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Paul Manafort is quite the target

In the summer of 2016, US intelligence agencies noticed a spate of curious contacts between Trump campaign associates and suspected Russian intelligence, according to current and former US officials briefed on the investigation. James Comey, in his Senate testimony, said the FBI opened an investigation into Trump campaign-Russia connections in July 2016. The strand of the two investigations began to merge. In the months that followed, investigators turned up intercepted communications appearing to show efforts by Russian operatives to coordinate with Trump associates on damaging Hillary Clinton's election prospects, officials said. CNN has learned those communications included references to campaign chairman Paul Manafort

In the summer of 2016, US intelligence agencies noticed a spate of curious contacts between Trump campaign associates and suspected Russian intelligence, according to current and former US officials briefed on the investigation. James Comey, in his Senate testimony, said the FBI opened an investigation into Trump campaign-Russia connections in July 2016. The strand of the two investigations began to merge. In the months that followed, investigators turned up intercepted communications appearing to show efforts by Russian operatives to coordinate with Trump associates on damaging Hillary Clinton's election prospects, officials said. CNN has learned those communications included references to campaign chairman Paul Manafort

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Robert Mueller adds a Grand Jury for DC

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. POLITICS Special Counsel Mueller Impanels Washington Grand Jury in Russia Probe Expansion beyond Flynn grand jury is a sign the investigation in election meddling is ramping up

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. POLITICS Special Counsel Mueller Impanels Washington Grand Jury in Russia Probe Expansion beyond Flynn grand jury is a sign the investigation in election meddling is ramping up

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Bipartisan efforts to protect Mueller

The developments unfolded amid a new sign of concern by Congress that Mr. Mueller's independence needs to be protected. Sens. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) and Chris C---- (D. Del.) introduced legislation Thursday making it harder for Mr. Trump to fire Mr. Mueller. Under the legislation, a special counsel could challenge his or her removal, with a three-judge panel ruling within 14 days on whether the firing was justified. If the panel found no good cause for the firing, the special counsel would immediately be reinstated. The legislation follows a similar effort from Sens. Lindsey Graham (R, S.C.) and Cory Booker (D., N.J.) ith two different bipartisan pairs strengthenst message that there is broad concern about this," said Mr. C----, who said that Mr. Tillis approached him on the Senate floor about teaming up on legislation.

The developments unfolded amid a new sign of concern by Congress that Mr. Mueller's independence needs to be protected. Sens. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) and Chris C---- (D. Del.) introduced legislation Thursday making it harder for Mr. Trump to fire Mr. Mueller. Under the legislation, a special counsel could challenge his or her removal, with a three-judge panel ruling within 14 days on whether the firing was justified. If the panel found no good cause for the firing, the special counsel would immediately be reinstated. The legislation follows a similar effort from Sens. Lindsey Graham (R, S.C.) and Cory Booker (D., N.J.) ith two different bipartisan pairs strengthenst message that there is broad concern about this," said Mr. C----, who said that Mr. Tillis approached him on the Senate floor about teaming up on legislation.

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Mueller's new Grand Jury

Before Mr. Mueller was tapped in May to be special counsel, federal prosecutors had been using at least one other grand jury, located in Alexandria, Va., to assist in their criminal investigation of Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser. That probe, which has been taken over by Mr. Mueller's team, focuses on Mr. Flynn's work in the private sector on behalf of foreign interests. Grand juries are powerful investigative tools that allow prosecutors to subpoena documents, put witnesses under oath and seek indictments, if there is evidence of a crime. Legal experts said that the decision by Mr. Mueller to impanel a grand jury suggests he believes he will need to subpoena records and take testimony from witnesses. A grand jury in Washington is also more convenient for Mr. Mueller and his 16 attorneys-they work just a few blocks from the U.S. federal courthouse where grand juries meet-than one that is 10 traffic-clogged miles away in Virginia. This is yet a further sign that there is a long-term, large-scale series of prosecutions being contemplated and being pursued by the special counsel," said Stephen I. Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas. "If there was already a grand jury in Alexandria looking at Flynn, there would be no need to reinvent the wheel for the same guy. This suggests that the investigation is bigger and wider than Flynn, perhaps substantially so."

