During the 2016 campaign. Obama's US ambassador to Russia,
Michael McFaul (r) announced he planned to travel to Moscow
Dec 2016 to work on a smooth transition for Hillary's "presidency."
Posted on 07/12/2017 8:28:10 PM PDT by TigerClaws
Donald Trump Jr. fought back yesterday against the increasingly desperate shrieking from the tinfoil-hat Left by publishing online the emails that led to his innocuous campaign-season meeting a year ago with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya.
By releasing the chain of emails leading to the much ballyhooed but brief get-together at the Trump Tower in Manhattan, Donald Jr. is hoping to dispel any notion that the Trump campaign somehow colluded with the Russian government to affect the outcome of the November 2016 election. (I wrote about the Trump Jr. meeting story yesterday here at FrontPage before the emails became available.)
The emails do not indicate any knowledge of Russian government wrongdoing, such as hacking, or Trump campaign involvement in such activities. Yet the mainstream media is going berserk, hyping the overheated ravings of leftist idiots like Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) whose disastrous performance in the vice presidential debate against Republican Mike Pence may have helped to sink the Democrat ticket last year.
Kaine accused Donald Trump Jr. of committing treason by agreeing to meet with Veselnitskaya. "We are now beyond obstruction of justice," Kaine said Tuesday. "This is moving into perjury, false statements and even potentially treason."
Of course, Kaine is no stranger to treason. He himself may have engaged in seditious activity in late January when he said Democrats would have to “fight in the streets” against the Trump administration.
And how quickly the Left forgets that the Ukrainian government took action to help Hillary Clinton’s campaign with nary a peep from left-wingers. As one media outlet reported:
The actions taken by government officials included disseminating “documents implicating a top Trump aide in corruption and suggested they were investigating the matter, only to back away after the election. And they helped Clinton’s allies research damaging information on Trump and his advisers.”
Meanwhile, the Left is trying to stigmatize and de-normalize everything Trump’s father does as president, pretending opposition research is something new and shady when it has been part of the electoral process ever since elections began. Nor is it illegal, immoral, or somehow unethical to “collude,” by which the Left means, communicate, with foreign nationals in conducting opposition research in connection with an election. The U.S. does have the First Amendment, after all. But all of this nonsense and misdirection is part of the Left’s campaign to delegitimize the Trump administration.
But honest left-wing law professor Jonathan Turley trashed an ethics lawyer for claiming that the Trump Jr.-Veselnitskaya meeting “borders on treason.”
“There is not a clear criminal act in such a meeting based on the information that we have,” Turley writes. “Moreover, it is not necessarily unprecedented.”
The president’s oldest son said on Sean Hannity’s Fox News Channel show yesterday that he didn’t bother his busy father with the particulars of what turned out to be a pointless meeting with Veselnitskaya.
"It was just a nothing,” the younger Donald said. “There was nothing to tell. I mean, I wouldn’t have even remembered it until you started scouring through this stuff. It was literally just a wasted 20 minutes, which was a shame."
Yesterday morning, Donald Jr. published what appears to be the complete email chain on Twitter through his @DonaldJTrumpJr account. He released a statement alongside the email chain, which reads:
To everyone, in order to be totally transparent, I am releasing the chain of my emails with Rob Goldstone about the meeting on June 9, 2016. The first email on June 3, 2016 was from Rob, who was relating a request from Emin, a person I know from the 2013 Ms. Universe Pageant near Moscow. Emin and his father have a very highly respected company in Moscow. The information they suggested they had about Hillary Clinton I thought was Political Opposition Research. I first wanted to just have a phone call but when that didn’t work out, they said the woman would be in New York and asked if I would meet. I decided to take the meeting. The woman, as she has said publicly, was not a government official. And, as we have said, she had no information to provide and wanted to talk about adoption policy and the Magnitsky Act. To put this in context, this occurred before the current Russian fever was in vogue. As Rob Goldstone said just today in the press, the entire meeting was “the most inane nonsense I ever heard. And I was actually agitated by it.”
