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| Russia: The 'cloud' over the White House | |
| (5 days later) | |
| Throughout the confusion of Donald Trump's campaign and the chaotic events of his early days in the White House, one controversy has clung to the Trump train like glue: Russia. | Throughout the confusion of Donald Trump's campaign and the chaotic events of his early days in the White House, one controversy has clung to the Trump train like glue: Russia. |
| The accusation that Mr Trump shared highly-sensitive "codeword" material with the Russian ambassador and foreign minister during a meeting in the Oval Office has sent shockwaves throughout Washington, but is only the latest bombshell. | The accusation that Mr Trump shared highly-sensitive "codeword" material with the Russian ambassador and foreign minister during a meeting in the Oval Office has sent shockwaves throughout Washington, but is only the latest bombshell. |
| The sudden departure of Michael Flynn from his role as national security adviser in February and the revelations of Attorney General Jeff Sessions's meetings with Russia's ambassador Sergei Kislyak are also among a string of controversies tying the administration to apparent Russian interests. | The sudden departure of Michael Flynn from his role as national security adviser in February and the revelations of Attorney General Jeff Sessions's meetings with Russia's ambassador Sergei Kislyak are also among a string of controversies tying the administration to apparent Russian interests. |
| In March, then-FBI director James Comey also confirmed for the first time that the bureau was investigating potential links between Mr Trump's campaign aides and the Russian government as part of a broader probe into Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 election. | In March, then-FBI director James Comey also confirmed for the first time that the bureau was investigating potential links between Mr Trump's campaign aides and the Russian government as part of a broader probe into Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 election. |
| Mr Comey himself was sacked by President Trump on 9 May - in a move that shocked Washington, and fuelled claims the dismissal may have been part of a cover up. | Mr Comey himself was sacked by President Trump on 9 May - in a move that shocked Washington, and fuelled claims the dismissal may have been part of a cover up. |
| Early warning signs | Early warning signs |
| It was back in May 2016 that the first reports emerged of hackers targeting the Democratic Party. Over the next two months, the reports suggested US intelligence agencies had traced the breaches back to Russian hackers. | It was back in May 2016 that the first reports emerged of hackers targeting the Democratic Party. Over the next two months, the reports suggested US intelligence agencies had traced the breaches back to Russian hackers. |
| In July, on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, Wikileaks published 20,000 internal emails stolen by the hackers. US intelligence officials said they believed with "high confidence" that Russia was behind the operation, but the Trump campaign publicly refused to accept the findings. | In July, on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, Wikileaks published 20,000 internal emails stolen by the hackers. US intelligence officials said they believed with "high confidence" that Russia was behind the operation, but the Trump campaign publicly refused to accept the findings. |
| Instead, at a press conference, Mr Trump caused outrage by inviting Russian hackers to target Hillary Clinton's controversial personal email server, saying: "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing". | Instead, at a press conference, Mr Trump caused outrage by inviting Russian hackers to target Hillary Clinton's controversial personal email server, saying: "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing". |
| The first casualty | The first casualty |
| About the same time the hacking scandal was beginning to unfold, Mr Trump's then campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was accused of accepting millions of dollars in cash for representing Russian interests in Ukraine and US, including dealings with an oligarch with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. | About the same time the hacking scandal was beginning to unfold, Mr Trump's then campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was accused of accepting millions of dollars in cash for representing Russian interests in Ukraine and US, including dealings with an oligarch with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
| While Mr Manafort was running the campaign, the Republican Party changed the language in its manifesto regarding the conflict in Ukraine, removing anti-Russian sentiment, allegedly at the behest of two Trump campaign representatives. | While Mr Manafort was running the campaign, the Republican Party changed the language in its manifesto regarding the conflict in Ukraine, removing anti-Russian sentiment, allegedly at the behest of two Trump campaign representatives. |
| Mr Manafort, who quit as Mr Trump's campaign chairman last August, is being investigated by the FBI and also reportedly by New York officials. | Mr Manafort, who quit as Mr Trump's campaign chairman last August, is being investigated by the FBI and also reportedly by New York officials. |
| Like Mr Flynn, Mr Manafort, a political operative with more than 40 years' experience, was supposed to marshal some of the chaos and controversy around Mr Trump, but ended up falling prey to it. | Like Mr Flynn, Mr Manafort, a political operative with more than 40 years' experience, was supposed to marshal some of the chaos and controversy around Mr Trump, but ended up falling prey to it. |
| Subsequently, further allegations have been made in Ukraine about secret funds said to have been paid to Mr Manafort, and it has also been claimed that he secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to assist President Vladimir Putin's political ends. | Subsequently, further allegations have been made in Ukraine about secret funds said to have been paid to Mr Manafort, and it has also been claimed that he secretly worked for a Russian billionaire to assist President Vladimir Putin's political ends. |
| Mr Manafort has denied both allegations. | Mr Manafort has denied both allegations. |
