize that we deserve our fate. Half of us, that is. November cannot come soon enough. The question is what it brings.
17
Mr.Kristof's list of Russian connections to this White House is so unsettling and should cause everyone to be worried.The "special relationship" has always been with the United States and Great Britain.We have been allies and cooperating on the international stage in the name of democracy.Mr. Trump's fascination with this dictator is bizarre and not in America's interest.We will eventually discover why Russia has been able to co-opt the president.
193
"The "special relationship" has always been with the United States and Great Britain."
Let's not forget the shameful actions of the guys trying to start a criminal investigation of British citizen Christopher Steele—a man who took the trouble to tell our government about the very concerning things he was finding.
1
The game now is how long he can evade, not whether he is guilty or not. He enjoys the game and he is trying to do as much damage as he can on his way down. He is exactly like those who support him. If they can't have the life they wanted then you won't have it either.
Were it not for the powerful right-wing media megaphone of Faux Noise and popular alt-right radio personalities, coupled with a large swath of the American population being so willfully ignorant, I would be amazed that in a span of only two or three short years, the Republican party would cease to be the party of law and order that deeply despises our natural enemy, Russia, and perform a monumental 180° flip on these things. And yet here we are. I pitty America for what she has become.
After reading this concise list of President Donald Trump’s dirty tricks, which seem to pile up without weighing him down, it’s comforting to recall the Watergate conspirators in league with President Richard Nixon who stood before a judge, were found guilty, and actually served time in prison:
John Mitchell, 19 months behind bars
H. R. Haldeman, 18 months behind bars
John Ehrlichman, 18 months behind bars
Charles Colson, 7 months
The wheels are turning. Trump, Devin Nunes, Ms. Huckabee Sanders can’t stop the action by telling more lies, tinkering with more reports, or insulting the investigators. So much evidence has already come to light, and Robert Mueller’s team has surely stockpiled more.
Nixon was corrupt. Trump, his son, son-in-law, and host of sleazy advisors are corrupt and strangely inept ... as if they figured that EVERYBODY cheats, so they can just blend in with the crowd.
Surprise surprise. It’s not going to work.
19
I've said all along, if you are innocent let the investigation play out to it's conclusion. If you are guilty, smear the investigators and deflect.
14
As long as 35 percent of the voting public fawns, laughs, ignores, believes, or spread his lies and exaggerations, the country is mired in mud until such time as enough republicans in Congress demonstrate integrity to our institutions. Those I meet or know from family ties who support Trump seem to have suspended disbelief based upon their disdain for non White Christians or liberals, while wearing a mask of patriotism or Christianity.
14
Blatant? At a public press conference held on July 27, 2016 candidate Trump said, “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” WikiLeaks began releasing hacked Clinton emails within weeks. Some of the links are so blatant that they are right in front of our eyes.
24
No, he is not acting innocent because he is not. Trump no longer has the protection he created in his private life, always once or twice removed from illicit actions he executes. The rule of law he so once lived under not longer services him.
There is absolutely nothing normal about any this. Trump and members of his posse are now subject to a legal system, our national rule of law upheld by our Democracy and are going down.
It is the beginning of an end of taking our government hostage. Many a lesson and many changes must be made to safeguard that this will never, ever happen again.
186
There is no doubt that the information on Trump and the Russians is overwhelming. I also have no doubt that Mueller has met with Ty Cobb to figure out a way to get Trump out of office gracefully. Though no fan, I hope to hear Pence quote Gerald Ford when he states, "Our great national nightmare is over."
6
Trump, like many rich people, is used getting away with shady and criminal behavior. He simply cannot understand how, as the most powerful person in the world, he is now being held accountable for his behavior. We'll find out if there truly is two classes in America - the rich and the rest of us.
11
Kushner’s side trips to Cyprus enroute to BiBi & Sarah’s ice cream socials or MBS’s late night pork fests deserve honorable mention. Flighttrack fin marks display the stopovers.
Multiple entry Visas (up to 5 years) are granted to third country nationals who provide proof of frequent visits to Cyprus
2
I know there’s a dispute whether a sitting president can be indicted. Can a sitting president be walked out of the White House in handcuffs?
The Eagles won the Super Bowl. Anything can happen.
15
Donald is an exceptional criminal. He can do two things simultaneously,
1) deny the reality the reality the rest of us share and 2) use that delay the rest of us experience with incredulity when we are lied to in a way that is free of any form of ambiguity. That space created by incredulity allows him to hurt who he wants or take what he wants.
I spent a lot of my career working in a prison for young men who were
Involved in gangs. Donald moves like them and thinks like them. For him
life is inconsequential without power and control. For him death is something that comes only to other people.
Our justice system does not do well in dealing with people who are absolutely and completely devoid of conscience. Cases against them have to be built a brick at a time and even then you have to argue that the red rectangular object is, in fact, a brick. Donald's moment of reckoning will come because he is a wrong-doer. It will also come at great expense to us because he is so adept at identifying himself as a victim in a process designed to protect those who have been victimized.
I will give Donald this, he has brought me back to my faith. I pray for my country and her sense of right and wrong. I am nearly 70 and want my adult children to know the optimism I have felt about America for most of my life.
366
Nicholas,
Let's stop having open debates in the newspaper about Trump and his motives.
It's clear he is opaque, probably narcissistic (we should be well-prepared after BHO), impulsive, and juvenile.
It is also very plausible, and increasingly likely, that people who hate Trump see "signs from god" in cirrus clouds, hear voices in the night to keep digging for evidence, and (as a couple FBI agents proved) go get a FISA warrant to dig for ANYTHING to save our republic.
He knows exactly what he did (and didn't do). And the way he plays guys like you suggests he really doesn't mind the attention and the ability to spin people up on wild goose chases.
Of course, this could still result in someone finding collateral crimes and misdemeanors; but the trails you are chasing will be found silly and beneath your profession.
But chase away. And know that Trump is ready to send the tennis ball deep into the woods for the hapless journalistic hounds to scamper after.
3
The casual throw-down of the Narcissist label in reference to Obama by Trumpers has always mystified me...it seems yet another case of delusional projection. DT is a pretty textbook expression of the disorder, but Obama seems anything but. Ego is not Narcissism. Obama's compassion and empathy was reflected in the way he treated people and his ability to be reflective. Both of those traits firmly exclude him from an NPO diagnosis. Trump,on the other hand...
"Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?" Because trump doesn't care. Nothing bad has happened so far.
3
Trump is doing terrible damage to US institutions and global leadership. However, it's not in the best American tradition to decide that people who 'act guilty' are; this 'tradition' if it can be called one, smacks of mob justice.
Why not just wait and see what Mueller turns up? Then we could be acting like Americans who actually believe in the rule of law, and we could preserve the institutions that Trump holds in such low esteem.
2
What was our first clue that this was no longer the United States?
2
"Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?" Because Trump has to. We'll be shocked--but hardly surprised--if we eventually learn that Putin ordered Benedict Donald not to impose the sanctions Congress overwhelmingly voted for by 517-5. 517 to 5! There weren't enough naysayers to organize a pick up basketball game. And this after 17 intelligence agencies concurred that Russia interfered in our 2016 elections. I challenge anyone to come up with a cogent explanation for Trump's behavior that doesn't involve Putin pulling the strings.
Trump has called Democrats who didn't stand and applaud him during his SOTU speech "treasonous." Notice what he's trying to do. Refusing to cheerlead for the opposition party's president and his putrid policy proposals is a time honored American political tradition. It is, ahem, "normal." If Trump calls it "treason" enough times, the word loses all meaning. If any behavior can be deemed "treasonous," then none can be so characterized. So by the time Mueller gets around to accusing Trump of treason, it will just be one more partisan attempt to discredit the White House that voters can wisely ignore. If everyone's a traitor, then no one is.
2
What adds to the absurdity is Trump’s preening and playing political footsie with Putin. Putin didn’t meddle in our election because he liked or admired Trump. He did it because he knew Trump would do the most harm to the United States.
It’s working beautifully.
13
If Trump is innocent of any illegal campaign activities and illicit dealings with Russia, he should be Mueller's biggest cheerleader - because at this point, absolutely nothing else can vindicate him the way a finding of "no wrongdoing" from Mueller's investigation would.
2
The headline here is the question that should be asked in every interview and every public statement.
What is Trump so obviously desperate to hide?
What are his Republican lapdogs so desperate to help cover up?
At this point, criminal money laundering is likely to be the least offensive thing that will be found. If only the Republican Party and Republican voters had properly vetted their presidential candidate by demanding to see his tax returns, all of this mayhem could have been avoided. If Republicans had any decency they'd be apologizing to the nation, instead they continue to obfuscate and cover-up for an obvious incompetent and deviant.
270
If only Mitch McConnell had not so forcefully blocked Obama from informing voters before the election of Russian meddling to help elect Trump. If only James Comey had not helped Trump win by his pre-election "Hillary investigation, oops, nothing wrong here" antic. If only Jill Stein, who went to Russia to criticize America on national TV and eat dinner with Putin, hadn't cooperated with the Russians to take votes away from Hillary in those four swing states. Look at that infamous Mike Flynn / Putin dinner photo. That's Jill Stein a couple seats on the other side of Putin. How many doctors do you know eat dinner with a foreign leader? She was in on it, just like Flynn.
And why hasn't Russian speaking Trump attorney Michael Cohen been disbarred for his money laundering convictions abroad?
1
The Republican Party is most likely complicit in taking Russian money. See the recent reporting on Russia / NRA / Republican connections. The GOP can no longer win majority elections, but instead of adjusting their platform, they have resorted to unethical and possibly criminal behavior to retain power (voter suppression, political gerrymandering, holding a Supreme Court seat open for a year until Republicans were in power, and now obstructing a special Counsel investigation into Russian involvement and ignoring legally mandated sanctions against Russia. It is pretty clear the GOP is beyond redemption. Vote them out.
1
That's the exact question, Nick. No one who is innocent would act the way and say the things that Trump does. He is doing more than anyone to help Mueller's team make the case against himself. The truth always comes out, and no one will be surprised to learn that Trump is as guilty as he looks and sounds.
226
4000 lawsuits prove the man has no respect for law and is an incorrigible lawbreaker. Six bankruptcies and over $900 million in losses prove his incompetence and grounds for not being put in charge to run anything. Bragging about the tax write-offs from that more than $900 million loss -- what is the word to describe that callousness?
1
Bingo, I don't agree completely with your last comment. Trump's most ardent supporters will likely to be in disbelief about his guilt - they will not allow themselves to be surprised about it and will continue with one of the lines they've been fed as to who else is responsible. After all, they've spent the last two years not believing all the crap that was publicly aired about his personal and business dealings/behavior. Why would they have any notion of understanding his guilt now!
We do not have to posit guilt to understand Trump's behavior. His entire life has been built on the notion that he is entitled to the adoration of all others.
All his energies are spent seeking public affirmation of his superiority, and he seethes constantly at those who do not worship him. An investigation, regardless of outcome, implies that Trump is subordinate to the public and the law. He cannot bear this affront to his transcendent greatness.
When any aspect of Tяump is under consideration, we must all remember:
The 4 Rules of Tяump (and Republican shill) Watching:
1) Know that everything he says is a lie, until clearly proven otherwise.
2) Know that whatever he calls "fake news" is in fact true.
3) Know that he himself is doing whatever he accuses others of doing.
4) Know that anything he says or does is motivated purely by narrow self-interest. Any benefit to the country will be only incidental, and the damage yuugely consequential.
6
Follow the money! And where are those tax returns?
4
Trump mocked HRC and co. for using email for sensitive information. He said that if he had some confidential message he wanted to communicate to a given recipient, he would use a private courier — someone like Michael Cohen, I suppose. The message would presumably be transmitted directly and mouth to ear, nothing written.
No documentary evidence will ever be turned up of a quid pro quo agreement between the Kremlin and the Trump of Trump Tower. But the circumstantial evidence of such a deal could be very substantial indeed. The strangest part is how much of this collusion, pardon the phrase, was done up front and shamelessly in public.
