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The Intellectualist Profile picture
@highbrow_nobrow
Sep 23, 2020 • 10 tweets • 4 min read • Read on X
1. A Florida judge rumored to be on President Trump’s shortlist to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court is presently hearing a $100M lawsuit from a top Trump campaign strategist.
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…
2. Less than a year ago, Trump appointed Judge Barbara Lagoa to Florida's 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…
3. Now, Lagoa sits on a three-judge panel “which will decide whether the effort by the president's senior campaign strategist Jason Miller to revive a $100 million defamation suit against Gizmodo may advance.” (Salon)
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…
4. “Miller has sued the media conglomerate over a 2018 article in its now-defunct subsidiary website Splinter reporting that he drugged a woman with an abortion pill without her knowledge after learning she was pregnant.” (Salon)
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…
5. The report indicated that the allegation was contained in a court filing from former Trump campaign aide A.J. Delgado.
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…
6. “Delgado has been engaged in a bitter custody dispute since 2017 with Miller, a married man who fathered her child while they worked on the campaign.” (Salon)
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…
7. Miller, who denies the allegations, subsequently filed a $100 million defamation suit against Gizmodo Media and Splinter reporter Katherine Krueger.
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…
8. The lawsuit was tossed by a Miami-based federal district court judge a year ago, Salon reported, but Miller appealed the ruling.
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…
9. “The two Trump-appointed judges on the panel — Lagoa and Andrew Brasher — ‘seemed friendlier to Miller's case,’ according to a Politico report on the initial hearing last month.” (Salon)
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…
10. “For a Supreme Court nominee, Lagoa's judicial experience would be thin by historical standards. Lagoa has about nine months of experience on the federal bench, and she previously served for less than one year on Florida's Supreme Court.” (Salon)
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectua…

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More from @highbrow_nobrow

The Intellectualist Profile picture
Apr 6
Chronicle of Recklessness: Donald J. Trump and the Jeopardization of U.S. National Security (Part III)

Infiltrations at Mar-a-Lago Highlight Security Gaps and Unseen Risks

The incidents of infiltration at Mar-a-Lago, most notably involving Inna Yashchyshyn and Yujing Zhang, spotlight a pattern of lax security under Donald Trump's administration, reflective of a broader, reckless approach to national security. This disregard is not a general lapse but a direct consequence of the atmosphere Trump cultivated, where the protocols designed to safeguard sensitive environments were often sidelined.

Yashchyshyn's audacious entry into Mar-a-Lago, under the false identity of a Rothschild heiress, and her interactions with key political figures, including Trump himself, underscore the absence of rigorous security measures. Such breaches, facilitated by an environment where verification and vetting processes were evidently insufficient, are emblematic of Trump's casual approach to securing potentially vulnerable spaces.

Similarly, Yujing Zhang's incident, wherein she was found carrying multiple electronic devices, some initially suspected to contain malware, further exposes the depth of security shortcomings during Trump's tenure. Her unauthorized access, equipped with tools for potential cyber espionage, underscores not just a physical security failure but a profound cybersecurity risk—a risk that emerged from a culture of negligence toward national security concerns.

This pattern of security lapses, marked by Zhang's arrest and the potential for cyber threats, underscores a concerning disregard for the complexity of security threats faced by high-profile venues associated with political figures. It reflects a broader trend of Trump's administration's approach to national security: a disregard for established protocols and a predisposition toward recklessness that compromised the safety and integrity of not only Mar-a-Lago but potentially the nation.

Trump’s Unique Unsuitability For Any National Security Role

Trump's Recklessness with Classified Information Relating to CIA Assets

While there is no direct evidence tying former President Donald Trump to the death of CIA informants, substantial evidence exists illustrating his reckless handling of classified information concerning CIA assets and the secrets surrounding them. This behavior has sparked significant concern among intelligence and national security professionals about the potential compromise of critical sources and the implications for US intelligence capabilities.

In an unprecedented top-secret cable sent to all CIA stations and bases worldwide, American counterintelligence officials highlighted the alarming trend of informants being captured, killed, or compromised.

This cable, which reviewed dozens of cases over recent years, marked a rare admission of the challenges and dangers faced by CIA operatives and their sources in hostile environments. Adversarial intelligence services, especially in nations like Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan, have intensified efforts to neutralize the CIA's human intelligence assets, often turning them into double agents.

The cable underscored several issues that have compounded these risks, including poor tradecraft, a tendency to trust sources too readily, underestimating foreign intelligence capabilities, and hasty recruitment of informants without sufficient consideration of counterintelligence dangers. These practices have endangered the lives of sources and jeopardized the integrity and effectiveness of US intelligence operations.

Moreover, Trump's history of mishandling classified information was further underscored by the discovery of documents marked "HCS" (Human Intelligence Control System) among those removed from Mar-a-Lago. HCS documents contain sensitive information that could potentially identify CIA informants.

