Russiagate - Images
Republicans are the Trump Defense Force
![Yet once again Republicans did not focus on the main elements of the story. When the Republicans on the committee had the chance to question Brennan, they did not press him for more details on Russia's information warfare against the United States. Instead, they fixated on protecting Trump.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/258/613/0b5.jpg)
![Yet once again Republicans did not focus on the main elements of the story. When the Republicans on the committee had the chance to question Brennan, they did not press him for more details on Russia's information warfare against the United States. Instead, they fixated on protecting Trump.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/258/613/0b5.jpg)
Russiagate
John Brennan saw the contacts
!["l encountered and am aware of information and intelligence that revealed contacts and interactions between Russian officials and US persons involved in the Trump campaign that I was concerned about because of known Russian efforts to suborn such individuals. It raised questions in my mind about whether Russia was able to gain thee cooperation of those individuals."](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/258/612/a90.jpg)
!["l encountered and am aware of information and intelligence that revealed contacts and interactions between Russian officials and US persons involved in the Trump campaign that I was concerned about because of known Russian efforts to suborn such individuals. It raised questions in my mind about whether Russia was able to gain thee cooperation of those individuals."](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/258/612/a90.jpg)
Russiagate
"Can we...?"
![In addition to the requests to Coats and Rogers, senior White House officials sounded out top intelligence officials about the possibility of intervening directly with Comey to encourage the FBI to drop its probe of Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security adviser, according to people familiar with the matter. The officials said the White House appeared uncertain about its power to influence the FBI. "Can we ask him to shut down the investigation? Are you able to assist in this matter?" one official said of the line of questioning from the White House.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/258/611/504.jpg)
![In addition to the requests to Coats and Rogers, senior White House officials sounded out top intelligence officials about the possibility of intervening directly with Comey to encourage the FBI to drop its probe of Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security adviser, according to people familiar with the matter. The officials said the White House appeared uncertain about its power to influence the FBI. "Can we ask him to shut down the investigation? Are you able to assist in this matter?" one official said of the line of questioning from the White House.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/258/611/504.jpg)
Russiagate
Trump wanted to push back on the Russia scandal
![President Trump asked two of the nation's top intelligence officials in arch to help him push back against an FBI investigation into possible coordination between his campaign and the Russian government according to current and former officials. Trump made separate appeals to the director of national intelligence, Daniel Coats, and to Adm. Michael S. Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency, urging them to publicly deny the existence of any evidence of collusion during the 2016 election.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/258/610/6f4.jpg)
![President Trump asked two of the nation's top intelligence officials in arch to help him push back against an FBI investigation into possible coordination between his campaign and the Russian government according to current and former officials. Trump made separate appeals to the director of national intelligence, Daniel Coats, and to Adm. Michael S. Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency, urging them to publicly deny the existence of any evidence of collusion during the 2016 election.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/258/610/6f4.jpg)
Russiagate
Trump and Rogers had their conversations documented
![Trump's conversation with Rogers was documented contemporaneously in an internal memo written by a senior NSA official, according to the officials. It is unclear if a similar memo was prepared by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to document Trump's conversation with Coats. Officials said such memos could be made available to both the special counsel now overseeing the Russia investigation and congressional investigators, who might explore whether Trump sought to impede the FBI's work.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/258/609/e70.jpg)
![Trump's conversation with Rogers was documented contemporaneously in an internal memo written by a senior NSA official, according to the officials. It is unclear if a similar memo was prepared by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to document Trump's conversation with Coats. Officials said such memos could be made available to both the special counsel now overseeing the Russia investigation and congressional investigators, who might explore whether Trump sought to impede the FBI's work.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/258/609/e70.jpg)
Russiagate
5D candyland, 20 moves ahead like always
![THE RUSSIANS CAN'T HACKOUR'SECRETS IF WE GIVE THEM OUR SECRETS. #MAGA](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/798/fbb.jpg)
![THE RUSSIANS CAN'T HACKOUR'SECRETS IF WE GIVE THEM OUR SECRETS. #MAGA](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/798/fbb.jpg)
Russiagate
Trump's Oval Office Meeting with Russian Delegates
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/750/291.jpg)
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/750/291.jpg)
Russiagate
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller
![Robert S. Mueller III, a former F.B.I. director under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, was chosen to oversee the inquiry amid escalating pressure. Credit: Christopher Gregory/The New York Times](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/748/445.jpg)
![Robert S. Mueller III, a former F.B.I. director under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, was chosen to oversee the inquiry amid escalating pressure. Credit: Christopher Gregory/The New York Times](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/748/445.jpg)
Russiagate
Senior White House advisor sought in Trump-Russia investigation
![By Devlin Barrett and Matt Zapotosky May 19 at 3:02 PM The law enforcement investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign has identified a current White House official as a significant person of interest, showing that the probe is reaching into the highest levels of government, according to people familiar with the matter The senior White House adviser under scrutiny by investigators is someone close to the president, according to these people, who would not further identify the official. The revelation comes as the investiation also appears to be entering a more overtly active phase, with investigators shifting from work that has remained largely hidden from the public to conducting interviews and using a grand jury to issue subpoenas. The intensity of the probe is expected to accelerate in the coming weeks, the people said.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/744/3b7.jpg)
