Trump Blames Obama for Russia ‘Meddling’ in US Election

Trump Accidentally Reveals His Ignorance and GOP Support of Russia’s Highly Successful Efforts

President Donald Trump, apparently having decided that he can no longer ignore or dispute the fact that the Russians interfered in the 2016 election, is now doing what he always does: look for a scapegoat to “prove” his innocence. And naturally, his first choice is his predecessor: President Barack Obama.

“Obama was President up to, and beyond, the 2016 Election. So why didn’t he do something about Russian meddling?” Trump tweeted on President’s Day, just an hour or so after returning from his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Either Trump has not been paying attention, or he’s purposely ignoring known facts.

Months before the 2016 election President Obama learned of the Russian election hacking and other illegal acts, and wanted to go public with the news but Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned if he did he would ensure it was seen as a partisan act and an attempt to help Hillary Clinton. 

In August of 2016 President Obama “instructed aides to pursue ways to deter Moscow and proceed along three main paths: Get a high-confidence assessment from U.S. intelligence agencies on Russia’s role and intent; shore up any vulnerabilities in state-run election systems; and seek bipartisan support from congressional leaders for a statement condemning Moscow and urging states to accept federal help,” The Washington Post reported last June.

The New Republic notes that “when approached in a private briefing with an Obama administration proposal to issue a bipartisan statement condemning Russian interference, Republican leaders ‘seemed opposed to the idea of going public with such an explosive allegation in the final stages of an election,’ according to the Post.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in particular “raised doubts about the underlying intelligence and made clear to the administration that he would consider any effort by the White House to challenge the Russians publicly an act of partisan politics.”

So, President Trump just revealed not only his ignorance, but Republican support of Russia’s highly successful efforts.

Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr and a CC license