| At odds with the intelligence | At odds with the intelligence |
| In October, the US intelligence community released a unanimous statement formally accusing Russia of being behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). | In October, the US intelligence community released a unanimous statement formally accusing Russia of being behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). |
| Mr Trump continued to argue against the finding, claiming in a presidential debate that it "could be Russia, but it could also be China, it could also be lots of other people. It also could be somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds". | Mr Trump continued to argue against the finding, claiming in a presidential debate that it "could be Russia, but it could also be China, it could also be lots of other people. It also could be somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds". |
| The same day that the intelligence agencies released their findings, the explosive "Access Hollywood" recording emerged of Mr Trump's obscene remarks about women in 2005. An hour later, Wikileaks began dumping thousands more leaked Clinton emails. | The same day that the intelligence agencies released their findings, the explosive "Access Hollywood" recording emerged of Mr Trump's obscene remarks about women in 2005. An hour later, Wikileaks began dumping thousands more leaked Clinton emails. |
| Mr Trump continued to refuse to acknowledge the consensus that Russia was behind the hack. | Mr Trump continued to refuse to acknowledge the consensus that Russia was behind the hack. |
| 'I always knew Putin was smart!' | 'I always knew Putin was smart!' |
| In December, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security published a report of the US intelligence findings linking Russia to the hack. | In December, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security published a report of the US intelligence findings linking Russia to the hack. |
| In response, President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats and levied new sanctions on Russia. The world awaited Mr Putin's response but he chose not retaliate. Mr Trump, by then the president-elect, sided with the Russian president, tweeting: "Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!" | In response, President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats and levied new sanctions on Russia. The world awaited Mr Putin's response but he chose not retaliate. Mr Trump, by then the president-elect, sided with the Russian president, tweeting: "Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!" |
| Mr Putin's decision not to respond in kind struck many as a canny PR move, but reportedly set off suspicions among US intelligence officials that Russia was confident the sanctions would not last. | Mr Putin's decision not to respond in kind struck many as a canny PR move, but reportedly set off suspicions among US intelligence officials that Russia was confident the sanctions would not last. |
| The same month, Mr Trump picked Rex Tillerson as his nominee for secretary of state, arguably the most important job in the cabinet. The biggest hurdle for Mr Tillerson's confirmation? Close ties to Mr Putin. | The same month, Mr Trump picked Rex Tillerson as his nominee for secretary of state, arguably the most important job in the cabinet. The biggest hurdle for Mr Tillerson's confirmation? Close ties to Mr Putin. |
| As CEO of the ExxonMobil oil company, Mr Tillerson cultivated a close personal relationship with the Russian leader, leading many to speculate on whether he was fit to serve as America's most senior foreign diplomat. | As CEO of the ExxonMobil oil company, Mr Tillerson cultivated a close personal relationship with the Russian leader, leading many to speculate on whether he was fit to serve as America's most senior foreign diplomat. |
| Mr Tillerson was sworn in as secretary of state on 2 February. | Mr Tillerson was sworn in as secretary of state on 2 February. |
| The 'compromising claims' dossier | The 'compromising claims' dossier |
| In January, Buzzfeed published a dossier compiled by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence official and Russia expert, which alleged that Moscow had compromising material on the then-president-elect, making him liable to blackmail. | In January, Buzzfeed published a dossier compiled by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence official and Russia expert, which alleged that Moscow had compromising material on the then-president-elect, making him liable to blackmail. |
| Among the various memos in the dossier was an allegation that Mr Trump had been recorded by Russian security services consorting with prostitutes at a Moscow hotel. | Among the various memos in the dossier was an allegation that Mr Trump had been recorded by Russian security services consorting with prostitutes at a Moscow hotel. |
| Mr Trump dismissed the claims as fake news. | Mr Trump dismissed the claims as fake news. |
| CNN revealed that President Obama and President-elect Trump had been briefed on the existence of the dossier by intelligence officials, and Buzzfeed went one further, publishing the entire thing. | CNN revealed that President Obama and President-elect Trump had been briefed on the existence of the dossier by intelligence officials, and Buzzfeed went one further, publishing the entire thing. |
| The document went off like a hand grenade tossed into the already febrile political scene and generated a backlash against Buzzfeed for publishing what were essentially unverified claims. | The document went off like a hand grenade tossed into the already febrile political scene and generated a backlash against Buzzfeed for publishing what were essentially unverified claims. |
| The evidence against Flynn... | The evidence against Flynn... |
| In February, the most concrete and damaging Russia scandal finally surfaced, months after suspicions were raised among intelligence officials. | In February, the most concrete and damaging Russia scandal finally surfaced, months after suspicions were raised among intelligence officials. |
| US media reported that Mr Flynn had discussed the potential lifting of Mr Obama's Russia sanctions with the Russian ambassador, Sergei Kislyak, before Mr Trump took the reins of government. | US media reported that Mr Flynn had discussed the potential lifting of Mr Obama's Russia sanctions with the Russian ambassador, Sergei Kislyak, before Mr Trump took the reins of government. |
