Trump aides facing perilous stage of Russia probe

[babylonsister]

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/27/trump-russia-probe-risk-238878


Trump aides facing perilous stage of Russia probe

Investigators are ramping up requests for documents, and any failure to preserve records exposes Trump aides to criminal charges down the line.

By Darren Samuelsohn

05/27/2017 06:48 AM EDT


Robert Mueller’s special investigation may just be starting, but for President Donald Trump and his aides, it’s already entered one of the most legally treacherous phases.

Now that Trump’s current and former aides and allies officially know a probe exists, they’re responsible for preserving all available information that might be relevant. That’s a task complicated by the rise of auto-delete apps like Confide, Signal and WhatsApp, as well as the move his campaign staffers have made into the White House.

Hanging over them all: any failure to keep track of emails, messages and other records could expose them to criminal charges down the line.

Trump staffers have relied on the latest in smartphone technology to shield their digital activity from hackers as well as leak-obsessed superiors – so much so that White House press secretary Sean Spicer even reprimanded his press shop for using them in February.

But anyone questioned by Mueller’s team may find that just having encrypted apps on their phones--which didn’t exist the last time there was a major Washington investigation of this kind—may raise suspicions that they’re hiding information.

“Technology changes, but the law doesn’t,” said Stanley Brand, an attorney who represented White House press secretary George Stephanopoulos during the probe of the President Bill Clinton’s Whitewater land deals.

Another wrinkle that could cause headaches for Trump staffers: The lack of available materials from the Trump campaign. The Washington Post reported Friday that the Senate Intelligence Committee has already asked Trump’s campaign committee to produce documents—including emails and phone records—related to Russia going back to June 2015.

Unlike the White House, which is subject to federal recordkeeping requirements, campaigns aren’t bound to preserve documents. But staffers may have some emails still backed up on their phones or computers, or documents - including calendars and other records that could wind up being critical for investigators.

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http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/27/trump-russia-probe-risk-238878

[BigmanPigman]

1. The GOP and the Donald can hamper all current investigations including this info.

They can and will slow it down or make it impossible to investigate (probably will limit the money and resources to properly investigate the leads). That's why we need to call all of our reps in congress [phone] and protest (#Marchfortruth on June 3rd, next weekend)until we get the GOP controlled House to call for an independent investigation. There's a bill right now in the House sponsored by dems calling for an independant commission but it's "facing an uphill battle" unless we get the word out that this is the only way for a thoroughly non partisan, complete, timely, and public investigation. Google this #Marchfortruth to see what the resistance is doing. The Women's March Group, Indivisible, Move-On , Rock the vote, Change.org, etc are all trying to wake people up regarding this important and necessary action needed for trust in our government and their agendas.