Such materials demand the highest levels of protection due to the grave risk of compromising these sources. The inclusion of HCS-marked documents among the classified materials mishandled by Trump's administration illustrates a profound disregard for the protocols designed to safeguard America's most vital intelligence assets.

The implications of Trump's actions extend beyond immediate operational setbacks. The broader concern lies in the potential erosion of trust and confidence among current and potential intelligence sources.

The knowledge that sensitive information is not being adequately protected can deter individuals from cooperating with the US, thereby diminishing the CIA's ability to collect vital intelligence. This erosion of trust undermines the foundation of human intelligence operations and poses long-term challenges to national security.

While direct consequences, such as the death of CIA assets, cannot be conclusively attributed to Trump's actions, the indirect effects of his cavalier approach to handling classified information relating to CIA informants are profound.

The compromise of human intelligence sources not only endangers individual lives but also weakens the United States' intelligence-gathering capabilities, with far-reaching implications for national security.

Trump Would Reveal Intelligence When He Felt Like It

Throughout Donald Trump's presidency, there was a pronounced hesitancy among intelligence officials to share sensitive information with him, primarily due to concerns over his lack of self-control, which could result in inadvertent disclosure of classified information.

This concern was not unfounded; reports highlighted instances where Trump, either through misunderstanding or disregard for the confidentiality protocols, shared or blurted out secret information. This pattern of behavior led to an atmosphere of caution among those responsible for briefing the President, as they feared his unpredictable nature could lead to grave consequences for U.S. national security.

Trump's approach to handling classified information was marked by a departure from established protocols, raising alarms at various levels of the U.S. government's intelligence and national security apparatus.

His casual attitude towards sensitive intelligence not only created operational challenges but also posed unique dangers to national security, to the extent that there was hesitation to share vital intelligence with him. This reluctance was driven by a recognition of the potential harm that could arise from the mishandling or unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

Instances where Trump's handling of classified information came under scrutiny include his decision to share highly classified intelligence with Russian officials in 2017 and to tweet a declassified satellite image of an Iranian military site in 2019. Such actions not only demonstrated a disregard for the protocols governing the handling and dissemination of classified information but also raised questions about the criteria used to determine what information was deemed shareable or declassifiable.

Trump’s Focus of Intelligence: The Personal and Prurient

Donald J. Trump's presidency starkly deviated from the norm in many respects, particularly in his handling of intelligence and national security matters.

This deviation was not just procedural but deeply personal, aligning more with the sensibilities of tabloid consumption than the grave responsibilities of presidential leadership. Trump exhibited an unusual fascination with the personal affairs and private lives of others, especially those in positions of power. His predilection for such information mirrored the voyeuristic tendencies often catered to by publications like the National Enquirer rather than any strategic interest in national safety.

This interest was vividly illustrated in Trump's focus on the sex lives of prominent figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Republican Senate candidate Josh Mandel. Information concerning Macron was notably discovered at Mar-a-Lago, and Trump openly discussed unverified and salacious rumors regarding Mandel's personal life, describing it as "fucking weird."

These fixations were emblematic of a broader pattern: Trump's engagement with intelligence often sought out the lurid and scandalous, diverging significantly from the expected focus on security threats and geopolitical dynamics that typically occupy presidential attention.

Trump's approach to these matters was less about the safety of the nation and more about gathering material that could be used for personal amusement or to wield influence within his inner circle.

His interest in such gossip—far removed from the purview of national security—suggested a leadership style that was more concerned with the power dynamics and scandals of the wealthy and influential than with the sober realities of governing and protecting a country.

This inclination towards the private and prurient details of others' lives not only marked a departure from traditional presidential conduct but also raised concerns about the prioritization of personal entertainment over the essential duties of national defense and intelligence.

In sum, Trump's presidency underscored a unique danger to the principles of national security: a commander-in-chief whose fascination with the sensational details of powerful individuals' lives overshadowed the imperative to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information.

This shift in focus—from the national to the personal—challenged conventional expectations of presidential responsibility and highlighted the unique vulnerabilities introduced by a leader whose interests aligned more closely with tabloid narratives than with the safeguarding of national interests.

In Closing

Throughout Donald J. Trump's tenure as President of the United States, his administration was characterized by unconventional approaches to national security and intelligence, which have stirred considerable debate and concern.

While direct evidence linking Trump to the compromising or deaths of CIA assets is absent, a constellation of incidents and attitudes during his presidency paints an alarming picture of disregard for the sanctity and security of classified information, raising questions about the indirect consequences of his actions on national security.

The exfiltration of a highly valuable Russian asset, a direct result of concerns over the individual's safety amidst Trump's handling of sensitive information, serves as a stark illustration of the potential risks to intelligence operatives' lives and the integrity of intelligence operations.

This action underscores the critical importance of protecting sources, a principle seemingly at odds with the cavalier attitude displayed by Trump towards classified material.

