Mr. Blow,
Thank you for putting in print - that Trump is a Traitor and has committed treason.
This needs to be headline in every self-respecting newspaper tomorrow. It should stay as headline for weeks to come. We have to build pressure on spineless Republicans in congress to act and ask this man to resign as the President of these United States. And if he does not, then impeach and remove him from this office.
SJ
35
Charles, today he proved that you are absolutely correct!
12
Trump's only goal is money for him and his family. Putin is paying him. Will someone please figure out who and fast!
6
Mr. Blow,
Thank you for another excellent essay. Journalists such as yourself preserve the NYT's reputation.
9
And this BEFORE the press conference. Trump is a disgrace to the office of the president and a known enemy gets a free pass thanks to Trump. There is no bottom to the pit that is this president.
10
Trump showed himself to be a traitor to everything America stands for when he called on his supporters to beat up peaceful protesters and offered to pay the legal bills. That was conspiracy. He put out a contract just like any other mafia don. And, he got away with it on live tv in front of the entire nation. But, I'm surrounded by Trump supporters who start nearly every conversation with "I'm not a racist but...." and they all just love him. So, there's not much hope, is there?
6
Trump has done everything but hand Putin the keys to the White House's back door. And I wouldn't be shocked if that's what he did when they met this weekend.
Trump is a traitor, along with the Republicans protecting him.
12
Trump has morphed from a faux patriot to un-American to anti-American. His performance is Helsinki was blatant treason.
22
Pres. Trump has shown his true colors today ! Those colors are NOT ..."Red,White and Blue", yielding to the best interest of America and our American values projected to the rest of the world. Only when you think Pres. Trump could not possibly degrade his position and title of President of the United States of America, we Americans are now sadly mistaken. Mr. Trump has clearly entered into Treasonous actions by his own words and comments summarizing he truly is a Traitor to our nation !!
9
Call Blair House, disturb Pence's hourly prayer show and remind him to use the 25th amendment with the help of the required 50% of the cabinet, to rid us of this cancer. Be sure to check with Mrs. Pence to see if it's alright.
9
"I Donald John Trump will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, So Help Me God."
Violation of that oath surely constitutes a high crime and misdemeanor.
16
Thank you again Mr. Blow for another important piece of journalism. When will the American public wakeup and start paying attention to reason & facts and stop this dangerous and twisted neo-fascist traitor. We are a deeply flawed country. Steeped in racism, bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, classism, ethnocentrism, anti-science, and political & social ignorance. Trump has fostered and facilitated an atmosphere that bolsters the darkest sides of our inhumanity. Shame on most members of the Republican party who have lost their moral compass and are complicit in these criminal & treasonous acts. They have hitched their horses to a wagon/leader that is steering our country over a cliff. It is a hostile environment for journalists who are under attack by this administration. Keep up your great work Mr. Blow in trying to expose this administration for what it is (a criminal enterprise).
18
Post summit today, lot's of reaction, not use of the word treason once cable news Hopefully that won't last long. Thank you, Trump is indeed a traitor and guilty of treason. One wonders if he'll come back or just stay in Moscow.
38
The constitution of the United States, art. 3, s. 3, defines treason against the United States to consist only in levying war (q.v.) against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort.
Trump committed treason by adhering to an enemy, Putin, a hostile foreign power, by publicly denying the findings of our Justice Department that military agents under Putin's command attacked our free election process and in so doing struck a blow to our democracy.
18
It is treason. Take a moment and read it for yourself. 18 U.S. Code ( that funny little symbol that looks like 2 S's joined) 2381. He has got to go.
27
NYT: I watched "This Week with George" on Sunday and heard how Donna Brazile told the woman from the NYT that all media was responsible for the way they slammed Hillary and the reporting on the DNC. She was right. So here's my idea:
IF the NYT would be willing to host a convention type of event for all media so as to come to an agreement with other news outlets to curtail the circus type of stories and get to the real crux of true reporting on stories that are relevant and not just a shiny object that they repeat over and over again which is actually diminishing our democracy and the health of all media then the trolls can't win. Reporting will go back to less sensational and just accurate reporting of truly important news. Don't give the "chicken little" stories such air time. IF you could get other news outlets to agree then maybe we all stand a chance.
We have a treasonous Russian Spy as POTUS and the GOP are complicit due to their need for power to help this insanity and we are going to all suffer. Many will lose in this if someone doesn't try something. It's obvious our Gov't is broken....
12
Where are the republicans?
18
I wish Trump would let us in on his real vision for America. Is it to emulate the USSR? Turkey? The Phillipines? Maybe Trump would really like the USA to strive to be more like North Korea? His tendency is to try to limit freedoms, refusing to answer questions from despised news outlets (CNN), Build Berlin-wall style walls on our borders, demanding people be barred from protesting various causes (NFL). He agrees openly with white supremacists, neo-Nazis. It's a growing trend - and with Putin's input, he plans to go a lot farther. We all know where this is headed, we just need him to state it plainly once and for all. He needs to be be removed from office now, he's un-American. It would be nice to hear the case against him out of his own mouth.
33
I always thought that being your neighbour was a nice thing. But with this "president", I am not so sure now. Makes me freak out. We are now your enemy as he said...Sad.
3
Looks like trump's treasonous behavior continues,
OR,
we get to see the P tapes!
4
It's official, we're now at the most dangerous moment in our nation's history since Pearl Harbor.
9
It is now clear that Donald Trump is a Traitor to the People of the United States. Everyone should regard him as such and he should be treated accordingly. There is no excuse for his appalling behavior, which is clearly endangering the security of the USA. He is an outcast.
16
Very few things in life can be known beyond a shadow of doubt, but here is one: The White House is occupied by an enemy of American democracy.
14
He should be immediately arrested on his return to the USA. Sadly people like Paul Ryan, Peter King and others will not speak up.
They are complicit cowards who will be judged harshly by history. What wasted lives. When a man has no courage he wastes his life.
8
When will his lackeys finally come forward and spill the beans, as their patriotic duty?
This is akin to what Ted Kosinski’s brother had to do, which is to turn in his own brother.
Please come forward whoever you are. You will be regarded as the big hero in the annals of history.
11
"Simply put, Trump is a traitor and may well be treasonous."
is sloppy journalism, if you think about it.
5
What if things are much worse than we allow our imaginations to consider. What if Putin assured Trump today that his KGB would defend Trump with lethal force against his political enemies?
I am sure that anyone thinking of crossing Trump will consider that possibility. If Russia can kill in London, they can kill here also.
6
This afternoon I called the DC office of my Congresswoman, Judy Chu, and asked for Representative Chu to bring a motion to censure President Trump to the floor of the House because of comments he made about the United States, its intelligence community, and the Democratic Party.
I had to email this same message to Senator Feinstein and Senator Harris because their phone lines were continuously busy.
President Trump's remarks were contemptible and must not go unanswered. He is what is called a quisling. He is Putin's creature.
14
From the US Constitution: "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." Trump has committed treason in "adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." This is the case because most who actually do believe Russia interfered in our election call it an act of war, even if no armaments were used. However, I haven't yet heard any discussion of the guilt of Mr. Trump's adherents. I speak not of his ignorant and terribly misguided base, but of his support in the Republican party's elected representatives. For while the following may not be discussed in the US Constitution per se, it is logical that one who aids and abets one who aids and abets an enemy of the US who is thought to be levying war against the US, is in fact, a traitor as well. Republican representatives in Congress who continue to avoid impeaching the President can well be defined as traitors themselves. Trump is a traitor for 2 reasons: first, he is aiding and abetting an enemy who is levying war against the US, and second, he's failing to protect our country against continued attacks. Some Democrats may well run this fall against incumbents by rightfully calling them traitors. Very good piece by Mr. Blow, but he seems so angry as to be beside himself: how can one be a traitor without being treasonous?
5
Article 3 - The Judicial Branch
Section 3 - Treason
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
5
There have been stories out there since it was known that Trump was running for president, believable ones by well known journalists, that Trump had financial ties with the Russians (being bailed out of bankruptcy under fishy circumstances for one) and they had evidence, as in scandalous pictures, of Trump cavorting with prostitutes during his Miss Universe event there a few years ago. This episode is making those allegations very easy to believe. The idea that he simply admires dictators just cut it for me.
7
It is so obvious that Trump is a traitor that any and all who aid and abet Trump's presidency are witting traitors.
If and when American democracy is restored, all who remained Republicans after this day must be investigated, prosecuted, and tried for treason.
6
Thanks for saying it Mr Blow—Trump is a traitor. His treason goes beyond failing to defend the U.S. from Russian interference. He is advancing Putin’s agenda on numerous fronts: undermining NATO, shredding the rule of law, dubbing Putin “fine” even though he is a kleptocrat and murders political rivals, validating Russia’s invasion of Crimea, and more. Trump is clearly compromised and would rather help himself than his country.
8
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned...
6
Mr. Blow starts off by writing that Trump, is "committing an unbelievable and unforgivable crime against this country. It is his failure to defend." These crimes were in 2016 and Trump had no authority to do anything about any Russian activity going into the election. The person who had that authority was Obama, and he knew about it. His response according to the NPR? "CIA Director John Brennan — privately warned their Russian counterparts not to persist with their active measures. Obama himself told Russian President Vladimir Putin not to interfere in the election. Was telling Putin that, "You really should not do that", what Mr. Blow considers a significant defense. Does anyone really think that all those avid Hillary supporters actually changed their vote to Trump? One thing the meddling did, was to make the DNC truly transparent and expose the attempt to stop Sanders. If you want to know who cost Clinton the election, read Donna Brazil’s book and Shattered. Clinton loss rest on her shoulders, giving Trump all the votes of those she called, the unwashed masses.
1
Putin knows well that the way to overthrow a democracy is to win an election.
6
It’s clear that, as John Brennan said today, Donald Trump has committed treason today . Whether or not he directly collided with Russia or was cagey enough to get his son and underlings to do it, he is the Manchurian President, following Putin’s playbook in terms of NATO and his inexplicable backstabbing of 2 center-right European allies. From his actions of the past week in Brussels, London and Helsinki it sure looks as though Putin was demanding a display of loyalty in order not to spill whatever beans - financial or salacious -he may have and Trump complied.
6
A person who can say without laughing that Obama was not born in America, is capable of absolutely any lie or outrage. The birther thing was already about as insane and paranoid as it gets.
14
Can there be any further doubts about the powerful statements calling the guy in the White Hiuse a traitor now that the flabbergasted and shocked world has witnessed today him standing next to Putin and praise him while throwing our intelligence agencies under the bus.
It was as if Putin was the ventriloquist and Trump the puppet. Coming out of his mouth was everything the former KGB Agent and dictator wanted to hear.
After seeing how horrified Americans and even some Republicans were at his diasterous press conference
Where he seemed to criticize American democracy including stating that the Mueller probe was a “disaster”,one can expect by thevtime his plane lands, he will be calling all of it “fake news”.
4
How much more destruction of the American democracy does Trump have to do before Congress wakes up and starts impeachment proceedings or invokes Article 25? How close to the brink of irreversible disaster do we have to come before Congress does something to save America? Trump believes that the American people are so complacent and so dumb that they will stand by and let him hand the United States over to a foreign adversary. Start calling your Congressmen and Senators and demand that they do something to stop this train wreck they call Trump!
5
As a distinguished NYT columnist, before you start slinging around epithets such as "traitor" and "treasonous," it would be appropriate for you to look up the definition of "treason," the only crime defined in our Constitution. Arfticle III Section 3 says, " Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." Treason was defined so narrowly because our founding fathers were well acquainted how the crime of treason was so loosely prosecuted in Britain against political and religious enemies. They wisely wanted to have nothing to do with the practice. Now you and others who should know better such as John Brennan, former head of the CIA, are going about slinging wild accusations of "treason" against President Trump. You should study our Constitutional history and know better.
1
Impeachment might be suitable when a president is intruthful about a tryst. But for when a president colludes with the ennemy, the appropriate response is martial court!
8
A few months I switched to unaffiliated after 3+ decades as a registered Republican. I'll be honest, hit pieces like these will steer me more towards the GOP than the Democrats in the fall. There is simply no evidence I've seen to date that Trump is anywhere near a traitor. Nada. Nichts.
This is getting ludicrous. Seriously. Stop.
Trump wants the Russians to help the Mueller probe--sort of like having Al Capone assist Eliot Ness.
8
Treason will be the charge that Donald Trump will be charged with and once it comes front and center the MAJORITY OF AMERICANS in this country will go after him with as much energy as they did after we were hit on 9/11. Not his base but rather the rest of the country who are genuine Americans and actually understand what being a loyal American means. The days for this criminal in our White House are numbered and he will only get more and more desperate until he snaps. Wait and see.
5
I totally agree. Charles Blow, we need your voice!
15
Members of congress take an oath to protect and defend the United States too. Failing to hold this president responsible is treasonous as well
34
Traitor, Treasonous - what can I do? How do we prosecute him? Why are Republicans so blind to his crimes?
24
But, hey, her emails...
16
Finally Charles
Since the spring of 2016 real patriots have been calling Trump a traitor only to be hushed by The NYT and WaPo for not being civil. Fox isn’t news, but you were supposed to be our watchdog. Instead we got a lapdog.
There was no moral equivalence. The media made Trump and failed America. You are only marginally better than the Vichy Republicans who are only now beginning to see the bed they made for themselves is in a cheap pine box.
For the 143rd time since April 2016, I say.....
Treason. Traitor. Trump.
Thanks for finally catching up!
29
The problem is that Trump is mentally ill. He needs to be locked up!
18
Amen to every single word. Trump is a traitor and so is everyone who still supports him.
32
If any of the GOP elected representatives were anything but bought-out corporate shills and Trump cult-followers, they would have kicked the orange treasonous buffoon out of the White House months ago already.
American Democracy has failed. All the checks and balances put in place by the founding fathers have failed. All this because of the pathological greed and lust for power of a bunch of nasty white men elected to high office through gerrymandering, voter suppression and unrestricted corporate money.
The GOP has betrayed America.
37
Mr. Blow "your President" Mr. Obama failed to stop the Russians from hacking the election and Trump was just a candidate at the time. So please get your facts straight. Mr. Trump just had a weird performance at this meeting with Putin (and that is not news, since this is quite typical for him). Now if you are looking for a President who failed to protect a national election and therefore the interests of The American people get your Obama worship pin out and keep looking at it till you and your newspaper find a slimmer of objectivity.
2
Of course he thinks the FBI are not believable; he wants to spread that rumor really fast now!
6
My goodness, please calm down, you are all (at the NYT) utterly consumed by Putin / Russian 'interference' and Trump's non-response (to your liking); get over the election already.
1
President Trump just shot someone on 5th avenue and as he said nothing will happen. Well, now it is a done deal he shot the total USA intelligence departments. We will see what happens !!!!!!!
29
Isn’t treason cause for impeachment?
15
Trump and Putin are Kidding US. Kidding the U.S.
Come on, Americans, To the Bastille! I mean The White House!
8
"Trump and Putin 2020"
6
Perhaps it is now time for a name: Benedict Donald. #BenedictDonald.
18
Ryan and McConnell, take off your dunce caps and put our country first!! Trump is a clear danger, an Un-American president siding with a dangerous adversary. DO YOUR JOB!!!!
26
In the meeting Putin was all smile when he walked in like a suave debonair he thinks of himself, and Donald j. trump followed his master like a overweight puppy dog.
Please Republicans get some backbone and speak up and get this scoundrel of an accidental President out of his Presidency !
23
How much coin can the interpreters from both sides rake in? Somebody get the name of the American side and demand he or she show some patriotism to the country.
1
As President of the Senate, Richard Nixon, accepting the results of the 1960 Electoral College vote, spoke very eloquently about the sanctity of our election process. That's the disgraced Richard Nixon. Donald J. Traitor cares about nothing but his own wealth and ability to associate with autocratic leaders. Attack our political process? By all means, if it helps him. It shows you how low this country has sunk in less than 60 years that we could elect this loser and our elected representatives will do nothing to rein him in. No Profiles in Courage will be written about this generation. I won't be around in another few decades, if I'm lucky enough to last decades. I fear for what this country could be like in 2060.
7
I find it interesting for all the comments being made, that the likelihood of any of Trump's cabal or enablers to read any of this, is extremely low. Therefore we're all preaching to the converted. I would think it's way past time that questions we're being asked of these enablers and more specifically of those donors that support Trump and the GOP, as to exactly where they stand on Trump's actions and words. It's time for the media et al to be proactive and absolutely attack all these falsehoods being laid before you. "Fake news" should be met by "fake facts" every time a lie or falsehood is spoken or uttered. Trump, Sarah Huckerbee Sanders, Trey Goudie etc need to be stopped in their tracks and not allowed to continue with their lies.
Time for action by all commentators and media - no longer sit back and wait for the next travesty.
9
"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
The man is in total violation of the oath. The same can be said for his cabinet and his enablers in Congress. Are there not penalties for violating the oath of office?
On another hand, only the Presidential oath says "to the best of my ability." He has clearly demonstrated he has no ability whatsoever. A defense? Let’s hope not.
8
The attacks against the U.S. by Russia, on orders from Putin, were not physical attacks; they were cyber warfare aimed at our democracy. Just imagine if, after 9/11, George Bush had a summit with Osama bin Laden in which he also blamed the U.S. for our bad relationship with al Qaeda. Imagine bin Laden had his podium and his al Qaeda flags while Bush had his podium with American flags. Further imagine they were chummy with each other, praising each other. Imagine that Bush doubted the consensus of his intelligence agencies that bin Laden was behind the 9/11 attacks.
Is an attack on our democracy no big deal so long as it helps one party and not the other? Has our democracy been so devalued by Trump that he has no interest in protecting it?
10
There's one and only one solution: ALL of us need to do everything within our power to ensure that every American VOTE in this November's elections. Failing that, our democracy is in more serious trouble than any of us now believe.
Can your grandparents vote? Make sure they do and are enabled to travel to their local polling place.
Can your grandchildren vote? Make sure they do and encourage them to ensure all their friends of voting age vote.
Can your neighbors vote? Do they need help getting to their local polling place? Give them a ride or help them find a ride.
And encourage everyone to read about the issues, the candidates, the pros and cons of alternative issues on the ballot and become INFORMED voters. And then to VOTE!
IMHO we're way, way too passive when it comes to voting... and our past lackadaisical attitude about voting has gotten us wherer we are today: un-curious, ill- and uninformed and basically ignorant of what's going on with our government.
We're much better than this. But goodness and a democracy for all doesn't "just happen." We've got to participate and contribute.
As Nike says, "...Just DO it!"
19
What is wrong with us that we permit this abomination to take place? Are we asleep at the wheel? Is Congress paralyzed to act? Are the military and the FBI completely incapable of defending the country against Putin's invasion? Will the Trump supporters accept being duped in this most villainous manner?
12
Bravo to Charles Blow for calling Trump treasonous. Trump has undercut and questioned the veracity of our intelligence agencies, upon which our country and all of its people rely. He has questioned their conclusions about Russian intentional and state directed interference with our 2016 presidential election for the purpose of benefitting Trump and damaging Clinton despite the mountain of overwhelming evidence provided by the intelligence agencies, the Muller investigation and the Senate Intelligence Committee bipartisan report. Trumps denials are based on no facts and his defense of the master liar and mass murderer Putin unfortunately reveals that either Trump is a secret Russian agent or that he knows Putin has smoking gun information on his collusion with him to get him elected. Democratic leaders need to directly attack Trump for his treasonous behavior. They also need to attack all Republicans who excuse Trump’s actions or who are unwilling to condemn him as treasonous enablers who have to be defeated in November to block Trump’s perfidy and to safeguard our democracy.
13
Can someone (Pro or Against Trump) answer me the following question: What would happen to the arms contractors and their investors, if the United States and Rusia were friends?
1
As a former Soviet trained intelligence officer (when I was an ANC intelligence officer in South Africa during the struggle against apartheid), and a current IW (Information Warfare) consultant, I categorically state with absolute certainty that what happened in 2016 bears all the hallmarks of classic Russian/Soviet Maskirovka political subversion campaign.
From Wikipedia - Deceptive measures include concealment, imitation with decoys and dummies, manoeuvres intended to deceive, denial, and disinformation. The 1944 Soviet Military Encyclopedia refers to "means of securing combat operations and the daily activities of forces; a complexity of measures, directed to mislead the enemy regarding the presence and disposition of forces..."[2] Later versions of the doctrine also include strategic, political, and diplomatic means including manipulation of "the facts", situation and perceptions to affect the media and opinion around the world, so as to achieve or facilitate tactical, strategic, national and international goals.
I say this as someone trained in these techniques, by the guys who invented them. Remember that a country is ultimately a political entity, subvert is political system and you have won without firing a shot. 2016 was a cyber Pearl Harbor. Does anymore need to be said.
20
How about...
Get Trump elected so he can...
Destroy the rule of law in America
Promote racism, hatred and fear
Divide country
Destroy the NATO alliance
Pull out of Syria
Ignore Crimea
In the end giving Putin carte blanche to do whatever he wants?
10
As someone who once worked in M.I., I can’t help wonder how many intelligence assets he revealed in the private meeting. I’d be very, very worried if I were an US undercover agent in Russia right now.
15
Anyone with a modicum of decency will agree with the assessment that Trump is a traitor on top of every other negative adjective one can add in front of his name. The fact that frustrates me is that we cannot do much about it. The checks and balances that we are so proud of are not working fast enough (if at all). There seems to be immunity from indecency for all the abettors and enablers of this man. Saying “vote in November” seems a little lame. Of course we should and we will but there has to be a quicker way out of this carnage of human decency.
10
Impeachment is now mandatory. We can't have a president who throws his entire country under the bus just to save his own skin. Putin has a dollar hold over Trump that is probably far larger than anyone here to now has suspected.
