# Trump associates may have coordinated with Russians, according to US officials **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 23, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799 "2017-03-23T00:28:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 114
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2264 "2017-09-15T21:49:14Z")
GOP Rep Rohrabacher, who members of his own party believe to be an [an agent of Putin](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/house-majority-leader-to-colleagues-in-2016-i-think-putin-pays-trump/2017/05/17/515f6f8a-3aff-11e7-8854-21f359183e8c_story.html?utm_term=.6bbcef37d0de), attempted to[broker a pardon for Assange from Trump](https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-congressman-sought-trump-deal-on-wikileaks-russia-1505509918)in exchange for some ephemeral evidence that Russia was not responsible for any of the election hacking. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2265 "2017-09-15T22:44:13Z")
Proving a negative: riiiiight. Of course the meat of it would be solid evidence that Trump or his people were willing to trade a pardon (for whatever sort of stuff Assange might proffer as “proof” of that negative). ---
**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:** [September 15, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2266 "2017-09-15T22:58:29Z")
[Facebook gives Mueller more details on Russian ad buys than they gave Congress](https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-gave-special-counsel-robert-mueller-more-details-on-russian-ad-buys-than-congress-1505514552). ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2267 "2017-09-16T13:33:04Z")
If we’re using who Mueller is hiring as any indication of what he has seen, it probably means something that he [just added another lawyer](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/15/another-prosecutor-joins-trump-russia-investigation-242794) to the group. And he happens to be a former Justice Department lawyer who specializes in foreign money laundering. But this is just a nothingburger, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2268 "2017-09-18T02:36:17Z")
This is a can’t miss article. Apparently, Trump’s lawyers are [arguing amongst themselves](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/17/us/politics/trump-lawyers-white-house-russia-mcgahn-ty-cobb.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0) as to how forthcoming to be with investigators. Including discussions of documents locked away in a safe that one of the lawyers is complaining that not all the lawyers have access to. This wasn’t leaked. It was overheard by a NY Times reporter over steak dinner. The article also claims that people in the White House are all worried that everyone else is wearing a wire. So, yeah. Just Sunday night. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2017, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2269 "2017-09-18T06:26:48Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > This is a can’t miss article. Apparently, Trump’s lawyers are [arguing amongst themselves](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/17/us/politics/trump-lawyers-white-house-russia-mcgahn-ty-cobb.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0) as to how forthcoming to be with investigators. Including discussions of documents locked away in a safe that one of the lawyers is complaining that not all the lawyers have access to. I assume that this article will give Mueller complete right to call Cobb in and ask what’s in the safe and then call McGahn and ask for what’s in the safe, able to confirm that it matches what Cobb had described. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2270 "2017-09-18T13:22:42Z")
Here is a little bit more about the Trump lawyers [loudly discussing the investigation](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/09/18/trump-lawyers-spill-beans-after-terrible-restaurant-choice-next-to-nyt/?utm_term=.462cbcf6c1c8) over a meal, including a picture.’ They apparently also discussed the Trump team meeting with Russians in Trump tower stating that "there was no perception that there was an exchange.” I actually kinda believe that if the Trump guys might have bumbled into collusion a little bit at a time and managed to convince themselves that none of it was problematic. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2271 "2017-09-18T23:15:38Z")
First domino about to go: [Manafort Indictment Coming Soon, According to Mueller](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/mueller-russia-investigation.html?mcubz=0). ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2272 "2017-09-19T00:11:11Z")
CNN says [FBI wiretapped Manafort](http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/politics/paul-manafort-government-wiretapped-fisa-russians/index.html) from before the election and up until some time during 2017. > [@](#): > > Some of the intelligence collected includes communications that sparked concerns among investigators that Manafort had encouraged the Russians to help with the campaign, according to three sources familiar with the investigation. Two of these sources, however, cautioned that the evidence is not conclusive. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2273 "2017-09-19T02:45:54Z")
Anyone else intrigued by the abrupt decision by both Trump Jr. and Kellyanne Conway to[cease getting secret service protection](http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/donald-trump-jr-and-kellyanne-conway-reportedly-decline-secret-service-protection/article/2634842)? ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2274 "2017-09-19T03:02:45Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Anyone else intrigued by the abrupt decision by both Trump Jr. and Kellyanne Conway to[cease getting secret service protection](http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/donald-trump-jr-and-kellyanne-conway-reportedly-decline-secret-service-protection/article/2634842)? Planning a vacation in Russia, or some no-extradition country? Or just don’t want to have pretty unimpeachable witnesses around? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2275 "2017-09-19T05:36:49Z")