Adding to the concerns, the discovery of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, including those detailing information about human intelligence assets, further exemplifies the security lapses prevalent during Trump's time in office and beyond. Such mishandling of sensitive information not only poses immediate risks to the sources involved but also jeopardizes the broader intelligence network that underpins national security.

Moreover, Trump's comments in a Fox News interview, suggesting a belief in the potential to monetize classified intelligence, reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature and purpose of classified information.

This perspective is not only erroneous but also dangerous, suggesting a commodification of national security assets that could undermine the foundational principles of intelligence gathering and sharing.

While there is no known evidence directly tying Trump to the deaths of CIA assets, the cumulative impact of these incidents—coupled with a perceived lack of respect for the protocols and ethics governing classified information—casts a shadow over his administration's legacy in terms of national security.

The implications of these actions, both known and yet to be fully understood, underscore the paramount importance of adhering to established security protocols and treating intelligence with the utmost care and respect to safeguard the lives of operatives and the security of the nation they serve.

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Chronicle of Recklessness: Donald J. Trump and the Jeopardization of U.S. National Security (Part II)

Chronicle of Recklessness: Donald J. Trump and the Jeopardization of U.S. National Security (Part I)
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The Intellectualist Profile picture
Apr 5
Chronicle of Recklessness: Donald J. Trump and the Jeopardization of U.S. National Security (Part II)

Trump Reveals Classified Information to Russian Officials

In a consequential episode that underscored President Donald Trump's perilous approach to classified intelligence, a critical CIA informant within the Russian government was extracted in 2017.

This move was propelled by growing concerns over Trump's handling of sensitive information, particularly his disclosure of highly classified intel to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during a White House meeting in May 2017.

The informant, who had provided the CIA with invaluable insights into the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin's plans for decades, became a cornerstone for the U.S. understanding of Russia's intentions, especially concerning the interference in the 2016 presidential election.

The CIA's decision to extract the informant was not taken lightly; it followed intense deliberation and was primarily motivated by fears for the source's safety amidst Trump's unpredictable disclosures.

Trump's disclosure to the Russians did not just reveal a piece of intelligence; it exposed the intricate and highly sensitive intelligence-sharing arrangement with a key U.S. partner, potentially jeopardizing the source's method of acquiring crucial information on the Islamic State.

This act of sharing was deemed so reckless that it prompted immediate efforts by senior White House officials to mitigate the damage, underscoring the deep-seated anxieties within the U.S. intelligence community about Trump's impulsive handling of classified information.

The extraction of the informant deprived the United States of a pivotal window into the Kremlin at a time when understanding Russia's global maneuvers and internal decision-making processes was more critical than ever. The source had been instrumental in confirming Putin's direct involvement in orchestrating the 2016 election interference, affirming his preference for Trump's election, and personally ordering the DNC hack.

The extraction had profound ramifications. It not only ended the career of one of the CIA's most valuable assets but also cast a long shadow over the U.S. intelligence community's capacity to monitor and predict Russian activities. Officials involved in the operation grappled with the immediate loss of insight into Russian affairs and the broader implications for national security.

The incident encapsulated the broader concerns about Trump's approach to classified intelligence, highlighting a tension between the need to inform the highest levels of government and the imperative to protect sensitive national security information.

Trump's interactions with Russian officials, both in person and on public platforms like Twitter, sowed doubt among allies and intelligence sources about the United States' ability to safeguard secrets, potentially compromising future intelligence-gathering efforts and undermining national security.

Trump Covered-Up Saudi Murder of Washington Post Journalist

"Saudi Arabia—I have a great relationship with them," Donald Trump was quoted saying at a 2015 rally, as reported by The New York Times. "They purchase apartments from me, spending $40 million, $50 million. Why should I dislike them? I very much like them!" This statement, featured in a January 4, 2024 article titled "Trump Received Millions from Foreign Governments as President, Report Finds," provides a stark context for understanding his administration's handling of the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and a columnist for The Washington Post, was brutally murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018. The CIA concluded with high confidence that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination, contradicting the Saudi government's claims that it was a rogue operation.

Despite the overwhelming evidence and the intelligence community's assessment, President Trump resisted blaming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

His reluctance to confront the crown prince was highlighted by a candid admission in Bob Woodward's book "Rage," where Trump is quoted saying, "I saved his ass," referring to his efforts to protect MBS from Congressional scrutiny after Khashoggi's assassination.

Trump acknowledged leveraging his influence to halt congressional actions against the Crown Prince, illustrating a deliberate choice to prioritize strategic and economic relationships over the principles of justice and accountability.

This skepticism extended to Trump's inner circle, notably Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, who maintained a close relationship with Mohammed bin Salman.

Reports suggested that Kushner and the crown prince exchanged messages on WhatsApp, raising concerns about the security and privacy of their communications, especially in light of Saudi Arabia's alleged involvement in hacking Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' phone through WhatsApp.

The Trump administration's response to Khashoggi's murder was marked by a reluctance to hold the Saudi government accountable.