11
DT has dishonesty ingrained in his modus operandi, to such an extent that what is reality and what is conjecture/opinion/speculation- is a grab bag. What he doesnt confuse, is how beholden he is to Putin's Russia. A first grader can connect these dots. Trump has had many business transactions in/with Russia over the years. I would like to think that he isnt smart enough to get away with this. Impeaching him, though, would mean Pence is president....
4
trump may not have conspired with Russia in 2016, but he's doing so now.
8
July 16, 2018, a day that will live in infamy. The United States of America has been attacked by its own (unduly) elected President. Enough to help Republicans in Congress regenerate their spines?
7
Incredible and unprecedented? Yes. But not unexpected. In fact, I remember during the campaign Trump supporters screaming that they were going to "blow up the system." Many people were so disillusioned with the American political system that they voted for Trump for the express purpose of destroying democracy. Michael Moore appeared on a TV show with a glum face to warn people about this very thing.
The Republicans don't want a democracy, because if it were left to the citizens, that party would collapse. They thwart the People at every turn, from gerrymandering to stacking the courts. Now they are hacking the polls. The hate-states don't want democracy. They want equal standing with states that are bigger and contribute society while they ride piggyback and weigh the country down.
I don't think it is by coinkydink that opioid addiction is highest in republican held territories. By pushing stupidity in the form of drugs, poverty, superstitiousness and racism, they stabilize their grasp on power, with reckless disregard for the consequences. The South and the landlocked states have always been a stronghold of evil. That's why young people flee to the coasts. Now we're getting a taste of what they are capable of. Betrayal is just the beginning.
12
Wondering if any of the Trump defenders want to rethink their defense of this indefensible president following todays actions in Helsinki??? Ah well, probably not, because as he said himself "I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot someone and not loose any voters". This maybe the only accurate statement he has ever made.
12
FINALLY! Someone in the mainstream media said what we all know.
10
Collusion isn't illegal. Trump and Putin are obviously on the same wavelength. They're going to divvy up the global petroleum products markets. If the world warms up, Siberia will become a breadbasket.
1
IMHO I believe that POTUS Trump was referring mostly to the MSM and it incessant attacks on him, his wife, children, staff, etc.
When will you poor idiots realize that Donald Trump WON the 2016 election fair and square.
Hillary was the worst candidate to EVER run for POTUS. That's why she lost. she's stupid, sick,and unquallified.
so sorry for your loss.
4
When I was a kid, the main enemy of the USA was Russia, and really nothing has changed since then other than a brief period of perceived peace under Gorbachev. Now the President is sucking up to one of the worst strongmen to run Russia in decades?
All of us, liberals, horrified traditional conservatives such as myself, all of us, we all know if Obama had done what Trump just did he would have been welcomed by a speedy crucifixion upon returning in shame to Washington. The GOP leadership would have waited in line to drive in the nails. But Trump will get spin and silence from his loyal party, even if they laugh at him behind his back.
The GOP has sold its soul to get a surefire Presidential signature on whatever its many PACS and donors have asked for. In doing so they've sold out America. No other explanation. You don't have to be a stable genius to see that. Reagan is dead, Eisenhower is dead, they're all dust as the party goes the opposite way and tears this nation down.
I just wish I had been born long enough to never have seen this happen.
28
He trash talks the FBI, CIA, NSA and Justice Department and instead sucks up to Putin. Trump is correct, he could murder someone in broad daylight on a Manhattan street and the Republican congress would look the other way and keep walking. Please vote in November and rid us if this plague. It is long past time to drain this GOP swamp.
21
I have before hesitated to push for impeachment. Trump's continued attacks on our press, our allies, and our intelligence services; his refusal to understand that he is dividing our country instead of uniting it; and his apparent ignorance of the fact that instead of "making America great again" he is making America the butt of jokes the world around, combine to make me now say: Impeach. Impeach, and convict.
21
This is all critical, but what disappoints me is the pace of Mueller's investigation. I realize he needs to be thorough, but at this pace Trump could finish his second term before confirm anything that could even slow his slaughter of our democracy, if not our very safety as a nation. In my more cynical moments I wonder if Trump's persistent attacks on our security departments has indeed intimidated into turning hyper-careful (e.g. to accusing unreachable perps) and tentative. I hear his latest bombshell and think "So what? None of this is changing, let alone fixing, anything."
4
Trump is clearly guilty of sedition. His denial of "collusion," the word he continues to bring up in every public opportunity in his life, is the ranting of a guilty man. It's unfortunate that the crime of sedition is no longer punished with hanging. It might encourage him to be a bit more diplomatic in speaking about the members of his own government who have been far too kind in honoring the office that he occupies. His rants only steel the investigators to continue to track down more and more information on him. He is seriously courting impeachment.
10
Putin says he backed Trump during the election because of his commitment to a compliant relationship with Russia; Trump follows this with his refrain of Putin's inscrutability, a promise to further deepen their 'extraordinary relationship', and disparagement of the entire US intelligence establishment. This comes as he's threatening to withdraw troops from Europe and cut defense funds to US European Command, bidding for a joint US-Russia led war against Iran after rejecting the Iran deal, and surprising the US military by cancelling joint US-South Korean exercises in a good faith gesture to Jong-un.
At the same time, he's denigrating, maligning, and devaluing relationships with allies. He calls the EU America's greatest foe, and Canada is surely second on his list. He's fracturing NATO, and instigated full-blown trade wars with long-time allies. Today the administration launched 5 separate dispute actions against EU, Mexico, Canada, China, and Turkey to challenge retaliatory tariffs imposed by these countries. In response, the IMF has warned that the trade war could cost global economy $430 billion, with Americans 'especially vulnerable' to rising tariffs.
Collectively, these actions are the very definition of insanity and treason. In a functioning democracy, he'd be facing impeachment upon arrival home. Instead, American citizens and Democrats do nothing while unhinged Republican charlatans isolate and annihilate the republic.
9
Can't help but think of how Trump called football players who were protesting by taking a knee "unpatriotic". Seems to pale by comparison to what he did today.
26
Trump is looking forward to opening up Russia to his hotels after he’s out of office as well as validating his election. But count on it, he’s trying to make more money from his alliance with Putin. This man is nothing if not staggeringly greedy.
9
Thank you for your bravery in saying what is so obvious...but is rarely stated out loud! For Trump to ask Putin whether he interfered in the 2016 election, after war-hero and patriot Robert Mueller brought indictments against the Russians last Friday is a travesty. For Trump to believe Putin’s denial rather than the evidence from United States Intelligence Agencies, and Robert Mueller’s investigators, and state this aloud in a press conference in Russia—certainly sounds like treason to me.
Democratic leaders have condemned Trump. Some Republican Congresspeople are speaking out against what Trump has said without mentioning his name. Others continue to remain silent as our democracy is attacked by our own president. Republicans have the power to impeach Trump, but will do nothing!
This is a terrible moment in United States history, and it is critical that We The People speak out loudly, clearly, and defiantly! We must fight for our democracy and against a president who is colluding with our enemies!
10
When will enough be enough? From this point forward anyone that supports Trump is acting treasonous. Congress has failed in keeping Trump in check. This has to stop before it's too late.
9
We are at a turning point in American history. To not hold this wanna-be dictator accountable for treachery is akin to sanctioning a co-presidency, which, when last checked, was nowhere to be found in the U.S. Constitution.
Should the Republican members of Congress fail to both confront Trump AND join with their Democratic colleagues in both houses in commencing legal proceedings to remove him from office, then they are as liable as this marionette of a POTUS for complicity in allowing a dual presidency, where Putin shares the Oval Office, likely sitting at the larger desk.
Silence implies consent.
28
How much more "overt" do you need than a public press conference?
10
Might this finally get some leading Republicans to wonder whether there was collusion and let Mueller get on with his job?
6
Russia has electronically invaded the United States by damaging it voting system in favor of Russia. To what degree, in today's age, can that considered an act of war against the United States? Having had WH clearance under a Republican and a Democrat President, I view Trump's actions as high crimes and misdemeanors. He is a threat to our national security by having given Russia information considered top secret and holding a secret meeting with Putin. Trump is a clear and present danger to America. Given today's reality, for whom and what are members of our military dying for?
15
Could it be that he is also more concerned about the potential for his hotel, golf and condo properties?
2
There are many that are saying that there is no evidence that Trump directly colluded with Russia to help him get elected. However, during the 2016 election he openly asked Russia to find Hilary Clinton’s emails. That seems to be direct communication with Russia encouraging them to continue hacking computers of the opposing party to get dirt on Hilary. Campaign or no campaign, if that’s not collusion I don’t know what is. There were no signals to Russia discouraging them from engaging in that activity. In fact Trump’s son and other members of his team willingly met with Russians to get negative information on Hilary. Isn’t that collusion? Those were more overt signals. Who knows what the more obscure activities were?
16
In the event, the FBI suspects a private citizen of treasonous acts, wouldn't they move to arrest him whether he's attempting to leave the country or returning home?
What if the citizen happened to be a senior government official, or a member of the Congress or the federal cabinet? Would it make any difference if the person concerned were the vice president or president of the country? It seems to me that higher the person's position in the governmental hierarchy, the larger the harm he potentially could inflict on the country. In a serious, urgent situation, he could jeopardize the country's safety and security.
What to do?
Muller and the FBI certainly know better than the rest of us, but there's got to be a way to proceed swiftly in such emergent circumstances. Trump is not above the country. No one individual is. He's not above the law, either. Law enforcement authorities need to move with dispatch. Today. Now.
15
Mr. Blow you are 100% right that Trump is a Treasonous Traitor !!!
22
he could be a Russian spy, held hostage by some skeletons that Russia have against him. i am so ashamed and horrified that he is "representing" us, yet selling America for his own benefits.
5
Trump the Traitor !!!! 3 words describing it all!!!
19
Trump the Traitor (TtT)!!!! 3 words describing it all!!!
8
I appreciate all the reporting, the analyses, the explanations etc. But what happens next, as President Obama would ask? Can someone please tell me what is to be done so I can sleep at night? Enough hand-wringing. Or, as our Mothers would say, "don't make me come over there!"
13
I, too, am waiting for action. Why is our county allowing a dangerous person, unhinged and willing to do/say anything for attention?
5
From Peter Strzok's pelting by the Republicans of the House Judiciary Committee last week to the appalling statements of Trump at the 'summit', I am reminded of the words of Henry Hyde during the Clinton impeachment hearing,
"A great deal of intelligence is invested in ignorance,
when the need for illusion is great."
Trump's statements are not 'inexplicable' as some have said. His statements are very much explicable by Putin's damaging and compromising 'dirt' on Trump. Trump could care less for the security and welfare of our country. He only cares about himself...always has, always will. So how can anyone be 'shocked' by his statements today...it's not nice to "bite the hand that feeds you!" I predict Trump will be retiring in the Trump Hotel where he's exalted... in Moscow.
18
Fifth columnists.
I think TheDonald is a foe of our nation. While he swore an oath to uphold our Constitution, he works against that Constitution, starting with its very first sentence:
He acts in ways
• that weaken our Union,
• that weaken our systems of Justice,
• that insure domestic animosity,
• that defend elites while leaving the rest of us vulnerable,
• that hurts the general Welfare, and
• that deprives us and our posterity of the Blessings of Liberty.
And he is aided and abetted in these by the GOP.
27
With Putin by his side, Trump decided to step up his steady digression from famous, to infamous to ignominious. If Trump's Russian bedfellowship was not patently obvious to his loyalists before, they should have little reason to doubt his dangerously cozy bromance with Putin after his performance today.
7
Thank you Charles for your bravery and honesty in the face of transparent and irrefutable treason at this point.
Keep up the fight my good man. I for one am with you.
19
Every glad-handing word Trump said of Russia today makes sense of you entertain one hypothesis: Putin is paying Trump a few billion dollars a year to run America according to Russia’s wishes. Putin is getting a bargain.
14
Sorry this is nothing more than what Mexico promised to do in a Bloomberg article before the election where the consulates of Mexico were conducting voting drives to have their people vote against Trump.
That actually affected election results and because it is “An Inconvenitent Truth,” it has now been forgotten.
3
Wow, you have evidence of Mexico acting illegally and hacking into computers to dig dirt. Please do share. And please lay out clearly the military action that Mexico has taken against its neighbors.
2
Remember when Republican members of Congress were upset because Obama wore a beige suit to work?
34
Sadly, it wasn’t the color of his suit that upset the republicans, it was the color of his face. Let’s be truthful albeit tragic.
7
The time has come to deal with the population of the United States as they actually are, rather than seeing these people as what we wish they were.
The population of the United States has lost its internal vision of itself as a people with a common cause, it is very poorly educate in global affairs, the social structure of that country is collapsing and the average citizen has lost faith in an experimental system of human governance which could be best named a selective participatory capitalism based democracy.
It would seem that the roots of the current implosion lie in the competitive, survival of the fit-est, nature of being human. The observable societal collapse occurring now in the United States, may have been precipitated by the US emergence from the necessary 50 plus years of US government's propaganda, directed at the US population, in the effort to justify the social economic sacrifices the US population accepted as the price for the west's successful effort to assist the rebirth of post war Europe and to defeat the ideology of the world wide, anti-capitalist, communist movement.
The population of the United States now needs help from the rest of the democratic world to understand that failure to participate in voting underlies their current reality and is their only way out of the difficulties they live with.
10
Are you wondering why the Republican congress won't stand up to Trump? Reuters has evidence that Russia donated 30 million dollars to the NRA who then donated it to Republican campaigns including Trump's. If Russia launders money through one organization to give to Republicans, how many other organizations are Russian oligarchs donating to with the purpose of the money going to Congress men and women? Trump isn't the only Republican riding around in Putin's pocket. Congress always grubs for money and they know where the money comes from.
28
My father fought in WWII, and my grandfather in WWI. Their views of such actions as we saw in Trump's "summit" would be unequivocal horror. They understood the threat from foreign powers and risked their lives to defend the US. During the Cold War, I remember having drills in elementary school where we were marched to the nearest rail tracks ostensibly to take children away from a potential nuclear attack of a military installation in our city. The fear of Russia at that time was widespread. No one who knows our history with Russia has put that fear aside. Trump may well be a traitor, but the leaders of the GOP are even more culpable as they are willing to see our country and our Constitution destroyed. Their lack of action makes me wonder if any of them are in the pockets of the Russians.
18
It's now official: Riding on Trump's coattails means flying Aeroflot. And that means the Democrats are the only legitimate major political party left in this country.
20
Tell us *specifically* what we as American citizens should be on the lookout for in our daily lives—who are the people we should fear?
3
You must fear the Russians.
Unless ,of course, you are buying fake dossiers from them.
1
Based on today's laugh-it-off reactions from the Fox News segment, we can safely say this is no longer about Trump. Around 40% of Americans appear thrilled to move from a democracy to a dictatorship, one based on strength over mercy; ethnic identity over love for one's countrymen; international isolation over integration; and graft over transparency (Russia, in a nutshell.) This is not something perpetrated by a man or by a cabal. It is instead the fervent desire of more than a third of this country, made possible by an electoral system designed by the founders to protect the interests of rural voters over city dwellers, the axis upon which this schism has slowly fractured over the past decade. Once this minority is firmly entrenched in power, they have already shown that they will show no mercy towards the "liberals" that they so scornfully denounce; instead of compromise, they will demand loyalty and moral cleavage to their bizarre ethno-biblical-capitalist code, and their demands will be absolute. We will (have?) be a democracy in name only, just like Russia and Turkey. Life will go on, but America will be dead. If some meaningful segment of GOP Senators had reacted appropriately to today (with outrage and real legislative actions to protect our country,) I might see a light; but let's be honest. It's a very, very dark day for this Republic, whose days, I fear, are numbered.
24
Thank you. It's about time to use the "T" word.
But not just on Trump. It applies to All who have enabled him and his campaign's behavior or have prior knowledge of it, all who have obstructed justice for the Trump/Pence campaign and their administration at any point in time, those who counseled against disclosing the Russian attack before the election, anyone with knowledge of Americans conspiring with Russians, and those who "know that bodies are buried" but help cover them up.
Treason has been committed by dozens if not hundreds in and out of our government. All of these people need to be punished severely.
For justice to be served, and if we want to put a semblance of our Democracy back together someday, we are going to need a bigger prison.
12
This spectacle is hard to watch and or hear but unless we patriotic Americans want to be speaking Russian soon; we must go to the polls in November and encourage every other patriot we know to do the same.
15
@Mth1601....brace yourself for November, and the possibility that it's not as much of a landslide as anticipated. Then what? There's the other 45%---that's FORTY-FIVE PERCENT---of this "country" that believes themselves to be more "patriotic" that you and me---and wouldn't think twice about blowing our brains well into the next county courtesy their angry god and gun fetish, and a hopelessly deranged sense of self.
Unfortunately, it's way past time to recognize and accept that there is a collective mental disease/fear-based mass psychosis here that won't be eliminated by a pleasant Fall walk to the local polls.
I let you decipher for yourself what that might mean...
1
Trump has always been an illegitimately elected President. His treasonous statements will undermine our democracy unless Congress acts to challenge him. Impeachment should be the result but Mitch McConnell has no ethical or moral boundaries except more money and more power.
11
I could not agree more with this essay.
9
@Mary K
We can't wait for November to vote, after today it should be clear to Americans that we have to have a election next month, because we have a constitution crisis.
1
In November of 2016, it became obvious that our country is infected with a terrible disease. Whether it's curable or terminal will pretty much be determined this November.
16
Mr. Blow puts forth a conclusive case. The process of impeachment and imprisonment need to commence immediately. Prevent Air Force One from departing until the process concludes. Upon that conclusion it will be obvious that Mr. Pence is illegitimate as well. Unfortunately, that leaves Mr. Ryan in charge until the next election. What are we waiting for?
16
Donald J. Trump is clearly a traitor. He has undermined faith in U.S. institutions, has pardoned some of the worst anti-U.S. felons (Arpaio, ranchers, et al) while imprisoning children whose parents have at worst committed misdemeanors. Now, he sides with Vladimir Putin while betraying the FBI. This clown needs to be impeached.
25
Come on Mr. Mueller!
19
Remember, not so long ago, when President Obama committed the egregious sin of not crowing about America to ever foreign leader? A moderately conciliatory and cooperative tone was derided as a "non-stop apology tour."
THIS was a major reason, we were told, that Trump was "needed" to "restore" American greatness.
But now this very savior isn't damning the nation with faint praise, he is flat out eviscerating our institutions in favor of someone who we, until very recently, considered a dangerous megalomaniac and serious foe.
So, NOW what say you, Trumpeters?
"America First ... unless Dear Leader deems our actions offensive to anyone he admires (or envies)"?
Please, I would like to hear how you spin this.
22
In your wildest dreams, Mr Blow, did you ever dream you would write about a President’s treasonous actions?
I certainly never imagined I would have read this, and my late father, grievously wounded in Luxembourg during WWII, would have asked if we had not learned the costs of isolationism once before.
14
Yes. He is a traitor. This is blindingly clear. What is maddening is that the GOP is also very clearly enabling his treason, thereby becoming traitors themselves.
26
Trump is treasonous and is certainly a traitor, along with being a racist and a misogynist. He will also win re-election in 2020 because he is a racist and is putting children in cages. His base, which is much larger than the reported 35/40%, does not care that Trump is bowing at the altar of Putin, as long as he keeps immigrants out of this country, or in cages and keeps black and brown people in their place, they will march to the voting booths in 2020 and happily keep him in office.
6
Sadly Lou describes the middle of PA also. No one is outraged . I have been wrong before but November will tell us how much outrage there is, gulp..
1
"In 2016, Russia, a hostile foreign adversary, attacked the United States of America." Republicans in Congress could care less, they sit complicit doing nothing but sending eight Republicans to Moscow during the 4th of July! The Deplorables are members of Congress who won't defend the United States!
7
Once again, thank you for staying 'outraged' with what is happening in this Trump Presidency. I only wish more of us were able to do something but we have nowhere to go with our outrage until November and again in 2020.
8
July 16, 2018
“… treason against such a prince might easily be considered as patriotism to the state.”
― Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. 1-3: Volumes 1, 2, 3
JJA Manhattan, N.Y.
5
Canada, please HELP US!!!
8
@Shelley unfortunately because 60+ million of you voted for this disgraceful person and said person has deemed your former friend and ally a security threat, we can and will do nothing but watch and hope you eventually come to your senses and use the power of the ballot (or the protest) to eject this clear and present danger to your country and the rest of the world.
3
Well, Charles, you sure called it.
7
Mr. Blow,
After this afternoons shameful performance after the "summit", your "Trump, Treasonous Traitor" headline is all the more significant and spot on.
16
The latest headline says: Blow is right -- down to the least detail.
Trump, at Putin’s Side, Questions U.S. Intelligence on 2016 Election;
Says Russian Leader Was ‘Powerful in His Denial’ of Meddling
11
Today, our President, Mr Trump had a 'one-on-meeting' with Mr Putin of Russia. The American public, news orginizations, and many of our politicians (of both parties) anticipated it was to be a very public 'flogging' of Russia.
In chess the ultimate 'end game' is to force a checkmate or agree to a draw in order to continue within the tournament. Each move may not be initially, nor fully appreciated, by the "peanut gallery".
Fortunately, our President chose the 'high road' by conveying privately: America's very negative position on their ongoing direct interference in future /previous elections!
Mr Trump's approach today could eventually facilitate significant future progress may be possible on other mutual areas impacting several existing conflicts where we are active participants.
America gains nothing by publicly challenging the Russia in public news releases as it only encourage them to exploit their sucess elsewhere.
1
@EJM your rose coloured glasses need cleaning.
8
The power of denial is remarkable. The only strategy behind Trump’s conduct is weakening America, thus Mr. Blow’s story title is correct. I reached the same conclusion after Trump’s very public disparagement of America’s closest allies at the G-7. Mr. Trump’s actions can no longer be rationalized As the mistakes of an inexperienced blundering fool. What I wonder is how the United States Armed Services will ultimately react to this?
