Anxious appearing Donald Trump; gloating appearing Vladimir Putin - Helsinki July 2018
Trump won’t confront Putin about Russia’s continuing interference in U.S. elections. Following Trump’s spineless collaboration with Putin in Helsinki, some of the Main Stream Media (MSM) reluctantly entertained the notion that Trump was either a willing or unwilling asset of the Russians. That insight lasted about two weeks. The MSM is again pretending that Trump’s failure to provide leadership in thwarting an attack on the linchpin of our democracy is related to his dubious electoral victory in 2016. According to the MSM, Trump fears admitting to Russia’s on-going attack against the U.S. electoral process because such an admission would further threaten the legitimacy of his election.
Even if we assume that Trump is not a Russian asset, there is no reason to believe that Trump is concerned about degrading the legitimacy of his election. By this time no sane person can doubt that Russia interfered in the 2016 elections. Putin’s admission that he wanted Trump to win, confirms the unanimous conclusion of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia interfered. Trump’s 2016 election is, in fact, rendered less legitimate by continued Russian interference in 2018.
Even if we assume that Trump is not a Russian asset, there is no reason to believe that Trump is concerned about degrading the legitimacy of his election. By this time no sane person can doubt that Russia interfered in the 2016 elections. Putin’s admission that he wanted Trump to win, confirms the unanimous conclusion of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia interfered. Trump’s 2016 election is, in fact, rendered less legitimate by continued Russian interference in 2018.
US Leaders of Intelligence: John Bolton, Dan Coats, Chris Wray, Kirstjen Nielsen, and Paul Nakasone
Considering the confirmatory impact of continued Russian interference in 2018, one would expect Trump to want to stop a reprise of Russian interference. But despite a widely reported August 2 news conference in which the leaders of U.S. intelligence (Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence, FBI Director Chris Wray, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, National Security Adviser John Bolton, National Security Agency Director, and Paul Nakasone, who is also head of U.S. Cyber Command) were unequivocal in stating that the U.S. was facing ongoing threats from Russia, Trump persists in calling Russian interference a hoax. In addition to Trump’s refusal to explicitly acknowledge Russian interference, Trump fired and then eliminated the position of White House cyber chief. Although the heads of the other intelligence groups are using all the tools at their disposal to combat Russian interference, they are seriously hampered by the lack of Presidential leadership. For example, while Paul Nakasone has indicated his intent to apply his agency’s considerable cyber weapons to stop Russian attacks, he is unable to do so unless the President authorizes him to do so. Trump has not yet authorized Nakasone. And it Is unclear if he will authorize Nakasone.
Paul Nakasone
Trump must know that it is likely that the Democrats will take control of the House in November. In the first place, history suggests that in the first off year election of a new President, members of the President’s party lose seats. In the second place, in the special elections leading up to November, Democrats have turned out with energy and drive and performed much more strongly than Republicans. Even in elections Democrats have not won, they have come close and shown surprising strength. Finally, a surprising number of Republicans in the House have decided not to seek election – a sign they expect a Democratic wave. Even Trump must see these signs.
But just as pundits believe Democrats will take the House this November, they thought Trump would lose in 2016. While losing the Presidency in 2016 may have helped him market his golf courses and steaks, losing the House in 2018 might be a disaster for Trump. Democrats in control of the House will be able to issue subpoenas to examine the inner workings of the Trump administration and to reopen the House examination of the 2016 election. Anything uncovered in Democratic investigations of Trump and his administration could lead to indictments once Trump and his underlings leave office. His business, the Trump Organization, could suffer from investigation. Even his marriage could suffer if more information about porn stars and bunnies is uncovered.
Vladimir Putin helped Trump in 2016. Trump must believe Putin could help him again. Is it any wonder that Trump wanted to have a private meeting with Putin? The only thing we don’t yet know about that meeting is what Trump agreed to give Putin for his help.
But just as pundits believe Democrats will take the House this November, they thought Trump would lose in 2016. While losing the Presidency in 2016 may have helped him market his golf courses and steaks, losing the House in 2018 might be a disaster for Trump. Democrats in control of the House will be able to issue subpoenas to examine the inner workings of the Trump administration and to reopen the House examination of the 2016 election. Anything uncovered in Democratic investigations of Trump and his administration could lead to indictments once Trump and his underlings leave office. His business, the Trump Organization, could suffer from investigation. Even his marriage could suffer if more information about porn stars and bunnies is uncovered.
Vladimir Putin helped Trump in 2016. Trump must believe Putin could help him again. Is it any wonder that Trump wanted to have a private meeting with Putin? The only thing we don’t yet know about that meeting is what Trump agreed to give Putin for his help.
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