Opposing view: Trump camp too disorganized to collude

Criminalization of policy differences has descended upon America once again. The viciousness towards a sitting president and his team evokes memories of Bill Clinton’s 1998 impeachment. In the “witch hunt” Clinton was impeached for something unrelated to the Arkansas real estate deal which sparked the Whitewater investigation years earlier. Like a Soviet secret police chief once said: “Show me the man and I’ll find you the crime.” Indeed.

We’re seeing the same thing today. The Trump-Russia collusion story is a hoax and “witch hunt” of this century.

Like typical conspiracy theories, usually the simplest explanation is correct. The campaign was chaotic, understaffed and underpaid, if paid at all. We couldn’t collude amongst ourselves.

Of those who encountered Russians, there is still zero evidence of campaignrelated wrongdoing. Clearly, political rookies in Trump’s inner circle made some bad decisions — including denials of “any foreign entity” contacts. Two novices freelancing on the far periphery made even worse decisions. Two seasoned political operatives in leadership roles may have committed past financial crimes. Perhaps a top surrogate and his son did as well.

Meanwhile, President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions are victims of colossal gotcha games. Thousands of people told them countless things. Albert Einstein probably couldn’t remember every comment from relative strangers a year earlier.

And my high crimes? Speaking to over 50 foreign ambassadors at a U.S. State Department-sponsored conference during the Republican National Convention — including Russia’s Sergei Kislyak. The week prior, I helped ensure the GOP platform was not changed to undermine the campaign’s stated positions — ironically maintaining the Obama administration’s policies on Russia-Ukraine. Yet ever since, it’s been character assassination by sloppy reporting and deliberate omission.

Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his Red Scare didn’t end well. Those continuing his shameful legacy of lies and defamation will also face the consequences.

J.D. Gordon, former Pentagon spokesman and retired Navy Commander, was a foreign policy adviser to presidential candidate Donald Trump.