4
Too bad he doesn't suck up to Iran like that, but then that is where he hopes to show some Machismo by starting WW3. Or he might just do that with the little "Rocketman" first.
6
The United States Constitution was constructed as the overriding law of our land, mandating that there be three separate entities governing under the principles codified within it. It's called the Separation of Powers Doctrine, the purpose of which is to create a system of checks and balances. The purpose of this Doctrine is to have separate and distinct departments because of the corrupting nature of power. Currently we have a majority of our Congress more concerned with getting elected then protecting the precepts of our constitution. They're fearful of the current president's popularity in their current political party's majority, and holding even his near traitorous speeches and actions to task. The Republicans task seems to be to stay in power at whatever cost. Our country needs term limits on every elected office, if we survive this current abomination. It's only the real protection against the selfish nature of human beings. Sure, let's have hope, but we also need a constitutional amendment to limit the amount of time that any person stays in power for longer than 20 years, let's say. And that's cumulative within our Congress. Not only can we do this, but if we don't, we'll just have more of the same of this kind of dangerous situation we now face.
3
Raissa writes, "...the possibly actually Top Secret correspondence of the Secretary of State are somehow everyone's concern?"
Umm, basically none of Hillary's emails to her private server account were classified as Top Secret. However, a very small amount of top secret material was mentioned in the emails...general stuff about targets in Afghanistan we were about it hit. Not so top secret after the fact, but if the emails had been hacked at the time they were made, it could have been serious. That said, I doubt the Russians would have alerted the Taliban they were about to be bombed.
1
Well, Mr. Blow, today's Trump/Putin press conference provided concrete validation for your prescient column.
I wish I thought we'd see a mass denunciation of Trump's disgraceful statements, but there are few Republicans who place country above party these days.
20
Dear pretty,
True, at this point in the investigation no collusion has yet been proven. But you're missing one point. Our national security agencies all agree that America was attacked, and is currently under attack, by Russia. And what is our commander-in-chief doing about it? Nothing. Siding with the enemy against America's security and intelligence agencies. If that's not treason, please tell me what is.
22
The worry for the future is targeted advertising driven by machine learning. A targeted political misinformation campaign aiming to move a small fraction of votes in critical counties has a great deal in common with advertising. Identify the patterns in social media usage, television watching, purchasing habits, education, financial status, for which the data is available for purchase, to identify those gullible enough to be swayed by nonsense is sadly not even difficult. The number of votes that need to be pushed is shockingly small.
6
What is the surprise here? Donald is a creature without principles. He WANTS Russia's help in the midterms as the best shot at keeping the House in November. Then he and Vlad can proceed with their joint effort to destroy our democracy and assure a Trump win in 2020.
That is if he hasn't already suspended elections and declared himself Emperor.
14
Dear pretty,
True, at this point in the investigation, no collusion has yet been proven. But you're missing one point. Our national security agencies all agree that America was attacked, and is currently under attack, by Russia. And what is our commander-in-chief doing about it? Nothing. Siding with the enemy against America's security and intelligence agencies. If that's not treason, please tell me what is.
19
I have proclaimed repeatedly that I voted for Hillary Clinton, and I will wear that as a badge of honor for the rest of my life.
20
Donald Trump has given "aid and comfort" to an enemy of the United States, an enemy that has directly interfered in Federal elections. Donald Trump should be arrested as soon as he gets off Air Force One. I think his performance in Helsinki constitutes probable cause for arrest for treason.
21
I think that one who plays so loosely with the truth might be more suspicious of his mentor; speaking here of Trump's attitude to Putin.
In any case the serious question is where are the loyal Republican defenders of the Constitution? And how could they display their disapproval of Trump's destructive blather? Well, anyone of them, (Collins? Murkowski?), could now stand tall and lobby to delay a vote for Kavanaugh until after the November elections. That would flex some Senatorial muscle towards maintaining checks and balances, and put some backbone behind the empty whinings of McCain and Flake.
4
What I have been waiting for is the mainstream press, particularly television and print news, to stop treating Donald Trump as a normal U.S. President, remove the kid gloves, and start calling him the ignoramus and lying fool that he really is. Whenever he is shown voicing one view or another in the television news, the anchor person should state as a matter of established fact that viewers should understand that the person being presented is known as a persistent, serial liar, and that he is obviously incapable of stating or understanding the truth in any situation and the viewer should take the President's statement(s) with a large grain of salt as experience shows that his comments are most likely self-serving lies.
In short, the mainstream news should treat Trump the same way that Fox News treats Democrats or anyone else that opposes this administration. So far the mainstream news has played the role of Trump's lapdog, treating him like he was a normal person and a normal President when he is clearly not normal.
16
And Bernie supporters kept saying that “Hillary and Trump are the same....”
18
@Gian Piero...no we did not.do not lump us all together.
Another day, another exposition of treason, racist, nazi, fascist, bigot, etc. These have been overused so much that they no longer have meaning.
7
The Manchurian President! Where's the 25th Amendment when you really need it? Or, any Republicans with enough patriotism to use it?
18
Seems like all our government security agencies agree: America is under attack.
And our so called commander-in-chief is aiding and abetting the enemy.
And the Republican Congress -- the ones who are supposed to be a check and balance on presidential power -- how are they responding?
See no evil
Hear no evil
Speak no evil
Remember the three monkeys?
14
Charles...in your column, you seem to be laboring under a misperception. The misperception that Trump was ever, ever a loyal citizen of the United States. Trump is the Manchurian candidate. Trump is and has been for many years, Putin's puppet. Just check Trump's tax returns...if they are even accurate in describing where he get's his loans!!! Hint...the loans are held by Russians.
The more interesting question is Trump's base. Are they loyal Americans? Are they at all interested in Russian intervention in our elections...in our government? Or do they represent a 5th column? You are not going to like the answer. The average "republican" looks much more favorably on Putin than on any Democratic Party member. The average "republican" would favor an alliance with Russia and every other dictatorship in the world. The average "republican" is fine with Putin interfering in our elections...and our government. The average "republican" hates democracy...hates allowing anyone who disagrees with them the right to vote.
Bottom line...we have been invaded by a Russian/American right wing cabal and they have control. The majority in this country would not like it...if they opened their eyes. So, they are keeping their eyes closed. The few of us reading your columns, Charles, are unfortunately not enough to turn things around and save the country unless we can spread the word quickly and effectively. Otherwise...our democracy is lost.
VOTE OUT ALL REPUBLICANS
32
What is even sadder about this whole business is that the American people voted for him. It beggars belief that his own republican party allows him to continue along this dangerous pathway.
Donald Trump is a joke, a dangerous joke.
The world has woken up to that when are the americans going to wake up?
8
Actually, the majority voted for Clinton.
1
Seems like all our government security agencies agree: America is under attack.
And our so called commander-in-chief is aiding and abetting the enemy.
And the Republican Congress -- the ones who are supposed to be a check and balance on presidential power -- how are they responding?
See no evil.
Hear no evil.
Speak no evil.
Remember the three monkeys?
It's gratifying to see readers' calm voices and opinions in this otherwise over-the-top hysteria column. That the NYT continues to publish these ridiculous paranoias is perplexing, especially since the Times has glacially been moving towards more balanced appraisals of the Trump presidency. A couple of points to help offset Blow’s misdirecting; Mueller's indictments use the same information contained in the heavily redacted HPSCI report issued back in March. Chairman Nunes stated that info was also known to them and the DoJ for almost a year prior. Now it looks like political timing to counter FBI agent Peter Strzok's disrespectful and arrogant congressional testimony and, much worse, to sabotage Trump's summit with Putin. Given Trump's stated aim in meeting Putin is to reduce tensions with Russia and work towards peaceful solutions, the inflammatory rhetoric in here gives the reader a sense the NYT, or at least the hysterical Blow, is against peace. For Blow, apparently the style of the person achieving peace is more important than peace itself. Secondly little attention is paid to the Senate Intelligence Committee, viewed by most as compromised, corrupt and leaky (what were Mark Warner, Russian oligarchs and Christopher Steele up to anyway?). Even liberal hero, Comey, when FBI Director avoided reporting to them because they were so compromised. NYT: if you’re not going to publish Blow’s columns as satire put warning labels on them so as to not offend your thinking readers.
3
So you're fine with Nunes but not Warner eh Komrade?
18
I remind Mr. Blow that the POTUS in all of 2016 had the surname Obama. Mr. Obama appears to have been asleep at the wheel.
3
You need to do some research. Less was known about this incident at the time. Also, the election was weeks away.
There is one thing that is continually undiscussed in the coverage of Trump's calls for Hillary's 30,000 missing emails, and I think it should be stated ANY and EVERY time this matter is brought up. These were not DNC emails, these were not emails to Chelsea with cake recipes or motherly wisdom, these were STATE DEPARTMENT emails. Trump invited Russia to hack STATE DEPARTMENT business emails, and pass them to the media for all of us to read. How was that, how is this (he continues to call for it) not treasonous?
His tax returns are top secret, but the possibly actually Top Secret correspondence of the Secretary of State are somehow everyone's concern?
9
Just can't let go of Hillary, eh?
Too funny! Thanks for laugh.
5
Umm, basically none of Hillary's emails to her private server account were classified as Top Secret. However, a very small amount of top secret material was mentioned in the emails...general stuff about targets in Afghanistan we were about it hit. Not so top secret after the fact, but if the emails had been hacked at the time they were made, it could have been serious. That said, I doubt the Russians would have alerted the Taliban they were about to be bombed.
1
If Hillary (or any democrat were in the presidency) and doing exactly the same thing as Trump - trying to achieve better relations with former enemy Russia, they would have been nominated for a Nobel Peace prize and would be lauded by the NY Times and the major media as genius politicians who proved that women are superior to men because of their more conciliatory manner. While hypocritically our whole political class has overlooked/forgot is blind to China attacking and completely obliterating the nation of Tibet, its rape of the forests and resources in much of Asia and its initial attacks on Africa, claiming sea beds near other nations, its "free trade" theft of trillions and shoving into poverty of 10's of millions of Americans, but for some mysterious reason can't stomach a similar "forgetting" of Russia's aggression in Ukraine which by the way Obama essentially did nothing about (the little green men are still there).
2
Echoing Charles Blow’s July 16 article in the NYT , I believe he is entirely accurate in assessing that Donald Trump has actually betrayed his own country by siding with a hostile actor – namely Russia. Our intelligence agencies now have conclusive proof , that Russia attempted to sway the results of the 2016 election in Donald Trump‘s favor, and in doing so invaded and assaulted our democratic process here at home . That Donald Trump is now siding with Vladimir Putin and Russia rather than with his own intelligence agencies who are unanimously in agreement on this issue of Russian interference is not only outrageous, it is indeed treasonous. He has betrayed the oath of office that he took on inauguration day, and there seems to be no sign of anything changing with his behavior. This is no longer a partisan political problem - it has now become a national security issue. Let’s spell it out and call it for what it is: Donald Trump has become a ‘code red’ national security threat to our country. Those in Congress who care about the future of our country more than they do about their own political futures will need to do something about this. And if Congress chooses to do nothing about it, the American people will.
10
Don't forget that he won't even read the intelligence reports or anything over 1-2 paragraphs because he can't focus - This and other behavior alludes to the fact that he is not only a traitor but he is incompetent and unable to perform the duties required of the position. Any other worker in government or the private sector so incompetent would have been swiftly fired.
Of course, the main sympathetic and probably theiry to explain part of Trump's behaviour is that he is clinically psychopathic, as in the fish rots from the head down, OR - the Russians implanted a chip in his head.
But the latter theory fails to explain why the GOP would support Trump, the slayer of Lady Liberty.
6
President Trump sided with the enemy and that’s not OK! He should know that... he went to the best colleges.
A gentle reminder from the president of the United States:
“I had a situation where I was a very excellent student, came out, made billions and billions of dollars, became one of the top business people, went to television and for 10 years was a tremendous success, as you probably have heard, ran for president one time and won.”
And then this:
“People don't understand, I went to an Ivy League college. I was a nice student," Trump told reporters Wednesday. "I did very well. I'm a very intelligent person." Later, pointing to his head, he added: "One of the great memories of all time."
America, we have a problem!
8
In history, traitors have usually worked in secret alone or in small groups - But in this case with Trump in which his actions and words are known to the Congress and Senate, and their voting base - What degree of responsibility could one assume they hold in relation to treason in a court of law?
8
Trump is more concerned about being able to build his long-desired hotel in Moscow after his presidency.
10
Section 4 of Article Two of the United States Constitution: "The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
'High crimes and misdemeanors covers allegations of misconduct peculiar to officials, such as perjury of oath, abuse of authority, bribery, intimidation, misuse of assets, failure to supervise, dereliction of duty, unbecoming conduct, and refusal to obey a lawful order.'
The logical conclusion is that trump, pence & the entire white house are in violation the constitution.
After trump is removed or voted out of office he should build a hotel in russia & move there.
Prison or exile is to good for committing treason.
Is this the worst of times?
It's certainly not the best of times.
14
The GOP and the White House will obfuscate and say that Trump's denial today, while standing next to Putin, of Russian interference in the 2016 election despite the findings of the US intelligence agencies isn't what he really meant. Black is white and white is black. They'll make excuses and present an alternate reality of what we all witnessed with our own eyes in an attempt to somehow minimize the events that transpired today.
Trump and the GOP have been attempting to undermine the investigation into Russian interference for 18 months now. Is it stupidity? Is it treason? Is it a willingness to sacrifice this country for personal gain or their political agenda? It's probably all of this and more. Trump and the GOP make Nixon look like a boy scout. I am astounded at what I am witnessing. The American people must hold Trump and the GOP accountable for their actions.
7
Hopefully, soon enough we would know the full story of Trump campaign's involvement with the Russians in meddling with our electoral processes. The daily dose of revelations, though, leaves no doubt that members of the Trump family and his associates were engaged with the Russian hackers all along. Trump's nonstop efforts to impede the investigation further lend credence to the belief that he has something to hide.
What to do? Where do we go from here?
First and foremost, we should stop looking to the Republicans and Trump's base for help in this matter. Instead, we should ask ourselves are we, on our own part, doing all that we can, and must, do to safeguard our country's interests? Our cause itself carries enough weight to handle this matter successfully all by ourselves.
As things stand, neither the media nor the Democrats are discharging their duty as well as they might or could. America's vital interests are at stake, including its national safety and security. We have seen Trump inviting the Russians to the Oval Office without notice or news to our public. We have also learned that Trump has passed top secrets to the Russians without the prior knowledge of his advisers or their consent. It's past time that both the media and the Democratic opposition mount a steady drumbeat to inform the country of the perfidy that is taking place in front of our eyes.
6
Apathy and silence from Trump, the GOP, and the GOP base in the face of these attacks tells us one simple thing. They know they have to cheat to win elections. They know they can't win on a fair, level playing field.
Having said that, isn't it interesting that our foreign foes are hacking and meddling in our elections specifically with the intent of helping the GOP? You don't have to read between the lines here to determine which party they know will run America into the ground.
7
an interesting thought, quite likely to be true.
meanwhile, it was clear from the outset Hillary was by far the most likely Democratic nominee, and down to the wire she was every oddsmaker's favorite to win in the general (as she eventually did).
it's also well known and documented that Putin especially had it in for Hillary, going back at least to her time as Secretary of State and her criticisms of his own election skulduggery.
the Russian attack on our elections was not some spur of the moment program, no seat of the pants action: there was clearly plenty of planning, recruiting, tech manipulations, and more - all suggesting it may well have started long before it was clear Trump would be the Republican nominee.
obviously, Putin knew somebody would be running as a Republican, and Russia may have concluded they would be in a better position with a Republican administration in America than a Democratic administration. but the one thing Putin did NOT want was Hillary in the White House., someone who would be a real adversary, and I think Russia's efforts at least started as anti-Hillary more than pro-Trump.
as things moved forward, the Russians hit the jackpot: no Hillary and an inexperienced President they believed they could easily manipulate, especially if it happened to be Trump who happened to be in hock to them.
5
Trump HAS sold out his country. It's just a matter of time before it's proven. I just hope we have that time.
I am terrified.
9
It's up to you. YOU.
Will you insist upon viewing Trump as looking out for you and yours?
Will you ignore the facts? It's FACTS, I'm talking about, now, not get-even, stick-it-to-'em bigotry and dreams. For, what you do now and in the days and months to come, particularly when you stand before the ballot box at election time, will determine not only who wields the power in the months and years to come, but whether your generation will be remembered forever as the traitors who chose to abandon the at One million, Two hundred thousand Americans who have died defending our God-given democracy since the founding of The United States of America.
This includes the nation's 3,519 Medal of Honor winners who surveyed to return home and the 622 who did not.
Where was Trump? Where were his sons?
Where were YOU?
Do not besmirch yourselves by embracing a man who seeks to ally himself with such a despicable man as Vladimir Putin.
God Bless America, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave. May it exist for as long as mankind exists.
7
Wonderful job by the President and hopefully they'll end the Syrian war soon. Hopefully he will also withdraw all US forces from these Civil Wars raging globally that Pres Bush started needlessly in Iraq. Btw our Intel agencies guaranteed as a 'slam dunk' that Saddam Hussein had nukes and they were ready to hit Manhattan any moment. Great job Mr President, Bibi and Pres Putin on hopefully getting peace on the Golan Heights area also.
2
Now that we have the results of the Putin-Trump meeting today, we know what the Rosenbergs and Rudolph Able were really doing in New York City during the 1950's. They were creating the Queens Candidate - Donald Trump. A true sleeper agent and the greatest success of Soviet/Russian intelligence of the 20th and 21st centuries. We actually have a President who Joe McCarthy would love to have exposed and rooted out of the US Government. We have a President who vouches for a KGB agent whose interest is to destroy the USA. We have a President who rejects the analysis and conclusions of the CIA and FBI. We have a President who only cares about himself, not the United States of America. We have a President who only knows how to blame everyone else, but not how to represent and defend the United States of America. We have a President who defends Russia. We have a President who attacks NATO. It gets worse every day.
10
So Obama isn't a traitor for doing nothing when he knew Russia hacked our election process? He didn't tell Trump campaign Russians were trying to infiltrate? Hillary's not a traitor for facilitating sale of 20% of uranium reserves to Russia? Bill taking hundreds of thousands in speaking fees from Russian banks? Dems for paying for dossier from Russians and Clinton foundation for taking millions from foreign entities? And what did Obama do when Russians annexed Crimea and invaded Ukraine? NOTHING!
4
This is exactly what I mean when I say intellectually and morally degenerate and incompetent.
10
So other's wrongs justify the current Comrade in Chief's? Is that your reasoning?
4
He rebuked Putin faced to face and told him to cut it out, told both campaigns what the Russians were doing and proposed to the four leaders of Congress that we let the american people know what was going on but the traiterous Republicans McConnel and Ryan told him that they would scream bloody murder and accuse him of rigging the election for Hillary and he did not want to tear america apart
11
Trump's actions, in light of profoundly reliable evidence of Russian computer hacking is treasonous. And, this country, under Trump, is in more trouble than it understands. Putin is no run of the mill, third world, tin pot dictator. He controls vast regions of territory, blithely threatens others with military might, and makes the world an unstable place. Parallels can be drawn in history with Neville Chamberlain's appeasement of Hitler...It was Neville Chamberlain, after all who would be best remembered as the father of the Munich Pact, having met privately with Hitler at Berchtesgaden, the dictator’s mountaintop retreat, before the Munich conference. Chamberlain, convinced that Hitler’s territorial demands were not unreasonable (and that Hitler was a decent chap and a “gentleman”), persuaded the French to join him in pressuring Czechoslovakia to submit to the Fuhrer’s demands. Upon Hitler’s invasion of Poland a year later, Chamberlain was put in the embarrassing situation of announcing that a “state of war” existed between Germany and Britain. By the time Hitler occupied Norway and Denmark, Chamberlain was finished as a credible leader. “Depart, I say, and let us have done with you!” one member of Parliament said to him, quoting Oliver Cromwell.
6
Is it not a crime to fraternize with the enemy? Where is the "law and order" party now?
13
Disputing US intelligence agencies- in front of Putin. Trump is a traitor and a fool.
16
In the most recent indictments, we learned that a GOP congressman is suspected of soliciting help from Russian intelligence during the last election.
If this is true, was it just one congressman? Or was it systemic?
I don’t know. But when so many Congressional Republicans insist on Mueller wrapping up his investigation — instead of responding in the patriotic way, that is, supporting his efforts to get to the bottom of Russian interference — can I be blamed for entertaining some truly nefarious scenarios?
Our system of checks and balances has never seemed less reliable. If Congress won’t do their job, the responsibility may ultimately fall to We the People.
9
Mr. Blow's accusation that Russia "attacked" the United States in 2016 and the comparisons to Pearl Harbor by various people in the Democratic Party are reckless hyperbole. Approximately 2,000 Americans were killed on 7 December 1941. On 8 November 2016, only Hillary's presidential aspirations died.
The Russians and its predecessor the Soviet Union did nothing different than what they have done since the Communist revolution. Yet that was never a reason in the past to call such activity an "act of war". President Obama certainly did not place any great importance on the Russian activity in 2016 aside from telling Putin to "Knock it off." Susan Rice even told the White House cyber team not to go after the Russian "meddling". The outrage on the Left only arose after Clinton lost the election.
2
After the vlad press conference where dt defends the Russians over US intelligence, the US should not allow him back on Air Force 1, and not allow him back in the country. Period. Let him seek political asylum in Russia, or any country that would even take him. A coup d’etat would be called for here, and the 2016 election declared invalid.
8
I agree one hundred per cent.
