-
BuzzFeed reporter Anthony Cormier spoke with CNN today. The link below will take you to video of Cormier's interview and CNN editor Chris Cillizza's complete essay. Here is an excerpt:
This may be the smoking gun in the Russia investigation
Chris Cillizza, Jan 18 2019 2:43 PM
For much of the past 20 months, President Donald Trump and his administration have insisted that, for all of the smoke surrounding his 2016 campaign, there was no fire. A lot of people in Trump's orbit engaging in conversations and relationships with Russian officials but no evidence of collusion and certainly nothing that linked Donald Trump to any wrongdoing.
That very well might have changed Thursday night, with this report from BuzzFeed: "President Donald Trump directed his longtime attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, according to two federal law enforcement officials involved in an investigation of the matter. Trump also supported a plan, set up by Cohen, to visit Russia during the Presidential campaign in order to personally meet President Vladimir Putin and jump-start the tower negotiations. 'Make it happen,' the sources said Trump told Cohen."
The BuzzFeed story also claims Cohen confirmed this information to special counsel Robert Mueller after "the special counsel's office learned about Trump's directive for Cohen to lie to Congress through interviews with multiple witnesses from the Trump Organization and internal company emails, text messages, and a cache of other documents." It's hard to overstate what a big deal that is. No other major outlets have confirmed the BuzzFeed report but if the report is right, then the President of the United States directed an underling to lie under oath -- which is, in and of itself, a crime.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/18/polit...sia/index.html
-
Every major news outlet is covering the explosive BuzzFeed report. That tells me they don't think the story is "fake." CBS News noted: "White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley would not explicitly deny the report that Trump told Cohen to lie to Congress, when pressed repeatedly by Fox News this morning. 'I'm not going to give any credence or credibility to Michael Cohen,' Gidley said. After the interview on the White House North Lawn, Gidley walked past a swarm of reporters asking why he wouldn't simply deny the report." Hmmm.
Trump had Michael Cohen lie to Congress about Moscow Trump Tower project: Report
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-h...ject-buzzfeed/
-
Business Insider reports that 16 members of Trump's campaign team made a combined 101 contacts with Russian agents or Russian government officials between November 2015 and January 2017. That includes 23 meetings and phone calls. At least nine other Trump associates knew about these contacts. But there was no collusion -- Trump says so.
Here are all the known contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian government-linked people or entities
https://www.businessinsider.com/trum...imeline-2018-7
-
While Donald Trump was singing love songs to his BFF Vladimir Putin in an effort to gain approval to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, Putin was probably singing the Green Acres theme song to Trump: "I just adore a penthouse view!"
Giuliani: Discussions on Trump Tower in Moscow were 'active' throughout 2016
NBC News, Jan 20 2019, 7:26 AM PST
President Donald Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani said today that plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow remained an "active proposal" as late as November 2016, leaving open the possibility that Trump’s family-led company continued to pursue the business deal up until the Presidential election, months later than previously known.
Appearing on NBC's Meet The Press, Giuliani said the President has told him he can "remember having conversations" with his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, about the project well into 2016. Cohen has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the timeline of his involvement in that proposal, admitting that he worked on it through June of 2016 after initially saying it ended at the beginning of that year.
"It's our understanding that they went on throughout 2016," Giuliani said of the discussions, adding that there "weren't a lot of them, but there were conversations. Can't be sure of the exact date. Probably could be up to as far as October, November — our answers cover until the election," he said, referring to written questions Trump and his lawyers have answered from special counsel Robert Mueller's office.
"That is news to me and that is big news. Why, two years after the fact, are we just learning this now when there's been this much inquiry?” asked Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, also appearing on Meet The Press.
"I would think most voters — Democrat, Republican, independent, you name it — that knowing that the Republican nominee was actively trying to do business in Moscow, that the Republican nominee had offered, if he built this building, a free penthouse apartment to Vladimir Putin, and if those negotiations were ongoing up until the election, I think that's a relevant fact for voters to know," Warner said. "And I think it's remarkable we are two years after the fact and just discovering it today."