Its a gesture of defiance of all the threats of violence from Antifas fanatics. They will not be silenced! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2276 "2017-09-19T06:35:11Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Anyone else intrigued by the abrupt decision by both Trump Jr. and Kellyanne Conway to[cease getting secret service protection](http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/donald-trump-jr-and-kellyanne-conway-reportedly-decline-secret-service-protection/article/2634842)? I’m surprised anyone in that whole circus ever accepted protection in the first place. I’m pretty sure that Secret Service agents can be compelled to testify as witnesses. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2277 "2017-09-19T09:58:18Z")
Conway’s role doesn’t traditionally get protection, but she had received a number of threats early on in the administration. The threat level to her has now been deemed to be much lower, so she doesn’t need the same level of security she did before. I have no idea what’s going on with Donnie Jr. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2278 "2017-09-19T10:47:28Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Anyone else intrigued by the abrupt decision by both Trump Jr. and Kellyanne Conway to[cease getting secret service protection](http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/donald-trump-jr-and-kellyanne-conway-reportedly-decline-secret-service-protection/article/2634842)? Perhaps they want to sneak away unobserved for a romantic interlude? Big news. Manafort told he would be indicted. One could look at it two ways: Mueller’s job is to indict people that he thinks are guilty. Could be as simple as that. Or he wants to flip him to go after a bigger fish. A fat orange fish with blond hair. Then we have the two guys in the restaurant talking loudly. Both are high priced lawyers. It seems to me that if they were overheard, they meant to be overheard. Or they aren’t as smart as their salaries indicate. This White House is filled with leakers, blame-shifters, backstabbers, foreign agents, and Methodists. Totally appropriate for a gang headed by a toddler-man. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2279 "2017-09-19T11:12:08Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Then we have the two guys in the restaurant talking loudly. Both are high priced lawyers. It seems to me that if they were overheard, they meant to be overheard. Or they aren’t as smart as their salaries indicate. The problem is that, in this White House, both options are equally plausible. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2280 "2017-09-19T12:01:36Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Here is a little bit more about the Trump lawyers [loudly discussing the investigation](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/09/18/trump-lawyers-spill-beans-after-terrible-restaurant-choice-next-to-nyt/?utm_term=.462cbcf6c1c8) over a meal, including a picture.’ > > They apparently also discussed the Trump team meeting with Russians in Trump tower stating that "there was no perception that there was an exchange.” I actually kinda believe that if the Trump guys might have bumbled into collusion a little bit at a time and managed to convince themselves that none of it was problematic. I bet BLT Steak can’t thank these guys enough. They just became a historic landmark. A definite must on my next trip to DC. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2281 "2017-09-19T12:07:23Z")
> [@Tzigone](#): > > CNN says [FBI wiretapped Manafort](http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/politics/paul-manafort-government-wiretapped-fisa-russians/index.html) from before the election and up until some time during 2017. This is just a stunning revelation. I think we all suspected that Manafort would be under investigation for illegal activities involving his political activities overseas, but one would have assumed that with all of the attention he was getting from the press (and presumably law enforcement as well) back in Summer 2016, he would have wisely watched his comings, goings, and doings after that. The fact that he was a continued focus of federal surveillance suggests ongoing activity. ---
**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:** [September 19, 2017, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2282 "2017-09-19T12:35:14Z")
The other thing about the wiretap is that convos with Trump are included. They raid the mans home… _picking his lock and entering the home unannounced_… 6 months after wiretapping his conversations with the President elect. A number of people are upset about the CNN story because it’s written in such a way as to suggest the leaker was part of the team who handled the FISA warrant: [https://lawfareblog.com/latest-scoops-cnn-and-new-york-times-quick-and-dirty-analysis](https://lawfareblog.com/latest-scoops-cnn-and-new-york-times-quick-and-dirty-analysis) (About 1/2 way down) > [@](#): > > The CNN story is a different matter. The story discloses FISA wiretaps against a named U.S. person. Whatever Paul Manafort may have done, he is a citizen of this country, and this is an egregious civil liberties violation. It’s also a significant compromise of national security information. Simply put, FISA information should never leak. When it does, it erodes the systems through which the government protects national security—and it rightly erodes public confidence that the systems designed to protect civil liberties work as intended. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2017, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/2283 "2017-09-19T13:47:40Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > First domino about to go: > > [Manafort Indictment Coming Soon, According to Mueller](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/mueller-russia-investigation.html?mcubz=0). Key question is whether the indictment is in connection with Manafort’s activities on behalf of the Trump campaign. If it is, then the excitement is justified. If not, then it’s probably no big deal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=113) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=115)