Thanks for that,no telling who has been told what over the years.
The template for becoming a senior public official is clear:
—Get caught in some sort of sting/honeytrap. The Deep State casts a wide net and sees who they catch. First term Congress-critters are ideal targets as well as statewide office holders in individual states.
—Then the individual is told they are subject to blackmail if they do not obey. However if they do obey their career will be enhanced and they will live long and prosper.
—One or several “proofs of fealty” are required. They are illegal acts that are documented that just add to the blackmail file. That “raises the ante”.
—Then the Deep State works to advance the career of their “property” and defends them from challenges and difficulties.
Imho this approach has been responsible for the rapid rise of folks like Clinton and Obama from obscurity—as just two examples.