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Trump's son-in-law had undisclosed contacts with Russian envoy: 7 sources

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By Ned Parker and Jonathan Landay

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A family swamp.

How cosy.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

It's not a swamp anymore, it's a sewer.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Jared's and Ivanka's security clearances need to be removed immediately. This is beyond the pale.

The entire Administration needs to be thoroughly investigated to see if any of them have any ties to America.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

As ever, it's the genuine folk who voted for change that I feel sorry for. Whilst there were clearly mindless thugs and supremacists casting their vote for Trump; the ordinary person who may have felt ignored by the Democrats (or maybe even tired Dems) must be shaking their heads in despair at the trickery, treachery and nepotism going on.

The good news is that there's only so much the American public can take. Maybe a Watergate is needed every few generations to shake things up and get people to engage. Such a pity the lives of the ordinary people - black, white, brown, mixed, whatever religion or sexual identity - have to be betrayed by the laughing billionaires.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The entire Administration needs to be thoroughly investigated to see if any of them have any ties to America.

Har!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

There may not have been anything improper about the contacts

Oh.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

it's the genuine folk who voted for change that I feel sorry for.

Sorry, but I don't. They knew what sort of person Trump was. And anyone with a brain cell knew that all he could offer was BS and over the top promises. Joe the plumber wants someone he can relate to and someone who is not part of the establishment, and who does he vote for? A billionaire with companies all over the world, who pays a pittance to his hotels' employees, does shady business, and was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

I'm sorry, the only people I feel sorry for are the Americans who DIDN'T vote for this mentally-disturbed, egoistic, uneducated excuse of a POTUS.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Sorry, but I don't. They knew what sort of person Trump was. And anyone with a brain cell knew that all he could offer was BS and over the top promises.

Maybe they bought into the hype. He made so many promises and they were desperate enough to believe them?

The MAGA slogan pushes many buttons. Personally, I think it's a crock. It's a truly disappointing time for all Americans (and the rest of the world) that this buffoon holds office...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The contacts on their own really didn't have to be a big deal. But obviously these people are going to remember meeting Russians, obviously there would be a good chance of a record of it, but they lied anyway. A lot of them. I don't think this investigation will show collusion, but I think it will expose just how stupid and greedy these people are.

Trump's campaign manager and NSA director are gone, his Attorney General had to recuse himself, and now his son in law is being questioned by the FBI. There's a Special Council formed based on information obtained by intelligence agencies.

And Fox News and right-wingers are passing this off as a waste of time as they go completely into a shell.

Kushner's sister was in China looking for investors for a real estate project in New Jersey, and she's promoting American visas and mentioning her brother. What the hell is wrong with these people?

Government Twitter accounts promote Ivanka's book, Trump tweets about Nordstrom's when they stop selling her clothes, Trump keeps a hotel that caters to foreign diplomats. You can be 100% honest but it just looks bad, just a really stupid decision.

I think they've been in a bubble for so long they're just doing whatever they want, and what they want is to leverage their position into money.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

And Fox News

blah blah blah. Is that you're best? blame FOX news? Never watch it. who does? Apparently you do. You lefties are so weak. Everything you base your decisions on is from the MSM.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

After the Nov. 8 election, Kushner and Flynn also discussed with Kislyak the idea of creating a back channel between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that could have bypassed diplomats and intelligence agencies, two of the sources said.

Back channel?

Would've been off the record too? No witnesses? No paper trail?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And Fox News and right-wingers are passing this off as a waste of time as they go completely into a shell.

What is up with libs and FNC? If you really want to talk about passing and wasting time, tell CNN and msnbc to talk about something other than Russia, Russia, Russia, but they can't help themselves, they are overly obsessed with bringing down Trump, they will forsake their journalistic integrity (lol) in order to appease the haters and it's still not working, the left is so deranged that even when Gianforte winning the Montana House seat blamed Trump (NOT Gianforte himself) for the dust up. This is incredible, the left are a complete section 8 case.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

The Russian paid contributors will be reaching for the amphetamines. Many a sleepless night in St Petersburg awaits defending the latest shocking allegations against the Trump Whitehouse.

Burning Bush you need to up your game, some of the newbies are making you seem a has-been...

2 ( +5 / -3 )

This is a witchhunt, and it's becoming an ugly one.

