F.B.I. Once Warned G.O.P. Congressman That Russian Spies Were Recruiting Him
Source: New York Times
By MATT APUZZO, ADAM GOLDMAN and MARK MAZZETTIMAY 19, 2017
WASHINGTON The F.B.I. warned a Republican congressman in 2012 that Russian spies were trying to recruit him, officials said, an example of how aggressively Russian agents have tried to influence Washington politics.
The congressman, Dana Rohrabacher of California, has been known for years as one of Moscows biggest defenders in Washington and as a vocal opponent of American economic sanctions against Russia. He claims to have lost a drunken arm-wrestling match with the current Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, in the 1990s. He is one of President Trumps staunchest allies on Capitol Hill.
As a newly appointed special counsel investigates connections between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives, the warning to Mr. Rohrabacher shows that the F.B.I. has for years viewed Russian spies, sometimes posing as diplomats, as having a hand in Washington.
Mr. Rohrabacher was drawn into the maelstrom this week when The Washington Post reported on an audio recording of Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the House majority leader, saying last year, Theres two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump. Mr. McCarthy said on Wednesday that he had made a joke that landed poorly. But the F.B.I. has taken seriously the possibility that Russian spies would target American politicians. In a secure room at the Capitol, an F.B.I. agent told Mr. Rohrabacher in 2012 that Russian spies were trying to recruit him as an agent of influence someone the Russian government might be able to use to steer Washington policy-making, former officials said.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/us/politics/dana-rohrabacher-russia-spies.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0
Botany
(70,657 posts)http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/5/17/1663432/-Majority-Leader-to-colleagues-last-June-Putin-is-paying-Trump-Paul-Ryan-Shut-up-Shut-up?detail=emaildkreCONTROL&link_id=13&can_id=9d9ab9550f6f19d630ddc2d594a7bd47&source=email-majority-leader-to-colleagues-last-june-putin-is-paying-trump-paul-ryan-shut-up-shut-up-2&email_referrer=majority-leader-to-colleagues-last-june-putin-is-paying-trump-paul-ryan-shut-up-shut-up-2&email_subject=trump-goes-off-on-twitter-single-greatest-witch-hunt-in-american-history
A month before Donald Trump clinched the Republican nomination, one of his closest allies in CongressHouse Majority Leader Kevin McCarthymade a politically explosive assertion in a private conversation on Capitol Hill with his fellow GOP leaders: that Trump could be the beneficiary of payments from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Theres two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump, McCarthy (R-Calif.) said, according to a recording of the June 15, 2016 exchange, which was listened to and verified by The Washington Post.
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) immediately interjected, stopping the conversation from further exploring McCarthys assertion, and swore the Republicans present to secrecy.
Before the conversation, McCarthy and Ryan had emerged from separate talks at the U.S. Capitol with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, who had described a Kremlin tactic of financing populist politicians to undercut Eastern European democratic institutions.
greenman3610
(3,947 posts)JTFrog
(14,274 posts)riversedge
(70,464 posts)......Mr. Rohrabacher was drawn into the maelstrom this week when The Washington Post reported on an audio recording of Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the House majority leader, saying last year, Theres two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump. Mr. McCarthy said on Wednesday that he had made a joke that landed poorly. .............................
Historic NY
(37,462 posts)Remember whatever it takes to win, including using the Russians, right Kevin.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,151 posts)Brian surgeon as in not too bright.
calimary
(81,608 posts)gordianot
(15,259 posts)Citizens United allowing dark corporate money is to blame.
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)McConnell,Ryan, Priebus, Scott of Wisconsin -- so many that Louise Mensch put it this way:
Ryan (and others??) also used info from those stolen emails in House races in 2016.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)... but I can't help but wonder if the Democratic Party will want to "look forward instead of backward" when it's time to hold these assholes accountable. That's what has me worried.
*Assuming the Democratic Party wins Congress and/or the Presidency.
I've been let down before.
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)the Democratic Party won't have any say in the matter. I'm hoping it'll just be the judiciary system -- our prosecutors at state and Federal level, and the courts.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)But if it's only up to the Democrats, and they pass, I will never ever, ever, ever, ever even consider voting for one again. I came out of my personal hiatus to vote for Obama, and really held my nose for Clinton, but if they don't move with ferocity to eliminate this filth from this country, I will be done with them forever. No looking back.
calimary
(81,608 posts)Yep, I saw that, too.
