The early morning arrest by FBI raid of Roger Stone at his home in Florida has been a long time coming and long-expected, but the details in Mueller’s indictment include indications that his arrest would not be the last and that collusion by the Trump campaign is a foregone conclusion.
Stone’s indictment reads:
‘During the summer of 2016, STONE spoke to senior Trump Campaign officials about Organization 1 and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign. STONE was contacted by senior Trump Campaign officials to inquire about future releases by Organization 1.’
key passage in Roger Stone indictment: he “was contacted by senior Trump campaign officials to inquire about future releases” of stolen information by Wikileaks
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) January 25, 2019
This line, as well as many others in the indictment, is the first official record showing that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has proof that at least one member of the Trump campaign was working with Stone to get information on Hillary Clinton’s campaign released in order to damage her. That information was illegally hacked by Russian government operatives.
‘By in or around June and July 2016, STONE informed senior Trump Campaign officials that he had information indicating Organization 1 had documents whose release would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign. The head of Organization 1 was located at all relevant times at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, United Kingdom.’
"After the July 2016 release of stolen DNC emails by [Wikileaks], a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact STONE about any additional releases [of] other damaging information . . . regarding the Clinton Campaign." WHO “DIRECTS” A SENIOR TRUMP CAMPAIGN OFFICIAL?
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) January 25, 2019
In fact, since the campaign official was “ordered” to stay in contact with Stone on this matter, the line could indicate that at least two campaign officials are implicated here, both the campaign official who was ordered to meet with Stone as well as whoever did the ordering if that person was also an official in the campaign.
‘After the July 22, 2016 release of stolen DNC emails by Organization 1, a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact STONE about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton Campaign. STONE thereafter told the Trump Campaign about potential future releases of damaging material by Organization 1.’
The Trump campaign was essentially a criminal enterprise.
His campaign manager, his deputy campaign manager, his lead attorney, his lead advisor, his National Security Advisor – have all either been indicted or convicted.
His presidency is illegitimate.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) January 25, 2019
CNBC reports that the campaign official is most likely Steve Bannon. If that’s the case, the only person “ordering” Bannon, the CEO of the campaign, to do anything would be Trump or, possibly, his children.
‘On or about October 3, 2016, STONE wrote to a supporter involved with the Trump Campaign, “Spoke to my friend in London last night. The payload is still coming.”’
CNBC is reporting that, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter, one of the senior Trump campaign officials who reached out to Roger Stone was Steve Bannon. https://t.co/jaywDTcDdz
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 25, 2019
There are at least three people listed in the indictment – named as Person 1, Person 2, and the Trump campaign official – who may be facing future charges. Stones’ charges include five counts of lying to Congress, one count of obstruction, and one count of witness tampering.
‘On or about October 4, 2016, the supporter involved with the Trump Campaign asked STONE via text message if he had “hear[d] anymore from London.” STONE replied, “Yes – want to talk on a secure line – got Whatsapp?” STONE subsequently told the supporter that more material would be released and that it would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign.’
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
