Criminals hate investigations. If I were to describe how a guilty president would act, it would be exactly how Trump has behaved. If he’s innocent, why all the machinations?
4
Trump translation: A patriotic American who understands ethics and who obeys the law legitimately worked for my presidential campaign. When the patriot observed what appeared to be treasonous behavior within my campaign, the patriot who was lawfully present in my campaign, lawfully reported what he or she observed to the FBI. This lawful reporting of my campaign's treasonous behavior hurts my feelings hugely. Therefore, I have the right to tell huge propaganda lies to discredit those who tell on me.
2
Watching Giuliani defend Trump on TV makes me remember why the people did not to give him a third term as mayor. America's mayor indeed.
2
"Bigger than Watergate" is not just proclaimed by Trump and critics, it is also the assessment of observers (including former public servants and historians and regular people old enough to remember Nixon) who are not primarily Trump critics but rather citizens. Author framing here seems to reflect bothsides-ism bubble.
1
Since people are weighing in on is this current inquiry worse than Watergate, I would say "yes" it is more consequential.I remember every detail of Watergate well since I am older.We were at that time horrified by the lies and schemes and coverup.Mr.Nixon, in contrast to Mr.Trump ,understood government and read.This time we are dealing with a novice to governing who does not read and devours conspiracy theories from Fox TV.This time we are dealing with an election hacked by a foreign power.That makes it more serious.
15
“Two former members of the team working for the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, wrote text messages that expressed political views critical of Mr. Trump.”
Fair enough, but shouldn’t you also mention that Lisa Page and Peter Strzok did not limit their ire to Trump? In fact, Strzok was the agent who drafted the letter about reopening Clinton’s email Investigation and he actually supported doing so. The two complained that former Homeland Security Sec’y Jeh Johnson who served under President Obama pushed “a wildly liberal interpretation of immigration responsibilities”. And they found it “wildly offensive” that Eric Holder’s portrait hung next to Elliot Richardson who had the resigned in the Saturday Night Massacre rather than carry out Nixon’s order to fire Cox. And when Holder spoke at the DNC, Strzok urged Page “Oh God, Holder! Turn it off turn it off turn it off!!!!” He also told her he “loathed Congress” which was “less than worthless. Contemptible.” Strzok said he was worried about what would happen if Clinton got elected & that everything Sanders said about her is true, though he grudgingly said he’d have to vote for her over trump though his friends thought he’d vote for Kasich. He also had unkind words for Apple and Russia and presciently worried about the FBI’s reputation.
Looks to me like Strzok was an equal opportunity hater of politicians and I would have hoped that a sentence or two making that clear would have been added to the author’s words above.
11
Not to mention this dossier that was "funded by the Clinton campaign" was originally commissioned by the Republicans during the primary, which everybody seems to forget to mention.
13
If we can prove that Russia helped Trump win the election after spending merely $1,000,000 then it's time to off-shore all campaigns to Russia. US can save at least 2-3 billion in tax payer money every campaign cycle. Manufacturing jobs were off-shored for far lesser gain in bottom line.
6
I had hoped by now the media would have learned that all that's going on here is that Trump continues to pursue his main obsession, which is capturing most of the oxygen in any 24/7 news cycle.
With 1/3 to 1/2 of the media under far right wing control this is pretty easy for Trump to manage at this point.
He has used overrated reporters like Ronan Farrow and Jane Meyer to do the rest of his distracting and front running. Farrow, who is an actor 'playing' the role of a real journalist in real life in all this, swallowed the fake Treasury "Deep Throat" hook line and sinker, and the whole false narrative of the misusing SARS reports.
Yes the 2 additional SARS (suspicious activity reports) have been pulled from the Federal Data Network. Now, think, for a second journalists, as to how that might have come to pass. Stop trying to get Farrow to flirt with you and use Occam's razor for a second. Robert Mueller and his DOJ team has pulled the 2 additional SARS because they track back directly to indictable and Russian/Trump conspiracy related activity involving $3M.
They left the other SARS in the system for NY Southern District to deal with in their Cohen investigation. Giuliani and Trump creeps then leaked details of that report to their enemy Michael Avanati, seeking a distraction from the main event by serving up Stormy Daniels. It's all from Trump, trying to distract, dominated the news cycle, and substantiate his persecution narrative to fire Mueller.
5
John Miller,
I enjoy theatrical hyperbole as much as the next person, but:
“With 1/3 to 1/2 of the media under far right wing control this is pretty easy for Trump to manage at this point. ”
Is simply delusional, once you tune your TV away from Fox News and your radio away from the AM band, whatcha’ got? Are Rachel Maddow and Don Lemon not Progressive enough for you?
4
Watergate was an attempt to coverup political dirty tricks by Nixon. It was his lawyer, John Dean, who blew the whistle.
Similarly, Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, may be the weak link.
Cohen knows lots of "dirt" on Trump. Are there other women who Cohen paid off? We already know Cohen used his "personal lawyer" gig to get money from some major corporations including one tied to a Russian Oligarch. This is only the tip of the iceberg for TrumpGate. In WaterGate, we had Woodward and Bernstein on the trail. In TrumpGate, we have Robert Mueller and Stormy Daniels and her lawyer, Michael Avenatti.
3
The FBI doesn't have "spies." It has "agents." It deploys agents to investigate possible criminal activity. That's exactly what it did in the Trump campaign, which evidently had enough suspicious activity going on to warrant an entire FBI division, not just one embedded agent. The only irregularity was that the FBI didn't begin interviews and other aggressive investigatory activities that might have revealed that an investigation was under way, in order to avoid tilting public opinion. (Would that similar care had been lavished on the Clinton campaign.) The Trump and Republican criminalization of the entire U.S. justice system is another part of its relentlessly unpatriotic, destructive war on our institutions. But that won't stop all of them from wrapping themselves in the flag and scolding the rest of us for our unpatriotism when we focus attention on their duplicity.
2
"In the current case, a hostile foreign power sought to sway the 2016 election and there is evidence that at least some people in Mr. Trump’s circle were willing to collaborate with it to do so."
The key words here are 'sought', 'some', and 'willing.' The author concedes there wasn't any actual conspiracy. Russia sought to influence the election, but did not. If given the opportunity, some people in Trump's campaign would have worked with Russia to help Trump's chances of winning. But that didn't happen.
Meanwhile, surveillance of Trump and his campaign took place by US intelligence agents. Their probable cause in the FISA courts was based on fabricated evidence (the Fusion GPS dossier). They used drunken hearsay from Papadapolous as probable cause for further investigation.
The only "collusion" I see is the previous administration's use of supposedly neutral agencies for political purposes.
3
My suspicion is that Trump has colluded with Russia often and that the Russians helped Trump win the election. Much more serious is Trump's behavior in office. The inconsistency, the connection between helping Trump Hotels and then being rewarded with US government favors and the payoffs to various women, all make Trump an obvious target of investigation. Mueller needs to follow up on all of the above. Those who object to Mueller's investigation need to remember that Starr investigated the Clintons for 7.5 years. That started with a real estate deal and ended with Monica L.
3
Think of it this way: when asked why he robbed banks John Dillinger replied "because that is where the money is."
Therefore, why is Mr. Mueller's investigation spreading into so many more areas? Because Trump and his friends are into so much more criminal activity.
Duh.
7
He's never been called out for all his wrong-doings in a private owned business, and now that he's being outed in this public "business", he's yelling about it. Serves him right; he knew what he signed up for. If not, then he's as dumb as he has proven himself to be.
12
Trump could exonerate himself in an Instant by revealing his monetary discrepancies
That speaks VOLUMES
2
Dear Donald, If you're innocent as you claim and there's really been "No collusion, no collusion!" then please just sit down with Mr. Mueller and tell him the actual, not alternative, truth instead of crying, "Witch hunt!" which makes no sense since you're a man (and it would be "Warlock Hunt!") and get this "'Bigger than Watergate'" investigation over and done with. Believe me, we're already really tired of seeing Rudy Giuliani make a laughing stock of himself night after night, Alec Baldwin trying to do the same on SNL, and Michael Avenatti teasing us with new tidbits of information. You, and only you, can end this. But the longer you, Mr. Giuliani and others seem to "protest too much," it does seem that what happened in 2016 and since may, in fact (if they're straight), be much "Bigger than even the Teapot Dome" (which I'm sure you know all about). Respectfully yours,
Tired and Weary in Setauket
9
I remember Watergate. This is no Watergate.
1
The subject/target (whatever) of a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice of the United States complains loudly and often that the inquiry is unfair, a witch hunt. In the process the subject/target has no compunctions about maligning the FBI, every one of our intelligence services and his own hand-picked Attorney General, his opponent in the general election and his immediate predecessor. The man has a long record of cheating, lying, stiffing workers and students and not one but four bankruptcies. Regardless, at least four Americans out of ten still support this con man. Are we Americans this gullible? Or is he that good at his game?
11
I notice Sean Hannity was in middle school during Watergate, so I doubt he has clear perspective on its equivalency to the Trump scandals.
3
And you were likely not yet born during the French Revolution of 1789, obviously preventing you -- and any other currently living person --from having any scholarly knowledge of it.
4
"In the current case, a hostile foreign power sought to sway the 2016 election and there is evidence that at least some people in Mr. Trump’s circle were willing to collaborate with it to do so."
One of the presidential campaign teams actually sent a paid operative on a mission to collaborate with agents of the Russian government in order to sway the 2016 election. That evidence is clear. It wasn't the "Trump circle" that was "willing" to do that, though, it was the other side that actually did it. The NYT can't seem to see any problem there, and apparently Mueller couldn't care less. But America cares, and this whole project is increasingly boomeranging on the Resistance.
1
Incorrect, but nice try.
3
I hope all Americans keep an open mind and support finding the truth, and holding those accountable on either side. No one on either side is above the law, and we must have equal justice in order for the country we all love to function.
2
The current level evidence spreading in different directions (i.e. Cohen's multiple involvements) means that multiple investigations are running concurrently. The "Daniels" et. al. group seems to be on the verge of expanding with the opportunity of more money laundering activity. These has been zero public reporting on the members of Trump's campaign who have cooperated with Muller & what they have testified to. Real conclusions have not been reached in any case, but the end(s) seem nowhere in sight.
1
The NYTs and the other fools that have been chasing the Russians stole the election rabbit have missed what is certainly the crime of the century. Trump's scandalous abuse of his office to sell favors to foreign gov'ts and fat cats. Certainly the fact that the Mueller investigation is under cut by FBI and Justice Department misconduct which is the bigger scandal.
2
Until you have read USA Today's Ray Locker's next book "Haig's Coup" you will know what "Watergate" is all about. It will turn everything we knew thought knew about "Watergate" upside down. the center piece is about Haig and his role in this story and his "Secret" relationship with Bob Woodward.
Word is also out that no one is above the law, none of us are including the President.
All the lying, all the political rhetoric spewed by Trump and his water-carrying GOP congressmen and lawyers including attacks on the FBI and DOJ doesn't change that fact.
None of us are above the laws of our nation.
8
I'm flummoxed by the comparison of Trump's finger-pointing to Hillary's "vast right-wing conspiracy." We are living through proof that she wasn't delusional. Look around. It takes decades to build any infrastructure, however rotten.
14
As Deep Throat said: "Follow the Money"... And in our current scenario/debacle/tragedy... we need to revise the course of action to the following words..."Follow the DARK Money".
11
Rather than focus on Trump's comments, shouldn't Baker and other journalists want to find out the details surrounding the DOJ's informant? There are strict DOJ guidelines regarding the use of confidential informants in counter intelligent investigations. Did the DOJ and FBI follow such guidelines? Was the informant directed by the DOJ to obtain information from Trump campaign members? Did the informant pass information to such members? There is a universe of questions that investigative journalists should ask rather than regurgitating Trump's tweets. Be a journalist Baker.
