Russiagate update: Breakfast with Devin Nunes, no coffee with Papadopoulos, and Miller time
The torrent of Russiagate-related news has gotten so intense that NBB has decided to issue a “morning briefing” for readers. So, here goes:
- Rep. Devin Nunes, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, “attended a breakfast meeting in January that Michael Flynn, then the incoming national security adviser, and Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, also attended.” Business Insider reports that the breakfast was a “small” gathering of 50-60 politcos. In light of reports that Flynn was approached about a crazy plan to kidnap and “render” American-based Turkish dissident Fetullah Gulen, the meeting becomes quite relevant to Special Counsel Mueller.
- The White House’s “coffee boy” narrative about George Papadopoulos has collapsed. Papadopoulos “was welcomed into the thinly-staffed campaign as a ‘surrogate’ who could articulate the candidate’s views. He even helped edit a major foreign policy speech that Mr. Trump gave in Washington in late April [2016], records indicate.” Oh, he was also instrumental in a March 2016 meeting in London with two Russian operative. The juicy story is getting juicier — especially since Stephen Miller makes more than a mere guest appearance.
- Speaking of unctuous nationalist Miller, his meeting with Special Counsel Robert Mueller largely missed the media radar. Josh Marshall’s analysis of the New York Times story cited in the previous bullet point is well worth your time.
- At the the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, Russian strongman Vladimir Putin is saying that ties between indicted Russiagate figure Paul Manafort and Russia are “fabricated.” Sure thing, Vlad.
D.B. Hirsch is a political activist, news junkie, and retired ad copy writer and spin doctor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.