Tag: Russia

Credit: forward.com

Misogynistic

Moronic

Outspoken

President

The Trump phenomenon.

Here are just a few superlatives that voters, analysts, political scientists and the general public have used to describe Mr. Trump.

Some still can’t comprehend how he won. For many, it has given them hope. The fact that you can repeatedly lie and fear-monger a section of people to push through your agenda? Opponents have stated that he has not said one thing of substance, to make them consider him for the most powerful job in the world, during the campaign or as acting POTUS. Political commentators and analysts have criticised Bush for his policies, as well as Obama. However, some say that the “political landscape has completely changed” and that “rules have been re-written”, since Trump has arrived in the White House.

The many faces of Donald Trump, from a GOP debate. Credit: CNN Politics

We have seen Trump evade so much, throughout his lifetime, surviving many scandals and controversies, to deflecting attention away from his business dealings, in and out of government. Some have argued that it is partly due to his name and his organisation that has made him “untouchable”. More recently, Presidential privilege has been a significant factor.

However, are his days numbered?

Will he be the second US post-war President to be impeached?

Is there another Watergate on the horizon?

Would Mike Pence be an improvement?

Voters and political commentators have said that if he was elected, he would get voted out at the next election or not survive a full first term.

The latter seems to be the consensus currently, but the question is why?

Bill Clinton remains the only post-war President to be impeached. Will Trump be next? Credit: CBS News

Some have said it’s because of his basic lack of knowledge, generally and politically and his inability to show at least a “smidge” of succinct policy understanding, in any field.

Others have said it’s because of his dodgy business deals in the past. For example, the POTUS has repeatedly refused to show his tax returns to the public, despite there being no valid reason why he should not.

However, I think the main reason he would and is going to leave the White House, is due to his ties to Russia.

Here’s why….

DNC HACKING

Emails. Emails. Emails.

Clinton lost due to her emails?

I feel that a Trump victory came to fruition due to his claim that Clinton was this “dishonest, corrupt and CROOKED” politician.

This is true, because after a hack, it was revealed that the Democratic National Convention (DNC) had been hacked by an individual under the persona “Guccifer 2.0”. Guccifer 2.0 claimed that he was Romanian like his predecessor “Guccifer”, who in 2013, had started the Hillary e-mail scandal.

Was Russia behind all of this or like some have argued, was it just an everyday hacker that wanted to see Hillary Clinton fall? Credit: ABC News

2.0 denied involvement, claiming he was Romanian like his infamous predecessor.

However, after investigation from many cyber-security firms and CIA, they claimed that it was the Russians that were behind the hack, using the name to cover up their misdemeanours.

On 10^th April 2017, a Russian hacker was arrested in connection to this scandal.

Russian hacker arrested in Spain upon US request: BBC NEWS

Will there be more revelations?

TRUMP ADMIN TEAM

When Trump decided on his Cabinet appointments, many of his selections have been considered odd and dangerous, due to their respective histories personally and in government. Some have argued that this is the messiest transition of power in US history.

Michael Flynn who was Trump’s national security advisor first made me realise that this “Russian problem” was a bit suspicious. Initially, commentators were a bit sceptical to Russia’s involvement. However, much of the public now feel that they had a massive influence. Flynn was revealed to have had contact with Russian officials, including Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak and to have lied about this to VP Mike Pence. He resigned as he faced pressure from many Democrats, who said that his position was untenable. Later, in March, when Flynn offered to testify in exchange for immunity from prosecution, a lot of people knew that something was up.

Contemplation. Kislyak allegedly had contact with the Michael Flynn. Credit: The New Yorker

Later, people had recalled him earlier stating in 2016, that anyone that is granted immunity, “has probably committed a crime”.

Jefferson Beauregard Sessions from Alabama.

A man that has made questionable remarks in the past. He once said that one particular organisation (known for their white robes and horrific actions against African Americans) were okay, until he realised they “smoked marijuana.” (1)

Yet, he’s appointed Attorney General, who deal with legal affairs in the Justice Department.

During his confirmation hearing, he was asked whether he had contacted Russians during the election campaign. He denied this. However, his lies came to haunt him, when it was it revealed that he did indeed have contact. He too faced calls for resignation, when it was revealed that he had lied under oath. Sessions initially denied this again, however he later said that he would “recuse” himself from investigation into the Russian interference of the US election.

This is the first time any Attorney General has had to “recuse” his or herself, from any investigation.

Former Senator for Alabama, Jeff Sessions said under oath that he did not have contact with the Russians. Credit: The Hill

PUTIN

Have you noticed that Trump has repeatedly mentioned Putin despite not even being asked about him?

Could this just be an extensive admiration for a “tough-guy” figure that has been described as authoritarian by critics.

It has been proven that Trump contradicts himself all the time. However, with Putin, he has done this on multiple occasions.

e.g. Oct 2015 – Trump tells a commentator that he met Putin a long time ago and that he was a “nice guy”.

July 2016 – Trump tells CBS that he doesn’t know Trump and that he’s never spoken to him.

On more than 5 occasions has Trump alleged meeting with Putin, then later stating that he’s never met him. Like many, I do not know if he’s lying or if he genuinely cannot remember what he has said….

Putin has repeatedly denied any Russian government involvement in the US election. Credit: NBC News.

To conclude, it doesn’t look too good for him, does it? From my perspective, I think that if he does get impeached, not only will everything in his government be revealed, but his deals and any other scandals will pop up again.

It may just be the most remarkable political story yet….

(1) The Guardian. (2018). Jeff Sessions to crack down on legalized marijuana, ending Obama-era policy. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/04/jeff-sessions-to-crack-down-on-legalized-marijuana-ending-obama-era-policy [Accessed 9 Oct. 2023].