Thursday, May 11, 2017

Donald Trump feigns ignorance in allowing photographer from Russian news service access to the White House, while former intelligence officials warn it was a potential breach of security.

Courtesy of WaPo:

A photographer for a Russian state-owned news agency was allowed into the Oval Office on Wednesday during President Trump’s meeting with Russian diplomats, a level of access that was criticized by former U.S. intelligence officials as a potential security breach. 

The officials cited the danger that a listening device or other surveillance equipment could have been brought into the Oval Office while hidden in cameras or other electronics. Former U.S. intelligence officials raised questions after photos of Trump’s meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were posted online by the Tass news agency. 

Among those commenting on the issue was former deputy CIA director David S. Cohen. Responding to a question posed online about whether it was a sound decision to allow the photographer into the Oval Office, Cohen replied on Twitter: “No it was not.” He declined to elaborate when reached by phone.

The White House downplayed the danger saying that the photographer was screened just like any US journalist would be when entering the White House.

However the intelligence officials suggest that such a screening would not be adequate to locate any kind of sophisticated listening device that the photographer might have smuggled in.

What is perhaps equally troubling is that the White House did not seem to be aware that the photographer was working for the Russia news outlet.

The administration official also said the White House had been misled about the role of the Russian photographer. Russian officials had described the individual as Lavrov’s official photographer without disclosing that he also worked for Tass. 

“We were not informed by the Russians that their official photographer was dual-hatted and would be releasing the photographs on the state news agency,” the administration official said. 

As a result, White House officials said they were surprised to see photos posted online showing Trump not only with Lavrov but also smiling and shaking hands with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

It should be noted that while the Russian news photographer seemed to have complete access to Donald Trump and his visitors, there were NO American journalists allowed to document the event.

In any other administration this would be considered shocking.

Another reason for concern is that apparently Putin himself instructed Donald Trump to take this meeting with Lavrov.

Courtesy of The Hill:  

A White House spokesman told Politico that Putin requested the two meet during Trump’s last phone call with the foreign leader. 

“He chose to receive him because Putin asked him to,” the spokesman said. “Putin did specifically ask on the call when they last talked.”

Just another reminder that for all intents and purposes Russia is now calling the shots.  

31 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:33 AM

    Regardless of security, how dare this pig invite foreign spies and reporters into America's Oval Office and keep out American reporters?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:43 PM

      That is what all the news, well not forx, has been showing having consults saying this. Just like djt his tweets kind to russia and others get trashed.
      He is a traitor. I really believe it now.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous11:55 AM

    3 words. Amendment twenty-five

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous11:56 AM

    When is it all going to be ENOUGH??? When will those Republicans say they can no longer cover for him, excuse him, whatever -- and take the action that must be taken to get rid of this total embarrassment and huge threat to our country? Trump must go, and it can't be soon enough.

    OH, and, yeah -- he looks happier talking to that Russian than he has ever looked talking to any American since...well, EVER!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:27 PM

      Trump knows Americans hate his guts! He's going down - but, it's taking way too long.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:54 PM

      The ignorance, stonewalling and refusal to hear anything that reeks of facts is the entirety of the Republican persona. It is disgusting, discouraging and scary as hell that they can be so closed to sanity - those at the depths of the mental scale and those with degrees. Sheesh!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous1:43 PM

      https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-no-populist-hes-a-swamp-monster/2017/04/17/7029a4e0-23a2-11e7-b503-9d616bd5a305_story.html?utm_term=.94f61dc911c7

      "Vice President Dick Cheney’s attempt in 2001 to keep secret the names of industry officials who participated in his energy task force, for example — seem quaint by comparison.>"Trump seems to think people won’t care about this any more than they do about his refusal to release his tax returns and other disclosures that would reveal his conflicts of interest. It’s true that “transparency” is the sort of subject that usually excites only good-government types. But in this case the opacity is obscuring the rise of a new American plutocracy." Trump White House officials had more than 300 recent corporate clients and employers, the Times reported, and more than 40 former lobbyists are now in the White House and federal government. The director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics says even he has “no idea how many waivers have been issued.”Trump has a simple answer to those who question his attempts to conceal the corporate influence in his administration."
      “The election is over!”
      OIL OIL OIL! BLACK GOLD!

      http://bluetribune.com/2017/05/11/we-sht-you-not-trump-is-hanging-giant-electoral-results-in-the-white-house-image/

      Delete
  4. Anonymous11:56 AM

    The dumbshit has lost it. Time for the net. Obstruction of justice. Where are his handlers?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Since when did rules ever bother dirt bag Donnie? Remember he is smarter than his generals and smarter than his tax attorneys. His memory is the best ever. And he is full of more shit than a Christmas turkey.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous12:06 PM

    WTF!!!??