The Treasury Department sanctioned 17 Saudis for their role in the killing, but the sanctions stopped short of implicating Mohammed bin Salman directly. Trump's actions, including vetoing several resolutions aimed at blocking arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates worth approximately $8 billion, underscored a commitment to maintaining a strong bilateral relationship with Riyadh despite widespread condemnation of the murder.

In an attempt to placate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was outspoken in accusing the Saudi government of premeditated murder, there were reports that the Trump administration explored extraditing Fethullah Gulen, a cleric living in exile in the U.S. and wanted by Turkey.

This suggested an effort to mitigate the fallout from the Khashoggi case by making concessions to another key regional player.

The release of a U.S. intelligence report in February 2021, after Trump left office, unequivocally stated that Mohammed bin Salman approved the operation to capture or kill Jamal Khashoggi.

This confirmed what many had suspected about the crown prince's direct involvement, casting further doubt on Trump's attempts to shield the Saudi leadership from blame and raising serious questions about the role of personal interests and alliances in shaping U.S. foreign policy and the administration's commitment to justice and human rights on the international stage.

Saudi Arabia Invested $2b With Jared Kushner After Trump Left White House

Jared Kushner, central to shaping the Trump administration's Middle East strategy, cultivated a close relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). His involvement became especially controversial following the brutal murder of Khashoggi on October 2, 2018, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The CIA concluded with high confidence that MBS ordered Khashoggi's assassination, directly contradicting Saudi claims of a rogue operation.

According to The Intercept, a source familiar with the conversations among Saudi and Emirati royals shared that Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) had informed UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed about his discussions with Jared Kushner.

The Saudi Crown Prince reportedly boasted to the Emirati Crown Prince and others that Kushner was "in his pocket," highlighting the perceived influence MBS had over Kushner.

Despite clear intelligence assessments, the Trump administration, with Kushner's influence, resisted holding MBS accountable.

Trump’s admission in Bob Woodward's "Rage," stating he "saved his ass" in reference to protecting MBS from Congressional scrutiny, highlights a clear preference for preserving economic and strategic ties over adhering to ethical standards.

Following Kushner's departure from the White House, MBS's $2 billion investment into Kushner's firm, Affinity Partners, despite advice against it, raises significant ethical concerns.

This investment, coming amidst scrutiny over Kushner's close ties with MBS and the Saudi regime's actions, suggests potential conflicts of interest and raises questions about the motives behind U.S. foreign policy decisions during the Trump administration.

Trump's financial dealings with Saudi Arabia, his administration's approach to Khashoggi's murder, and Kushner's intimate association with MBS, combined with the considerable Saudi investment, underscore a narrative marked by placing personal interests over national priorities.

Trump’s Lax Approach To Iran

Trump's Tweet of Classified Satellite Image Raises National Security Concerns

In a move that stunned both the intelligence community and foreign policy experts, then-President Donald Trump tweeted a highly sensitive satellite image of an explosion at an Iranian space facility in August 2019.

The image, which experts believe was taken by a classified U.S. satellite or drone, showcased the aftermath of a failed Iranian rocket launch, displaying capabilities that were previously unknown to the public.

The tweeted image was far superior in quality to the best commercially available imagery at the time, indicating a resolution "well below 20 centimeters," according to Ankit Panda of the Federation of American Scientists. This revelation sparked immediate concerns about the potential compromise of critical U.S. spy capabilities, with experts warning that such a disclosure could allow adversaries, including Iran, Russia, and China, to adapt their operations to avoid detection by U.S. surveillance.

"We had a photo and I released it, which I have the absolute right to do," Trump told reporters, asserting his authority to declassify information. However, the decision to tweet the image, seemingly without interagency discussion or consideration of the implications, was seen as unprecedented and potentially damaging.

The image's release exposed the exceptional resolution capabilities of U.S. spy satellites and raised questions about how it was obtained, whether through a satellite, drone, or spy plane. The glare in the center of the image suggested it was a photo of a briefing slide or a piece of paper, further indicating the classified nature of the information.

Critics, including former officials from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the intelligence community, lambasted Trump's judgment. "These are closely held national secrets," remarked Panda, highlighting the risks of disclosing such information. Michael Mulroy, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, emphasized the importance of maintaining secrecy around efforts to disrupt or monitor Iranian satellite launches, given their potential dual use for developing ballistic missile technology.

The tweet's fallout extended beyond immediate security concerns, potentially undermining U.S. efforts to monitor Iran's missile and nuclear programs. "It degraded our confidence in that capability to pick up things that we might otherwise have picked up," a former senior official at the NRO reflected on the disclosure's impact.

Despite these concerns, some officials from Trump's administration downplayed the significance of the tweet, suggesting that the image's quality was not much better than what was available commercially and that the intelligence community's worries were overblown. However, experts like Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies argued that the image indeed revealed U.S. capabilities that were significantly superior to commercial technology, offering a "goldmine" of information about classified U.S. surveillance operations.