Citizens living in shame! Let justice ring and fully reject this administration. Read Robert Reich's "15 Warning Signs of Impending Tyranny." We now have a damaged and spoiled child at the wheel of history. Trump personifies the organizing effect of wealth on politicians. His holdings in Russia put the American people, our enduring democratic institutions and the future of our national interest in the balance against his offensive, ego driven, disturbed, puerile and disgraceful behavior. When a child acting out is not admonished the child continues to act out until stopped. Mr. Mueller, end this nightmare; please, we beg you to act now with subpoenas. The pathway to an impeachment and then criminal trial is open. Traitor Trump and his evil gang must go, now, while time remains. This not 1930's Germany but it sure feels like it. Lengthy federal prison time will have an impact on others in Trump's treasonous cabal; use it. In my 72 years I have never felt so personally insulted by such bad actors as these. Nixon was evil but not dumb; Trump is both and that can easily combine in a combustible cocktail.
5
The most disastrous president in our history.
Period.
14
Any chance Trump and Chamberlain could dance the two step?
1
I am very disappointed in this summit. I thought Trump might defect....
14
Absolutely correct and should be required reading. The man is nothing less than a traitor who was "elected" by a hostile foreign power and domestic idiots
15
thank you for having faith in us. it's a very scary time for America.
1
Of course he's going to say he believes Putin. Because he colluded with Russia! Does anyone remember Trump's comment in the debate suggesting that we should ask Russia where Hillary's missing emails are? To my mind, that comment clearly indicates knowledge of what Russia was doing, at minimum, and strongly hints at Trump's collusion with them. Lock him up!
11
I want to know where every single person in Congress stands on the Trump-Putin meeting. No wishy-washy stuff either, grow a spine, people! I am in total agreement with Charles Blow. As I listened to the press conference, all I could think was, treason. Don't stand up for America, don't stand up for NATO, don't stand up for our allies, Trump, just stand up for Putin. You are no president. You are no leader. You are a total embarrassment as is your GOP turned Trumpists.
7
It's understandable why Trump and Putin met alone - Trump needed to get his paycheck signed.
7
Trump has said publically that Mueller would be crossing a line if he investigated his personal finances.
No. He wanted to get his orders. Trump is either complicit or demented. The Dallas Morning News had an article spelling out how Putins and his allies swung the election to Trump (and other republicans). We are in trouble.
No. He wanted to get his orders.
Trump just sent a message to all America's overseas intelligence agents:
All your work has been for naught. Your president does not trust you. Fall inline with the doctrine or your private opinions will be held against you in a court of law.
p.s. Putin now has your address. He wants to send you a Xmas card - - and perhaps a bottle of Novichok-laced perfume for your wife.
5
The betrayal of our country in the face of an enemy nation's active penetration of voter databases, probing others for weaknesses and a president attacking allies who sent their sons (and a few daughters) to fight alongside us and die after 9/11, is beyond disgusting.
More troubling though is the attitude of Republican elected officials in the Congress and in statehouses. It is a combination of "nothing to see here", "everybody does it", and "no harm because they didn't change vote totals". Had any Democrat said anything approaching that he or she would be on trial before the Senate in an impeachment proceeding.
But it gets worse. There is no chance in my mind that the 2018 election will be a fair and open proceeding. There is no chance that the vote total in at least some key races will be accurately counted and reported. Some races will be fixed by hackers and operatives and by the incompetence and lack of technical computer skills at state and local election offices. Does anyone trust the bland assurances of DOJ and elected GOP officials that all will be well?
If all that isn't depressing enough consider that about 40 percent of your fellow Americans don't care and hang on the Donald's every word as sacred writ.
5
In the foreground, as the GOP representatives each take their camera-op - especially Goudy - to demand the 'president' demonstrate some critical stand against Russia and Putin, in the background, the GOP is preparing an indictment against Mr. Rosenstein.
Rosenstein is the messenger and the GOP is organizing the firing squad. How patriotic is that?
Goudy investigated Clinton for 28 months and found nothing. Mueller has been on the job less than 24 and produced over a dozen indictments and five guilty pleas.
The double standard is treasonously astounding!
9
You hav2e told it like you see it, Charles...and correctly. Our fake President needs to be held accountable for his disloyalty to the USA. He is doing the bidding of PuppetMaster Putin who obviously "has the goods" on Trump and the dark acts in his personal and business lives and is using this material to blackmail/extort Dirty Donald. What Trump does not understand is that Putin is sure to release that material anyway.
3
1. This nation was founded by traitors against England, and they should have been hanged. They got poor and working people to fight a war for them because they were tax evaders who didn't want to pay Britain to defend their sorry hides. Then they preached about liberty while enslaving people. The founders in 1776 were downright Orwellian. War is peace! Slavery is liberty!
2. What goes around comes around. Remember how the US interfered in Iran, in Korea, in VietNam, and all over Central and South America, literally toppling elected governments, waging war on people, enabling dictators, torturers and genocidal maniacs? So why should we be surprised when the same thing happens here? And when our country has basically sold out to a rich elite who are happy to sell us out to the highest bidder? Trump is only one of many collabos who put their interests before their country's.
For my dollar, I'd be happy to sell the country back to the UK. Then we might be a nice country like Canada. But who wants this third world dump now? Putin might find out that it's not worth the trouble, once the US economy completely tanks and we have our 2nd civil war.
5
And our dear former President Obama who had direct knoweldge from inteliigence sources and others in his administration did absolutley nothing in 2016. The treasonous labelneeds to be extended to President Obama as well Mr. Blow.
2
Because in 2016 your dear current Senate Majority leader, Mitch McConnell threatened to charge the Obama administration with attempting to influence the election if the facts about Russian hacking were made public.
14
That's simply not true. Obama DID make statements about Russian interference but was careful not to look too partisan in doing so. All of Trump's voters were told that he was a Russian agent, just as they knew he had five bankruptcies, had never held elective office, was a serial adulterer, was mobbed up, a fraud and a liar. You can't blame the media or Obama for this one. The public knew how despicable this man was and elected him anyway!
2
I put a lot of faith in body language and looking at Putin's face in this accompanying photo, he is smirking at the triumph he has just secured in his meeting with the traitor Trump.
5
"That investigation seems to be incredibly fruitful" - only if you think that unreasonable search and seizure is okay. And still no collusion. I would say the investigation has been an incredible failure, since we are paying $30M with no collusion evidence. If the Democrats hadn't made this all about Trump, we could all agree that the Russians need to be reprimanded. But since they are making it political, we all lose.
1
Just wait - the investigation is not over. There is evidence members of the tRump campaign met with Russians to damaging information on Clinton. There is much more to come. Why are you not concerned about a foreign government meddling in the election? Do you not believe in Democracy? The investigation has been much more productive than all the Republican investigations into the Clinton emails and Benghazi. You seem to have a huge partisan view of things.
2
I never thought I'd say this about an American president, but The Teflon Don's behavior is borderline treasonous, if it hasn't already crossed that line. As are his enablers in congress who remain silent on said behavior and continue their attack on the DOJ and FBI.
11
Uh, the numbers in the print column gave one figure answers on "Do You Approve or Disapprove of Trump/Mueller", dividing the numbers by party identification.
That calls for each percentage to be listed (along with n and polling method.
OK, the numbers make it obvious it was % who approved of Trump/approved of Mueller.
But this reminds me of an old George Carlin routine: "And now for a partial score, Detroit-16."
Trump reaffirmed his role as Putin's patsy, siding with the Russian GRU and the Kremlin against American law enforcement, intelligence and elected officials. Trump is undeniably a traitor, and we have some very logical and well documented explanations for that fact. Putin has proven that he could defeat the U.S. in cyberwarfare and by using the twin tools of blackmail and bribery. He has also shown that he can prevent the impeachment of his patsy by taking strategic control of Congress. The only possible salvation for our country is the remote possibility that a Republican FBI special prosecutor will stand up for our country and that the courts, rapidly giving way to corruption, will act with integrity. By now, Russia has obviously hacked the voter registration roles in the swing states and can guarantee Trump's re-election. After that, he will pardon the 12 Russian agents recently indicted, along with is American co-conspirators. It may be time to tune out and tend to the survival of our own souls.
3
Just saw press interview after Trump’s Helsinki summit with Putin. Trump definitely handed his own head on a platter. In other words, taken to the cleaners. Everyone knew this was going to happen, just didn’t want to believe it. The upshot? Putin gets to do whatever he wants in Eastern Europe and America isn’t going to do anything. If NATO intervenes to help a victimized country, America will stand back. It has been the threat of American might that kept Putin from overrunning neighboring European countries in his quest for dominance. No more. People still want their freedom and will fight. Trump does not see any of this. He is a moral coward and does what he thinks “everyone is doing.” He does not protect American interests or laws in any form any where.
6
If siding with Putin over our intelligence and law enforcement agencies isn’t giving aid and comfort to an enemy, I don’t know what is. Unfortunately the cowardly Republicans in Congress would disagree.
8
here we are talking about a POTUS who doesn't care what anyone thinks of him, other than his supporters. He is beholden to Russia probably for billions of dollars and he is not going to upset them. Being patriotic to his country and the people here mean less to him than the photo op this has given him. Trump may win in 2020 again with the $80M+ he has in the bank and his staying on top of all the nightmarish promises he made to his supporters! Unless Americans are willing to rise up and VOTE him out, we are stuck with a very dangerous POTUS!
4
Breaking news....this just in from Helsinki...
In exchange for the forgiveness of his massive loans from Russian oligarchs, President Trump has agreed to return Alaska to the Russians.
7
Now that Trump has had his post summit press conference with Putin, can there be any doubt to where his loyalty lies?
Seriously.
History will be the ultimate judge but at this stage, it seems to me that the issue of treason should be obvious even to his most brainwashed congressional supporters.
These Republican congressional supporters ought to be as aghast as the rest of the western world from what came from the mouth of our President.
Lord, help us.
6
A long polemic isn't necessary and those more eloquent than I will deliver them well enough.
Trump is colluding, paying Putin back for his support and doing his bidding in doing so. The target isn't Hillary, never was, it is NATO and the Western containment of Russia's expansionist agenda to recapture the Soviet sphere lost to Reagan. If I were Putin, I'd do the same thing, set up a weak and delusional petty dictator beholden to me to undermine the European Union as often and as dismissively as possible. No worries with China, The Arab boundary will go the way of Chechens and all he has to eliminate is the NATO girdle. Consider it done. Thanks to Trump. More than just a dupe, an active traitor to America and the world. Putin couldn't have done better. Corruption triumphs, Kleptocracy enshrined, in the US and soon more of the world.
5
Putin launched a cyber-attack against us. Mueller delivered evidence of 12 criminal acts of sabotage against our nation.
But in a fit of self-serving cowardice Trump has chosen to ignore these crimes and has instead chosen to defend the perpetrator of those deeds. Trump has failed to defend his country -- while attacking our long-standing allies.
Impeachment. Now.
6
We should be much easier on Trump. If the President was a traitor and working for Putin what he said was very reasonable.
I think it has been clear that we've not had a functioning Republic for quite a while and that we've been ruled by a loosely organized group of elites whose interests, thank God, fortunately coincide with our own. These are really smart people blessed by God to wisely guide us and our nation. If they think Trump is still good enough to be President, and if they didn't the Dems and Republicans would be joining together to challenge him, I think we should all take comfort in that, instead of freaking out about a "news" conference. And there is a case to be made. Profits are up as are stock prices and dividends. Crime is very low, President Trump's occasional assertions to the contrary. Many measures of unemployment are low. Civil rights have never been better, with very few people being killed or even beaten for the color of their skin or their sexual orientation. Truly, except for the indefinite threat of global warming, things have never been better for mankind, and I'm certain that when the time is right our elites and the government will bring a halt to the threat of global warming. Freedom!!!
1
Where Are the Congressional Republicans that will defend these United States of America from all threats foreign or domestic? WHERE ARE THEY?!
We can handle a treasonous president if the other branches of government do their job to uphold and defend our national sovereignty.
6
Trump says Putin's denials were "powerful." By contrast, Trump was: Weak! Sad! A Loser! And not fit to be president of a Rotary Club, let alone the great United States of America.
9
The President in 2016 told Putin "to cut it out," so problem solved, right?
3
If the US Intelligence Agencies are not to be trusted and inadequate ... then who will defend the republic?
3
None of the indictments of anyone associated with Trump have anything to do with Russian interference with the election.
The social media interference on the part of the Russians was designed to support the Hillary contention that anyone opposed to her was deplorable. The plan backfired, because of her inherent corruption.
Trump did not send two planeloads of cash to Iran to fund terrorism in support of Russia's client state. He also did not shut down a DEA enforcement action against a Mexican cartel/Iranian terrorist drug running operation at the request of Iran.
If being associated with criminals is disqualifying for the presidency, how do you justify Hillary's candidacy when 13 of her business associates were convicted of fraud that resulted in a bank failure for an enterprise that she was general counsel for?
Get over your TDS.
2
And do the things you cite mean we should just ignore Russia?
Two wrongs make a right?
How much has our government been hijacked by Israel and Saudi Arabia? During the financial crisis.....and the bailout how much did Saudi Arabia benefit given its vast stock holdings in the US. To what degree has out policy in Syria and Libya, for example, been determined by Israel and Saudi Arabia? Oh and the invasion of Iraq.....who came up with that great idea? Mr. Blows accusation of traitor rings hollow and it pains me to read a commentator I respect use the term so loosely. I can't stand what Trump is doing or not doing in so many areas. But our last president had more class but I could not stand the way the Wall Street meltdown was handled. And I felt Bush damaged the country as much as any president I can remember.....but traitor? Let us restrict the word to traitors.
3
Define overt act. Is public appeasement overt?
After watching the Trump Putin press conference. Verdict: Trump may be a traitor, he may be unhinged but he is surely a danger to the American people.
8
During his campaign for what we used to call the presidency Trump said that after his audit(s) he'd release his tax forms.
Lie. That was a lie. Number one lie.
If we could see his tax forms, we might get one onehundreth of what Mueller sees.
Let us pray the system works against liars like Donald Trump who took advantage of people desperate for answers but truthfully got only lies.
3
Anderson Cooper called Trump's behavior in front of Putin the worst of any president he has ever seen.
John Brennan, former Director of the CIA called Trump's performance in Helsinki "nothing short of treasonous".
And the Republican leadership says.... nothing. What ? Hello, anyone there? Come out from under your desks you cowards and put a muzzle on your mascot Trump.
10
In Helsinki, Trump believes Putin over the FBI.
Will be interesting to see how Fox spins this.
3
Charles I literally laughed out loud when I read your headline. At least your good for something but it's not for cogent thought.
1
As I read this powerful column while in Switzerland, it suddenly occurred to me: why are these 2300+ readers not also sending this column and their published comments to their representatives in Washington? Every representative has a website on which constituents can leave comments; no printing, no postage required.
Some of these comments have more than a thousand ”recommend” votes; those of you who recommend the comment could do the same with that comment and the original column. Imagine the flood of voter communications that would hit those representatives!
I’d be proud to imagine that my comment to the NYT was copied by a thousand readers and sent to their representatives.
Our voice is our vote.
4
Thank you Mr. Blow. And Thank God you're still able to publish. My fear is that the press will be silenced once and for all and we'll all be reading Pravda US edition. What will we have then?
5
New York City FBI - Is this what you wanted?
3
Live on international tv from Helsinki - the collusion tour.
4
If you're tagging traitors and treason, don't forget Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, and a number of the right who not only provide DJT with cover, they applaud his actions. I believe MM's single-minded blockage of everything President Obama did* was treasonous, culminating in the Merrick Garland fiasco. That is a public servant openly defying the will of the American people and the laws that they've established - treason. Now we have a minority taking over the courts, gerrymandering to stay in power, destroying the environment and relationships with allies built over decades. I honestly believe that Putin bought Trump, he's invested millions in him and now his investment is paying off handsomely. Even if his taxes are revealed and the Russian money is discovered, I feel as if MM and rest of the bums will still find a way to explain it away as fake news. Very troubling times we live in.
*remember when President Obama said "A" and MM said "B", and Obama said, "OK, B" and MM said, "no way!" Or the time MM blamed Obama for MM's vote!?
1
Trump this morning gave aid and comfort to America's biggest enemy. That is treason. Period. See 18 U.S. Code § 2381 - "Treason
US Code: Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."
The scary part is that his low-life followers, the ones who threaten armed rebellion if a liberal burns a flag or refuses to stand for the National Anthem, still support this traitor. The relationship between Trump and his intellectually stunted followers is like that between participants in a frat house drinking game -- they embolden each other with lounder and louder shouts of "chug...chug...chug" with each newly opened keg.
6
Russia successfully invaded our election process only if it affected the outcome. It did not and there is no evidence it did. The evidence is that the Obama administration was fully aware if what was going in and did nothing. Just what he did when Russia grabbed the Crimea. Just what he did when Russia invaded the northeastern Ukraine. NATO military figures gave considerable praise to President Trump for demanding NATO free riders honor their treaty commitments. This opinion piece is a poor reflection of the NYT tradition of the previous generation of ownership. Obama left this nation in a very dangerous situation and Trump is the repairman. The Russians and the Chinese are not impressed by little red reset buttons or Barry the mouth. Trump has taken clear actions such as wiping out Russian mercenaries that attacked our troops in Syria. Outrageous overstatement isn’t opinion. It is hysteria.
1
Without the help of the NYT, who vilified Hillary Clinton at every opportunity, we would not be here.
Trump is in our faces partly due to the Times long standing anti-Clinton agenda.
Own it.
3
Don't you have to be treasonous in order to be a traitor?
you can't be a traitor before you commit the treason
So, trump has and is committing treason - which makes him a traitor
1
Follow the rubles. There we will find our answers to Donald Trump's allegiances and who he is loyal to.
6
#45 openly on the world's stage sold out the country he is sworn to protect and defend. Can you imagine what treason was sown in their two-hour private meeting?
7
Treason.... just one more criminal count in the indictment of this criminal president and president that is a criminal.
2
A political win has become more important than service to your country. In more current terms, winning over integrity or more commonly, the ends justify the means. But to what end? This president will sell the country to pay for his own image. Any hint of Russian influence on the election undermines the legitimacy of his presidency. Thus, denial of the most obvious and undermining your own team has become the means to an untarnished political victory in the end. As dangerous as it is sad.
5
Trump's oath of office (even given how many times he's shown his word to be worse than worthless) is to 'defend the U.S.' If his obvious and continual refusal to do so isn't grounds for impeachment, I don't know what is.
5
I now believe Trump expects to get indicted for his crimes, fears Pence will not pardon him, and is looking for a safe haven in Russia where he can become the billionaire oligarch he longs to be.
2
Putin just said, in Helsinki, he had wanted Donald Trump to win the 2016 election.
What was said behind those closed doors in Helsinki? Obviously, how the Russians could use their dirty tricks in the 2018 mid-term elections. Treasonous collusion just happened.
6
I would love to see the real documentation for the same.. to really impeach Trump ..
Else please try to speak you mind in the heart of Mississippi and Texas and Carolina country whether the people there , whose votes really matter ( my vote did not in 2016 ) , believes one word about it and prove it to them.. they can only punish the real culprits .
The sick feeling I have in the pit of my stomach was caused by seeing our unraveling president unraveling the security of the United States. The worst collusion is that the GOP leadership and rank and file stand by doing nothing while it is happening. Benedict Arnold must be laughing in his grave.
9
Russia is attacking our democracy with the blessings of Trump's base supporters and GOP chicken hawks. Best we say it out loud and often. Traitors - the lot.
7
A cataclysmic situation is that, instead of fighting what is transparently happening, the Republicans who control Congress refuse to acknowledge what Blow says here, and are exerting every possible effort to disavow Mueller's investigation to protect themselves and Trump.
America is in a historically unprecedented place now, and we the people must do all we can to avoid losing our democracy, our heritage and our legacy in the world.
6
Trump is the enemy of American values. He does not deserve another appointment to the Supreme Court.
6
In order to impose his dream of a facist dictatorship, Trump must first destroy the republic and it’s traditional institutions. The deep state conspiracy sows the seeds on minds soiled by propaganda of the ultra wealthy ultra right. Citizens United was the first act of treason by one of our three branches. Animation of legally structured entities making them equal to flesh and blood is comic book fodder that seemed impossible. Now we have a super villain in the Whitehouse. Time for Mitch McConnel to ditch the glasses and find a phone booth.
2
These acts by a United States President frame a dark picture for the near future of our nation and the world. Trump is acting as an agent of the Russian government. He successfully played the role scripted for him by Putin in this stage play disguised as a summit. It is reminiscent of the "Manchurian Candidate"role made famous by Frank Sinatra. In such, a communist regime initiated a sustained attack against our democracy . They implored targeted propaganda and fake controversy to stir up American political divisions. They used brainwashing techniques to instill a communist puppet in the White House as President. Donald Trump is acting as that puppet and brainwashing is not the source of his betrayal. I suspect the hold that Moscow has over Trump has more to do with financial crimes and moral lapses. Putin used his KGB skills and knowledge to spin Trump into a web of deceit and lies. Putin used praise and flattery to dissolve any pretense of Trumps ability to stand up to this manipulation and represent the interest of our nation. I strongly fear he used outright blackmail to force Trump into an inescapable box. Although this sounds incredible and unbelievable , we can't afford to ignore what we see and hear. We are either being lead by a corrupt, treasonous actor and or a" rube", easily manipulated and coerced by a much stronger force of nature. In either circumstance, we are on a dark and dangerous path. Our democracy is in danger.
4
Wow....and this was written before the spectacle of the news conference in Helsinki today. Trump is a clear and present danger not only to the USA but to the world in general.
6
Trump's comments a few minutes ago completely validate Mr. Blow's opinion headline.
7
You sure are full of vitriol these days, Mr. Blow.
I don't doubt your take on Trump's alleged failure to "act' as "treason."
Does that apply also to the "failure to act" to protect our diplomatic staff in Benghazi, Libya, or the failure to "act" to protect the Syrian children from being gassed to death after the Obama administration declared "red lines" and John Kerry promised the world that Syria was "free of chemical weapons"?