![By Devlin Barrett and Matt Zapotosky May 19 at 3:02 PM The law enforcement investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign has identified a current White House official as a significant person of interest, showing that the probe is reaching into the highest levels of government, according to people familiar with the matter The senior White House adviser under scrutiny by investigators is someone close to the president, according to these people, who would not further identify the official. The revelation comes as the investiation also appears to be entering a more overtly active phase, with investigators shifting from work that has remained largely hidden from the public to conducting interviews and using a grand jury to issue subpoenas. The intensity of the probe is expected to accelerate in the coming weeks, the people said.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/744/3b7.jpg)
Russiagate
Trump admin. tries get Comey to stop investigating Trump
![Those interactions included a dinner in which associates of Mr. Comey say Mr. Trump asked him to pledge his loyalty and a meeting in the Oval Office at which Mr. Trump told him he hoped Mr. Comev would shut down an investigation into Mr. Trump's former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn. Mr. Trump has denied making the request. The day after the Flynn conversation, Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, asked Mr. Comey to help push back on reports in the news media that Mr. Trump's associates had been in contact with Russian intelligence officials during the campaign Mr. Comey described all of his contacts with the president and the White House including the phone call from Mr. Trump - in detailed memos he wrote at the time and gave to his aides.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/738/543.jpg)
![Those interactions included a dinner in which associates of Mr. Comey say Mr. Trump asked him to pledge his loyalty and a meeting in the Oval Office at which Mr. Trump told him he hoped Mr. Comev would shut down an investigation into Mr. Trump's former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn. Mr. Trump has denied making the request. The day after the Flynn conversation, Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, asked Mr. Comey to help push back on reports in the news media that Mr. Trump's associates had been in contact with Russian intelligence officials during the campaign Mr. Comey described all of his contacts with the president and the White House including the phone call from Mr. Trump - in detailed memos he wrote at the time and gave to his aides.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/738/543.jpg)
Russiagate
GRU gave it away last year
![Like many a good spy tale, the story of how the U.S. learned its democracy could be hacked started with loose lips. In May 2016, a Russian military intelligence officer bragged to a colleague that his organization, known as the GRU, was getting ready to pay Clinton back for what President Vladimir Putin believed was an influence operation she had run against him five years earlier as Secretary of State. The GRU, he said, was going to cause chaos in the upcoming U.S. election.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/736/2e4.jpg)
![Like many a good spy tale, the story of how the U.S. learned its democracy could be hacked started with loose lips. In May 2016, a Russian military intelligence officer bragged to a colleague that his organization, known as the GRU, was getting ready to pay Clinton back for what President Vladimir Putin believed was an influence operation she had run against him five years earlier as Secretary of State. The GRU, he said, was going to cause chaos in the upcoming U.S. election.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/736/2e4.jpg)
Russiagate
Mike Flynn's undisclosed Russia contacts
![Michael Flynn and other advisers to Donald Trump's campaign were in contact with Russian officials and others with Kremlin ties in at least 18 calls and emails during the last seven months of the 2016 presidential race, current and former U.S. official:s familiar with the exchanges told Reuters. The previously undisclosed interactions form part of the record now being reviewed by FBI and congressional investigators probing Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and contacts between Trump's campaign and Russia Six of the previously undisclosed contacts described to Reuters were phone calls between Kislyak and Trump advisers, including Flynn, Trump's first national security adviser, three current and formeir officials said Conversations between Flynn and Kislyak accelerated after the Nov. 8 vote as the two discussed establishing a back channel for communication between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that could bypass the U.S. national security bureaucracy, which both sides considered hostile to improved relations, four current U.S. officials said](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/734/18b.jpg)
![Michael Flynn and other advisers to Donald Trump's campaign were in contact with Russian officials and others with Kremlin ties in at least 18 calls and emails during the last seven months of the 2016 presidential race, current and former U.S. official:s familiar with the exchanges told Reuters. The previously undisclosed interactions form part of the record now being reviewed by FBI and congressional investigators probing Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and contacts between Trump's campaign and Russia Six of the previously undisclosed contacts described to Reuters were phone calls between Kislyak and Trump advisers, including Flynn, Trump's first national security adviser, three current and formeir officials said Conversations between Flynn and Kislyak accelerated after the Nov. 8 vote as the two discussed establishing a back channel for communication between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that could bypass the U.S. national security bureaucracy, which both sides considered hostile to improved relations, four current U.S. officials said](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/734/18b.jpg)
Russiagate
Grand Jury in Northern Virginia
![The pace of the investigations has intensified in recent weeks, with a veteran espionage prosecutor, Brandon Van Grack, now leading a grand jury inquiry in Northern Virginia that is scrutinizing Mr. Flynn's foreign lobbying and has begun issuing subpoenas to businesses that worked with Mr. Flynn and his associates. nytimes.com via "pullquote](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/733/fe8.jpg)
![The pace of the investigations has intensified in recent weeks, with a veteran espionage prosecutor, Brandon Van Grack, now leading a grand jury inquiry in Northern Virginia that is scrutinizing Mr. Flynn's foreign lobbying and has begun issuing subpoenas to businesses that worked with Mr. Flynn and his associates. nytimes.com via "pullquote](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/733/fe8.jpg)
Russiagate
Trump called Comey a "nutjob".
