Trump Gets Caught, Sends Troops to Saudi Arabia to Deflect
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Reports have surfaced that Trump pressured newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pursue an investigation into Joe Biden’s son during a phone call on July 26th, in an effort to obtain political dirt against Biden. Newly released details of how Trump demanded help from Ukraine with opposition tactics to destroy a political opponent represents only a portion of a much broader whistleblower complaint that allegedly involves “multiple acts” of impropriety. If true, this method of attempting to obtain damaging information to assist him with an election is nothing new — it not only forms the basis for the allegations against Trump found in the Mueller Report, but it’s starting to look like his modus operandi.
The Wall Street Journal is also reporting that Trump urged President Zelensky “about eight times to work with Rudy Giuliani, his personal lawyer, on a probe, according to people familiar with the matter.” Giuliani appeared on CNN last night where he attempted to debate Chris Cuomo about the details surrounding his involvement with Ukraine on behalf of Trump. In the span of just a few seconds, Giuliani reversed his position entirely and admitted to Cuomo that he was in fact working on getting Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Biden.
These new reports about the details of the whistleblower complaint are also emerging amid the scuffle between National Intelligence Director Joseph Maguire and Democrats in Congress, who argue a Maguire has a legal obligation to turn over the details of the complaint. Adam Schiff (D-CA) also made a statement to the press yesterday where he questioned the White House’s role in preventing Maguire from complying with congressional demands to disclose the complaint that was deemed to be of “urgent concern” by the intelligence inspector general. On Thursday afternoon, Schiff told the press that he will be pursuing legal action if necessary to obtain the details that should be disclosed to him by law.
Amid all of the chaos and blowback from the emerging details of the phone call with Ukraine, Trump directed Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., to inform the press that the U.S. would be deploying troops to Saudi Arabia for the purposes of defending oil fields. Trump announced new sanctions against Iran earlier in the day, and the administration claimed to be considering a range of other actions, including cyberattacks, but this all shifted once news of the call to Ukraine broke. If there’s anything Trump knows how to do well, it’s to shift and control a news cycle.
Although the Trump Administration claims it has proof that Iran was responsible for the recent drone strikes on Saudi Arabian oil supplies, the Houthis in Yemen have repeatedly taken credit for the attack. The U.S. released satellite images of the area in question shortly after the attack, showing 17 points of impact on the Saudi facilities. The Trump Administration argues this data proves that most of the missiles came from the north, where Iran and Iraq are located. They insist the photos prove that missiles did not come from the south, which is the direction the Houthis in Yemen. This map is not dispositive however, because it’s possible some of the missiles came from the west, so the issue of who truly made the attack and who seeks to benefit from calling out Iran come into play— enter Trump.
A military conflict with Iran is incredibly convenient for the Trump Administration right now. Considering that the troop deployment just announced will be minimal and serve as defense for Saudi oil supplies only, this provides a great distraction for the ongoing breaking news reports about the details of Trump’s involvement with pressuring Ukraine. It also gives Trump space to escalate the tensions, as he sees them, to garner national support heading into a pivotal election. The looming issue of an impending recession is also managed with the idea of more military action overseas and the inevitable and deceptive economic boom that comes from initial military spending during a war.
As we glean more details from exactly what Trump did to cause such concern that a whistleblower complaint was warranted and the investigation was escalated on the basis of “urgent concern,” look for the Trump administration to continue to use diversion tactics in the media using any means necessary. The thought of an impending war with Iran is not so shocking given the recent behavior of Trump officials to lay the groundwork for conflict. Considering his presidency is on the line in 2020 and that he stands to be charged with numerous crimes upon leaving office, you can expect Trump to do anything to secure his position in the White House.
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Amee Vanderpool writes the “Shero” Newsletter and is an attorney, contributor to Playboy Magazine, analyst for BBC radio and Director of The Inanna Project. She can be reached at avanderpool@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @girlsreallyrule.