I agree it's ugly, but feel better thinking the witches have been found. The hunters are very sophisticated and would not release info unless they were quite sure they've identified the right witches. What's worrisome is Trump, the Republicans and all oligarchs involved might have enough power to head off further and deeper investigation. What's even more worrisome is it might be too late; the witches might have already sold out their country. I've read posters here call those kinds of people traitors.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

You lefties are so weak.

You've always struck me as a leftie, FizzBit. Am I wrong?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Isn't the Hotline between Russians Kremlin & the White House supposed to be secret ? (Baring the fact that we all know of it's existence).

So if the US and Russians get in bed together and work things out would the World suddenly become a safer place ?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There isn't any bad about improving US-Russia relationship. But they have to cook this up into something very very negative and ugly POV.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Hmmm . . . Since it has taken this long for Kush to be identified, this is not legitimate for the investigatory bodies to consider. You see, if an investigation - any investigation, especially investigations of complex undertakings - does not turn something up within two business weeks of inception, that means there is nothing to be found. Anyone ever read that logic in any of the comments around these parts?

You lefties are so weak. Everything you base your decisions on is from the MSM.

Really? I've noticed more often than not that the liberals on these threads make far more logical arguments backed up by facts than the conservatives. Of course, that is if you accept that what you call the MSM is trustworthy. As for all of us basing our decisions on the "MSM," that is a very bold claim painted with a very broad brush.

Kushner's ancestors came from the USSR, there's nothing wrong or abnormal about him talking to Russians.

Sound logic. The same level of sound logic that caused American citizens of Japanese heritage to be rounded up and put in concentration camps on the West Coast. Their ancestors are from X, so they must think like X.

Moreover, he has very strong ties to Israel as do many Russians, and Jews have historically maintained strong ties regardless of professed nationalities.

Can anyone else spot the latent anti-semitism?

What is up with libs and FNC? If you really want to talk about passing and wasting time, tell CNN and msnbc to talk about something other than Russia, Russia, Russia, but they can't help themselves, they are overly obsessed with bringing down Trump, they will forsake their journalistic integrity (lol) in order to appease the haters and it's still not working, the left is so deranged that even when Gianforte winning the Montana House seat blamed Trump (NOT Gianforte himself) for the dust up. This is incredible, the left are a complete section 8 case.

This is simply off topic to this article. It's to tenuous to connect this with the article by pointing to the bolded part.

The hunters are very sophisticated and would not release info unless they were quite sure they've identified the right witches.

Exactly. Because unlike President Tweetsalot, the hunters think before they communicate.

There isn't any bad about improving US-Russia relationship.

Correct, as long as it's an improvement for both sides that was executed transparently. This improvement sure seems lopsided in Russia's favor and there were a lot of omitted and hidden acts.

But they have to cook this up into something very very negative and ugly POV.

Keeping the citizens of the United States informed on the state of the government is the press' job. If a topic gains traction, it is because of market forces. People are interested in whether our head of government is under too much influence from an unfriendly state.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@zichi

Who is the Secret Service in this case, so far I see the US has become somewhat dysfunctional with Democrats trying their hardest to defeat Republicans by whatever means, including making a mountain out of a mole-hill, and simply for what gain ?

What we are seeing is a break down of "democracy" into an all out brawl within a Children's playground.

I'm not a supporter, not can be, of any US party, but when standing outside and looking in, it really does seem a mess. That said, The US isn't alone, in that respect - neither of the UK Political parties can be considered "Clean" and both have dubious claims within their Manifestos as recently pointed out elsewhere.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Swift_Justice

*Moreover, he has very strong ties to Israel as do many Russians, and *Jews have historically maintained strong ties regardless of professed nationalities.

Can anyone else spot the latent anti-semitism?

Why do you have to bring up Anti-Semitism ? This is a post-2nd world war concept that sadly elevates modern day Jewish people onto a pedestal above all others, so now, should anyone say anything that could be slightly construed as being less than favourable to the Jewish Communities, it's immediately considered anti-semitic and the Laws of the land come down upon them heavily... doesn't such as situation just exasperate other problems with the World, since it puts Jewish people into an Untouchable class and allows (for example) the Muslims to be down-trodden upon.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Really? I've noticed more often than not that the liberals on these threads make far more logical arguments backed up by facts than the conservatives.

No, they make more emotional arguments and only accept a one-sided POV.

Of course, that is if you accept that what you call the MSM is trustworthy. As for all of us basing our decisions on the "MSM," that is a very bold claim painted with a very broad brush.

If it weren't true, then you guys would listen to opposing views instead of being judgmental from time to time.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Most of the upper echelon know world leaders especially in New York the UN meets there so why is this news....