According to the BBC, Goldstone is a Manchester, England-born former journalist who now heads Oui 2 Entertainment, which has worked with the Miss Universe competition that used to be owned by President Trump.
Using the subject line "Russia - Clinton - private and confidential[,]" the initial email from Goldstone to Donald Trump Jr. time-stamped June 3, 2016, 10:36 a.m., states:
Good morning[.]
Emin just called and asked me to contact you with something very interesting.
The Crown prosecutor of Russia met with his father Aras this morning and in their meeting offered to provide the Trump campaign with some officials [sic] documents and information that would incriminate Hillary and hear [sic] dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father.
This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump – helped by Aras and Emin.
What do you think is the best way to handle this information and would you be able to speak to Emin about it directly?
I can also send this info to your father via Rhona, but it is ultra sensitive so wanted to send to you first.
Goldstone’s assertion that the “very high level and sensitive information” comes as a result of the Russian government’s purported “support for Mr. Trump” is merely an unsubstantiated claim at this point. And even if it had been true that the Russian government was trying to help the Trump campaign, there is still no evidence that its efforts had any impact on the election, or that the campaign in any way collaborated with the Kremlin.
In the email, “Emin” refers to Russian pop star Emin Agalarov, an Azerbaijani singer-songwriter and businessman popular in Russia. Emin’s father is billionaire businessman Aras Agalarov. “Rhona” seems to refer Donald Sr.’s longtime assistant, Rhona Graff.
Russia is a not a monarchy so there is no such position as “Crown prosecutor” in that country. Crown prosecutors may be found representing the government in criminal trials in the United Kingdom, Canada, and other parts of the (British) Commonwealth of Nations. The expression in the email is likely a botched translation of the Russian words for the post of prosecutor-general of the Russian Federation, or more simply, attorney general. The current prosecutor-general of the Russian Federation is Yury Chaika, a position he has held since 2006.
Young Trump replies at 10:53 a.m., signing the email as “Don.”
Thanks Rob[.] I appreciate that. I am on the road at the moment but perhaps I [should] just speak to Emin first. Seems we have some time and if it’s what you say I love it especially later in the summer. Could we do a call first thing next week when I am back?
Three days later, at 12:40 p.m. on June 6, Goldstone emails Donald Jr., writing:
Let me know when you are free to talk with Emin by phone about this Hillary info – you had mentioned early this week so wanted to try to schedule a time and day[.] Best to you and family[.] Rob Goldstone[.]
There are then five banal emails discussing times for the meeting, along with future telephone calls. Then, at 4:20 p.m. on June 7, Goldstone emails Trump Jr.:
Emin asked that I schedule a meeting with you and The Russian government attorney who is flying over from Moscow for this Thursday. I believe you area [sic] aware of the meeting – and so wondered if 3pm or later on Thursday works for you? I assume it would be at your office.
Then at 5:16 p.m. Donald Jr. replies with, “How about 3 at our offices? Thanks[,] rob[.] [I] appreciate you helping set it up.”
Three minutes later Goldstone replies:
Perfect…I won’t sit in on the meeting, but will bring them at 3pm and introduce you etc. I will send the names of the two people meeting with you for security when I have them later today.
At 6:14 p.m. Donald Jr. writes back to Goldstone, saying, “Great. It will likely be Paul Manafort[,] my brother in law and me. 725 Fifth Ave 25th floor.”
A few more emails are exchanged and the meeting time on Thursday, June 9 is changed to 4 p.m.
On June 8, 2016, at 12:03 p.m., Trump Jr. emails then-campaign manager Paul Manafort and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, advising them that the “[m] eeting got moved to 4 tomorrow at my offices.”
The Hill newspaper described the disclosed documents as a “stunning chain of emails,” which no doubt it is to greenhorn journalists who don’t understand retail politics in this country. Moreover, Hillary Clinton was already under criminal investigation in the United States, so why would it be so hard to believe she was also under some kind investigation in Russia where the Clintons have had so many shady dealings?
