# Leaked report of Russian blackmail of Trump **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 10, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846 "2017-01-10T23:59:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/501 "2017-02-14T02:42:55Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Actually one reason Flynn is thought to be on very thin ice these days is because he apparently misled senior members of the administration about what was discussed on his calls. Not [anymore, apparently.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/world/national-security/justice-department-warned-white-house-that-flynn-could-be-vulnerable-to-russian-blackmail-officials-say/2017/02/13/fc5dab88-f228-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html) “The current and former officials said that although they believed that Pence was misled about the contents of Flynn’s communications with the Russian ambassador, they couldn’t rule out that Flynn was acting with the knowledge of others in the transition.” ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/502 "2017-02-14T02:45:33Z")
> [@Fubaya](#): > > Did you see their amateur hour security fumbling over the weekend? [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/us/politics/donald-trump-administration.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/us/politics/donald-trump-administration.html) I’m just imagining how 9/11 could have been different if, when GWB was watching that book about goats being read to the elementary school class, Andy Card walked out and whispered in his ear about the terrorist attacks… and then instead of freezing, President Bush could have said, “Bring out the signals intelligence! Hey kids, huddle around and let’s read this!” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/503 "2017-02-14T02:56:16Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Not [anymore, apparently.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/world/national-security/justice-department-warned-white-house-that-flynn-could-be-vulnerable-to-russian-blackmail-officials-say/2017/02/13/fc5dab88-f228-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html) > > “The current and former officials said that although they believed that Pence was misled about the contents of Flynn’s communications with the Russian ambassador, they couldn’t rule out that Flynn was acting with the knowledge of others in the transition.” Yeah, I don’t believe Flynn would have done that without a go-ahead from Trump. Pence should go down just to teach him a lesson about selling his honor. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/504 "2017-02-14T03:26:06Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Not [anymore, apparently.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/world/national-security/justice-department-warned-white-house-that-flynn-could-be-vulnerable-to-russian-blackmail-officials-say/2017/02/13/fc5dab88-f228-11e6-8d72-263470bf0401_story.html) > > “The current and former officials said that although they believed that Pence was misled about the contents of Flynn’s communications with the Russian ambassador, they couldn’t rule out that Flynn was acting with the knowledge of others in the transition.” That article also reports that outgoing members of the Obama administration, including Deputy Attorney General Yates, warned the Trump administration about Flynn’s contacts with Russia late last month. What did the President know, and when did he know it? We’re gonna be hearing some version of that a lot in the future, I hope. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/505 "2017-02-14T03:52:10Z")
I’m curious. Let’s say the transcript of the phone call between Flynn and the Russians is leaked and we have proof that the guy violated the Logan Act, but Trump doesn’t fire him. What happens next? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/506 "2017-02-14T03:55:45Z")
I love that this is the top news on all news sites, except Foxnews where the most important article at the top of the page is: “SPEED CAMERA PAYBACK Judge orders Ohio village to pay back $3 million to lead-footed drivers” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/507 "2017-02-14T04:00:27Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I’m curious. > > Let’s say the transcript of the phone call between Flynn and the Russians is leaked and we have proof that the guy violated the Logan Act, but Trump doesn’t fire him. What happens next? What happens next is Flynn has resigned. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/508 "2017-02-14T04:00:28Z")
Flynn [http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/13/politics/michael-flynn-justice-department-warning/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/13/politics/michael-flynn-justice-department-warning/index.html) just resigned. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/509 "2017-02-14T04:02:12Z")
Good, fuck him. Now keep digging and get the rest of the administration. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/510 "2017-02-14T04:11:04Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Good, fuck him. > > Now keep digging and get the rest of the administration. Is there any reason to believe that Flynn is particularly loyal to anyone in the administration? ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/511 "2017-02-14T04:13:17Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Is there any reason to believe that Flynn is particularly loyal to anyone in the administration? Hell, there’s not much reason to believe Flynn is particularly loyal to the country. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/512 "2017-02-14T04:17:38Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Is there any reason to believe that Flynn is particularly loyal to anyone in the administration? Well, his main goal for the administration was war on Islam. I think the same is true of Bannon, so it’s unlikely Flynn would want to undermine that by talking. Unless he’s super vindictive. Or, if he eventually faces charges, maybe he talks for leniency? Not holding my breath, but we’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/513 "2017-02-14T04:19:50Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Is there any reason to believe that Flynn is particularly loyal to anyone in the administration? If he flies over to Moscow and starts a new life as a Russian advisor, then the answer would be yes. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/514 "2017-02-14T04:22:17Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Is there any reason to believe that Flynn is particularly loyal to anyone in the administration? Is there reason to believe anyone in the administration is loyal to anyone in the administration? Or this country? ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/515 "2017-02-14T04:41:03Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Is there any reason to believe that Flynn is particularly loyal to anyone in the administration? This. Will Moscow Mike keep his mouth shut? Or sing like a birdy? Tweet tweet tweet… ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/516 "2017-02-14T04:42:25Z")
I love his [resignation letter](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/13/us/politics/document-Michael-Flynn-Resignation-Letter.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur) where somewhere between paragraphs 1 and 2, he skips the part where he collaborated with the Russians. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/517 "2017-02-14T05:28:20Z")
1. Place call to various people 2. ??? 3. Report to Pence ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/518 "2017-02-14T05:46:06Z")
Well, Flynn had a good run…almost a month. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/519 "2017-02-14T05:54:37Z")
Does this mean that Trump knew? > > [@](#): > > Donald J. Trump‏ @realDonaldTrump > > Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart! > 2:41 PM · Dec 30, 2016 ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2017, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/520 "2017-02-14T05:55:30Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > No need to try again. I said it was 100% speculation and your response is more speculation. It’s nice of you to help make my point for me, but unnecessary. Really? You’re claiming a perfect equivalency between your speculation that we don’t need to be concerned about this administration, and mine that we need to see his tax returns? It’s not speculation that he promised to produce them, that all prior candidates have done so, and that he is in a position where he cannot alleviate the problems he and his administration has without doing so. So your point is that…What was your point again? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846.md?page=27)