# 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:** 166
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3304 "2017-12-14T17:27:20Z")
See, that’s the frustrating thing. Everybody knew that _before_ the election. ---
**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:** [December 14, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3305 "2017-12-14T17:28:53Z")
Obviously not “everybody”. ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3306 "2017-12-15T04:48:38Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > > [@Randolph](#): > > > > [Doubting the intelligence, Trump pursues Putin and leaves a Russian threat unchecked](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/world/national-security/donald-trump-pursues-vladimir-putin-russian-election-hacking/). > > If you ask me… See, that’s the frustrating thing. Nobody asked you. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2017, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3307 "2017-12-15T12:30:06Z")
I don’t think I can recall a time when the Department of Justice aided and abetting the target(s) of a federal criminal investigation. > **[An FBI agent’s anti-Trump text messages pose a growing threat to the Mueller...](https://www.vox.com/2017/12/13/16772884/mueller-text-messages-trump-fbi-russia-investigation)** > > Former Russia probe investigator Peter Strzok’s texts have been released and they’re stirring up controversy. Clearly the text dump from the DoJ to Congress - a selective one at that - is an attempt to discredit Mueller’s team and undermine his investigation. That seems to be the strategy - to sow doubts in the minds of the public about the fairness and objectivity of an investigation. Director Wray explained at great length that there are procedures in place that counter individual agent bias, which is why they work in teams and why there is an inspector general with oversight over process. This is one reason why agents are allowed to have private opinions, because they all know that their work has to meet certain standards regardless of what their own political leanings are. The bias is coming from the blatantly political wings of the agencies, namely the current leadership. Unfortunately, it seems that the efforts to undermine the investigation might, in fact, be working. About 54 percent now say that Mueller has a conflict of interest > **[Poll: 54 percent say Mueller has conflict of interest](https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/364931-poll-54-percent-say-mueller-has-conflict-of-interest/)** > > A majority of polled voters say special counsel Robert Mueller has a conflict of interest because of his past ties to former FBI Director James Comey, according to the latest Harvard CAPS-Harr… It’s not difficult to imagine that there will come a point at which the investigation runs into a wall. They’ll try to say “Nothing to see here, folks. Show’s over.” The Republicans - not just Trump but all Republicans - realize that next year’s elections are not going to be their friend. They have an urgent need to shut down the investigation and to suspend the rule of law, to further their corrupt misrule. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3308 "2017-12-15T14:04:29Z")
> [@Randolph](#): > > See, that’s the frustrating thing. Nobody asked you. I sometimes feel the one saving grace of clichés and hackneyed lines is that they give people who have nothing of their own to contribute a chance to participate. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3309 "2017-12-15T14:55:26Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I sometimes feel… Free advice: if people are saying you talk too much, talking more isn’t the way to deal with that. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3310 "2017-12-15T14:58:48Z")
Your mistake there is in thinking that winning over people like yourself is some sort of goal. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3311 "2017-12-15T15:14:25Z")
Knock off the personal jabs, everyone. This isn’t the pit. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3312 "2017-12-16T06:01:44Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Knock off the personal jabs, everyone. This isn’t the pit. > > [/moderating] I apologize… I thought it was. That sounds lame, but there’s a Pit thread dealing with the same issues, and I’ve had them both open in adjacent tabs for weeks. [Check it out, folks](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=840203&page=26) – you can never have too much political drama… ---
**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:** [December 17, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3313 "2017-12-17T17:01:06Z")
It’s widely reported that Mueller will be fired Friday. If (when) this happens, what will happen? Can/will the FBI pick up the investigation? Who will prosecute the indictments already handed down? Will it be pardons for everybody and fuck democracy? It seems to me that unless Democrats retake the House, Donald will get away with his assault on democracy and the US will become a dictatorship. Republicans have previously said that firing Mueller will be a very serious thing, but many have attacked his credibility in order to justify this firing. I think they roll over and play dead- they’re fine with a dictator as long as millionaires avoid paying taxes and as long as minorities get the shaft. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3314 "2017-12-17T17:14:01Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > It’s widely reported that Mueller will be fired Friday. It is? I’m not saying I know you’re wrong, I’m just wondering where this is being widely reported. The Washington Post? The New York Times? ---
**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:** [December 17, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3315 "2017-12-17T17:17:04Z")
It’s the hot rumor on MSNBC. [The Hill](http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/365247-rep-speier-rumors-say-trump-could-fire-mueller-before-christmas) has a little bit on it. > [@](#): > > Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) said Friday that “rumors” on Capitol Hill suggest President Trump could fire special counsel Robert Mueller before Christmas, after Congress leaves Washington for the winter recess. > > “The rumor on the Hill when I left yesterday was that the president was going to make a significant speech at the end of next week. And on Dec. 22, when we are out of D.C., he was going to fire Robert Mueller," Speier told California’s KQED News. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3316 "2017-12-17T17:22:38Z")
If it happens, the Christmas Riots of 2017 will be a major event in American history. What political logic says that this sort of move is good when the entire population has a three day weekend free to protest? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3317 "2017-12-17T17:24:11Z")
How would he even fire him in a single day? Wouldn’t he have to fire Rosenstein, then replace him (who’s next in line?), and then have that person fire Mueller, which they may not agree to? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3318 "2017-12-17T17:39:07Z")
It’s firings all the way down. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3319 "2017-12-17T17:39:32Z")
Hasn’t December 22 been reserved as the day to shut down the government? Will anyone be at work to fire? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3320 "2017-12-17T17:45:39Z")
It’s been reported that some Democrats are saying Trump will fire Mueller. They’ve been saying that for some time now, so I’m not seeing anything new. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3321 "2017-12-17T18:00:13Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > If it happens, the Christmas Riots of 2017 will be a major event in American history. > > What political logic says that this sort of move is good when the entire population has a three day weekend free to protest? Everyone will be too busy opening presents, drinking egg nog, and convincing themselves this is all normal. A few protests will be organized, there will be violence “on many sides, on many sides,” then as a people we will once again be distracted by small shiny objects. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3322 "2017-12-17T18:12:59Z")
Trump and Putin have talked on the phone twice in the past four days. Once, Trump called Putin to say thanks for praising him on the stock market. Once, Putin called Trump to say thanks for passing on information from the CIA. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/3323 "2017-12-17T18:20:06Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > It’s been reported that some Democrats are saying Trump will fire Mueller. They’ve been saying that for some time now, so I’m not seeing anything new. What’s new is that Republicans and the state media (Fox) have been impugning the character of Mueller for weeks now. They’ve been priming the pump and they’re going to do in on a great day to dump a big story, when the country heads into a holiday weekend. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=165) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=167)