In his 45-minute press conference with Putin after their two-hour private summit in Helsinki, Trump publicly demonstrated his fidelity to Putin. This week may come to be seen as the turning point for the fall of the Trump administration.
Trump Conducts the Winningest Press Conference Ever
Putin was asked at the press conference whether he had any compromising material on Trump. Putin rolled his eyes and snickered but did not say yes or no, asking whether “you think that we try to collect compromising material on each and every single” American who visits Russia.[1] Perhaps not, but everyone believes that Russia tries to collect compromising material on U.S. Presidents.
Seven U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 Presidential election.[2] Despite this, at the Helsinki press conference, just moments after Mr. Putin admitted that he wanted Trump to win in 2016, Trump said that “I don’t see any reason why it would be” Russia that was behind the election hacking; he added that “President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.”[3] It is, of course, mind-boggling that any U.S. President would take the word of the Russian President over the conclusions of seven U.S. intelligence agencies – unless, of course, that President is beholden to Russia.
Trump also called Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into whether there was collusion with the Russians regarding the 2016 campaign “ridiculous” and a “witch hunt”. He further said “the probe is a disaster for our country” and is responsible for the decline in U.S. relations with Russia.[4] Of course, Mueller’s recent indictment against 12 Russian intelligence officers for interfering in the 2016 elections stated that the hackers were communicating with “a person who was in regular contact with senior members of the presidential campaign.”[5] It looks like the investigation has already identified some witches.
Even Republicans and Fox Rebuked Trump
A number of top Republicans criticized Trump’s remarks, including House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN), Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE), Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY), daughter of Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense under George W. Bush, Representative Trey Gowdy (R-SC), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ).[6]
Fox News hosts Neil Cavuto and Abby Huntsman rebuked Trump’s performance.[7] If you’re Trump and you’re catching criticism from Fox News, you’re in serious trouble.
Republican Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX), a former CIA agent, went further and wrote an editorial in the New York Times stating that Trump is being manipulated by Putin.[8]
Former CIA Director John Brennan called Trump’s words at the press conference “nothing short of treasonous.”[9] According to a Daily Beast/Ipsos poll, half of Americans found Trump’s performance treasonous.[10] It is difficult to disagree.
Trump Considered Handing Over to Russia the Former U.S. Ambassador
There was more. During the press conference Putin said that Russia would allow Special Counsel Robert Mueller to question the 12 Russian intelligence officers Mueller indicted last week if Russia was allowed to interrogate U.S. citizens and residents “who have something to do with illegal actions in the territory of Russia.”[11] Russian officials said this included noted Kremlin critic Bill Browder and former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.[12]
Based on statements by Trump’s press secretary, the Trump administration considered this for several days.[13] On Thursday, the Senate passed a resolution warning Trump not to allow Russia to question U.S. diplomats and officials, including McFaul.[14] For some reason, almost exactly at that time the White House decided that it “disagreed” with Putin’s proposal.[15]
Trump May Have Sold Out Ukraine and Montenegro in His Secret Meeting with Putin
We do not know what Trump said to Putin during their private meeting prior to the press conference.[16]
We do know that Tuesday night Trump said that that the U.S. should not defend NATO member Montenegro from attack[17], despite the U.S. promise, mutual among NATO members, to protect any NATO member that is threatened.[18] Last year Russia attempted to assassinate the prime minister of Montenegro.[19] Trump’s statement seemed to give Russia permission to do as it wishes with Montenegro.
Further, on Thursday Putin told diplomats that Trump agreed during their secret meeting that Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014[20], and eastern Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2014[21], belong to Russia.[22] This was despite Congressional action earlier this year to preserve sanctions against Russia over this aggression.[23]
Trump Wrongly Denied Russia Is Interfering in the Upcoming Election and Set Another Meeting with Putin
Even all this was not sufficient for Trump. On Wednesday Trump said that Russia was not targeting this fall’s elections in the U.S.[24] This is after, on Monday, Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, said that Russian efforts to interfere in U.S. elections were “ongoing” and pervasive.[25] Even Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told reporters that "everything I've seen from the intelligence community suggests Russia is interfering with the 2018 election."[26] A Microsoft executive confirmed current Russian interference.[27]
And because things went so well in Helsinki, Trump decided to invite Putin to the White House this fall[28]– without bothering to confer with Coats.[29] As Coats said while laughing in disbelief, “OK, that’s going to be special.” Yes, especially with the upcoming U.S. elections.
[A final aside: No one should be using the Kaspersky antivirus software, as it works with Russia’s Federal Security Service.[30]]
[1]Joint News Conference by Trump and Putin: Full Video and Transcript
[2]Trump Trusts Putin’s Denial, but Seven U.S. Intelligence Groups Blame Russia for Election Meddling
[3]Trump, at Putin’s Side, Questions U.S. Intelligence on 2016 Election
[4]Joint News Conference by Trump and Putin: Full Video and Transcript
[5]12 Russian Agents Indicted in Mueller Investigation
[6]Top Republicans in Congress break with Trump over Putin comments
[7]Another Fox News Host Comes Out Against Trump After Putin Presser
[8]Trump Is Being Manipulated by Putin. What Should We Do?
[9]Former CIA Director calls Trump's comments at Putin press conference 'nothing short of treasonous'
[10]Poll: Half of Americans Think Trump Acted ‘Treasonous’ in Helsinki
[11]Senate approves resolution warning Trump not to hand over US officials
[12]WH Hasn’t Ruled Out Putin Offer That Would Target Ex-Ambassador McFaul
[13]WH Hasn’t Ruled Out Putin Offer That Would Target Ex-Ambassador McFaul
[14]Senate approves resolution warning Trump not to hand over US officials
[15]White House now 'disagrees' with handing Americans over to Putin for questioning
[16]Questions mount over Trump-Putin discussions
[17]Trump says defending tiny NATO ally Montenegro could lead to World War III
[19]Russia plotted to overthrow Montenegro's government by assassinating Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic last year, according to senior Whitehall sources
[20]Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation
[21]Russian military intervention in Ukraine (2014–present)
[22]Putin says that Trump gave up Crimea and other parts of Ukraine during their private talk
[23]Congress Snuck New Russia Sanctions Into Spending Bill
[24]White House attempts to clarify Trump’s response to whether Russia is still targeting U.S. elections
[25]DNI Dan Coats repeats assessment that Russians meddled in 2016 election
[26]Trump remark sparks confusion over position on ongoing Russian interference
[27]The Russians Who Hacked The DNC Have Targeted At Least Three 2018 Campaigns, Microsoft Says
[28]Trump vows to hold second meeting with Putin
[29]‘That’s going to be special’: Tensions rise as Trump invites Putin to Washington
[30]Thanks to the courts, at least one Russian influence is getting the boot from government