The Moscow tower project is part of separate investigations by the special counsel and lawmakers into links between Trump's campaign and Russia's interference in the 2016 election.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/mee...ection-n960701
-
Emin Agaralov, the son of Azerbaijani-Russian oligarch Aras Agalarov, performed at Donald Trump's Miss American pageant in Moscow in 2013 and helped arrange the infamous Trump Tower meeting in 2016. In the video for his single Got Me Good, he makes fun of Trump, Ivanka and Stormy Daniels -- and his Соединенные Штаты гастроли is отменен.
Emin Agalarov cancels US concert tour after not reaching testimony deal with Mueller and Congress
CNN, Jan 21 2019 4:30 PM ET
Emin Agalarov, the Russian pop star who initiated the infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting with members of Donald Trump's campaign, canceled his upcoming US tour after failing to reach a deal with the special counsel's office and Congress over the contours of his testimony.
Agalarov was set to launch a four-city tour Saturday in New York. Looming over the impending engagement was the prospect of his being on US soil and subject to US law enforcement. Agalarov attorney Scott Balber said talks broke down at the end of last week and the decision to cancel the tour was made today. "It's the only choice we had," Balber said. "I've been endeavoring to engage with the special counsel's office as well as various congressional committees and despite our best effort we haven't been able to reach an agreement on the terms."
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/21/polit...our/index.html
-
In a 1971 hit, the Osmonds sang, "One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch." In 2019, Senator Whitehouse is hoping "one bad email" will spoil the GOP.
Senator says "one bad email" could show House GOP worked to obstruct justice
Newsweek, Jan 21 2019 4:26 PM
Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse alleged that Republicans in the House of Representatives could have worked to obstruct justice in the ongoing probe by special counsel Robert Mueller into whether President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia.
"Whether it amounts to criminal conduct, clearly the efforts of the House Republicans were designed to impede and throw sticks into the spokes of the Mueller investigation," Whitehouse, who represents Rhode Island, said today on Yahoo News' Skullduggery podcast. The Senator alleged that Republican representatives tried to "discredit" the investigation while providing "alternative narratives." He further suggested that GOP members of Congress "potentially even tried to communicate to potential witnesses or jurors their alternative narratives and thereby influence the proceedings."
"The only thing that stops that being a crime is the contact with Trump's lawyers and the corrupt intent. The other elements are all there," Whitehouse argued. "You can show in abundance that they tried to interfere with the Mueller investigation. Whether they did that with the requisite corrupt intent, we're one bad email away from finding out. It definitely needs to be investigated."
Five former Trump advisers, 26 Russian nationals, three Russian companies, one California man and one London-based lawyer have been indicted or have pleaded guilty as a result of Mueller's probe. Earlier this month, it was revealed through court filings that Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort lied to investigators about sharing confidential polling data with an associate linked to Russian intelligence. Last week, BuzzFeed reported that Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, was allegedly instructed by Trump to lie about plans for Trump Tower Moscow. GOP members of Congress have been accused by Democrats of hindering the investigation into allegations against the President.
https://www.newsweek.com/senator-one...ustice-1299436
-
When I heard Robert Mueller is investigating Trump's relationship with the NRA, I though NRA must stand for "National Russia Association." It turns out it's the National Rifle Association. However, a Russian agent, Maria Butina, did infiltrate the NRA and attempt to influence US-Russia relations. We also know several Russians donated to the NRA. We also know the NRA spent $30,000,000 trying to get Trump elected -- but none of that $30,000,000 came from the Russians, the NRA says. Umm.....okay.
Mueller wants to know about 2016 Trump campaign's ties to NRA
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/22/polit...nra/index.html
-
Donald Trump -- remember when he vowed to start acting more "Presidential"? -- insults, slanders and/or threatens everyone whom he perceives as a critic or opponent, whether it's Hillary Clinton, Jeff Flake, John McCain, Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, Jeff Bezos, the Washington Post, the New York Times, Democrats, world leaders -- anyone and everyone. The person whom Trump is threatening now, well, I can't see this turning out very well for Trump.
