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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAbout that Explosive Trump Story: Take a Deep Breath
https://lawfareblog.com/about-explosive-trump-story-take-deep-breathFirst, we have no idea if any of these allegations are true. Yes, they are explosive; they are also entirely unsubstantiated, at least to our knowledge, at this stage. For this reason, even now, we are not going to discuss the specific allegations within the document.
Second, while unproven, the allegations are being taken quite seriously. The President and President-elect do not get briefed on material that the intelligence community does not believe to be at least of some credibility. The individual who generated them is apparently a person whose work intelligence professionals take seriously. And at a personal level, we can attest that we have had a lot of conversations with a lot of different people about the material in this document. While nobody has confirmed any of the allegations, both inside government and in the press, it is clear to us that they are the subject of serious attention.
Third, precisely because it is being taken seriously, it isdespite being unproven and, in public anyway, undiscussedpervasively affecting the broader discussion of Russian hacking of the election. CNN reported that Senator John McCain personally delivered a copy of the document to FBI Director James Comey on December 9th. Consider McCains comments about the gravity of the Russian hacking episode at last weeks Armed Services Committee hearing in light of that fact. Likewise, consider Senator Ron Wydens questioning of Comey at todays Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, in which Wyden pushed the FBI Director to release a declassified assessment before January 20th regarding contact between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. (Comey refused to comment on an ongoing investigation.) So while people are being delicate about discussing wholly unproven allegations, the document is at the front of everyones minds as they ponder the question: Why is Trump so insistent about vindicating Russia from the hacking charges that everyone else seems to accept?
Fourth, it is significant that the document contains highly specific allegations, many of which are the kind of facts it should be possible to prove or disprove. This is a document about meetings that either took place or did not take place, stays in hotels that either happened or didnt, travel that either happened or did not happen. It should be possible to know whether at least some of these allegations are true or false.
Second, while unproven, the allegations are being taken quite seriously. The President and President-elect do not get briefed on material that the intelligence community does not believe to be at least of some credibility. The individual who generated them is apparently a person whose work intelligence professionals take seriously. And at a personal level, we can attest that we have had a lot of conversations with a lot of different people about the material in this document. While nobody has confirmed any of the allegations, both inside government and in the press, it is clear to us that they are the subject of serious attention.
Third, precisely because it is being taken seriously, it isdespite being unproven and, in public anyway, undiscussedpervasively affecting the broader discussion of Russian hacking of the election. CNN reported that Senator John McCain personally delivered a copy of the document to FBI Director James Comey on December 9th. Consider McCains comments about the gravity of the Russian hacking episode at last weeks Armed Services Committee hearing in light of that fact. Likewise, consider Senator Ron Wydens questioning of Comey at todays Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, in which Wyden pushed the FBI Director to release a declassified assessment before January 20th regarding contact between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. (Comey refused to comment on an ongoing investigation.) So while people are being delicate about discussing wholly unproven allegations, the document is at the front of everyones minds as they ponder the question: Why is Trump so insistent about vindicating Russia from the hacking charges that everyone else seems to accept?
Fourth, it is significant that the document contains highly specific allegations, many of which are the kind of facts it should be possible to prove or disprove. This is a document about meetings that either took place or did not take place, stays in hotels that either happened or didnt, travel that either happened or did not happen. It should be possible to know whether at least some of these allegations are true or false.
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About that Explosive Trump Story: Take a Deep Breath (Original Post)
RedWedge
Jan 2017
OP
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,720 posts)1. At this point I don't care if it's "unsubstantiated."
It's appropriate revenge for all those years of Trump's false claims about Obama's birth certificate.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)2. Agreed. The right hammered President Obama about his birth certificate.
Allow us #goldenshowers
50 Shades Of Blue
(10,004 posts)3. Ditto.
rzemanfl
(29,565 posts)4. The Republicans don't fucking care about truth. We should learn from them. n/t
riversedge
(70,239 posts)5. I know--but it is exciting if we can get Trump!!
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)6. This story is still a very fluid situation
Wounded Bear
(58,662 posts)7. Well played, NW! nt
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)9. Maybe they're gonna try and call it
"Yellow journalism"
the shit is hitting the fan.... and this is the best mood I've been since 6PM PST election night.
This is gonna blow but good.. The CIA will make sure he's exposed.
RedWedge
(618 posts)10. Morning kick.
Vinca
(50,276 posts)11. It should be easy to prove.
"The Donald" is known for stiffing (no pun intended) his employees. If a person was hired to perform the "golden" act in question, she/he probably never got paid and would be happy to talk about the experience.
Cha
(297,275 posts)12. trumpee's tweet on President Obama 8/6/12
HAB911
(8,904 posts)13. Everyone is just enjoying the surf.............n/t