President Trump on Friday said he would “of course” look at dirt from a foreign government on his political opponents, but stated he would give it to the FBI if he knew it was “bad.”
The comments were Trump’s latest attempt to do damage control over his comments to ABC News that he would accept damaging information about his rivals from hostile powers, which drew widespread backlash in Washington.
Asked during a call-in interview on “Fox & Friends” what he would do if he was given such information, Trump said “of course you have to look at it” to “know if it’s bad.”
But he added that “if I thought anything was incorrect or badly stated I’d report to the FBI or law enforcement, absolutely.”
“Of course you give it to the FBI or report it to the attorney general,” he added.
Despite the blowback he has faced from Democrats and Republicans, Trump said “I’ve had a lot of support” for his position, but did not cite any examples.
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JUST IN: Trump: "Of course" you look at foreign dirt to "know if it's bad" https://t.co/4tagb1Cvdi pic.twitter.com/soLNARUk4q
— The Hill (@thehill) June 14, 2019
I am noting the “only if it’s bad” exception to the security regulations. I’m learning a lot of stuff from the WH these days. https://t.co/YLR6lzUYI1
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 14, 2019
Seriously…he *hates* to walk anything back, even a little. The firestorm in the WH must be EPIC. https://t.co/lpKz8v64q1
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) June 14, 2019
"I was at that brothel to make sure there were no ladies of ill repute there!" https://t.co/iwmhxYoyu3
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) June 14, 2019
(Laughing at Rick Wilson’s “brothel” comment.)
What exactly does the word “bad” mean? “Bad” as in not damaging enough to the opponent? Or “bad” as in some evil deed committed by the opponent?
I really don’t care what he means by “bad.” Any attempt by a foreign country to influence our elections by giving one side potentially damaging information by the opposing side is just plain wrong and it should be turned over to the FBI to investigate.
What is sad is that Trump’s supporters have no trouble with Trump’s lack of integrity. It’s all right with them if Trump spreads lies about an opponent to win. And it’s ok with them if accepting such information from a foreign country allows that country to influence our elections.
a brief history of collusion:
1. NO COLLUSION!
2. maybe there was but I didn't know about it
3. maybe I knew but so what
4. lots of people collude
5. it's not illegal when the president does it
6. you can't indict a president
7. NO COLLUSION!
8. I'll collude again if I want to— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) June 15, 2019
Asha gets to the core of Trumpism, and other aspects of crumbling democratic norms. People like Trump don't ask WHY things are wrong if those things are useful to them personally. They look only at the consequences, good or bad. https://t.co/wU6LHY4Dhe
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) June 15, 2019
Mafiaso minds only care about consequences. They don't care "how bad it looks" or that it's against the intent of the law. Only if the costs to them are higher than the benefits.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) June 15, 2019
Autocrats use the weakness of the opposition as a pretext for further abuses. This is why impeachment proceedings are essential, by the way. It's not just moral hazard or politics. Every delay is a green light.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) June 15, 2019
Every concession to an autocrat, however minor, is a preparation for defeat later. There is no good faith, no common ground. They will betray you as soon as it suits them. Fight or lose.
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) June 15, 2019
"Unless Democrats and Republicans in Congress impeach Trump, every future president has grounds to ask foreign adversaries to launch covert operations against his or her political rivals in the United States." – @ron_fournierhttps://t.co/G8Yl9hk1IS
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) June 16, 2019
New FOX NEWS poll.
Do you think Trump campaign coordinated w/ Russians during '16 campaign?
YES: 50%
NO: 44%March 2019
Yes: 44%
No: 42%Jan 2017
Yes: 40%
No: 52%**the more you know** pic.twitter.com/STCrSwxgHY
— Jesse Ferguson (@JesseFFerguson) June 16, 2019
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