The incident underscored the delicate balance between a president's authority to declassify information and the imperative to protect national security secrets. Trump's decision to share the image without apparent regard for the potential consequences highlighted the tensions between his unconventional approach to governance and the traditionally cautious handling of sensitive intelligence.

Mar-A-Lago and Bedminster: Stolen Documents, Infiltrations, and Bragging

The Stolen Documents

Donald Trump faces a series of federal charges related to the handling of classified documents, as outlined in an indictment that spotlights his approach to sensitive information. At the core of the allegations is the assertion that Trump compromised national security through the retention and exposure of classified materials, including those detailing nuclear capabilities. These documents, which were improperly stored at his Mar-a-Lago estate and remained even after multiple requests for their return, represent a breach of protocol and trust typically vested in a president.

The indictment suggests a pattern of obstruction, detailing instances where Trump and his aides attempted to evade investigators' scrutiny. Surveillance video and audio recordings present evidence of Trump's direct involvement in withholding requested documents, reinforcing the charge of willful retention of national defense information. The former president's actions, particularly the alleged showcasing of a Pentagon "plan of attack" to visitors, underscore the disregard for the stringent measures expected in the management of classified data.

Legal experts emphasize the gravity of the charges, which could carry a substantial prison sentence upon conviction. Trump's response, an attempt to liken the situation to a separate investigation involving President Joe Biden, is seen as a deflection from the critical nature of his own case. The comparison falls short as there has been no indication that Biden sought to conceal classified records or knew of their existence at his residence.

The indictment details more than Trump's mishandling of documents. It paints a broader narrative of a leader who frequently dismissed established procedures and rules governing the security of the nation's secrets. It not only calls into question Trump's ability to uphold the laws that protect national defense information but also raises concerns about the potential risks posed to the safety and security of the United States.

As Trump prepares for his first court appearance, the legal community and the public alike are closely observing the unfolding of this unprecedented case. The outcome, while yet to be determined, is set to have a profound impact on the legacy of Trump's presidency and the standards of presidential accountability. Looking ahead, this case may well serve as a litmus test for the nation's commitment to upholding the rule of law and the importance of secure handling of classified information at the highest levels of government.

Trump's Casual Discussion of Classified Iran War Plans - Revelations from an Audio Recording

In 2021, an audio recording captured former President Donald Trump discussing a classified document concerning potential military action against Iran. This conversation, recorded at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, N.J., underlines Trump's acknowledgment of possessing classified material he did not declassify before leaving office. Trump's comments, "See, as president, I could have declassified it, now I can’t. ... Isn’t that interesting? It’s so cool," spotlight his cavalier attitude towards sensitive national security information. This recording serves as crucial evidence in the federal case against Trump, who faces 37 felony charges related to mishandling classified documents.

Bedminster Incident and Mark Meadows' Testimony

Trump allegedly left a top-secret Iran war plan on a couch at his New Jersey golf resort. Mark Meadows, Trump’s former chief of staff, reported in a draft of his memoir how Trump showcased the classified document, typed by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, during an interview.

This plan, which Trump presented as evidence of Milley's aggressive stance towards Iran, remained classified, contradicting Trump’s claims of having declassified all documents he took with him post-presidency. Meadows' account, shared with prosecutors, indicates Trump’s awareness of the document's classified status, stating, “It is like, highly confidential. Secret. This is secret information.”

Next Part Tomorrow

Bibliography:

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Barnes, Julian E., and Adam Goldman. "Captured, Killed or Compromised: C.I.A. Admits to Losing Dozens of Informants." The New York Times, October 5, 2021. Updated October 7, 2021. .

Bensinger, Ken, Miriam Elder, and Mark Schoofs. "These Reports Allege Trump Has Deep Ties To Russia." BuzzFeed News. January 10, 2017. .

Blake, Aaron. "The Ugly Story of Trump and Jamal Khashoggi Is Confirmed." The Washington Post, February 26, 2021. .

Borger, Julian. "Trump Boasted He Had 'Intelligence' on Macron's Sex Life." The Guardian, August 31, 2022. .

Broadwater, Luke. "Trump Received Millions From Foreign Governments as President, Report Finds." New York Times, January 4, 2024. .

Brumfiel, Geoff. "Trump Tweets Sensitive Surveillance Image Of Iran." NPR, August 30, 2019, 4:22 PM ET. Photographed for NPR on January 17, 2019, in Washington DC. .

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Dilanian, Ken, and Jonathan Allen. "Trump Bodyguard Keith Schiller Testifies Russian Offered Trump Women, Was Turned Down." NBC News, November 9, 2017. .

Dorfman, Zach. "More than Two Years After Trump Tweeted a Classified Image of Iran, Former Officials Are Divided on Fallout." Yahoo News. December 17, 2021. .

