Trump Pressed Obama State Dept. to Ease Russia Sanctions

[barn32]

"When Donald Trump took office, most of the government was still staffed by Barack Obama's appointees. And, according to news reports that broke this week, one of the new President's first items of business was to press the State Department on easing or completely removing the sanctions that had been imposed on Russia following their invasion of the Ukraine. So aggressive were the overtures from Trump and his staff that the Obama appointees became alarmed, and asked members of Congress, particularly Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)—ranking minority member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—for help. He responded by introducing a bill in the Senate that would have made it much harder for Trump to reduce the pressure on Russia. Little progress was made on Cardin's legislation, because Michael Flynn found himself in hot water and then fired less than a week later. This put the Russia issue on the national radar, and made it politically impossible for the administration to press forward with lifting the sanctions at that time.

This is, of course, another piece in the puzzle that is currently being put together by Robert Mueller and others. There are going to be dozens of current and former State Dept. officials who can and will testify as to what happened. And that means that there now exists overwhelming evidence of four things: (1) There were extensive, and often secret, contacts among the Trump campaign and the Russians; (2) The Russians interfered with the election to the benefit of Trump; (3) Trump endeavored to kill the sanctions on Russia; and (4) Trump endeavored to kill the investigation into all of this. We are getting to the point—if we're not already there—that it is impossible to believe that there is no causal relationship between these things. And if that causal relationship exists, Trump and his team are guilty of impeachable offenses and, very likely, criminal acts. Their lawyers are certainly going to earn their retainers. (Z)"


Link (http://www.electoral-vote.com/)

[JustRalph]

Bullshit, he was a newly elected President. He can push for whatever decision he wants on sanctions. Another bit of impeachment Porn for the left to suck on while they wait for their total anihilation

[chrisl]

Barns post is so structured crap. Every wants to sweep underneath the carpet about Mr. O and his Iran payoff and behind the door deals. Liberalism is a mental disorder.

[Tom]

Let us not forget that Obama secretly delivered unmarked skids money in the dead of night to the worlds' number one sponsor of terrorism. A nation that once held Americans hostage.

That tells me all I need to know about HUSSEIN OBama - now the new #1 terrorism sponsor.

GDBO to HELL. He has a reserved seat.

[Ocala Mike]

barn32, save your breath and your typing. The denizens of this forum don't want to hear it or read it.

Might be an interesting week, though, if Comey testifies.

[OntheRail]

Bullshit, he was a newly elected President. He can push for whatever decision he wants on sanctions. Another bit of impeachment Porn for the left to suck on while they wait for their total anihilation

I agree 100%.... more wet dreams. What Robert Mueller will uncover is the underhanded dirt dealing Obama acolytes and their trechery.

[delayjf]

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)—ranking minority member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—for help. He responded by introducing a bill in the Senate that would have made it much harder for Trump to reduce the pressure on Russia

Can you provide a link to the bill you reference above - I've looked and could not find it.

[barn32]

Can you provide a link to the bill you reference above - I've looked and could not find it.This is all I have...for now.


"The lobbying effort produced some immediate results: On Feb. 7, Cardin and Sen. Lindsay Graham introduced bipartisan legislation to bar the administration from granting sanctions relief without first submitting a proposal to do so for congressional review. “Russia has done nothing to be rewarded with sanctions relief,” Graham said in a statement at the time. If the U.S. were to lift sanctions without “verifiable progress” by Russia in living up to agreements in Ukraine, “we would lose all credibility in the eyes of our allies in Europe and around the world,”


Full Article (https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-administrations-secret-efforts-ease-russia-sanctions-fell-short-231301145.html)

[Tom]

As a private citizen, why would there be any concern at all that he might have asked to have sanctions lifted anyway?

And as POTUS, it is his damn right to lift them.

So I ask, what are you smoking?

[Greyfox]

There are two sides to Russia's invasion of Crimea.
Russia signed an agreement with the Ukrainian government to cede Crimea in exchange for return of nuclear weapons.
That was done.
However, in 2014 the elected Ukrainian government was overthrown by a coup that the United States was behind from the start.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/washington-was-behind-ukraine-coup-obama-admits-that-us-brokered-a-deal-in-support-of-regime-change/5429142

The government that replaced Viktor YanuVkovych's legally elected government was viewed as illegitimate by the Russians. The new rulers were not elected, and not representative of the people.
Technically, it was illegitimate.
Putin had no agreements to honor with any coup.
So Putin seized the Crimea, where large numbers of citizens are Russians, and which Russia needed for ports.
Sanctions were then put in place by the West on Russia.
Many may disagree with me, but I can see where Putin has a valid point.

