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We are missing the biggest Mueller headline. With his report, the Special Counsel issued a glaring alarm on Russian interference in US politics & beyond. On page 1, he found that Russia “interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion.” 1/
2/ The interference began a full two years before the election, after Russia seized Crimea in 2014, and coincided with several other hostile acts, including an attack on State Dept’s email system & shoot-down of MH17.
3/ Throughout, Russia had multiple contacts with Trump campaign associates & family members, including Donald Trump Jr, on topics ranging from dirt on Hillary Clinton, to business deals, to policy issues led by US sanctions on Russia.
4/ Moreover, several Trump officials amplified the Kremlin’s messaging – messaging intended both to undermine the election & help Trump – by disseminating misinformation from Russia.
5/ While previous US presidents have retaliated following Russian election interference – see Reagan boosting US support for Russian & Eastern European opposition groups after 1984 election – Trump has downplayed or ignored the threat.
6/ Every national security official, GOP and Democrat, has told me effective deterrence requires a whole of government response & leadership from the top, which they find still lacking.
7/ “This was a big win for the Russians,” fmr NSA Dep Dir Rick Ledgett told me. “I'm sure lots of folks got medals pinned on their chests, and promotions. If I were their boss, I would've done that.”
8/ More from Ledgett: “They did a great job. Low cost, no real impact to Russia, huge payoff, in terms of damaging the status of the United States.”
9/ This is just one front in a global “Shadow War” on the US. You’ll get the full picture May 14, when my book “The Shadow War" is released. I hope you’ll take a look. Pre-order available here: harpercollins.com/9780062853646/…
