In what could be the beginning of Trump’s end, two men in the President’s inner circle have this week been indicted on charges stemming from the investigation into collusion with Russia during the 2016 election.
For starters ‘what’s an indictment’, you ask…
An indictment is more or less an indication of an official crime. It should go without saying that it’s not something usually associated with the office of the US president.
Listen to The Chaser’s Chas Liciardello deep-dive on what could be the beginning of the end for Trump’s White House. Post continues after audio.
Separate to Manafort and Gates – the two men who were indicted – campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his contact with Russia. And here’s where things get interesting for Trump.
It’s apparent now that Papadopoulos was actually arrested three months ago. And we’ve heard nothing about him since then.
“It’s clear, without being said explicitly, that he’s been ‘co-operating’,” says The Chaser’s Chas Liciardello on our Trump podcast. “Sometimes that means wearing a wire.”
In other words: the fact we’ve heard nothing about him since his arrest three months ago, suggests Mueller, who leads the investigation may have been using Papadopoulos’ anonymity, as ‘a co-operator’.
If people inside Trump’s White House had no idea Papadopoulos had been arrested, they may have continued divulging secret information to him about collusion with Russia which Mueller may now be listening to.
“That would make people in the camp very nervous about what they might have said around Papadopoulos,” says Liciardello.
With any luck, the first few dominoes have fallen.
You can listen the full episode of Tell Me It’s Going To Be OK with Chas Liciardello, below.
Top Comments
Donald Trump is here to stay. He will get an 8 year stint.
Instead of clutching at straws, why don't you sharpen your teeth on some real news and do a story on Hilary Clintons collusion with the Russians......or wouldn't mummy approve???
Well HRC isn’t the President is she, wrong-doing by the President is far more omnipotent and newsworthy.
If Clinton keeps injecting herself into the matter with public comments, she’s a legitimate topic.
Still pathetic to see Trumpists continue to use her to deflect from their own wrong-doing and blame her for everything. At some point, Trump is going to have to take responsibility for his own poor decisions.
Of course all these allegations are from way back before Trump even started his campaign and there's absolutely no indication that they have anything to do with him or his campaign, or the election.
Interestingly I don't think I've seen any coverage here about the revelations that the damaging, yet totally unsubstantiated Russian dossier on Trump that was the basis for the FBI investigation, was actually compiled for the DNC, using DNC funds with the help of the Russians.
So it appears that there was Russian collusion in the election, just it was from the other side.
Interesting don't you think?
You mean the dossier that was originally funded by republican donors? That dossier?
The "dossier" was launched by republican opponents seeking to block Trump, once he won the nomination, the authors went to the Democrats. The dossier was in part about Trump in Russia, not by the Russians about Trump. While mainline news outlets have backed off the accusations contained in the report, it doesn't take much of an imagination to picture Trump in the kind of disgraceful behaviour the report discusses. He has hardly demonstrated a passion for the truth, ethics or any other values, or even shown much of a handle on reality, since elected. What is more, the report has yet to be disproved, folks have simply moved on and Trump has reverted to pissing on the American people, rather than acting as an observer to others golden showers. The sooner the nation is rid of this charlatan, snake oil salesman and his entire entourage, including his trophy wife, rag salesperson daughter, real estate agent son in law and spoiled brat kids, the better. Any russian involvement was against not for the Dems, and at this stage who gives a damn about Hillary anyway. The issue is the guy that won and his failure to live up to anyone's expectations (left or right).
I think it is far more interesting that the executive branch has tried to interfere with the workings of the judicial branch (firing of Comey) in a direct breach of the separation of powers, which the foundation of Westminster democracy.
It is normal practice for candidates in politics to compile a dossier on their competition in an election - that is not illegal. And if claims are made public, but it is made clear that they are unsubstantiated, that is not illegal. Too bad for Trump. He was also “guilty” of making many unsubstantiated claims and using inflammatory rhetoric against his opposition.
Trump is in the White House, he will be held to the highest standards of integrity - including behaviour in the past, and it is within the legislative and judicial powers to hold the executive branch to account, including thoroughly investigating, if there are suspicions and allegations of misconduct. As the most powerful person in the world his past and present conduct must be beyond reproach.
Yeah, the Yanks haven’t been following the Westminster system so closely since 1776, but anyway, Dems should be happy since they were all calling for Comey to be sacked after he announced the investigation into Clinton’s emails was back on because they found some more on Anthony Weiners laptop. Remind us again why the FBI was going through that Democrats laptop?
No, it’s not unusual to do op research, nor is it illegal, unless you are paying a foreign power to do it and hiding the payments from transparent declaration. Anyway, Clinton loves the Russians, she let them buy control of 20% of US Uranium and those Russian associates gave millions to her Foundation. So don’t stress.