American Bridge President Jessica Mackler released the following statement:
“Donald Trump Jr. today removed any doubt about collusion that occurred last year with Russian officials who attacked our democracy to help Trump’s campaign. His shocking admission clearly represents criminal behavior that must be prosecuted by federal authorities immediately. “Make no mistake: Jared Kushner is also implicated here and must be held accountable. Kushner played a central role in this scandal and yet is still employed in a senior role in the White House handling top secret information, despite evidence showing he too colluded with Russians last year. That cannot continue. Kushner’s security clearance must be revoked immediately and he should be shown the door today. He should not step foot anywhere near the White House in the future as he represents a clear risk to our country’s national security.
“Furthermore, it is impossible for a reasonable person to believe that the President himself was unaware of all these activities. The idea that the President didn’t know that his son, his top adviser and son-in-law, and campaign chair met with a Russian government agent under these pretenses is absurd, especially considering Trump Jr.’s enthusiasm displayed in these newly released emails. Trump’s behavior, including his firing of Director Comey, show that these men knew exactly what they were doing and are now engaged in an a shoddy attempt to cover it all up. They must all be held accountable.”
Key Points:
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Donald Trump Jr. knowingly sought out intelligence he knew was sourced to Russia’s Crown Prosecutor, a top, Putin-appointed Russian government official.
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Donald Trump Jr. knew that a top Vladimir Putin ally, Aras Agalarov, was the go-between for backchanneling the intelligence from the Kremlin to the Trump Campaign.
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Donald Trump Jr. knew that the promised information was “part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.” And Trump Jr. said, “I love that.”
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Donald Trump Jr. invited Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort and Jared Kushner to the meeting, and forwarded them the full email chain, detailing the Kremlin sourcing of the intelligence. They all knew what they were getting into — and actively pursued the opportunity.
Key Questions:
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How could President Trump not have known about this obvious collusion with Russia? His son, son-in-law, and campaign manager were each well aware.
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Who else in the Trump administration and campaign knew about this meeting and the Russian government’s support for Trump?
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What else was included in the Russian government’s support of the Trump campaign, referred to in Donald Trump Jr.’s email?
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Jared Kushner is compromised — how does he still have access to classified information?
Published: Jul 11, 2017