2
Nick Kristof - why is no one rising up to lead the resistance against our 45th President, who has been destroying our democracy from our White House and Oval Office, even as he vaunts himself as the 8th wonder of the world? Is there no one today among the Democrats and Independents who can lead the "Impeach Trump" moment in American history? Trump is guilty as sin (to coin a phrase), and the sooner he is removed, ousted, dealt with - with 'extreme prejudice' - the better. Your 12 reasons for Trump's guilt are just gilding the lily, Nick!
2
Now is the time for all the women who have been abused by Trump to come forward and not be silenced. Do not stop until Trump is forced out of office. Why is Al Franken gone and Trump still here?
9
M.Ellis - - It appears to be because Republicans have no morals, honor or perhaps even souls.
1
That is the million dollar question. For someone who claims to be so innocent, he sure acts guilty. What I find even more disturbing is the GOP accomplices who are willing to smear the FBI AND a former reputable foreign intelligence officer from our closest ally, who was not acting out of partisanship, but rather concerned about a Russian attack on our country. One might even say that Mr. Steele is more loyal and patriotic to our country than the Republicans who are attacking him. The lesson is, we can't be trusted, so our allies, who we need to help secure our nation, will not likely want to come forward with vital intelligence. That is chilling.
11
Ginger - It is both chilling and fully understandable if our allies leave us in our self imposed lurch.
1
Totally agree!
1
American still has not seen Trump’s tax returns....let’s hope Mueller has.
12
Let's continue to clarify. This is what we actually know for a fact:
1. The Clinton campaign co-opted the Democrat National Committee.
2. The DNC hired law firm Perkins Coie, spending $11 million.
3. Perkins Coie contracted with Fusion GPS for opposition research for the Hillary campaign.
4. Fusion GPS paid Christopher Steele to create a fake dossier, alleging truly incredible and unbelievable information about Donald Trump, none of which is true.
5. The FBI used the fake Steele dossier to obtain a FISA warrant against Carter Page.
What more do you need to know? The FISA warrant would not have been granted without the fake Steele dossier. The truth is, no one expected Trump to win and the Democratic party believed none of this would come to light.
3
This is the modus operandi of lock-step Republicans. Don't address the point-by-point outline and the question asked: deflect to Dem's wrongdoing.
Were there problems with the Democratic campaign? Absolutely. They won't be a strong party until they address them. But does that diminish the evidence that Trump's campaign and businesses were rife with Russian influence? Certainly not.
2
What we need to know is why Carter Page who has been under investigation by the FBI since 2013 as a Russian agent was hired by Trump at all. And while your at it these allegations against Steele seem only a means to cover up what Trump may have done. There is far more evidence against Trump and his campaign in any case than that of the Steele dossier.
First of all Fusion GPS was originally hired by a donor pac to Republican candidate Marco Rubio to find dirt on Donald Trump - when it was clear Rubio wasn't going to be a candidate, the Clinton campaign began to fund Fusion's investigation. Why doesn't anyone in the RNC remember that part?
2
What about all the meetings with the Russian Ambassador, Sessions recusal? There are so many you left out.
5
The complete triumph of capital at the expanse of democracy.
3
I have never read so much supposition in my life: from this op-ed to the dozens of comments. Words like 'presumming', 'I am guessing...' . These are assumptions made by ppl that want the POTUS to fail; that want to sit back and applaud the failure of America, rather than getting out and becomming a part of the solution. Im not a fan of the personal actions of the man, but I am even a lesser fan of the 435 ppl sitting in DC playing one-up-manship. Investigations will rule out. In the meantime lets get Congress back to running the country. Suppositions are for ppl who truly don't know.
3
Whenever your seeking money and sell your properties to a high bitter, its part of the system, however any amount of investments tied to a foreign country with insecure and insure intentions is tantamount to a full investigation together of its intention to unravel such double wan. Their is no way you can shake and rattle the citizen by way of miss leading information and calling it "fake news", such is our right to read and yes be critical of events that we consider offensive to our country and its well being as a unified nation.
2
There is clearly no secret that Trump and most of his campaign was working with Putin's network to get him elected. The big surprise is that once repulsed Republicans have suddenly subordinated themselves to the protect their alpha and conspiring to take down the FBI. This sudden conversion is suspect - and they too are acting like they are guilty. We know that certain data bases in pivotal swing states were attacked by Russians - and chances are they are circling the wagons to protect their complicity. Either that or the Russian style mob Trump is so fond of has been busy making house calls.
249
The curse in the White House has clearly shown us that the Presidency must be severely limited and contained. I've always believed the "President" is a vestige of colonialism. Much of the world remains fascinated with the "rich and famous". Much as I loved Obama, a modern American leader should have severe term limits and almost no true power. Power should lie among a fairly elected senate and congress who in turn should be severely term and power limited.
I wouldn't mind a maximum of 2 year limits, if not 1 year limits and that these positions are voluntary.
No leaders should have corporate ties. No leaders should have military backgrounds. Males and Females, LGBT and people of color, all religions, should be equally represented by law in the election process.
The curse in the White House should teach us that health care and college level education are inalienable American rights, and not subject to the whim of any elected official. Its time for the 34th Amendment - the right of all men and all women of all economic classes and all colors and religions to have free health care and free education through college.
These are only a few things the curse in The White House teaches us. Lastly - no American can lead who is worth more than $1,000,000.
3
"...it’s suspicious that Trump is throwing up so much dust and trying so hard to delegitimize the [Mueller ]investigation." What about the cloud of dust created by Republicans in Congress?
Why is Nunes and the House Leader, Ryan, actively attempting to undermine Mueller's investigation? Why are Republicans stonewalling the House investigation and slow walking the Senate investigation? Why are all, but two Republican congressmen, standing with Trump? Why are no Republicans in Congress demanding Trump submit to an interview with Mueller? Why are Republicans in Congress not demanding Trump sign and impose the Russian sanctions they earlier voted for?
There is something rotten at the core of the Republican Party. There is an offensive odor of treason.
The Republican Party (representatives in Congress and its member base) thwarted the US recovery from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. They obstructed every step Obama took to work on behalf of The People; they preferred the US and The People suffer.
The Republican Party shows no interest in getting to the truth about Trump's connections with Russia. They show no interest in protecting America from Russian interference in our elections. Their response is, So what?
The Republican Party has sold its soul for power. And with its soul it gave away loyalty to America. Its only function is to serve a royal wealthy class and it is willing to commit treason to carry out that mission.
7
Trump successfully softened the G.O.P. platform regarding sanctions, and the D.N.C. and Hillary emails were released immediately thereafter. That smells like quid pro quo.
6
I find it very telling that Trump Jr referred to the Nunes memo as providing "a little bit of sweet revenge in it for me and certainly probably the family..."
That, to me, is the story: the family is afraid to have its business practices exposed, and the patriarch sees it as his duty to defend them no matter what, even to the detriment of the country.
398
Trump himself
First last always
He is not about to change
1
What worries me, aside from DT being a spy for Russia, is DT will get the laws past and he will be installed as President for life. Congress no longer says anything against this guy, and will do anything DT wants even at the expense of what is good for country. So, if DT wants to stay on as President after 8 years, the republican leaders will say OK. Our Constitution is at risk under Donald Trump. That being said, it is up to each of us to vote, and to work every day to see that everyone be allowed to vote. If we don't fight back, then the U.S. will disappear. Being on the sidelines is not an option anymore
2
Remember to include the Kushner family who don't want their financing exposed, either. Charles pushed Jared to have Comey fired because Comey was getting to close to the unlawful Kushner finances. Bharara was fired because his investigation was also too close. Vance's prosecution of Ivanka and Don Jr was stopped after campaign contributions. Florida's investigation into Trump university fraud was dropped after contribution to Pam Bondi. There really was no honest reason for Jared to ask the Russian ambassador for an unsurveillable place to talk except for financing in exchange for favors to Russia. That's treason in the making. Treason by definition is aiding and abetting enemies. A corrupt family greedy to use it's power to be on the take from criminals, that's the Trump family.
2
Let's give Trump the benefit of the doubt. Let's suppose he did not intentionally collude with Russia during the election. Trump's thin skin, impulsiveness and bloated ego have nonetheless still led him to obstruct justice. Those traits will be his downfall. Trump's critics have been proven right. He lacks the temperament to be a successful president.
3
And this Federal investigation will go down in history as the most incriminating, but completely ignored investigation. Trump at the very least has de-legiitimized the Presidency at least for our lifetimes if not for good.
4
Many people innocent of crimes don't act innocent. Anyone who thinks that they can reliably determine a person's guilt or innocence based on whether or not they "act innocent" is fooling themselves.
Our system of laws, our presumption of innocence; our insistence that guilt be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, our entire judicial system, is rightly based on the recognition that the court of public opinion is a lousy judge of guilt or innocence.
What Mr. Kristof delineates here is the justification for Mr. Mueller's investigation, and why it is important for that investigation to continue. It is not proof of guilt. Whether Mr. Trump "acts innocent" in Mr. Kristof's eyes or anyone else's, is irrelevant.
Justice demands that guilt or innocence be proven in a court of law, not in the pages of the New York Times, the video of Fox News, or across the dinner table.
3
Another example of Nick's misunderstanding of our legal system: A person is guilty if he appears guilty.
2
I admit to being a bit of a news junkie and a liberal one at that. I have never heard Trump voice a concern about the Russians' influence in the 2016 election. In fact, I have heard him say in essence, why should he be concerned, he won."
His narcissism is so deeply genetic he seems unable to see beyond himself to have a concern with the meaning of the Russians' influence and its continuation.
Mueller has done what no one else has been able to do, drill through that narcissistic wall(no pun intended) and has made Trump nervous. Trump can't buy his way out, bankruptcy his way out, fire his way out without creating profoundly problematic issues or do whatever worked when he was in business. There is a there there.
2
It's good to keep all this out there. ... There is also the fact the Rex T and Exxon have a billion dollar oil investment on hold. He met with Pres Obama I believe 17 times trying to get sanctions eased. I am not saying investing with Russia is right or wrong, but it's there. And Exxon can't reap the rewards till the sanctions are gone.
6
If Mueller follows the money he will discover the dark side of the Trump business empire.Trump will never provoke or insult his buddy Putin as long as he owes hundreds of millions of dollars to shady Russian banks and financiers.That is why Trump declared his business interests outside the purview of the Special Counsel.
4
No, Trump does not act as though he is innocent. Especially as he attacks our investigative agencies. Our tragedy is the Republican Party supports him and their action is understandable. The Party is corrupt. They have done everything in their power to align voting districts to favor a Republican. They have tried in numerous ways to limit who votes. They have used the courts to place ultra conservative judges even going to the extent of denying Obama the opportunity of nominating a Supreme Court justice. The GOP by their past actions and their continued support of Trump have declared they are more ready to support Putin than our FBI. They are more willing to support a corrupt Trump than the national interests of America. Trump is owned by Russian oligarchs. Sadly, we have an American political party defending him. Apparently power is now more important than patriotism.
81
The notion of patriotism and how it's seen and experienced by individuals is fascinating. Bob Dylan (I think quoting Mark Twain), wrote the lyric;
- They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king
This, on the Infidels album some years ago, was quietly prescient of Trump. Given the nonsense about taking a knee during the anthem, the notion of treason charges for those that didn't clap, etc., I think Bob was bang on.
Trump has spent much of his business life involved in lying, deception and most importantly, always placing blame on others for his failures and knowing they could not respond, he even placed the blame for HIS failures on three of his executives in charge of his bankrupt casinos in Atlantic City AFTER they lost their lives in a terrible plane crash.
I had the recent somewhat misfortune of viewing one episode from the recent Netflix series "Dirty Money", entitled "Confidence Man"(Guess Who?). Trumps multiple bankruptcies only scratched the surface of the tens of millions of dollars lost by investors of his numerous scam businesses and the stiffing of dozens of contractors for either underpaying what they were owed or not paying them at all. Add to that his dealings with questionable government officials and corrupt businesses in Azerbaijan, Turkey, The Phillipines and his direct connections to Russian Oligarchs and borrowed money are definitive without any doubt whatsoever, even after he was elected President.
There is a reason why he is acting so guilty people, HE IS!
1
I am utterly astounded at the prevailing US cluelessness about how the US broke up the USSR on the anvil of the Graveyard of Empires, and how much Russia would like to return the favor to the US.
