Irony Is Not Dead
Irony is clearly not dead in America with the news that Donald Trump confided in Russia's foreign minister and told him that the director of the FBI (James Comey) was a 'real nut job'
Loudmouth in the White House (16/05/17)
I said the other day that Donald Trump looked far too cosy during his recent meeting with Russian officials at the White House - and event to which the President banned the American press from attending, allowing only a Russian photographer to be present on the day.
But the BBC alleges that Mr Trump actually shared classified information with his Russian guests whom he seems very friendly with it has to be said.
The President has dismissed the accusation as 'fake news', but he would say that - wouldn't he and he has a terrible track record for being a boastful braggart.
BBC US & Canada
Image copyright - AFP Image caption - Mr Trump (centre) jokes with Mr Lavrov (left) and Ambassador Sergei Kislyak
President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information about so-called Islamic State (IS) to Russia's foreign minister, US media report.
The information, related to the use of laptops on aircraft, came from a partner of the US which had not given permission for it to be shared with Russia, says the Washington Post.
Mr Trump received Sergei Lavrov in the Oval Office last week.
National Security Adviser HR McMaster dismissed the reporting as "false".
The Trump campaign's alleged links to Moscow have dogged his presidency and are part of several investigations.
But the president has dismissed such allegations as "fake news".
During the election campaign, Mr Trump repeatedly criticised his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, for how she handled sensitive material.
Russia: The scandal Trump can't shake
President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information about so-called Islamic State (IS) to Russia's foreign minister, US media report.
The information, related to the use of laptops on aircraft, came from a partner of the US which had not given permission for it to be shared with Russia, says the Washington Post.
Mr Trump received Sergei Lavrov in the Oval Office last week.
National Security Adviser HR McMaster dismissed the reporting as "false".
The Trump campaign's alleged links to Moscow have dogged his presidency and are part of several investigations.
But the president has dismissed such allegations as "fake news".
During the election campaign, Mr Trump repeatedly criticised his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, for how she handled sensitive material.
Russia: The scandal Trump can't shake
A knife in the back? Analysis by Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
The fallout from this story could be enormous and not just because there is a boundless trove of Republican quotes over the past year - directed at Mrs Clinton - about the utmost importance of protecting top-secret information.
There is the Russian connection, of course.
The FBI is currently investigating the Trump campaign for possible ties to Russian interests. Meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak featured prominently in the firing of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and the recusal of Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Russian investigation matters.
Then there is the question of whether US allies will be more reluctant to share sensitive intelligence information with the US, lest the president put sources at risk.
This will only stoke accusations by Trump critics that the president is undisciplined and inexperienced in the delicacies of foreign policy, where his shoot-from-the hip style presents an ongoing danger.
Finally, it is worth remembering the simmering feud Mr Trump has had with the US intelligence community. It took less than a week for this highly embarrassing story to leak. If the revelation was a knife twisted in the president's back, it is not hard to suspect where it came from.
Read more:
Russia: The scandal Trump can't shake
Trump and Comey: What is the firestorm about?
Could Trump be guilty of obstruction of justice?
The verdict on Trump so far
What actually happened?
In a conversation with the Russian foreign minister and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in the Oval Office, the president revealed details that could lead to the exposure of a source of information, officials told the Washington Post and the New York Times.
The discussion was about an IS plot. The president reportedly went "off-script", revealing specifics of the plot, thought to centre on the use of laptop computers on aircraft, and the city from which that threat had been detected.
The intelligence disclosed came from a US ally and was considered too sensitive to share with other US allies, the papers report.
Others present realised the mistake and scrambled to "contain the damage" by informing the CIA and the National Security Agency (NSA), says the Post.
Mr Trump's actions would not be illegal, as the US president has the authority to declassify information.
The meeting came a day after Mr Trump fired his FBI chief, James Comey, sparking criticism that he had done so because the FBI was investigating alleged Russian ties.
The Trump-Comey firestorm explained
What has the White House said?
National Security Adviser HR McMaster told reporters that the story, "as reported", was "false".
Media caption - US National Security Adviser HR McMaster: "I was in the room, it didn't happen"
"The president and foreign minister reviewed a range of common threats to our two countries, including threats to civil aviation," he said.
"At no time - at no time - were intelligence sources or methods discussed. And the president did not disclose any military operations that were not already publicly known."
In a statement, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson echoed the point that "the nature of specific threats were discussed, but they did not discuss sources, methods or military operations".
The Washington Post, which first broke the story, said this did not amount to a denial.
Speaking to the BBC, reporter Greg Jaffe said the Post's story made it clear the president did not disclose sources or methods.
But he added: "Our story says that the nature of the information provided would have allowed the Russians to 'reverse engineer' to discover the sources and methods. He said so much that they could figure it out."