6
Or, instead of focusing on Trump’s tweets, journalists could zero in on the raft of ethical violations and conflicts of interest within this administration. There is a universe of question reporters should be asking.
But the Times would have to put a large team of reporters on that particular story.
9
How about treating the "both sides" angle like a controlled substance? Writers shouldn't be allowed to use it without providing proof it's applicable, that there aren't better ways to write the story, that both sides are nearly equal n the degree they're doing the thing in question, etc. If a president is leading one side, it's not a "both sides" story unless the other side has congressional leaders doing the same -- not writers at The Atlantic or National Review.
I expect there will be withdrawal pains when writers can't self-medicate with "both sides" the way they do now. When you have a problem like this, acknowledging it is the first step, and you'll write better without the easy comfort of "both sides."
3
That there are “sides” here is mystifying to me. All American citizens should be interested in ensuring that our elections are fair, free of outside influence, and compliant with the rule of law.
47
When the recording surfaced of Nixon instructing his aides to tell the CIA to get the FBI to back off, the president’s fate was sealed. Congressional Republicans who’d been supportive of Nixon to that point immediately told him to resign or face impeachment.
Raise your hand if you think a similarly devastating smoking gun would cause today’s Republicans to do the same with this president.
Anyone?
8
Yes, we would. Just as it should have happened to Bill Clinton.
1
Who was in control of the CIA and FBI during the 2016 election? Here is a hint, it wasn't Trump.
1
You're right about one thing, Con Man Don. We're out to get you. Get you kicked out of office and fitted for an orange jump suit, that is.
10
Just make sure, Philip, that your anger does not eat you alive.))
2
@ Gennady,
I think it goes beyond anger, it is pure hatred driving "progressives" like Philip.
1
I think more of Whitewater and Ken Starr than Watergate. Republicans were perfectly happy to pursue an open-ended all-in investigation of the Clintons (which found nothing), but cry "foul" when it happens to Trump (especially when it looks like it's finding a bunch of stuff).
47
Mr. Trump: show your taxes to prove that you are not a collaborator with the Russians. An auditing does not last more than a year.
11
Do you ever get tired of repeating the same tune and with no consequences?
3
Did YOU during Obama's presidency? At least there's actually some smoke here worth investigating rather than some "Trump"-ed up conspiracies that hold NO water under even the slightest objective examination.
Conservatives' hypocrisy will never cease to amaze me.
1
Our corrupt administration is FAR worse than anything Nixon ever dreamed of. These are criminals, in elected positions, running our government. We now have Russian-style state TV, broadcasting their propaganda, around the country. Are we going to let these crooks turn our country into an authoritarian state, like Russia? As voters, it will be our fault, if that happens. I hope it's not too late.
13
Watergate was a serious issue that was responsible for getting Nixon out. Nixon famously said “I’m not a crook” shortly before he left office in shame. The Watergate episode might not even make the top ten of Trump’s transgressions.
Trump is like an incessant parrot. When he infamously kept saying “WRONG” while he stalked Hilary while the debate moderators did nothing. Just because Trump parrots “WITCH HUNT” and “NO COLLUSION” does not means he’s right.
9
Years earlier Trump got on an NBC bus was asked to put his arms up as a PA wired him up with a microphone. He was asked to say Test Test then was given a thumbs up. 2 minutes later he’s telling Billy Bush about grabbing, groping and kissing the ladies because he’s rich an famous. This guy isn’t very smart.
13
“Like Hillary Clinton and the ‘vast right-wing conspiracy, Mr. Trump and his allies are trying to focus attention on the conduct of their pursuers.” Not to be too hard on Mr. Baker, but the Times as an institution returns to this false equivalency over and over, as the years and decades pass, like the dog to its vomit. The conduct of the Clinton’s pursuers the Whitewater deal deserves severe criticism, and in certain cases did amount to a right-wing conspiracy. Do you remember the claims that the Clintons murdered Vince Foster? Bill Clinton’s sexual misdeeds, and the Clinton’s campaign to smear their accusers, were reprehensible. But is it important, or enlightening, for the Times in May 2018 to suggest that they were reprehensible in a manner and scale equivalent to what’s going on with Trump now? The answer is no. The effect here is double: to diminish the scope and consequence of what Trump and his associates may be suspected of, up to and including treason, and to frame this as yet another example of how “both sides do it,” as the title of this piece most unfortunately states.
Dear New York Times: both sides don’t do what Trump is now doing. You are not above the fray, reporting from some neutral space about a traditional pattern of political misconduct. The constitutional order is in the sights of Trumpworld, and so are you. Drop the false equivalency, and you will see that the game is afoot, and you are on a side.
14
The remake of a great movie is rarely as good as the original and if this was Watergate Nixon would be ... Obama. What did he know and when did he know it? Did he order the plumbers to launch the counterintelligence operation or did he approve of it after being informed by Brennan and Comey?
There should be some clarity coming from Messrs. Horowitz and Huber. Meanwhile, Mueller is still fishing for a crime.
3
If he's fishing he's going to need a bigger boat, because he's filling this one up fast!
1
Nobody seems to care about it now, but history shows that Watergate was not even that big. Richard Nixon seems mainly to have wanted to keep private the recordings of his trashy mouth. The substance of what was said in the recordings was not particularly damning. John Dean and others were shown to have testified to things that were not even said.
Of course the effect of Watergate is what is important. A president was brought down by scandal and resigned. So hope springs eternal that the party who does not control the White House can find a scandal that topples the president.
Is Russia it? No. The idea that Donald Trump or anyone in his campaign did anything illegal with the Russians is a conspiracy theory at this point. That there is no evidence to support that doesn't stop conspiracy theorists. Just like the CIA killed Kennedy, the moon landings were faked, and Barack Obama was born in Kenya.
