NEW: Special counsel eyeing Russians granted unusual access to Trump inauguration parties - ABC News

[MelissaB]

NEW: Special counsel eyeing Russians granted unusual access to Trump inauguration parties - ABC News

Link to tweet

Special counsel eyeing Russians granted unusual access to Trump inauguration parties

Several billionaires with deep ties to Russia attended exclusive, invitation-only receptions during Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities, guest lists obtained by ABC News show.

These powerful businessmen, who amassed their fortunes following the collapse of the Soviet Union -- including one who has since been since been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department -- were ushered into events typically reserved for top donors and close political allies and were given unprecedented access to Trump’s inner circle.

Their presence has attracted the interest of federal investigators probing Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Matthew Olsen, a former senior national security official who now serves as an ABC News consultant, said their presence at inaugural events is “very concerning.”

More: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/special-counsel-eyeing-russians-granted-unusual-access-trump/story?id=56232847

MORE: Several billionaires with deep ties to Russia attended exclusive, invitation-only receptions during Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities, guest lists obtained by ABC News show.

Link to tweet

[MelissaB]

1. One more

“This reflects a Russian strategy of gaining access to our political leaders at a time when they are just forming a government,” Olsen said. “They don’t need to be spies in the James Bond sense. They are powerful people with significant wealth who are in a position to exert influence on U.S. policy makers. And they’re in a position to report back to Russian intelligence services on what they’re able to learn.”

[Zoonart]

6. No one gains that much power and money in Russia unless they are tied to Putin.

[olegramps]

7. Trump is laundering billions for these gangsters. It is that damn simple.

He doesn't what you to see the Income Tax Returns just for the purpose and doesn't include how he ripped off his phony charities.

[lagomorph777]

10. It's pretty damned clear that Trump is up to no good; glad Mueller is covering ALL of it.

[Dem_4_Life]

2. Great news

[Phoenix61]

3. Just checking out what they had bought. nt

[anarch]

4. "events typically reserved for top donors..."

well there you go; mystery solved.

[spanone]

5. K&R...

[SunSeeker]

8. K & R for exposure.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

9. The stench of treason. nt