What has the reaction been?
The Senate's second-highest ranked Democrat, Dick Durbin, said Mr Trump's actions appeared to be "dangerous" and reckless".
A spokesman for Paul Ryan, Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, said: "We have no way to know what was said, but protecting our nation's secrets is paramount.
"The speaker hopes for a full explanation of the facts from the administration."
The Republican head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Corker, said the story was "very, very troubling" if true.
"Obviously they're in a downward spiral right now and they've got to figure out a way to come to grips" with it, he told Bloomberg.
Trump's Body Language (12/05/17)
Notice the very warm body language between Donald Trump and the Russian visitors he welcomed to the White House the other day - foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador.
Compare and contrast with the boorish behaviour exhibited by Trump when Angela Merkel visited the White House back in April.
The man is a clown and an ill-mannered one to boot.
Guilty As Hell (04/04/17)
Donald Trump appears to be completely shameless about saying one thing and then doing another when it comes to his comments about standards in public life.
Because during the presidential election campaign 'candidate' Trump asked the rhetorical question:
"If you're not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for?"
Yet President Trump now supports a request for immunity from prosecution from his former national security adviser Mike Flynn, in return for Flynn giving evidence to a Senate inquiry into Team Trump's ties to Russia.
True to form, Flynn expressed exactly the same views as candidate Trump did before the election which means that even judged by their own standards both men must be guilty as hell.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39461356
Fired Trump aide Michael Flynn's immunity bid 'momentous'
BBC US & Canada
Image copyright - REUTERS Image caption - Mr Flynn "has a story to tell," his lawyer says
Trump takes office
Representative Adam Schiff said they were interested in hearing Michael Flynn's evidence, but it was too early to shield him from any prosecution.
Two congressional committees and the FBI are investigating alleged Russian meddling in the US election.
Mr Flynn's ties with Russia have been under scrutiny.
The retired army lieutenant general was sacked in February after misleading the White House about a conversation he had with the Moscow ambassador shortly after the election.
Trump takes office
- How much has Trump achieved so far?
- Russia: The scandal Trump can't shake
- Are things as bad as Trump says?
- The people around Donald Trump
Representative Adam Schiff said they were interested in hearing Michael Flynn's evidence, but it was too early to shield him from any prosecution.
Two congressional committees and the FBI are investigating alleged Russian meddling in the US election.
Mr Flynn's ties with Russia have been under scrutiny.
The retired army lieutenant general was sacked in February after misleading the White House about a conversation he had with the Moscow ambassador shortly after the election.
Trump dossier key claim 'verified'
Russia 'tried to hijack US election'
Putin makes fresh overtures to Trump
Russia: The scandal Trump can't shake
Michael Flynn: Former US national security adviser
On Thursday night, his lawyer said in a statement that his client "has a story to tell" to the Capitol Hill inquisitors.
But the attorney added it would not be reasonable to submit to questioning in a "witch-hunt environment" without assurances against "unfair prosecution".
Why immunity? Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
Michael Flynn may have a "story to tell", but what it is at this point is anybody's guess.
Donald Trump's critics will probably imagine grand revelations of possible campaign contacts with Russian operatives or even the "c" word - collusion. Beyond the news reports of ongoing conversations between Mr Flynn's lawyer and federal investigators, however, there is no firm ground for such speculation.
It's entirely possible the immunity request is nothing more than the former senior Trump adviser attempting to insulate himself from legal trouble if he were to answer detailed questions about his foreign contacts and lobbying efforts. For instance, if he actively represented overseas interests, he may have run afoul of federal disclosure rules.
There's also the chance that Mr Flynn could be uneasy about what he told FBI agents in January, when they asked about his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak.
Either of those possibilities would be of great concern to Mr Flynn, who has a six-figure military pension to preserve, but it wouldn't be the kind of political bombshell that would directly threaten Mr Trump or his administration.
Given the uncertainty of the situation, however, there's sure to be some sleepless nights ahead for the White House.
On Friday morning, President Donald Trump tweeted that his sacked former aide should ask for immunity, also arguing it was a witch hunt.
Mr Schiff said in a statement that the panel would discuss any such request with the justice department and the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Mr Flynn's step was "grave and momentous", he added.
The California Democrat also said: "As with any investigation - and particularly one that grows in severity and magnitude by the day - there is still much work and many more witnesses and documents to obtain before any immunity request from any witness can be considered."
Meanwhile the White House continued to insist that there was evidence that the Trump campaign was subject to "politically motivated" snooping.
No evidence has been provided for the president's claim, which has been repudiated even by his fellow Republicans.
But press secretary Sean Spicer told journalists on Friday that the Obama administration had done "very, very bad things".