2
It's obvious to anyone paying attention that Trump is in up to his eyeballs financially with Russians. This has been going on for years as he needed financing for his operations and sensible U.S. banks said "no". He has always rubbed shoulders with the lowest of the low, Roy Cohn was his mentor and Roy Cohn worked for Joe McCarthy, enough said, there was simply no one more repulsive. My question is, what do the Russians have on other republicans? Why are Grassley, Ryan, McConnell, Nunes working so hard to distract from the Russian investigation and denigrate it before it's finished? Why is Tillerson saying we can't stop the Russian's from influencing our elections? This goes further then Trump, there has to be more, have others been financially supported or blackmailed by the Russians? Or are they simply against our democracy?
6
I want a few answers. Did Jared Kushner give Russian operatives a database containing voter specific data that allowed them to use targeted emails and structure their media campaign to subtract votes from Clinton's vote tally in key swing states? Have Trump golf courses and real estate developments been used to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Russian money using hidden ownership? Did Trump owned casinos in Atlantic City launder hundreds of millions of dollars for various Russian oligarchs and Putin himself? Is this why Trump has always refused to release his tax returns and why he was afraid to turn his companies over to a neutral proxy for the duration of his presidency?
4
Mr. Trump may not mean to say, specifically, that he his innocent; he may mean to say that he's an innocent. Having relied heavily upon others to guide him through complex relationships for decades, it's reasonable to think that he limited himself to an awareness of benefits and not violations of moral and ethical standards of behavior. His mind may have played around the periphery of such standards, but ultimately, he perhaps felt no need to heed misgivings. He could count upon others to shield him from negative consequences and so engage in whatever behavior suited him at the moment. In short, he became a plaything for avaricious souls who could not resist opportunities to manipulate him for their gain as well as his. So, we should pity the man: After all, he's an innocent.
1
That's it!
The term "missile envy" was a popular term used during the anti-nuke rallies of the late 1960s after the fears of the Cuban Missile crises with Russia during the Kennedy administration.
Now that we are certain one of Trump's repressed adolescent passions and joys is to conduct a powerful military parade that could be seen as more impressive than the missile-launchers used by Kim Jun Un -- we have to hope that Generals Mattis, McMaster and Kelly really know what they are doing.
Trump can joke about treason, but Mueller knows facts about Trump's Russian business dealings -- which Trump also knows -- and that is no joke.
2
#13 the Republican party platform decrying Russian annexation of parts of Ukraine - changed at the Trump's campaigns insistence to be mildly supportive, the only part of the platform in which his people showed any interest.
1
Don’t forget Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for #4.
Follow the money. Trump has refused to release his tax returns and has asserted that Mueller would be crossing a red line if he examined Trump's finances. It's clear that, at the very least, he's drawn that line because he's in hock to and in financial bed with crooked Russian oligarchs tightly tied to their government. It's equally clear that there's enough dirt there to bury him legally and politically. Without dismissing the real possibility that Trump's campaign colluded with the Russians or the near-certainty that he's obstructing justice, his financial crimes may well be what he's most worried about Mueller uncovering.
Alternate headline: President Trump, if you colluded with Russia why are your policies so anti-Russian?
Here is also what we know; the Trump administration has reversed several Obama administration policies, to the detriment of Russian interests. Specifically:
1) US energy policy - and energy production -under Trump is much more aggressive, weakening Russia's ability to use energy as a political weapon. The previous administration, under the guise of climate change, did what they could to limit energy production and energy export.
2) The US is now providing Ukraine with offensive weapons to help fight 'separatists' backed by Russia. This is a reversal of previous administration policy.
And don't forget the previous administrations betrayal of Eastern European allies when Obama reversed Bush administration policy and decided not to deploy anti-missle defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic. Not to mention the infamous hot-mic assurance that Obama 'would have more flexibility' after the 2012 election.
If Trump did collide with Russia- and there is still no proof of that- Russia must be regretting it now. Trump's policies are clearly more anti-Russian than Obama's and, especially on energy, more anti-Russian than Clinton would have been.
1
In Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' there is Queen Gertrude's line - 'The lady doth protest too much, methinks.' Fast forward to today's King Trump, the line still resonates [gender aside] that Trump's protestations are too insistent to cause him to lose all credibility - again.
Thank you, Nicholas Kristof.
We need journalists like you on a daily basis.
1
It is of course true that we have to end this presidency for the survival of ur traditions and our values and all of these posts show a clear awareness of that. But beyond that we must as a nation and as a people profoundly repudiate this man and what he stands for to show the world that America honors its promises, keeps its treaty obligations and repays its bondholders. We must show the world that we still are the idea of America the land that honors freedom and democracy if only imperfectly and with the inescapable follies of human frailty.
3
I have been asking that question for a long time now as I suspect many others are also. Innocent people want the facts to come out.
2
The "intelligence community" concluded that there was Russian interference in the election. I have yet to see any evidence that the government of Russia was behind it. I have seen nothing that says that whatever was done by whoever did it actually changed the outcome of the election. It does provide a convenient scapegoat for the failure of what was supposed to be a walk-over election.
We conveniently brush aside the many times in many countries that we, the USA, have interfered in elections. This has gone on for years, generations, and the re-election of Boris Yeltsin in the mid-1990s was perhaps the most egregious of all. So why are we shocked, shocked to discover that turnabout is not only possible but relished with glee.
If you want a suggestion as to motivation for Trump and the Trumpians behavior... follow the money.
1
What Mr Kristof missed discussing is as important as what was discussed.
Is Russia in possession of information about Mr Trump that forces Trump presidency to comply with the will of Mr Putin et al?
Would Mr Trump behave differently if he was either not obliged to or potentially black-mailed by Russia?
Even if we accept that there is no black-mail or obligation towards Putin et al, Mr Trumps reaction or lack of it towards Russian interference raises questions of competence. This is especially so, given that he has a large number of advisors etc who should feel the outrage and a duty to US to respond overtly or covertly to this threat. Instead, they are actively attacking FBI, DOJ etc, the folks who have been working towards neutralizing Russian influence. This is what defies logic. this is where the question comes up, are you guilty of something related to Russia?
2
I sincerely doubt that there was any explicit collusion between the Trumpsters and the Russians for the following reasons:
1] Apparently neither Trump or the Russians expected him to win which sort of gives the lie to collusion because you only collude if you expect to succeed.
2] The Trump gang seems to be far too incompetent to be capable of actively colluding with the Russians to pull off a maneuver as complex and tricky as the skulduggery necessary to fix an election as complex as America's.
I think a much simpler explanation is that the Trump gang was engaged in money laundering and other financial crimes for the Russian oligarchs and gangsters probably in return for keeping the Trump organization afloat financially.
For the Russians this was a win-win situation as in the unlikely chance that Trump was elected they would have compromising material on POTUS forcing him to buffer any US opposition to Russian "soft" warfare against our country. Even if he wasn't elected, his divisive demagoguing during the election cycle complimented by Russia's fake news agitprop would allow them to seriously damage America's democracy and they'd still have him as their means of laundering the funds they plunder from the Russian people and, who knows, maybe they still do.
2
Re: Trump lies and the people who follow him because of his lies....I'll admit I am one who avoids spending time with family members who are Trump supporters because it has been impossible to have thoughtful discourse.
Yet, without developing communication (and that means really listening on both sides), our future as a united country is doomed.
from a WAPO article by Andres Miguel Rondon: "If dwelling on scandal too much can be counterproductive, then the focus must be elsewhere. I believe it should rest on understanding and empathizing with the grievances that brought Trump to power (wage stagnation, cultural isolation, a depleted countryside, the opioid crisis). Trump’s solutions may be imaginary, but the problems are very real. Populism is and has always been the daughter of political despair."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2017/12/26/to-beat...
1
The problem most of us have when viewing DT's behavior is that we are rational thinkers, and so we attempt to understand his behavior on this basis. DT is not a rational thinker, at least not one whose reality is based on an understanding of what is true and what is not true.
Guilt or innocence do not seem to enter into DT's vocabulary (unless it is an effective label for his opponents). Being guilty of colluding with Russians to influence his win - that's not a concept he appears capable of grasping. Instead it's about what benefits him: public perception of collusion on his part harms his negotiating position; therefore he will do all he can to alter that perception. It's not about guilt or innocence - it's about the sort of public perception that advances his agenda.
For all his life, DT has viewed truth as entirely malleable, and any successes he has had in his life have been the result of manipulating the facts to alter perception - in order to give him a stronger negotiating platform. That is exactly what he is doing now - manipulating our perception of reality in order to improve his negotiating position.
And, it's working like a charm - a significant majority of Republicans now have serious doubts about the efficacy of Mueller's investigation.
He's not acting innocent or guilty - he's acting as he always does: as one who doesn't know or care about the difference between the two.
482
You reference a "negotiating position" as if this individual even knows what that is. He is no deal maker.
And I must disagree. Trump knows what guilty is or he wouldn't have tried evading his financial responsibilities time and again.
2
“Actually, I doubt that there was anything so straightforward as a secret quid pro quo. Indeed, some of these links are so blatant that they seem confusingly exculpatory: Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?”
Nick, I think you are forgetting that Trump doesn’t act rationally. A normal guilty person would act as you say, but Trump? No. Trump is always projecting many of his personality disorders and his actions, and he attributes them to others, to his “enemies”. Trump is not afraid to telegraph his inmost thoughts and then deny them.
Trump keeps mentioning all this “Russia collusion stuff” because it is constantly on his mind and it is keeping him up at night as Mueller closes in on him. “Out, out, damn spot”. He constantly repeats the refrain so that fox news will drill his denials of it into his minions. Trump is deeply afraid of Mueller because Mueller will reveal not only his Russia dealings but especially his illegal business dealings and money laundering. Remember that Nixon’s Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned and was convicted of bribery. It can happen again.
1
Actually, I think there is some rationality to this. People have to remember that Trump was widely expected to lose the election (even up to 10 pm of election night). So my guess is that Trump and the campaign to do what many business people do in such a situation--do whatever it takes to win, make a profit, etc. If that's means conspiring with the Russians, so be it. Once you've won, now you've got the problem of covering up the mess or making it go away. And whether Trump won or loss, he would have the benefit of furthering connections with the Russian government and oligarchs for future business.
Why is there no Trump Tower Moscow? Because the oligarchs are looking for investments outside their country. I was approached by some of them seeking to invest in the USA. But the rates of return they were looking for were much higher than I was willing to promise. I'm sure Trump had no such scruples.
1
Crystal clear summary; thanks!
That most Republican office-holders continue to deny and block vigorous and multipronged investigations of documented Russian-Trump collusion demonstrates their willingness to further abet the destruction of our democracy - by a hostile foreign power.
While the Russian Wing of the Republican flourishes, the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln has perished.
This may be as simple as forcing the acquisition of Trump family tax returns for the last 20 years. That appears to be the Rubicon and crossing it may instigate a constitutional crisis.
There is no doubt this is the last thing the Trump network wants to see happen. As the US continues to devolve into an oligarchy with Democratic appearances, being the only recent president to treat release of his personal financial information is clearly oligarchic behavior.
The behavior is that of someone with much to hide. That does not bode well for Mueller and promises a looming confrontation when the basis of the Trump financial empire will become the issue. Having ruined his reputation as a reliable business partner by his penchant for not paying his bills and abusing lawsuits it was inevitable he would be driven to dark sources of funding. As president with sketchy ties to another world power whose interests diverge sharply from ours there should be no expectation of privacy from any civil servant. I am a fed and I am required to open up my life to conflict of interest investigations, especially financial ones. This and any other president should not only not be treated any differently, but it is even more critical that our most powerful civil servant be subjected to the assurance he will be entirely free to act in our national interest. What is left of our democracy requires the greatest transparency. We have no place for pretensions to royalty and its attendant privileges.
1
Perhaps instinctively, President Trump attempts at every turn to undermine the rule of law because it is the rules of law that have developed over the centuries that establish how the criminal justice system determines "mens rea" which is the required "intention or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes part of a crime."
To show, for example, that President Trump conspired with the Russians to violate our campaign or money laundering laws, the prosecution must prove criminal intent or knowledge.
