Trump Accomplice Roger Stone Convicted. Republicans Under Russia’s Control?
There is a possibility that some other Republicans – such as Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Devin Nunes, Lindsey Graham, and a host of others – who are willfully supporting Trump’s visible misdemeanors are also under Russia’s control.
By Rakesh Raman
Roger Stone – a close aide of Donald Trump who was helping him in the 2016 presidential election campaign – has been found guilty of lying to Congress and witness tampering in the Trump-Russia probe that was being conducted by special counsel Robert Mueller.
A federal jury on Friday convicted Stone in a case related to his claims of acquiring Hillary Clinton’s emails hacked by WikiLeaks and his interactions with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange who was allegedly conspiring with Russia to help Trump win the 2016 election.
Stone’s conviction comes after the testimony of another Trump advisor Steve Bannon who said that Stone used to brag about his relations with Assange during the election campaign.
Earlier, in January, Mueller had released a seven-count indictment of Stone, for lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice.
Stone, 67, is the 6th Trump accomplice who has been convicted under Mueller investigation. The others are Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen, his foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos, campaign manager Paul Manafort, national security advisor Michael Flynn, and Manafort’s assistant Rick Gates.
It is expected that another Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani (who is also facing criminal investigation) will be convicted for his role in the 2016 election as well as in the new Ukraine case in which Trump is facing House impeachment inquiry.
Trump’s Links with Russia
During his 3 years as President, Trump has taken some weird decisions that seem to favor Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia. These include verbal attacks on NATO, announcement to withdraw U.S. soldiers from Syria, friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, pulling out from the Iran deal, reluctance to impose sanctions on Russia, and blocking aid to Ukraine in order to favor Russia. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said categorically that Putin may be controlling Trump.
Although it may be a pure hypothesis, the possibility cannot be ruled out that the Russian spies are already controlling the White House and secretly holding Trump and his family members as hostages. Now, therefore, Trump is acting as he is being directed by the Russians.
There is a possibility that some other Republicans – such as Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz, Devin Nunes, Lindsey Graham, and a host of others – who are willfully supporting Trump’s visible misdemeanors are also under Russia’s control.
Stone’s sentencing will be pronounced on February 6. Based on the charges, he could face a penalty of 50 years in jail. However, keeping in view his age and other factors such as cooperation with the investigative agencies, he may be imprisoned for 20 years.
By Rakesh Raman, who is a national award-winning journalist and social activist. He is the founder of the humanitarian organization RMN Foundation which is working in diverse areas to help the disadvantaged and distressed people in the society. He also creates and publishes a number of digital publications on different subjects.