![WASHINGTON - President Trump told Russian officials in the Oval Office thi:s month that firing the F.B.I. director, James B Comey, had relieved "great pressure" on him, according to a document summarizing the meeting "I just fired the head of the F.B.I. He was crazy, a real nut iob," Mr. Trump said according to the document, which was read to The New York Times by an American official. "I faced great pressure because of Russia. That's taken off." Mr. Trump added, "I'm not under investigation."](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/731/788.jpg)
![WASHINGTON - President Trump told Russian officials in the Oval Office thi:s month that firing the F.B.I. director, James B Comey, had relieved "great pressure" on him, according to a document summarizing the meeting "I just fired the head of the F.B.I. He was crazy, a real nut iob," Mr. Trump said according to the document, which was read to The New York Times by an American official. "I faced great pressure because of Russia. That's taken off." Mr. Trump added, "I'm not under investigation."](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/731/788.jpg)
Russiagate
In b4 a million downvotes
![DEMOCRAT DEMOCRAT This is all Russia's fault picsA ICS](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/664/c07.jpg)
![DEMOCRAT DEMOCRAT This is all Russia's fault picsA ICS](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/664/c07.jpg)
Russiagate
Ryan know's Russia's game
![Ryan: They got that in now... [unintelligible]... and he's passing... and he's passing all these anticorruption laws. Rodgers: How are things going in Ukraine? Ryan: What's that? Rodgers: How are things going in Ukraine? Ryan: Well, the Russians are bombing them 30-40.. um, um... shells a day and the people. Crimea is gone. And, they're trying to clean up their government to show that they want to be western. So they re trying to prove to the western world that they want to be westem, or westernizing, so they can get support to get their country back. They're [unintelligible] Everybody talks a good game on what they're doing, but he's passed all these anti-corruption laws. The question is are they, like, executing.. unintelligible ..I think by the summer they'll have it all done. Rodgers: Did he talk about their economy? Ryan: Yeah, this is about getting actual growth and not graft growth, so...no, it's not good, but Rodgers: I went there a year ago. It was like wow. These people are living... they're on the front lines. They're fighting for their freedom... it's, uh.. .heir independence. Ryan: He basically... He has this really interesting riff about... people have said that they have Ukraine fatigue, and it's really Russian fatigue because what Russia is doing is doing to us, financing our populists, financing people in our govemments to undo our governments, you know, messing with our oil and gas energy, all the things Russia does to basically blow up our country, they're just going to roll right through us and go to the Baltics and everyone else. Rodgers: Yes!](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/001/256/107/db3.jpg)
![Ryan: They got that in now... [unintelligible]... and he's passing... and he's passing all these anticorruption laws. Rodgers: How are things going in Ukraine? Ryan: What's that? Rodgers: How are things going in Ukraine? Ryan: Well, the Russians are bombing them 30-40.. um, um... shells a day and the people. Crimea is gone. And, they're trying to clean up their government to show that they want to be western. So they re trying to prove to the western world that they want to be westem, or westernizing, so they can get support to get their country back. They're [unintelligible] Everybody talks a good game on what they're doing, but he's passed all these anti-corruption laws. The question is are they, like, executing.. unintelligible ..I think by the summer they'll have it all done. Rodgers: Did he talk about their economy? Ryan: Yeah, this is about getting actual growth and not graft growth, so...no, it's not good, but Rodgers: I went there a year ago. It was like wow. These people are living... they're on the front lines. They're fighting for their freedom... it's, uh.. .heir independence. Ryan: He basically... He has this really interesting riff about... people have said that they have Ukraine fatigue, and it's really Russian fatigue because what Russia is doing is doing to us, financing our populists, financing people in our govemments to undo our governments, you know, messing with our oil and gas energy, all the things Russia does to basically blow up our country, they're just going to roll right through us and go to the Baltics and everyone else. Rodgers: Yes!](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/256/107/db3.jpg)
Russiagate