Similarly, the prosecution must prove that President Trump's interference with the criminal investigation was intentional.
By suspending reality, that is, the difference between fact and fiction, and by undermining the rule of law, the objective is to neutralize evidence of intention or knowledge, which to an objective observer exists.
When everything becomes "subjective," however, "objective" reality is rendered meaningless.
The word "propaganda" comes from the word "propagate," and President Trump and his minions are attempting to sew seeds of doubt in the existence of objective reality.
You and I know they are doing that for a reason.
2
Of course he is guilty as sin. His efforts to obstruct justice are transparent. He has already telegraphed where the investigators should look. No doubt his finances show just how beholden he is to the Russians. The self-proclaimed bankruptcy king couldn’t get another loan from a U.S. bank if his life depended on it. Who buys $50m condos through shell companies? People looking to launder money. It’s lucrative work.
Here’s the rub: without an actual smoking gun with Trump’s fingerprints on it - I mean 100% irrefutable evidence - the Republicans in Congress will never impeach much less convict. He serves their interest too well. But Trump knows the modus operandi of the mafia. He never writes anything down and only talks to his trusted capos, all of whom are family or personal attorneys.
Let’s just hope that Mueller has passed the goods onto the state authorities, and they pick up the ball. That’s outside the scope of Trump’s pardon power. Cuomo and Schneiderman may yet prove to be the true heroes in this story
1
Innocent is the last word that comes to my mind when I hear the name Trump. Maybe because he uses the word treason so much, that is the first. You do not need a quid pro quo when you already have $195million from Russians. I still remember Donald Junior saying that Russians were a substantial percentage of their buyers (I am paraphrasing ).
Your article did make the waters as clear as vodka and as intoxicating as $195 million, that we know of. In order to dive into those clear waters, we need Trump's tax returns which Muller probably already has.
3
Dear Nicholas,
Russia may have had a clear preference for who would be our next president, but so did a dozen other countries. They hire lawyers, contract with powerful lobbyist and yes try and "influence" the outcome of our elections.
By the way, so do many of the corporations, banks, investment houses and so forth and so on. Washington is a cottage industry of people trying to influence legislationation, and yes, the election of people who pass legislation.
And while this goes unmentioned in the main steam media, no one does it better than Benjamin Netanyahu. After all he did circumvent State Department protocol, address Congress at the invitation of the party in opposition to the president and all but endorsed Mitt Romney over Barak Obama. I think that qualifies as "trying to influence our elections."
Your list of all these "secrets" is missing the key ingredient, some underlying crime from which all these meetings become part of a conspiracy.
Hacking is a crime, but so far there's no evidence that whoever hacked the DNC had any effect on how people voted. Nor do we have evidence that the hacking was part of a conspiracy.
What we do know is that Trump's people were trying to dig up dirt on Clinton from Russians, and based on the Steele dossier Clinton's people were in contact with Russians to dig up dirt on Trump.
The real story is how did both of these efforts become targets of national surveillance and when did it happen?
1
While 'acting guilty' is not the same as proof of a crime (and quid pro quo or "collusion" is very hard to prove), obstruction of justice IS, and 'acting guilty' is a significant argument for characterizing his actions as obstruction, since they show intent. And then there is money laundering, etc.
The sum of the whole is even greater than its parts here.
The ongoing inaction of the POTUS is to your point, Mr. Kristof: Congress overwhelmingly passed a set of new, robust sanctions against Russia and a slew of its oligarchs, yet compromised-Donny refuses to impose them. So long as the majority of Republicans in Congress are terrified of his base, and the horrendous social media campaign that he personally wages whenever any of them speak up, nothing will change.
It is becoming more and more likely that the entire GOP in addition to Trump are beholden to Russian money. If not, then why are they working so hard to destroy our democracy by not exercising their constitutional duties to serve as a check and balance on the Executive Branch? Inquiring minds want to know?
1
This is the clearest recital of what we know about the Russian interference in the last election and the contacts (some of them anyway) between the Trump people and the Russians. And when we knew it.
If Hilary Clinton - or any Democrat - had done these things, or had these things associated with with them, the impeachment process would be completed and the conviction already sealed. And yet, because Trump is a Republican, with a Republican controlled Congress this drags out, and will likely never come to anything legally.
Our system is seriously broken when there are no checks and balances left. The last, flimsy defense against a Trump Reich, is the people getting out in November and voting out his Republican enablers.
1
All I can say is thank you and all the others with the courage and integrity to ferret out so much information. It sickens me that this kind of unscrupulous behavior has been continuing for so long.
Again, thank you all!
2
The photo with this article is classic in a couple of ways. The composition is outstanding. But even better is the cultural portrait showing us how he hopes his delusional reality will become the public's assessment of him--rich, successful beyond belief, magnetically attractive to gorgeous women, and deserving of our worship. Maybe a parade will seal the deal.
This op-ed is so full of jarring facts, it got me wondering something. I think that a certain Fox News host, and certain members of Congress, are acting in a way that makes them seem compromised by Russia. Has Russia infiltrated our media and our government to a level we don't yet understand? I don't want to start another era of McCarthyism but some of our lawmakers are behaving very strangely where Trump-Russia issues are concerned. Maybe they are compromised, maybe they are being blackmailed, but something strange is going on.
2
The incorrect premise here is that only the guilty contest their investigation. Hillary was furious when Comey chastised her and Bill improperly spoke with Lynch. Of course, the Clintons repeatedly spoke out against the email investigation. According to Mr. Kristof, that indicates that Hillary was guilty. But I believe she was so aggressive because she was innocent.
Last night I happened across a conservative Christian talk show on WHKW 1220 from Cleveland. In response to a question about "political divisiveness", which I thought would lead to an even-handed appeal for people to stop going to extremes, one of the speakers said he would prefer to live under Putin than any Democrat! The other speaker enthusiastically agreed, and then proceeded to outline all of the evils of the democrats (abortion, homosexuality, etc.). There you have it, "I'd rather live under Putin than any Democrat". Somebody's been softening up these conservative Christians to favor Putin and I was astounded to hear these two warm up to the softening so readily. This wasn't just slip of the tongue, they were aware of the outrageousness of their statement and still stuck with it.
2
Is it not common knowledge that a fundamental demand driver of high-end urban residential developments (whether Trump's or somebody else's) is oligarchs and corrupt officials from non-democratic countries looking to launder ill-gotten gains? The whole industry only thrives due to the theft and subsequent laundering of the assets of second and third world countries.
Add #13 Trump has shown intention to derail the FBI and now Special Prosecutor’s investigation. Angry at Sessions’ recusal. Asking for Comey to let go of investigating Flynn and asking about his loyalty, then firing him saying to Lester Holt that it was due to the Russia investigation. Wanting to fire Mueller. Expressing displeasure of Rosenstein. Saying that the Nunes’ memo “totally vindicates ‘Trump’ when it clearly does not.
Add #14 Trump has enacted a pro-Russian foreign policy that has dimished U.S. influence with our traditional allies like Britain and NATO, weakened our influence in Asia by pulling out of TPP (strengthening China’s influence in Asia), threatening ties with Canada and Mexico via bashing NAFTA, and isolating the U.S. from almost all other countries by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capitol unilaterally without any concessions and pulling out of the Paris climate agreement.
1
Wow, it has come to this, rehashing old fake news! But despite all of these clear as vodka points, there is no hard evidence of collusion. None. Not any. despite almost two years of investigations that started as early as the 2016 primaries. But to refuse the first five points (I only have 1500 characters);
1. The Russians spent less than a million dollars placing ads on Facebook and other social media and tried to stir the pot on both sides.
2. Trump has no longstanding business interest in Russia. He considered building a hotel in Moscow 1987, thirty year ago, and never did. He has no properties there or any other business interests. That Russian oligarch who paid Trump $95 million for his property in Florida did so in 2008! Eight years before Trump decided to run for President. Does anyone seriously think the Russian are that far sighted or that loose with cash?
3. Trump likes Putin, so what.
4. Every political operative has Russian ties, even Hillary's campaign had Russian ties (think uranium deal).
5. "If the Trump campaign had to learn, through Papadopoulos, that Russia supposedly had thousands of emails damaging to Clinton, that would necessarily mean the Trump campaign had nothing to do with Russia’s acquisition of the emails." http://www.nationalreview.com/article/455036/new-york-times-trump-russia...
That said, I'm at my limit of 1500 characters.
It might be interesting to explore the extent of collaboration here. Are Trumpers, in their ferocious, often threatening support of their "president," actively participating in ongoing treason?
1
I'd be surprised that trump can even sleep at night. Maybe we'll get lucky and his head will explode thus saving the taxpayers the cost of impeachment, trial and pardon. I too had the thought, as someone else commented, that trump is not the billionaire he claims to be. Why else not release his taxes? What is he afraid the public will find out?
2
It is unbelievable to me to this day that a sitting U.S. president has not done one thing, not ONE thing, to ensure that our election process is not hacked again by a foreign country. Think about that. Just absorb that for a minute.
That sole dereliction of duty screams of guilt more than anything else.
We can say with certainty that two people in the world know exactly what transpired: Putin and Trump. Of the two, Trump — meaning America — is on the defensive, the one giving ground. The power dynamic is not good. For some reason, we are in the weaker position.
Imagine two tribes go to war: one's great at football, and another excels at chess. Consider their different strategies. Fast forward to now: who wins?
Nick Kristof says "some of these links are so blatant that they seem confusingly exculpatory: Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?"
Shouldn't we know by now that Trump's words and actions often defy logic? Most of the times he does it unknowlingly. Sometimes on purpose to create controversies, confusions or to seek attention. It's much safer to judge Trump's guilt by looking at availabe facts, not guessing what's on his mind.
8
Collusion may be the least of POTUS' problems, obstruction of justice seems a more likely indictment. And if so, then what? Trump will keep the whole circus alive by pardoning (or firing) people. Perhaps he will then resign leaving us with, of all people, Pence and the continued likes of Ryan, McConnell et al. Our problems will continue until the electorate sweeps out self-serving, greedy legislators (fueled by lobbyists) and replaces them with individuals who wish to make this Country great again by: addressing health care issues, infrastructure needs, social justice, economic inequities, tariff modifications and climate change. Trump is but a symptom of much more pressing and concerning problems and until people start to pay attention to reality rather than the propaganda and conspiracy drivel on the internet we'll spin our wheels and continue down the road of stagnation and decay - much like our infrastructure. If there is indeed to be a "bigly"parade it should be to celebrate Trump's departure from town.
627
I suspect he will also be revealed as a tax cheat and a money launderer, both crimes of which are predicate acts for a RICO indictment.
2
We may not agree with Pence, McConnell et al on policies but they are magnitudes times better than having Trump as president. It will become politics as usual but that's far more preferable than the dangerous subversion of democracy and its institutions, not to mention chance of war or collapsed economy, and a generalized sense of daily outrage at the tabloid reality tv coming out of the white house.
1
Yes, but do we still have good decent people with intelligence and integrity who want to run in today's political environment? I doubt that Mr. Smith wants to go to 2018 Washington.
1
Why does Trump act as if he's guilty? Maybe he's just paranoid. This is the usual attitude of dictators, such as Stalin. They assume that their enemies are out to get them by any means, as they would do in their place. Of course those with this attitude may adopt means such as collusion with foreign powers to gain power in the first place.
7
Is it paranoia when people actually are out to get you by any means?
4
Yeah, especially when people who pledged their allegiance to you are pleading guilty and the evidence is mounting.
Its a silly question. Its like asking, if you are not guilty, why won't you testify at your trial? The fact is, in a legal proceeding, the defense always tries to cut it short and end it any way it can.
A more valid question is, if he's guilty, where's the beef? Frankly, I see a stronger case for collusion to turn the law enforcement mechanisms of government against one candidate via "Trumped up" charges. Some unreliable source concocts a story, turns it over to Justice/FBI, which runs with it, getting warrants without revealing the true source of its leads.
I am sure a lot more was discussed on the tarmac in Arizona than grandchildren.
8
If you ask me, I'd say you'll find plenty of beef in points 1-11 and yes, 12.