Before Mr. Mueller was tapped in May to be special counsel, federal prosecutors had been using at least one other grand jury, located in Alexandria, Va., to assist in their criminal investigation of Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser. That probe, which has been taken over by Mr. Mueller's team, focuses on Mr. Flynn's work in the private sector on behalf of foreign interests. Grand juries are powerful investigative tools that allow prosecutors to subpoena documents, put witnesses under oath and seek indictments, if there is evidence of a crime. Legal experts said that the decision by Mr. Mueller to impanel a grand jury suggests he believes he will need to subpoena records and take testimony from witnesses. A grand jury in Washington is also more convenient for Mr. Mueller and his 16 attorneys-they work just a few blocks from the U.S. federal courthouse where grand juries meet-than one that is 10 traffic-clogged miles away in Virginia. This is yet a further sign that there is a long-term, large-scale series of prosecutions being contemplated and being pursued by the special counsel," said Stephen I. Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas. "If there was already a grand jury in Alexandria looking at Flynn, there would be no need to reinvent the wheel for the same guy. This suggests that the investigation is bigger and wider than Flynn, perhaps substantially so."

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True Story

Dreaking NEWS FOX NEWS MUELLER: TRUMP CAMPAIGN COLLUDED WITH RUSSIA PEPPESPBREAKING NEWS -e

Dreaking NEWS FOX NEWS MUELLER: TRUMP CAMPAIGN COLLUDED WITH RUSSIA PEPPESPBREAKING NEWS -e

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Lordy, I hope there are tapes

Kim Budan.t @kimbudant. 6m ﹀ COMING SOON: WH leaks Trump & Putin had a private phone discussion (w help from Putin's Interpreter)abt Russ. Sanction Bill prior to signing Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1 Q: Before he signed the sanctions bill, did Trump have a convo with Putin?

Kim Budan.t @kimbudant. 6m ﹀ COMING SOON: WH leaks Trump & Putin had a private phone discussion (w help from Putin's Interpreter)abt Russ. Sanction Bill prior to signing Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1 Q: Before he signed the sanctions bill, did Trump have a convo with Putin?

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Five Eyes captured peculiar comms

While we don't know for sure whether the email solicitation was part of an intelligence ploy, there are some clues. A month after the June meeting at Trump Tower, WikiLeaks, a veritable Russian front, released a dump of stolen D.N.C. emails. The candidate and campaign surrogates increasingly mouthed talking points that seemed taken directly from Russian propaganda outlets, such as that there had been a terrorist attack on a Turkish military base, when no such attack had occurred. Also, at this time United States intelligence reportedly received indications from European intelligence counterparts about odd meetings between Russians and Trump campaign representatives overseas

While we don't know for sure whether the email solicitation was part of an intelligence ploy, there are some clues. A month after the June meeting at Trump Tower, WikiLeaks, a veritable Russian front, released a dump of stolen D.N.C. emails. The candidate and campaign surrogates increasingly mouthed talking points that seemed taken directly from Russian propaganda outlets, such as that there had been a terrorist attack on a Turkish military base, when no such attack had occurred. Also, at this time United States intelligence reportedly received indications from European intelligence counterparts about odd meetings between Russians and Trump campaign representatives overseas

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Russia tricked Trump Jr. into supporting them

The goal of the Kussian spy game is to nudge a person to step over the line into an increasingly conspiratorial relationship. First, for a Russian intelligence recruitment operation to work, they would have had some sense that Donald Trump Jr. was a promising target. Next, as the Russians often do, they made:a “soft" approach, setting the bait for their target via the June email sent by Rob Goldstone, a British publicist, on behalf of a Russian pop star, Emin Agalarov. They then employed a cover story - adoptions - to make it believable to the outside world that there was nothing amiss with the proposed meetings. They bolstered this idea by using cutouts, nonofficial Russians, for the actual meeting, enabling the Trump team to claim - truthfully - that there were no Russian government employees at the meeting and that it was just former business contacts of the Trump empire who were present. When the Trump associates failed to do the right thing by informing the F.B.I the Russians probably understood that they could take the next step toward a more conspiratorial relationship. They knew what bait to use and had a plan to reel in the fish once it bit.

