Trump and Russia Controversy

Kyle Gravel

Herald Contributor

The ever developing controversy behind the Trump Campaign seems only to have just started, but as more evidence comes out from the shadows, treason creeps closer to Donald himself. The ethics behind the verdict are foggy, for those condemning of individuals who represent the Republican Party are to be judged by a right-winged House and Senate.

The Magna Carta, a legal document from the year 1215 which our Constitution embodies, spoke on behalf of the people and the ethics under the law of the land. The document embodies the aspect of the right for individuals to be judged by his or her equals or by the law of the land. It was also created to rid the land of corrupt bureaucrats as well as the unlawful gains and immunities that the upper social classes held.

In accordance with this point, on January 10, Senator Al Franken (D, MN) asked Jeff Sessions, Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, “If there was any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this [2016] campaign.”

Sessions answered under oath during his confirmation hearing, stating, “I’m not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians.” Though weeks later, shockingly, new information surfaced about Sessions’ multiple undocumented meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Sessions later came under heavy scrutiny from the media, House Democrats, and others. However, one thing that remains mind-boggling is the fact that Sessions will not lose his position or be prosecuted for lying to the government under oath–but I digress. The one individual that was upset about this scenario was Donald Trump; but not in the way you would think. Trump called the pressuring of Attorney General Jeff Sessions a “total witch hunt.”

The President, in a series of four tweets, also said his fellow Republican “did not say anything wrong” but “could have stated his response more accurately.”

Trump did what he does best, alienating the Democrats and reminding the public of his election win, legitimate or not, saying, “This whole narrative is a way of saving face for Democrats losing an election that everyone thought they were supposed to win. The Democrats are overplaying their hand.” No charges or consequence has been brought to Jeff Sessions.

On another note, we look to the newest scandal; General Michael Flynn, Donald Trump’s former national security advisor who resigned after information surfaced about his contact with Russia. Michael Flynn may be the biggest hypocrite of our time if Trump himself is ignored, because Flynn had criticized Hillary Clinton throughout the 2016 Election for giving speeches to foreign businesses when he had done the same thing with Russia.

Furthermore, he coined the phrase, “Lock her up,” which is ironic because he may be facing prosecution if his plea for immunity goes unheard. Flynn later told reporters that he had “inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador” late last year. Donald Trump has only come out saying that Flynn should request immunity.

Now, between Sessions, Flynn, and even the Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson; who has had ties with President Vladimir Putin while working for Exxon-Mobil, many in the Trump Cabinet and Campaign have been called out for being connected with Russia. According to FBI Director James Comey, Trump and his administration are being investigated with links to Russia, but what is feared by Democrats and the American people is whether these individuals will be fairly tried. Will the values of the Magna Carta and the Constitution be recognized and honored?