The FBI investigation into connections between Trump and Russia began when George Papadopoulos got drunk in a London bar in May 2016. He bragged to the top Australian diplomat in Britain about the Russians having dirt on Hillary. 2 months later, when the hacked DNC emails began appearing online, the Australians gave this info to the feds. The dossier had nothing to do with the launch of the probe. source
Mueller’s team is looking into whether the RNC collaborated with Trump’s digital operation to target voters & the possibility that the RNC knew of Russian involvement. It’s worth noting that Kushner was in charge of Trump’s digital campaign. This could explain why the GOP has been so intent on attacking Mueller and protecting Trump – they’re trying to protect themselves. source
Dirty Nunes:
- The House Intel Cmte. has issued a subpoena to an associate of Sen. McCain over his connection to the Steele Dossier. This official met with Steele in London and delivered the dossier to McCain, who then handed the documents to the FBI. source
- Nunes is sabotaging the House’s Russia probe. His “veto cost Democrats dozens of requests for interviews and documents,” including requests for more info from Sessions and Trump Junior. source
The Senate and House Intelligence Cmte interviewed, Irakly Kaveladze, a Georgian-American businessman who was present at the Trump Tower meeting and involved in Trump’s 2013 Moscow Miss Universe. source
Mueller may indict Paul Manafort again. Prosecutors will often issue a superseding indictment as the grand jury continues its work, and Mueller’s team has hinted at more charges – tax charges for Manafort’s foreign financial transactions. source
Trump’s legal team is preparing to attack Flynn’s credibility, should he accuse Trump or his associates of any wrongdoing. Reportedly they plan to cast him as a liar, which is in sharp contrast to the praise Trump heaped upon Flynn after firing him. At a press conference in Feb 2017 Trump stated: “Gen. Flynn is a wonderful man. I think he has been treated very, very unfairly by the media, as I call it, the fake media in many cases,” Trump said. “And I think it is really a sad thing that he was treated so badly.” source
A jailed Russian says he hacked DNC on the Kremlin’s orders and left behind a data signature as proof. source. It’s important to note, however, that parts of his story don’t make sense. For one, how is it that the Kremlin is allowing someone in their custody to directly discredit their official version of events? There must be more to the story. More info.
Russian accused the US of ‘direct interference’ in its elections by condemning the decision to bar the opposition candidate Alexei Navalny from running. source
Just 3 days after publicly reprimanding China for breaching sanctions by selling oil to North Korea, Trump says nothing when Russia is caught doing the same. source