- Even Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had meetings with Russians. And at least one of those meetings was in Trump Tower. But Jared Kushner has been put in charge of almost everything. As reported by The Huffington Post Jared Kushner, who comes to Washington with no government experience, no policy experience, no diplomatic experience, and business experience limited to his family’s real estate development firm, a brief stint as a newspaper publisher, and briefly bidding to acquire the Los Angeles Dodgers, will be working on trade, Middle East policy in general, an Israel-Palestine peace deal more specifically, reforming the Veterans Administration, and solving the opioid crisis. Oh wait, that’s not all! Apparently, this new office will also be responsible for “modernizing the technology and data infrastructure of every federal department and agency; remodeling workforce-training programs; and developing “transformative projects” under the banner of Trump’s $1 trillion infrastructure plan, such as providing broadband internet service to every American.” We have certainly come a long way from “I alone can fix it.”, The Huffington Post said.
But when Jared Kushner sought the top-secret security clearance that would give him access to some of the nation’s most closely guarded secrets, he was required to disclose all encounters with foreign government officials over the last 7 years. But Kushner did not mention dozens of contacts with foreign leaders or officials in recent months. Applicants for major national security positions must submit a lengthy FBI questionnaire as part of a background check. They are asked to list the dates and details of all contacts with representatives of foreign governments. This is not just bureaucratic paperwork. The form warns that “withholding, misrepresenting, or falsifying information” could result in loss of access to classified information, denial of eligibility for a sensitive job and even prosecution; knowingly falsifying or concealing material facts is a federal felony that may result in fines or up to 5 years imprisonment.
May 26th 2017 Reuters reported that Jared Kushner, had at least 3 previously undisclosed contacts with the Russian ambassador to the United States during and after the 2016 presidential campaign, 7 current and former U.S. officials told Reuters. And on top of that Jared Kushner and Russia’s ambassador to Washington discussed the possibility of setting up a secret and secure communications channel between Trump’s transition team and the Kremlin, using Russian diplomatic facilities in an apparent move to shield their pre-inauguration discussions from monitoring. Ambassador Sergei Kislyak reported to his superiors in Moscow that Kushner, son-in-law and confidant to then-President-elect Trump, made the proposal during a meeting on Dec. 1 or 2 at Trump Tower, according to intercepts of Russian communications that were reviewed by U.S. officials. Kislyak said Kushner suggested using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States for the communications. Kislyak reportedly was taken aback by the suggestion of allowing an American to use Russian communications gear at its embassy or consulate, a proposal that would have carried security risks for Moscow as well as the Trump team. In addition to their discussion about setting up the communications channel, Kushner, Flynn and Kislyak also talked about arranging a meeting between a representative of Trump and a “Russian contact” in a third country whose name was not identified. The Washington Post previously reported that Erik Prince, the former founder of the private security firm Blackwater and an informal adviser to the Trump transition team, met on January 11th, nine days before Trump’s inauguration, in the Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean with a representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Here Intelligence expert and author Malcolm Nance put Jared Kushner’s alleged request to establish a secret channel with the Kremlin in perspective for average viewers.
News broke May 25th 2017 that Jared Kushner, Mr. in charge of almost everything, has come under FBI scrutiny in the Russia investigation. Investigators believe Kushner has significant information relevant to their inquiry. The FBI’s scrutiny of Kushner places the bureau’s sprawling counterintelligence and criminal investigation not only on the doorstep of the White House, but in the Trump family circle. Previously, it had been reported by the Washington Post on May 19th that the Russia probe had reached a current White House official. The law enforcement investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign had identified a current White House official as a significant person of interest, showing that the probe had reached into the highest levels of government, according to people familiar with the matter. The senior White House adviser under scrutiny by investigators is someone close to the president, according to these people, who would not further identify the official. And it turned out that Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and one of his senior advisers, is the previously unidentified current White House official that has come under FBI scrutiny in the Russia investigation.
The White House and a Russian state-owned bank have very different explanations for why the bank’s chief executive and Jared Kushner held a secret meeting during the presidential transition in December. The bank maintained that the session was held as part of a new business strategy and was conducted with Kushner in his role as the head of his family’s real estate business. The White House says the meeting was unrelated to business and was one of many diplomatic encounters the soon-to-be presidential adviser was holding ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. The contradiction is deepening confusion over Kushner’s interactions with the Russians as the president’s son-in-law emerges as a key figure in the FBI’s investigation into potential coordination between Moscow and the Trump team. The discrepancy has thrust Vnesheconombank, known for advancing the strategic interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin and for its role in a past US espionage case, into the center of the controversy enveloping the White House. Here Lawrence O’Donnell on Jared Kushner and ‘Putin’s slush fund’.
It turns out that VEB Bank is not even a real bank, it does not have most things that a real bank would have like a banking license. VEB is apparently basically just a pass-through for Russian government money. On The Rachel Maddow Show Rachel Maddow relays a description of Russia’s state-run VEB bank as not being a bank in the traditional way, making Jared Kushner’s meeting with the chairman of that bank during the Trump transition all the weirder.
