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© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Tempest over Trump-Putin call turns into uproar over leaks
By ZEKE MILLER and JONATHAN LEMIRE WASHINGTON©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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Tommy Jones
"Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing," Trump said
It's only a good thing if you're not giving Russia a pass on almost everything it does, which is what You are doing, Mr. Dumpster Fire President.
SaikoPhysco
So Trump calls his partner in crime.... to congratulate him on his most recent successful injustice to all Russians. He wanted it to be a private conversation... back door... so to speak, but it leaked that he called. Now, according to Trump, the real crime is that it was leaked... not that he should have never made the call in the first place. With Trump... if you're an honest man, you're his enemy... because he cannot trust honest people with all of his lies. But if you're a lying, cheating criminal, now he can trust you because you both have things to hide.
Tommy Jones
The White House, which has suffered frequent leaks — at times of notable severity — said in a statement it would be a "fireable offense and likely illegal" to leak Trump's briefing papers to the press, after word emerged that the president had been warned in briefing materials not to congratulate the Russian president on his re-election.
nostromo
what problems have Russia helped solve recently and what is "the coming Arms Race" ??....
CrazyJoe
Trump is a traitor. Un-American, pro-Russian, anti-law and order, pro-fascist, criminal con man Trump. Oh, way to go, Trump voters.
Maybe its time to stop treating this president as if he is a real President...he doesn't even read his intelligence briefings, doesn't want to hear anything negative about Russia and only wants to please Putin.
Stop trying to push a square peg in a round hole - it's not working.
Strangerland
And none of the aforementioned were owned by Putin.
PTownsend
No one can say with any degree of certainty why Trump’s beholden to Putin, but I think the reports in the Steele dossier of Trump engaging in watersports and thereby being subject to blackmail by the Russians need to be eliminated as one possible reason.
Trump’s had so many allegations of sexual misconduct and none seem to have fazed him in any way. His supporters are fine with them. In fact they seem to think each of the allegations add more glamour and mystery to their political messiah.
Trump the master-manipulator of reality has been able to turn his history of sexual improprieties into a badge of honor in the eyes of his true believers. The watersports in Moscow explanation of Putin’s control over Trump has no validity.
Could it really be all about the money?
Laguna
Gee, Trump bashes the intelligence services both as groups and individuals therein continuously, publicly, and with the most insulting language - and fires two of their highest-ranking members in the same way - and then this happens. Who could have expected such pushback?
SuperLib
Like Trump could ever talk to Putun without congratulating him. He is negotiating from his knees.
Toasted Heretic
Does Trump actually pay attention to his advisors or read the talking points?
He's soft on Russian interference, soft on Russian targetting its opponents and all because he wants to maintain good relations.
If his America is so great, why does it need Russia?
katsu78
So in other words, the President lied, relying on a lie invented by authoritarians to characterize legitimate governmental checks on their power as a shadowy rival government to bamboozle idiots into supporting absolute rule.
Good question. Sounds like Trump wants to move the clock even closer to midnight.
Laguna
Last night on Lou Dobbs, Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz laid out Trump's strategy against Mueller. Whether he came up with these talking points by himself or was fed them by those close to Trump is unclear, but they do point to the strategy Trump has adopted in the face of his inability to fire Mueller: discredit the Justice Department, the FBI, and the CIA. New York Mag is of course left-leaning, but I challenge anyone to find flaw with its logical point-by-point rebuttal to Trump's gambit. A good read: http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/03/dershowitzs-audition-to-be-trumps-lawyer-not-going-well.html
bass4funk
Not at all, the leaker is the traitor. Hope he/she gets prosecuted as well as fired.
Pro-American, what’s wrong with trying to get along with Russia, the last administration tried to get along with Iran, please don’t blame us Trump voters for wanting to drain out the swamp.
Why? You guys already do this.
The left keeps saying that, but Kelly says different.
I wish the left would understand this.
Strangerland
Lock him up! Lock him up!
Toasted Heretic
Iran hasn't meddled in elections in the US and Europe. Nor has it tried to kill people on UK soil for spying.
Iran doesn't have an online army trying to destabilise the US and Europe. Iran is sticking to the deal agreed. It is not ramping up weapons and waving them about like Putin.
smithinjapan
bass4funk: "Not at all, the leaker is the traitor."
