NYT: Trump Team Had "Repeated Contacts" With Russian Intelligence During the Presidential Campaign
Phone records and intercepted calls show that members of Donald J. Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election, according to four current and former American officials.
American law enforcement and intelligence agencies intercepted the communications around the same time that they were discovering evidence that Russia was trying to disrupt the presidential election by hacking into the Democratic National Committee....The intercepts alarmed American intelligence and law enforcement agencies, in part because of the amount of contact that was occurring while Mr. Trump was speaking glowingly about the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin....The officials said the intercepted communications were not limited to Trump campaign officials, and included other associates of Mr. Trump.
The Fiscal Times:
Republicans and Democrats alike press for an intensive investigation into ties between the Russian government and the nascent Trump administration, concern about the ability of the White House to manage a national security crisis has apparently spread into the highest ranks of the U.S. military.
On Tuesday morning, speaking [at] a conference on special operations and low intensity conflict near Washington, a prominent four-star general suggested that the chaos in the White House, which saw the resignation of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn late Monday night, could bleed into the military’s readiness.
General Raymond A. Thomas, who leads the Pentagon’s Special Operations Command, told his audience, “Our government continues to be in unbelievable turmoil,” The New York Times reported. “I hope they sort it out soon because we’re a nation at war.” He said that his command has remained “focused” on its mission. However, he also told the Times, “As a commander, I’m concerned our government be as stable as possible.”
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The revelation that Flynn was allowed to remain in the White House Situation Room has infuriated critics of the Trump administration, including Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“General Flynn’s resignation is a troubling indication of the dysfunction of the current national security apparatus,” McCain said in a statement Tuesday. “As our nation confronts the most complex and diverse array of global challenges since the end of World War II, it is imperative that the President select a new national security adviser who is empowered by clear lines of authority and responsibility and possesses the skills and experience necessary to organize the national security system across our government.”
He added, “General Flynn’s resignation also raises further questions about the Trump administration’s intentions toward Vladimir Putin’s Russia, including statements by the President suggesting moral equivalence between the United States and Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine, annexation of Crimea, threats to our NATO allies, and attempted interference in American elections.”
What are the Republicans in Congress afraid of?
Trump?
He's disliked by our allies around the globe, thanks to his disastrous attempts at foreign diplomacy. Trump's approval rating here at home is historic -- historically low for a new president: 40% approve of the mess he's made -- so far, it may sink even lower.
He's shown America that his so-called business "smarts" have translated into turmoil and chaos. IOW, his aptitude for lying, bullying, and being an all around embarrassing political outsider (and jerk) has not served him well as a president. Leading a country isn't like being the CEO of a company. Trump and his supporters are bitterly finding that out every day.
THIS:
Peter Daou
With the NYT reporting that Trump campaign aides had "repeated contacts with Russian intelligence" the unavoidable question:
Is Hillary Clinton the rightful President of the United States?
The president's reaction to this avalanche of allegations?
This:
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The president's reaction to this avalanche of allegations?
This:
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27 comments:
On Jan. 26, Sally Yates, then the acting attorney general, tells the White House that national security adviser Mike Flynn — who has just been grilled by FBI agents — had, in fact, discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador during the transition, despite denying it, and therefore is vulnerable to Russian blackmail.
Four days later, on Jan. 30, Trump fires Yates, citing her unwillingness to enforce his border order.
Two weeks after her heads-up to the White House, the Flynn secret explodes.
"They had to know she was radioactive, and that there would be consequences," said a West Wing confidant. "It was either reckless, or total incompetence. It leads back to the fact that nobody is in charge."
A top source described "borderline chaos" in the White House.
"Some staff is in survival mode ... scared to death," the source said.
Internal leaks distract a White House. What we're seeing now is something much more consequential: leaks from throughout the government, plus a host of Obama alumni emptying their clips.
The news eruptions are gaining a Watergate aura -- constant, complicated revelations from intelligence agencies and federal law enforcement; White House denials; frenzied competition among the great news organizations.
Chuck Todd said at 5 p.m. on MSNBC (as quoted by Brian Stelter): "Welcome to Day 1 of what is arguably the biggest presidential scandal involving a foreign government since Iran-Contra. ... [H]unker down, because this is a Class 5 political hurricane that's hitting Washington."
This is what happens when you elect an incompetent boob: Chaos, turmoil, stupid decisions, and a "Class 5 political hurricane."
SOURCE for the above.
Brian Beutler/TNR:
Trump’s Team of Weaklings:
He promised that his administration would be tough. Instead, it is weak, rudderless, incompetent, and plagued by backbiting.
And the party of "Benghazi Benghazi Benghazi" publicly says through Sen Rand Paul that it makes no sense for the GOP to investigate itself as the Trump Admin continues to devolve into a series of scandals.
How long does a death spiral last?