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

This is incredible, the left are a complete section 8 case.

I agree that CNN and MSNBC are unwatchable. They speak to the audience as if they are children - it's like watching Fox but without the half-covered breasts, flashes of thigh and sexually depraved male staff members.

As for complaining about the partisan rants over the Russia business, wake us up when attacks sink to the level of rancid, trashy birtherism. Hold your piece until claims of anti-Christ come screaming from the asylum. Take a pause until claims that Trump is a closet Muslim make a noise and rise from backsides.

Until then, see this as a dignified way to challenge an opponent.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

it's like watching Fox but without the half-covered breasts, flashes of thigh and sexually depraved male staff members.

i don't know about depraved, but sex sells, so it's good and good on them.

Until then, see this as a dignified way to challenge an opponent.

what?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

People of America: time to WAKE UP! There is no democracy in your country any more, and there is no capitalism in your country any more. You elected a businessman as President, and now you are seeing 21st century business practices -- secrecy, lying, cheating, law-breaking, colluding, bribery, propaganda, the lot.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

FizzBit:. Everything you base your decisions on is from the MSM.

Post your sources, please.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Why bother asking when you already made up your mind about what you want to believe? If you really want to, you can find it yourself. I have no interest to convince anybody because it's pointless. The hatred is already so thick. I'm only here to express my POV.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

People of America: time to WAKE UP! There is no democracy in your country any more, and there is no capitalism in your country any more. You elected a businessman as President, and now you are seeing 21st century business practices -- secrecy, lying, cheating, law-breaking, colluding, bribery, propaganda, the lot

So what should we do?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Impeachment would be a good start.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

blah blah blah. Is that you're best? blame FOX news? Never watch it. who does? Apparently you do. You lefties are so weak. Everything you base your decisions on is from the MSM.

I can say in all honesty, I'd never heard of the MSM until I joined this site.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Kushner's ancestors came from the USSR, there's nothing wrong or abnormal about him talking to Russians.

Moreover, he has very strong ties to Israel as do many Russians, and Jews have historically maintained strong ties regardless of professed nationalities.

This is a witchhunt, and it's becoming an ugly one

What on earth has the man's religion got to do with the investigation? Not sure what you're suggesting here?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I can say in all honesty, I'd never heard of the MSM until I joined this site.

Seriously? You've never read or seen Manufacturing Consent? It's been widely used as a term of derision by the left for as long as I've been online. Just b/c the right has co-opted and corrupted the critique doesn't mean that corporate media is our friend.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Seriously? You've never read or seen Manufacturing Consent? It's been widely used as a term of derision by the left for as long as I've been online. Just b/c the right has co-opted and corrupted the critique doesn't mean that corporate media is our friend.

I'm not kidding. I've only ever seen it here - and haven't bothered googling it because right leaning contributors seem to use it an awful lot.

Bear in mind, as I said on the G&R thread; I only recently just realised what Axl Rose is an anagram of :-)

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There seems to be an unusually large number of people allegedly leaking infomation concerning an ongoing FBI investigation. And the FBI doesn't generally leak information about ongoing FBI investigations. Or at least they didn't used to do so.

While the FBI is investigating Kushner’s contacts with Russia, he is not currently a target of that investigation, the current law enforcement official said.

Kushner isn't the target of this investigation. It seems that Kushner is being called as a witness. Of course, that doesn't stop the usual Democrat supporters in the media, and on the internet, from condeming Kushner or declaring him guilty of crimes they can't actually define.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

impeachment would be a good start

How? Democrats don't have the votes and even if they did and could get him out, we would have Pence who's a real conservative and professional politician and knows the way around Washington, skilled, no problem taking on the Democrats and would continue to push Trump's agenda. Either way, the Dems look like complete idiots either way.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Either way, the Dems look like complete idiots either way.

Not as stupid as the Trump voters who are having buyer's remorse as he breaks his promises to them and screw them over at the same time.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

How? Democrats don't have the votes

No, but some Republicans are even starting to discuss the idea.

even if they did and could get him out, we would have Pence who's a real conservative and professional politician

That's a different problem, but arguably a better problem than Trump.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

so is trumpy going to fire the kush next?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There seems to be an unusually large number of people allegedly leaking infomation concerning an ongoing FBI investigation. And the FBI doesn't generally leak information about ongoing FBI investigations. Or at least they didn't used to do so.