Mr Flynn was forced to resign as national security adviser on 13 February for failing to disclose talks with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak about US sanctions on Moscow.
He also misled US Vice-President Mike Pence about the chats, which occurred before Mr Trump took office.
Russia has denied allegations it hacked emails of Democratic groups and leaked information to tip the scales in favour of Mr Trump before last November's presidential election.
But the Senate Intelligence Committee, beginning its hearings on Thursday, heard claims the Kremlin had tried to sway the vote through "propaganda on steroids".
Ranking Democrat Mark Warner also said Moscow had paid an army of more than 1,000 people to create fake anti-Hillary Clinton news stories targeting key swing states.
Image copyright@REALDONALDTRUMPCritics have highlighted a comment that Mr Flynn made in an NBC interview last September in which he said: "When you get given immunity that means you've probably committed a crime."
He was talking about reports that some of Mrs Clinton's aides had been granted immunity from prosecution amid an FBI inquiry into her emails.
At last summer's Republican party convention, Mr Flynn led chants of "lock her up" aimed at the Democratic candidate.
Image copyright - REUTERS Image caption - Mr Flynn was pictured dining with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in December 2015
10th Rate Flynn (15/02/17)
Depending on which White House spokesperson you believe Lieutenant General Michale Flynn was with sacked or allowed to resign his post as national security adviser after was exposed for having inappropriate contact with Russian officials weeks before he even took up his great office of state.
Yet here he is rabble rousing a crowd on Donald Trump's behalf while gleefully accusing Hillary Clinton of putting America's national security at risk.
Trump Mired in Scandal (14/02/17)
The BBC reports that Vladimir Putin's spokesman (Dmitry Peskov) tried to help America's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, cover up the fact that he had spoken with the Kremlin officials about sanctions on Russia.
Flynn has now been forced to resign in disgrace after days of dissembling during which his story became a version of the 'Yes, No, I Don't Know Show'.
Strangely enough the recent telephone conversation between President Trump and President Putin is the only one of its kind for which no official records exist because White House aides turned the recording equipment off.
After just three weeks in office Donald Trump's presidency is mired in scandal and controversy.
Michael Flynn: Trump's national security adviser quits
BBC US & Canada
What did Mr Flynn say about the phone call?
In his letter of resignation, Mr Flynn said he had "inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador".
A White House statement said Lt Gen Joseph Keith Kellogg had been appointed as interim replacement for the post.
Mr Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, initially denied having discussed sanctions with Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, and Vice-President Mike Pence publicly denied the allegations on his behalf.
However, Mr Flynn later told the White House that sanctions may have been discussed.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that Mr Flynn and Mr Kislyak did not discuss lifting sanctions.
From inauguration to full-blown scandal punctuated by a high-level resignation in 24 days. That simply has to be some kind of record.
Donald Trump never does anything small. If his administration is going to have a political crisis, why waste any time?
From the day he was announced as Mr Trump's national security adviser, there were concerns about Michael Flynn's questionable contacts with Russia both before and after November's election.
The ground crumbled beneath his feet only recently, however, after revelations that his conversation with a Russian ambassador included talk of US-imposed sanctions. The mortal blow came late on Monday, with reports that Obama-era government officials had warned the Trump White House about the details of these calls in January.
Now Mr Flynn has been cut loose, but that may not be enough to staunch the bleeding.
Congressional Democrats - and perhaps some Republicans - will want to find out who was informed about Mr Flynn's contradictory stories and why nothing was done earlier. How far up the chain of command does it go?
All of this has some observers dusting off language from the mother of all presidential scandals, Watergate.
What did the president know, and when did he know it?
Michael Flynn: Trump's national security adviser quits
BBC US & Canada
Image copyright - REUTERS Image caption - Michael Flynn encouraged a softer policy on Russia and a harder line on Iran
Donald Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has resigned over his contacts with Russia, the White House has announced.
Mr Flynn is alleged to have discussed US sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Mr Trump took office.
He is said to have misled officials about the conversation.
Earlier, US media reported that the Justice Department had warned the White House about the contacts late last month.
They said that Mr Flynn might be vulnerable to Russian blackmail.
Senior Democrats had called for Mr Flynn to be fired.
It is illegal for private citizens to conduct US diplomacy, and the calls happened late last year before Mr Flynn was appointed to the administration.
The national security adviser is appointed by the president to serve as his or her chief adviser on international affairs and defence.
Donald Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has resigned over his contacts with Russia, the White House has announced.
Mr Flynn is alleged to have discussed US sanctions with the Russian ambassador before Mr Trump took office.
He is said to have misled officials about the conversation.
Earlier, US media reported that the Justice Department had warned the White House about the contacts late last month.
They said that Mr Flynn might be vulnerable to Russian blackmail.
Senior Democrats had called for Mr Flynn to be fired.