No, Trump is the traitor, and treasonous as well. The man is furious, as are you. Because he congratulated a dictator on the sham of an election when even EVERYONE in the briefs told him NOT to do so? No! You're angry because the news of what he did got out, when it was supposed to be MORE secrets.
" Hope he/she gets prosecuted as well as fired."
He or she, and I'm actually going to assume it was more than one person, since every single person was against Trump saying and doing what he did, should be given a medal. Trump should be prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law, as should Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and most of the White House staff who have given in to Trump's lies and actions.
Remember, you are still chanting "Lock her up" for a few emails from Clinton; now multiply that exponentially for what Trump is doing. And yet suddenly those who give the information about the presidents illegalities and heinous actions are those you rile against.
SuperLib
It’s starting to spit out random Trump supporting comments as responses.
Blacklabel
So why do liberals seem to think the president has to do whatever his advisers tell him? He was elected not them.
Obama called Putin and also Chavez from Venezuela yo congratulate them. Wasn’t a problem then not a problem now. The leaking on the other hand is a problem and should be dealt with
bass4funk
But the last President congratulated Putin, so what? Also, when Reagan was president, some senior White House staff tried to tell him not to tell the Russians to take down the wall, they edited it from his speech and each time he put it back in. These people can vice President, but you can’t tell him what to do. He has a constitutional right to say and do as he pleases.
Oh, please! Some people in the White House are not team players and it doesn’t matter, you don’t have to like what the president does, but he is the commander-in-chief and if you don’t like what he says how he does things, quit and find a job somewhere else, it’s that simple.
The Iranians have enough blood on their hands, they killed more than enough people, organize killings of Jews and many of our service members abroad, not to mention this disastrous deal that was made regarding the nuclear conditions.
But at the same time they do pose a threat to the stability of the entire Middle East including a threat Israel into all Arab states.
viking68
It is always embarrassing when there are leaks, but the biggest surprise is the idea that things will not leak. In Washington, things always leak. The only way not to have something leak is not to do stupid things that will leak.
In this case, it isn't a deep state, it is rather a shallow state (of affairs) created by Trump maligning people and being stupid. Cue cards on what to say???? Why give him cue cards, he can't read.
How did this idiot become president?
bass4funk
Sorry, the only treasonous people are the leakers in that White House.
I’m not furious, I think it’s kind of funny watching the left have an emotional breakdown over this. When their own guy as president congratulated Putin.
How many times I have to tell you, I am not angry and I am not in the White House, but I do think the Lakers are trees and this and should be held totally accountable and I hope Kelly gets a hold of them and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
Ok, that’s your personal opinion, but I think they should be prosecuted and as I said before, I hope Kelly gets them, it’s just a matter time, but it is kind of funny how The left loved wikileaks when it helped them, but when they were going against the Republicans and then all of a sudden when it helped Trump, now Wikileaks and Assange are the enemies of the state.
Probably will never happen, still don’t get your hopes up too high.
Doesn’t even touch the tip of the iceberg compared to what that woman has done.
You don’t have to like it, you can even hate the president, but you do not have the right to leak classified or private information and if you do and if you’re not happy with the direction that the president is going, you have the option of quitting. You don’t have to like the president but you don’t have to write to leak information. Get a different line of work.
bass4funk
To all of our European friends and other allies around the world you are very welcome.
arrestpaul
Trump's "aides" suggested that Trump not congratulate Putin. You may not be aware of this, but Trump's aides DO NOT ORDER Trump to do anything. They can make suggestions. It's the President's decision whether he calls another country's leader. You will just have to learn to live with that fact.
And - a senior administration official, who was NOT authorized to discuss internal matters, deliberately leaked information. The only question now is whether that senior administration official should be fired, or prosecuted. Maybe they will eventually share a cell with Hillary "should be locked up" Clinton when the investigators finally get around to ACTUALLY looking into Hillary's past actions. Tick tock, tick tock.
Blacklabel
Anyone against Trump still by this point should do the ethical thing and resign. Leaking is illegal, quitting when you disagree is not.
so now we are back to “treason” again? You guys can’t even prove collusion by anyone in the campaign much less treason by Trump. So much hyperbole.
viking68
Cue cards will "don't be stupid" remarks are not classified information.
Maybe they can use the unenforceable NDAs Trump made everyone sign and requiring people to pay millions of dollars to the government for exercising their first amendment rights.
