Something to remember regarding the Trump/Putin scandal.

[MohRokTah]

A president can legally declassify anything he damned well pleases. It would not be a criminal act for Trump to be elected and on day 1 declassify every last bit of classified information in the government and order it all be immediately published.

It might get that president impeached and convicted, because that process is a purely political process, but it would not be a criminal act for which he could go to prison.

And would Trump give a damn if hundreds of millions and potentially billions of dollars in Russian debt his businesses have was immediately forgiven after that was done?

Just some food for thought.

[tallahasseedem]

1. I'm scared

the he is now getting briefings! Who knows what he'll reveal? And will he give this information to Manafort? He's the real threat in my opinion.

[PearliePoo2]

3. Terrifying

He's a fucking sociopath with the mind and temperament of a 10 year old.
He's capable of ANYTHING with only his own self interests in mind.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Sharing confidential information with Presidential Nominees

Is a tradition started by Truman in 1952 - when he gave the same info to Stevenson and Eisenhower. He wanted them kept abreast of current dangers in the world. I can't find anything that shows it is an impeachable offense if President Obama gives Trump limited information. It would be poor form to give him inaccurate information - and I don't think his sense of integrity would allow him to do that.

However - Limited information?

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. Agreed

Here's hoping!

[JustAnotherGen]

5. As long as he gives Clinton the same level of information

Or directs Clapper too - then we are safe.

The distinct difference - Clinton already has a great deal of information, has worked with him, and will be able to read between lines that Trump won't be able to decipher.

[MohRokTah]

6. I am talking about actions Trump could take after being elected.

I said nothing about the intelligence briefings Trump starts getting today.

I feel completely confident that they will include misinformation within those briefings as a standard operating procedure. Something innocuous that would be obvious to the intelligence community should it ever be found in the wild. The intelligence agencies set these sorts of mole traps routinely, so I would not be surprised if they did the same thing to presidential candidates and only stop doing it for a president elect.

No, what terrifies me would be the power a president Trump would have to simply declassify it all on day one of said presidency.

The man cannot be trusted not to do that. He has likely billions of dollars at stake.

[JustAnotherGen]

7. I'm with you

I have no doubt he WOULD declassify it all on day one. Then he hops on a plane to Russia and lives the rest of his life in luxury as most favored son of the state.

The man hates America, has a low of opinion of it, thinks everyone is stupid except for himself and Putin.

Eh?

Maybe we should start calling him - Himself.

[MohRokTah]

8. I don't think I'll be calling him - Himself

I much prefer "the orange faced tiny fingered shitgibbon".

[JustAnotherGen]

10. I'm kind of going with

Comrade Trump today - as I'm gobsmacked at how thick as thieves he and Putin are.

[47of74]

14. That's one of my favorites too.

[Haveadream]

9. Trump is deep in the hole with Putin & Co

he has routinely depended on the mob in both the US and, since 2007, Russia to fund his business enterprises because US banks consider him too much of a risk. What better way for him to have his debts forgiven and expand his empire than using "legit" trade arrangements as cover for the expansion of his personal empire. I absolutely expect him to hand taxpayers the tab for what he already owes them and to have a wide open channel between the WH and the POB there through his right hand man, Manafort who has a looong established relationship with same.



http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/05/donald-trump-2016-mob-organized-crime-213910

http://billmoyers.com/story/donald-trump-story-youre-not-hearing/

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trump-putin-yes-it-s-really-a-thing

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/07/clinton-trump-putin-nato/492332/

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/25/us/politics/donald-trump-russia-emails.html?_r=0

[tallahasseedem]

11. Thank you for these links...

scary indeed!

[Peacetrain]

12. This is just terrifiying.. to think aboout.. and he has been upfront with his plans

from taking apart NATO.. to dismissing Russia's attack on journalists..

[mopinko]

13. his ability to use the office for private gain

could make dick cheney look like a saint.
not just in the case of russia, but deutchebank, and many others he owes money.

and that is just paying back to get him out of his current debts. he could easily build himself a whole new kingdom should he so desire. and classify all of it, so no one sees it.

eta- scooping up federal property? bargain basement prices in rigged auctions? i could go on. and on. and on.