Opposing view: Claims about Trump and Russia ring hollow
The Trump-Russia narrative has entered its final phase. Like the rhinovirus that causes the common cold, it has mutated rapidly since the public was first exposed to it in 2016. Infection has been most common in elite coastal communities such as New York, San Francisco and, of course, Washington, D.C. But it has just about run its course.
The latest mutation claims that President Trump is violating his oath of office by failing to take strong steps or publicly acknowledge Russian activity in American politics. The claim rings hollow to those not already strongly invested in this Beltway fable. Yes, Russian forces bought ads and sponsored rallies before and after the 2016 election. Some were critical of Hillary Clinton, others of Donald Trump. Noted Trump critic Michael Moore was even a guest of honor at one of the anti-Trump rallies paid for by Russian trolls.
How do we know this? Because special prosecutor Robert Mueller indicted 13 of them for violating American election law. Was the Trump campaign implicated in any way? No. In fact, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein emphasized that the indictment made no connection. And who appointed Mueller? Rosenstein, a career prosecutor appointed to his position by Trump. In short, these 13 Russian trolls are being prosecuted by the Trump administration. On what basis then is President Trump in violation of his oath? The answer is easy: none.
Such claims are transparent attempts to transform political disputes into legal ones. It amounts to the criminalization of politics, and it is a dangerous path down which this country must not go.
For Trump opponents there is one answer, and it is not peddling variations on the Trump-Russia narrative. It is the ballot box. But that’s a risky proposition for the president’s accusers because the last time they made a big electoral bet against Trump, they lost.
Christopher Buskirk, editor and publisher of the online journal American Greatness, is co-author of American Greatness: How Conservatism, Inc. Missed the 2016 Election & What the D.C. Establishment Needs to Learn.