| It is illegal for private citizens to conduct US diplomacy. | It is illegal for private citizens to conduct US diplomacy. |
| He resigned as Mr Trump's national security adviser after 23 days on the job, saying he had "inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador" late last year. | He resigned as Mr Trump's national security adviser after 23 days on the job, saying he had "inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador" late last year. |
| Mr Flynn, who had appeared regularly on Russian propaganda channel RT, once attended dinner with Mr Putin in Moscow. | Mr Flynn, who had appeared regularly on Russian propaganda channel RT, once attended dinner with Mr Putin in Moscow. |
| Since leaving the White House, the Pentagon has launched an investigation into whether he failed to disclose payments from Russian and Turkish lobbyists that he was given for speeches and consulting work. | Since leaving the White House, the Pentagon has launched an investigation into whether he failed to disclose payments from Russian and Turkish lobbyists that he was given for speeches and consulting work. |
| In March, he registered with the US government as a "foreign agent" due to his work for the Turkish government. | In March, he registered with the US government as a "foreign agent" due to his work for the Turkish government. |
| ... and Sessions | ... and Sessions |
| Attorney General Jeff Sessions was being accused of lying at his confirmation hearing when he said he had had "no communications with the Russians" during the election campaign. | Attorney General Jeff Sessions was being accused of lying at his confirmation hearing when he said he had had "no communications with the Russians" during the election campaign. |
| It later emerged that he too had met Mr Kislyak - at a private meeting in September and as part of a group of ambassadors in July last year. | It later emerged that he too had met Mr Kislyak - at a private meeting in September and as part of a group of ambassadors in July last year. |
| The Alabama senator was one of the most prominent players in Mr Trump's bid to take the White House. | The Alabama senator was one of the most prominent players in Mr Trump's bid to take the White House. |
| But he says his meetings with Mr Kislyak were related to his role as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and had nothing to do with the election campaign. | But he says his meetings with Mr Kislyak were related to his role as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and had nothing to do with the election campaign. |
| The Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said he lied under oath and should resign. | The Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said he lied under oath and should resign. |
| In response, Mr Sessions recused himself from the FBI investigation into the Russian hacking claims, an investigation he is overseeing. | In response, Mr Sessions recused himself from the FBI investigation into the Russian hacking claims, an investigation he is overseeing. |
| Mr Trump has made no secret of his regard for Mr Putin and his desire to establish closer ties with Russia. But the more pressing question, and one which the president just can't seem to shake, is just how close those ties already go. | Mr Trump has made no secret of his regard for Mr Putin and his desire to establish closer ties with Russia. But the more pressing question, and one which the president just can't seem to shake, is just how close those ties already go. |
| FBI investigation confirmed... and Comey fired | FBI investigation confirmed... and Comey fired |
| Two months into the Trump presidency, Mr Comey confirmed at a rare open hearing of the House Intelligence Committee that the agency was investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. | Two months into the Trump presidency, Mr Comey confirmed at a rare open hearing of the House Intelligence Committee that the agency was investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. |
| It is an "ongoing" investigation that began in July 2016, he said. | It is an "ongoing" investigation that began in July 2016, he said. |
| The probe includes examining possible links between Mr Trump's campaign and the Russian government. | The probe includes examining possible links between Mr Trump's campaign and the Russian government. |
| In May, Mr Comey was fired. | In May, Mr Comey was fired. |
| The White House initially said it was over his handling of the inquiry into Hillary Clinton's emails. But Mr Trump later said "this Russia thing with Trump" was a factor in his decision. | The White House initially said it was over his handling of the inquiry into Hillary Clinton's emails. But Mr Trump later said "this Russia thing with Trump" was a factor in his decision. |
| In a meeting with the Russian ambassador and foreign minister, Mr Trump said firing Comey had eased "great pressure", the New York Times reported. | In a meeting with the Russian ambassador and foreign minister, Mr Trump said firing Comey had eased "great pressure", the New York Times reported. |
| A special counsel, Robert Mueller, has been appointed to resume the investigation. | A special counsel, Robert Mueller, has been appointed to resume the investigation. |
| And Mr Comey will testify next week to Congress on the matter. | And Mr Comey will testify next week to Congress on the matter. |
| Comey testimony | |
| Excerpts from Mr Comey's much anticipated testimony before a Senate panel reveal that Mr Trump asked the former FBI chief to pledge his loyalty, confirming previous media reports about a January meeting between the pair. | |
| "I need loyalty, I expect loyalty," Mr Trump said, according to Mr Comey's testimony. | |
| Mr Comey's opening statement, released a day ahead of his testimony, also outlined a February meeting and two phone calls with the president before the ex-FBI chief was sacked in April. | |
| During the 14 February meeting, Mr Trump appealed to Mr Comey to end an investigation into his fired national security adviser Michael Flynn. | |
| "I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go," the president allegedly told Mr Comey, according to testimony. | |
| Mr Comey also will confirm Mr Trump's claim that he assured the president himself was not under investigation. | |
| He also divulged that he kept written memos on his meetings and phone calls with the president. |