To refuse the meeting would have been crazy, reckless, and irresponsible.
And it now appears that Goldstone was either fibbing about the information Natalia Veselnitskaya had in her possession or perhaps embellishing a bit to get her the meeting with Trump staffers.
Veselnitskaya told NBC News she had no connection to the Kremlin and met with Donald Trump Jr. to chat about Russian-American relations, not to divulge dirt on Hillary Clinton.
“I never had any damaging or sensitive information about Hillary Clinton,” she said. “It was never my intention to have that.”
When asked why the Trump campaign seemed to believe she had damaging information about Democrats, Veselnitskaya took a wild guess.
“It is quite possible that maybe they were longing for such an information. They wanted it so badly that they could only hear the thought that they wanted.”
She explained that she put together a package of information for one of her clients about a business run by a former citizen of the United States. She added the concern failed to pay taxes either in Russia or the U.S. and may have also given money to the Democratic National Committee.
Veselnitskaya said at the meeting Donald Jr. asked only one question.
“The question that I was asked was as follows: whether I had any financial records which might prove that the funds used to sponsor the DNC were coming from inappropriate sources."
She said she had no such records and that "it was never my intention to collect any financial records to that end." She added she wanted to let people know about "the real circumstances behind the Magnitsky Act," and was hoping to testify about the sanctions statute before Congress.
"I never asked anybody for a particular meeting with Mr. Donald Trump Jr., or with anybody else," she said.
Trump Jr.’s new attorney, Alan Futerfas, said Monday “that Don Jr. had no knowledge as to what specific information, if any, would be discussed” in the meeting and called news reports “much ado about nothing.” He noted that Veselnitskaya, who had been a prosecutor 16 years ago, was no longer a government official.
No matter what happens the Left will keep attacking President Trump and his family members and campaign staff because that’s what they do.
In the Left’s rolling coup attempt against President Trump facts are irrelevant.
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.
Many facts show a democrat-Russia collusion. Few, if any, otherwise.
That’s why I’m not sure if Democrats really want to open this door. They’ve got the mud to sling with their complicit media. Opening a legal case might lead to prosecution for the Clinton payola as well.
$500,000 speeches to Russian group by Bill Clinton (half that money is Hillary’s). Selling out our uranium to the evil Russians approved by Hilary. Podesta and his brother as lobbyists taking $20 million plus from a Putin-related Russian bank.
Then there’s the meeting in a Ukraine embassy to get dirt on Trump. Presumably it was the ‘golden showers’ dossier from Fusion. McCain, now saying sharing foreign info is evil, saw no problem sharing that dossier with Comey.
I don’t think Dems want to go impeachment (major backlash) or criminal prosecution. They just want to wound and move on to keep the ‘drip drip drip’ going and try to divide Trump’s WH.
Deep state used a FISA warrant the same month as this 20 minute ‘nothing’ of a meeting to unmask Trump associates. They likely have emails, phone calls, everything and are trying to create paranoia and confusion. Perhaps get someone to flip.
Goal is to derail Trump’s agenda and keep the RINO whips in line - “We may do this to you as well if you go off the reservation.”
Trump needs to use Executive Orders even more. He needs to use his control over defense budget and deem things like the border wall as a national defense issue.
Obama showed an executive can ignore the laws of Congress (immigration), weaponize the IRS, use Deep State to go after political opposition, spy on members of the press. Trump’s inherited an executive branch with no limits.
Will see how much of that power he chooses to use. Obama certainly faced no consequences of the above, what I consider, abuse of power.
The Russians are brilliant chess players. Masters of deception. When they say one thing, such as, Trump good, Hillary bad, it’s a 90% likelihood that they truly mean the opposite. Not that they personally like Hillary, or, for that matter, Obama, but rather because they know that the lefty dems despise our military and want to significantly weaken it. That’s all that they care about. We are, as always, the main obstacle in the road to their expansionism.
During the 2016 campaign. Obama's US ambassador to Russia,
Michael McFaul (r) announced he planned to travel to Moscow
Dec 2016 to work on a smooth transition for Hillary's "presidency."