Michael Cohen postpones House testimony, citing 'threats against his family'
CNN, Jan 23 2019 5:18 PM
President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen announced he is postponing his public Congressional testimony that was scheduled for February 7, citing "ongoing threats against his family" from the President and his attorney Rudy Giuliani. Democrats are now considering whether to subpoena Cohen to compel his testimony before he reports to prison next month. At least one senior Democrat on the House Oversight Committee said he expects Chairman Elijah Cummings of Maryland to issue a subpoena.
"Due to ongoing threats against his family from President Trump and Mr. Giuliani, as recently as this weekend, as well as Mr. Cohen's continued cooperation with ongoing investigations, by advice of counsel, Mr. Cohen's appearance will be postponed to a later date," Cohen's attorney Lanny Davis said in a statement. "Mr. Cohen wishes to thank Chairman Cummings for allowing him to appear before the House Oversight Committee and looks forward to testifying at the appropriate time." Davis added, "This is a time where Mr. Cohen had to put his family and their safety first."
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/23/polit...ned/index.html
-
Section 1512 of the US Code mandates a fine and/or prison sentence of not more than 20 years for anyone who uses threats or intimidation to influence, delay or prevent the testimony of a witness in a legal proceeding. The Washington Post's Deanna Paul takes a close look at whether Trump's threats against Michael Cohen amount to witness tampering. Of course Trump -- who tells an average of 15 lies a day -- keeps calling Cohen a liar. Are there not any mirrors in the White House?
Michael Cohen says Trump and Giuliani threatened him. Does that amount to witness tampering?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...ing/ar-BBSEx0J
-
It is unclear how Cohen will respond to this subpoena. Maybe Trump and Giuliani, who are threatening Cohen and his family, could be placed under house arrest until after Cohen testifies.
Michael Cohen subpoenaed by Senate Intelligence Committee
https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/01/24/pol...tee/index.html
-
Cohen will honor his subpoena. Lanny Davis, his attorney, says the "mentally unstable" Rudy Giuliani should be investigated for witness tampering and intimidation by threatening Cohen's wife and father-in-law. Giuliani, I'm certain, is just carrying out the directives of the all-time champion of "mentally unstable" who occupies the White House.
Michael Cohen's lawyer says Cohen will testify before Congress
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/...timony-1124009
-
Roger Stone has been arrested. He said these seven charges, including obstruction, witness tampering and lying to Congress, were "politically motivated." Yeah, right. While bystanders chanted "Lock him up!" he told reporters he will plead not guilty and will not "bear false witness against the President or make up lies about the President." Hey, Roger, nobody is asking you to lie. All you need to do is tell the truth. Of course telling the truth is next to impossible for Trump and his associates, but.......
Former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone indicted on seven charges
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...rge/ar-BBSIHLc
-
What did I just say about Trump and his associates being unable to tell the truth? In the 2003 movie Elf, Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, exposes a department store Santa as fake: "He sits on a throne of lies!" Trump and his associates sit on that same "throne on lies."
Paul Manafort faces sealed February 4 hearing on Mueller probe allegations he lied after pleading guilty
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...lty/ar-BBSINqA
-
"Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing." Donald Trump spoke those words at a news conference in 2016, five days after WikiLeaks published a batch of stolen DNC emails. We thought Trump was joking. We now know he wasn't. The Russian military officials who hacked into servers and stole the emails were the first to be indicted by Robert Mueller. The Trump campaign, seeking to damage Hillary Clinton's campaign, was coordinating with WikiLeaks on the release of those stolen emails. CNN editor Chris Cillizza explains the significance of Roger Stone's indictment and arrest:
Why Roger Stone's stunning indictment is a huge moment in the Russia probe
https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/01/25/pol...ump/index.html
-
I wonder if he's starting to feel the noose tightening around his neck. The orange-skinned parrot today squawked his usual "witch hunt" mantra with his Usual Overuse Of Capital Letters:
Trump responds to Roger Stone's arrest in Mueller investigation
HuffPost US, Jan 25 2019 12:07 PM
President Donald Trump today lashed out on Twitter after his longtime confidant Roger Stone was arrested as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into his 2016 presidential campaign:
"Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?
