Adding to the number of investigations into the putative Russian interference in the US elections, officials now say the FBI, CIA, NSA, Treasury Department, Justice Department, and Director of National Intelligence have for months been probing possible “covert Russian aid” to the Trump campaign.
Officials say the working group began operating last spring, and that investigators are still trying to figure out how the Russian government would’ve moved all the money necessary to “covertly help Trump win,” theorizing that they were using a system for Russian pensioners living in the US.
As with most of the theories surrounding Russian meddling in the US election, this investigation appears to exist wholly independent of actual evidence that it actually happened, and a lot of the conclusions reached by the various agencies seem to be based on them starting with a pre-conceived notion of what was happening and then shaping the limited intelligence they collected to fit that narrative. This was apparently going since spring.
This means that the investigation into Russia’s ties to the Trump campaign before the DNC hack even happened, reportedly on the basis of an unnamed “Baltic ally” telling the CIA that they believed Russia was planning to funnel money into the US to influence the election.
If that report (initially from the BBC) is accurate, it might suggest the anti-Trump investigation was initiated by one of the Baltic states, during a time in the primary season in which Trump was being attacked for criticism of the amount of money the US spends on NATO, a sore spot for the Baltic states.
President-elect Trump has denied any deals with the Russian government, and has presented the repeated accusations as a “political witch hunt.” Russia has similarly denied any attempt to influence the US election, and WikiLeaks has denied getting any of the leaked emails from Russia or any other state actor.
They should have done this and announced this investigation prior to the election as they did against Clinton.
They say its been ongoing, but they’ve shown themselves allergic to the truth. I’m certain the investigation is a few weeks old. Making up intelligence to cover Obama’s lack thereof when he speaks.
If there really is an investigation going on, which is highly doubtful, it’s coming to a dead stop tomorrow. At least by the spooks, even though the Dems may keep it going in an impeachment hearing.
I am sorry, but I do not follow. To announce what? Hillary was investigated for the known breach of security. There is no denying that she used unauthorized server. The political judgment that cleared her of wrongdoing was really the scandal for the justice system, but under circumstances, they did the best they could do. FBI left it in the hands of voters. Had we not been in the middle of election, we would not be addressing the issue WHETHER she compromised information or not, but the mere fact of violating security would have been enough to convict her. As was the case of many lower human beings. She and Petraeus are examples of non-existent standards in justice system, where powerful and their friends, are judged differently.
Trump’s investigation by the same agencies was based on nothing more then an information from a country that had much to fear Trump’s change in foreign policy. He has not violated any laws — but leave it to spooks to manufacture something, pay or blackmail someone to produce something.
At this point — to even compare Hillary’s serious breach of security, with some unfounded stories about Trump, is outrageous. Keep in mind that she got away with a serious offence. The lack of knowledge of wrongdoing that she professed at times, is not a defense. The absence of adverse consequences is also, by law — NOT a defense.
You’re still worried about Hillary, while Trump is in the process of installing perhaps the most corrupt government the Western world has even seen??
luv from Canada.
‘luv?’ Considering Canada’s position underneath, you really don’t mean it. Do ya? You are familiar with bukkake and ‘swallowing’, eh?
You’re right though, it’s just like a paid porn show.
This stuff is just crazy! They really do hate Trump and want him gone so they can have their war with Russia. Him and his administration can’t take over soon enough for me. These people really are nuts and somebody needs to stop them. Wouldn’t it be something if that “somebody” is Trump?
That’s not how it works. Read what I said to Bianca. But it could be politically spun to make it look like Trump stopped it. That’s still unlikely because he won’t want to encourage the appearance of a crack between him and the spooks.
When will America wake up to how crazy it’s gotten? Putin had better have a spit shine on his nukes for they won’t give him any warning if the decide Russia just has to go, and the idiots won’t wait for Trump.