That's because people who work in the security fields are more ideological than political. The put country before politics. The amount of information being leaked is sign of the concerns that they have about this current president based on the information that is continuing to be discovered. Most of it is unknown to general public, but they are definitely worried that it might get covered up because they don't trust the president. The current president is a criminal that was elected by idiots.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Arrestpaul:  seems that Kushner is being called as a witness.

What do you think he was witness to?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

An expert's view of Kushner's shady plans:

"First, he is not seeking a back-channel for a low-level staff exchange," Olson said. "He wants high-level direct-contact communication. This is extremely dangerous because it results in verbal (and therefore undocumented and unwitnessed) agreements, which are binding on governments. Free governments do not work this way. They can't. If they do, they are no longer free."

and

"Second, he asked to use a foreign government's communication facilities. This is way beyond a private server. This is doing US government diplomatic business over a foreign government's communication system. It's not an off-the-record conversation. It's a conversation recorded by the opposing party. This shows a staggering lack of understanding of the US and its place in the world. Actually, it shows a staggering lack of common sense. When he negotiates a business deal does he use the other guy's notes?"

So Kushner probably under the direction of Trump wanted to create a back channel for secret talks for Trump and having those talks take place in Russian diplomatic facilities in the US. That would essentially conceal their interactions from US government scrutiny.

It sounds like the Trump family wanted to do some illegal business deals with the Russian government for personal profit in exchange for political favor! Seems pretty nefarious and unethical to me.

http://www.businessinsider.com/jared-kushner-backchannel-plan-russia-flynn-2017-5

0 ( +2 / -2 )

No, but some Republicans are even starting to discuss the idea.

Ok, even if the rhinos do that and could hypothetically get Trump out they'd wind up with Pence and Pence is real hardcore and conservative, so either way, it's all good.

That's a different problem, but arguably a better problem than Trump

Which is why now the "I" word is not being used so much, They're beginning to wake up and realize that this might not be such a good ide?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

and Pence is real hardcore and conservative,

Why is that good? How does it help the US?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

they'd wind up with Pence and Pence is real hardcore and conservative

That's fine. As much as I disagree with Pence's views on most everything, I don't see him bringing us to a world war (can't say the same about Trump). I also think he'd be more reasonable for the rest of the real world to deal with.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Trump has had financial dealings with Putin going back at least as far as 2004, and those dealings have been lopsidedly favorable to Trump. Even if Putin did use shady real estate deals and unsecured loans to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to the Trump family, he got a real bargain. For less than the cost of a nuclear submarine, he has installed a US Presidency that is Russia-friendly, anti-NATO, incompetent, and corrupt.

At the rate things are going, the new relevant slogan may soon be "Make America Great Again -- Impeach Trump!"

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

But Prez Trump is stiill better than the alternative last fall.

However, it seems to be time to clean house. President Trump has shown poor judgment in a few key appointments.

If anything illegal has happened, nail them all. Impeachment is just the first step.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

God, am I ever enjoying this! Do the SQUIRM, baby!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Bass: Pence is real hardcore and conservative, so either way, it's all good.

Well, with that statement I guess you're officially dropping the non-partisan claim. It's probably about time. Also, Pence is establishment Republican, so it looks like you've hopped back into their corner as well. Your choice.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

That is last weeks episode, I have already seen this week trailer and it better then last weeks, In this week episode,,, No I won't be a spoiler. Just wait and watch. I can tell you this, some one very important become involve in yet another scandal bigger then last weeks episode.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well, with that statement I guess you're officially dropping the non-partisan claim. It's probably about time. Also, Pence is establishment Republican, so it looks like you've hopped back into their corner as well. Your choice.

I don't think you get it, just because I'm more conservative, it doesn't mean that I'm a partisan, remember that. If I were partisan, I would agree with everything and with every issue the GOP does every time and all the time, I don't and in many things I take a libertarian POV. Hope that clarifies everything.

I voted for Trump and the issues he stands for and even if you libs could find a way to get him out, we would get Pence and Trump's agenda would move forward, you may not see the danger in that for Democrats, but they slowly now do.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I don't think you get it, just because I'm more conservative, it doesn't mean that I'm a partisan, remember that. If I were partisan, I would agree with everything and with every issue the GOP does every time and all the time,

Incorrect. Here is the definition of partisan for this context.

partisan

ˈpɑːtɪzan,ˌpɑːtɪˈzan/

noun

1. a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.

Please note that the definition does not include anything about agreeing with everything a party does. Words have meaning. Hope that clarifies everything.

