Jared updated his disclosure form (one where he got top secret clearance) to include this meeting a week ago. Presumably he handed over the email exchange as well as part of that disclosure. That disclosure was leaked to the NYT.
There’s a lot of disinformation going out to create confusion and backstabbing on all this. With unmasking (and this 20 minute nothing of a meeting was likely the pretext for the FISA warrant) telephone calls, emails, you name it are all in the possession of deep state. Lot of gamesmanship going on.
As for the legalities, Don Jr. did not break the law. He didn’t receive anything of value from a foreign government.
There is only one opinion ever that states (in dicta as it wasn’t an issue) that information could have “value” that fits the element of the code. It had to do with a hypothetical situation where a polling company that GAVE one side its results and recommendations for actions and not the other. It was considered value (in the dicta) because such information is usually paid for by campaigns to polling companies.
There are zero other times value has been applied to information. There is also a quantifiable value associated with the gift from a polling company because they are in the business of providing those services for a fee.
The Dems try to stretch that one instance of dicta to mean that all info could be considered “value”. It is a huge stretch. Especially because violations of FECA are to be construed liberally in favor of the accused.
What this means is that a court would have to find for the first time ever that in the case at issue that information constitutes value...and for the first time ever in any case that information not easily quantifiable constitutes value. All while considering the facts liberally in favor of Trump.
I have no doubt there is a court out there somewhere that may agree. That would be a political ruling, however, which should be very scary to everyone. Pushing this narrative is extremely short sighted.
The Russians stated goal, according to the IC report constantly cited by democrats, was to instill doubt in the electoral process of the US. The democrats reaction and “muh Russians” has done more to accomplish Russia’s goals than they could have ever hoped.
Great post thanks!
>> He didn’t receive anything of value from a foreign government <<
Maybe not. The law might be very unclear on the question.
For example, let’s say an Englishman emails you to say that he’d like for you to meet with a Russain who can supply some illegal drugs. You email back and request a rendez-vous, saying you’d love to meet the prospective drug dealer.
If the NSA or FBI then got hold of your emails, could the feds charge you with conspiracy to violate the drug laws — even if you never bought any drugs?
I just don’t know. But I sure wouldn’t wanna to be in that position!