The goal of the Kussian spy game is to nudge a person to step over the line into an increasingly conspiratorial relationship. First, for a Russian intelligence recruitment operation to work, they would have had some sense that Donald Trump Jr. was a promising target. Next, as the Russians often do, they made:a “soft" approach, setting the bait for their target via the June email sent by Rob Goldstone, a British publicist, on behalf of a Russian pop star, Emin Agalarov. They then employed a cover story - adoptions - to make it believable to the outside world that there was nothing amiss with the proposed meetings. They bolstered this idea by using cutouts, nonofficial Russians, for the actual meeting, enabling the Trump team to claim - truthfully - that there were no Russian government employees at the meeting and that it was just former business contacts of the Trump empire who were present. When the Trump associates failed to do the right thing by informing the F.B.I the Russians probably understood that they could take the next step toward a more conspiratorial relationship. They knew what bait to use and had a plan to reel in the fish once it bit.

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Collusion not off the table

The overall Russian intent is clear: disruption of the United States political system and society, a goal that in the Russian view was best served by a Trump presidencv. What remains to be determined is whether the Russians also attempted to suborn members of the Trump team in an effort to gain their cooperation. This is why the investigation by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, is so important. It is why the F.B.I. counterintelligence investigation, also quietly progressing in the background, is critical. Because while a Russian disruption operation is certainly plausible, it is not inconsistent with a much darker Russian goal: gaining an insider ally at the highest levels of the United States government. In short, and regrettably, collusion is not off the table.

The overall Russian intent is clear: disruption of the United States political system and society, a goal that in the Russian view was best served by a Trump presidencv. What remains to be determined is whether the Russians also attempted to suborn members of the Trump team in an effort to gain their cooperation. This is why the investigation by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, is so important. It is why the F.B.I. counterintelligence investigation, also quietly progressing in the background, is critical. Because while a Russian disruption operation is certainly plausible, it is not inconsistent with a much darker Russian goal: gaining an insider ally at the highest levels of the United States government. In short, and regrettably, collusion is not off the table.

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Medvedev trolls Trump

Tweet Dmitry Medvedev @MedvedevRussiaE The Trump administration has shown its total weakness by handing over executive power to Congress in the most humiliating way 8/2/17, 4:38 PM 1,030 Retweets 1,185 Likes

Tweet Dmitry Medvedev @MedvedevRussiaE The Trump administration has shown its total weakness by handing over executive power to Congress in the most humiliating way 8/2/17, 4:38 PM 1,030 Retweets 1,185 Likes

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Trump screams at McMaster

But then, McMaster himself became the target of unflattering leaks. In May, Bloomberg reported that Trump had "screamed" at McMaster in a phone call and had become "disillusioned" with him, and that Flynn loyalists on the NSC perceived McMaster as trying to "trick" the president into supporting nation- building efforts. Also in May, Foreign Policy reported that "the knives are out" for McMaster over internal conflicts on Afghanistan policy, with him on one side and Bannon on the other. Foreign Policy noted that McMaster has become the target of online critics, most notably Mike Cernovich, the pro-Trump activist and blogger. Cernovich has also targeted other McMaster allies in the NSC such as Dina Powell. Cernovich has cited White House sources repeatedly in his reports, though he has told me that he doesn't know who his sources are and relies on burner phones to keep in touch with them One of the most recent McMaster-related leaks was to the AP last week; sources said McMaster had told foreign officials he disapproves of Trump's closeness with Russia. The story made West Wing senior staff "furious," according to a senior White House official, who added"if true, a man of honor would resign

