Idea isn’t just crazy – it’s crime

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has shattered more than 200 years of American tradition by calling upon a foreign power to intervene on his behalf in a presidential election.

Ever since the 1790s, when the French ambassador formed political societies in the United States favorable to France and otherwise meddled in American affairs, other nations have sought to influence our politics.

Yet never before has a candidate for the presidency invited a foreign nation to do so — much yet a formidable power with interests contrary to those of the United States. President George Washington demanded that France recall the ambassador and Americans have since unequivocally condemned any foreign interference with our democracy.

Trump has not only abetted Russian meddling in American politics but has also encouraged Russia to engage in what is arguably criminal activity, the hacking into a private email server. Under the federal Stored Communications Act, anyone who “intentionally accesses without authorization a facility through which an electronic communication service is provided” is subject to criminal penalties of up to five years in prison for a first offense.

Trump’s abetting of Russian interference in our elections must also be viewed in a broader, disturbing context. Trump has taken openly pro-Russian positions that fall far outside the mainstream of either American party.

Journalists have also raised serious questions about Trump’s financial ties to Russia, which the candidate has failed to answer by releasing his tax returns. There is no prohibition against releasing taxes that are under audit, and he has many returns for which audits are complete. Would the Republican majority in Congress that has investigated Hillary Clinton innumerable times investigate Trump’s ties to Russia in light of recent developments? Don’t hold your breath.