Emmons, Alex, Ryan Grim, and Clayton Swisher. "Saudi Crown Prince Boasted That Jared Kushner Was 'In His Pocket'." The Intercept, March 21, 2018. .
​​
Goldiner, Dave. "Mark Meadows says Trump left top secret Iran war plans on couch at Bedminster golf resort." New York Daily News. Published August 21, 2023, at 11:50 a.m. Updated August 21, 2023, at 10:00 p.m. .

Grant, Sarah, and Chuck Rosenberg. "The Steele Dossier: A Retrospective." Lawfare, December 14, 2018. .

Siddique, Haroon. "Russian sources disappeared after Trump declassified ex-spy’s evidence, UK court told." The Guardian, October 17, 2023. .

Helmore, Edward. "US investigates fake heiress who infiltrated Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort." The Guardian. Sat 27 Aug 2022 13.42 EDT. Last modified on Mon 29 Aug 2022 08.42 EDT. .

Johnson, Alex. "Chinese Woman to Be Deported for Trespassing at Mar-a-Lago." NBC News, November 25, 2019, 7:17 PM EST. .

Macias, Amanda, and Kevin Breuninger. "Trump says the US wasn’t involved in apparent launch pad explosion in Iran." CNBC. Published August 30, 2019, 3:35 PM EDT. Updated August 30, 2019, 6:22 PM EDT. .

Miller, Greg, and Greg Jaffe. "Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador." The Washington Post, May 15, 2017, 7:45 p.m. EDT. .

Porter, Tom. "Officials were reluctant to hand over sensitive intel to Trump because he would blurt out details, report says." Business Insider, September 2, 2022, 6:04 AM EDT..

Rawnsley, Adam, and Asawin Suebsaeng. "Trump Bragged He Had 'Intelligence' on Macron’s Sex Life. The FBI seized a document with 'info' on the French president during the Mar-a-Lago raid, and that has officials in both countries hunting for answers." Rolling Stone. August 29, 2022. .

Relman, Eliza. "Jared Kushner Reportedly Used WhatsApp to Chat with Mohammed bin Salman, Who May Have Used the Same App to Hack Jeff Bezos." Business Insider, January 21, 2020. .

Reuters. "Trump discusses Siberian wildfires, trade in call with Russia's Putin." Reuters, July 31, 2019, 11:00 PM EDT. Updated 5 years ago. .

Robertson, Lori, Robert Farley, D'Angelo Gore, and Eugene Kiely. "FactChecking Trump’s Rally, Fox Interview." . Posted on March 30, 2023. .

Sherman, Mark. "The 10 Instances of Possible Obstruction in Mueller Report." Associated Press, April 18, 2019..

Sheth, Sonam. "The US extracted a top spy from Russia after Trump revealed classified information to the Russians in an Oval Office meeting." Business Insider, September 10, 2019, 11:52 AM EDT. .

Sheth, Sonam, and John Haltiwanger. "'I Saved His A--': Trump Boasted That He Protected Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after Jamal Khashoggi's Brutal Murder, Woodward's New Book Says." Business Insider, September 10, 2020.

Stempel, Jonathan, and Karen Freifeld. "Donald Trump Found Liable for Fraud in New York Civil Case." Reuters, September 27, 2023, 2:17 AM EDT. .

Suebsaeng, Asawin, and Jackie Kucinich. "Trump Fixated on ‘Fucking Weird’ Senate Candidate and His Sex Life." The Daily Beast. Updated Feb. 05, 2022. Published Feb. 04, 2022. .

Tait, Matt. "What are the Classified Documents in the Trump Indictment?" Lawfare, June 14, 2023, 3:00 AM. .

Taylor, Adam. "Trump has spoken privately with Putin at least 16 times. Here’s what we know about the conversations." The Washington Post, October 4, 2019. .

Thai, Xuan, and Rich Schapiro. "Chinese Woman Arrested at Mar-a-Lago Is Denied Bail." NBC News. April 15, 2019. .

Thrush, Glenn, Alan Feuer, and Maggie Haberman. "Documents at Mar-a-Lago Could Compromise Human Intelligence Sources, Affidavit Says." The New York Times, August 26, 2022. .

Tucker, Eric, Jill Colvin, Alanna Durkin Richer, and Lindsay Whitehurst. "Donald Trump Stored, Showed Off and Refused to Return Classified Documents, Indictment Says." Associated Press, June 9, 2023. .washingtonpost.com/national-secur…
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FactCheck.org
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Chronicle of Recklessness: Trump and National Security This is the full article (above is part II)

This article goes deep into the dangers of Donald Trump ever having responsibilities relating to national security again. @ResoluteSquare

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Apr 3
Trump: Would you rather have the Black president or the white president? I think they want the white guy.
He has always been a bigot.
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Apr 2
Chronicle of Trump's Lax Approach to National Security and Surge in Spy Deaths: A Comprehensive Timeline

The behavior of President Trump regarding national security has been marked by a series of incidents that highlight a significant disregard for the protocols designed to safeguard sensitive information and intelligence assets.

