DONALD TRUMP SEEMS to have managed to unite the left and right of US politics with his latest comments. Against him.
From the usual suspects (Michael Moore, etc) to leaders of his own party, figures from across the political spectrum have reacted swiftly to criticise the Republican White House nominee for his remarks on Russia last evening.
In the course of a wide-ranging, at times bizarre, press conference, Trump sensationally challenged Russia to hack into Hillary Clinton’s emails.
Attacking the Democrat hopeful as she prepares to accept her party’s formal nomination this week – Trump turned his guns on the email scandal dating back to her time as Secretary of State and more than 30,000 emails deleted on grounds of being personal and not related to her job, saying:
Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press.
An embarrassing hack of Democratic National Committee emails, revealed by Wikileaks, is being linked with Moscow by a series of experts. However, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any connection.
Here’s how those comments from Trump have been going down in the US:
This has to be the first time that a major presidential candidate has actively encouraged a foreign power to conduct espionage against his political opponent. This has gone from being a matter of curiosity, and a matter of politics, to being a national security issue.
- Clinton’s senior policy advisor Jake Sullivan
Russia is a global menace led by a devious thug. Putin should stay out of this election.
- Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan
Beyond the pale.
- Leon Panetta, former CIA director
@hillaryclinton put our security at risk, but Putin is not our friend; foreign meddling in US elections cannot be tolerated.
- Ex-GOP candidate John Kasich, via Twitter
It’s just one more example of the reckless and dangerous comments that Donald Trump makes that compromises American foreign policy objectives.
- Senator Ben Cardin (Democrat)
If you or I did what Trump just did we would be charged with treason.
- Filmmaker and activist Michael Moore
So happy to be on live tonight after convention in light of Trump’s latest gaffe! What does he have to do to make his fans turn, f*** a pie?
- Comedian and TV host Bill Maher
Tantamount to treason.
- William Inboden, former Bush (W) official
Even his running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, attempted to distance himself from Trump’s comments – releasing the following statement:
“If it is Russia and they are interfering in our elections, I can assure you both parties and the United States government will ensure there are serious consequences.
The American people now have absolute and further proof of the corruption that exists around Hillary Clinton. It should disqualify her from office.
Meanwhile the New York Daily News (below) ran a front page with a mock-up of Trump and Putin above the headline ‘Lock Him Up’ – and several petitions have been set up calling for the GOP nominee to be charged with treason.
For the record, it seems Trump’s comments fall short of qualifying as treasonous.
“Legally speaking, there’s no actual item here,” Mark Zaid, an expert in national security law told Slate.
It would have to be more than just words. It would be taking action against the United States in specific, actual situations.
Includes reporting from AFP.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say