But then, McMaster himself became the target of unflattering leaks. In May, Bloomberg reported that Trump had "screamed" at McMaster in a phone call and had become "disillusioned" with him, and that Flynn loyalists on the NSC perceived McMaster as trying to "trick" the president into supporting nation- building efforts. Also in May, Foreign Policy reported that "the knives are out" for McMaster over internal conflicts on Afghanistan policy, with him on one side and Bannon on the other. Foreign Policy noted that McMaster has become the target of online critics, most notably Mike Cernovich, the pro-Trump activist and blogger. Cernovich has also targeted other McMaster allies in the NSC such as Dina Powell. Cernovich has cited White House sources repeatedly in his reports, though he has told me that he doesn't know who his sources are and relies on burner phones to keep in touch with them One of the most recent McMaster-related leaks was to the AP last week; sources said McMaster had told foreign officials he disapproves of Trump's closeness with Russia. The story made West Wing senior staff "furious," according to a senior White House official, who added"if true, a man of honor would resign

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Ezra colludes with Nunes

The incident triggered a House Ethics Committee probe into Nunes and forced him to recuse himself from his own panel's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections. But it also prompted questions from longtime intelligence officials about how Cohen-Watnick, a 30-year- old with apparently only a single, allegedly trouble-filled, junior-level tour of duty with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Afghanistan on his résumé, managed to secure one of the most consequential jobs in the White House: coordinating all of the U.S. intelligence community's operations with the Oval Office and Congress. In less than a year, Cohen Watnick had been raised from the equivalent rank of an army captain to a three-star general

The incident triggered a House Ethics Committee probe into Nunes and forced him to recuse himself from his own panel's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections. But it also prompted questions from longtime intelligence officials about how Cohen-Watnick, a 30-year- old with apparently only a single, allegedly trouble-filled, junior-level tour of duty with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Afghanistan on his résumé, managed to secure one of the most consequential jobs in the White House: coordinating all of the U.S. intelligence community's operations with the Oval Office and Congress. In less than a year, Cohen Watnick had been raised from the equivalent rank of an army captain to a three-star general

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Nunes and Watnick ran interference for Trump

The story was first reported by The New York Times, and then expanded by other outlets. On the night of March 21, House Intelligence chairman Nunes got a call from a source, jumped into another car, and didn't tell his staff where he was going. He was going, it turned out, to the White House. The next day, Nunes gave a now-infamous press conference at the Capitol in which he described how "the intelligence community incidentally collected information about U.S. citizens involved in the Trump transition." Though the phrase "incidental collection" by definition refers to the communications individuals who are not targets of surveillance, Nunes's statement was taken by Trump supporters as vindication of the president's tweet accusing Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower, an incident intelligence chiefs have told Congress never happened Nunes claimed at one point that his source had been an intelligence official, not White House. Citing four U.S. officials, the Times later reported that his sources on the intelligence reports were Cohen-Watnick and Michael Ellis, a lawver in the White House Counsel's Office focused on national securitv. But the question of who cleared Nunes onto White House grounds, and why Cohen-Watnick was looking into the material, have never been fully answered. The strong implication of the stories about the incident has been that either Cohen-Watnick, Ellis, or both cleared Nunes onto the campus.

The story was first reported by The New York Times, and then expanded by other outlets. On the night of March 21, House Intelligence chairman Nunes got a call from a source, jumped into another car, and didn't tell his staff where he was going. He was going, it turned out, to the White House. The next day, Nunes gave a now-infamous press conference at the Capitol in which he described how "the intelligence community incidentally collected information about U.S. citizens involved in the Trump transition." Though the phrase "incidental collection" by definition refers to the communications individuals who are not targets of surveillance, Nunes's statement was taken by Trump supporters as vindication of the president's tweet accusing Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower, an incident intelligence chiefs have told Congress never happened Nunes claimed at one point that his source had been an intelligence official, not White House. Citing four U.S. officials, the Times later reported that his sources on the intelligence reports were Cohen-Watnick and Michael Ellis, a lawver in the White House Counsel's Office focused on national securitv. But the question of who cleared Nunes onto White House grounds, and why Cohen-Watnick was looking into the material, have never been fully answered. The strong implication of the stories about the incident has been that either Cohen-Watnick, Ellis, or both cleared Nunes onto the campus.