You're getting too far ahead of yourself, this isn't a "legal proceeding," it's an investigation. What's discovered in the investigation is then presented at evidence at a "legal proceeding" if not an impeachment. There's a huge difference between testifying at your own trial or having the defense cut short the proceeding on one hand, and interfering with the investigation to begin with. The latter is not legally or morally acceptable - in fact it's the interference with investigation and lying to investigators that got Bill Clinton in trouble and led to his impeachment. What this investigation has shown so far is troubling - what Donald Trump and his team have done to interfere with the investigation is even more troubling.
1
You find a distinction between behavior in a legal proceeding vs a quasi-criminal investigation? Do you welcome tax audits, even when your filed tax return is squeaky clean?
The Russian influence campaigns work because those most susceptible to its messaging are willful believers.
Chris Matthews said it best last night: democracy fails when there are two competing views of reality.
We're there folks. These "memo" distractions designed to attack the FBI are part and parcel of the cult of personality that Trump is heading.
There's no policy, no consistency, no core values guiding principles except Trump's desperate campaign to protect himself.
That so many are aiding and abetting speaks poorly of this country that would rather protect the president than protect democracy.
The more this continues, the more average citizens will suffer from ill-advised policies and destruction of institutions that are making America--to put it mildly--unrecognizable.
225
The memos are real evidence backed by documentation and interviews with FBI whistle blowers. There is a lot more coming out and now Obama has been implicated in the false dossier as one of the text messages revealed that Obama wanted to be in on everything being done. This is going to be good. The criminals in our government intel agencies will be going to jail. The FBI as a whole is a good outfit but was compromised by Comey. He knowingly used an unverified fake dossier to get a FISA warrant to spy on the Trump campaign, Trump even mentioned it in his rallies and the media laughed at him for saying it. Trump is not stupid but the mechanisms in the intel agencies thought he was. Trump and Sessions have been working on this for over a year and now all of the criminal activity by Comey, Hilley, Lynch, and Obama is coming out.
@Chiristine, they ONLY hope we then have is to vote democrats in every where we can and take back the house and the Senate.
Show them that we trust the FBI more than this so-called leader.
Short of that, I am afraid our US democracy will wither and die.
@alan blaine: your FOX News transcript of a comment isn't even worthy of a response. Get yourself off Conspiracy Island.
1
This kind political response is just going to happen over and over again unless we create an electorate through a solid democracy education program that develops the skills of democracy in our citizens.
76
Subjecting newly registered voters to a test of their "skills" is an exercise in futility unless you have a uniform "education program" in place nationally for current and future students. Germany's programs in the 20's and 30's could then serve as a model.
1
Mike seems to be suggesting that our schools must have stronger civics, US history, and political science requirements. Like Mike, I agree it seems the dumbed down population can be better educated in these things, but it starts with education; another institution targeted by the gop salvos.
Do they even teach civics anymore in school? Our education system is failing out youth.
Convincing for the choir that reads columns in this NYT, but Trump supporters, the American voters who unconditionally adulate the man, could care less.
A Trump supporter I know, whom I have known since high school, recently criticized me for suggesting that I knew him to be more rational than his flawed, unsupported defense of Trump suggested. He told me I was condescending and elitist; he told me his rationality was just as valid as anyone's.
That's the soul of Trump support. There is no objective truth. Truth is subjective, and Trump supporter truth dictates that any, and all, arguments against Trump are conspiracy, fake news, and invention.
The hope of defeating Trump and his Republican look-a-likes is in getting to the polls in November the Independents, women, White Democrats, and minorities who failed to vote in the last election. But if there is victory count on Trump supporters dismissing it as a coup.
638
Mr McBride you are right on the mark. How do the Dems convince voters in November to vote their way when the Trump supporters are so blindly indoctrinated? Fight fire with fire and hope he puts his foot in his big mouth enough to discredit himself. It would be a dirty campaign. Also work on those voters whom Trump has criticized, immigrants who now have the right to vote, African Americans,Latinos, engage Hollywood to put a plan together.
I have a half dozen in-laws who are rabidly pro-Trump.
They will never hear any of the claims against him because they have not read a paper, a book or listened to anything except Fox, Mark Levin, Rushbo, and Drudge for over 15 years.
They live in a parallel universe. There is no point even trying to talk to them.
We should split into 2 countries. It would be easier and happier in the long run.
1
The Trumpnards have bought his prosperity gospel hook, line and sinker and they will struggle like carp when the bait has to be forcibly removed with pliers. You will have to wack them in the head to get them to stop struggling long enough to dislodge the treble hook from their craw.
“Close your eyes and see green,”
“Money up to your armpits, a roomful of money and there you are, just tossing around in it like a swimming pool.”
This latter day Reverend Ike has re branded “Thinkonomics” as MAGA.
Trump wants a big military parade. Russia has one at Red Square every Mayday. Trump should move to Russia so he can enjoy it.
768
He won't do it unless they are saluting him. Let's face it--that is one of the purposes of this proposed parade. Every military person who passes him is going to have to salute him--and he gets to show off his toys. If it's the Russian military, they'll be saluting Putin and showing off Russian toys.
We have to remember that Trump is not really interested in honoring the military. He's interested in honoring himself.
1
I'm willing to chip in on the plane ticket.
I think that is the just sentence for Trump. Take away all his ill gotten gains and exile him to the country he loves.
1
There certainly is no shortage of evidence that we (the public) know about what Russia tried to do. Whether or not Russia influenced the election outcome is less certain. Hopefully the full Russian story will eventually emerge, and we need to keep pushing on it Until then, however, other things about our president we do know for certain - no shortage here either - should not be sidelined by the Russian issue. We need to keep paying attention, doing homework, sticking to facts, and speaking out. And Kristof sets the gold standard here.
151
Of course it influenced the outcome. They targeted the dumbest people in the country which means the most easily manipulated.
Question #2, President Trump, if you're not a racist, why indulge in racist comments and behavior?
Question #3, President Trump, if you're a stable genius, why act like an idiot?
844
Of course Trump is a “stable” genius. Besides acting like the south end of a northbound horse, he’s also full of horse apples!
Depends upon his meaning of "stable."
Love ur questions...
Question #4, President Trump, Between your tweeting, come-over your hair, watching tv, drinking Diet Coke, eating McDonalds, playing golfs, etc., etc, where do you find time to govern the country?
When this is over, something needs to change. We can’t let this national nightmare happen again. The country is surviving due to luck, babysitters in the Oval Office and perhaps intervention from a higher power that has decided to smile upon us.
First step: No pardons. Nixon was a mistake. We thought we were doing the country a favor by moving on and allowing wounds to heal. Instead, we let future tyrants know the path was clear and consequences were nonexistent. It was just a matter of time until someone like Trump showed-up.
The trials and prison sentences will be unpleasant and divisive, but they’re going to be necessary. The Nixon pardon was justified as being “For the good of the country”. Now, “for the good of the country” needs to be redefined as justice.
Use the legal system the way it was intended. End the nightmare here. Future generations will thank us.
1276
Electoral process needs reform. For starters, releasing tax returns is just a small part of what should be required. Any presidential candidate wanting to represent a political party should undergo "extreme vetting" PRIOR to the election (so that party's down-ballot candidates don't suffer). Those not wanting to go through this vetting process would then have to run as an independent. Doing this would reduce risks that someone with Trump's murky and suspect connections to Russia (among other concerns) could not exploit the electoral apparatus of a major party organization.
103
Agreed. So what's the process for putting an end to the pardoning option?
1
The nation has learned that respect for the rule of law cannot be assumed in all presidential candidates & that a record of public service is essential to being considered presidential timber. That said we need the following laws on the books. We can't rely on the norms/traditions of other residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
1. All presidential candidates post-primary must release five years of federal & state tax returns.
2. Each president must place his/her business in a blind trust administered by professionals not family members.
3. Each president must respond to court summons regarding acts while in office. None of the Nixon, Clinton & soon-to-be Trump side-stepping
4. The president will not be able to interfere with any DOJ/FBI investigation.
5. Presidents cannot pardon former employees, family member, business associates or members of their staff while in office. A special panel of judges should determine who is pardoned in those cases.
6. Family members cannot serve in any capacity in a president's administration-even if unpaid.
The Founding Fathers never imagined that some of of Donald Trump's character (lack of) &n lack of respect for institutions of government & the rule of law would be elected POTUS.
8
I happen to be personally familiar with some of the Trump-named properties in Dade County, Florida. Many of the apartments are owned by shell companies, which raises the suspicion of money-laundering. Further, the pool areas are frequented by young Russian women who are either very pregnant and/or caring for infants. Their husbands are rarely seen because, presumably, they are back in Russia taking care of business. Since these properties were developed under a licensing agreement with the Trump Organization, it's unclear what connection this community of Russians might have with the Donald himself. Whatever the case, it's ironic that what appears to be an "anchor-baby" operation would have any connection at all with the most anti-immigrant White House in memory.
1057
Anchor babies who can easily come and go as "Americans" and yet serve the needs of whoever is the current strong man or czar in Russia. They plan ahead. We, however, can't think past the next iPhone release.
In fact, it's my understanding that the Russian/Ukrainian anchor baby tourism is very much out in the open, with reviews on different providers of have-an-American-baby packages and the women involved instructed to be fully truthful in telling the Immigration inspectors on arrival that they are travelling to Florida for medical care.
Thank you! Important information here!
Had even one of the facts we know about Trump's relationships with Russia applied to Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, the cries for them to be imprisoned would have deafened the world. As it is, it's clear Trump depended on Russian money to get him past the bursting real estate bubble and he thus had a conflict of interest from the beginning.
It is a sign of our nation's descent into apathy and ignorance that so many U.S. citizens have been willing to ignore the warning signs and clues Mr. Kristof cites here. Of course, Mr. Trump's alliances with Russian oligarchs aren't much different in many ways from our own members of congress' alliances with American oligarchs. With so many similarities, it's no wonder Mr. Trump is trying to bring the countries closer together by attacking the press, the law, and the institutions that were designed to check and balance abuses of power. He'd much rather have Putin's absolute power than be subject to the rule of Constitutional law.
583
I will never forget Trump's words of praise to Putin: "I admire the firm grip that Putin has over his people." How can someone with such a view swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States? Why aren't the "patriots" in the GOP incensed with a leader who uses the words above? Where is the outrage? This is the party who originated wearing American flag buttons on their lapels to make the statement that they were the "real Americans."
536
You're right--if it were an Obama or a Clinton, they would already be on the public square surrounded by villagers carrying ropes and pitchforks, etc. If that's not happening now with that bunch, it's not necessary due to apathy or ignorance on the part of the public at large. It's rather that (1) Democrats were never as aggressive or assertive (for lack of better words) as Republicans when it comes to crying foul; and (2) let's face it, God broke the mole after he created the Nixon-era Republicans.
15
Truth in opposites: the flag-button wearers would be the first to sell out country and Constitution. Like the 'Honest John Used Cars dealership (would you really buy a used car there?). Or like Trump who keeps calling himself 'the greatest.'
17
Trump acts like a people act when they are trying to deceive the police over some actions about which they never prepared to have to confront the police. It usually starts with a completely innocent narrative that denies having any knowledge of the event being investigated. But there is evidence that the person does know about the events but has no knowledge of the persons involved and was just an innocent bystander. But there is evidence of the person having known the others since childhood. So the person denies any participation in the wrong doing. Finally, after so many lies which the officers uncover either the person confesses or declines to make any more statements, but it's off to jail. The police file charges and let the District Attorney decide whether to prosecute and for what crimes.
57
Why does Trump act so guilty? Why is the Pope Catholic? Each answer offers requirements necessary. A conspiracy theory that the Pope is not really a Catholic is a plausible as Trump's innocence.
92
My guess is that Trump has far less wealth than he claims, and he doesn't want anyone to know. He probably has many years of losses or modest income in those tax returns he won't share. I would bet his leaked 2005 tax return is his best year, and that's why he leaked it. I would not be surprised at all if he engaged in shady if not outright criminal activities with Russian oligarchs that needed help laundering their ill-gotten gains. Trump's identity is almost entirely dependent on his perceived wealth, and he'll do almost anything to preserve it.
