Senators alarmed by Russian influence on U.S. politics

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico




High-profile Trump campaign witnesses were absent from the hearing after agreeing to behind-the-scenes interviews.

By JOSH GERSTEIN and KYLE CHENEY 07/26/2017 11:52 AM EDT Updated 07/26/2017 01:27 PM EDT

Senators of both parties expressed alarm Wednesday that Russia and other countries are working to influence the U.S. political process — and said that the Justice Department is doing far too little in response.

Their comments came at a long-awaited Senate hearing on foreign influence on U.S. politics, which was earlier set to feature Donald Trump Jr. and Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. The top Trump campaign figures cut deals with the Senate Judiciary Committee to give their testimony behind the scenes, draining much of the drama from the hearing.

Still, lawmakers raised serious concerns about the broader issue at hand, with the June 2016 meeting between Trump Jr., Manafort, Jared Kushner and the Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya hanging over the hearing.

"People should know if foreign governments, political parties or other foreign interests are trying to influence U.S. policy or public opinion," said the panel's GOP chairman, Chuck Grassley of Iowa. "Given recent Russian and other efforts to influence our election this law has never been more important. Unfortunately, it appears the Justice Department and FBI have been seriously lax in enforcement of the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Justice Department officials cannot even agree on what makes a good case for enforcement of the law," Grassley declared.

The committee's ranking Democrat, Dianne Feinstein of California, agreed that too little is being done to make sure people acting for foreign governments are registering.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/26/senators-russia-influence-us-politics-240983

[rockfordfile]

1. I don't buy Grassley is really "concerned".

Grassley is there to obstruct on behalf of Trump, Republicans and Putin.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. His "concern" is nothing more than

a backhand slap at the Obama admin.

[nikibatts]

23. If they were serious they would impeach the treasonous orange pig sitting as President.

[Iliyah]

2. I call bullshit on GOPers

[Dustlawyer]

3. What should it matter, the wealthy Donors call the shots!

[CrispyQ]

4. The GOP will only be concerned if the hack goes in favor of the dems.

Until then, actions speak louder than words.

[Honeycombe8]

5. Grassley's strong words. Words are cheap. I think HE was the one who cancelled Manafort's subpoena,

at the request of Manafort's lawyer, so they could have just a friendly conversation.

I'm catching on. This is the game. Like what McCain did. They say things and talk the talk, but it's their behavior that is telling.

Fact: The Senate has done virtually nothing about Russia's interference in our government. In fact, they just overwhelmingly confirmed Trump's Russian-connected FBI Director nominee to replace Comey. Democrats confirmed him, too.

I know the FBI Director is shady because I SAW him on tv in his confirmation hearing and personally HEARD his answers. Senators represented that he is such a fine fellow who will do his civic duty and not be a loyalist to Trump. That's not what I heard. I heard him falter and hem and haw, trying not to answer questions directly about dealing with Trump and with those in the administration who are approached by a hostile foreign power to work with them against an opponent.

FBI Director's answer as to how he'd handle Trump trying to force him to do something improper, he said he try to talk Trump out of it, and failing that, he'd quit. WRONG ANSWER. Comey said the reason he didn't quit, when faced with that, was because he knew he'd probably be replaced w/someone who WOULD do Trump's personal bidding. So Comey said he wouldn't be doing his job, if he had quit & allowed that. The new FBI Director would just quit and let someone else interfere with the investigation. If you believe he'd quit, which I don't. The new FBI Director Wray IS the replacement Comey was afraid would happen. The one chosen because he will do Trump's bidding.

Now Grassley complains of the DOJ? The Senate has a powerful Intel Committee, of which Grassley is a member I believe, which is supposed to be investigating and DOING something about Russia's interference through the Trump campaign. The Committee that just had "friendly conversations" with alleged conspirators in the White House. And let the conspirators frame the "conversations" and situation publicly in a way that benefits them.

Grassley is full of it.

[BigmanPigman]

9. When will we ever get a non partisan seperate independent commission to

investigate this? The GOP has to pass the bills that were introduced by Dems in Congress months ago. Will they ever pass it? NO!

The citizens need to "Storm the Bastille"/Capitol so to speak. If we don't get heavy handed with the GOP now this joke of a congressional investigation will continue to be a sham and waste of time.

[Honeycombe8]

16. The sham investigations of the House & Senate are costing millions, too.

The taxpayers pay for the salaries of the staff, expenses, the legal expenses for subpoenas and such, service of subpoenas, audio-visual, transportation costs for the Senators, etc. Imagine all those expenses going on for months and months.

All because some idiots elected another idiot to office. A corrupt idiot.

[ancianita]

14. Christopher Wray is an opportunist and not to be trusted.

[Honeycombe8]

17. THank you! Even some in this forum think he seemed just fine. Seriously. nt

[ancianita]

21. Comey and Mueller know what he was up to with Chris Christie and his past days at the FBI.

He's not a crook, but they realize that he compromised with Christie, and that he can fold in the face of paymaster demand. Or maybe through threat.

Doesn't mean he will, but he's got to pick a side. I say, why take the risk.

[RoBear]

6. n/t

Dems are concerned.

but

As for the GOPers (accent on the P) I CALL BULLSHIT!

(Wish we had a "bullshit" smiley)

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

7. Maybe the "justice" Department isn't doing enough because there's a tape of an

elf and hobbit orgy that is being used to blackmail a certain pointy eared individual.

[lame54]

10. The SJC cut deals. What did they get out of the deals?

[JDC]

11. "Alarmed". Meh. They could care less as long as they

have power.

"America First" is fucking Orwellian at this point.

[populistdriven]

20. Alarmed? Do these jackass Senators even know how to read? This was public knowledge 10 months ago!

Link to tweet

[Raastan]

22. Agreed!

Recent reports show russian activity since at least 2000...!$@?

[ancianita]

12. The laxity can't be the entire fault of the FBI. Congressional oversight is nonexistent.

Why don't "business people" register with American embassies before they leave for the U.S.

The diplomatic corps also has to involve itself.

[broadcaster90210]

13. The GOP isn't.

If they were they would have done something by now.

[bronxiteforever]

15. Chuck Grassley, believe him he is a maverick!

[mikeyDE]

18. My internal translator hears

the word Republican within five words of Alarmed or Concerned and returns "I won't do anything about it."

Not that I'm smart, it's just that I pay attention and still have short term memory despite advanced years.

[DFW]

19. Don't believe Republican "anti-kommanism."

No one is more Stalinist than they are. Look at how Stalin ran his government, and at how Trump wants his run.
Blood brothers.