These assholes fight like hell to back each other up, cover up for each other, and finagle power for each other like nobody's business. May this come back to bite them all in the ass.
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)LOL - they really are hive mind at work, aren't they?
calimary
(81,608 posts)lindysalsagal
(20,795 posts)replacements for this deranged cabal.
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)JDC
(10,152 posts)Trump just had let the cat out of the bag because of his Greed, Hubris and Stupidity.
gordianot
(15,259 posts)Finding an alternative to dark money Trump used the alternative funding source he deals with to stay solvent in business after being locked out of domestic sources; for political purposes. The problem today the GOP bought into Trump's funding scheme even though they hold their nose. In some ways the Republican Party is like the Red Army of World War II. If a Soviet General was not successful command would let them fail and reward only commanders who were successful with support. Trump and his money did what the GOP establishment was not able to do win the executive branch. On the flip side Trump is no longer winning he is faced with a health care mess no one wants, growing unrest in his own administration, and messaging that underscores his considerable mental health issues. Breaking laws have consequences as the GOP is about to rediscover. Trumps Russian commanders will not reward failure but still win with the discord they have created among their mortal enemy the United States. Stalin would be proud of Putin he wins either way. The United States is on the precipice of becoming a failed State.
Scoopster
(423 posts)He was warned. He was given an explanation. Nevertheless, he persisted.
calimary
(81,608 posts)I've attended several meetings of local activists groups in the last few weeks - and there are several districts targeted for flipping, and how Rohrabacher's district was recently added to the list. The biggest targets in "the neighborhood" are Steve Knight in CA 25, in northern L.A. county, and down south of L.A. - Darrell Issa's district (#49), where he hung on by a hair last November. Rohrabacher's district is in Orange County is #48.
Ted Lieu, our congressman in district 33, has an L.I.E.U. Leadership PAC (Leadership, Integrity, Engagement, Unity) that's been set up to raise money for flipping districts. Activists here in SoCal are massively into flipping - it's a big item of discussion at these meetings.
NoMoreRepugs
(9,519 posts)of intellectual Republican gnats that the goobers have elected to help ruin this country.
Enoki33
(1,589 posts)"Before the conversation, McCarthy and Ryan had emerged from separate talks at the U.S. Capitol with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, who had described a Kremlin tactic of financing populist politicians to undercut Eastern European democratic institutions."
NoMoreRepugs
(9,519 posts)barbtries
(28,824 posts)since he was already in their pocket. oh these patriotic, gawd fearing republicans.
genxlib
(5,547 posts)Which is worse.
That he was paid by Russia?
Or that he was that friendly to Russia because he believed in their philosophy/government.
Somehow I find it easier to understand a guy on the paycheck more than the true believer. At least the motivations are clear.
Of course neither one is acceptable but that is how far by bar has been lowered. I despise these people for that.
angrychair
(8,758 posts)When it comes down to it, republicans, I mean actual republicans and not the simple-minded fools that follow them, that actually get elected and control things, care only about power, wealth and comfort, who runs things is irrelevant as long as they get their piece of it.
British loyalists, Nazi sympathizer, fascist and now republicans, none gave two shits about the Republic, none cared but for one thing, their little piece of power, money and comfort.
Julian Englis
(2,309 posts)At least in the Republican Party.
SunSeeker
(51,811 posts)The campaign ads write themselves. Rouda just needs the money to air them.
Renew Deal
(81,900 posts)SHRED
(28,136 posts)Why warn a suspect??
Pauldg47
(640 posts)Hekate
(91,042 posts)As a patriot, he could have chosen to drop suspect connections altogether, or to co-operate with the FBI in giving info to agents of our own government.
But he apparently felt that he, mighty he, was above all that, and could safely paddle in the shark-pond.
Julian Englis
(2,309 posts)Just like most Republicans. Let's face it, he probably can't understand why the hateful Democrats don't want people to become rich.
StevieM
(10,500 posts)lindysalsagal
(20,795 posts)I know I didn't.