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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDemocrats say John Bolton worked with Russian Maria Butina.
Link to tweet
Caroline O.
@RVAwonk
NEW: Top Democrats on the House Oversight Committee & Subcommittee on National Security have requested info regarding national security adviser John Bolton's security clearance after it was revealed that he worked with alleged Russian spy Maria Butina.https://democrats-oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/top-democrats-seek-information-on-bolton-s-security-clearance-after-revelation
11:14 AM - Aug 20, 2018
Press release:
https://democrats-oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/top-democrats-seek-information-on-bolton-s-security-clearance-after-revelation
Top Democrats Seek Information on Boltons Security Clearance After Revelation That He Worked With Russian Citizen Now Exposed as Spy
Aug 20, 2018 Press Release
Washington, D.C. (Aug. 20, 2018)Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Security, sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly requesting documents relating to whether National Security Advisor John Bolton reported his previous work with Maria Butina, a Russian citizen now exposed as a spy.
The Oversight Committee has previously investigated widespread failures by the Trump White House to adequately vet top national security officials for their Russian contacts, including Boltons predecessor, former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. President Trump failed to suspend Flynns security clearance for several weeks after the Department of Justice informed the White House that Flynn was under criminal investigation for lying about his secret communications with the Russian Ambassador. Flynn ultimately pleaded guilty to making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his secret communications.
On July 16, 2018, Maria Butina was arrested for acting as a Russian agent inside the United States. According to the Department of Justice, Butina worked to arrange introductions to U.S. persons having influence in American politics, including an organization promoting gun rights, for the purpose of advancing the agenda of the Russian Federation.
Butina reportedly acted as an agent of Alexander Torshin, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the deputy governor of the Bank of Russia. According to an affidavit by an FBI agent, Butina and Torshin planned to advance Moscows long-term strategic objectives in the United States, in part, by establishing relationships with American political organizations, including the GUN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION [the NRA].
In 2013, Bolton agreed to participate by video at a roundtable forum on gun rights organized by Ms. Butina. This roundtable reportedly was sponsored by a Russian organization known as Right to Bear Arms, and Bolton reportedly participated at the request of then-NRA President David Keene. Keane had appointed Bolton to lead the NRAs Subcommittee on International Affairs in 2011. In his video, Bolton expressed support for amending the Russian constitution to include broader gun rights and offered the Russian people encouragement as you consider embracing that freedom.
In order to obtain access to classified information, government employees must submit Standard Form 86 (SF-86), Questionnaire for National Security Positions. The SF-86 explains: All questions on this form must be answered completely and truthfully. In addition, it warns applicants that The U.S. Criminal Code (title 18, section 1001) provides that knowingly falsifying or concealing a material fact is a felony which may result in fines and/or up to five (5) years imprisonment.
Applicants must provide a wide range of information about their contacts with foreign citizens, foreign business and professional activities, foreign government contacts, and any advice they provided or consultancy arrangements they had with foreign entities.
Applicants also typically provide additional information directly to the Executive Office of the President as part of their applications for employment at the White House.
The Ranking Members requested several categories of documents and information provided by Bolton on his security clearance forms and other White House vetting materials.
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)did not know and play VICTIM.
Response to pnwmom (Original post)
RestoreAmerica2020 This message was self-deleted by its author.
malaise
(269,008 posts)NOW
MineralMan
(146,317 posts)And they just moved her to a new jail, too. Gosh, could those two things be connected? What could go wrong, I wonder?
This is inconvenient, see. I mean John Bolton, like, has a really important job in the Trump Administration. What was it? Oh, yes, he's the National Security Advisor for Trump. And now he may be tied to a Russian spy-type? Very inconvenient, this. Very inconvenient, indeed.
world wide wally
(21,743 posts)Coincidence?
I think not
Crutchez_CuiBono
(7,725 posts)this public game that don ivan started w the random and capricious and probably illegal withdrawl of Brennans Security Clearance is going to have a domino effect, and will lead to a brain drain in Intelligence and will create a LOT of freestylers that can trade on their knowledge as "consultants" then...from everyone from Blackwater(or whatever) to russia. LEts deal with the problem, don ivan. When he steps down or is arrested, all these ugly people can go with him.
don ivan needs to be removed bc the alternative is just far to costly to America as a whole. He needs to find the will, and just resign.
Turbineguy
(37,332 posts)Is that what they call it now?
MineralMan
(146,317 posts)Either that or "working iniquity," as the Bible has it. Jesus, himself, is supposed to have said, "Depart from me, ye who work iniquity!" Maybe that's a call for Bolton to leave that position. But, then, who can say, really?
edbermac
(15,939 posts)Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)PaulX2
(2,032 posts)Just Ask Rudy.
sandensea
(21,635 posts)And she certainly "satisfied" her clients.
rurallib
(62,416 posts)that an investigation will go anywhere?
edhopper
(33,580 posts)rurallib
(62,416 posts)With a democratic chair, I will bet there will be an investigation