Clarity on the Investigation into Trump-Russia Collusion: Who, What, and Why?
The investigation into any links or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump campaign is ongoing. This article aims to clarify the nature of the charges being investigated and address common misconceptions raised by the White House regarding the scope and method of the investigation.
What is Being Investigated?
The investigation, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, aims to uncover a range of possible offenses. The central mission is to investigate the 'coordination' or 'links' between the Russian government and the Trump campaign during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. This mission encompasses a broad range of potential crimes including, but not limited to, election interference, information tampering, and witness tampering.
The Nature of the Charges
It is important to clarify that there are no specific charges that have been predetermined. The prosecutor's office is tasked with uncovering evidence related to a variety of potential offenses that may arise from the investigation. These offenses may include:
Crimes: The investigation uncovers various crimes such as the breach of election laws and the manipulation of information to influence the election. Conspiracies: It is the investigation into potential conspiracies to manipulate the electoral process and to spread false information. Other Malfeasance: The investigation extends to other forms of wrongdoing that may arise in the course of the inquiry, such as obstructing justice or interfering with the investigative process.Confronting Misconceptions
A common misconception is the idea that the investigation is only looking to make Mr. Trump guilty, or is focused solely on a few indicted individuals. In fact, the investigation is broader and aims to follow all evidence to wherever it leads. This includes investigating the actions of individuals within the Trump campaign who may have coordinated or collaborated with Russian entities.
Moreover, the term 'collusion' is often misunderstood. Collusion is a term used to describe the improper coordination between a political campaign and foreign entities, which in this case, is the Russian government during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The investigation is not limited to collusion but extends to the broader issue of Russian interference.
Current State of the Investigation
As of now, several crimes and conspiracies have been uncovered. The full Mueller indictment on the Russian election case and the indictment of multiple Russian operatives provide evidence of sophisticated and targeted efforts by the Russian government to interfere in the election.
The two main threads of the investigation are the attempts to:
Divide the country and create negative sentiment towards Hillary Clinton through targeted advertising and social media commentary. Use hacked Democratic emails to embarrass Clinton.It is crucial to understand that the investigation is not limited to a specific set of charges but is a comprehensive review of all potential offenses that may arise from the evidence gathered.
Conclusion
The investigation into the Trump-Russia collusion case is ongoing. It encompasses a wide range of offenses and aims to uncover the full extent of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The term 'collusion' is unfortunately often misinterpreted, but the investigation is not only about making Mr. Trump guilty or focusing on a few indicted individuals. It is a broad and thorough investigation designed to follow all evidence and uncover all potential offenses.