Does "treason" apply to the cash for hostages subterfuge undertaken by President Obama while selling us the Iran nuclear deal?
Or to Obama's failure to "act" on the intelligence he received about Russian election interference in our elections in the summer of 2016?
Just askin'.
4
No mistake of Obama's compares to this.
2
If there was ever a time when Americans' hair should be on fire, this is it.
2
Today's outrage, which sees Trump again siding with Putin and against the findings of US intelligence really is treason. It is time for the nation to act.
4
“Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort,” Article Three states. “No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.”
From some document called the Constitution of the United States of America.
People use the term too loosely.
And no, I’m no friend of the Donald.
7
Seriously, how do we arrest Trump?
3
Donals J. trump just sold his soul and the Country we all Love to Putin !
4
Careful Charlie, yer hair's on fire...again.
2
I remember in November 1963 they were giving out handbills in Dallas saying President Kennedy was "Wanted For Treason". That is a despicable level of political commentary whether from the right or the left. A president is not just wrong on policy, making some bad judgements, neglecting the concerns of some Americans, even coming up short in his personal deportment, no, he is treasonous. This is a desperate level of attack by political bottom-feeders. Trump Derangement Syndrome has rendered many of his hapless opponents unvarnished haters and irrational mud-slinging hacks. In the race to the bottom Charles Blow is a serious contender.
3
Our president is not only a treasonous, cowardly criminal when it comes to Russia and election interference, he is using his office to enrich himself and his family.
I fear for our democracy when so many can be so complacent and complicit with this sociopathic con man.
Where is the outrage people??!!
7
No summer vacations, Mr. Mueller. We need you to keep working!
2
Peter Strzok was right. He must be stopped.
4
President Trump has verified this accusation with his statements after meeting with Putin today.
3
How is it possible that Trump stands by Putin's side and tells the world he believes Putin and not the US's Justice Department and Congress is not DOING SOMETHING immediately. Are we to now believe that McConnell and Co also believe Putin over our own intelligence? Does anyone else feel like the country is about to collapse?
3
America is the new Crimea.
2
Trump just violated his oath of office to protect and defend us!!!! He should be impeached now or removed via the 25th amendment!
9
This is solid evidence that the President should be impeached immediately! What more evidence is needed for Congress to act! I hold the GOP as co-conspirators in this effort to hijack our country and make us a vassal state to Putin's Russia! I am beyond alarmed!
4
Chairman Trump confirmed my fear that I am now living in a soviet puppet state. I would hope the republican house and senate would repudiate this, but it seems too many of them are willing to dangle on Putin's strings as well. Rural voters and men are you willing to continue electing puppets of foreign governments? We can only hope not and hope that the vote is counted and verified appropriately. How much longer will we even be allowed to openly complain?
4
Would Mr. Blow have the US declare war on Russia because a dozen Russian agents stole some passwords and installed malware on a server?
3
Charles Blow should win a Pulitzer Prize for this article. He couldn't be more correct. Trump ignores all 17 of the U.S. intelligence organisations, NATO and all of our allies to dismiss a foreign ongoing attack on the United States. This is treason by any definition. He sides with Putin on all issues even as we speak in Helsinki. It appears he actually takes orders from Putin (in private of course) ?
Next he will want to rename our country "The United States of Soviet Allies" so that we can join the "Axis of Evil" with Syria and North Korea. The Republican leadership and their supporters should also go on trial. The situation is simply horrific.
7
While I maintain very strong suspicions that Trump is a willing or unwilling Russian asset - like something out of a John LeCarre novel - I must ask if The NY Times and other left of center media, would be as concerned if Trump or another President was following more progressive policies of the type espoused by the Times etc. while minimizing Russian involvement in our elections, accepting the annexation of Crimea as a fait accompli, and challenging not only the efficacy of NATO but also its necessity, all in the name of rapprochement and peace among nuclear powers. It is not difficult to imagine a liberal pushing these policies. Would we then wonder if that liberal, doing all we wanted domestically but following more Trumpian foreign policies, may be a traitor?
3
This situation is bad and becoming worse by the day. This President is either compromised or one of the most ignorant people in any Office of high responsibility. He is actually taking sides against the United States with a hostile adversary. The Adults in the GOP need to show up and take over. If not, the voters need to come out in unprecedented numbers in November and vote them out.
3
Thank you Mr. Blow. Your commentary would be even more on the mark if you make these small changes:
This is an incredible, unprecedented moment. America is being betrayed by its own Republican party. America is under attack and the Republican party absolutely refuses to defend it.
Simply put, the Republican party is a traitor and may well be treasonous.
3
A crushingly shameful day in American history. Every single Republican member of Congress needs to be held accountable for their cowardice, or the America that all of us knew is over.
9
Just run this on the front page for awhile. Today's press conference confirms everything Charles has stated. Trump supports Russia vs. America, and Republicans must be called to answer for this treason.
4
Another angry column, and sadness of this tragic time is worrisome, because
the buzzards have come to gobble the future
That is not a great metaphor, but thanks to the Electoral College our loathsome demagogue continues making trouble.
The Electoral College has failed its responsibility, which is nothing new.
I am afraid that a trade war will not be good for anybody.
Can an election change the course?
The GOP is being overwhelmed by the wretched Smoot-Hawley that defeated the world a la the late 1920s.
And apparently there is little that the GOP maladaptions can do about the crazy thing.
China is not yet the reserve currency, but our Titanic is nearing the iceberg.
The Democrats including Obama will be blamed.
2
I would absolutely love for Charles Blow to devote a few paragraphs to the entire story about the Russian manipulation in our elections. Please give us thoughts about the "see nothing, say nothing" approach taken by Barack Obama. It's really not asking much. It's called balance.
1
Yes, Mr. Blow. You nail it. Thank you. And every former GOP, now Trump Party member, who enables this treasonous activity is complicit -- and anyone who votes for him now, knowing who and what he is. As Maya Angelou said, when someone shows you who they are, believe them. And he has been showing us every single day that he is exactly the traitor to our America that you describe here.
6
If in 2016 if Russia "attacked" the United States of America as Blow states, why did not Obama counter-attack Russia instead of unleashing U.S. law enforcement and intelligence services against Democrats political opponents? Perhaps Blow hyperboleth too much.
If Blow is looking for precedents he might want to think about this being the first time the force of the U.S. government was unleashed on political opponents since McCarthyism was a popular Washington pastime. The question is why does that not require as much if not more scrutiny as any Russian meddling. Perhaps Blow feels that if Russia meddled, that law enforcement and intelligence services receive free reign to meddle with U.S. political processes as well. Ask Comey who was an equal opportunity meddler, first politically screwing Clinton and then Trump. There is a guy who really needed a hobby other than playing politics with the FBI.
BTW is treasonous traitor, the same as murderous murderer?
1
Thank you, Charles, for stating our danger so clearly. Our founders never conceived that our most dangerous enemy might be one of us - and certainly not our president, who is duty-bound to protect us.
7
As far as I'm concerned, the President is a traitor to the American people, and any in Congress that continue to enable his damaging agenda are traitors, as well. Remember the Rosenbergs and what happened to them. I see no difference between them and "Traitor Trump". Mr. President, save yourself and come clean or suffer the Rosenberg's ultimate fate.
10
i have referred to trump as a traitor for some time. it is so obvious. and the republicans, who claim to be such good americans, are supporters or maybe even co-conspirators. the republican paty needs to be stopped for the good of the country and trump and his ilk in prison until they die.
7
At the press conference, Trump was asked who he believed, Putin or his own intelligence services. He answered that he had confidence in both.
Perhaps that question should now be asked of each and every Republican in the House and Senate. Voters should know exactly who and what they believe.
13
Well, the summit is over and the result was as expected. Not only is Trump a traitor but so are at least 47 Senators and I'm not sure how many Representatives who share his craven and singular goal of getting rich(er) and re-elected. I hope the two words you dared to speak, Charles, - traitor and treason - become the rallying point across the country and world, to finally bring the criminals in our government and legislature down.
17
The oath of office says: "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
10
Welcome to the new annexation to the Russian Federation; the United States of America is now a Russian State. If you
don't believe me, just watch. Trump and Putin got their heads together sometime before the 2016 election and decided they wanted to rule the world together. Sounds outrageous? We have just witnessed part two of the process.
10
The right-wing cult slobbering over trump are being groomed for an authoritarian state.
6
Blow has no self-awareness whatsoever. To start out this column this way: "Put aside whatever suspicions you may have about whether Donald Trump will be directly implicated in the Russia investigation." and then continue it the manner he does is incredible. Trump cheating America of a fair election would have been one of the worst events in our nation's history, but the accusation of doing so, if untrue, would be much the same. If Blow is preparing for a situation where the idea of Trump conspiring with Russians to illicitly win the election has died but he retains some sort of moral high ground with respect to the President he is delusional. Others might, but not Blow.
3
While some may have had doubts about Blow's conclusions, those doubts have been put to rest by the Trump/Putin press conference just concluded.
Trump was not meeting with his counterpart, he was meeting with his handler.
This is treason.
19
These are amazing days. With a Kremlin agent in the Oval Office, we've become an important but distant outpost in the Russian empire.
11
The facts that our political campaigns were - and continue to be - influenced by hacking, data mining, and targeted social media based voter suppression tactics, as well as hacking attempts of the electoral data itself by unfriendly foreign governments are all issues of grave consternation.
This is not 'fake news'.
On top of this, gerrymandering, our utterly disgraceful campaign finance laws and the electoral college all combine to create a democratic system that can only be described as completely dysfunctional.
In the last seven presidential elections the republican candidate has won three times yet won the popular vote only ONCE. Thanks to the electoral college and extreme republican gerrymandering the concept of one person - one vote simply doesn't exist in national and Congressional elections. The will of 70,000 voters spread across 3 rust belts states that gave trump his victory outweighed the will of the 2.9 million more people who voted for clinton nationally by a factor of 41 to 1. And this isn't even getting into the outsized influence given to low population states in the Senate.
Gerrymandering and the electoral college have disqualified us from being able to call ourselves a real democracy, and the corrupting influence of big money donors to campaigns has done the same for the label of republic.
No, 'authoritarian oligarchy' is a much more accurate descriptor. Actually, this administration has tilted it more toward 'authoritarian kleptocracy'.
11
Trump thinks that he has found the great flaw in our system:
No one will do anything to stop him.
He may be correct.
13
Mr. Blow and readers, by now we have all read the latest update of the Trump/Putin "summit." If ever this column has been validated, it is now, during this moment. Trump has officially betrayed you, me, our time-tested institutions, our democracy. He is selling our country to Russia. He is indeed insane. We have only two options left to us: The first is Mr. Mueller, and God help this man. The second is for us to be relentless in appealing to this Congress to end this creature's rein before our democracy itself ends. Yes, the Republican Congress, I believe, is complicit. So, put the pressure on the Democrats. Their convenient excuse is that they are in the "minority." That is hogwash. If they are true leaders and really care about us, they will stop talking the talk and instead begin walking the walk.
12
A very brave and patriotic young woman, Reality Leigh Winner 25, a six-year veteran of the US Military, answered a question that many asked but that no one had answered: Did the Russians hack into the active voting process, the voting machines and the machines that tabulated the results? Ms. Winner was accused of “removing classified material from a government facility and mailing it to a news outlet.” She has since pleaded guilty and been sentenced to five years in prison.
The Intercept reported, “Russian Military Intelligence (GRU) executed a cyberattack on at least one US voting software supplier and sent spear-phishing emails to more than 100 local election officials just days before last November’s presidential election.”
The Department of Homeland Security tried to declare state election systems to be part of our critical national infrastructure. Republicans dismissed the idea. Some states have refused to cooperate with the DHS. If the election put their candidate in the White House, why would they change anything?
11
I am an American citizen and I apologize from the bottom of my heart to our Allies. I ask them to please forgive my country, but Never Never to forgive the man and his congressional apologists.
I am an American citizen, and I ask that when Air Force One lands, the feet of Donald Trump not be allowed to touch American soil or tarmac.
He is not of we the people. He is not the will and want of the America I have been a part of for almost 75 years. I am strong, I am proud, I am no longer willing to take this destroyer who has yet to suffer one single consequence for the his crushing destruction: this man who wanted nothing so much AS to destroy.
Please do not let his feet touch down on my country's tarmac.
Because underneath that tarmac is American soil.
9
This OpEd needed to be written. The media, in a continuing effort to be measured and balanced, has mostly avoided calling Trump's behavior treason. Whatever the reason(s) may be, Trump has consistently supported Putin's agenda, not America's. It is time to call it what it is.
13
NPR policy is to never call the president a liar, and never call anything he says is a lie! Google it.
National Public Radio’s complicity is treasonous!
1
Treason?
You bet!
18
Is there any doubt in any sane person's mind that our president is committing treason after today's performance in Helsinki? His purring at Putin, "a stone cold killer' according to a close relative who is a professor of Russian, was disgusting to watch.
And the collusion of the GOP is almost worse, since one presumes that not all Republicans have serious personality disorders rendering them incapable of separating national interest from self-centered interest.
Let's not forget all the cash paid into "campaign war chests" by many nefarious entities like the NRA--which has been accused of laundering money for the Russians.
It would be useful for the New York Times to re-publish the amounts that GOP politicians received from the NRA and other questionable sources during their campaigns--it would give Americans a reason why so many GOP members continue to support this abomination who sits in the White House.
10
The democratic process does not suit Donald Trump. The only way that Trump can be successful is deceivingly simple: he needs to hold absolute power and he needs to remain in power forever. With Republican members of Congress excusing all of his behavior, step 1 is done. As for step 2, a majority of Republicans surveyed said they would favor "postponing" the 2020 presidential election. Trump needs Russia to ensure the mid-terms will not erode his majority.
6
In 1964, Justice Potter Stewart tried to explain "hard-core" pornography by saying "I know it when I see it". Today the world saw what an American in "Collusion" with Russia looks like.
17
Unbelievable: at a press conference with the leader of a foreign nation which has provably attacked us, what does Trump do? He declines to speak any criticism of the hostile nation, instead blaming his own country; Hillary Clinton; some Pakistani employee of (presumably) the DNC; and maunders on and on about his own election, the Democratic tilt of the Electoral College (anyone who's been awake since 2000 knows how wrong that is!) and blethered "where is the server?" when I doubt he would recognize a server if he were standing on one...and assumes that a gift given to the U.S. is his, to give to Barron. Failure to defend; incompetence; and taking emoluments -- all in one disgusting display!
14
Reagan must be rolling over in his grave, to see the US sunk so low.
12
If there was any doubt that trump is a traitor he has just confirmed it on tv with his Putin love fest.
14
Being a traitor. That's a high crime, isn't it?
12
Treasonous traitor is not strong enough. This guy is a total sell-out. He just showed the whole world what a Quisling he really is.
13
how did the russians meddle in the elections? they wrote silly, unbelievable things in facebook and twitter.
and what did president obama due to defend america from this russian meddling (silly facebook and twitter postings)? yes boys and girls, president obama did nothing.
looks like mr blow's pantheon of treasonous traitors needs to expand...
2
The beginning started badly.............the middle was badder still............but the end..........as the saying goes; you ain't seen nothin' yet folks!
3
Just stop with the Alarmism.
4
This requires more then Alarmism..!!
3
Alarmism - the new GOP term for calling out treasonous behavior.
6
Nail Hit On Head. Thank you, Charles.
9
For any fair witness, what Mr. Blow reports is self-evident: Trump is a traitor to America; who as President, he has personally sworn to protect.
But, in the larger picture, nationalism is only a partial, immature form of human unity. Trump's failure to see all of humanity as the leaves of a single tree is even more treasonous, disqualifying him for human leadership.
7
The Republicans are so concerned about voter fraud that in state after state, they change laws and rules regarding voting registration to make it difficult or impossible for many segments of our population to vote. Yet they have no fear of Russian meddling. What a bizarre nightmare we are living through.
14
If Mr. Trump's failure to defend against Russia's ongoing cyber-attacks isn't an impeachable offense, what is?
6
"Trump is more concerned with protecting his presidency and validating his election than he is in protecting this country."
The real tragedy for our great nation is that Trump supporters are a-ok with that.
7
Thank you to Mr Blow for explicitly calling it what it is. More, please. Shout it from the rooftops!
9
We have been attacked by a foreign power. We have a President whose behavior is only encouraging more attacks. Wow. Mindboggling. A very sad day in the history of our country.
12
The USA is irretrievably damaged now. None of this can be undone. And who knows what ‘recovery’ from a trasonous president will look like down the road. When your allies and best friends begin abandoning you on the global stage as unreliable and untrustworthy pals unable to see beyond the pettiest of narrow self-interests, the word ‘great’ has no application unless it is followed by ‘failure’ or ‘disaster.’
4
"Trump, Treasonous Traitor." Mr. Blow, you hit the nail right on the head. The press conference held directly after the Trump/Putin meeting just reinforces it. I think we're in for more than a bumpy ride.
5
Yes indeed Mr. Blow, you've called it and I agree. The president is a traitor. He must be held accountable.
7
Apparently you didn't watch the Putin Puppet and Putin summit meeting?
2
In 2012 one of the NRA's anti-Obama ads loudly claimed that America's sovereignty was at stake because of that man's presidency. By 2016 this organization was accepting funds from Russians but denied later the monies were used for "political purposes".
Today this bulwark of our sovereignty is awfully quiet about the this universally documented injection by an adversarial nation into this nation's elections. Or "infestation", to play on Trump's word.
The recent indictments only prove it further. Trump and his followers appear to not or not want to understand that these things do not happen without Putin's (or his top minions') consent and/or orders. If that is so, then this president just may be our Manchurian, no, our Siberian Candidate.
7
So, Trump is a treasonous traitor. With a congress with a majority of Republicans, who are afraid of Trump, what will be done about this?
7
The Republicans are just waiting to lock down the judiciary. Then, I suspect, they will turn on Trump for the traitor he is. Of course they are traitors as well since they aided and abetted him.
2
I find some of the logic being used by Trump supporters mind bending. On one hand they claim there was no interference in the election process by Russia. Nothing to see. Trump won the election fair and square. But then in the next breath they say that the interference in the election was all Obama's fault. So there was meddling but it was all done during the prior administration. So on one had there was no meddling, but on the other hand there was meddling but it was Obama's fault. Meddling is a pretty weak term for a foreign adversary waging massive high tech attacks against our democracy. At the same time ginning up support in Britain for Brexit to divide the EU. Attacking elections in other EU democracies to divide and weaken nations. Perhaps we should start calling Trump's base "co-conspirators" since they are blindly supporting a traitor to this nation. Hannity and Fox and Filth will spin out propaganda glorifying their Dear Leader. Nunes, Gowdy and Gomert will continue to support the dismantling of our democracy. The only hope is for the lazy, ignorant electorate to actually show up in November and do the right thing. I don't have a great deal of hope.
12
It is time for Congress to accept that Trump is not fit for office:
--Russia attacked our country through our election system. He not only denies that fact but supports the very person who made that attack.
--His thinking is unclear. The lies have always been a conundrum and he now contradicts himself many times a day. He perseverates on and brings up Hillary on the world stage. He needs a pysch evaluation.
--Nothing this president is doing is protrecting the USA. Who will stand up and begin the process of saving us from the current president?
--
8
I have to say I am really loving all the comments deflecting blame onto Barack Obama. The evidence of the extent and the means of Russian meddling in 2016 was nowhere near as concrete and credible as it has now become, almost two years after. Whatabouttery is a strawman: Deal with what we know to be facts right now. 2016 was speculation and suspicion, not enough to pursue any kind of immediate recourse. Proceeding without solid proof is no way to conduct a criminal probe, much less international relations. Plus, it could have given the impression of Obama’s meddling, which we all know Trump would have gladly jumped on with both feet.
Say what you will about Jim Comey: This is precisely the dilemma he also faced when he was presented with election concerns.
I have a question for you all: If Obama had openly voiced suspicions about the election and its legitimacy, would you have been all on board with getting to the bottom of it right then and there, or would you have yelled that Obama himself was trying to throw the election to HRC?
Do you now not see the damage Trump did during his campaign by encouraging distrust, if not outright hate, of both the sitting administration and institutions like the FBI and the media? This is pernicious and possibly fatal to this republic, as the results of Trump’s rhetoric begin to bear bad fruit.
9
And in Charles Blow, we finally have one of America's preeminent journalists, an educated, experienced, thoroughly trained professional, refusing to do what too many in positions of authority among the national press are refusing to do: stop treating this degenerate, treasonous man in the White House as a legitimate leader who deserves respect. Donald Trump does not deserve to be accorded the respect of the office, and this terrifying moment in Finland should surely prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt - as if more proof were needed. Thank you, Mr. Blow, and please don't waver. Your resolve is mine, and many other millions' as well. Thank you for giving voice to our anguished fury. I hope you will also turn your skilled pen on the traitors in the GOP who will go down in the history books as the sole enablers of America's surely imminent decline.
9
Yes, a treasonous traitor. Thank you for putting this out in print.
But what to do? As a lowly citizen, I've done all I can: written letters to the ed, gotten op-eds into my local paper, attended Tom Steyer's town hall in Sacramento, joined hundreds of thousand others in rallies against Trump. All this to get the Dems to act, but I don't even hear their voices calling out the danger and mobilizing the citizenry.
My impression of how many nations disintegration is the poison of intramural fighting. So the Dems have a split between the progressives and the corporatists and this contest is supersedes concern for the common good. It sure feels like a slippery slope, with extra grease applied sending us all into the abyss of Russian style kleptocracy.
It tears me apart to watch this.
6
Talk about overblown, pompous, partisan nonsense. If these cases were serious, the indictments would have been kept under seal and efforts made to lure the defendants to a country with which we share an extradition treaty. Instead, they were drafted and publicized for show. Period.
