Russia: (updated 2/15)
Background on Flynn:
Ok, take a moment to play this in honor of Flynn:
And then realize, this is only the beginning. Yes, Flynn is out. But this doesn't mean his role in any of this is over. To echo what I said on our daily call list, here's what we need to find out:
A pundit on CNN said that this story would die after the twenty-four news cycle. Let's make sure that doesn't happen.
- We need to continue asking for bipartisan investigations on what Flynn knew/did during the campaign, and
- What exactly he said during his conversations w/ the Russian ambassador re: the sanctions and how/when he lied.
- We also need to know why Sally Yates was fired. It was purportedly over the travel ban. But this story seems to indicate another reason.
- Moreover, we need to indicate support for the ongoing interagency investigations that are still taking place.
- Also, THIS STORY. Though it's not surprising, it's been more or less confirmed that the Trump campaign was in contact with the Russian state during the campaign. What did they say? What did they know?
A pundit on CNN said that this story would die after the twenty-four news cycle. Let's make sure that doesn't happen.
What next?
2/15:
Ok. So. What does this mean? Two of these investigations (Judiciary/Special prosecutor) require coordination from the DOJ, which is challenging, given Sessions. So, what can we do?
Your checklist:
☑️ Tell your Senators - Dem AND GOP - that you support the actions being taken.
☑️ See if your senators are:
1) Signatories on the Baldwin letter,
2) Members of Judiciary/Intelligence, and call/email/fax them, let them know to keep pushing.
- We need to also support the calls that are coming out by Senators, looking for investigations. In the last twenty-four hours, we've had:
- A call for special prosecutor from Senator Baldwin and a group of Democratic Senators
- A bipartisan call from Senate Judiciary (Grassley/Feinstein) to receive a DOJ briefing about Flynn
- McConnell begrudgingly admitting that Senate Intelligence will likely investigate Flynn
- Chaffetz and Goodlatte missing the point entirely, and saying they'd investigate the leaks involving Flynn.
- Devin Nunes (House Intelligence) is still a twat. Who is apparently willing to go down with the ship.
- (For what it's worth: listening in on calls with states like Russia = a normal practice.)
Ok. So. What does this mean? Two of these investigations (Judiciary/Special prosecutor) require coordination from the DOJ, which is challenging, given Sessions. So, what can we do?
Your checklist:
☑️ Tell your Senators - Dem AND GOP - that you support the actions being taken.
☑️ See if your senators are:
1) Signatories on the Baldwin letter,
2) Members of Judiciary/Intelligence, and call/email/fax them, let them know to keep pushing.
☑️ I'm a little reluctant to suggest this one, but you can also call the DOJ hotline:
- Department Comment Line: 202-353-1555
To push them to support Baldwin's letter and Senate Judiciary's request. It's basically the point of the comments line, but I'd like for everyone to focus on calling their elected officials first.
☑️ You can tell YOUR reps that you are displeased with Chaffetz and Nunes's comments. They can't exactly open up an investigation, buti t's worth a complaint.
Call script (Senators AND Members of Congress):
You: Hello, my name is [name]. I'm calling from [address/zip code].
You: I would like to ask that [congressional member/senator] support several of the calls made for investigations into General Michael Flynn's conduct involving Russia, and any contact that the Trump campaign may have had with Russian officials. I am very concerned that Flynn lied about speaking to the Russian ambassador regarding the Obama sanctions, and has continued to lie about it to both th administration, and to the American people, by proxy.
You: I'm also concerned by the fact that the Trump campaign, and Trump associates were also in contact with Russian officials/intelligence officials during the campaign. Given the Russian hacks of the DNC, the timing merits looking into.
You: Members of Senate Judiciary have already asked for a bipartisan briefing, and I support this request. While the respect was specifically related to Flynn, I think that investigation should be expanded to include the recent revelations regarding Trump's campaign contacts with the Russian State.
You: I would like to ask that [MoC/Senator] join in that push. Will [MoC/Senator] support that push?
If no: I would like for [MoC/Senator] to reconsider. Flynn's actions are concerning, and are a potential violation of the Hatch Act.
If yes: GREAT! Thank you and have a good day.
You: I would like to ask that [congressional member/senator] support several of the calls made for investigations into General Michael Flynn's conduct involving Russia, and any contact that the Trump campaign may have had with Russian officials. I am very concerned that Flynn lied about speaking to the Russian ambassador regarding the Obama sanctions, and has continued to lie about it to both th administration, and to the American people, by proxy.
