Three prongs of the Russia investigation, explained:

[Madam45for2923]

As special counsel Robert S. Mueller III widens his inquiry of Russia's role in the 2016 presidential campaign, it can be difficult to keep track of who is under investigation for what. The Fix is here to help.

The law enforcement investigation led by Mueller now has three known prongs, after The Washington Post reported Wednesday night that Mueller will interview senior intelligence officials to help determine whether President Trump attempted to obstruct justice.

I've broken down each of the three prongs below. Keep in mind that congressional committees are conducting investigations of their own: This post covers only the special counsel investigation. To better understand the others, check out Amber Phillips's guide: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/03/01/your-cheat-sheet-to-the-four-potential-investigations-of-russia-and-president-trump/?utm_term=.00ac14ea6637



1. Russian election meddling and possible collusion with the Trump campaign

2. Possible attempts to obstruct justice

3. Possible financial crimes


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1. Russian election meddling and possible collusion with the Trump campaign

This is where it all started. James B. Comey, who led the law enforcement investigation until he was fired as FBI director May 9, testified last week before the Senate Intelligence Committee that he has no doubt that Russia attempted to influence the presidential race by hacking the Democratic National Committee and launching cyberattacks on state election systems, among other tactics

Comey's testimony was consistent with a joint report issued by the FBI, the CIA and the National Security Agency in January, which concluded: “We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election. Russia’s goals were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump.”

A key question is whether Russia merely preferred Trump or worked with members of his campaign. Comey confirmed in previous testimony March 20 that the FBI was investigating the possibility of collusion between the campaign and Russia.

Former CIA director John Brennan testified May 23 that his agency alerted the FBI last year to a troubling pattern of contacts between Russian officials and Trump associates.

“I was worried by a number of the contacts that the Russians had with U.S. persons,” Brennan said.


Trump associates reportedly under scrutiny include Paul Manafort, who was Trump's campaign manager, and former advisers Roger Stone and Carter Page.


2. Possible attempts to obstruct justice...


https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/06/15/3-prongs-of-the-russia-investigation-explained/?utm_term=.cec902b06d21




Long article explains all three...

[Madam45for2923]

1. Your cheat sheet for all the investigations into Russia and Trump

This post, originally published in March, has been updated with the latest news.

President Trump fired FBI Director James B. Comey last week for, by his own admission, the fact that Comey was investigating the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia.

Now Trump is facing a litany of investigations — most seriously, a special counsel appointed by the Justice Department who will have wide berth to investigate whether Russia meddled in the U.S. election and whether any Trump associates helped the foreign power. Justice’s announcement of an independent prosecutor comes a day after we learned Comey said Trump asked him to drop the FBI’s probe into Trump’s ally, former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Here’s your cheat sheet into all the investigations going on — and others that could be opened. We included pros and cons of each type of investigation, with our baseline being a fair and accurate one.

1. A special counsel on Russia

2. The FBI investigation

3. Various congressional committees

4. A special, Russia-only congressional committee

5. An independent commission on Russia



Article goes into each one here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/03/01/your-cheat-sheet-to-the-four-potential-investigations-of-russia-and-president-trump/?utm_term=.00ac14ea6637

[bresue]

2. Thank you for posting...I could not explain better.

Matter of fact, I sent the link to my sister who has 3 little children and does not get a chance to keep up. She will like this because it is easy to read, and simplified.

[Madam45for2923]

4. Thanks! I recommend both links: the one from my OP and the one in post #1 above yours.

[furtheradu]

3. Thanks for this! nt