It seems that the 2016 election may have consumed itself with the wrong person’s emails. The last three days have brought to light clear evidence of collusion between some of Trump’s closest advisers and Russia.
First we learned that Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and then-campaign manager Paul Manafort met with a Kremlin-linked lawyer in June 2016 to get compromising information about Hillary Clinton. Then we learned that before setting up that meeting, Donald Trump Jr. was told in an email that the meeting was part of a Russian government effort to help Trump’s candidacy.
Now, the email exchange about the meeting has been published and as the New York Times put it, the emails “could hardly have been more explicit.” The top lines: Donald Trump Jr. was told in an email, “This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.” And he responded almost immediately with, “If it’s what you say I love it especially later in the summer.” Read the emails yourself.
These emails prove that some of Trump’s closest advisors knowingly colluded with the Russian government during the election to betray our country. Even more shocking is the fact that this collusion was conducted in an email chain like it was business as usual. Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s investigation is more important than ever and the House should send a strong message to Russia by acting immediately to strengthen sanctions.
ACTION OF THE DAY
Stay Focused. Every day may feel more and more like an episode of House of Cards. And the news about Russia’s interference in our election and the Trump team’s connections to it merits serious concern. But we cannot let it distract from the fact that Senate Republican leaders are still working behind closed doors to strip health care away from 22 million Americans.
Senate majority leaders are planning to release an updated version of their Trumpcare bill this Thursday and are planning on voting on it as soon as next week. That means we have to keep the pressure up. Join our friends at SEIU for a national call in day today to tell Congress to #VoteNo on Trumpcare. Then go to TrumpcareToolkit.org to see an updated list of the Senators who need to hear from you most.
WHAT’S TRENDING
Disagreement. For years, many Congressional Republicans have been claiming that Medicaid is “broken,” and the only way to fix it is to massively cut funding. But if you ask the people actually enrolled in Medicaid, they think the program is pretty good. A new analysis shows that, on a scale of 0 (“worst health care possible” to 10 (“best health care possible”), Medicaid recipients give their care a 7.9.
Integrity. The ACLU filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging the “Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity,” Trump’s voter fraud commission. The lawsuit claims that the commission violated federal public access requirements by holding its first meting in private. This blow comes just days after more than 40 states refused to cooperate with the investigation.
#HandsOff. Remember Trump’s budget? The one that proposes nearly $4 trillion in cuts to essential programs like nutrition assistance and environmental protection. Now, the Hands Off campaign is out with new numbers showing just how devastating those budget cuts could be for your congressional district.
Mosul. Over the weekend, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the city of Mosul liberated from the Islamic State. Here are five reasons why it’s not time for the U.S. and the counter-Islamic State coalition to declare mission accomplished.
Tearline. Want more foreign policy news? Sign up for Tearline, a weekly newsletter on Trump’s foreign policy, how the world is responding, and what’s to come.
UNDER THE RADAR
Accountability. Yesterday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (set up to protect working families after the financial crisis) announced a new rule that will allow individuals to enter into class action lawsuits against banks and other financial firms. Before this rule was established, victims of deceptive or exploitative business practices were locked out of the courthouse and forced into arbitration in disputes over bank and credit card accounts. This new rule will help restore consumers’ rights and establish greater accountability for financial companies.
GOOD NEWS
Prime Day. If you love the made up holiday read this. If you hate it read this.