[Show Me the Wire]

There are two sides to Russia's invasion of Crimea.
Russia signed an agreement with the Ukrainian government to cede Crimea in exchange for return of nuclear weapons.
That was done.
However, in 2014 the elected Ukrainian government was overthrown by a coup that the United States was behind from the start.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/washington-was-behind-ukraine-coup-obama-admits-that-us-brokered-a-deal-in-support-of-regime-change/5429142

The government that replaced Viktor YanuVkovych's legally elected government was viewed as illegitimate by the Russians. The new rulers were not elected, and not representative of the people.
Technically, it was illegitimate.
Putin had no agreements to honor with any coup.
So Putin seized the Crimea, where large numbers of citizens are Russians, and which Russia needed for ports.
Sanctions were then put in place by the West on Russia.
Many may disagree with me, but I can see where Putin has a valid point.

Excellent post :ThmbUp:

[PaceAdvantage]

You know, the way the left has played this whole "Russia" thing, nobody really cares anymore. Unless you actually have a picture of Trump, being what Colbert accused Trump of being in his tawdry little on-air rant a little while back, it will all amount to ZERO in the end.

And you're not going to convert anyone who voted for Trump, at least with this whole Russia thing.

It will all have been a total waste of time and money. But Democrats are good at that (so are Republicans).

Ralph pegged it when he deemed it "impeachment porn." That's exactly what it is for the left and the Trump haters.

So, either you produce something concrete or it's about time to shut the hell up about all of this nonsense.

You're all gonna end up like Kathy Griffin in the end...you realize this?

Unless you actually have something. And after all this time, if you actually had something, we would all know it by now.

I'll be waiting though...so let me know when the true moment arrives.

[tucker6]

Just think of the Trump advertisements in 2020. He can quote the $X millions spent on the Russian charade and rub their noses in it. All the while repeating his drain the swamp mantra. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he did some of that in 2018. The democrats are literally putting all their eggs in this basket because they sure aren't governing whatsoever.

Sometimes I think Trump is the world's greatest trolling artist. The dems are completely consumed by these side issues which Trump occasionally throws gasoline on, and as they swoon over this stuff, he's off changing the world and building his record. It's actually quite funny. I believe the most we get out of all this is some charges against the leakers.

[classhandicapper]

I agree with greyfox. I am in favor of dropping sanctions on Russia over Ukraine. The only reason Russia went into Crimea to begin with was the western imperialist goal of expanding NATO with former Soviet satellites and moving closer and closer to the Russian border. When the west started interfering in Ukraine, that was the last straw. Russia will always act in its own self interest and defend it's borders. Those interests may sometimes conflict with US interests, but it was the west that started this conflict. I see no upside to this for the US/Europe. We are basically driving China and Russia into each other arms to do business. We are getting nothing out of it and it was all our fault to begin with.

The democrats are morons and the neocons are the most dangerous men in the world.

[barn32]

So, either you produce something concrete or it's about time to shut the hell up about all of this nonsense.Good luck with that. :pound:

Unless you actually have something. And after all this time, if you actually had something, we would all know it by now.

I'll be waiting though...so let me know when the true moment arrives.Robert Mueller will fill you in. Stay tuned.

[By the way, the Watergate burglary happened on Sept. 3rd, 1971 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Watergate_scandal). Sometime in 1972 Woodward and Berstein began their reporting. Nixon resigned on April, 9th, 1974.

These things take time.]

[PaceAdvantage]

You know what else takes time? Constipation.

[Ocala Mike]

What barn32 said. Good scandals are like wine; they develop into something substantial with age or else they turn to vinegar and are discarded (like Benghazi, Hillary's e-mails, and pizzagate).

Let's see what happens on Thursday, if Trump doesn't stop Comey from testifying.

[tucker6]

What barn32 said. Good scandals are like wine; they develop into something substantial with age or else they turn to vinegar and are discarded (like Benghazi, Hillary's e-mails, and pizzagate).

Let's see what happens on Thursday, if Trump doesn't stop Comey from testifying.

Why should he stop Comey?

