Yeah, seems to be a small number of people who knew about the DO NOT CONGRATULATE! the murderous dictator on his latest stolen election instruction:

President Donald Trump was infuriated after it quickly leaked that he had been directly instructed by his national security advisers in briefing materials not to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his recent election victory during their call Tuesday morning, a source familiar with the President's thinking said.

Trump was fuming Tuesday night, asking his allies and outside advisers who they thought had leaked the information, noting that only a small group of staffers have access to those materials and would have known what guidance was included for the Putin call, the source said.

According to the source, the incident resurfaces his long-held belief there are individuals inside his administration -- especially in the national security realm -- who are actively working to undermine him.

White House chief of staff John Kelly also is furious that a confidential presidential briefing became public knowledge, a White House official said, and intends to address the matter Wednesday as aides try to figure out who disclosed the warning.

"If this story is accurate, that means someone leaked the President's briefing papers. Leaking such information is a fireable offense and likely illegal," another senior White House official told CNN Wednesday.

Trump doesn’t bother to hide his submissiveness to Putin anymore

Human rights advocates were horrified. “Putin should be condemned, not congratulated, for leading an authoritarian regime that cynically manipulates its own elections and actively works to undermine elections in the United States and other democracies,” said Michael J. Abramowitz, president of Freedom House. “The United States should recognize Putin as the leader of a repressive government that seeks to export its model of denying fundamental freedoms, and its intolerance of opposition.”

Likewise, David Kramer, former assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, wryly observed, “If he had to call at all, Trump should have called Putin on Saturday, the day before the so-called election, to congratulate him since the outcome was already known, with Putin having ensured ‘victory’ with the murder in 2015 of one leading Russian opposition figure (Boris Nemtsov) and the disqualification of another ([Alexei] Navalny) on an absurd conviction.” He cautioned, “No Western leader should have congratulated Putin because Russia didn’t hold an election in any true sense of that word. Russians deserve better. And to say nothing about the recent poisoning in the UK, interference in our and other elections, or Russian actions in Syria and Ukraine is to embolden Putin to continue such outrageous conduct.”

Trump’s servility when it comes to Putin defies a benign explanation and takes us to the heart of the Russia scandal: What does Putin “have” on Trump, and why is Trump so reluctant to defend American interests when it comes to only this world leader? Mueller can ask Stephen K. Bannon and Michael Flynn about Trump’s mysterious passivity, but he might want to question outgoing secretary of state Rex Tillerson, too. He would no doubt be entirely candid and might have some important insights into Trump’s refusal to challenge Putin. Come to think of it, Mike Pompeo, the CIA director who has been nominated to replace Tillerson, might have something to say on this score as well.

Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn blog for The Post, offering reported opinion from a conservative perspective.

Posted by cccp1014 on 3/21/2018 12:58:00 PM (view original):

Posted by tangplay on 3/21/2018 12:36:00 PM (view original):

Posted by cccp1014 on 3/21/2018 11:51:00 AM (view original):

Posted by The Taint on 3/20/2018 5:58:00 PM (view original):
you are wrong by a wide margin. Russia just hijacked our entire Democratic process and has the same arsenal we do.

Over the past 20 years how many Americans has Russia killed compared to Islamists?

Russia may not be a "friend" but they aren't killing American soldiers and civilians like the Islamists do. I don't hear their citizens yelling "death to America".

I strongly disagree with you here, Jeff. Very strongly.

Russia is pretty anti-America and are far more dangerous than Islamists.

How do you know? You are as smart as a bag of hammers. You are a liar. Go away.

Putin said that he is anti-america. Also Russia has nukes. And a giant army.

Posted by dino27 on 3/21/2018 10:21:00 AM (view original):
everyone everywhere points out that the guard prevented more shooting...kudos and gigantic thanks to him.....that is not in dispute by anyone with a brain..certainly not by me...thats a given and the not the substance of my comments...it isnt a point.....we all know what the guard did....i never ignored that.....i have a brain.
my comments were a bit more important then discussing the obvious and leaving it there........the nra supporters will paint the scenario that a guard or police officer or trained teacher with a handgun can stop a shooter with an assault weapon.

YES

Posted by tangplay on 3/21/2018 10:21:00 AM (view original):
Exactly Dino. I am a staunch advocate of better security guards in schools. It has the same upside as arming teachers without a downside, and they are actually trained to handle that situation. A teacher has no chance against an Ar-15.