These people are still not getting it. They are getting millions of people sick and tired of this crap. And the Republicans are just sitting there, as if they won the election. Hope Trump remembers their treachery. I can forgive the boneheaded globalists that do not even know that Trump is saving their hide — but cannot forgive Republicans that — by their complicity — are inviting more and more outrageous behavior of these agencies. Somebody among Republicans should have been an adult, and put an end to “investigating”. There is simply no explanation for the circus, other then political fishing, and somewhat a desperation. Not good. No adults. No breaks on runaway bureaucracy.
Sorry Bianca, but millions of people arent getting sick and tired of this crap. But you’re right to call it crap.
Don’t sweat it though. You should know that those agencies will belong to Trump tomorrow and they won’t compromise their president. Didn’t you know that Bianca? What did you expect, a spook agency coup against the presidency?
Oh yeah, that makes sense. It’s not like Trump doesn’t have any money of his own. Let me guess, this was so covert, there’s no evidence for it. Or they found some retiree with a Russian last name who donated to Trump’s campaign, no doubt it must have been Putin himself.
theorizing that they were using a ‘system’ for…
‘They’ probably used the same ‘system’ Saddam Hussein used to ship
those WMDs, mobile biological weapons labs, and atomic bombs
Dubya claimed he hoarded, out of Iraq.
More subterfuge from the corrupt establishment and corporate media.
All those “Intelligence agencies” are a much greater threat to American lives & liberties than Russia will ever be.
Intelligence agencies , what intelligence ? I never was able to even find out my presidents real legal name for over 8 yrs . The agencies never found out either . Doesn’t the FBI and the department of justice know it is illegal to have two names . Why worry about where the birth certificate is when you don’t even know his name . My brother in-law said Barry is short for Barak Are we supposed to Believe smething like Soweto is short for Obama .
Considering the bang-up job the FBI did with the Clinton Foundation and then the Clinton email scandal, I don’t think they could find their butt hole with a flashlight. So, I doubt Trump has anything to worry about.
Why the FBI, CIA, Justice Department and other government agencies insist on following any influence by Russia on the past election is a ploy to deafen Americans to the role Israel played in the election. They were much more involved directly in promoting someone who would change the Obama agenda (meaning not Clinton). In fact Israel has been the one to benefit most from a Trump victory, to have the where-with-all to cyber-influence the election and cheered on by the majority of the Congress. Why that influence of a foreign power is tolerated is hard to understand.
If they want to seriously look for Fifth Column influence, look into the Israel money infiltrating our election system and governance.
It is O.K with me if Russia influenced our election .We surely influenced their elections As a matter of fact we installed Putin to lead Russia .When we sided with The Muslim terrorists to remove the Orthodox Christians from Kosovo and bombed Belgrade . We should have guessed Russia might not like it when we issued orders to shoot the Russian soldiers because they will try to protect Christian civilians The bombing of Belgrade destroyed Yeltsin government in Moscow . We more than any country on earth made the Russian people want to look for a strong man that would fight for them .
This partisan use of the government would get expressions of outrage if Trump directed the same behavior at Hillary and the DNC. Maybe he should.
I thought it was all Comey’s fault? Isn’t that what HRC said like the next day? If it’s all Comey’s fault, how can it be the Russians fault?
Of course it’s not HRC’s fault? Or the stupid idiot moron Democratic Party that nominated this corrupt cesspool? Or the superdelegates that made certain she got the nomination.
Pleeeezzzeeeeee. As a life long Democrat (ashamed to admit it), my party so deserved to lose. You all made your own bed, so now go lie in it.
You own it, and all that is to come!
And the way they are carrying on now? Pathetic.
You idiots! You had the dream candidate in Bernie Sanders. And you know what you fools, if the primary had not been fixed and rigged from the get go, had so many not been blinded by “the first woman president” nonsense, Bernie would now be being sworn in tomorrow, not Trump!
I think Hillary was the best the democrats had to offer and Trump was about the best the republicans had to offer . It was a close election some body had to win I’am satisfied we have a new president and I think he will be good
Trump is reported to have run a shoestring campaign. Let’s face it he didn’t need to buy airtime.
His inauguration has raided $90 million – the greatest amount ever. Given the hot air and all the attention, Putin would be witless to waste scarce Russian capital for a Trump blowout that could net the President at least $500 a pop if he sold tickets.