It is illegal for private citizens to conduct US diplomacy, and the calls happened late last year before Mr Flynn was appointed to the administration.
The national security adviser is appointed by the president to serve as his or her chief adviser on international affairs and defence.
What did Mr Flynn say about the phone call?
In his letter of resignation, Mr Flynn said he had "inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador".
A White House statement said Lt Gen Joseph Keith Kellogg had been appointed as interim replacement for the post.
Image copyright - APImage caption - Questions have been raised about Mr Flynn's closeness with Russia. He was pictured dining with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in December 2015
Mr Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, initially denied having discussed sanctions with Ambassador Sergei Kislyak, and Vice-President Mike Pence publicly denied the allegations on his behalf.
However, Mr Flynn later told the White House that sanctions may have been discussed.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that Mr Flynn and Mr Kislyak did not discuss lifting sanctions.
Is Trump implicated? - Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter
Image copyrightREUTERS
From inauguration to full-blown scandal punctuated by a high-level resignation in 24 days. That simply has to be some kind of record.
Donald Trump never does anything small. If his administration is going to have a political crisis, why waste any time?
From the day he was announced as Mr Trump's national security adviser, there were concerns about Michael Flynn's questionable contacts with Russia both before and after November's election.
The ground crumbled beneath his feet only recently, however, after revelations that his conversation with a Russian ambassador included talk of US-imposed sanctions. The mortal blow came late on Monday, with reports that Obama-era government officials had warned the Trump White House about the details of these calls in January.
Now Mr Flynn has been cut loose, but that may not be enough to staunch the bleeding.
Congressional Democrats - and perhaps some Republicans - will want to find out who was informed about Mr Flynn's contradictory stories and why nothing was done earlier. How far up the chain of command does it go?
All of this has some observers dusting off language from the mother of all presidential scandals, Watergate.
What did the president know, and when did he know it?
What was the reaction to the phone call?
Several House Democrats have called on Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz to launch an investigation into Mr Flynn's ties to Russia.
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said it would also be "troubling'' if Flynn had been negotiating with a foreign government before taking office.
Mr Flynn, who was previously fired by Barack Obama as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was an ardent supporter of Mr Trump during the campaign.
He became a close ally of both the president and his chief strategist, Steve Bannon.
He encouraged tougher policies on Iran and a softer policy on Russia, but questions were raised about his perceived closeness to Moscow.
Several House Democrats have called on Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz to launch an investigation into Mr Flynn's ties to Russia.
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said it would also be "troubling'' if Flynn had been negotiating with a foreign government before taking office.
Mr Flynn, who was previously fired by Barack Obama as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was an ardent supporter of Mr Trump during the campaign.
He became a close ally of both the president and his chief strategist, Steve Bannon.
He encouraged tougher policies on Iran and a softer policy on Russia, but questions were raised about his perceived closeness to Moscow.
How Flynn floundered
- Mr Flynn is known to have spoken with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak several times by phone in December;
- Mr Flynn denied that he and Mr Kislyak had discussed US sanctions and Vice-President Mike Pence also denied the claims on his behalf;
- A spokesman for Mr Flynn then backtracked, telling reporters the adviser "couldn't be certain" he had not discussed the sanctions;
- On Monday, White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway said Mr Trump had "full confidence" in Mr Flynn;
- White House spokesman Sean Spicer later said the president was "evaluating the situation". Hours later, Mr Flynn resigned.
Who's the man who replaces him?
Image copyright - REUTERS
Retired Lt Gen Joseph Keith Kellogg has been appointed acting national security adviser, and is far from a newcomer to the Trump team.
He brings more than 30 years' experience in the army, and served in Vietnam, Cambodia, Panama and the Gulf.
During the Iraq war, he helped manage the coalition authority running the country in 2003 and 2004, before working for a defence contractor, according to Bloomberg.
More recently, he advised Mr Trump on national security issues during his campaign, and went on to be appointed chief of staff in the new administration's National Security Council.
Former CIA director retired General David Petraeus and Robert Harward, a former deputy commander of US Central Command, are also under consideration for the post, a White House official has said.
Retired Lt Gen Joseph Keith Kellogg has been appointed acting national security adviser, and is far from a newcomer to the Trump team.
He brings more than 30 years' experience in the army, and served in Vietnam, Cambodia, Panama and the Gulf.
During the Iraq war, he helped manage the coalition authority running the country in 2003 and 2004, before working for a defence contractor, according to Bloomberg.
More recently, he advised Mr Trump on national security issues during his campaign, and went on to be appointed chief of staff in the new administration's National Security Council.
Former CIA director retired General David Petraeus and Robert Harward, a former deputy commander of US Central Command, are also under consideration for the post, a White House official has said.
