In the last 14 months and 20 days the American people have learned two things about Trump’s cabinet and his closest advisers. First, to be a part of Trump’s team, they must be willing to lie for Trump in a display of un-bridled loyalty. Secondly, they must have a connection to Vladimir Putin in some way, or be willing to pledge that same loyalty to the Russian leader.
We have learned that Trump, his family, and his campaign staff met with Russian agents throughout the 2016 campaign. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is unable to receive a security clearance because he lied on his SF86 security clearance form. Kushner omitted four meetings with high-level Russian agents, which are punishable with charges of perjury.
The latest to be exposed is Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Truth be told, his connection to Putin is old news. Ross was the head of the Bank of Cyprus which is in the complete control of Vladimir Putin.
Last week the federal government imposed sanctions on a small group of Russian oligarchs. One of these men was Viktor Vekselberg. The FBI discovered that Vekselberg and Ross have a long-standing business relationship.
Back in 2013, the Bank of Cyprus was in financial jeopardy. With the aid of Russian oligarchs, who were given shares in the bank, and Wilbur Ross, who organized a one-billion dollar infusion through his European connections, Putin’s bank was saved, the second biggest investor was Vekselberg.
“Ah, the web we weave.”
Ross has offered Trump some outlandish ideas, including adding a citizenship question to the Census Bureau’s form, and imposing tariffs on products imported into the United States. Of course we know from television footage that Ross sleeps through most of the meetings, and has no clue what is happening inside of our government.
It is fair to judge a man by those with whom he chooses to be closest to him. Trump’s entire administration has or had; (45 percent are no longer employed by the White House); first or secondary connections to Putin. So, who do you think is running our nation? We know it’s not Trump, Mitch McConnell, or Paul Ryan; they have proven themselves incapable.
Time for Republicans to go. November 6th is coming soon.
Op-ed by James Turnage
Image courtesy of DonkeyHotey
My five novels are available on the free Amazon Kindle app; CLICK HERE
The Truth With No Restrictions 