Countable Primer: The Russia Investigation
Join us and tell your reps how you feel!
U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian operatives with strong ties to the Kremlin, sought to influence the 2016 presidential election. A Special Counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, was appointed to investigate any ties Russia's operation may have had with officials in Donald Trump's campaign. The Russia Investigation is ongoing. Here's what you need to know:
What’s the Latest?
Mueller has brought charges against several people who worked with the Trump campaign. The include:
Paul Manafort, the chairman of the Trump campaign during the summer of 2016. He, along with his partner Rick Gates, is charged with 32 counts of financial fraud, bank fraud, and tax fraud, in connection with their alleged attempts to avoid paying taxes and launder as much as $75 million dollars received from the government of Ukraine, which is closely tied to the Kremlin. Manafort maintains his innocence. Here is the full text of the latest indictment.
Rick Gates, Trump's former deputy campaign chairman, and long-time business partner of Manafort. See charges above. Gates pleaded guilty to some charges in federal court and cooperating with the investigation, in return for a lighter sentence.
Michael Flynn, President Trump's first National Security Advisor. He has pleaded guilty to charges of lying to federal investigators, and is cooperating with the investigation. Here is the full text of the charges.
George Papadopoulos, a campaign advisor. He pleaded guilty to charges of lying to the FBI about connections he had with Russia while working on the Trump campaign. He is cooperating with the investigation. Here is the full text of the charges.
Mueller has also charged 13 Russian nationals and 3 businesses for interfering in the 2016 elections, and running a coordinated, covert campaign supporting Trump's candidacy. The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; five were charged with identity theft; and all were charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. The full indictment can be found here.
Who is Robert Mueller?
Special counsel Robert S. Mueller, III is the former head of the FBI, and a long-time federal prosecutor. He is well known and highly respected in Washington, and was appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein as Special Counsel in charge of the Russia Investigation. Mueller (pronounced MULL-er) is tasked with investigating possible Russian meddling in the 2016 election and potential collusion with the Trump campaign. Mueller can also file charges for other crimes he discovers during his investigation.
Exactly How did Russia Attempt to Influence the Election?
Russian teams used social media extensively to spread negative propaganda about Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, and others who ran against Donald Trump. One group in particular ran a sophisticated, organized operation, backed by the Kremlin: The Internet Research Agency. It created hundreds of fake Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, then paid for ads to promote their posts, as well as organizing rallies in support of Trump. The group also sent covert operators into the United States, using fake passports and posing as U.S. citizens, to carry out the scheme.
Pushback from the White House
President Trump unhappy about the investigation, going so far as to call the question of collusion between Russia and his campaign "a hoax. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any attempt by his operatives to interfere with the election, and in the fall of 2017, Trump said, “Every time he sees me, he says, 'I didn't do that,' … And I believe, I really believe, that when he tells me that, he means it."
What You Can Do
Check out Countable Explains: Who's Who in the Russia Investigation?
Hit the Take Action button to contact your Senators and House Representative and tell them what you think of the Russia Investigation.
Share this primer on social media.
Continue following the events in the investigation and find original source documents in Countable Russia Investigation Center .
The Latest
-
🌎 Are You Ready To Take Action Against Climate Change?Scientists claim that last year "smashed" the record for the hottest year by a large margin , offering a "dramatic testimony" of read more... Environment
-
Should U.S. Implement a New Tax on AI to Fund Worker Benefits?The debate As technology advances, artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into our society. While leaders in AI read more... Artificial Intelligence
-
SCOTUS Hears Arguments of Abortion Pill Mifepristone CaseUpdated March 27, 2024, 12:30 p.m. EST On Tuesday, March 26, the Supreme Court heard arguments about the mifepristone case, read more... Women's Health
-
IT: ⛑️ It's American Red Cross Giving Day, and... How will you give back today?Welcome to Wednesday, March 27th, philanthropists and entrepreneurs... It's American Red Cross Giving Day - a time to ensure the read more...