[barn32]

Why should he stop Comey?Because he takes his advice from a Kracker Jack Box and the Magic Eight Ball...:lol::lol::lol:

[PaceAdvantage]

Because he takes his advice from a Kracker Jack Box and the Magic Eight Ball...:lol::lol::lol:It's cool that you get all your news from Saturday Night Live...

[reckless]

There are two sides to Russia's invasion of Crimea.
Russia signed an agreement with the Ukrainian government to cede Crimea in exchange for return of nuclear weapons.
That was done.
However, in 2014 the elected Ukrainian government was overthrown by a coup that the United States was behind from the start.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/washington-was-behind-ukraine-coup-obama-admits-that-us-brokered-a-deal-in-support-of-regime-change/5429142

The government that replaced Viktor YanuVkovych's legally elected government was viewed as illegitimate by the Russians. The new rulers were not elected, and not representative of the people.
Technically, it was illegitimate.
Putin had no agreements to honor with any coup.
So Putin seized the Crimea, where large numbers of citizens are Russians, and which Russia needed for ports.
Sanctions were then put in place by the West on Russia.
Many may disagree with me, but I can see where Putin has a valid point.

Thanks for the post Greyfox, of which the smartypants and bloggers on here will patently ignore.

To the insane left that promote this 'Russia'-Trump hoax, something always gets in the way.

By in the way I’m referring to the fact that knowledge and truth is the number one antidote to bullshit.

[Ocala Mike]

Anyway, his (Trump's) lawyers prevailed, and it looks like Comey will be testifying barring a last-minute reversal.

Stay tuned for a monumental tweetstorm from fearless leader that day contemporaneous with the testimony, unless someone intervenes and confiscates his phone.

[JustRalph]

I think they are letting Comey open his mouth just in case he commits perjury

[tucker6]

I think they are letting Comey open his mouth just in case he commits perjury

Exactly. The person on the hot seat is Comey. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He better bring all his memos over 3.5 years so that we see he does it every time, and that he's being truthful. Trump was right about Comey. He thinks himself important and plays to the cameras. I just hope Congress has airtight questions because he's great at evading anything that isn't absolutely specific.

[Greyfox]

Comey has to be very careful in giving testimony.
He can't say "Trump obstructed justice!"
If Trump had done that it was Comey's sworn duty to take a charge of that nature elsewhere. He didn't.
Also, Comey is a lawyer. Theoretically when Trump asked him for advice privately or shared private information, Trump becomes a "client." Yes the situation is unusual in that it was not a normal lawyer-client situation, but professional ethics still dictate that lawyer-client privilege or privacy still has to be honored.
At the same time, Comey must be terribly hurt by the firing.
It is probably the biggest insult and embarrassment that he has had in a career that is otherwise star-studded with achievements.
He has to be angry about what happened and he'll try to put the knife in Trump with a velvet glove- smoothly, sophisticated, and deep.
In the meanwhile, Trump should avoid tweeting at all costs during and after Comey's testimony. But can he?

[tucker6]

In the meanwhile, Trump should avoid tweeting at all costs during and after Comey's testimony. But can he?

Not sure Trump should stop tweeting. He's mocking the whole establishment for this charade via his dismissiveness. Why would or should he stop? To start acting serious is to give legitimacy to the investigation.

[ElKabong]

barn32, save your breath and your typing. The denizens of this forum don't want to hear it or read it.

Might be an interesting week, though, if Comey testifies.

He's on stage now, not interesting at all. You're disappointed by this, I know...., but you're getting used to that sensation by now :)

[Tom]

Yes, we now know for certain the the AG Lynch was actively using her office to influence the election.

Isn't that what your guys have your pnties in a wad about?
Only turns out it wasn't a Russian, it was Clinton stooge who done did it! :pound::pound::pound:

So, when are you guys going to call for a special prosecutor to looking to the OBAMA meddling affair?

So far, the ONLY evidence about anything has been on the DEMS interfering. You owe Trump an apology.

[Ocala Mike]

He's on stage now, not interesting at all. You're disappointed by this, I know...., but you're getting used to that sensation by now :)

Testimony was a wash - both factions cherrypicking his statements, and fearless leader still under the Sword of Damocles.

Yes, disappointment does, indeed, abound in the land, but nothing to do with yesterday.

[PaceAdvantage]

After the Comey "empty suit" testimony yesterday, I am now starting to think that a great majority of Dems (and the never-Trumpers on the right) are now bordering on TREASON as they march onward with their misguided ways.