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous12:08 PM

    Compare this photo of Trumpski with the Russian Ambassador to the one showing him outright insult Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel while both were seated at the White House for a photo-op.
    When can we be done with this illegitimate president.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous12:26 PM

    I'm shocked that IMPEACHMENT isn't in order for Trump! He is so blatantly evil and could give a rat's ass about America and Americans.

    Republicans in Congress - get your act together!

    IF Trump isn't impeached, Republicans are going to lose the majority of their seats throughout the country! And, they will have it coming!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:39 PM

      Citizens should make a stand/wall, Vote every Repubic out!!!!!!!!!!
      Not one gop in office!

      Then we know we have a voice, who I hope will represent us citizens.

      Power to the people!

      Delete
  9. Anonymous12:37 PM

    Congress will not do a damn thing. It's up to us - organize for 2018 - if we all survive until then.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I ask myself over and over how the Rs would have reacted to the things Trump has done if either BO or Hillary had done/did this stuff. You know they'd lose their shit. BUT DJT is above reproach even though he has proven in every way possible that he should not be considered above reproach. The way the Rs play politics is sickening. I also ask myself if the Ds would be alarmed if they had a sitting President acting this way. I don't know the answer to that question, but I know what I hope the answer would be.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous1:09 PM

    $weep the Oval Office ASAP!
    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/05/fbi-tells-trump-to-cancel-visit-because-hes-unlikely-to-be-greeted-warmly-after-comey-debacle/

    ReplyDelete
  12. SallyinMI1:19 PM

    "Trump feigns ignorance?" He fakes a lot of things, but he truly is,ignorant.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous1:24 PM

    O/t fbi raid....
    Then djt tweet. Omg, back to election. We are all talking now, today. Keep up, you fired comey.
    Gee he is a dementia patient already!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous1:34 PM

    I was walking downtown feigning ignorance and being my hateful dumb self, grabbing pussies and I heard someone ask if I was Donald trump?
    Now why would they ask me that! I felt so violated. mistaken identity,I suppose?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous1:36 PM

    O/t, rawstory on fbi raid, comments are hilarious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:00 PM

      FBI executes search warrants at GOP consulting firm with lobbying ties to casino industry

      http://www.rawstory.com/2017/05/fbi-executes-search-warrants-at-gop-consulting-firm-with-lobbying-ties-to-casino-industry/

      http://addictinginfo.com/2017/05/11/breaking-fbi-is-raiding-gop-election-consulting-firm/

      Delete
  16. Anonymous1:52 PM

    I'm not old enough to be staring Death in the face, but I almost wish I was. I'd rather die with my Country than live the rest of my life "remembering when."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:33 PM

      Let's just leave!
      Scandinavia is wonderful.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:50 AM

      lol, 3:33. If i could I would, Germany Sweden, or Norway all sound nice right about now. Even Holland sounds great. This ship called America is sinking and I don't want to be around here when it does.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous2:54 PM

    http://www.newsweek.com/how-trump-allowed-russian-state-media-journalist-oval-office-607266

    UPDATED^

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous3:17 PM

    Trump doesn't have to "feign" ignorance. He is ignorant.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Randall3:52 PM

    Not only is Trump colluding with the Russians
    - he's rubbing our noses in it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:25 AM

      That was my impression also. When will the GOP in Congress realize that they hitched their wagons to the wrong star last fall. It's time for a show of some political courage on the part of Republicans in the Senate and in the House.
      Beaglemom

      Delete
  20. Anonymous4:41 PM

    I still have relatives in Norway.

    ReplyDelete
  21. WA Skeptic9:47 PM

    Time to entirely empty the Oval Office furniture out of the room and completely replace it.

    He's sullied the People's House enough. Shame on him.

    ReplyDelete
  22. WA Skeptic6:50 AM

    Don't leave--RESIST.

    ReplyDelete

Don't feed the trolls!
It just goes directly to their thighs.