You: I'm also concerned by the fact that the Trump campaign, and Trump associates were also in contact with Russian officials/intelligence officials during the campaign. Given the Russian hacks of the DNC, the timing merits looking into.
You: Members of Senate Judiciary have already asked for a bipartisan briefing, and I support this request. While the respect was specifically related to Flynn, I think that investigation should be expanded to include the recent revelations regarding Trump's campaign contacts with the Russian State.
You: I would like to ask that [MoC/Senator] join in that push. Will [MoC/Senator] support that push?
If no: I would like for [MoC/Senator] to reconsider. Flynn's actions are concerning, and are a potential violation of the Hatch Act.
If yes: GREAT! Thank you and have a good day.
Email script:
Date
Address
Address
Address
Dear [Member of Congress/Senator]:
I am writing to urge you to support a bipartisan investigation into Michael Flynn and the Trump's campaign's contacts with the Russian state. Flynn and Trump campaign colleagues have repeatedly lied about their contact with Russia, which presents many challenging questions regarding the administration's connections with the Russian government.
Elected officials like Senator John Cornyn have already called for an investigation. I ask that you support those efforts, in the name of determining the extent of these Trump/Russia/Flynn connections.
Warmest regards,
[name]
[address]
[address]
Address
Address
Address
Dear [Member of Congress/Senator]:
I am writing to urge you to support a bipartisan investigation into Michael Flynn and the Trump's campaign's contacts with the Russian state. Flynn and Trump campaign colleagues have repeatedly lied about their contact with Russia, which presents many challenging questions regarding the administration's connections with the Russian government.
Elected officials like Senator John Cornyn have already called for an investigation. I ask that you support those efforts, in the name of determining the extent of these Trump/Russia/Flynn connections.
Warmest regards,
[name]
[address]
[address]
From December 2016:
Reports have come out stating that Russia interfered in the 2016 elections, including currently unsubstantiated reports that Russia has been cultivating/colluding with Trump.
Washington Post
The Economist
The Guardian
NPR
How Russian Cyberpower Invaded the US <---- Read this one especially. It's long, but damning.
Here is the currently unsubstantiated report regarding Russia cultivating Trump.
Washington Post
The Economist
The Guardian
NPR
How Russian Cyberpower Invaded the US <---- Read this one especially. It's long, but damning.
Here is the currently unsubstantiated report regarding Russia cultivating Trump.
What we can do:
We've got to call, email and tweet each of our reps as often as we can, and:
Ask for a bipartisan investigation into Trump's ties with Russia
Also indicate our support for the investigation going on into both Flynn's calls and Trump's associate's ties with the region.
Phone script:
You: Hello, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am gravely concerned about the continuing allegations regarding the President's alleged ties to Russia, and I would like to ask for [elected official] to support a bipartisan investigation investigating into the depths of these ties, especially Flynn's calls with the ambassador, and the Trump team's ties.
You: Given the confirmed reports regarding the DNC and the RNC hacking, and the allegations that are continuing to be revealed via the media, I think it's importance once and for all, if we determine the President-Elect has any ties with a foreign state.
You: Thank you and have a good day.
You: I am gravely concerned about the continuing allegations regarding the President's alleged ties to Russia, and I would like to ask for [elected official] to support a bipartisan investigation investigating into the depths of these ties, especially Flynn's calls with the ambassador, and the Trump team's ties.
You: Given the confirmed reports regarding the DNC and the RNC hacking, and the allegations that are continuing to be revealed via the media, I think it's importance once and for all, if we determine the President-Elect has any ties with a foreign state.
You: Thank you and have a good day.
Email draft:
Date:
Address
Address
Address
Dear [elected]:
I am a constituent who lives in [location]. I am writing to ask that [elected official] support a bipartisan commission to investigate the continued allegations that are coming out, especially Flynn's calls with the ambassador, and the Trump team's ties
Given the confirmed news about the Russian hacking of the DNC and the RNC, and the continued allegations of the President's team having unclear ties to the Russian governmand and the Russian state, I believe we owe it to the American people to determine the extent of a foreign state with the very principals of our democracy.
Warmest regards,
[name]
Address
Address
Address
Dear [elected]:
I am a constituent who lives in [location]. I am writing to ask that [elected official] support a bipartisan commission to investigate the continued allegations that are coming out, especially Flynn's calls with the ambassador, and the Trump team's ties
Given the confirmed news about the Russian hacking of the DNC and the RNC, and the continued allegations of the President's team having unclear ties to the Russian governmand and the Russian state, I believe we owe it to the American people to determine the extent of a foreign state with the very principals of our democracy.
Warmest regards,
[name]