Solid point. They don’t “like” any American. Question is who would be better for Russia?
To me Hillary is the easy pick. She’s easily paid off and predictable.
I wonder what took place in the Putin/Trump meeting? A few days later all this controversy erupts. Perhaps they got along too well and deep state wanted to keep them divided?
Trump Jr. should have seen this was too easy and should have had a 3rd party underling vet the material before doing a face to face - if at all. Better to keep his hands clean using a third party. But he’s young. Learning curve.
Putin marched all over eastern Europe on Obama’s watch. Smooth transition to more appeasement.
The “Russia, Russia, Russia” drumbeat is a smoke screen to keep anyone form looking at what really happened.
The DNC e-mails were not hacked, they were leaked and the leaker was murdered.
“To refuse the meeting would have been crazy, reckless, and irresponsible.”
This is the only part of the story that really matters. It would have been irresponsible to not take that meeting.
But it's not just about her being a corrupt person. A crook. It's also the simple fact that the lefty dems are generally weak on the military.
On the other hand, the Trump admin has pledged to significantly STRENGTHEN our military. Obviously, KGB Putin does not want a strong US military, given his expansionist plans in Eastern Europe, and now the Middle East.
Well, the RATs are Communist wannabes, but to the former Soviets...they are useful idiots.
True, but Trump did send some mixed signals about NATO. Saying they needed to pay up more and we needed to stop footing their bill.
We also had the bizarre Hillary pre-election statement that Russia needed to face military consequences for their “DNC hack.” She said a no-fly zone in Syria should be enforced when Russia was bombing there.
Generally though Hillary seemed to be the safer bet for weakness and lack of response to Eastern Europe aggression.
Obama was caving so much Putin saw the opening in Syria.
I wonder if Peters was screaming so loud at Tucker because he blew a few Russia calls over the years. They’re the best chess players in the world for sure.
I wouldn't describe his actions as "caving". He was just doing what any hate-America, far leftist would do in his position. That is, find as many ways as possible to weaken our standing in the world. Caving suggests he was pressed to do something he didn't want to do.
So the Russians lied to get a meeting to talk about sanctions against their ruling cartel.
Gosh, where have I seen that before?
I sincerely doubt that Putin gives a rat’s rumpus about our military spending; there’s no more politburo to cower and stomp and grump about any American superiority in weapons systems.
What there is are people who want to see China corralled. TPP was bought and paid for by the Russians as something to handcuff China, then it got modified and then Clinton went off the reservation and was ‘against it.’
Do I think Russia toyed with the idea of propping up Trump to get revenge against Clinton’s betrayal? No, they wanted Bernie whom, despite his opposition to TPP, would focus American interest inward and away from their projects and still likely handcuff China.
The only way the liberal narrative works is for Clinton to be not just on the take, but for Russia to have video of the exchanges, and then one it was leaked that Hillary was suddenly against TPP, raced to Trump’s side as revenge.
We’re told time and time again that this never happened with Hillary’s campaign, so Hillary’s narrative that Russia went running to Trump to boost his campaign is nonsense.
“On the legal front, FEC violation would require something of value to have been received by Trump’s campaign from a foreign government.”
The French president publicly endorsed Hillary. She didn’t disavow. Is that a violation?
If it is, I’m guessing that the penalty is a small fine. Not charges of treason and the death penalty.
Good post in explaining the law. It would be a huge stretch indeed to say that info is the same as a monetary contibution.
The thing is though, it appears no information was given. So even if the libs can say info is the same as money, they can’t show that any info was exchanged.
Prediction—This will fade into nothing in the next week or two, just like everything else has.
Good point if nonmonitary things like information can be called the same as money, how about endorsements and even praise? What a crazy can of worms that would be. Once again the libs are ridiculous.
Yep. The real story is Hillary influence-peddling (along with Bill) for “The Clinton Foundation” to enrich themselves.
Oh, and Russian uranium dealing......eh, Comrade Hillary?
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