Tag: Russia

Nunes Memo Does Russia’s Work of Eroding Trust in American Justice

The following article by Michael Daly was posted on the Daily Beast website February 2, 2018:

To cast suspicion on the FBI, the memo notes Papadopoulos triggered the bureau’s probe—but omits that he later pleading guilty to lying about his dealings with the Russians.

Credit: Joshua Roberts<

However FBI Agent Peter Strzok felt about FBI lawyer Lisa Page, his texts to his supposed mistress became most emotional not about her but about a dire threat to our national security.

The threat that rouses such ardor in Strzok draws only a shrug from some in the White House and Congress who most loudly proclaim themselves patriots. President Trump excoriates those who go down on one knee during the national anthem, but himself goes down on both knees to an avowed enemy. Continue reading “Nunes Memo Does Russia’s Work of Eroding Trust in American Justice”

Wyden Wants Details on NRA Links to Russian Bank Official

The following article by Griffin Connolly was posted on the Roll Call website February 2, 2018:

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., requested documents linking a Russian central banker to the NRA. Credit: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call

Sen. Ron Wyden has questions for the National Rifle Association.

The Oregon Democrat requested any documents showing financial links between the organization and Russia, The Associated Press reported Friday.

Wyden’s request comes after reports last month that the gun lobbying titan may have received money from a top Russian central bank official during the 2016 presidential election.

The FBI is investigating any ties the NRA might have to Alexander Torshin, the deputy governor of Russia’s central bank and a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, a number of outlets reported last month. Continue reading “Wyden Wants Details on NRA Links to Russian Bank Official”

Did Trump just reveal the real reason this memo was written?

The following article by Amber Phillips was posted on the Washington Post website February 2, 2018:

President Trump on Jan. 30 told Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) that he will “100 percent” release a memo alleging misconduct by the FBI. (The Washington Post)

Republican leaders in Congress have one main defense for releasing a controversial memo on the FBI’s Russia investigation: It reveals mistakes and even bias at the FBI, not with the separate, independent special counsel investigation set up by the Justice Department.

The memo, said House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) on Thursday, isn’t “an indictment of the FBI, of the Department of Justice.” Continue reading “Did Trump just reveal the real reason this memo was written?”

Trump sought release of classified Russia memo, putting him at odds with Justice Department

The following article by Ashley Parker, Rosalind S. Helderman, Josh Dawsey and Carol D. Leonnig was posted on the Washington Post website January 27, 2018:

President Trump on Jan. 24 suggested that he could be investigated for obstruction of justice for his decision to “fight back” against the Russia probe. (Video: David Nakamura/Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

On Wednesday, as Republicans were clamoring to make public a secret document they think will undercut the investigation into Russian meddling, President Trump made clear his desire: Release the memo.

Trump’s directive was at odds with his own Justice Department, which had warned that releasing the classified memo written by congressional Republicans would be “extraordinarily reckless” without an official review. Nevertheless, White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly relayed the president’s view to Attorney General Jeff Sessions — although the decision to release the document ultimately lies with Congress. Continue reading “Trump sought release of classified Russia memo, putting him at odds with Justice Department”

In the crowd at Trump’s inauguration, members of Russia’s elite anticipated a thaw between Moscow and Washington

The following article by Craig Timberg, Rosalind S. Helderman, Andrew Roth and Carol D. Leonnig was posted on the Washington Post website January 20, 2018:

Some prominent Russians came to Washington to witness Donald Trump’s inauguration last year. Above is a section where some had ticketed seats in front of the U.S. Capitol. (CNN/Photo illustration by The Washington Post)

In the days before Donald Trump’s inauguration, a wealthy Russian pharmaceutical executive named Alexey Repik arrived in Washington, expressing excitement about the new administration.

He posted a photo on Facebook of a clutch of inauguration credentials arranged next to a white “Make America Great Again” hat, writing in Russian: “I believe that President Donald Trump will open a new page in American history.” Continue reading “In the crowd at Trump’s inauguration, members of Russia’s elite anticipated a thaw between Moscow and Washington”

Russian hackers who compromised DNC are targeting the Senate, company says

The following article by Shan Harris was posted on the Washington Post website January 12, 2018:

Russian hackers set up websites that were meant to look like an email system available only to people using the Senate’s internal computer network, according to a report from a computer security firm. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

The Russian hackers who stole emails from the Democratic National Committee as part of a campaign to interfere in the 2016 election have been trying to steal information from the U.S. Senate, according to a report published Friday by a computer security firm.

Beginning in June, the hackers set up websites meant to look like an email system available only to people using the Senate’s internal computer network, said the report by Trend Micro. The sites were designed to trick people into divulging their personal credentials, such as usernames and passwords.

The Associated Press was first to write about the report. Continue reading “Russian hackers who compromised DNC are targeting the Senate, company says”

What you need to know about Christopher Steele, the FBI and the Trump ‘dossier’

The following article by Glenn Kessler was posted on the Washington Post website January 9, 2019:

The Russia probe got its start with a drunken conversation, an ex-spy, WikiLeaks and a distracted FBI. (Meg Kelly/The Washington Post)

“Mr. Steele was on the payroll of Fusion GPS, who was being paid by the Democratic Party to do opposition research on Donald Trump. That while he was working with the FBI, he was shopping this dossier all over the world. That’s not what an informant should do.”
— Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Jan. 7, 2018

Graham and Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, on Jan. 5 referredChristopher Steele, the author of the “dossier” alleging ties between President Trump and Russia, for a criminal investigation by the Justice Department. The move is an unexpected twist in the saga over the document, which was gossiped about in journalistic circles during the 2016 presidential election until a version was published by BuzzFeed shortly before Trump’s inauguration. Continue reading “What you need to know about Christopher Steele, the FBI and the Trump ‘dossier’”

Mueller indicates he is likely to seek interview with Trump

The following article by Carol D. Leonnig was posted on the Washing Post website January 8, 2018:

With indications that special counsel Robert Mueller is seeking an interview with President Trump, here are some burning questions his team will want to ask. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has told President Trump’s legal team that his office is likely to seek an interview with the president, triggering a discussion among his attorneys about how to avoid a sit-down encounter or set limits on such a session, according to two people familiar with the talks.

Mueller raised the issue of interviewing Trump during a late-December meeting with the president’s lawyers John Dowd and Jay Sekulow. Mueller deputy James Quarles, who oversees the White House portion of the special counsel investigation, also attended. Continue reading “Mueller indicates he is likely to seek interview with Trump”

Trump says he’s been ‘100 percent proper” with Russia probe

The following article by Jill Colvin was posted on the Associated Press website January 6, 2018:

Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File

THURMONT, Md. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Saturday that “everything I’ve done is 100 percent proper” regarding the special counsel’s investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and he insisted that his campaign didn’t collude with Moscow or commit any crime.

His team has been “open” with special counsel Robert Mueller and “done nothing wrong,” Trump told reporters at Camp David, where he was meeting with Republican congressional leaders and Cabinet members to discuss legislative strategy in the new year.

He bemoaned the unrelenting focus on alleged Russia ties, saying the probe is “very, very bad for our country. It’s making our country look foolish and this is a country that I don’t want looking foolish, and it’s not going to look foolish as long as I’m here.” Continue reading “Trump says he’s been ‘100 percent proper” with Russia probe”