3
There is no doubt that Putin actively tried to influence the 2016 elections in a number of ways from hacking Clinton's emails to trolling Facebook. But let's not forget that there were some other factors that gave the election to Trump. For example, the US media's breathless coverage of everything he said and did (Trump is the king of generating free media coverage), their lack of real investigation into Trump's background, and their willingness to repeat the GOPs talking points on Clinton's emails again and again and again without true analysis.
No doubt we will all one day understand why Trump refuses to hold Putin accountable. If it turns out that he conspired with the Russians to beat HRC, that would be treason.
2
Donald Trump, our Manchurian Candidate?
Perhaps Mr. Trump should visit the cemetery at Normandy before he leaves Europe. There he can explain to those brave men from the United States, Britain, Canada, and France that died for nothing. Freedom from dictators and oppression is not a worthy goal to fight for.
Mr. Trump should resign his office before he does real harm to our country. Failing that, impeachment charges and a trial in the Senate should be completed as soon as is possible.
6
Democrats are going have to do a lot better than simply riling up a couple of thousand NYT readers! With not a word on the subject from Mr. Murdoch's many media outlets across the country I suspect the majority of Trump's base are completely unaware they are enabling an enemy of our country. They might be misguided but they're still patriots.
4
Trump is not alone in being guilty of treasonous behavior. Those in Congress and the Supreme Court also took a sworn oath and have done nothing but aid and abet. In America these day, the ends justify the means; any means.
8
Now we know the source of the National Security Crisis that Trump keeps talking about. It is the President himself.
10
This isn't about the Mueller investigation. This isn't about secret "collusion" or conspiracy or evidence yet to be discovered. This is about the treasonous betrayal of American democracy that is occurring right before our eyes and the eyes of the world. Quite simply, Trump is and from the beginning has been eager to accept and actively provide cover for foreign intervention in American elections that advantages him. That is the treasonous act of a tyrant. Our nation's founders would have -- hair on fire -- seen it as such. The tragedy is that their safeguards against it are failing because partisan politics, something of which they were also extremely wary, have trumped patriotism, with a craven, cowardly GOP seeking to advance its narrow tax-cut, anti-environment, anti-labor agenda in Trump's despotic shadow, come what may.
6
He is defending and protecting the constitution of the Russian Federation.
6
Dear Mr. Blow, Yes, Trump is a traitor. By not defending the United States government he is handing our rights to the Russians and any other foreign powers which want to exploit our country. Read the "Naturalization Oath" for new citizens of the US and it is easy to see how he has stepped over the line. Oh, the hypocrisy of making new US citizens take this oath when our President is out in the World standing with our enemies and trashing our system. It is the same system that new citizens want so badly to be a part of. Sincerely, Sarah M. Quilter , Somerville, MA
7
Mr. Trump has so many legitimate causes for concern that one need not fabricate hysteria. Hyperbole and crying wolf does not serve the cause. Jaw, jaw, jaw is still better than war, war, war with Russia.
1
There are only two explanations for the shameful lack of response by the GOP regime and Trump. These are willful ignorance or complicity. When the intelligence agencies are in total agreement about what happened, and a seasoned, dedicated prosecutor has presented the case for Russian involvement in manipulating elections, ignorance is no longer an excuse. They know exactly what happened. Complicity is the only viable explanation now. All of the hand wringing about provoking a crisis by removing Trump from office pales in comparison to the crisis that has already happened.
4
At first I thought DJT was just an embarrassment to our country - rude, crude, boastful, dishonest. Then I decided that ignorance was his downfall and explained his inability to reason, reflect, read, listen, understand. Now I think he is a danger to democracy. Putin has something on Trump - we don't know what - but there is no other way to explain Trump's obeisance to this dictator. And then, he obviously needs Russia's help to win in 2020!!!
11
I'm not a lawyer so I can't argue whether Trump's actions (or inactions) qualify as the legal definition of treason, but he consistently attacks his own government, divides his own people, and supports his country's enemies.
And yet, owing to the GOP's lack of spine and principles, Congress is also letting foreign governments attack us - institutional treason, in my opinion.
Thus, the only hope we have is to vote these awful, dishonest people OUT before it's too late. Talk to everyone you know, even those with whom you may disagree. Get them to the polls. And if you're inclined to, pray.
7
As with all things Trump he uses what may be taken as logical and turns it on its head, mostly to appeal to his base and justify himself to them. Keep your friends close, your enemy closer might justify his current embrace of Putin if only he acted in a manner appropriate to the true meaning of this phrase. If he approached the NATO summit by extolling the virtues of this pact, trying to strengthen it's bonds rather than denigrate its members and making threats that weaken the bond, he could approach the Putin meeting with a viable strategy to fulfill the latter part of the mafia manifesto which is to strengthen your position against a foe. Instead his words before, during and after the summit only embolden Putin to increase hostile activities against democratic nations, knowing that the hole Trump is in at home strengthens his position.
Trump may have some viable bones to pick with NATO members. These should have been addressed in private and announcing positive outcomes upon agreement in a show of unity. Trump prefers to use his favorite tactic, belittle, expecting people will accede to his will out of shame.
There was a time I thought he was an evil genius, now believe him to be an evil imbecile.
6
For all those wondering if Mr. Trump is a traitor by refusing to defend our nation, here are his words straight from Helsinki:
“I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today,” he said as Putin stood just several feet away.
Trump then said he saw no reason why Russia would interfere in America’s elections.
What?
Trump says he has great confidence in our intelligence agencies but Putin's denial was very strong, too. So which is is, Mr. President?
Trump says he sees no reason Russia would interfere with our election mere days after his own NSA director says there are "red lights flashing" warning us about another attack in 2018. Really?
How much longer are we going to tolerate having a man in the White House who refuses to defend our nation from a hostile foreign power? Trump's refusal to perform his most vital function as president is treason, no matter how his enablers and mouthpieces want to spin it.
3
To vote for and defend the current president is a denial of reality. Mueller is reality and so are the connections between those on Trump's payroll campaign and later chosen for other positions as Russia played footsie w/Trump and his henchmen. He has such chutzpah and a persona that has no concept of truthfulness, not just the highest moral standing in the world, just a scintilla or it would be hopeful, but this con/barker/cheat/liar and amoral person continues to move forward in a brazen attempt to continue to deny his participation, indeed his very collusion with Putin and his henchmen. It is an incredible moment and one that sickens with the treachery of the acts done in this manner.
5
If I were the other Five Eyes countries I would think twice about sharing intelligence with the US. Trump as the POTUS is a security risk.
6
How much more proof do we need then what just unfolded today at the Helsinki Summit and the deplorable and terrifying press conference. There is no question Trump is beholden to Putin.
This is a crisis. This is dangerous time. This is an emergency . Trump is taking our country in a frightening direction. that is detrimental to our national security.
The weakness of Donald Trump was on full display today for the world to see. He stupidly conceded point after point to a dictator. Shocking. What we just witnessed was the collusion between Donald Trump and Putin. He took direction from Putin no question. He sided with Putin against his own government and intelligence community.. Treasonous?
We are under attack folks from Russia's Digital missiles.
What we have just witnessed is an American president taking Putin's side against American democracy and American intelligence.
Time to take to the streets folks!!!
6
This is treason, mind you, and it does fit the definition of an "overt act" when a sitting president fails to actively protect the government when his national security apparatus identifies a threat. This is an "overt act" when he places his self interest above the interest of the country.
WAKE UP AMERICA!!
9
This is the second time that the Republicans have failed to even try to defend our country. They totally ignored the emergency meetings and screaming by all US intelligence agencies about the impending 9/11 attack. Then on the day of the attacks, they did nothing while hijacked planes slaughtered 3,000 people on our soil. The attacks went on for 1.5 hours with absolutely no opposition.
Now we have proof of an ongoing Russian cyber attack. Once again, Republicans are ignoring US intelligence and now they are siding with an adversary. Whose side are you on Republicans?
6
Charles seems to forget that Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State and decided to use a home-brewed server for all her official correspondence. He also seems to forget that the Democrats did a lousy job in setting up cyber-security on it, along with their personal devices.
Charles wants to blame Trump for John Podesta's stupid password (actually "password") that was hacked by bad actors. He refuses to see what classified information they may have wanted. He refuses to blame Podesta for the hack.
Plus, Blow makes it seem like Trump out and out asked for the hack. He only wanted the 33,000 emails that were hacked and "wiped clean" on her server.
And at no time does Blow ever blame President Obama for what happened under his nose. But then again, the media never held higher ups in the Obama Administration accountable for anything. Just look at the email scandal and why Hillary was never interviewed. They only go after underlings, while shielding the Hillary's and Barack's of the world from responsibility.
5
Yuh, that would work. Lure the guys to a country with which we have an extradition treaty.
How long would that take? How long are the indictments good for? Who else would need to be involved? What would Putin do in response?
Get real.
1
What's your point? Enough with the 'whataboutism.'
This is about RUSSIA and election hacking...get with it. It's not about Donald, as everything seems to be, it's about THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
If you're okay with external interference from this evil rogue nation, great. Go live there.
I'm not, and I want these guys held accountable.
Obama made a mistake by not saying anything during the election. If he did, of course, I'm sure you would have complained about that, instead of whining about Hillary.
So you choose. Me -- I choose NO PUTIN in my election soup.
6
Congress is failing the country. They must think Checks and Balances only refers to the "donations" that swell their bank accounts.
2
"We have a world to run." We meaning Trump and Putin. Of the two, the one who is insane is Trump. Alert: the "world" consists of about 200 independent countries. It's not "run" by two men.
3
Putin danced all around the question about having kompromat on Trump with the tall tale of how many other more famous rich people attended the same affair, but never denied it.
3
After the News conference after the Helsinki meeting, there isn't any doubt that Putin has something on Trump.
Trump chose the lies of Putin over the truth of the American Intelligence officers and Dan Coates.
It is time for the Republicans in Congress to start Impeachment process, failure to do so makes them complicit.
5
100% correct, and keep pounding the table about it. We are all tired, but we cannot normalize this.
Secondly, the press needs to change their approach to covering Trump. Maybe after the midterms, when there will be a fresh lot of people to cover. Narcissists want your attention more than anything. Let's not give it to him. Avoid using his name. Have extensive coverage of others (fresh faces in Congress, profiles of 2020 up-and-comers, etc.). When the administration makes news, position it as "the WH policy is..." then move on to other aspects of the coverage. We need to deprive Trump of the oxygen he needs. If he figures out that he'll get more coverage by not being president (like maybe starting his own TV channel), then maybe he will choose not to run again.
Speaking of 2020, someone needs to tell Pence that he will NEVER be president unless Trump is impeached.
7
The verdict on Trump's treason is incontrovertible, but all the names that helped prop this guy up need to be mentioned next to the word "traitor" everywhere in the media. Ryan, McConnell, Cotton, Graham, Paul, Hatch, McCarthy, Hannity... they all held the gates open for the Russian horse to be wheeled in.
14
The oath of office has the president swear that he/she "will to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Are Trump and his GOP conspirators going to claim that this is just "the best of his ability"?
IMPEACH the TRAITOR NOW!
Vote the Russian Republicans out in November!
10
I recall President Obama asking Congress for $19B to increase cyber defense. Republican-controlled Congress refused and now accuse Obama for doing nothing. Typical.
10
Remember, the Republican Congress refused to fund increased security for the Bengazi embassy. But it's always the Democrat's fault.
9
Now that the first meeting is over, Trump has shown his true colors. He chose Putin's word over that of the American press, the FBI and all of the US intelligence agencies. There will be more meetings, and the Republicans in congress will still be backing Trump. There has never been such an obvious representation of treason. And the president, no less.
8
Although I'm obviously late to the party, I finally read the Steele Dossier, which details, among other things, the "kompromat" that Russia allegedly has on Trump. And from what I've read about the dossier, it is being taken seriously by our intelligence agencies. Many of the allegations in the dossier have been verified, and nothing in the dossier has so far been disproven. And I say this as someone who tries to be as far removed from being a conspiracy theorist as possible.
The old saying goes that the simplest explanation for someone's actions is usually the best explanation. In Trump's case, the simplest explanation for what can only be characterized as his bizarrely forgiving (indeed fawning) attitude toward Putin is that Trump is being blackmailed by Russia based on audio and videotapes that Russia has on Trump's activities and statements while he was in that country.
Never in my life did I ever think I would type the following words: the president of the United States is going to be shown to have committed treason.
11
The eighties called. They want their foreign policy back.
2
So let me ask one single question:
Where are all the people who took an oath to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States?
And I'm not just talking about Congress here.
9
I've been naming him a traitor in this comments section for quite a while but receiving only a few likes... Why do you suppose?
4
It’s a high bar. Even now the charges have to be specific & provable.
And, given people were asking for impeachment within minutes of the election, before Trump was even sworn in, the Chicken Littles have burned their candles....
1
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." -- Oath of Office of President of the United States.
Russian state-sponsored interference in U.S. elections makes Russia's government an enemy of the United States. Full Stop. Trump is indeed giving aid and comfort to that enemy in his attempts to block or sabotage U.S. investigations and prosecutions regarding that interference.
And Congress yet fiddles while the Republic burns.
7
So.... in your mind Russian meddling began the moment President Trump took office? This has been going on since the end of WWII . We have done it, the Russians/Soviets have done it, China does it.
Now the Left pretends it is something new, so they can try to bring down President Trump.
Obama did nothing to stop Putin and the Russians from meddling. You said nothing.
Hypocrisy
1
What gives me pause is that the DNC has refused to turn over their hacked server. Why is that? Why has the DOJ/FBI not demanded to see the server?
Trump may think he is a tough guy, but off all the past world leaders he compares with, Neville Chamberlain comes most to mind.
6
Trump sides with Russia in post summit press conference. Putin offers to work with US investigators on latest hacking charges...Let’s just give him all we got. Pesky Pakistani “gentleman” suggested as hacker, oh no, it’s Hillary’s server that must be found...more likely to be self-hacking. Treason when you side against your own country? FBI accused by Trump. We are officially “a house divided”. Putin doesn’t know a Democracy cannot exist where the ruling courts are appointed by the winning party. It’s over!
5
And if you watched the joint press conference between the two today, it really was shameful. Trump is no supporter or champion of America; just himself, and of other strong-men.
Time for guys like this to go bye-bye. Mueller needs to keep at it, and Congress needs to grow a spine or face the consequences.
10
Do tell us, Mr. Blow, how did your president Obama at the task of protecting us against these awful Russians?
6
More whataboutery from the right. Quelle surprise.
2
Thank you, Mr. Blow. We must rid our country of this dangerous demagogue!
4
I believe America has gone mad,bright men like Blow,Brennan,Clapper etc.can not get over the fact Donald won and he has a new way of relating to the world.Whats the harm of engaging with North Korea,Russia and other countries.You know I remember when Americans whom opposed the Vietnam War were called traitors,when supporters of intergration were called communist,please Mr.Blow control yourself,you know it is dangerous to throw around the label TRAITOR.
4
If you want to know what’s the harm of engaging with them, just refer back to any Republican criticism of Obama being “soft” on foreign policy (there’s plenty!) and that should illuminate things for you.
2
Dear Mr. Napachasov,
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Kraft Foods, Inc.
Kool Aid Division
1
Russia is not "meddling." That word is designed to make us think this is no big deal. In truth, Russia is attacking us. The US President* was and is facilitating this!!!!! Trump is Putin's Trojan Horse, a true puppet.
His body language is a big tell. The Russian photos of Trump in the oval office with several Russians after his election revealed how much more comfortable he is with them than anyone else.
He undoubtedly owes Putin and the oligarchs billions in loans over the years, and they have undoubtedly promised him a big cut of the further billions in spoils when the sanctions are lifted on them. They also have studied him closely for decades and know just how to manipulate him.
I would not be surprised if they manipulate the coming election in many ways beyond social media propaganda, including messing with voter rolls, machines, and/or tallies. It seems quite possible that we could "vote" in great numbers but that some of our votes might be changed or never be counted, without our even knowing it.
We can call our reps, sign petitions, protest in the streets. But who can and will actually save us and our country?
7
I am bewildered as to why T remains in office. Where are the checks and balances?
If we survive this traitor I hope that we pass the necessary legislation to prevent this from occurring again.
9
Yeah but what you say doesn't change Russia's economy being the size of what? Texas? And with no hope of ever improving for the foreseeable future. That Russia makes hardly any commodities that anyone wants to buy. Aside from the Bolshoi Ballet and a few world-class authors of other eras, they have nothing of interest to offer culturally. And that they do pretty well militarily, so long as nobody shoots back at them.
Not only all this, but true as always of Russia, what happens when our boy Putin gets incapacitated or croaks - where is the succession plan? Where is the "bench"? There is no bench. Total chaos will reign over there.
1
Bernie's chances were sullied by Hillary & Company and we know it thanks to the Russians ?
1
I love Charles Blow, but the headline language of this essay is too frightening and inflaming for me to abide. I am sorry, but I will not read this essay.
3
Afraid of the thruth?
8
Dear Nancy, if you read what Trump had to say in his press conference today, and then read this column by Charles Blow, you will understand that Mr. Blow is entirely accurate.
10
Bury your head in the sand then. That's how democracies die. But it is sadly true.
5
Yes indeed...Trump is behaving according to his sociopathic personality...right on target. What will we all do about this?
1
The elephant in the room: no one says it, but we all know that the president's portfolio was rescued by Russian oligarchs. He owes them and Putin bigtgime, thus his kid glove treatment of Russia. We cannot rely on him to urge the Russians to quit interfering in ourr elections. Because Trump takes it personally, he cannot abide anything that appears to delegitimize his presidency. Perhaps when the Mueller report comes out, we may see what the tax returns actually show. Maybe then his supporters will see the light--how much their hero owes to Russia. No wonder he does not speak for our country, just himself.
4
So to all the Trump supporters out there...
When candidate Trump says “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing, I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press.” and Pres. Trump refuses to enact sanctions on Russia passed by a GOP Congress as a result of their actions during the 2016 election or even to publicly chasten Putin given what we have learned in the last two years about Russian meddling efforts....does this not give you even a moment of pause?
4
What is protecting us is what has always protected us: A free press. Oh yeah and the right to vote.
2
The right to vote isn't protecting us when the electorate is willing to believe the lies spread by an enemy power and its puppet politician here.
2
I don't know exactly what pushed Trump to be so submissive to an adversary like Russia. Personal gain in business, denial of a political plan gone wrong or Trump's ego exploited by the Kremlin or all the above? Whichever the reason Trump has already sold America's sovereignty to the enemy and as such he has committed the worst crime ever.
3
Behind Charles Blow's courageous and timely column, I just completed watching the Helsinki meeting of thugs-in-arms, Trump and Putin. Along with journalists and TV cameras for all the world to see, and it will be replayed again and again, was weakling Trump at his most appalling, deplorable, disastrous, disgusting, and, yes, treasonous. I am stunned and stupefied. And to think that he will get away with his best yet America-rupturing performance, that the GOP leaders will do nothing, that Mitch McConnell will not comment, is irresponsibility wrapped in a copy of a burning Constitution they have set afire. Nevertheless, I intend to call both Kansas Senators' lines, as well as other Senators' offices. Please join me.
6
After watching the Trump/Putin press conference and seeing the tweet from John Brennen I have to agree with the headline of this op-ed.
6
The media constantly says there are no note takers in private meetings between Trump and Putin, just interpreters. It is certainty however, that Putin and his interpreter are "wired".
Would Trump (and interpreter) be so stupid as to refuse to be "wired"?
2
One of the reasons Bob Mueller will go down in American history as not just a hero, but also as a genius, is his sublime sense of timing.
In releasing, last week, his latest indictments against persons who illegally tampered with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Mueller played a perfect hand just ahead of today's Putin/Trump summit by essentially cornering Trump into changing his strategy from playing nice with Putin to rebuking him for his nation's hacking of our election. (Of course, most Americans doubt that Trump will take Mueller's bait. We'll see, as news of the summit breaks....)
Let's hope that Mueller's next significant move -- his Most Significant -- will be to present his investigation's Report just ahead of the November mid-term elections -- with its indictments of Trump administration officials, and perhaps Trump himself.
Checkmate!
3
Trump took an oath to defend this country yet he refuses to seriously confront Putin regarding Russia's interference in the 2016 elections. By not defending this country's interests, he is not only guilty of treason now, but through his dereliction of duty, he will be guilty of collusion when Russia next interferes in our elections.
2
Mr. Blow is right. Trump is a traitor, i.e., someone who has betrayed his country.
Treason is both a crime (defined in the Constitution) and a moral wrong. The fact that we are not officially at war (and thus the constitutional definition of the crime is not met) does not absolve Trump of being a traitor in the historical and moral sense of the term. Although Trump had notice of probable cause that Putin's military officers committed felonies against the core of our democratic system, he nevertheless trivialized those acts and insisted on meeting with Putin without any witnesses. At the same time, he aided Putin in undermining an alliance that has been the basis of United States foreign policy for 70-years. He betrayed our country by putting the interests of a foreign adversary (and probably his own personal interests) above those of the United States. This is treason in the historical sense, even if it does not satisfy the narrow constitutional definition of a crime.
9
Just listened to the joint conference with Putin & Trump in Helsinki. Trump's last statement on the public stage was that long-time FBI agent Peter Strzok & by inference, the US FBI were a DISGRACE.
Anyone watch "The Americans"? It was inspired by "The Illegals Program", a Russian infiltration/ spy effort that Peter Strzok & the FBI brought to justice via Operation Ghost Stories. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegals_Program
The FBI protects us from terrorism of all types. Blow is absolutely right. Trump is America's greatest threat.
7
Why aren't more Americans outraged by this president selling us out? Please tell everyone who favors democracy to get out and vote.
9
Yes, Mr. Blow, the word that keeps popping into my head is treason. The question is why? Why does a man who seemingly has everything, at least monetarily, even want to be President? Of course, what we see is actually a man who wants to be king. Indeed, if Ivanka were still single, he would marry her off to the highest standing Oligarch in Russia, thus sealing the desired alliance.
