"There was No Collusion except with the Democrats and Russia!"
It's an often-repeated right-wing counter-narrative pointing to the FusionGPS commissioned #SteeleDossier.
Here's why they're full of it and how to counter it.
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#FLAG: Trump defenders say if it's illegal to get "opposition research" from a foreign national...
...then the Democrats are guilty of it, because they commissioned Christopher Steele, a former British spy and UK national, to gather intel that became the #SteeleDossier.
52 USC 30121 - It's illegal to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution (opposition research) or donation of money or other thing of value from a foreign national in connection with an election.
But the fact is. STEELE WAS PAID.
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#BOTTOMLINE: It's LEGAL to pay a foreign nation in exchange for a service.
The DNC/Clinton Campaign hired FusionGPS for opposition research into Trump and Russia, after the primaries.
They commissioned Steele. NOT a donation or contribution.
#FYI: Steele DID NOT PAY RUSSIAN SOURCES for the raw intel.
Republicans have tried to connect the money trail from Democrats to Russia — to make it appear more shady AND to discredit Steele and the info. They claim sources lied b/c they were paid.
#FTR: On the other hand, the Trump Tower Meeting DIRECTLY VIOLATED the law.
At a minimum, Don Jr. and the Trump Campaign solicited a contribution from a foreign government — in the form of "dirt," a thing of value (they call opposition research).
#FTR: Don Jr. solicited free "dirt" — a donation or contribution. If called opposition research, it's certainly a thing of value that campaigns pay for.
P.S. - It's in the context of a Quid Pro Quo. Dirt in exchange for lifted Magnitsky Sanctions.
#BREAKING: THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL, DON MCGAHN, HAS COOPERATED EXTENSIVELY W/ MUELLER'S OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATION.
He has detailed the most damning episodes in at least 3 voluntary interviews that have totaled 30 hours over the past 9 months. nytimes.com/2018/08/18/us/…
#FLAG: McGahn has disclosed details surrounding...
- The firing of former FBI Director James Comey.
- Trump's obsession with putting a loyalist in charge.
- Trump's repeated urging of Sessions to claim oversight of the investigation.
- Trump's attempts to fire Mueller himself.
#FLAG: MCGAHN AND HIS LAWYER COOPERATED...BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT TRUMP WAS GOING TO SET HIM UP AS "THE FALL GUY."
They were suspicious when Trump didn't protest letting him be interviewed...
So McGahn cooperated extensively to cover to demonstrate that McGahn did nothing wrong.
#FLAG: I don't want to read too far into it, but for the jury in the Manafort trial to be asking for the definition of "reasonable doubt," after one day of deliberation, is concerning, at least for me...
Meanwhile, JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES with our allies in South Korea were "too expensive."
They act as a deterrent to North Korea, China and Russia, and are essential to ensure preparedness with our allies should Kim Jong Un launch an attack.
#REMINDER: The Trump Administration's position on the suspension of joint military exercises with South Korea was CONDITIONAL.
The annual August exercises were suspended...AS LONG AS North Korea acted in "GOOD FAITH" in working towards denuclearization. washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-ca…
#FLAG: U.S. Officials, from the Military Intelligence Agency in the Pentagon to the Secretary of State, have ACKNOWLEDGED...
North Korea is ACCELERATING their nuclear program, continuing missiles production, and hiding assets from the U.S..