Leaking classified information is illegal. Leaking cue cards and Trump's common stupidity are not illegal.
The wanna-be dictator is rubbing off on his supporters. Now they want a military state to prosecute people exercising first amendment rights.
bass4funk
I I don’t deny anything.
You’re right, I don’t. But still you are very welcome.
Blacklabel
I don’t think leakers get to determine on their own what is classified and what is not. McCabe and comey will find that out first hand soon enough. As will whoever leaked the classified details of this call.
viking68
There is at least on person who pleaded guilty and who was making plans with Russia about colluding.
Trump is a traitor simply for putting Russia before the U.S. and its allies.
If it is finally proven he is a traitor for colluding, he should be hanged.
Blacklabel
This person is who? No one had even been charged with collusion. If collusion were going on how was it possible that Flynn, Gates or manafort were not involved?
Yet none of them were charged with it.
arrestpaul
"EVERYONE"? Who is "everyone"? Did the leaker tell you it was "everyone"? Or is there only a small but select group of staffers who ADVISED the President not to congratulate Putin. Trump didn't take their advice. Why? Because he's the President, and they are not.
The hyperbole surrounding this alleged, world-class, show-stopping, congratulatory phone call is incredible. How dare anyone say, "Good morning" to Putin. How dare anyone say, "Nice day, isn't it" to Putin. Of course, Obama said it and was immune from the haters. Bush said was immune from the haters. Hillary could have said it, but she couldn't get elected POTUS.
viking68
I forgot that Mueller was finished and went home. Thanks for the information.
Blacklabel
but you said someone ALREADY plead guilty to collusion, no?
bass4funk
Exactly What I meant, primarily Egypt and Saudi Arabia and 40% of the Christian population in Lebanon is not the majority. That’s what I mean.
He’s not the one that’s leaking, so if anybody jeopardizes anything it’s the leakers and I hope they will all be caught and prosecuted to the full list extent of the law.
What? Thank God for Reagan doing the same, if he didn’t then where would we be now?
I I feel the same about the entire democrat congress
Blacklabel
Trump hate just makes liberals the strangest people. Supporting leaking of national security and foreign policy now. CNN will probably hire the leaker once they are found out.
SuperLib
Unless it's information stolen by Russian hackers and distributed through WikiLeaks in coordination with Don Jr. and Roger Stone. Then we're OK.
See above.
Blacklabel
yeah that’s all great but just like all the other liberal narratives, you can’t prove it.
Blacklabel
Just to remind you that the Trump Jr Wikileaks story was FAKE, you seem to have forgotten.
http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/08/media/cnn-correction-email-story/index.html
this was also a leak, by the way. The leaker was given the wrong date that’s how we know.
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
I don't think nutty Trump fans make that call either.
Hahahahaha The totally effective straight-laced Trump admin is gonna get you! They certainly have a good track record of catching leakers. As for Comey and McCabe: keep dreaming.
If what was leaked is no big deal, why get upset Trump fans?
mukashiyokatta
The CHAOS grows and grows. Trump will resign VERY SOON.
SuperLib
Our intelligence agencies made the link between Russia and Wikileaks. You can go online and read a Don Jr.’s messages for yourself.
This can’t be the first time you are hearing of this.
Toasted Heretic
I think Saudi Arabia and Israel are the biggest threats to stability in the region. The former with its record of terrorism and Wahhabist schools.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-yousaf-butt-/saudi-wahhabism-islam-terrorism_b_6501916.html
The latter with its nuclear weapons, use of chemical weapons, illegal land grabs, apartheid and corrupt government.
Blacklabel
I’ve heard a lot of things with no proof. “Russian hacking” being one of those. But I’ve also heard that forensics show the transfer speed too fast to be anyone except a local person. So once again prove it.
Blacklabel
“intelligence agencies” used to mean something important. . now it just means what Brennan, clapper and comey think. All 3 who are suspected of lying under oath to congress.
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
What part of "ongoing investigation" do you not understand? All charges and allegations will be released in due time, just wait.
still does, unless you are a Trump fan.
They know and have seen a bit more than you, myself, and anyone else commenting here. What makes you think you know more than them?
By who? Trump supporters? Don't forget Sessions, he's also under investigation.
www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2018-03-21/mueller-investigated-sessions-for-perjury-on-russia-statements
Strangerland
Yeah, but you're on team appeasement, so there isn't anything that would ever come to what you would accept as a level of proof.
We all know Russia is guilty as sin. Look at their state-sponsored doping program at the Olympics. They have zero interest in playing along with the rest of the world. They just want to cheat.
smithinjapan
bass4funk: "But the last President congratulated Putin, so what?"
After snubbing him for 10 days; and he brought up issues they needed to deal with. Trump could hardly wait to congratulate his master.
smithinjapan
The best part about all this is that Trump's life is ruined after. His various affairs behind Melania's back JUST after their son was born means that marriage is over, too. His absolute lies and corruption won't allow him to work in the US if he's in cahoots with Russia, etc. I'm betting he often wishes he never got the job thanks to Putin. And we all know the dirt is going to come to light at some point.
Saba
Looks like your wishful thinking or, I guess, if it's true, he will just ease his pain in bed with dozen pornstar and models
Saba
Some haters just want to watch the world burn
Tommy Jones
Right on cue. Thanks, Bass. Appreciate the support in the don't criticize camp.
Iran and Russia are equal threats. Got it.
He's turned it into a cesspool instead of draining it. It wasn't a surprise he was going to do this given his personality had been on full display for decades.
Tommy Jones
The jury hasn't been convened on whether Trump is a traitor. The leaker, by law, probably doesn't rise to the level of traitor either. That said, I understand the emotional reaction.
Blacklabel
From the article that was supposedly "proof" of the hacking:
The Justice Department said Mr. Mueller’s work was not complete. The indictment does not address the hacking of Democratic email systems.
So if Mueller knows who did the hacking and it was proven, why hasnt he indicted them too? more meaningless Russian names. People who will never be tried or convicted and who evidence will never have to be presented against and proven in a court of law. Just yep these "Russians" did "it". Who is going to be indicted next, Ivan Koloff, Nikita Koloff and Krusher Kruschev?
Blacklabel
Which is the only thing that this is all about, ruining Trump's life even if nothing can ever be proven with "Russia".. He prevented the coronation of Queen Hillary to her rightful ascenscion to the Presidency, Now all the people who lost positions of power are on a vendetta to make Trump pay. (i.e Clapper , Brennan, Comey and McCabe).
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
Because its an ongoing investigation, duh!?
Um no, its about finding out if there was any collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.
With help from Russia, mind you.
Y'all got a big crush on her. Haha why can't she just enjoy her retitement?
Or perhaps they want to clear up Donny's little lies?
Blacklabel
Clear up the presidents lies? By getting caught lying to Congress or the FBI themselves? That’s a novel way to clear things up.
Oh yeah the ongoing investigation that seems to be looking at everything AFTER the election was over. Hey what happened to that new bombshell witness, the Nader guy who was talking about backdoor channels for “colluding” after Trump already in the job?
SuperLib
Our intelligence agencies have said it was Russia who hacked. If you’ve read something on the internet about transfer speeds, good for you, but I’ll need more than a conspiracy from a Trump supporter to change my mind.
And have you read Don Jr.’s messages to Wikileaks or should a I post them here for you?
Blacklabel
Here you go. Also by former "intelligence officers". ones who didnt lie to Congress and spy on American citizens. And its from Salon, a liberal favorite site.
https://www.salon.com/2017/08/15/what-if-the-dnc-russian-hack-was-really-a-leak-after-all-a-new-report-raises-questions-media-and-democrats-would-rather-ignore/
Yeah, CNN already publicized Trump Jrs messages so of course Ive seen them. How you feel about those depends on how you feel about Wikileaks and Trump Jr to begin with, not concrete evidence of anything.
SuperLib
I understand. You think that our intelligence agencies shouldn't be trusted, that's your justification for ignoring their findings, and instead you think Russia is innocent of hacking.
I don't follow. Don Jr. and Wikileaks talked about the release of the stolen info, talked about giving Wikileaks inside info to, as they said, "make it appear as though they aren't anti-Clinton." They even gave Jr. some talking points that Trump retweeted soon thereafter.
How do our feelings change this?
bass4funk
But he did it nonetheless and knowingly even when the Russians were than interfering in our elections.
Ok, so what’s so bad and where was a crime committed?
And how was it different from the last president that said during a hot mic moment “after the election I have a little bit more flexibility?”
So it’s ok to try and or improve relations with Iran, but with Russia you shouldn’t, because liberals don’t want it or she’ll like they are getting their feelings hurt?
No, he just in a sneaky and underhanded leeway didn’t realize the mic phone less hot and said that he would have more flexibility after the elections to help them about the missile defense shield. Now that’s the height of liberal pure hypocrisy.
Wolfpack
Just get Obama to tell Vlad to “cut it out.” It worked when Obama was told of Russian interference during the 2016 election.
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
Nonsense. When did Obama congratulate Putin? When were the first news reports of Russian interference?
That's what Mueller will find out. Do you like being lied to by Trump? Certainly not illegal, but are you happy about it?
Exactly, bass. Iran has never interfered in US elections, nor have they tried. Apples to nuts.
Like, do you ever feel like its a bit hyocritical like, to hate Obama for the thing Trump did? Like, has that crossed your mind?
Serrano
Congratulations on your election victory Putin. Two scoops of ice cream and some vodka for you!
Oh my...
Corporate Media Hypocrisy on Trump Congratulating Putin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNjMOYFFO7s
mmwkdw
Congratulating another Country's President for another term in office win, is simply words of Political nicety, without which would, have probably soured "slightly" any possibly future working relationship to the detriment of what others are wishing to achieve. This is sadly part of the world of Politics.
mmwkdw
As a comparison to the Cooperate world... say you have a boss, that you really dislike, (hate even), they get a promotion... what do you do ? Ignore them whilst everyone else who works for them offers the obligatory "Congrats" ? What do you think would happen to you next ? Become the Persona-non-grata and end up being completely isolated ?
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
Ah, so why is Fat Donny getting angwy? :D
mmwkdw
@takeda.shingen.... perhaps as get older, travel the world, experience other cultures,etc ... you may start to understand why being a Politician is the most heartless existence that one can take for a career (of any length).
The nice thing about the US system, is that anyone (well almost) can run for President, and rather than a career Politician working their way through the ranks. This for better or worse, can add a new view upon matters or at least bring them into focus for discussion.
Madverts
Oh my.....
Donald Trump's top Russia lawyer John Dowd resigns
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43506098
Heh, it takes a special kind of stupid to ignore your own defence council. It's going to be interesting to hear the Trump 'bots squirm around the latest news when the talking points come in.
Trump's in a corner with Russia. His chronic affluenza is the worst case the world has ever seen. Grab the popcorn...
SuperLib
Dang, people should resign from Trump every day. It makes his base so happy,
bass4funk
Yes, because why would you want anyone on your team that's not dependable is not efficient? I sure as heck don't. Makes sense to me.
SuperLib
I’m not sure why Trump keeps hiring people who are inefficient and not dependable. Maybe after another dozen or so rehires he will start Tom improve.
Russell Leisenheimer
strikes me that if the white house is serious about stopping leaks, this should be an easy one, considering how few people were in this particular loop.
toshiko
What USA got upset was Trump is a business partner with Russia. Moscow Trump. Tower. Ivanka's business promotion in Russia, Her husband's real estate and oil business to. Promote Russiian oil industry,,, and many more.
starpunk
That's because George W Bush, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton don't kiss the Russian dictator's fanny either! Donald Trump is a traitor.
Pukey2
What is Trump having a hissy fit about leaks? He sure as heck was enjoying the thought of Clinton's emails being leaked.
I wonder what Russia has over Trump.. Hmm, I wonder...... were those videos of him in that Russian hotel room true? Now that's one LEAK I'd love to see!
Pukey2
typo:
What is - Why is
starpunk
Of course he ignores his staff. He's said over and over again 'I can do what I want' - like give US anti-ISIS troop movements to Russia, host Russian spies in the WH, congratulate dictators on false elections, assault and abuse women, wax lustfully over his daughter, etc. Next he will MARRY her too - he said he wants to! There are plenty of pictures and videos pointing out to that.
starpunk
Trump has show his loyalty, and it ain't to the people of the USA! His true colors are shining through - and they are UGLY UGLY UHHHHH-GGG-LEEEE!!!!!!
starpunk
Iran has also tried several times to 'export' their fanatic revolution through coup attempts and overthrow attempts against nations like Bahrain and Qatar.