425
Even if Trump is not quite as wealthy as he claims to be, and he likely isn't, I am guessing that he probably still has a tidy sum of money and has an incentive to conceal the source of that money: How hard is it for a dishonest real estate developer to knowingly help a few Russki oligarchs launder their ill-gotten money through his properties while he skims a healthy percentage off the top for himself?
3
Casinos run by a Russian ally are far more effective than Walter White's car wash.
1
In reply to Irwin Fletcher:
I believe you're right .
I'd make one small alteration. Trump's identity is ENTIRELY dependent on his perceived wealth : remove the "almost" !
He's an empty man, nothing without his money ....and he knows it.
Hence,as you say, he'll do almost anything to preserve it.
Figuratively or perhaps even literally, he'll have to be dragged kicking and screaming from the White House.
It's not going to be pretty.
2
Pretty obvious to me that Trump is guilty of some kind of collusion with Russia. It's not just all the connections, it's primarily that he is fighting against the investigation all the time, trying to block it any way he can.
If he was innocent, he would be trying to assist the investigation as much as possible. He'd want to get this done with, prove that there was nothing to worry about, and move on. Instead he's kept this as a cloud over this administration for a year now, with no end in sight.
It's sort of like when O.J. was making a slow escape to Mexico with ten grand in cash, a fake passport, and a gun, and kept threatening suicide. This was not the action of an innocent man, so with him it's pretty obvious he was guilty of murder.
I just hope that unlike O.J., Trump gets found guilty of his crimes. It'd be great to see him go to jail, but I'll be satisfied with his removal from office, thus decreasing the potential damage he'd do to America. But we'll need Congress to become majority Democrat first, because Republicans will stick by their lord and master, without any ethics or regard for the law.
219
With our 18th-century constitution document he cannot be removed without (currently) 18 Republican senators voting to do so.
[And even if it drops to 17, or 16 with Democratic control of the Senate—the nearly insurmountable problem remains. The untried course of indictment may be the only course.]
1
@Dan Perfect analogy! Thank you!
I just can't believe there isn't any outrage from the Republicans. This is the Russian version of 9/11 without the deaths- but just as deadly. And where's the outrage at Trump's ignoring the new sanctions imposed? Remember the end of the Declaration: we pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor... So few have served in the armed forces, they have consistently enriched themselves and they have no honor left... Where is my country?
225
They know their time is limited, and they're going to make the most of this extraordinary and unexpected "gift" while they can.
I was watching Lawrence of Arabia on cable the other day and of course one quote struck me. “There may be honor among thieves but there’s none in politicians.” Note he said “among” thieves, but none “in” politicians.
As the head of the executive branch, it is Trump's duty to execute the laws of this country. His refusal to impose those sanctions is reason enough to impeach him.
No wonder he worships Andrew Jackson. Not only did Jackson break our treaties with the Cherokees and commit genocide against them, he refused to obey the dictate of the Supreme Court, telling the chief justice, You made your ruling, now enforce it. Another miserable human being and president that should have been impeached and sentenced to a long prison sentence.
2
I have always thought that the Japanese soldiers who hid out on islands after World War II where they could continue to fight on exhibited a crazy kind of honor. But Trump's conduct as President has only been crazy. Where is Dr. Bornstein when we really need him? Aren’t there any doctors in the White House?
26
Successful and high level thugs fight any challenge or investigation because while they may not be guilty of the particular infraction of the moment, they're certain that anyone peering into the secret books and details will find a wealth of criminal activity.
Thugs are especially cautious of having their dealings with other thugs exposed and explored for much the same reason, whether they've actually done business together yet or not.
Thugs understand their vulnerabilities. They also know the only protection they can rely upon is to make the prosecuting agent go away.
Trying to interpret Trump through the lens of a politician is baffling. Seeing him as a thug makes everything about him clear. And, leaves no doubt where he's headed, and how far he will go to protect his wealth and financial interests.
188
And he thought he would increase his brand...let's hope he destroys his brand with all of this.
1
And Russian-Republicans stand by silently....feeding caviar and 0.1% champagne to America's oligarchs, bleeding the national treasury while waving the flag, padding the courts with corporatist judges, rigging electoral districts into tyranny-of-the-minority 'victory', gutting healthcare for the peasant class, and whipping up the white masses into a foaming, racist, xenophobic rage.
The Kremlin and their Internet Research Agency trolls are delighted that their Grand Old Putin internet strategy put the Grand Oligarch Party in charge of American mismanagement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Research_Agency
"I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest." - Winston Churchill
And Trump is a Benedict Arnold in a matryushka doll inside an electoral fraud.
Welcome to Republistan, Russia's newest satellite republic.
"Free-Dumb !": GOP 2018
657
I am reading "Truman", and crossed that Churchill quote last night. In the book, the big three are currently in Berlin, and I remarked to my husband how it seems to me that history is repeating itself.
8
Once again: well said Socrates.
With no impeachment likely, we must VOTE. Toss out the GOP at all levels.
2
Excellent post,love the Churchill quote. But 1% champagne? Poor things,that's worse than lite beer.
1
A dozen things we know and three more pearls of wisdom courtesy of the Trumps:
Donald Trump tweet-01.11.17
"I have nothing to do with Russia, NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!"
Eric Trump-
"Well, we don't rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia. We just go there all the time."
Donald Trump Jr-
"Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot our assets.
We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."
Oh, and I believe that $95m property (No. 2 on your list) was a distressed property in PBC. (And may still be vacant and distressed.)
Mr. Robert Swan Mueller did not hire the greatest money laundering prosecutors in the country just to investigate an obstruction case!
530
It would seem so far Tump could be guilty of obstruction in many areas. Don Jr. would be in the same boat but much worse.
Sure, when the time comes Mike Pence, by then, POTUS, will pardon the Federal crimes, but Trump still has to deal with the state of New York.
Trump and "friends" do way too much to protect themselves if they are innocent.
45
Nope. Innocent people don't act like this. They just go about their business and trust that the investigation will exonerate them and everyone will move on. Even more frightening than DJT's own behavior is that the Republican party is so energetically covering for DJT. Also NOT normal. We're talking about a potential conspiracy against the United States and a bloodless coup that installed someone who wishes the country harm in the White House. And there's way too much that's been unearthed so far for anyone sane to dismiss this as just nothing. And yet Republicans are doing everything they can to protect DJ and delegitimize this investigation. There's a reason for that, and I hope Mueller's team is getting to the bottom of that, too.
261
Mr. Mueller will. He is plodding away quietly with his team gathering evidence and waiting for the big day to drop the ax.
The reason is simple as I've said before: The craven Repubs will continue to put party before country and protect their bill signer in chief. Nothing's going to change that.
We are seeing an assault on democracy and our institutions by this President and the cronies with whom he has surrounded himself. I worry that a lot of damage has already occurred. I often ask myself, what else can I do? I feel very strongly about supporting investigative journalism. I feel that it is my responsibility to discover the truth and communicate it, and protect it against this President who would suppress it as tyrants always do. One positive for me to come out of this hideous presidency that I am not complacent. I cannot be convinced that Trump’s actions and words are normal. I am so grateful that I have access to responsible print media.
102
I am a former Prosecutor and Public Defender. I know and recognize when people act guilty. The Trump campaign and administration is repeatedly acting guilty. In addition, the most logical thing for Trump to do if innocent, is welcome the investigation, and come down hard on Russia. He can't he is not only guilty but is also compromised. But what confounds me, is the actions of Nunes, Grassley, Graham, and Johnson. They must know what we all know, yet they actively obstruct this investigation. The Republican Party is rotten, corrupted, and without integrity.
1057
Nunes has been sporting extremely desperate behavior and is willing to throw away his career and reputation. The trouble he's in looks to be very serious, either that or he's been promised the world.
11
Nunes, Johnson, and Grassley have always been party hacks but Graham deeply disappoints me. I often don’t agree wit his politics but have always regarded him as a bulwark in fighting for country over party. He is usually one of the stable members of his party who can call out insanity. We are slowly losing Republicans who will do that.
13
"I know and recognize when people act guilty."
Well. You've said it, so it must be true.
Think I'll hire an attorney a touch less arrogant next time I need one.
Thank you for summarizing the facts crisply and concisely, which are more compelling than the much hyped-up diversionary Nunes memo that turned out to be an amazing Republican belly flop.
Trump's continuous stream of lies has his lawyers so worried that they advise Trump to not testify in front of Mueller so that he is not caught lying under oath. That does not fit the profile of an innocent man either.
78
Not presidential, is it.
#13 - Why has Trump refused to implement the new Russia sanctions that a YUGGE bipartisan majority voted for? His own party voted for it. Why? Because he doesn't want to annoy his boss Putin?
86
What's most likely is the money laundering from Russian sources. That's what Trump and family are really afraid of Mueller uncovering.
139
I am sure mueller and team have already uncovered the money laundering
They are just trying to package it now so it’s impregnable.
May the lord save us.
How shallow DT'd intelligence is, is displayed by the fact that he thought he could become president,kick everyone around, and not come under intense scrutiny.
Fortunately there is the Atty General of NY State, Eric Schiederman, who can continue investigating this even if Mueller is fired and everyone at the federal level is somehow disabled.
You also forgot "dragging his feet on implementing sanctions against Russia that congress overwhelmingly passed". I wonder why he is so loathe to implement the new sanctions...hmmm....
83
Trump has been running the country like a crime boss. He's been laundering Russian money for years because no American bank would loan him money-- everything he touches goes bankrupt. Now he's laying his tiny anti-Midas hands on the US and the end result won't be pretty. The Republican tax scam will balloon the country's debt. Putin couldn't get a better stooge than Trump to destroy the U.S. along with eager help from the GOP, bought and paid for by oil, gas, and gun money. Right-wing media has been doing a great job keeping the duped brainwashed and complacent with propaganda. Has Trump and company committed treason? Time will tell.
141
Crystal ball says, this ain't gonna end well...
What I like about Kristof compared to some of the other editorialists: no bells and whistles. No attempts to extrapolate general trends or place events into some kind of grand historical schema. Just a straight recitation of the facts, written in the plainest language, caveats included. Lets the reader see the black, white, and the gray...
85
Where there is smoke, there is fire. Trump knows it and so does Nunes, and the rest of his cronies. None of this is a coincidence. Trump admited to Lester Holt, on TV he fired Comey because of the Russia invesitgation. He asked his WH Counsel McGhann to order Rosentein to fire Mueller. McGhann refused, and threatened to resign. Trump personaly wrote the response on Air Force One about the Russians meeting with Junior, Kushner and Mannafort in Trump Tower. The list goes on and and on. Trump refuses to sign the Russia sanctions, passed by veto proof legistalation. Frankly, I anm perplexed as to why his supporters refuse to acknowledge the depth and seriousness of these allegations. The Mueller Investigation must continue, so we can finally put the fire out and concentrate on how to keep the Russsians from interering in our future Elections. This is a true matter of National Security. Right now Russia is winning this new Cold War!!!
37
This kind of logic--why don't you like being scrutinized?--you must be guilty! It's not only a fallacy, but betrays bias on the part of the accuser. We (America) used the same logic to invade Iraq, when we said to Saddam: Why don't you want to let us (America) root around in every nook and cranny of your country? You must be hiding WMDs! In fact, we KNOW you're hiding WMDs and we're going to invade and destroy you.
Who in the world does like being investigated? Who does like having every move they make scrutinized for signs of assumed guilt? If Trump doesn't like it, why does that prove he's guilty? And of what?
These obviously biased, constant accusations based on cherry-picked "facts" do not help the liberal cause; they make us look as partisan and unfair as the Republicans who constantly picked at Hillary. And that's not where I think we as political parties, or as a nation, should be.
7
What's rare in the comment section of this column is a sympathetic attitude toward Trump. Who would like being investigated? So antipathy for the investigation itself means somehow one is innocent? Not buying it.
1
It’s not about “not liking to be scrutinized”. Nobody likes that. It’s about trying to undermine the investigation, by firing investigators and smearing the FBI and the DOJ. Hillary Clinton did not do that, but Nixon and now Trump did.
1
Pretty much the whole campaign lying about it?