What the Russians have to be glad about is how well their disinformation worked on Christopher Steele. Who would have thought that Russians feeding him false information would have led to all this? Vladimir Putin must just smile when he thinks about it.
6
The New York Times, Washington Post and the other media outlets need to be absolutely sure before they publish. The American public doesn't. What is obvioius is obvious. What isn't, isn't.
If Donald Trump isn't a traitor to his country, he sure is doing an excellent imitation of one.
23
You have evidence that Donald Trump is a traitor to his country? Great. There's a man you should talk to named Robert Mueller III. He's been looking for evidence like that and hasn't been able to find any.
6
You and I have no idea what Mueller's found and can prove. Neither, I suspect, does anyone in the White House, or why does only one year of it drive them insane?
1
How do you know? Mueller is very secretive, because premature stories will destroy his believeability.
1
TrumpRussia is Bigger than Watergate. The crimes are much more serious and far reaching. But there are a whole lot of similarities too.
Nixon:
1. Attacked investigators
2. Attacked the press
3. Abused power for obstruction of justice
4. Got money for his cover up from foreign sources
5. Had Republicans trying to help in the cover up (48 were indicted for Watergate, many others for related crimes)
6. Cried "witch hunt"
7. Continually argued the investigation had gone on too long and should end
The only part trump has not done yet is the inevitable end.
Resignation.
14
most of forgot about Charlie tree
Eye on the ball. Keep eyes on the ball. He’s trying to confuse, obfuscate, misdirect, change and divert attention from potential serious crimes. This smells very very dirty. One can only hope that the truth will come out fully, and if Trump is involved he can be brought to justice.
16
Couldn't agree more. Trump tends to do outrageous things (move embassy to Jerusalem, withdraw from Iran agreement, etc.) just when damaging allegations appear.
I hope someone is keeping track of how much money Trump Incorporated is making out of this "presidency". Eyes on the ball...
6
"Outrageous things".... Moving the embassy to Jerusalem and withdrawing from the Iran agreement? Whatever you say about the guy you must admit he did commit to do those two things from day one of his campaign. And one of those two things, moving the embassy, was committed to by Obama but never followed through on. Not exactly "outrageous".
It is time to stop taking this president's words seriously. Every statement he makes, and everything he says should be preceded by the word "claims". To say he asserts, sees a situation a certain way or even stated something infers too much possibility of truthfulness of facts and/or intent.
12
Carl Bernstein, one of the Washington Post journalists who led the coverage of the Nixon scandal, has said this appears “worse than Watergate in many, many ways.”
If true, then the consequences for Trump should be "worse in many, many ways". Not the option of stepping down but prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. And if found guilty of breaking the emoluments clause, having to reimburse the taxpayers for ill-gotten gains.
24
Cognitive dissonance. Those in denial of Trump's venality and criminality at this point have crossed the line into wholehearted delusion, or at best rationalized denial of the totality of facts.
Qatar flirts with lending Kushner then decides it can't -- suddenly, their nation is on our enemies embargo list? How blatant do you need pay to play folks?
We have our largest air base in the Middle East in Qatar, but almost declare war on them, until, voila - they might lend 666 Fifth Ave. money. Suddenly a 180º reversal. All is well in Trumpland. Qatar is our BFF in the White House two days ago..
It's all about paying off Trump and his clan. This is the end of democracy in the U.S. if we accept this level of corruption. Look at the facts, they're in plain sight. Unlike the 'uranium sale' that wasn't - it doesn't require jiggering the time line by two years, and the "pay to play" is blatant with Qatar going out of its way trying to find who to pay off.
But, then, the Trumpers already shrugged off the Kremlin news service sauntering into the White House with their photo exclusive of Trump meeting privately with Russian Ambassador Kislyak and complaining about having to get rid of his pesky FBI director.
34
I hope the secret informant is Melania Trump
43
It's Trump himself. He has said in the past he likes leaks because they keep him in the news. Of course, Kellyanne probably does her fair share from meetings Trump's not in attendance.
6
It would be penance for her wonderful work on cyber bullying /children in this WH
3
Wait for the facts. Mueller's report will most likely be wrapping up within the next few months, and a very detailed, thorough inspector general's report will be coming out even sooner than that. These reports ought to shed some light onto all of this.
3
The only problem is all of the sheeple that allow Trump's behavior. Journalists that write about a furor from his base if he were to be removed. As if like his boss, Putin, he reigns with a level of power and ability to do whatever, whenever without prosecution or judgement.
How are there so many that don't see or care to acknowledge the abuses he is doing to office? Wasting taxpayer monies. Golfing incessantly. Expanding his brand rather than working for the public. The lying, cheating, fraud, manipulation, bullying, obstruction of justice and the list continues.
He's already turned them against real journalism & authority. There are people thinking the FBI are untrustworthy.
And we have a large swath of citizens believing that journalism is fake & only those supporting him are giving the facts. It's like the Twilight Zone.
He does not act like a President of the United States nor is respected like one because of his mischievous activities. And here we are. Waiting for an action that should occur. Our society stipulates that wrongdoing is met with hard punishment... Here's to the hope.
2
As long as people don't demand a more efficient way to vote so democracy is part of their lives, don't respect others of different races or religions or come from different circumstances or their life choices to be educators or public employees, who are intellectually lazy and are jealous of those who are not, we will have people like Trump in the White House. Trump gets it, and can lie and sell out America for his own advantage and nothing will happen to him. However, a lot will happen to us, and it won't be good. Voting is really, really important and Democracy has been vital to America's success. It's time for leaders, writers and journalists to stress the values that America used to strive toward and help our citizens understand the value of their vote and participation in our democracy.
13
The drama may increase if Mueller indicts Don Jr. and/or Jared Kushner.
Trump would have to decide whether to pardon them or fire Mueller. If not, a trial would ensue with actual reality based evidence coming out.
The midterms are 6 months away. If dems take the house then there will be real investigations in 2019 that Nunes will not be able to subvert.
Trump may also get deposed in the Stormy Daniels.
The real question is how any television series can possibly compete with the Donald's new reality crime politics show.
16
He will throw family under the bus
In a nanosecond
Because
Like the rest of the GOP
they stress family values
4
How could an adversarial nation actively trying to influence our national elections to the (and even admitted by the GOP) benefit of Donald Trump NOT be bigger than Watergate?
Can you imagine the outcry if Hillary Clinton were President and a foreign power did the same for her benefit?
Let’s be honest with ourselves, the response would be far different from the GOP (and I’m typically an independent moderate voter).
33
With every superlative, every over-the-top, lie-filled utterance, Trump convinces more of his supporters to double down in their conviction he is a victim and not a traitor. At this point they are so primed to believe that every disclosure pointing to a Trump/Russia conspiracy is an Obama plot or a DNC fabrication, they would not be moved by a videotape of Trump caught red-handed in a treasonous act.
It will take an overwhelming turnout at the polls to overcome the impact of this president's "witch hunt" claims and their magnification by the likes of Sean Hannity and Alex Jones and the other pundits who masquerade as journalists in the service of this president's lies.
51
Unlike in Watergate, where a “secret tape recording of (Nixon) requesting that his aides use the C.I.A. to impede the F.B.I. investigation” we have a President openly requesting Congress and his aides to “impede the F.B.I. investigation”. So we have no need of a secret tape recording.
89
Actually, we have the FBI & DOJ stonewalling Congressional investigations to cover their abuse of power.
3
Bigger than Watergate? In the end, it was Nixon’s fear of being proved a traitor because he purposefully dragged the peace negotiations through the election cycle.
It would be more accurate to compare Trump to former Vice President Spiro Agnew who pleaded no contest to collusion, kickbacks, bribery, and tax evasion.
63
Agree. Perfect comparison only 'the donald' won't cop a plea until he's totally boxed in!
11
I could not agree more. I guess they use Nixon because more people remember Watergate. But they should start reminding people of Spiro Agnew and what happened there.
15
Sure, the parallels to Watergate are there but only if one is willing to go down the proverbial rabbit hole.
Mr. Trump took office with an active investigation of his campaign in progress; Mr. Nixon did not.
There was never speculation that a foreign, adversarial government undertook to assist Nixon's election; there are 17 intelligence agencies who confirmed, along with a Senate committee, that such was the case with Trump's election.
The only parallel that counts though is the rule of law. Nixon's perfidy was truly an outrage to most Americans; Trump's is ok with about 1/3 of Americans, in contrast, but the willingness to ignore it is what's striking and concerning.
Trump will be held to account if the past is prologue but those, such as Devin Nunes, Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows and their ilk, have suborned their oaths of office and must also be assigned their rightful place in history as unindicted co-conspirators seeking to place power over country.
30
Nixon held about a 53% approval rating right up until the last bit of Watergate. He had just ended Vietnam, opened China, had asked congress to create the EPA once congress strengthened the Clean Water Act (without his signature).
Once the Butterfield hearing happened and then Nixon refused to turn over the tapes, THEN his approval dropped to 25%. Bit even then he had 25%
So not so different.
4
When the IG report (which has already taken down a corrupt McCabe) comes out and shows more abuse of power from within the DOJ & FBI, you will be eating crow. Or actually, you will probably just move on to the next shining object provided by the liberal media.
2
The man is incapable of logic at any level.
Why would anyone put a 'paid informant' inside a campaign that everyone - including the people inside the campaign itself - expected Trump to lose?
What were they supposed to learn?
12
Maybe all the russian agents involved in the campaign got their attention.
3
Trump takes his cues in this arena from Roger Stone, Nixon's apologist and former errand boy.
11
Ridiculous wishful thinking by liberals.
5
Please stay for the credits, will you?
7
The election of Trump, his fascist views, his lies, his deceptions, his hate, his divisive rhetoric, his disrespect for the law, his horrendous disrespect and hate for people that do not bend to his will or are different from him, his greed and lust for money/ women and power, the list goes on; is way beyond Watergate. He has done what Nixon could not…..bring America to its knees in his short tenure as president.
His alternate facts and lies have become the norm with full backing of his administration and supporters. Even a good number of journalists and news media are riding the waves instead of challenging the false rhetoric or taking a stand and asking the hard questions. Democrats, Independents, other political factions including the GOP needed to step up and admonish this President and administration months ago and call them out for what they truly are and represent; the epitome of ultimate chaos and destruction to the country and all for self enrichment.
Prior to Trump’s election, his chant was ‘lock her up’ referring to Hillary Clinton. Well, when the truth and evidence finally comes out, he may be in for a rude awaking when he hears repeated chants of ‘lock him up’ being directed at him by millions of people…..will be true and poetic justice that will dwarf Watergate for a pathetic excuse of human being.
37
Donald Trump brought America to its knees? Things look to be in pretty good shape to me. And getting better.
1
Nixon abused the FBI, the IRS, and other parts of government mostly for political objectives like his enemies list and assaulting the Democratic party from dirty tricks to the Watergate break-in itself, a raid on DNC's national headquarters. On the financial side his goals were modest, like his back-dating his signatures on his gift of his over-appraised VP papers for a tax break.
Trump thinks big. From China to Qatar indirect emoluments flow into the Trump Organization, which he still owns. The 27th Amendment bans the House and Senate from voting themselves compensation during the current term, but does not ban the president from signing a tax cut worth $1B to his family. He savages the federal agencies he administers from State to EPA to the CIA and FBI. He lies daily. He puts the shame in shameless.
Nixon and Trump have abused the office and covered up their actions. Neither should have been pardoned.
13
President Trump doesn't seem to realize that the more he decries the investigation the more guilty he and his cronies appear.
And the more he impugns his own Justice Department the more he resembles a third-rate dictator thug -- a deliberate choice on his part, from the look of things.
Furthermore, he and his cronies who say that the current Bigger-than-Watergate investigation has gone on too long also don't realize that they are judging time according to the wrong standard (i.e., Chronos vs Kairos time). In the competent hands of the Mueller team the investigation needs to go on until there is no stone unturned and the truth is revealed. If Trump is correct and there is no malfeasance then he's vindicated. Otherwise, we need to get this nation back to a place where the rule of law prevails, our electoral system has better integrity, the guilty are punished, and Russia suffers the consequences.
12
"Deep state conspiracy to get him..."
He's paranoid just like Nixon. If Trump is innocent of any crimes, then why is constantly obsessing with the Mueller investigation? Trump sure acts like he's guilty.
15
“this is bigger than Watergate!”
"Trumpgate" is about the future of democracy.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Are we to have a U.S.of T, a United States of Trump, now?
Can democracy survive a one party dictatorship of insanity?
I think it is up to the critics and the Democratic Party to explain why "Trumpgate" is destroying the United States, as we know it.
12
I hope the Democrats wise up with powerful media messages to reach the conscience of the American people, over and over, again.
This is a war for the soul of the nation and the world!
=======================================
Are we to become "Planet Trump", not planet earth?
2
They need to explain why a corrupt criminal in the highest office in the land is not a good idea? Really?
4
Why Trump is worried about a confidential informant is beyond me. The president and his staff are constitutionally incapable of keeping things to themselves. A spy is redundant.
19
That this or any other newsroom continues the charade that this President has any credibility at all when his blatant lies , misrepresentations and deliberate smears against people are all part of the public record just has me wondering what it will take to address the enormity of this disaster. His utter lack of credibility tarnishes the integrity of every person and institution that acts as if Trump is to be believed.
29
Simply put, if a politician tells voters not to trust the press, and not to trust law enforcement, it's because that politician is afraid the dirty things he's done will get exposed.
I always thought it was telling that Trump preemptively wanted voters to distrust our press and the FBI. Why undermine the credibility of every group that could find out dirt about you, unless there's dirt about you? Attacking the press and the FBI is literally his only hope of keeping power when the dirt comes out.
Of course Trump is doubling down on that tactic now. But his behavior tells us everything. Why attack the press so consistently unless you are terrified about what they might discover?
103
I would add that it sets up the conditions for challenging and refuting future elections, one where Trump loses the next election. He can claim that his loss is fake news, a media conspiracy.
16
This trump's claims are all meant to use "offense" (to the extreme) as the best defense. He knows he's guilty of so many crimes, made the mistake of winning the presidency, and is now thinking he can keep it together. He'll keep attacking his accusers but the "Witch Hunt" claims, the "Bigger than Watergate" claims, and the other non-stop claims, are obvious smoke screens meant to confuse and obfuscate, which smart people recognize.
Let's see the tax returns from our lier in chief. That should shed some light on his finances, and how he's undermining the country for his sole benefit. Investigators need to keep the focus.
8
Republicans won't object to Trump because they don't want to be mocked by him and his supporters.
2
What is amazing to me is how President Trump puts his ego on the election results, and puts his friendship with Putin, over the lives of FBI's, CIA's and other counter-intelligence agents who've been working this issue and topic on Russian interference with the 2016 election.
Trump is reckless to the extreme. The Senate intelligence committee and Senate leadership needs to step in and tell Trump in no uncertain words how reckless and ill-conceived his scheme to reveal these sources is.
11
Both started from relatively benign events: A couple of amateur burglars breaking into an office to steal some worthless files or some hackers monkeying around on Facebook. From there they both morphed out of control due to hyper-partisan legalistic zealotry. The pretense of civilization has to have an outlet for its native savagery in order not to blow its cover and to survive. The disguises we come up with can be quite elaborate. No wonder we put African tribal war masks in our art museums.
1
The Watergate burglary was part--part, not all--of an organized campaign carried out by a paranoid White House, and aimed at winning the election by any means at all.
Nor did Trump's problems start with a "couple of hackers;" they began with his assorted crookeries, and a systematic Russian attack on our elections.
One realizes that Trumpists need to trivialize, given that (to remember Watergate more accurately), your guy looks, "guilty, guilty, guilty."
You're going to lose.
10
Savage Africans? Give me a break.
3
Since this article is outlining Trump's grievances with the investigation into his campaign's alleged wrongdoings and his potential obstruction of justice, one would hope that the writers and editors would be a bit more scrupulous with details.
Mr. Baker, in summarizing the Steele report, writes,"But questions persist about the F.B.I.’s use of a dossier financed by Mrs. Clinton’s campaign and the Democrats to obtain a secret warrant against an adviser to Mr. Trump," an incomplete characterization of the report. This opposition research was at first funded by Republican opponents of Trump, and was later continued through Fusion GPS by the Clinton campaign's lawyers. One or two words would have sufficed to set this record straight.
16
The accusations by the Trump administration versus the FBI and the previous administration are scarier than the scandals mentioned. If, indeed, the allegations that the tools available to the prior administration (ie the FBI, the CIA , the State Department etc) were utilized against the nominee of another political party we (the US) are in deep trouble. The fact that the Russians, through intermediaries, bought Facebook ads to disrupt the electoral process is one thing but to use the
entrenched bureaucracy to actively support a candidate through the use of government power is really frightening .
14
And the accusations by Trump are based on what FACTS? Unlike what is coming out of the Russian investigation. All verifiable FACTS.
23
Trump makes up facts as he pleases, and so the allegations he makes are meaningless. As to a secret informant (the mole) set up by the FBI...they are used against criminal enterprises. But what if it turns out to be Melania, or Ivanka is the mole? Deep State?
More indictments are forthcoming. I hope the mole is given the Nobel Peace Prize.
10
"In the current case, a hostile foreign power sought to sway the 2016 election and there is evidence that at least some people in Mr. Trump’s circle were willing to collaborate with it to do so."
Who are these people who collaborated with "a hostile foreign power"?