They will continue to actively work against a rightfully elected President of the United States with the sole goal of REMOVING HIM from office. They are not actively working to defeat his policies or his agenda, such as is the case with every administration.

No, they want him OUT OF OFFICE before 2020. And in doing so, they are hurting the country both at home and ESPECIALLY abroad...foreign nations look at what is going on here and they laugh at what his own people are doing to bring about what is essentially a coup.

Of course, now all eyes turn to this ridiculous "SPECIAL COUNSEL" that they can hang their hats on for a while.

Be proud Ocala Mike...:rolleyes::puke:

[Show Me the Wire]

Testimony was a wash - both factions cherrypicking his statements, and fearless leader still under the Sword of Damocles.

Yes, disappointment does, indeed, abound in the land, but nothing to do with yesterday.

I respectfully disagree. Comey's testimony showed he is a disgruntled terminated employee, who proved he did not deserve the position of FBI director. The man admitted to giving in to political pressure from the Obama administration, admits he is not qualified to know what obstruction of justice is or is not. The idea that the head of the FBI does not think he was qualified to determine what is obstruction of justice is ludicrous.

What is obvious is Comey was playing a political power game, by trying to keep the duly elected President under a cloud of suspicion. Further evidenced by his purposely leaking a memo through a friend to force a special prosecutor. Why?

Yes, why? Comey a hostile witness admitted the President was never under investigation, the President encouraged Comey to continue the investigation into any ties between the Trump campaign and Russia and the news stories were false. There is no need for a special prosecutor. Comey has outed himself as a incompetent disgruntled ex-employee.

Based on his incompetence and Lynch's pressure, a special prosecutor needs to be appointed to investigate the HRC's crimes regarding the handling of classified material, former AG Lynch's private meeting with slick Willie, on the tarmac, during the investigation of his wife, and Comey's violating the boundary between investigator and prosecutor due to that improper private meeting between Lynch and Willie.

All Comey did was tarnish any credibility he may have had and showed himself to be a political hack, who due to his inability to keep his mouth shut, should be investigated for not calling for a special prosecutor regarding Lynch's actions and for his leaking through a friend memo's Comey wrote in his capacity as director, an employee of the DOJ, instead of following protocol to give voice to his concerns.

[Ocala Mike]

I'm very proud of the system of checks and balances that is our government. Not sure why you're invoking the "T" word at all, PA, but it's your site, and I'm sure you were "liberal" in its use during criticism on here, 2009-2016.

Trump needs to be under oath, so he can defend himself properly; might be good to produce those tapes, too.

[Greyfox]

I
Trump needs to be under oath, so he can defend himself properly; might be good to produce those tapes, too.

There likely aren't any tapes.
If the tapes do indeed exist, he'll never produce them.

[Tom]

Trump needs to be under oath, so he can defend himself properly;

Defend himself from what>
there is absolutely ZERO to defend against, other than the monster living under your bed. :pound::pound::pound:

[PaceAdvantage]

I'm very proud of the system of checks and balances that is our government. Not sure why you're invoking the "T" word at all, PA, but it's your site, and I'm sure you were "liberal" in its use during criticism on here, 2009-2016.

Trump needs to be under oath, so he can defend himself properly; might be good to produce those tapes, too.These aren't checks and balances going on out there. These are SAY ANYTHING and ACCUSE ANYTHING towards Trump with the only goal to get him removed from office by ANY means necessary. Facts be damned.

That is now bordering on TREASON in my opinion, which I still have the right to have, right Mike? An opinion?

[jimmyb]

Defend himself from what>
there is absolutely ZERO to defend against, other than the monster living under your bed. :pound::pound::pound:


Yup, just liberal alchemists trying to create dirt from B.S.

[barn32]

After the Comey "empty suit" testimony yesterday, I am now starting to think that a great majority of Dems (and the never-Trumpers on the right) are now bordering on TREASON as they march onward with their misguided ways.

They will continue to actively work against a rightfully elected President of the United States with the sole goal of REMOVING HIM from office. They are not actively working to defeat his policies or his agenda, such as is the case with every administration.

No, they want him OUT OF OFFICE before 2020. And in doing so, they are hurting the country both at home and ESPECIALLY abroad...foreign nations look at what is going on here and they laugh at what his own people are doing to bring about what is essentially a coup.

You're right. We should all just forget about what a lying douchebag creep Trump is and just let him keep embarrassing himself, his country and the world.