If the New York Times can publish such a damning Op-Ed, based solely on publicly available material, imagine what months of secret investigations by the Mueller team will produce. I write 'will', because someone of Mueller's reputation and stature would have long closed the file in the absence of overwhelming evidence against Trump and his cohorts. Mueller would never risk the Department of Justice's and FBI's reputations by perpetrating a wild goose chase.
So, Far Right denials notwithstanding, the ice is beginning to crack beneath Trump's feet, and the question is not 'if' but 'when' he will be impeached. The only remaining question is how much more damage he can cause the U.S., and the globe, before he is unceremoniously removed.
81
But 50% of the country will discount the findings, based mostly on the effective disinformation campaign Trump, Russia and the Repubs have been running for months.
Trump and his minions are attacking America, the rule of law, and basically trying to beat the press, the Democrats and the American people into submission, bludgeoning us with personal attacks and racist dog whistles. America is in a grave crisis.
31
America seems to be in a sort of civil war.
Verdict: Guilty!!
19
And Trump is up to 19 or 20 female accusers of various 'crimes' of a sexual nature! Yet teflon don suffers not...as all his accusers are 'lying'.
It is extremely frustrating to see the Pres. get away with it...when all the other mighty offenders have fallen. Sure hope he gets his come-uppance soon for his actions. All of these women are simply 'NOT' lying.
345
I want to print this list and carry it with me. This is not normal.
39
Trump is beyond the pale. What's curious is that the Republicans in charge are not raising a ruckus and removing this clear and present danger from office.
Could it be they're on Putin's payroll too?
186
It is pretty obvious. they just enacted a Yuge tax cut benefiting themselves and raising the taxes of millions of blue state and blue community taxpayers while raiding the treasury, i.e. the taxpayer's money, of $1.5 trillion, and making their. corrupt donors very happy. With payoffs like that they have no incentive to be decent people or represent the American people they were elected to serve.
3
Not too much doubt.
26
Your turn. I think you have got a lot of explaining to do.
1. If Russia had a clear preference for Trump, then why did Moscow leak derogatory and salacious tidbits about Trump to Christopher Steele?
2. The Russians can read the polls as well as the NYT's "psephologists." So why would they waste money betting on a sure loser? Trying to discredit Clinton and to sew mayhem in US politics, yes. Collusion with Trump in order to get him elected? Laughable.
3. $100 million dollars??? Do you mean $100 billion? You think Trump can be bought for a lousy $100 million? How does that stack up against his total indebtedness? Are you saying the Russian investors plonked down their investments AFTER Trump entered the race or after he won the GOP nomination? This is so silly that I can't believe that it is in good faith.
4. Another question that goes to your good faith. When are you going to share with us your reaction to the damning evidence that the Hillary Clinton campaign laundered money through a law firm to Fusion GPS to fund the collection of dirt on Trump from well-placed Russian sources? Some might call this collusion.
5. What about your reaction to the possibility that the Clinton campaign and its allies tricked the FBI into investigating Trump by failing to disclose the sources of the Steel dossier? And/or that the FBI failed to follow the law in seeking the FISA warrant to spy on Americans/Trump workers? Isn't this possibility even bigger than Watergate?
7
Answer to your questions is simple. Russia would do anything to protect itself from its number one enemy: Hillary. Yes, it seems ridiculous they chose the unfavored choice. So it was a kind of crap shoot on their part hoping Democrats would select Bernie Sanders who could not possibly have won the election. They bet on the underdog, put their forces behind him, and they won. So we have a Putin sympathizer who owes Putin a fortune. In fact I suspect the Trump "fortune" is based on his Russian investors.
40
1. Because Moscow wanted to show the donald that they own him.
2. Because this was a low-expense tactic. Creating fake social media sites and hooking into like-minded right wing sites isn't expensive at all. After all, it will eventually make its way to Fox News and they'll run with anything.
3. The donald can be bought for anything by anybody who's willing to suck up to him. And after all, we don't know how much the man is really worth, since he won't release his taxes.
4. Doing research on the donald's overseas business activities would naturally require contacting individuals (emphasis on INDIVIDUALS) overseas. It's not the same as allowing an outside government (emphasis on GOVERNMENT) to interfere in an election.
5. You yourself characterize the Clinton situation as a "possibility." This story lists proven fact. I know donald followers often can't distinguish between the two, but there is a difference.
62
If TrumPutin is innocent why did he claim on TV to Lester Holt that he fired Comey because of the Russian Investigation? Then 3 days later in the Oval Office on Russian TV to the Russian Ambassador and Russian Foreign Minister claimed firing Comey has lifted the weight of the Russian Investigation off of him? Why is he acting guilty if in fact he says he has done nothing wrong? Why not sit down with Mueller if he has nothing to hide?
34
Ironic that Trump uses the words "un American" and "treasonous". Where are the patriotic Republicans? When did Democrats replace Russia as the enemy? The world is upside down!
330
It is said that Republicans are simply protecting a Republican president.
1
Trump so often speaks the "truth" in its opposite, or projection, referring and calling others exactly what he is. Trump sees the world upside down.
1
ahhhh don't lean on me man, cuz you can't afford the ticket, out of the city
2
Also: Why Did You Fire James Comey, Give Contradictory Reasons For Doing So, Then Tell Russians Behind Closed Doors That This Should Take Pressure Off You?
174
Per tape and money laundering. Next.
16
If we only had some sanctions or something????
25
The Donald represents (take your pick)
obtuseness
stupidity
incomprehension
fatuity
foolishness
folly
insanity
bedlam
chaos
lunacy
madness
obtuse
cowardice
Babel
fictional
mythical
DANGER
If he gets his own way, the house will close down and he will be just like his good pal, that man who rides horseback bare chested. He will then be free to issue whatever, whenever and who cares how many jobs are lost.
Then there is that issue of the millions of dollars needed for that parade which will attract the largest crowd in the history of the U.S. Beware. The Ides of March are upon y'all.
That is the view from the Left Coast. today, eh? Cheers.!
43
Kazakhstan!? Helping money get laundered through a Kazakhstan bank and meeting with the President of Kazakhstan in the Oval Office to make Kazakhstan whole on the deal.
13
Trump praises Putin because he is afraid of him.
49
Mueller knows much more than we do, and in due course it will come out in guilty pleas and trials. So many leads. When Papadopoulos learned of the Russian information did he only share it with the Australian Foreign service officer in a London Bar or did he also report it to Trump Headquarters? Of course he reported to Trump Campaign, so who did he talk to, what did they say and did they tell him to stay on the Russian connection? I'll bet Mueller knows the answers; after all he got the Papadopoulos guilty plea.
34
What was the fair market value of the Trump properties in Florida purchased by Russians ? And were their significant offers on the properties before the Russian offers ? Were the purchases in cash ? Where did the cash come from--was it so obvious he cash was being laundered that Trump had to know ? Who did Trump use as a closing agent ?
57
It's not so much about Russian interference in the election, which doesn't seem to have been all that significant. Nor is it about Trump's colluding, or attempting to collude, with the Russians, which also doesn't seem to have amounted to much. It's about his businesses' being sustained by dirty Russian money for many years after legitimate lenders had stopped lending to him. He stiffed too many people, too many times, and only shady characters would work with him anymore. There are a lot of shady "businessmen" in Russia, and Trump has been kept afloat by them for a long time. That's why he wouldn't release his tax returns: they would have given a window onto the real functioning of his businesses. And that's why he needs to stop the Special Counsel from getting too deep into his finances. The collusion stuff is just a distraction. The sleaze at the core of Trump's finances is the real issue.
255
@Yabasta: "It's not so much about Russian interference in the election, which doesn't seem to have been all that significant. Nor is it about Trump's colluding, or attempting to collude, with the Russians,..."
IT ISN'T? Either you do not vote; or do not care very much about your country.
3
That makes sense.
1
Exactly...follow the money.
2
Donald Trump is not “acting innocently” because he isn’t innocent. He has yet to be sentenced for a crime, leave alone charged and indicted, but nothing from his tweets or his impromptu “witticisms” or his “speeches” give anyone paying attention the first impression that he’s an innocent man.
After he vanquished his puny rivals in the primaries, laying waste to all 16 other challengers, it was obvious that he was caught by surprise in his own web. He needed ammunition to broadside Hillary Clinton and the normal right-wing gouges weren’t going to get him over the finish line.
One suspects that Trump’s refusal to open up his books to public scrutiny have their origins in the sewers of international money-laundering. Billionaire that he claimed to be, no American bank would loan him money for as much as a tube of toothpaste. That Russian money, in the form of cash “advances” and other “guarantees” must have warmed his heart. Of course, there would be a price in the form of “interest” and “considerations” that could be “negotiated” when “conditions” were “favorable.”
The Trump candidacy carried with it the awful smell of meat left in the sun on a hot day; and the Trump presidency can now be charitably described as an exercise in gag-reflex.
Trump was never smart enough to run this game on anyone except Fox Noose, the state-run propaganda organ that dictates policy.
If Donald Trump is “innocent,” we’re far worse off than anyone could have imagined.
143
Trump has already confessed to sexually assaulting women and it is on tape. So that is one crime we know he is guilty of. Confessions against ones own interest are pretty damning in court.
The 21 hours of testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, from the publishers of the dossier,GPSFusion, should be released,references to corroborated information, including from someone inside the trump camp are important. The fact that Paul Manafort received $10 million per year every year since 2006 from a "favorite" russian oligarch of Putin's to "advance Putin's global agenda" is a long-standing connection to Putin. Nunes has all this information, but drew up a narrative that left out the facts.
50
Trump is an escape artist. He has been escaping all his life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
He's a magician, like Houdini. It is hard to imagine him escaping this time.
All of his showmanship has been supported by the press, including the Times.
And if Trump is forced to leave, the news may get dull and boring, again.
NY Times, do you really want the news to get boring again?
=============================================
3
The "business interests" item is only a small part of the story. Trump's history of becoming un-credit-worthy in the US and having to depend on Russian money of various sources is well-documented; combined with the long list of evidence for Trump's marginally legal or illegal manipulations of real estate deals to launder money for various entities, the debt is serious enough to compromise any candidate for the presidency or sitting president. If it had entered the head of any founding father or majority leader in the past two centuries that any president could so openly flout the interests of this country in order to repeatedly serve the interests of an inimical foreign power, they would have made it outright illegal for any presidential candidate with Trump's degree of indebtedness and business failure to run for the office. It is the next thing to illegal now, but Trump defied tradition and political values by refusing to disclose his financial and tax information. All permitted by our naive laws, which Trump is exploiting every day to enrich himself and his family, and to please a foreign leader.
56
Well done.
I'm so looking forward to the indictments that will start with Trump and trickle down and out to his destructive cronies, and this was a very succinct warm up to what the Mueller investigation will officially and formally lay out. And perhaps more.
The fact that none of these things matter to Trump supporters is exactly why they have to be overwhelmingly out-voted in coming elections.
40
Trump: "I'm not a crook."
22
Even if Mueller is allowed to continue his investigation without being fired by Trump, it is quite likely that Trump will pardon whomever is involved. The question is whether Republicans will ultimately realize they are supposed to be protecting our democracy, not our president, and act accordingly.
25
That may be so, but aren't New York and New Jersey AG offices conducting their own investigations? A presidential pardon doesn't extend to crimes investigated by the states.
3
Nothing to see here, please move on...
2
Sounds like without a guide dog, you would be bumping into the furniture.
1
Facts don't matter to Republicans. For decades they have fostered and amplified the notion that people with money should increasingly have political influence and power... as for the rest of America, we're followers, losers, and must be satisfied with the "tickle down"-- so that now, an attack on Trump is an attack on all Republicans.
45
Before Trump was sworn in, I remember listening to several political pundits discussing whether Trump would leave a lasting impression on our nation. One year later, I think we can all day "yes". In the most disturbing ways. Since the GOP led Congress had abdicated their responsibilities to protect and preserve the nation and uphold the Constitution, we are left with a petty dictator destroying government departments, institutions, morale, international Relations, trust in any government entity. We will be fortunate to survive, but the repairs will take decades.
31
I agree with you completely and have wondered why no one has brought this up before. I think of the adage I often heard from my mother while growing up. "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."
14
There is an old folk music song, covered by pretty much everyone by now, that "It takes a worried man to sing a worried song". Trump has been singing a worried song for over a year now and it is hard to avoid the conclusion that he has LOTS to be worried about (more than this able list compiled by Mr. Kristof). Only Trump knows the true length of this list of crimes and misdemeanors and his unremitting howling this past year suggests he knows that he is in great jeopardy if a fair investigation is completed. His reckless abandon will require that Republicans find their spines (or at least a solid back brace) and that all of our institutions stand strong in the face of Trump's extreme and unrelenting attacks.
31
Thank you, Mr. Kristof, for recounting the facts we know to this date. I expect that Robert Mueller has much more and is preparing a comprehensive narrative to explain just what has been going on here. What will never be explained is why so many Americans prefer to deny that these facts are just too many to be dismissed as merely coincidental or falsehoods concocted by the Democrats. And why the frantic coverup if there is nothing to hide?
22
Devin Nunes embodies your eleventh bullet and is now the face of Republican resistance to the Mueller investigation. More than Russian trolls and hackers, it is Nunes who has led the charge against the FBI and the DOJ to contaminate the public's perception that justice and fair play are slanted against this president. His tweets and public rants notwithstanding, Nunes and his terrible swift sword are hard at work to defend Putin and Red Square.
The president's own son bragged that the family "has money pouring in from Russia". The president doesn't realize how fortunate he is to be in America and not Russia, where surely his money and influence would be controlled by the state. And he would not be president either.
Putin undoubtedly sees his understudy as a means to destabilize America which would have been unthinkable just a few short years ago.
Mr. Kristof, perhaps Robert Mueller has a much longer list than twelve items of things we don't know but his work is important for the country's future. And maybe Mueller will also find out just why Nunes is so anxious to shield the president from the truth.
27
---Thank you, Mr Kristoff, for clearly delineating this tangled web of conflicts, collusion, omissions...lies. Given the obvious, that Special Counsel Mueller knows much more detail and background of these...irregularities, with likely firsthand corroboration from cooperating witnesses, it's hard to imagine that this doesn't eventually result in the...dissolution of the current presidency.
Hallelujah.
31
This is an extremely helpful article. We need to be reminded of these facts, and of Administration personnel who went to bury these facts.
24
Trump repeatedly demonstrates his contempt for the very notion of objective reality. To him, facts are irrelevant. What he says and does is clearly guided by his personal notions of power over whoever he happens to be talking or tweeting to at the moment.
How could the Russia investigation ever be anything but a personal affront to such a solipsistic narcissist?
22
Emotional responses are conditioned by the expectation that emotions can lead to results in the tangible world. For example, people are more likely to cry and express their pain if someone is watching. Similarly, outrage makes sense only if it is likely to lead to actual results. With Trump, there is no such expectation or outcomes, so outrage has become pointless. This is precisely what people living under totalitarian dictatorships experience: there is a futility to their outrage. It makes no difference whether you were outraged or not. Soon, people feel disempowered, they become disengaged, they stop caring, and they stop feeling. What is the point of caring if it won’t change anything. What is the point reacting, if no one cares. The essence of dictatorship is not just found in the actions taken by these regimes, it is also found in their effect on the state of mind of the people living under their rule. This is ultimately how totalitarian regimes lull entire populations into submission. Trump has already begun installing the mindset of dictatorship in America, and is easing the entire world into this new ‘unbearable lightness of being’. This article presents yet another long list of truly outrageous things committed by this most vile and contemptible madman, or done by others in his name. So what?....
32
Everything summed up clearly! Clarity is not what Trumpists want. So we know what is next, don't we? Blah blah blah... "Fake News" even though we see right in front of our eyes what is going on. No one needs contact lenses to know that "methinks he protests too much"!
13
"He is not acting innocent"because he is not innocent. Both he and his sons have had extensive dealings with the Russians over the years which may well have compromised him. That is the only rational explanation for his behavior.
30
Maybe next week after Bannon is interviewed by Mueller we can remove some doubt about any innocence on our so-called president when Mueller indicts more in Trump's inner circle. It seems increasingly more clear that all these risky allegations Nunes is making to attempt to disparage the Russian investigation are their last desperate moves to save themselves and Trump from being held accountable for his actions. They are "not acting innocent", because they are NOT innocent. Trump and company really thought they could get away with colluding with a foreign government to undermine our elections (The election was rigged, in his favor and he knew it.) He thought he had the power to cover it up, planning to mask everything with Sessions, his attorney general, who had to recuse himself when found to have not listed meetings with Russians. Thus, as he put it, "Where is my Roy Cohn?" Then, he still believed he could keep the whole treachery under wraps because the director of the FBI surely would do his bidding by "letting Mike Flynn go" for lying about his contacts with Russia. He thought he could fool the press when they found out about the meeting with Russians and his son Jr. in Trump Tower. He had a grand scheme to say it was about Russian adoptions, which sounded innocent enough till you find out who else was at the meeting. Finally, he thinks they can fool enough Congress folks to support the idea that the FBI is biased against him. DO they think we are stupid? I guess so.
49
And we, of the age, thought Nixon was bad. Nixon was a saint compared to this president.
74
Simple. If he was innocent he would open his argument that there was no collusion or Russian interference by showing the last 10 years of his tax returns.
Since he won't, me thinst he is guilty as all heck.
117
If he is protecting a son or son-in-law, his behavior would be exactly the same.
6
If he distrusted the investigation as a politically motivated attack with pre-determined outcome, his behavior would be exactly the same.
Russia did only very small things, and Russia Is Coming is an overblown excuse for vast failures among Team Hillary and the Democrats who ran her.
Once again Mark Thomason and hold vastly differing views about the Russian interference. IT IS NOT A SMALL THING! #1 alone is cause for grave concern.
1. Russia interfered in the U.S. election. The U.S. intelligence community concluded that President Vladimir Putin had “a clear preference” for Trump and “ordered an influence campaign” to hurt Hillary Clinton. The Department of Homeland Security notified 21 states that Russian hackers (mostly unsuccessfully) had targeted their election systems before the 2016 election.
Russia oversaw an online campaign using fake American accounts to spread anti-Clinton messages. Twitter found that 50,000 Russian accounts fired off 2.1 million election-related tweets in the fall of 2016,
2
To answer your question: "Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?"
Your premise is that:
1) the person is rational
2) the person has some conscience and/or fear of getting caught
3) the person does not have a gun to their head (literally or figuratively)
Clearly #TraitorTrump is irrational, without remorse & in thrall to Putin.
29
If Trump remains in office very soon the country will have forgotten what is normal and what is not.
The danger once Trump behavior is accepted and indeed it is being accepted the next generation will not never know whether lying openly, using derogatory language openly, insulting women, defying laws, criticizing established institutions, cheating on taxes, is OK or not.
We are in a great danger zone and unless severe punishment is meter out to all the accomplices in the lying process we are doomed for at least a generation to come
67
Putin is running this country and slowly weakening or destroying it without firing a single missile. Amazing. Trump is Putin's lap dog. He doesn't mind. Trump will leave greatly enriched. Money is all there is.
26
"Why would anybody conspiring with Putin raise suspicions by publicly praising him?" Because Trump is not Machiavelli: he has no impulse control & shoots himself in the foot on a regular basis.
32
It is all too weird,
Not even close to normal,
We need to resist
19
We need to vote. If the majority of people in the USA voted, Trump's base would be seen for what it is, a 37% minority which would be spanked in a fully turned out election.
5
Already at this point, the bar has fallen so low that culpability is being squeezed into a tiny strike zone. Reading Nick's column of Trump follies shows how our sense of morality has skewed in the past year and a half. Any other person who committed or supported all these acts would have been crucified. Our buffoon-in-chief gets away with it all, as do his GOP enablers. When is it going to end?
31
It SHOULD end when Congress steps in. We need to look at why the Republican Congress is negligent in doing their job. They are showing us that the checks and balances conceived by our founders are not sufficient to protect us against malfeasance at the highest levels of our government.
4
My observations of D. Trump is that he is a person who is impulse ridden. His impulses, his urges, break-through, causing him to have certain repetitive patterns of self expression that are observable in his words, feeling-language, and in his body language.
His impulse-ridden repetitive patterns that come across to me through is actions, words and feelings, (at the risk of being wrong and/or projecting) are: judgmental-like attitudes, mean-spiritedness, conceitedness, nastiness, selfishness, unkindness, suspiciousness, manipulative-ness, crudeness, cruelness, lewdness, male chauvinism, dangerousness, judgmental-ism, untrustworthiness, arrogance, prejudice, ...
I do not observe D. Trump usually expressing himself in kind, humble, considerate, safe, trustworthy, humanitarian, and ethical ways.....
32
When a person running for the presidency chooses, among his first appointments, (campaign chief and national security advisor) two people who are BOTH registered foreign agents and who are BOTH subsequently indicted, does it take a guy named ‘Sherlock’ to see serious problems ahead?
105
I'm reminded of Shakespeare:
Methinks he doth protest too much!
31
I'm reminded of Putin, minus the intellect and self-discipline.
Is there anybody or anything around Trump that doesn't have a Russia connection?
30
I'm not a twitter user, but can someone who is start a 'Terrified Trump kicks up a dust cloud' meme...?
10
"... it’s suspicious that Trump is throwing up so much dust and trying so hard to delegitimize the investigation."
It is. Or it would be if it were anyone other than him. Because he is not a normally functioning person, it is hard to assess his behavior against normal benchmarks or standards. He is so dysfunctional that his behavior might very well be only because this is what he does. He takes and makes everything personal, cannot stand criticism or lack of acclaim and fights back. He is vengeful. He is incapable of broader strategy or self-discipline and therefore whatever emotion he is feeling at the moment is expressed. He is impulsive to the extreme. So he could be innocent and still behave stupidly and suspiciously.
However, what is more perplexing and a lot more suspicious is the behavior of all the people all around him. If he is innocent and the entire campaign staff is innocent and no one knows anything or had anything to do with Russians, then why are they all jumping in to attack the FBI, the investigation, and the press that is reporting it? Why are they stopping Bannon from testifying? Why doth **they** protest so much?
27
It is extremely strange that the GOP is not concerned with the Russia issue. Their only concern seems to be power.
37
Could that be that they are being funded or have deep connections with Russians? Are they discovering Putin's system and just want to stay in power to line their pockets as Putin's family and friends are doing ?
2
he and people around him are guilty and that is why Trump wants to fire Mr.Mueller he talks and act like criminal and only he cares himself and how much money he is and will make from this Russia connection , Trump and Kushner must go to jail, if republican will try to block this they are guilty as much as they are, lets clean our country and elect a person wants to work for his/her country, this can be a republican or democrat or conservative or liberal , but this gang must go
14
And following the June meeting with junior, Daddy Trump devises a phony cover-up about orphans while on our big airplane...on and on ..What more does Mr. Mueller need to bring charges against him for obstruction of justice as well as collusion..? The longer he waits the more time Trump has to spread his lies chopping away at our democracy... People like Mueller may play by the rules, but people like Trump do not. Time my be on his side if this investigation does not yield results soon.
24
While Trump may not have initiated these contacts, he surely knew about them and benefited from them. He’s not innocent, but what he is guilty of remains to be seen. We will only know when Mr. Mueller completes his work; if he is allowed to complete it.
111
If, is not a realistic possibility concerning Mueller completing the investigation. It is probably when Trump will either have him fired or flat-out not respect any findings of guilt or culpability. And, as this looming Constitutional crisis draws nearer...what card of distraction might, in the bitter end, be played...war?
1
DISAGREE with #12. It IS "normal" becuase the Alt-Right and Trump are trying (and succeeding) at creating an alternate reality in which all this is "perfectly "normal". It is up to us to hold the line on what constitutes "reality" and stand for it vigorously as in "the center must hold".
364
Thanks! I agree we the people need to stand for truth! This "alternate reality" is more than sad. It is alarming and quite evil.
17
Dano50: And, I would add, VOTE Republicans out -- massively!
20
Beware false choices. One need not be anti-Putin to be anti-Chump. Don the Con may not be all wrong. Vladmir not so bad compared to enemies closer to home.
2