That would be Manafort, Flynn and Papadopolous...the latter two who have pled guilty to charges. They were very visible in their actions with and around Russia and were paid by Russians as well. Do a little reading on the subject, please, from non-Fox or other extremist right-wing sources, and you will understand what was done in the way of cheating our system to put an incompetent crook into our highest office.
8
Watergate looks quaint by comparison, but the American Founders foresaw Trump hundreds of years before his appearance.
The United States of America will not be subjugated by a Russian stooge. Democracy has survived so long because power is well diffused, and ultimately held by the people themselves.
Thank God for the Special Prosecutor, the Supreme Court, federal judges, state attorney’s general, state legislatures, and the outstanding apolitical investigations of the FBI and other Intelligence Agencies.
Protecting democracy from foreign adversaries, corruption, deceit, abuse of power, nepotism, lawlessness, and conspiracy is not easy.
But this has always been understood, with diffuse and overlapping plans to defend Democracy and Freedom as fiercely as any battle of war.
America is a land of laws, and this will ultimately defend her, and all citizens and allies. The sword Lady Justice wields while blindfolded reveals the law applies to all regardless of position or power.
7
Watergate started with an actual crime. A breaking and entering burglary. The Mueller investigation is a search for a crime.
7
hence all those incitements and guilty pleas - only in fantasy land are there no crimes.
23
It started with no actual crimes. Look intensively under enough rocks, and you will turn up some unsavory things.
RM,
Here's some breaking news that you've clearly missed: Mueller has already found several actual crimes. Trump's National Security Adviser colluding with the Russian Ambassador to lift sanctions imposed by the US Congress, then lying to the FBI about his conversations with the ambassador.
Rick Gates, former Trump campaign official, guilty of conspiracy and lying to the FBI.
George Papadopoulos, guilty of lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russians while he was also involved with the Trump campaign.
There's also been several indictments of other Trump campaign staff, trials pending.
Please try to keep up.
6
There is something curious about Trump's admission that his campaign was infiltrated by the FBI. If law enforcement planted a mole in a spy ring or MS-13, it would be to smoke out criminal activity.
But Donald doesn't think that the shady dealings of his campaign are subject to lawful review. So he complains that investigating him is what's wrong with the process.
Most crooks don't want to be caught, but only real sociopaths believe it's because they are above the law.
60
Trump has exhausted me and many other Americans. I need him gone so I can return to a sense of patience and peace with the world and its woes. All of us could use a break from all things Trump. The question is when, if ever, the Trump base will allow themselves that liberty because therein lies the shortest route to freedom from Trumpism. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be anytime soon. Therefore VOTE in November, protect yourself.
35
Trump is hardly the tiring thing for me, it's the annoying loudspeakers constantly blasting in my ears day and night telling me how terrible he is and how wonderful they are that won't let me get any rest. At home I find that I don't miss TV in the slightest.
2
John Doe - No one is forcing you to read things like the NYT.
1
Trump has broken the law, John. He may have even colluded with a foreign adversary to rig an election. And you're annoyed at the press for telling us the truth? Sad!
1
Lets see, in Watergate the FBI, CIA, and IRS were weaponized. In the 2016 election only on side had the ability to do that and it wasn't Trump.
5
weaponized and Watergate more nonsense.
4
I take it that you feel this explains Hillary Clinton's election.
Wow, what a buncha sore winners. But by all means, keep broadening the accusations; maybe you can keep expanding the Vast Conspiracy faster than the wave front of the law and Constitution can catch up.
5
I agree with the delusional Donald Trump, "this is bigger than Watergate." We can only hope and pray that this insane debacle that is the Trump Presidency ends like the Nixon Presidency. I would relish jail time for Mr. Trump but I will settle for his financial ruin and house arrest in his gilded penthouse.
37
If Trump were not very obviously violating rules, using the job for personal financial gain and lying all the time we wouldn't be here.
It started with not releasing his tax returns. Someone who is protesting so much has lots to hide.
The problem is the Democratic legislators are not taking a hard enough line with Trump and the GOP are just empty suits at this point enabling a criminal. Where is the outcry on the Senate floor and in Congress. Where is it?
43
The dems have already written up an impeachment bill. Problem is, they have no power with a majority republican congress. Why on earth would you blame the democrats for this mess?
6
We have a president who routinely seeks to undermine the law and this both sides commentary is what we get? Whitewater was a dry hole. Bill Clinton lying under oath about an affair wasn't, but he also wasn't trying to tear down the public's faith in our institutions.
There is a vast array of right-wing sources that live to hold up the Clintons as boogeymen and once again, the NYT eagerly gives grist to that fable.
The current occupant of the White House has an administration awash in scandals and we are still hearing about a former president. Shameful.
16
What I hear Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump trying to do by muddy the waters on what is obvious obstruction of justice, and an attempt of his Campaign from top to bottom collude with the Russian's, whether they succeeded or not, there is no doubt in reading the emails of Trump Junior and who met with the Russian's at Trump Tower or the obvious (to his father) blocked call made by Junior before the meeting, they are caught red handed...no pun intended.
Now, we have Rudy Giuliani trying to smear the justice department, the FBI, Robert Mueller in a way that harkens back to Joe McCarthy and Roy Cohn in the 1950's; Rudy has lost any integrity he may have once had, and is just outright lying to try and change the narrative, it is disgraceful and Un-American to say the least, and possibly criminal at worst.
I am astounded how complicit the Republican Congress has been in assisting Trump is this Un-American smear and cover-up, Devin Nunes should be expelled from the Congress, and Paul Ryan is an absolute disgrace to the rule of law and the constitutional oath he took.
There are Republican's in office and out, that need to speaking up to this disgusting display by Trump and his enabler's, it goes beyond party, it goes to the fabric of our democracy and rule of law, and basic decency, by letting this incomplete con-artist pull the wool over what I thought were decent peoples eyes and playing lackey to this outrageous liar.