We cannot discount the way the GOP leadership has aided and abetted this wanna be king. They have failed in their duty to maintain our system of checks and balances. When Obama went to McConnell and asked him to join in a bipartisan effort to expose the Russian attacks on our country, McConnell turned his back. This has been his leadership style from the get go when he said he would oppose Obama to the nth degree.
Now we are in a mess. Indeed, I think I just heard that Trump did ask Mr. Putin about this election thing and, guess what, Mr. Putin said "on no." Treason? If not, we are certainly on the edge.
2
Don't we also hack elections and carry out cyber attacks in other countries? So does China. So does North Korea. Russia has been hacking our systems for decades, and we theirs. I'm not trying to argue against Mr. Blow's fine column, I just don't think this issue gets people as wound up as perhaps some pundits would like. Trump is the worst president in my lifetime, a low IQ individual, and a poor excuse for a human being, but I'm not sure he's a "traitor".
"Trump, Treasonous Traitor"
It's about time that news and commentators started calling Trump's behaviors for what it is: blatant collusion with a hostile foreign power and treason
But Mr Blow seems to miss one key point:
"The president fails to protect the country from an ongoing attack"
Trump is the BENEFICIARY of the attack, in terms of the rotten 2018 election, undermining legitimate opposition, and no doubt profiting big-time from laundered monies pouring into Trump shell "businesses" via Russia and oligarchs. He's succeeding big-time at that, while failing the nation and our tattered democracy!
3
Concur wholeheartedly. Especially after the Helsinki post meeting news conference A traitor, indeed.
7
"A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within" -- Will Durant
9
Wittingly or unwittingly, the President must be considered a Russian asset. The Russians OWN him, as they have financed his projects since at least the 1990s. In laundering their ill-gotten gains they also purchased the man. Regardless of whatever "compromat" they may have on him, they have the financial leverage to ruin his empire. Trump didn't sell America out as much as the Russians owned him long before it was his to sell. The President is fully compromised and and cannot refuse anything Putin demands. His slogan notwithstanding, he cannot put "America first" before Russia.
6
Exactly, his son noted that there’s plenty of money available for golf courses from Russian oligarchs—all friends of Putin. To get mad at Putin would be like sticking your finger in the e eye of your patron. Trump loves dictators, but in the case of Russia, the Putin cronies own him. In the case of North Korea, he begins salivating like a hungry dog at the thought of golf courses beside the coastal beaches. This is the selling of America and disgusting.
1
I just watched Trump in Helsinki pretty much give the US. to Putin. Democrats have to win Congress back in November. If not the United States of America will become a dictatorship with no going back.
5
And what exactly should the President do Mr. Blow?
The last President did nothing, and in fact blew it off as nonsense. A $20 anti-virus program will protect your computer from viruses.
2
A $20 anti-virus program would be ripped through by a Russian intelligence expert’s hack like a missile going through toilet paper.
2
Trump is not about to bite the Russian hand that feeds him, or rather, fed him. He's being blackmailed for some serious misdeeds, most likely money laundering with the help of Russians. It's why he refused to show his tax returns. Trump's vulnerability has less to do with Russian meddling in our elections, and much to do with his own personal dirty business. Follow the money.
7
When you attempt to undermine agencies that are needed in the battle of cyber security and world wide associated crime, such as the CIA and FBI, to to render them rudderless, simply in order to protect your own interests - yes, you are a traitor.
8
Obama did not alert or defend us during the run-up to the election; however, his failure to do so does not make him, the DNC, or HRC responsible for the crime perpetrated by the Russians. It does not matter which party was hacked, the fact that it was hacked in order to influence our elections shows us that we were (and continue to be) manipulated by a foreign government. I'm horrified and amazed that we are blaming Obama / Dems for activities perpetrated by a foreign government.
We aren’t blaming Obama. This is just the Trump defense.
1
Sadly, our elected officials in the Rep party do nothing against him and apparently nothing the Dems do matters. We are doomed with this guy.
2
Right! And, you wrote this article before the press conference in Helsinki. This guy deserves his day in court for treason. It got worse by the minute. The journalists did a better job asking Putin question. The only one that made Putin blink was about having something on Trump. Even for Trump to side with a KGB operative made Mafia President against his own country and institutions is too much.
It was so embarrassing that nobody noticed that Putin announced that he and Trump will work in the new OPEC. I do not know how else to name controlling prices of the international oil market.
2
Errata: should read " ... asking Putin questions."
I have just watched the joint press conference of Trump and Putin in Helsinki. Not only did Trump not hold Putin responsible for interference in the election, the use of chemical weapons in Syria, or the annexation of Crimea and threat to Ukraine and other eastern states or the poisonings in the UK , he deferred to Putin. Trump's only reaction was to defend his election victory and blame the DNC and Clinton. Despite the indictments on Friday, Trump is willfully blind to the facts in front of him. He did not confront or stand up to Putin as he did to Merkel and May for far less reason than there is to confront Putin. What we have seen is extraordinary in a bad way, an American president has completely and fecklessly surrendered to Putin. John Brennan just tweeted that this rises to the level of high crimes and misdemeanours, and treasonous. He is truly Putin's puppet.
What does this quisling have to do for the GOP politicians and their supporters to call him out and put country before party. This performance was a shameful disgrace. Trump is more concerned with his image and the glory of his victory than his responsibility to protect the US. He refused to condemn the very things outlined in the indictments and warn that they should not happen again. Maybe he really is the Manchurian Candidate. Putin kept his poker face, but must be laughing all the way to Moscow.
8
Trump's narcissism won't allow him to acknowledge any information that contradicts his over-inflated view of himself. "L'etat, c'est moi" is Trump's motto. It's shameful that he's putting his ego over protecting our country.
3
"Simply put, Trump is a traitor and may well be treasonous."
And yet, the Republican-controlled Congress sits put! Who knew!
2
Hacking Democracy HBO Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZLWPleeCHE
Maybe FDR should've made nice with Hirohito. Bush should've been BFFs with bin Laden.
Trump has been chummy with criminals his entire life. Putin is just one more.
7
Trump is a traitor. His campaign was traitorous, and his every action since being "elected" has been against US interests, from ensuring the escalation of climate change to destroying the international alliances on which our security depends. He is an enemy of democracy who mocks the free press and due process. He is a spectacular liar. He tolerates malfeasance, incompetence and sexual misconduct in his appointees. And he enriches himself shamelessly through his office in violation of the emoluments clause.
It's very possible the election of 2016 was broadly illegitimate. Furthermore Republicans in Congress must be suspected of knowing complicity in a tainted election and this ongoing corruption -- from McConnell who held open a SCOTUS appointment for a candidate not expected to win, to Nunez reportng on investigative testimony to the WH, to Ryan telling his cronies not talk about Trump bring in a Putin's pay.
Trump must be indicted and tried. And he can't be allowed to seat another judge, at any level.
3
Trump is either a fool or a traitor. He is clearly not defending our national interests in the face of an existential attack on our democratic principles and practices. No other POTUS has ever treated Russia this way. He is acting like someone deeply compromised. His deference to Russia is so blatant one can only assume he is being blackmailed. He is acting in a treasonous manner, putting is personal interests ahead of this nations. He needs to go. Now.
3
Trump is a traitor. Obama failed the American people because he refused to reveal what he knew about Russian interference in the election. Now he will carry the shame that he allowed Trump to be our first Fake President. On the other hand perhaps it is helpful for ordinary Americans to face the fact that we are very vulnerable to cyberattack. Mueller’s slow inexorable march toward the truth is waking us up.
1
Trump is not smart enough to be a traitor. He hears his master’s voice and obeys.
1
I agree that Trump is treasonous, but I still can't get past the point that the American people in three states in the midwest that turned the election still voted for him. They were still naive enough to believe Fox News. They were still naive enough to believe the obviously stupid witch hunt following Bengazi. Russia hacked the US election, but the minds of many Americans were hacked years ago.
2
I'm glad to see someone finally come out and say in no uncertain terms what I have long felt - that Trump is a traitor. Now if this could only start to matter to the majority of Americans who still care about living in a free society!
4
The Soviet Union did lose the Cold War.....
BUT..... Vladimir Putin did not.
We are witnessing the total surrender of our nation.
That could be a starting point for the next Charles M Blow article.
2
This is frightening beyond belief. Trump knows what Putin did for him to win the election for him and now it's payback time! Trump is afriad of Putin. He knows Putin could assassinate him if he doesn't comply because that is what Putin does - he kills his enemies.
2
Trump is a traitor, plain and simple, and the Republicans in their greed are complicit in the destruction of our democracy. Keep it up, GOP, and we'll have nothing left. Except, oh, wait. I have two children who deserve a future, so the rest of us better get our act together, and march and demonstrate and demand this nightmare end. 250,000 marched in the UK on a week day. Why are we not out there every single day? Where's the righteous angry mob?
5
With all of his evidence of Russian attacks on our democracy, Trump concluded before meeting with his Boss this morning that it is all the fault of the US's "foolishness" and "stupidity." His words!
Seriously, if this guy isn't a traitor, what is he. A KGB agent? How can he be allowed back on American soil after treasonous remarks like that? Blaming his own country for Russia being an enemy of our country? Enough!
Is there one Republican with a backbone in Congress to start the impeachment proceedings with this enemy of our country?
3
Charles Blow is one of just a handful that calls it like it is. Trump is a traitor. No beating around the bush, a traitor to the American people that's what Trump is.
But the larger question is what of the Republican Congress and those 62 million Republican voters, are they too traitorous to their country for allowing this President to continue?
2
It’s hard to believe the Manchurian candidate is now President of our United States, but there it is.
No, really.
3
If Obama cozied up to Putin the entire Republican congress would have screamed treason and impeached him. But these hypocrites remain silent watching their fearless leader praise a murderer and congratulate him on his election victory. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see Putin has Trump in his back pocket.
2
Treason? Hey Chuck, send me a link to that article you wrote castigating Obama after he told Medvedev that he could be more flexible after his re-election.
1
So...the sky is falling again,Charles? Under whose administration did these things happen? And were pooh poohed. Interesting that former president Obama just happens to be in Kenya now and unavailable to be media questioned about what he knew and when he knew it, and why he did nothing about it. Probably just a coincidence.
2
Had the FBI/US intelligence committee and President Obama said something when they became aware of Russian interference and started looking into the matter ahead of the election, you and the whole Republican base would have been howling. Yes, just like Hillary and the Democrats howled when Comey informed the public of FBI decision to reopen investigation days before the election. If you recall, Trump was already saying something about the election being rigged months before the election. What he failed to say was that the election was being rigged in his favor.
Even if this whole Russian interference began in Obama's administration, it is up to this president NOW to do something about it. And you know what? He will NOT do anything about it. Trump is not only a treasonous traitor. He is the BIGGEST COWARD who lacks any guts to stand up to any world leader.
1
Our country has become a place ruled by an imperial President (and in the present case an agent of a hostile foreign power) with only a small group of unelected (mostly) white men standing in judgement. Our elected representatives in Congress are simply acting as a rubber stamp for the President allowing itself to be totally irrelevant in setting policy. This is not what the founding fathers had in mind at all which was that Congress sets policy and the President executes it. This is what has allowed the horrible Russian intervention of 2016 to be so damaging. All these gun nuts who carry the Constitution with them should try reading past the second amendment someday. This is what makes our current situation so terrifying. In the upcoming elections, Americans must decide whether they want take back control of their government. I have good reason to fear the worst.
Yes, Trump is a traitor. We have been stating for sometime that he is a liar, a narcissist, a megalomaniac, and a fraud. Now we must start referring to him as Trump the Traitor! When Mueller finally turns to the American co-conspirators, the new indictments should not only be for collusion and cooperation with a hostile foreign power, but for high treason. Trump should top the list.
Exactly.
He attacks our best allies and trading partners. All of a sudden Canada is an enemy, Putin must be let back into the G7, Kim Jong Un is a fine fellow, who is also disarming (right), Democrats are traitors, the EU is an enemy, the free press is The Enemy Of The People, and he wants to be friends with Putin.
What could go wrong.
But wait! It is worse than that.
We were treated to a hideous display of McCarthyism the other day, courtesy of Trey Gowdy & Co, who instead of worrying about the above, or trying to secure our next election, viciously and for many hours attacked an upstanding FBI agent whose career they basically destroyed.
Much as they dragged Hillary Clinton through the mud, for nothing, they have cost the US the manifest talents of Peter Strzok who, it is true, expressed grave concern at the notion of Donald Trump becoming POTUS.
They should give the guy his job back and a medal.
And some Republicans should probably be in jail with Manafort. This includes Mr. Traitor in Chief, who is selling our democracy down the river and endangering our futures and our lives.
2
At last anybody wrote something true about Trump.
6
Charles, we all know he is a traitor. With his wink to Putin, and Putin's smirk, directed at the American people, it's even more obvious than before. What do we do about it? The GOP is so deep in trump's derriere, they haven't seen daylight in over a year.
trump needs to go to jail. For life. Most of the GOP with him. It's up to us to end this reign of treason, betrayal and outright destruction of our country. trump needs to rot in a dungeon.
1
"This is an incredible, unprecedented moment. America is being betrayed by its own president. America is under attack and its president absolutely refuses to defend it."
Again, does Mr. Blow even read the New York Times?
Obama White House Knew of Russian Election Hacking, but Delayed Telling
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/us/politics/jeh-johnson-testimony-rus...
"Republicans also seized on the statement in January by James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, that the D.N.C. refused to turn over its servers to investigators after it was discovered that the servers had been hacked."
Agreed that the Obama adinistration blew it when they did not announce the hacking in a timely manner. To a reasonable person, timely would have been before the election. But that is a sin of omission (for which we are all suffering the consequences). The administration and FBI WERE in fact doing something - they were investigating, not denying that something had happened. See the difference?
1
The Canadian Defense Minister, Harjiy Sajjan, reports that in Latvia where Canada has troops stationed for NATO, just renewed for 4 more years, that Russia is actively waging ASSYMETRIC WARFARE, defined as active propaganda. It consists of things such as claiming that NATO troops live in luxury apartments...not. So what Russia is stepping up doing in the USA and did in 2016 is wage assymetric warfare on USA through their St. Petetsberg troll factory. They sell lies aka false news which unfortunately because of years of neglect and downgrading of American education for ordinary people the population cannot recognize
3
In vain do I look for the key word in this screed ("Trump, Treasonous Traitor" - couldn't have done better in high school myself, what marvelous juvenile alliteration, probably an F), the one that would make Mr. Blow slightly less than utterly dishonest, but nary a capital "O" do I find, let alone "Obama".
All of the Russian alleged crimes were committed while Mr. Obama was President, before the election. Fair enough, maybe he was not aware.
Wait a minute! He was aware. He even told Mr. Putin to "knock it off". Why did he not disclose all this before the election? Why?
Why did the DNC not allow the FBI to examine their servers after the Russian hacking of them? Why?
It would be honest for Mr. Blow to address these mysteries, but he does not. Of course we know "why", or approximately so. President Obama suddenly sprang into action after Mr. Trump was elected, sharing evidence of Russian interference widely among agencies.
You see, my fellow rubes and deplorables, that was then. And this is now. That was when HRC was going to be President. This is when Mr. Trump is President. Different strokes for different folks. It was a nothing. Now it’s a monstrous crime. Right.
Mr. Blow's credibility will never rise above 0 degrees Kelvin, even if ever so slightly, until he addresses these related topics. We should of course not hold our breath.
2
Is Mr. Blow aware of interference by the United States in elections of other countries?
I'm no fan of Trump and regard his presidency as bullish, uninformed, and dangerous. Mr. Blow's charges that Trump is treasonous and a traitor seem wide of the mark and possibly libelous. I'm surprised that the editors of the Times allowed that last statement to be printed.
That charge doesn't seem to fit the paper's motto: "All the news that's fit to print".
Dear Mr. Blow, you are simply put; The Light In The Fog. May your words guide America's ships safely into port. The Republic is at stake and our President is in thrall with the enemy.
1
Do we recall what Hillary did to Bernie?? Way worse.
In house mind you....
Why is your President even allowed to meet the leader of an enemy state without American officials present? This meeting alone seems the definition of treason.
2
Trump meeting with Putin, in itself, is a treasonous act. He is colluding with the enemy - in our faces! The 'fake media' he will no doubt blame, or Obama or both. Obama is Trump's go-to-scapegoat/excuse whenever the psycho-neuortic distorter of facts is in hot water over some policy he has implemented.
Both Republican House Reps & Democrats senators behave as though they are in some drug induced stupor ignoring the danger Trump and his very base supporters present to our democracy as they continue to tear down what was established by past administrations by leaders who were patriots; the environment, civil rights, basic human rights, the rights of women to control their bodies, the fact that America
was borne as an immigrant nation, isolating the US as Trump treats our allies like enemies and the real enemies No Korea and Russia as allies, etc etc., the list is long!
Wait 'till midterm elections is Dems excuse for their collective impotence, but it may be too late by then, as our country is in grave danger of becoming an authoritarian state by this deranged person in the oval office.
1
“... no hint of evidence.”
LOL!
: ) L
1
Mahalo Nui Loa Charles for being spot on in your article. Treason indeed Sir.
Why didn’t President Obama defend America from Russian election attacks ?
1
Because minions like you would have revolted, probably violently, in protest.
3
Please update this op-ed with the most recent comments from Dan Coats.
Agreed. So would everyone who reads this article please take action, and tell everyone you know to take action, to encourage everyone you know to get out and vote in these mid-terms and beyond, at every level of our government, and to raise our voices in loud and visible protest in every way we can. I am not blind to the risks, nor particularly optimistic about our system or our future given where we find ourselves today, but the reality is that all we really have in our own power to save this country (and the planet) is the ability to vote this idiot and his ilk out of office, as soon as possible. Perhaps Mueller's investigation will eventually disclose a horrifying truth about this criminally un-patriotic administration, but we simply cannot count on that. However compelling the evidence (i.e., the truth) might be, this president has a demonstrated track record of spinning lies at a level never before seen in this democracy and entrancing the "faithful" who are equally ignorant and profoundly gullible to follow him wherever he goes with his "make america great again" mantra. We must be able to demonstrate that these people do not reflect the vast majority of truly patriotic Americans - with our voices and our votes.
Thank you Mr. Blow. It's time for the media to stop the polite language and call Trump and the GOP Treason Party exactly what they are.
3
Manchurian Candidate comes to life. GEN George Patton is rolling over in his grave.
Whether we find proof he's conspired with the Russians to steal an election or not, he's consistently betrayed the truth and disavowed our democratic values/aspirations. That's the ultimate act of treason here.
https://t.co/xhupXhvfC2
4
Required reading. Add to his treason the treacherous support from the likes of Gohmert, Meadows, Andy Harris, Jordan, Gowdy when it suits him. Democratic leaders need to go on attack against these hypocritical traitors and call them out for what they are. Fire with Fire. Democracy is at stake. No one is asking you to take the beaches - just get off the couch and vote.
2
Bring on the Blue Wave!!!
3
I chuckle when Trump calls Mueller's investigation a witch hunt. He's got it right: It is a hunt for ways to take down a very evil and vile witch, or, more accurately, a hunt for the Wicked Warlock of the West, Donald Trump. I think of Trump riding a golf club, wearing red sequined golf shoes, with a face of dark green skin, mumbling "he he he he"... If only we had Dorothy's house.
1
They’re few and far between in this forum, but it simply blows my mind as I read comments from Trump supporters who are still defending him. How do you not see the writing on the wall?
There has not been one word of condemnation from him regarding the irrefutable evidence that Russia interfered in our election and the fact that he still held the meeting with Putin is in fact treasonous.
During the joint press conference happening now, Trump said “President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial of meddling”. Every single American should be outraged, and yes, scared.
4
Today's Trump/Putin Press Conference puts to rest any question of treason. GOP America and Putin's Russia are one and the same. Their world view is one and the same. For most Canadians and Western Europeans they are the enemy and seek to undermine 2500 years of evolution to liberal democracy. The only difference between Trump's America and Putin's Russia are matters of degree.
Here in Canada, we are secular. We believe in diversity and equal rights, choice, the rights of LGBT community and international law like the rights of refugees and equal justice before the law.
As America drifts towards Russia it is time to understand that the Russian Orthodox Church is the official religion of Russia and in Canada we must reject sectarianism as it is anti-Canadian.
Today's Press Conference informs GOP's America who their enemies are we in Canada and Western Europe take special notice.
2
Can we imagine the outcry from Congress and Donald Trump if the indictments were regarding hacking of the republican national committee and the campaign office's computers?
What astounding hypocrisy of these elected officials!
3
The 2016 CIA report stated that Russians did hack the RNC as well but did not release any information obtained.
1
Does Trump's wanting to have good relationships with the ex-KGB agent who is just "fine" for the sake of his own need to be flattered or is it because Putin have anything over on the President? That's what most Americans are waiting to find out.
It seems extremely suspicious to me that our elected leader would represent American interests abroad by threatening NATO, insulting PM Theresa May as well as Germany's Andrea Merkel. This was after imposing tariffs on our closest allies. Explaining it all away by suggesting that Trump dislikes female leaders
wears thin after awhile. Something seems fishy to me in Helsinki. And the fact that Trump never disclosed his tax returns leads me to think, after 3 of his campaign officials have been found guilty of crimes in Mueller's probe, that perhaps Trump may be facing justice yet.
3
"Simply put, Trump is a traitor and may well be treasonous."
Thank you Charles Blow for plainly saying that which has been obvious yet unsaid in mainstream press publications for so long.
Hopefully more of your colleagues will follow your lead. the country needs them (and the Democrats) to.
4
Let's start with, the administration that did nothing about this specific issue was the Obama administration - not the Trump administration.
Under the Trump administration, persons found to be involved with this crime are being identified and indicted.
