The former acting Attorney General, Sally Yates, will testify on Monday in front of a Senate subcommittee about what she told the Trump White House regarding Michael Flynn’s ties to Russia. This will most likely make headlines if she reports what is expected. It is assumed that Yates will assert that she warned Trump campaign officials that Michael Flynn was not telling the full truth about his contacts with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the United States. Flynn has since been removed as National Security Advisor.
White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, have both reported that Sally Yates gave the White House team information that was checked by the White House counsel and found to be nothing. President Trump has repeatedly insisted that the Russia investigations and the idea that there was collusion with members of his campaign team and Russian intelligence official are “fake news.” This theme was once again hit hard on the president’s Twitter account on Sunday.
When will the Fake Media ask about the Dems dealings with Russia & why the DNC wouldn’t allow the FBI to check their server or investigate?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2017
The president made a similar point through Twitter on Monday, accusing the Obama administration of not properly vetting Flynn when he led the Defense Intelligence Agency: “General Flynn was given the highest security clearance by the Obama Administration – but the Fake News seldom likes talking about that.”
General Flynn was given the highest security clearance by the Obama Administration – but the Fake News seldom likes talking about that.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2017
Trump then added: “Ask Sally Yates, under oath, if she knows how classified information got into the newspapers soon after she explained it to W.H. (counsel).”
Ask Sally Yates, under oath, if she knows how classified information got into the newspapers soon after she explained it to W.H. Council.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2017
Trump can’t get rid of the suspicion surrounding his team and its ties to Russia. In an April Washington Post-ABC News poll, 56% of those tested said that Russia tried to influence the election and within that group, 39% stated that the Trump campaign “intentionally” helped Russia’s meddling. The CIA and FBI have confirmed their belief that Russia sought to meddle in the election and that their aim was to keep Hillary Clinton from winning. But there is no evidence yet that there was any collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians.
The emerging headlines regarding inconsistencies with Flynn will hit the Trump team after one of their better weeks since taking the White House. The Yates testimony could deflate any momentum gained by the passage of the American Health Care Act in Congress on Thursday. The Russian Story that has dogged the Trump presidency is not dissipating any time soon.
What do you think the potential of this story will be on the Trump presidency?
Credit: CNN Politics