8:16 AM - Jan 25, 2019"
Stone, who had repeatedly said that he expected to be indicted, has admitted to being in contact with Russian intelligence officers during Trump's campaign, as well as with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. A seven-count indictment charged him with obstruction of an official proceeding, false statements and witness tampering.
https://www.aol.com/article/news/201...tion/23652707/
-
The Tweeter-In-Chief has said many times, and as recently as yesterday, that neither he nor his campaign ever colluded with Russia. Campaign adviser Roger Stone was indicted yesterday on seven felony charges and many political analysts foresee indictments against Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr. And today we have this story from Newsweek. But don't forget, there was no collusion. Trump says so.
Trump and at least 17 associates had more than 100 contacts with Russians and WikiLeaks before inauguration: Report
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-and-a...ration-1306521
-
CNN reports the news and Trump calls it "fake." Drudge, Hannity, Limbaugh and InfoWars spread conspiracy theories and Trump believes them. Go figure!
Trump latches onto conspiracy theory that CNN was tipped off by Mueller about Roger Stone's arrest
Business Insider, Jan 26 2019
President Donald Trump on Friday appeared to perpetuate a conspiracy theory that CNN was tipped off about a raid on his former campaign adviser Roger Stone's Florida home by special counsel Robert Mueller.
The President tweeted, "Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?"
The raid, which occurred in concert with Mueller's indictment of Stone, was filmed live by CNN. Subsequently, some conservative media outlets and reporters began questioning whether someone on Mueller's team, which has been extraordinarily tight-lipped thus far, alerted CNN to the raid. David Shortell of CNN said the team was staked out at Stone's home after CNN reporters noticed "unusual" grand jury activities in Washington on Thursday and thought something might be happening.
Stone's indictment has also been expected for some time. He's been in Mueller's crosshairs for months. But these facts and Shortell's account has not stopped conservative media from questioning why CNN was there and pushing unfounded theories Mueller's team tipped the network off.
CNN's communication team replied to Trump's tweet on Friday, stating, "CNN's ability to capture the arrest of Roger Stone was the result of determined reporting and interpreting clues revealed in the course of events. That's called journalism. #FactsFirst."
Trump has a long history of pushing conspiracy theories and his Friday tweet is consistent with that trend. He also reiterated his claim that Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference, which has now seen at least 34 people face charges, is a "witch hunt." CNN is also one of Trump's favorite targets when he bashes the media.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other...est/ar-BBSJA74
-
"In Trump world, everybody lies," says Trump Organization executive Louise Sunshine. The Mueller inves has led to the indictments of six Trump associates so far and more indictments are forthcoming. Three Washington Post columnist attempt to explain why Trump's advisers have repeatedly lied to the public, lied to Congress and lied to the FBI -- and many of their lies involved their dealings and interactions with Russia. But don't forget, there was never any collusion -- Trump says so.
Trump's advisers lied over and over again, Mueller says. The question is, why?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...why/ar-BBSN7ef
-
This certainly sounds like "obstruction of justice" to me. Christie's Let Me Finish, published by Hachette Books, will be released January 29.
Trump thought firing Michael Flynn would end 'the Russia thing,' Chris Christie writes in new book
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...ook/ar-BBSOMgh
-
Here is what CNN just announced as "breaking news":
Acting AG Whitaker: Mueller investigation 'close to being completed'
CNN, Jan 28 2019 5:21 PM ET
Special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election is "close to being completed," acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said today. Whitaker told reporters he has been "fully briefed" on the investigation. "I look forward to Director Mueller delivering the final report," Whitaker said.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/28/polit...ker/index.html