This pattern of behavior includes the mishandling of classified documents, actions that have potentially jeopardized intelligence assets, and a general laxity towards the security of classified records. Notably, the disclosure of sensitive information necessitated the extraction of a top spy from Russia, and a reckless tweet about satellite spying capabilities concerning Iran further heightened security risks.

Moreover, Trump's casual approach to handling classified records, particularly evidenced by incidents at Mar-a-Lago, has led to serious legal implications, including espionage charges. His remarks trivializing the importance of securing classified information, alongside comparisons to Nixon's financial benefits from document sales, only add to the severity of these concerns.

Despite the lack of concrete evidence tying Trump's actions to the surge in spy deaths reported in October 2021, the accumulation of these incidents underlines a troubling pattern of negligence. This pattern warrants a thorough examination for potential links to broader national security implications.

Although direct causality between Trump's national security stance and the reported increase in spy deaths remains unproven, the broader context of his tenure invites further scrutiny into the indirect impacts of his conduct on national security.

The infiltration of Mar-a-Lago by individuals with suspected espionage ties, among other security breaches, amplifies these concerns, suggesting that Trump's tenure may have indirectly influenced the safety and effectiveness of American intelligence operations.

Timeline:

May 10, 2017: Trump revealed highly classified information to Russians (Source: The Washington Post, "Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador").

July 31, 2019: Trump spoke with Putin about wildfires in Siberia and trade between their two nations, the White House said (Source: Reuters, "Trump discusses Siberian wildfires, trade in call with Russia's Putin").

August 3, 2019: Trump issued a request for a list of top US spies, raising concerns about the potential for exposing or compromising intelligence assets (Source: The Daily Beast, "White House Asks for List of Top Spies During Intelligence Shakeup").

August 30, 2019: Trump tweets a classified satellite photo of Iran (Source: NPR, "Trump Tweets Sensitive Surveillance Image Of Iran").

October 5, 2021: "CIA Admits to Losing Dozens of Informants" over the past few years, highlighting challenges in intelligence operations and potential compromises (Source: The New York Times, "Captured, Killed or Compromised: C.I.A. Admits to Losing Dozens of Informants").

August 26, 2022: Documents at Mar-a-Lago Could Compromise Human Intelligence Sources, as the Justice Department's search was spurred by the discovery that Trump had retained highly classified material (Source: The New York Times, "Documents at Mar-a-Lago Could Compromise Human Intelligence Sources, Affidavit Says").

March 27, 2023: In a televised interview, Trump discusses the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago for classified documents he retained post-presidency, making comparisons to former President Nixon and implying a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the Presidential Records Act. Trump's claim that he had the right to take presidential records and his reference to an $18 million settlement paid to Nixon (which pertains to a different legal context and era) underscores a troubling perspective on the ownership and handling of classified information, suggesting that he intended to monetize them. (Source: , "Fact-Checking Trump’s Rally, Fox Interview".)

Bibliography

Barnes, Julian E., and Adam Goldman. "Captured, Killed or Compromised: C.I.A. Admits to Losing Dozens of Informants." The New York Times, October 5, 2021. Updated October 7, 2021. Accessed January 31, 2024. .

Brumfiel, Geoff. "Trump Tweets Sensitive Surveillance Image Of Iran." NPR, August 30, 2019, 4:22 PM ET. Photographed for NPR on January 17, 2019, in Washington DC. Accessed January 31, 2024. .

Helmore, Edward. "US investigates fake heiress who infiltrated Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort." The Guardian. Sat 27 Aug 2022 13.42 EDT. Last modified on Mon 29 Aug 2022 08.42 EDT. Accessed January 31, 2024. .

Lawfare Staff. "What are the Classified Documents in the Trump Indictment?" Lawfare, June 14, 2023, 3:00 AM. Accessed January 31, 2024. .

Miller, Greg, and Greg Jaffe. "Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador." The Washington Post, May 15, 2017, 7:45 p.m. EDT. Accessed January 31, 2024. .

Reuters. "Trump discusses Siberian wildfires, trade in call with Russia's Putin." Reuters, July 31, 2019, 11:00 PM EDT. Updated 5 years ago. Accessed January 31, 2024. .

Robertson, Lori, Robert Farley, D'Angelo Gore, and Eugene Kiely. "FactChecking Trump’s Rally, Fox Interview." . Posted on March 30, 2023. Accessed January 31, 2024. .

Sheth, Sonam. "The US extracted a top spy from Russia after Trump revealed classified information to the Russians in an Oval Office meeting." Business Insider, September 10, 2019, 11:52 AM EDT. Accessed January 31, 2024. .

Taylor, Adam. "Trump has spoken privately with Putin at least 16 times. Here’s what we know about the conversations." The Washington Post, October 4, 2019. Accessed January 31, 2024. .