28
"...a deep-state conspiracy to get him"
Right-wing trope alert: despite controlling most of the levers of government power, you are a victim of evil forces amassed against you.
9
Yes Russiagate is bigger than Watergate, because Russiagate involves treason as well as other crimes, while Watergate did not involve treason.
PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
32
What I hear Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump trying to do by muddy the waters on what is obvious obstruction of justice, and an attempt of his Campaign from top to bottom collude with the Russian's, whether they succeeded or not, there is no doubt in reading the emails of Trump Junior and who met with the Russian's at Trump Tower or the obvious (to his father) blocked call made by Junior before the meeting, they are caught red handed...no pun intended.
Now, we have Rudy Giuliani trying to smear the justice department, the FBI, Robert Mueller in a way that harkens back to Joe McCarthy and Roy Cohn in the 1950's; Rudy has lost any integrity he may have once had, and is just outright lying to try and change the narrative, it is disgraceful and Un-American to say the least, and possibly criminal at worst.
I am astounded how complicit the Republican Congress has been in assisting Trump is this Un-American smear and cover-up, Devin Nunes should be expelled from the Congress, and Paul Ryan is an absolute disgrace to the rule of law and the constitutional oath he took.
There are Republican's in office and out, that need to speaking up to this disgusting display by Trump and his enabler's, it goes beyond party, it goes to the fabric of our democracy and rule of law, and basic decency, by letting this incomplete con-artist pull the wool over what I thought were decent peoples eyes and playing lackey to this outrageous liar.
8
Presidents who lie to the American people should be impeached. Experiencing such an investigation is part of what presidents signed on for when they ran for that office.
23
Trump craved the presidency for two principal reasons: to vanquish the oppressed, downtrodden, minorities and the economically disadvantaged; and to enrich himself and his cronies. Sadly he's succeeding on both fronts. His crimes are inestimably more dangerous to our democracy than anything committed during Watergate.
40
Donald Trump has made a mockery of what used to be the office of the Presidency, and he has debased the once office of the leader of the free world into a carnival sideshow not worthy of any respect.
10
Please - stop engaging in "both sides"!! No, no, no - there is no truth to Trump's constant lying about spies and wiretaps and witch hunts!
Stop acting as though this man is sane!
119
The biggest scandal of all is that this fake con-man was elected president. Will take years to get over that one.
16
Unlike Nixon, Trump has a propoganda arm called Fox News on his side
32
Some see Watergate as a horrible time in our history, never to be repeated. Others see it merely as a benchmark. And here is why our country is in such bad shape. Partisanship prevents people from having mutual respect or even being willing to listen to each other.
3
Exactly what is wrong with this whole situation from the start. If this is about a crime against the Constitution and the Republic, there should be no sides, we should all be for its investigation and prosecution. Politics created 'sides' out of rumor. If when this is over and no 'collusion (the original charge) is proven, those responsible for initiating a falsehood should be exposed and punished. It would appear the wrong 'side' has been being investigated and accused from the start.
4
Not sure what you mean by "Initiating a falsehood." Trump Jr met at Trump Tower with Russians who promised dirt on Hilary. No one disputes that fact. The Russians were trying to undermine our election, and Trumps team was meeting with them. That had to be investigated. Then Trump fired Comey, the guy investigating him. You are right there are no "sides," just a lying criminal in the White House, and a propaganda wing (Fox News) trying to convince us that he's actually the victim. A wretched time for our Republic.
16
It wasn't a rumor. It was a concerned intelligence agent (Steele) who was shocked at the things he was hearing about Trump, reporting it to the appropriate agencies to check out whether it was true. And so far, not a single thing in the Steele dossier has been proven wrong, while several things have been proven correct. This investigation has gotten five guilty pleas and 19 indictments so far. There's simply no evidence that Mueller is barking up the wrong tree.
13
Trump will always say that anything that has to do with him is bigger if not the biggest thing ever.
The biggest thing about Trump is his ego.
The comparison of the 2 investigations is understandable but Watergate only had to do with actions taken within the United States, whereas the Russian investigation deals with international actions, their effects and future consequences.
So Mueller's team can leave nothing unchecked.
12
What is the point of an article like this? It supports, symbolically although not in fact, the false equivalence that has been a central feature of the political right, the Trump campaign, and the Trump Presidency. The journalism of false equivalency has helped to shape the most insidious features of the current toxic political climate in which falsehoods and often blatant lies are trumpeted through the political culture.
8
@truthatlast
Trump raised the Watergate comparison. Doesn't fit.
1
Apparently Mr. Trump has no idea of just how accurate his statement about Watergate is, but the one thing for certain is that the fires are starting to burn a bit closer -- and he's beginning to feel it.
13
The real scandal is that Donald Trump doesn't realize how scandalous his behavior has been.
36
Well, that and the obvious fact that Trump truly doesn't care how scandalous his behavior has been or still is.
17
Too bad all the scandals surrounding Trump are imaginary ones created by Democrats who are committing treason.
13
David, your comment has left me wondering if you studied Political Science at Trump University.
52
You might want to wait and see the evidence before putting this forth as a foregone conclusion.
15
Really? So why does Trump keep lying?
17
If Nixon were as accomplished in trickery as Trump is, he would have loudly accused the Democrats of ordering the burglary of both Republican and Democratic headquarters.
44
So what Trump is claiming is that Jeff Sessions, one of his earliest and most loyal supporters, Rod Rosenstein, a Trump appointee and lifelong Republican, and Chris Wray, Trump's pick for FBI director after he fired James Comey, are all out to get Trump.
If this were true, he might want to ask himself why even people he picked to run the Justice Department hate him so much.
90
Who says they hate him? Maybe they just cant ignore his misdeeds, even if the house and senate can....
13
Sharon
Los Angeles
I think Trump acts as if he is hated or unloved or disliked by Sessions, Rosenstein, and Wray.
I agree with you on the silence of the Republicans. SAD.