You should have your own TV show. Maybe they could sandwich it somewhere between Rachel Maddow and Sean Hannity.

Tommy Tenderloin could be your sidekick. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[fast4522]

These aren't checks and balances going on out there. These are SAY ANYTHING and ACCUSE ANYTHING towards Trump with the only goal to get him removed from office by ANY means necessary. Facts be damned.

That is now bordering on TREASON in my opinion, which I still have the right to have, right Mike? An opinion?

And get to die with those opinions unwavering with the last breath of air. How many here do not expect to outlive the Trump Presidency?

[JustRalph]

You're right. We should all just forget about what a lying douchebag creep Trump is and just let him keep embarrassing himself, his country and the world.

You should have your own TV show. Maybe they could sandwich it somewhere between Rachel Maddow and Sean Hannity.

Tommy Tenderloin could be your sidekick. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

He was a brazen real estate tycoon who did whatever the hell he wanted before he was elected. I find it refreshing that he hasn't changed much...........

Look what the other side of the coin has wrought...........

I like him more every day..........it's gravy time!!! :lol::lol::lol:

[MargieRose]

You're right. We should all just forget about what a lying douchebag creep Trump is and just let him keep embarrassing himself, his country and the world.

You should have your own TV show. Maybe they could sandwich it somewhere between Rachel Maddow and Sean Hannity.

Tommy Tenderloin could be your sidekick. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
This retort of yours is a perfect example of why I hate the ignorant liberal mindset...gutter mouth and all!

[barn32]

He was a brazen real estate tycoon who did whatever the hell he wanted before he was elected. I find it refreshing that he hasn't changed much...........

Look what the other side of the coin has wrought...........

I like him more every day..........it's gravy time!!! :lol::lol::lol:Of course you do. And you get your news from Breitbart.

[barn32]

This retort of yours is a perfect example of why I hate the ignorant liberal mindset...gutter mouth and all!Take off your "rose" colored glasses, dear, and you will see what the rest of the world sees.

[fast4522]

Take off your "rose" colored glasses, dear, and you will see what the rest of the world sees.

What the world views is a American President who is not going to do an apology tour and bow to kings. Europe sees the bulk of the terror attacks because they let wild animals walk in instead of pushing them back to the zoo. We have NO money to confront our social problems like eating too much, drinking and drugs, birth defects from the drugs and unhealthy lifestyles. The only answer folks who never amounted to anything have is take from the Warren Buffets and Bill Gates of the world. The math does not support doing that because it does not come close to putting a dent in the spending that is current. In order to fund that kind of spending you have to rape the middle class, but the middle class has had enough. So the rose colored glasses seem to be yours, and offer no help to reality.

[Tom]

Take off your "rose" colored glasses, dear, and you will see what the rest of the world sees.
I saw that last week a very successful foreign affairs trip.
Came home with billions in new job deals and the respect of much of the world.

Never bowed to anyone.
Gave no one the bomb or skids of cash.

Thanks for playing.
PA, please send him a version of our home game. :pound:

[reckless]

You're right. We should all just forget about what a lying douchebag creep Trump is and just let him keep embarrassing himself, his country and the world.

You should have your own TV show. Maybe they could sandwich it somewhere between Rachel Maddow and Sean Hannity.

Tommy Tenderloin could be your sidekick. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

barn32, you're the one who embarrassed yourself from Day One about Trump -- his candidacy, campaign, presidency, and more. And to say he's embarrassing himself is another sign how intellectually bankrupt you are, clueless to the great unwashed.

You've been totally and emphatically wrong, wrong, wrong, but your ego can't accept it. It's no wonder you are acting like an angry, deranged fool, who still thinks he knows what he's talking about. You don't, mark my words.

As for the 'rest of the world' knowing (?) what a fool Trump is... those critics are the socialists, sissys, and traitors to their people -- losers like the mayor of London, the PM of Germany, and the boychik in France. The socialists have destroyed Europe for 50 years with their cowardness and social policies and they demean Trump for what he wants to do to straighten this mess out, here and abroad. :lol::lol:

World World II had the Vichy government in France; today it is the European Union. Complete surrender to the enemy.

[Tom]

hcap, we need you to weigh in on this.
How there possibly be global warming with so many snowflakes out there?:pound::pound::pound:

GAWD,Barn, you're killing me!!!!:pound::pound::pound: