Trump and the Russians

To paraphrase Maurice Chevalier, “Thank heaven for the United States free press.”

It is well known that our free press has uncovered some — probably not all — of President Donald Trump campaign’s alleged collusion with Russian officials during Trump’s campaign for the presidency.

The May 27 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel headline: “Kushner sought secret talk channel.” The “channel” Jared Kushner sought was with Russian officials and would have used Russian diplomatic facilities. Why Russian facilities instead of American facilities, unless he intended something sinister? As everyone should know by now, Kushner is Trump’s son-inlaw. It’s hard to believe Trump himself was unaware of these shenanigans by his son-in-law.

Then shortly after Trump became president, he moved Kushner into the White House as his adviser — right next to the Oval Office. If Kushner would have been successful in establishing the secret channel, it would have been similar to having a Russian official advising Trump. How cozy. For the Russians.

Trump named Gen. Michael Flynn as his national security adviser. Our free press reported that Flynn attended the meetings between Kushner and the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak when Kushner was attempting to set up the secret channel. The 64,000dollar question is, what part, if any, did Trump himself have in this sordid chapter of the secret channel?

Finally, did Vice President Mike Pence have any hand in, or knowledge of, any of these maneuvers by Kushner? If Pence didn’t know any of this, then he must have walked around with his eyes and ears closed.

Casper T. Green Franklin