I don't and in many things I take a libertarian POV. Hope that clarifies everything.

I love this claim. Every conservative uses this as an attempt to somehow rise above various rancid republican ideas. Yet those who make this claim are rarely ever heard making statements of anything but a republican nature

I voted for Trump and the issues he stands for

Hows that working out for you considering he's done so many 180s he looks like the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Tunes? He didn't, and still doesn't know what issues he stands for.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

And yet every time he does the opposite of what he says he would do, you support that exact thing you condemned Obama or Hillary for in a "Butwhataboutobamahillarythelibs?"

If he does something that is completely avoidable as far as it pertaining to him implementing his policies, I can get critical, if it's the MSM and the far looney left are on a constant warpath trying to find something, anything to get him out of office by No fault of his own, I will speak out, what gets me about the looney left is, they are so eager to pounce on the man instead of taking a "let's just wait and see approach" for the left it's the media says it's so, then it is so, unbelievable!

You supported Trump's "drain the swamp", and then when Trump instead started filling it even further, support it (while still somehow chanting "drain the swamp"), saying, "Why wouldn't he put in people with experience?" 

I don't think he filled it and yes, I did say that last statement and I also said, you expect him to hire inexperienced millennials to further screw up the country? Sorry, I would rather have someone in the driver's seat with longer experience. Helps me sleep well at night.

That's but one example, and not even taking into account that you support a man who believes that sexually assaulting women is okay, among other things.

Oh, dear lord....amazing how you guys distort words, No wonder the world is in a serious mess.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Bass: I assume your are saying your a loyal Trump supporter first and agree with most of GOP ideology and dislike anything left of centre. loyalty is a good quality. Keep up the excellent defending and I salute your loyalty.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I love this claim. Every conservative uses this as an attempt to somehow rise above various rancid republican ideas.

What in blazes are you talking about, so then the equivalent of that would be liberals claiming to be tolerant bunch, but we all know, that's not even close.

Yet those who make this claim are rarely ever heard making statements of anything but a republican nature.

and the same goes for those that claim they are Democrats, but are really intolerant Progressives.

Hows that working out for you considering he's done so many 180s he looks like the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Tunes? He didn't, and still doesn't know what issues he stands for.

Pretty good actually, got a conservative on the SCOTUS, getting ready to do tax reform, killed the EPA, signed the religious freedom act,. Yeah, I'm good.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Only in the USA could a wastrel like Trump ever be elected. Mind you, the same nation also put Carter, Clinton, W, and Obama in power, so perhaps bad decisions are simply par for the course there. Tsk, tsk.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

the MSM and the far looney left

what gets me about the looney left

for the left it's the media

That's half the population of the US who didn't vote for the man & you're dismissing them with your tired, trite epithets.

Very anti-American vibe coming from your posts.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Pretty good actually, got a conservative on the SCOTUS

The seat that was constitutionally Obama's to fill.

, getting ready to do tax reform,

I'm sure that'll work as well as the AHCA

killed the EPA, signed the religious freedom act,.

How exactly did Trump sign the Religious Freedom Act when it was put into law in 1993? Perhaps you meant the executive order on religious liberty, which was not an act.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

iis there any real news? nothing in this, article is real. they can't even get the correct, t names down for Russian colluders, since it was Obama with the, reset button. who collided to let Russia invade, a couple of nations and it was Hillary and her people colluding with Russia to make money of off allowing Russia to buy American uranium companies

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

That's half the population of the US who didn't vote for the man & you're dismissing them with your tired, trite epithets. 

So you're saying a magical Leprechaun shelling out marshmallows showered him and mystically anointed him to the presidency? Ahhhh....ok.

Very anti-American vibe coming from your posts.

I'm as patriotic as they come. You should see my bass guitar.

The seat that was constitutionally Obama's to fill.

And constitutionally, the GOP didn't have to hold any hearings for any presidential nominee.

I'm sure that'll work as well as the AHCA

If we cut some of the entitlement programs, it's possible.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

SuperLib - What do you think he was witness to?

Lot's of stuff. He's not a young man, ya know. (wink) 

If you're looking for more specific answers, you should direct your questions to the FBI.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Swift_Justice - The seat that was constitutionally Obama's to fill.

Only if Obama could have made it happen. Unfortunately, Obama didn't seem to have the required skillset to make that happen.

Meanwhile, at the top of this thread - Trump's son-in-law had undisclosed contacts with Russian envoy: 7 sources

Any thoughts?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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