Flynn could have the special distinction of being the first person ever prosecuted under the Logan Act. That would be special.
We may be seeing the beginning of the end of the Trump administration.
And now the tweets... saying the FBI and CIA are just like Russia... really?
We murder opponents, disappear people, invade neighbors and then lie about it?
When will someone join McCain, apparently the only GOP party member with a soul and challenge this daily embarrassment?
And yet the extremists who accused Obama of being a Russian operative are strangely silent. Nary a word from our friends at the Mother Ship or WYD about the proven lies, deception and denigrating of our Federal Police and Spy agencies.
Ya gotta wonder why...
Gutless wonders...
Kevin, as usual Trump, his lackeys, and his supporters are blaming Hillary, Obama, and the media for the colossal eff-up and scandal blanketing Trump's less than 1 month old administration. The Muslim ban roll-out was a complete mess, and the courts put a stop to it.
Trump made history when his NSA adviser resigned -- the shortest serving NSA adviser in American history. Remember when Lord Dampnut bragged about having only he best people in his cabinet and the best people to advise him? Betsy DeVos? Flynn? Conway? Spicer?
Then we have the spectacle of seeing the POTUS handling a very sensitive crisis in the middle of a public dining room for anyone to listen in or photograph! In fact, one of the guests in the dining room made a selfie with the officer carrying the nuclear codes, so all the world can see who he is!
Jerry, the end of this incompetent and possibly traitorous administration can't come fast enough. Did you see that three member of the House introduced a bill that would eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency by December 31, 2018? That was the whole bill.
The Republicans want America to go back to the good ol' days of yellow air and brown water.
"Dave, apparently people like Rand believe only Democrats deserve to be investigated. Rand showed us his inane partisan hackery with that statement. I thought he was better than that.
Mark Painter, lifelong Republican, who served as a judge for 30 years writes:
"The leader of the band of Mad Hatters occupying the White House has already insulted allied world leaders, issued illegal and badly written orders, impugned a “so-called” judge appointed by his own party, and appointed the least-qualified cabinet ever. The first secretary of state was Thomas Jefferson. Trump appointed a big-oil executive with close ties to Russia. The first treasury secretary was Alexander Hamilton. Trump appointed a former Goldman Sachs exec who got rich foreclosing on homeowners. The national security advisor lasted 24 days.
And all that’s just at the time I write this. Who knows what happens next. Each new day is a new nightmare. We are still trying to digest one breathtaking assault on America when another is signed, issued, or Tweeted. All this amid constant lies. Constant. Lies.
I am a lifelong Republican. I voted for every Republican presidential candidate from 1968 to 2004. But I have watched what once was a sane, center-right party go off the rails, first to the extreme right, then to wherever Trump is, which is in another universe.
It’s tough, but we must end this dangerous presidency. Trump must be impeached and removed with all haste. But only Congress can initiate the process."
There are sane, ethical, principled Republicans out there. They need to make their voices loud and clear. Get rid of the incompetent, lying, s.o.b. and restore sanity to our country.
Small victory, Andy "Putz" Puzder's nomination has been withdrawn.
Evidently spousal abuse is too much even for Lord Dampnut?
Shaw... regarding Rand, me too.
In fairness, finally some words of dissent from the blogosphere. But quickly rebutted by the followers who see nothing wrong with the Russia loving approach. And dozens of connections.
Apparently those who are voicing concern seem totally baffled that this could have happened. They cannot believe DJT would wait to tell Pence and, God forbid, lie to the American people. As he did all through his campaign.
these folks are priceless. Yes they got their SCOTUS nominee, but at what price? For people supposedly worried about how America was perceived around the world under Pres Obama, they are eerily silent on that front now.
Again, I have to ask why?
And again, I know there will be no responses.
Dave: "And yet the extremists who accused Obama of being a Russian operative are strangely silent. Nary a word from our friends at the Mother Ship or WYD about the proven lies, deception and denigrating of our Federal Police and Spy agencies.
Ya gotta wonder why..."
They must be watching the news and seeing the tsunami of scandals drowning the administration before it's even a month old. If they're not writing about this on their blogs, it's probably because they can't face the fact that the person they voted for has bungled so badly so soon and proved his critics correct. That, or they're too embarrassed to admit they supported someone as horrible as Trump. As our friend Les has said again and again, Trump is not a Republican, he's some twisted nightmare that the extremists in that party brought to life. *shudder*
They must be aware of how the rest of the world sees him and the majority of Americans as well. I guess it's easier to ignore their mistake rather than face it and join the rest of America in trying to correct it.
Has anyone else read this:
‘He will die in jail’: Intelligence community ready to ‘go nuclear’ on Trump, senior source says
On Wednesday, former NSA intelligence analyst John Schindler provided some insight into the reaction of national security officials.