WRONG

Posted by wylie715 on 3/21/2018 11:55:00 AM (view original):

Posted by crazystengel on 3/20/2018 7:57:00 PM (view original):
Trump’s national security advisers warned him not to congratulate Putin. He did it anyway.

President Trump did not follow specific warnings from his national security advisers when he congratulated Russian President Vladi­mir Putin Tuesday on his reelection, including a section in his briefing materials in all-capital letters stating “DO NOT CONGRATULATE,” according to officials familiar with the call.

Trump also chose not to heed talking points from aides instructing him to condemn Putin about the recent poisoning of a former Russian spy in the United Kingdom with a powerful nerve agent, a case that both the British and U.S. governments have blamed on Moscow.

The president’s conversation with Putin, which Trump called a “very good call,” prompted fresh criticism of his muted tone toward one of the United States’s biggest geopolitical rivals amid the ongoing special counsel investigation into Russia’s election interference and the Trump campaign’s contacts with Russian officials.

Although the Trump administration has taken a tougher stance toward Russia recently — including new sanctions last week on some entities for election meddling and cyber attacks — the president has declined to forcefully join London in denouncing Moscow for the poisoning of Sergie Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury this month. They remain critically ill.

Trump told reporters that he had offered his well wishes on Putin’s new six-year term during a conversation on a range of topics, including arms control and the security situations in Syria and North Korea. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that Skripal’s case was not discussed. Information on Syria and North Korea were also provided to the president in writing before the call, officials said.

“We’ll probably be meeting in the not-too-distant future,” Trump said of Putin, though Sanders emphasized that nothing was planned.

The White House press office declined to comment on the briefing materials given to Trump. Two people familiar with the notecards acknowledged that they included instructions not to congratulate Putin. But a senior White House official emphasized that national security adviser H.R. McMaster did not mention the issue during a telephone briefing with the president, who was in the White House residence ahead of and during his conversation with Putin.

It was not clear whether Trump read the notes, administration officials said. Trump, who initiated the call, opened it with the congratulations for Putin, one person familiar with the conversation said.

Good for Trump. A lot of guys who were up to their necks in Russian collusion/conspiracy/money laundering investigations would lay low after Putin won another one of his sham elections. Trump just says, "Eff that, my buddy stole another election and I'm going to congratulate him!"

I thought I saw where the White House is now denying that Trump called Putin. Or did I imagine that?

Beats us. Why don't you look it up and post it.

I'm sick and over insinuation.

Pics, Posts....or it didn't happen.

Posted by tangplay on 3/21/2018 12:36:00 PM (view original):

Posted by cccp1014 on 3/21/2018 11:51:00 AM (view original):

Posted by The Taint on 3/20/2018 5:58:00 PM (view original):
you are wrong by a wide margin. Russia just hijacked our entire Democratic process and has the same arsenal we do.

Over the past 20 years how many Americans has Russia killed compared to Islamists?

Russia may not be a "friend" but they aren't killing American soldiers and civilians like the Islamists do. I don't hear their citizens yelling "death to America".

I strongly disagree with you here, Jeff. Very strongly.

Russia is pretty anti-America and are far more dangerous than Islamists.

WRONG

They both suck equally bad

trump also wished putin a happy birthday and said putin had a parade of 20 million people.

Posted by crazystengel on 3/21/2018 1:20:00 PM (view original):

Posted by wylie715 on 3/21/2018 11:55:00 AM (view original):

Posted by crazystengel on 3/20/2018 7:57:00 PM (view original):
Trump’s national security advisers warned him not to congratulate Putin. He did it anyway.

President Trump did not follow specific warnings from his national security advisers when he congratulated Russian President Vladi­mir Putin Tuesday on his reelection, including a section in his briefing materials in all-capital letters stating “DO NOT CONGRATULATE,” according to officials familiar with the call.

Trump also chose not to heed talking points from aides instructing him to condemn Putin about the recent poisoning of a former Russian spy in the United Kingdom with a powerful nerve agent, a case that both the British and U.S. governments have blamed on Moscow.

The president’s conversation with Putin, which Trump called a “very good call,” prompted fresh criticism of his muted tone toward one of the United States’s biggest geopolitical rivals amid the ongoing special counsel investigation into Russia’s election interference and the Trump campaign’s contacts with Russian officials.

Although the Trump administration has taken a tougher stance toward Russia recently — including new sanctions last week on some entities for election meddling and cyber attacks — the president has declined to forcefully join London in denouncing Moscow for the poisoning of Sergie Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury this month. They remain critically ill.

Trump told reporters that he had offered his well wishes on Putin’s new six-year term during a conversation on a range of topics, including arms control and the security situations in Syria and North Korea. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that Skripal’s case was not discussed. Information on Syria and North Korea were also provided to the president in writing before the call, officials said.

“We’ll probably be meeting in the not-too-distant future,” Trump said of Putin, though Sanders emphasized that nothing was planned.

The White House press office declined to comment on the briefing materials given to Trump. Two people familiar with the notecards acknowledged that they included instructions not to congratulate Putin. But a senior White House official emphasized that national security adviser H.R. McMaster did not mention the issue during a telephone briefing with the president, who was in the White House residence ahead of and during his conversation with Putin.

It was not clear whether Trump read the notes, administration officials said. Trump, who initiated the call, opened it with the congratulations for Putin, one person familiar with the conversation said.

Good for Trump. A lot of guys who were up to their necks in Russian collusion/conspiracy/money laundering investigations would lay low after Putin won another one of his sham elections. Trump just says, "Eff that, my buddy stole another election and I'm going to congratulate him!"

I thought I saw where the White House is now denying that Trump called Putin. Or did I imagine that?

I haven't seen any denial, but if if there is one it means they're disputing Trump's own account: "I had a call with President Putin and congratulated him on the victory, his electoral victory."

Of course, it wouldn't be the first time Trump fabricated some closeness to Putin that didn't actually exist: "I got to know him very well because we were both on 60 Minutes, we were stablemates, and we did very well that night."

What are the odds that something coming out of Trump's mouth is complete bullshit? 50/50?

Did he break a law?

Posted by wylie715 on 3/21/2018 1:26:00 PM (view original):
my mistake...it said WH defends trumps call to Putin. Not denies.
I'd say the odds of complete bullshit coming out of Trump's mouth are a bit better than 50/50. Most of what comes out of his mouth seems to be bullshit

OK

please

the white house aka huckabee says

then the prez contradicts

then the white house aka huckabee backtracks



trump should close his press office

he doesn't need a filter he's got tweet

Posted by dino27 on 3/21/2018 1:45:00 PM (view original):
trump in his remarks said we could talk about arms.....i heard it and it sounded like trump was depending on whether putin wanted a talk on arms...his decision..
look out for trump trying to agree on a deal that is less then mutually beneficial.
i listen for nuances......trump is in fear.
it is interesting how he is imposing tariffs on china even before the nk summit....weird timing.

Obama gave up arms.
Hillary gave up uranium.
You say Trump is in fear? OF WHAT?
It's simple common sense he approves tariffs on a new economic GIANT like China who stole or bought all our stuff under the Clintons.
Russia is an insignificant dwarf with nukes. Soon to be joined by Korea and Iran.
The EVIL Republicans have been fighting against and resisting my whole life.
I wish you would step back and reflect. Everything is hate republicans with most of you people in this thread.
This has to stop. We need to stop listening to the FAKE news and begin fresh with each other.
Let's throw all the old bias out the door and start over.
FROM SQUARE ONE.

Posted by bagchucker on 3/21/2018 3:11:00 PM (view original):
please

the white house aka huckabee says

then the prez contradicts

then the white house aka huckabee backtracks



trump should close his press office

he doesn't need a filter he's got tweet

can you elaborate? Post links please.

Thanks bronx.

Posted by DougOut on 3/21/2018 3:41:00 PM (view original):

Posted by dino27 on 3/21/2018 1:45:00 PM (view original):
trump in his remarks said we could talk about arms.....i heard it and it sounded like trump was depending on whether putin wanted a talk on arms...his decision..
look out for trump trying to agree on a deal that is less then mutually beneficial.
i listen for nuances......trump is in fear.
it is interesting how he is imposing tariffs on china even before the nk summit....weird timing.

Obama gave up arms.
Hillary gave up uranium.
You say Trump is in fear? OF WHAT?
It's simple common sense he approves tariffs on a new economic GIANT like China who stole or bought all our stuff under the Clintons.
Russia is an insignificant dwarf with nukes. Soon to be joined by Korea and Iran.
The EVIL Republicans have been fighting against and resisting my whole life.
I wish you would step back and reflect. Everything is hate republicans with most of you people in this thread.
This has to stop. We need to stop listening to the FAKE news and begin fresh with each other.
Let's throw all the old bias out the door and start over.
FROM SQUARE ONE.

dems are from earth.
trump party are from uranus.

WELL...I tried.