Russia. Russia. Russia.
While Donald Trump often complains about the investigations and press coverage, there is ample evidence of Russian interference in the United States presidential elections of 2016, 2020, and 2024.
To find more information about 2016, read the Mueller Report (Volume I and II) and the speaking indictments against Russian operatives. There is also this extensive report from the Senate Intelligence Select Committee.
This unclassified report from the US National Intelligence Council gives a synopsis of Russia’s effort to boost Trump and undermine Biden before the 2020 election. Of course, one can also look at testimony from Trump’s first impeachment inquiry, when Russian operatives were contributing to efforts to accuse Joe Biden of improper actions in Ukraine.
As for this year’s election, Alexander Smirnov, who was a primary source for the Republican House impeachment attempt against Joe Biden, has now been charged with making false statements and records; he has been in recent contact with Russian intelligence. Russia has been continuing to sow distrust of the election system and tries to undermine all democratic principles, both in public statements and covertly, including via social media.
Russia’s behavior has been especially egregious recently with the murder of Alexei Navalny in prison and the arrests of people paying their respects to him. Putin’s autocratic power is the antithesis of democracy. The upcoming Russian election doesn’t even serve as a credible fig leaf.
The shocking and appalling thing is that, here in the US, Trump and many Republicans extol Putin’s “strength” and refuse to condemn his butchery and unconscionable invasion of Ukraine. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and some Republican members of Congress are refusing to authorize much needed continued aid to Ukraine, thereby aiding Russia.
Some Republicans have even been saying that “democracy is over” and want Trump to be elected and establish an autocracy like that of Viktor Orban in Hungary, who is coming to US this week and meeting with Trump but not with anyone in the Biden administration.
I will not support Trump or any other candidate who promotes Russia’s lies or condones their lawless behavior. I also will not support any candidate who does not believe in democracy or who seeks to weaken it.
The United States needs to stand strongly for democratic principles against Russia and all autocrats and oligarchs.
Photo credit: Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash
Joanne Corey 