“Now we go nuclear,” he wrote on Twitter. “[Intelligence community] war going to new levels. Just got an [email from] senior [intelligence community] friend, it began: ‘He will die in jail.'”
“US intelligence is not the problem here,” Schindler added in another tweet. “The President’s collusion with Russian intelligence is. Many details, but the essence is simple.”
Just heard on Democracy Now ! . The Happy Hands administration has granted press credentials to Gateway Pundit .
This must be a plot to make people yearn for the old days of Faux Snooze.
What did he know and when did he know it.
Ducky: "Just heard on Democracy Now ! . The Happy Hands administration has granted press credentials to Gateway Pundit ."
Dear Gawd! The worst president since Nixon is granting press credentials to the dumbest blogger on the internet? Makes sense.
Shaw: Jerry, the end of this incompetent and possibly traitorous administration can't come fast enough.
Trump has already filed the paperwork and is raising money for his re-election.
Shaw: They must be watching the news and seeing the tsunami of scandals drowning the administration...
Easy answer to that - it's fake news. They are NOT aware. The truth is what BLOTUS says it is. They are still gloating over his "win" and predicting more wins in 2018. It's over for the Left according to the WYD crowd.
Meanwhile MSNBC is running ads that has Morning Joe shouting "make America great again, baby!". Ugh.
Shaw: Get rid of the incompetent, lying, s.o.b. and restore sanity to our country.
Dervish: Easy answer to that - it's fake news. They are NOT aware. The truth is what BLOTUS says it is.
The Trumpanzees remain encapsulated in their alternative-reality bubble inflated with alternative facts. If Trump is taken down they'll think he was railroaded and go ballistic.
You know what they're capable of. We'd better increase security at the nation's bird sanctuary visitor kiosks.
Re: Dave @Mother Ship
They're reporting a story from a far right "news" source that reports on unfounded conspiracy rumors. It's in the same class as World Nut Daily. This can give you some explanation on why those people support Trump, they're not very selective on where they get their "news" from, so they buy into any source as long as it supports Trump and blames Obama.
THIS SCANDAL WITH RUSSIA AND TRUMP IS WORSE THAN WATERGATE!
"This morning on MSNBC, Katy Tur reported that she had been in discussions with a “high-level source” who stated it was hard to accept former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn’s excuse that he couldn’t recall if he spoke about sanctions with the Russian ambassador.
Why is that? Because, as Tur noted, the source told her that one of the calls in December was almost entirely devoted to the sanctions that the Obama administration had just imposed on Russia.
“The questions are many,” Tur stated. “A number of them surround just how much of a conversation did General Flynn have about Russian sanctions with the Russian ambassador. How much could he have possibly forgotten?”
She continued, “I was speaking with a high-level source last night who said they just don’t understand how he could have forgotten the conversation because it was the subject of pretty much an entire phone call.”
Is it any wonder that English bookies have lost all interest in horse racing?
‘He will die in jail’: Intelligence community ready to ‘go nuclear’ on Trump, senior source says
That certainly arouses mixed feelings. Thanks for that link. Even Trump would have been so much better off if he'd lost. Somewhere in an alternate universe the birds are singing, the sky is blue and HRC is president. But here in Mudville ...
BB-Idaho, Kevin, ACR, Anon@6:25, Infidel753, Dervish,
I can always tell when the far right Trumpistas are nervous about the preznit. They've been coming to comment moderation in droves, leaving desperately dumb remarks that serve only to reinforce the fact that they're soiling their undies over the incompetent clown they elected.
They believe that calling people names is going to turn Lord Dampnut into a normal human being. Poor delusional souls.
I have to admit I'm enjoying their desperation.
I must say Shaw I do not enjoy their desperation. I do feel pity for them however. Their blind allegiance to arguably the most incompetent person ever elected to the highest office of our nation defies logic.
Those folks are among the dwindling number who are clinging to a believe that the majority of Americans really want what they and Trump want. Which is to say a return to the era of WASP dominance.
They really are frightened out of their britches by what they don't understand. This causes them to become even more entrenched as they dig their heels deeper and close their eyes tighter.
The poor 30%'ers.
RN, I should have qualified my statement. I do pity most of the people who voted for Trump, thinking he would change things in DC. He hasn't, just look at the Goldman Sachs appointments and other billionaires he filled his personal swamp with.
The rest deserve, IMO, the desperation they feel, since Trump has been showing America and the world what an indisputable horse's ass he truly is since he came down the escalator in Trump Tower to announce his candidacy for president. His win is not so much about him as it is about the arrogance of the people who were determined to ignore the fact that Trump is unfit to lead this country. They had to have seen this during the campaign, yet they willfully ignored it, and now we have a disaster in the White House. Why should I care about the feelings of people who cared nothing about America?
I don't care about the idiots either Shaw. Trump's steadily declining approval rating is good as it shows more are waking up.
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