On June 15th 2017 the Washington Post reported that special counsel Robert S. Mueller III is investigating the finances and business dealings of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, as part of the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to officials familiar with the matter. FBI agents and federal prosecutors have also been examining the financial dealings of other Trump associates, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Carter Page, who was listed as a foreign-policy adviser for the campaign. The Washington Post previously reported that investigators were scrutinizing meetings that Kushner held with Russians in December, first with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, and then with Sergey Gorkov, the head of a state-owned Russian development bank. At the time of that report, it was not clear that the FBI was investigating Kushner’s business dealings. The officials who described the financial focus of the investigation spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. At the December meeting with Kislyak, Kushner suggested establishing a secure communications line between Trump officials and the Kremlin at a Russian diplomatic facility, according to US officials who reviewed intelligence reports describing Kislyak’s account.
On The 11th Hour with Brian Williams Seemingly no one in the Trump administration has a longer to-do list than White House aide & Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner. So nearly six months in, how’s he doing?
On The Rachel Maddow Show Rachel Maddow reports that the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary has sent a letter to the FBI and the White House questioning Jared Kushner’s security clearance and Donald Trump’s role in his clearance process. Representative Elijah Cummings and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Democrats, June 21, 2017 letter to Reince Priebus (pdf). Bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee Leadership June 22, 2017 letter to Ms. Kelly and Acting Director McCabe (pdf)
June 19th 2017 reports came out that Kushner was said to be reconsidering his legal team. Jared Kushner’s representatives have quietly contacted high-powered criminal lawyers about potentially representing him, sources said. Then June 26th 2017 reports came out that Jared Kushner had hired Abbe Lowell, one of the country’s leading criminal defense lawyers, to represent him in the special counsel’s probe of potential Russian collusion with the Trump campaign and his financial dealings, as well as in separate congressional inquiries.
On The 11th Hour with Brian Williams Nick Akerman, a former Watergate prosecutor, says the fact President Trump aide & son-in-law Jared Kushner changed his security form three times adding dozens of names shows he has lied.
On The 11th Hour with Brian Williams With news that Jared Kushner has changed his security clearance multiple times, what does that mean for both him and Ivanka Trump legally? Defense attorney Brian Wice reacts.
On The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell With Jared Kushner mired in controversy, Steve Bannon is back – but can anyone in the Trump White House actually govern? Joshua Green, author of “Devil’s Bargain,” joins Lawrence O’Donnell to discuss Team Trump and breaking health care bill news.
On The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell President Donald Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner has released a revised financial disclosure that reveals he “inadvertently” omitted 77 of assets on his initial form. Journalist David Cay Johnston and former prosecutor Joyce Vance join Ari Melber.
- July 24th 2017 as reported in The Washington Post: Jared Kushner, President Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, spent two hours Monday answering questions from Senate investigators about his contacts with Russian officials, as the various probes into Russian interference during the 2016 election entered a new phase involving some of those closest to Trump.
After his closed-door questioning, Kushner spoke briefly to reporters outside the White House. “Let me be very clear: I did not collude with Russia, nor do I know of anyone else in the campaign who did so,” Kushner said. “I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds for my businesses, and I have been fully transparent in providing all requested information. “Since the first questions were raised in March, I have been consistent in saying I was eager to share whatever information I have with investigating bodies, and I have done so today,’’ he said. “All of my actions were proper.’’
Legal experts expect that all of Kushner’s answers to the Senate Intelligence Committee will be shared with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is conducting a separate probe into any potential criminal activity surrounding Russian meddling and key figures in the Trump campaign.
Kushner dismissed outright the notion that Russia could be responsible for his father-in-law’s election victory. “Donald Trump had a better message and ran a smarter campaign, and that is why he won. Suggesting otherwise ridicules those who voted for him,’’ he said. Kushner’s appearance Monday will be followed by further questioning Tuesday — again, behind closed doors — before the House Intelligence Committee, which is also probing Russian election-year meddling. US intelligence agencies have concluded that the Russian government orchestrated a far-reaching campaign to disrupt last year’s presidential campaign and influence the outcome in Trump’s favor. A major question for the current investigations is whether any Trump associates acted to help or advise the Russian effort.
Kushner’s statement detailed four meetings he had with Russian officials or nationals during the 2016 campaign and transition period. He described them as brief and unremarkable contacts in his role as the Trump campaign’s liaison to foreign governments. Read Kushner’s prepared statement here.
On The Rachel Maddow Show Senator Ron Wyden talks with Rachel Maddow about Donald Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner’s responses to questions by the Senate Intelligence Committee on whether Kushner colluded with Russia for the Trump campaign in the 2016 election.
On The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell Jared Kushner’s 11-page statement about his contact with the Russians raises more questions than it answers, including why he signed an incomplete security clearance form. Lawrence O’Donnell explains Kushner mishandled the most serious document of his life.
On The 11th Hour with Brian Williams From a White House lectern, President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner said he did not collude with Russia. Jeremy Bash & Michael McFaul discuss his statement on the investigation.
On The 11th Hour with Brian Williams Representative Chris Stewart (R-Utah) was in the room for Trump aide & son-in-law Jared Kushner’s closed door session with the House Intelligence Committee. He joins to talk about what he heard.