The Trump administration has done nothing - NOTHING - to impede the Mueller investigation, has made no moves to replace Mueller or any of his staff, and continues to fund the effort.
The security services under this administration are not sitting on their hands either.
The only traitor here is Blow, who, on a weekly basis, seeks to undermine the Presidency of the United States thereby giving aid and comfort to our enemies.
2
Other than his many, many, many, many, many proclamations of “witch hunt”, the firing of James Comey, his refusal to implement sanctions passed by Congress on Russia, his refusal to publicly rebuke Putin, his public statements refuting the conclusions of US intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 elections...but yeah, Trump has done nothing <eyeroll>
2
It’s hard to believe what we are hearing from the left wing right now.
Here is their political platform for the next elections:
The last time the fellow Americans elected a Democrat to the White House, the Kremlin and the Russians stole the elections from us because they are more computer and social media savvy, so this November vote for the Democrats just because the last time they failed to protect you from the electoral fraud…
Kenan, you write: "...this November vote for the Democrats just because the last time they failed to protect you from the electoral fraud."
No Kenan. Instead: Vote this November for Democratic leaders, because, compared to Republican candidates, the Democrats are (1) true leaders, not self-righteous frauds, (2) egalitarians, not selfish snobs, and (3) opponents of Donald Trump, which is essential to our nation's health and well-being.
2
Mr. Blow is absolutely correct. As with the oft-repeated lie Trump tells about his inauguration crowd numbers, we the people believe our own eyes rather than his statements. My question is: Can Trump be tried for treason against the United States?
3
It says more about the people that think that Trump as a candidate could stop the meddling, but the sitting President at the time did nothing..pay attention
1
Top 5 Trump Fails:
1. Protect and defend (insert hammer and sickle emoji here).
2. Immigration (punish asylum seekers, promote whites only).
3. Health Care (big, beautiful plan).
4. North Korea (vague promises).
5. Trade (destroy alliances).
We need a President that believes in the American ideal and strives to get us closer to it, not move us in the other direction.
Vote in 2018 to stop him and then vote again in 2020 to remove this stain.
2
I could not agree with you more...
It's clear as day. Why Paul Ryan, and the rest of the GOP, fail to see this as well, is equally disturbing...
2
This whole thing about Russian involvement in our 2016 election drives me crazy. Maybe we the American people have to think about what we are reading and listening to and decide if it makes sense! Read different sources, see if it makes sense to you, get out of the echo chamber. Have a discussion with someone who has a different view than yourself. Maybe we will all learn something or at least come to understand their point of view. while we may still disagree, at least we are talking. By doing this, you take away the power of not only these outside influencers but even people in our government who use these situations to stir the pot for their own gain. Enough already, use your brain
Frankly the premise of this article is astonishing prior to full disclosure of Mueller report. What Trump says and actually what he does are often in conflict. Syria is a perfect example as Russian mercenaries learned to their detriment when they threatened US special forces while Trump is trying to find an accord with Putin. Mr Blow has already made up his mind that Trump is a traitor, he might be but so far, only Russians have been named for interference in the election. Time will tell....
1
The more one reads about this story, the more opaque it becomes. Just what does "penetrated a voter registration database" mean, for example. If only "Bob" Mueller could reveal some clearly identifiable act, like if, say, the Russians managed to hack into and listen in to President Obama's phone. That sort of hacking into the phone of an adversary wouldn't be as bad, perhaps, as hacking into the phone of an allied leader but it would still be pretty bad.
We rely upon the press to inform us and Trump called the press, "an enemy of the people" while on foreign soil. He swore an oath to "protect and defend." This would not be believed if it were fiction.
2
Morning Mr. Blow,
Well, here we go. You don't know me but I would love to have a cup of coffee with you. I could tell you lot's of stories about the dark side and our failure to grasp just how dangerous #45 is. I don't believe there is anything the Republican establishment can do or for that matter the Democrat. What I can tell you [I've give-up on the rest of America] is that America, or for that matter the world has a real big problem. That problem is #45, who should be either institutionalized or charged with Treason. For the likes of former USMC Generals Mattis and Kelly to stand idly and by their inaction or for that matter actions condone the actions of #45 is unconscionable. To Mattis and Kelly I would tell them to check the oath they swore to up hold when they first were sworn into the Marine Corps. In case they have forgotten here it is:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
3
This article is supremely lacking in nuanced thought.
Is Russia really the enemy? I thought the 1980's were looking for their playbook because the cold war has been over for a long time. Russia is no angel, but one has to place bad actions by governments into some sort of perspective since there are plenty of bad actors. Obviously Russia was wrongfully meddling in our elections, but how unprecedented is that and how effective were they? I doubt they had any impact whatsoever on the outcome of the 2016 election (the big Facebook ad campaign everyone talks about seems to overlook that the spend was less than $10 million; that's probably what Hillary and her supporters spent before breakfast each day during the campaign, so either the Russians blow us out of the water in efficacy or they really didn't have much of an impact). That said, if the goal was a little more modest (i.e. to sow doubt in the outcome) they have had some success thanks in no small part to the media which has without evidence been making the case continuously that Russia has "hacked our election" and installed its puppet as our president.
Well, I don't buy that story for a second. Russia didn't elect Trump. We the people did, albeit without him winning the popular vote, so just get over it.
I also agree with Trump that we're better off not being at odds with a nuclear power if we can avoid it. Yeah they annexed Crimea. Unless we're prepared to actually do something about it, maybe we let that one go.
1
Whoopsie!
Another commenter suggested I read Rosenstein's "authorizing" letter to Mueller -- which I already had read, carefully, several times. Not clear that the other commenter had. In any case, here it is:
"... (a) Robert S. Mueller III is appointed to serve as Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice.
(b) The Special Counsel is authorized to conduct the investigation confirmed by then-FBI Director James B. Corney in testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on March 20, 2017, including:
(i) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and
(ii) any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation; and
(iii) any other matters within the scope of 28 C.F.R. § 600.4(a).
(c) If the Special Counsel believes it is necessary and appropriate, the Special Counsel is authorized to prosecute federal crimes arising from the investigation of these matters.
(d) Sections 600.4 through 600.10 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations are applicable to the Special Counsel."
Rosenstein's letter uses "links and/or coordination" rather than "collusion" (a shorthand term soon coined by numerous media publications), but it's indisputable: Rosenstein authorized Mueller to look for "links and/or coordination" between the Russian government and the Trump campaign -- i.e. NOT for separate actions, but for collusive actions.
Remember?
2
If Russian's actions with regard to the 2016 campaign are an "attack", then all countries in the world are at war. Because all countries try to influence the politics of other countries. They always have.
We do that kind of thing too. We have spies that spy even on our own allies. We have the most extensive cyberwarfare capability in the world. We spend billions on propaganda of all kinds. Look up Operation Earnest Voice, for example.
If we want to make a big deal of the molehill of our 2016 election, then we can expect to deal with Russian molehills as well. Better to deal with the mountains around the world that really matter.
Donald Trump seems to understand this. Shame on you for calling him a "treasonous traitor" for this.
1
I have a feeling that Trump insisted on a private meeting so that he could tell Putin to keep on hacking the Democrats.
3
I know that Fox and the rest of the rightwing echo chamber are going to go after Blow for the incendiary headline and contention. But after watching Trump's disgraceful presser with Putin today, where he put Putin's denials on the same plane as the US intel community, he elevated a bad actor on the international scene.
Not just disgraceful. He hurt US interests in a way that's hard to explain. This is more than incompetence or stupidity.
Yes, there's a word for it. And Blow has it right. Let's call it for what it is.
Treason
4
Thank you, Charles Blow, for cutting through the verbiage and getting right to the point: Trump is a traitor — his every action confirms it; the Trump regime is the result of Russia's coup.
4
I just watched the press conference. It was an a slap in the face to all the men and women in US intelligence.
He may be a fool, a Russian stooge, a 5th columnist. I can't be sure which one. Regardless he must be removed from office. The damage he has already done to our Allies and aid and comfort he has given to the Putin and Kim regime has done enormous damage to democracy and the rule of law across the globe.
4
Trump is a traitor, no question, but it is the Republican Party - a mafia impersonating a political party - that must pay, and pay in a court of law, for knowingly and willingly nominating, supporting, and installing a sociopathic liar and traitor in the presidency. Republicans, especially the leadership, ALL knew what he was about and what he was up to: Obama TOLD McConnell, and that great GOP patriot told Obama that if he disclosed Trump's treason to the American people he would slander Obama (nothing new) and say it was all partisan politics. McConnell, Ryan, McCarthy, Nunes, all the way down to dogcatcher: Traitors. They ALL took Russian cash laundered through the NRA: Treason. And what about the eight Republican senators who showed up in Moscow on July 4th?What were they doing they in private meetings? Why the barest coverage if any of this next round of collusion and treason in the Times? They adhere to our enemies. They give them aid and comfort. FULL penalty of the law to apply, including the death penalty Republicans are so fond of recommending for others.
18 U.S. Code § 2381 - Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
3
Trump is consorting with the enemy. We can’t kid ourselves that this isn’t a real war. What would the CIC have done if Russia had bombed voting locations? Sadly, maybe nothing. We all need to wake up. Remember how frightened and angry we were on 9/11? What Russia is doing to our country, our democracy is so much worse.
3
On the eve of the 2016 election, Chelsea Clinton was contacted by a mysterious person from Iran. This person said he had "dirt" on candidate Donald Trump. Clinton said "If it's what you say it is, then I love it." She and several other members of the Clinton campaign then met with this person in the Clinton compound.
This of course didn't happen. But imagine reaction from the right wing media if it had. Imagine the reaction from the MAINSTREAM media. If the New York Times would send a reporting team to Arkansas to track down 2nd rate real estate scandal, imagine the level of reporting this paper would done over a presidential candidate's daughter meeting with a person or persons from an adversarial country.
1
You sir are sadly deluded if you think Russia is NOT an enemy particularly with the latest evidence of its cyberattacks against us. I vehemently disagree with your suggestion we start to respect this dictator mascarading as a legitimately elected leader. Troops he is commander of shot down a civilian airliner, invaded and occupy parts of Ukraine. That makes him an enemy of all that I stand for.
Seems to me we should be more concerned with righting the wrongs that have allowed inequality to rise to such a stunning degree in America, save the divisive diversions, villifiying Russia, Putin or Trump isn’t going to correct the blunders we have made for the last seventy years, whether Korea, Vietnam, The Middle East p, invasion and coups the South and Central Americans incursions and blatant interference in their elections to the Iran Contra affair. For decades we have allowed special interests to dictate not only foreign policy but winners and losers in our economy this has been our failure.
1
This is The Apprentice's first mid-term review with his boss. He wants to look like he's with the program. Cut him some slack. I'm sure Vladimir won't fire him.
3
To CIA/FBI: grab Trump's translator he used in his one-on-one meeting with Putin and put her (?) in witness protection program immediately so that she will not be murdered for talking! Grab her note-pad if possible.
4
The first US president in history to be literally owned by the Russians! The tragedy is that his base is too unintelligent to realize this and the opposition is too feckless to stop him. #fallofempires
6
I wat to use all caps to agree with Mr. Blow that trump is a treasonous traitor! Russia continues to assault our sovereignty and he attacks the US agencies responsible for protecting the US — that’s you and me. Meanwhile republicans sit back in complicity and allow this to happen.
4
finally!!! thank you mr blow...
10
Blow is squarely on target.
1
You are 100% correct Mr Blow! This man is a traitor and I will refuse to call him my president for as long as I live!
When I was living in NYC I saw him commit the crimes he is doing right now in the manner he is doing right now!
He has no interest in our national defense or our national interests. He is a self minded individual who will say anything to get ahead. He is a sham, a weasel just like Putin!
Wake up America! Defend your right to liberty or you will loose it.
13
Please keep telling the truth, Mr Blow. Who knew that the shock and awe of a marvelously competent president of African heritage would result in the elevation of a straight up traitor?
15
Even PM Neville Chamberlain was smarter than Trump, when he met with Hitler in 1938 and returned with Hitler's empty pledge. We are allowing the intellectually vacuous POTUS a meeting, one-on-one, with an ex-KGB agent; who has held the Russian "presidency" by killing his opponents? Are Trumps handlers daft or traitors themselves? It's clear to anyone with the ability to fog a mirror, this POTUS (Manchurian candidate) is compromised by the Russians and is meeting to get his next marching orders. Where is the GOP congress?
Nov. 8th cannot arrive soon enough for this voter.
10
why were the doors closed? what is being hidden?
putin and trump - two thugs, looters, common thieves. well, maybe not so common.
a failing economy. an absence of technology. a country that can't function without a higher oil price. what is it that putin can offer the usa? is it really about stopping radical islamic terrorism? if so, then why is putin backing syria, and by proxy, iran?
and what is trump giving away? until the doors are opened and something is verified, we will never know until it's too late.
listening to trump speaking right now, i can't believe somebody can take up so much time and, despite the number of words, nothing has been said.
today's lie - saying the doors to diplomacy are open, when, in fact, the doors were kept closed.
4
Trump’s behavior is treasonous and antithetical to the behavior of a leader of a democratic nation. He is totally disregarding his constitutional responsibilities and obligations to protect the United States from outside interference. Unfortunately, he is being aided and abetted by the Republicans in both chambers of Congress and the right wing media.
Any other President would be facing impeachment
5
I wonder what grade Vladimir Putin, Trump’s apparent boss, will give him during his mid year performance review? My bet is that he will get “exceeds expectations “ for treating down liberal western democratic principles.
2
I think of all the people who worked, fought and died to build up our country. Then I watch as one man tries to turn it into his own personal playpen, with assistance from enemies of our country. Mr. Trump may be unable to cope with his many personality disorders - histrionic, narcissistic, god complex, etc. - but the other members of our government who stand by and do nothing are certainly complicit. The "superior orders" defense did not work at Nuremberg and it won't work here.
3
Why is this happening? Put aside your own suspicions of Trump's involvement with Russia, of which I have many, it is tragic to watch him represent OUR COUNTRY this way. Where are the Republicans? When POTUS calls hard working journalists fake and dishonest he actively works against the constitution he took a vow to protect. All in a day's work while going to meet with a dictator who, according to the FBI has plotted against our country's most sacred institution of a fair and free election. There should be a steep price to pay. Impeach.
8
The alliance against liberal democracy. The meeting of authoritarian reds in Helsinki.
1
As long as our agencies are doing their job to protect our elections systems we are fine. Instead of focusing on hating Trump, interview the department heads who are responsible for elections. This excessively emotional editorial is a waste of time and energy.
1
trump has negligently and deliberately done absolutely nothing to stop the Russian cyberattacks. This is collusion, in plain sight. And again involves much of the GOP in Congress. For all the talk on wingnut radio and cable news, it's the GOP that is becoming a real and credible threat to the nation.
6
If Trump isn't guilty of treason, then he's at least guilty of dereliction of duty or treason by omission.
4
Republicans have been nakedly self-serving for as long as I can remember. Can anyone think of anything they've done for the good of the country as a whole in the last 30 years? I can't. They all seem to prioritize gaining and keeping power for themselves and their brand, and that's all they do. The idea that they are there to serve their constituencies is a quaint joke. They've been able to achieve their position with a lot of help from voters who are greedy and/or very gullible. People no longer study civics or second languages and are generally ignorant of life in civilized countries. We've gone from studying Latin to studying the Kardashians. Underdeveloped intellects can't distinguish between NPR and FOX, real food and junk food, or accomplished leaders and ersatz monstrosities. The citizenry is the problem.
5
I am in the middle of Malcolm Nance's book about Russia and the US Elections. I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about what is going on right now. It is painfully obvious that our President is a Russian agent. At first unwillingly perhaps but now willingly. As many have said "follow the money". I feel like I am experiencing what those in Pre WWII Germany must have done. The behavior is so brash and publicly displayed that it's surreal. I wish John Mc Cain wasn't so sick. The Republicans in Congress need to do something or else we may not ever recover from this treasonous President and his actions.
15
Whether Trump had direct knowledge of the election meddling, it is obvious that the Russians interfered with the election, thus denying Hillary Clinton the victory. So why is Trump still president?
6
I speak for many who are thankful for the DNC hack. How else would we have come to know about the rigging of the primary against Bernie at HRC's direction, the mocking of Catholics by HRC's advisers, in general, the cesspool of corruption....
4
bernie "I am not a Democrat! I am a socialist" sanders was and still isn't a Democrat.
To expect real Democrats to vote against their own party candidate for an unknown, imposter takes a heck of a lot of nerve.
You pay attention. The sitting president at the time--President Obama--could not do anything, because evidence was not as clear as it is now. Besides, he had a racist republican congressional majority that was not inclined to work with him.
Now that the repubs have their just desserts in the White House, they are mute.
1
Yes. She beat him in the election, because more people voted for the real Democrat--not the imposter.
1
Treason is not just colluding with Putin. Trump and his GoP facilitators are running a huge, treasonous Ponzi Scheme. Between Supreme Court justices, attacks on health care, misogyny, racism, xenophobia, false news and he offers a seemingly endless menu of ignorance, hate and bias. What is truly surprising is that so many Americans still buy into Trump's agenda given the meager dividends.
But even a political Ponzi Scheme must eventually bow to reality. Tariffs and trade wars, undercutting ACA and its predominately white beneficiaries, attacking women, favoring the rich while exploding the deficit and Russian collusion will trump Trump's America First nonsense. Fox News, Murdoch, the Kochs et. al. and the white male and evangelical base will have their noses rubbed in facts that not even they will be able to ignore.
Ask Madoff and his clients. Ponzi Shemes are devastating and unsustainable. And there is always a reckoning. Soon. Because reality is catching up quickly to those invested in Trump's ugliness.
9
I hate Trump but this constant ranting about him is exactly what he wants. The Democrats lost the election because she was a terrible candidate. Give people something to vote for. Trump gave them an illusion and he won. The Democrats can’t even do that. Stop bellyaching about Trump and come up with something constructive.
4
Thank you Mr. Blow, for doing the job that the Republicans in Congress refuse to do--hold this Treasonous President accountable! Russia is attacking us while Trump wants to be BFF with Putin--he must be impeached immediately so as to end the possibly irreparable damage he has done to our nation. "Impeach Trump Now" should be heard from every corner of the country and every citizen who loves the United States. God help us.
3
he is giving the USA to Putin. No exaggeration.
4
The Republican Congress share equal guilt with Trump as traitors to the USA and appear guilty of treason. McConnell and Ryan are as guilty as Trump. Sad! All of them have put party, politics, and money over country. They deserve prison time.
10
Add to Trump's treasonous acts the Republican Senators and Congressmen who are doing everything in their power to enable him. Devin Nunes, Trey Gowdy, Louie Gomert and their ilk should be considered co-conspirators and be thrown in prison for life sentences. The whole lot of them is selling off almost 250 years of democracy for some hidden reason.
6
Trump is a Traitor? Not standing up to Russia?
Ukraine now has javelin anti tank system,Poland patriot missles, Baltics heavy armor, Europe the option to import US energy to undercut Russian gas exports, forcing Europe to man up militarily.
President Obama opposed ALL of these actions..while talking tough about "lines in the sand and reset buttons".
Mr Blow is repeating Democrat talking points not reality.
6
Very timely accurate article. It is frustrating to see how the followers of Trump close their eyes as the KGB drives to destroy our great nation. Trump and his team are part of Vladimir’s vicious strategy to damage our democracy and the basic foundation of our country. Now, the cat is out of the bag and Trump is meeting with Vlad the thug to plan to rig 2018 and 2020 election. Trump never dreamed of where he is today and he is extremely loyal to Vlad for his ascension. As a narcissist, he would do anything to remain in power and do the bidding for Vlad at the cost of destruction of our nation. He claimed million times that the investigation as witch hunt. He knows the criminal acts behind his win very well. For the same, he behaves exactly all pathological liars do. It is a shame that the his followers close their eyes as our country gets hijacked by Vlad. It is like a cult and they are mesmerized. Cheap rheotrics, frequent lies by Trump keep them happy. America is always a great nation. It is going downward spiral under Trump. But the cult lets the narcissist continue to destroy our great nation. It is a travesty.
3
The Appeaser-in- Chief and his handler. The annual performance review took 2 hrs. Hopefully in the very near future Robert Mueller will explain exactly what Putin has on our ridiculous, incompetent "President".
4
Since Nov 2016, I have lived under a miasma of dread. Each day has brought fresh outrage. Ethical violations galore, flagrant money flaunting, policy by impulse, egregious self ego caressing, diplomacy trampling heavy handed bullying of allies. Now the greatest generator of fake news is kissing up to the most dangerous opponent he has ever faced. Does all this toadying Forecast his play to make the biggest deal of all time? If so, what is he willing to give Putin?
Please Mr. Mueller, follow the money.
6
Without firing a single shot, the Russian Regime has totally taken over and captured the White House, thanks to their agent Donald Trump and the blindness and cowardly behavior displayed by the Republican Party. Congrats to Vladimir Putin are definitely in order. The US will truly go down with a bang.
3
FunkyIrishman: In the list of ways Trump has acted against America's interests you omitted : Put NATO into great disarray - Avoided punishing Russia for hacking our elections when Congress gave him a date for imposing more sanctions - Created discord with even our closest allies - England, Canada, Mexico and Germany - including - South Korea. He resigned the leadership role of the USA in the newest technological revolution - climate change and ecological advancement. He allowed us to be dissed by North Korea, which after he gave them great standing on the world stage, called us "Thugs". He has brought about trade wars and destroyed the rules regulating the biggest banks so they can once again bring a disaster upon us all. And he has acted inhumanely, like Nazis - ripping infants out of their parents arms at our Southern borders; now some have been orphaned b/c the government has no way of reuniting them with their parents. Oh, God !!
4
All true, and wholeheartedly supported by the equally traitorous Republican Party. Voters should know that the "R" next to the name of a candidate on your ballot in November really stands for "Russian Operative".
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