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E.C. Watnick's collusion with Nunes

Cohen-Watnick's moment of prominence came in late March, when he was exposed as a channel for information used by the House intelligence committee chairman, Devin Nunes, another Flynn ally, to distract from an investigation into Russia's connections with Trump affiliates. A key figure in that investigation is Flynn, who received tens of thousands of dollars for a speech in Moscow from RT, a news channel the CIA considers an adjunct of official Russian propaganda Reportedly, Cohen-Watnick provided Nunes with documents purporting to show improper surveillance on Trump's allies, an allegation Nunes made while obscuring that the narrative, politically convenient for the White House, emerged from the White House itself. Nunes later reluctantly recused himself when the revelation of White House involvement sparked a political outcry. Subsequently, both Democrats and Republicans who viewed the documents considered them anodyne, a far cry from Nunes and Trump's portrayals.

Cohen-Watnick's moment of prominence came in late March, when he was exposed as a channel for information used by the House intelligence committee chairman, Devin Nunes, another Flynn ally, to distract from an investigation into Russia's connections with Trump affiliates. A key figure in that investigation is Flynn, who received tens of thousands of dollars for a speech in Moscow from RT, a news channel the CIA considers an adjunct of official Russian propaganda Reportedly, Cohen-Watnick provided Nunes with documents purporting to show improper surveillance on Trump's allies, an allegation Nunes made while obscuring that the narrative, politically convenient for the White House, emerged from the White House itself. Nunes later reluctantly recused himself when the revelation of White House involvement sparked a political outcry. Subsequently, both Democrats and Republicans who viewed the documents considered them anodyne, a far cry from Nunes and Trump's portrayals.

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H.R. McMaster fires Ezra-Cohen Watnick

Statement from a White House official: "General McMaster appreciates the good work accomplished in the NSC's Intelligence directorate under Ezra Cohen's leadership. He has determined that, at this time, a different set of experiences is best-suited to carrying that work forward. General McMaster is confident that Ezra will make many further significant contributions to national security in another position in the administration."

Statement from a White House official: "General McMaster appreciates the good work accomplished in the NSC's Intelligence directorate under Ezra Cohen's leadership. He has determined that, at this time, a different set of experiences is best-suited to carrying that work forward. General McMaster is confident that Ezra will make many further significant contributions to national security in another position in the administration."

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Tillerson refusing to fight against propaganda

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is resisting the pleas of State Department officials to spend nearly $80 million allocated by Congress for fighting terrorist propaganda and Russian disinformation. It is highly unusual for a Cabinet secretary to turn down money for his department. But more than five months into his tenure, Tillerson has not issued a simple request for the money earmarked for the State Department's Global Engagement Center, $60 million of which is now parked at the Pentagon Another 19.8 million sits untouched at the State Department as Tillerson's aides reject calls from career diplomats and members of Congress to put the money to work against A adversaries. NAHAL TOOSI POLITICO.COM-AUGUST 2, 2017

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is resisting the pleas of State Department officials to spend nearly $80 million allocated by Congress for fighting terrorist propaganda and Russian disinformation. It is highly unusual for a Cabinet secretary to turn down money for his department. But more than five months into his tenure, Tillerson has not issued a simple request for the money earmarked for the State Department's Global Engagement Center, $60 million of which is now parked at the Pentagon Another 19.8 million sits untouched at the State Department as Tillerson's aides reject calls from career diplomats and members of Congress to put the money to work against A adversaries. NAHAL TOOSI POLITICO.COM-AUGUST 2, 2017

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