Putin Asked Trump For Permission To Interrogate Obama's Ambassador
With The White House flip-flopping back and forth on what was actually said - and meant to be said - in Helsinki, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders dropped the latest tape-bomb to blow the establishment's mind during to today's press conference.
Sanders reported that President Trump is open to a proposal from Vladimir Putin to let Russian authorities question the former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, Michael McFaul.
While Trump reportedly made no commitments to Putin, the Russian president offered to allow Special Counsel Robert Mueller to observe interrogations of the 12 Russian intelligence agents indicted by a U.S. grand jury last week for hacking Democratic Party email accounts.
Trump called it an “interesting idea” and an “incredible offer” at the news conference.
Sanders left the press corps dangling by concluding that:
"The president will work with his team and we’ll let you know if there’s an announcement on that front."
NEW: Sanders says there was "some conversation" between Trump, Putin about possibility of Russia questioning U.S. figures, including former Amb. McFaul, "but there wasn't a commitment made…the president will work with his team and we'll let you know if there's an announcement." pic.twitter.com/UnubKsNmrr
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 18, 2018
As The Hill reports, Russia state-owned outlet RT reported that Russia wanted to question McFaul and the author of the so-called Steele dossier, Christopher Steele, among others in its investigation into American financier Bill Browder.
Browder is a prominent critic of Putin who lobbied on behalf of the Magnitsky Act, which imposed sanctions against Russia.
McFaul has denounced the possibility of his being questioned by Russian officials, and has called on Trump to condemn the proposal.
“Putin has been harassing me for a long time,” McFaul said on Twitter on Wednesday.
“That he now wants to arrest me, however, takes it to a new level. I expect my government to defend me and my colleagues in public and private.”
And went on…
Hey WH press Corps, can you confirm tomorrow with @PressSec that Putin discussed me personally in his one on one with Trump? Did he suggest that I was part of some alleged money laundering scheme? And did Trump push back on this completely invented , whacko idea?
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) July 18, 2018
Exactly. Putin feels that he has an ally in @realDonaldTrump in going after me & the other US government officials on that list. President Trump could clear that up in one tweet or statement. https://t.co/utNAkKx5bG
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) July 18, 2018
I really hope Trump did not agree with this "great deal" with Putin in Helsinki: "Russia wants to question Christopher Steele, Michael McFaul, top politicians for aiding Bill Browder" — RT World News https://t.co/Tv1q6pBNUF
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) July 18, 2018
It sure looks that way right now. I hope @SecPompeo and @PressSec will clear up the record today. https://t.co/w1i4CTbloH
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) July 18, 2018
Does he seem nervous to you?
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-07-18/putin-asked-trump-permission-interrogate-obamas-ambassador