President Donald Trump seems to want it both ways when it comes to Russian election meddling. In the months before Nov. 8, when polls were indicating an easy victory for Democrat Hillary Clinton, Trump invited Russian hacking and often publicly
President Donald Trump seems to want it both ways when it comes to Russian election meddling. In the months before Nov. 8, when polls were indicating an easy victory for Democrat Hillary Clinton, Trump invited Russian hacking and often publicly complained the vote was rigged. In a way, he was right.
At the time, President Barack Obama was receiving classified intelligence indicating the Russian government was hacking emails and engaged in an orchestrated campaign of subversion to taint Clinton’s credibility and help Trump’s chances of being elected. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the campaign, The Washington Post reported.
But, lo and behold, Trump won. Afterward, he spent months denouncing as “fake news” the reports about Russian meddling and FBI investigations of links between Russia and his campaign operatives.
Trump changed his tune last weekend, embracing the outlines of a Washington Post report about Obama’s decision-making when confronted with intelligence about the hacking campaign. Obama reportedly opted not to make a major public pronouncement until after the vote to avoid appearing to sway the outcome.
Obama had no good choices. To reveal what the CIA knew about Russian interference on behalf of Trump undoubtedly would have harmed Trump’s campaign and sent the candidate into a frenzy of accusations. Remaining silent would mean effectively letting Putin get away with it.
Shortly after the vote, Obama announced stiff sanctions against Russia. Trump now reportedly is considering easing those sanctions.
He must accept that Russia egregiously violated American sovereignty. This isn’t about election politics; it’s about responding resolutely to an attack by a known foreign aggressor. All Americans, regardless of party affiliation, must regard any easing of sanctions as sending the worst possible message to Putin.
That is, unless Trump intends to send a message of thanks to Putin for a job well done.
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch
