Why Trump Admitting That He Would Accept Foreign Intel on Political Opponents is So Dangerous
President Trump told George Stephanopoulos yesterday that "there isn't anything wrong with listening" to intelligence on political opponents gathered by foreign governments.
Trump in ABC News Interview: "It's not an interference, they have information -- I think I'd take it," Trump said. "If I thought there was something wrong, I'd go maybe to the FBI -- if I thought there was something wrong. But when somebody comes up with oppo research, right, they come up with oppo research, 'oh let's call the FBI.' The FBI doesn't have enough agents to take care of it. When you go and talk, honestly, to congressman, they all do it, they always have, and that's the way it is. It's called oppo research."
Trump's statement invites the assistance of foreign intelligence services in his reelection campaign, just as Russia interfered in 2016. Sen. Kamala Harris captures it succinctly:
Harris on Twitter: "China is listening. Russia is listening. North Korea is listening. Let’s speak the truth: this president is a national security threat."
Trump is inviting our adversaries to again meddle in our federal elections. There probably aren't words which adequately describe how dangerous this is to our democracy.
Foreign intelligence services don't interfere in another nation's elections unless they desire an outcome which will serve their own interests at the expense of an adversary. Period!
Trump's statement is not politics as usual and his comments undermine everything our founders held dear. A representative democracy only works if the people trust in the electoral process. But Donald Trump doesn't care about the lasting strength of our democratic traditions; he cares only about winning.
New York Magazine: "Trump continues to show every sign of hoping and expecting to benefit from foreign collusion in 2020. In May, he intended to send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to pressure the government to supply dirt on Joe Biden. He and his ally, Mitch McConnell, are blocking measures (including ones with bipartisan support) to help safeguard elections against foreign attacks and social-media propaganda. His message to Russia, or any other government that wants a close relationship with him, is obvious: Do anything you can to help me win. "
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