Thrush, Glenn, Alan Feuer, and Maggie Haberman. "Documents at Mar-a-Lago Could Compromise Human Intelligence Sources, Affidavit Says." The New York Times, August 26, 2022. Accessed January 31, 2024. .FactCheck.org
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npr.org/2019/08/30/755…
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reuters.com/article/idUSKC…
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factcheck.org/2023/03/factch…
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Corrections:

*Former President Trump
*Failed to add story to bibliography :
*Failed to add story to bibliography

*Trump’s recklessness affected U.S. national security interests directly and indirectly.

Additional context:

The Daily Beast reported that the motive behind the request for a specific list was not entirely clear, but it was believed to be tied to the White House’s effort to identify a temporary Director of National Intelligence. This action was widely interpreted as an attempt by former President Trump to politicize the United States’ intelligence apparatus. Such attempts were consistent with Trump’s previously demonstrated contempt and reckless disregard for the nation’s intelligence agencies, which directly and indirectly impacted U.S. national security interests.

Furthermore, former President Trump’s decision to declassify intelligence regarding his alleged ties with Russia, provided by a former British spy, led to severe consequences.

According to court documents, two Russian sources named in the declassified intelligence had not been seen or heard from following the publication. This action severely damaged the U.S. government’s operations in Russia and its ability to recruit new Russian sources. Trump’s handling of this sensitive information was described as truly shocking and arguably one of the most egregious breaches of intelligence rules and protocol in recent times.

Adding to concerns about Trump’s approach to national security, Trump tweeted a highly detailed image of an exploded rocket on a launch pad in Iran. The clarity of the image initially led experts to question its source. However, it was soon determined to have been taken by a classified U.S. satellite, USA 224, believed to be a KH-11 reconnaissance satellite. This disclosure, now formally declassified following a Freedom of Information Act request, underscored Trump’s cavalier attitude towards sharing sensitive U.S. intelligence.

Steven Aftergood, a specialist in secrecy and classification at the Federation of American Scientists, noted that Trump’s tweet shared some of the U.S. government’s most closely guarded intelligence on Iran, highlighting a troubling readiness to disseminate sensitive information publicly.

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Feb 29
The techniques used by Fox News to manipulate its viewers are no different than those used by Joseph Goebbels.

Fox aims to keep its viewers angry by priming them with emotionally charged propaganda meant to confuse and undermine their understanding of reality. 1/5 Image
Fox and other propagandists have long sought to influence election outcomes by promoting mistrust of institutions and general cynicism about the role of government.

This cartoon captures how the Right has used propaganda for decades to promote their longterm interests. 2/5 Image
Fox exists to confuse and mislead Americans. It doesn’t exist to inform, it exists to misinform. 3/5 Image
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Feb 21
🚨Fake GOP Witness Linked to Russian Kompromat Scheme Targeting High-Profile Americans

Uncovered documents disclose a Russian intelligence plot to amass kompromat at Kyiv's Premier Palace Hotel, implicating Smirnov in a conspiracy to manipulate U.S. political outcomes.

The operation's aim is to gather sensitive material on distinguished Americans for potential leverage in the 2024 elections, highlighting a calculated attempt to destabilize U.S. democratic processes.

**Details:**

- The Premier Palace Hotel in Kyiv, Ukraine, serves as the epicenter for Russian intelligence's kompromat operations, with Smirnov as a key informant.
- Smirnov's associations include:
- **Russian Official 1**: Described as an orchestrator of international assassination operations and progeny of a high-ranking Russian figure.
- **Russian Official 2**: A senior member within the Russian foreign intelligence hierarchy, holding discussions about the conflict in Ukraine.
- **Russian Official 4**: The overseer of the surveillance operation at the Premier Palace Hotel, which targets influential Americans for kompromat.
- Smirnov has promulgated fabricated stories, notably about Businessperson 1's supposed activities in Ukraine, to create kompromat for Russian intelligence use.
- These machinations underscore Russia's strategic efforts to infiltrate and potentially sway the U.S. electoral system.
- There is an expressed apprehension that Smirnov might abscond to preclude legal responsibility for his involvement in the kompromat dissemination.

t.co/6e8TyEYgJGImage
🚨In addition, the DOJ memo discusses a Russian intelligence operation focused on gathering compromising information (kompromat) on key U.S. figures.

The operation involves the interception of phone calls at a hotel, dubbed a "club," by Russian Official 4, who heads a specific unit within the Russian Intelligence Service. This kompromat is potentially earmarked for use in influencing the outcome of the 2024 U.S. election.

**Details:**
- **Russian Intelligence Operation**: Led by Russian Official 4, targeting a hotel used as a surveillance site to intercept calls from high-profile U.S. individuals.
- **Objective**: To acquire kompromat that could be deployed strategically depending on the candidates in the 2024 U.S. election.
- **Smirnov's Role**: As an informant, Smirnov relayed details of the operation to his FBI Handler and insisted on this narrative in a September 2023 meeting with investigators.
- **Potential Election Influence**: The gathered intelligence is part of a calculated effort to exert control over U.S. political dynamics through blackmail or public exposure.Image
The memorandum arguing for Smirnov’s detainment.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
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