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November 2019 – The evidence is incontrovertible: the NRA was infiltrated by Russian agents and operatives who broke our laws, interfered with our 2016 election, and channeled untold millions to pro-NRA politicians.
“In 2016, the NRA spent more than $30 million on behalf of the Trump campaign, according to Federal Election Commission data. It was a staggering number compared to 2012 … The Trump campaign represented the lion’s share of the group’s spending—the NRA spent $54 million on the 2016 elections in total.
There are suggestions that the total amount could be higher. In 2017, McClatchy reported that the total number for spending in 2016 was “close to $70 million, and perhaps much more.”
However, a full accounting of the group’s spending in 2016 may never come to light. An FEC investigation into another McClatchy report of whether the former Russian central banker, Alexander Torshin, illegally funneled money to the NRA to aid Trump, has been dropped by the FEC after Republican members objected to it.”
The problems:
- Wayne LaPierre, head of the NRA, told Trump he could actually influence the outcome of any impeachment – a bold statement that leaves no doubt the NRA – Russia arguably – has undue influence over the workings of the Senate
- Trump has made no moves towards gun control and has backtracked on his promises earlier this month
- Trump calls the Democrats ‘do nothing dems’ when in fact Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is not letting any bills Trump doesn’t favour – including two key bills on gun law reform – be put forward for a democratic, fair vote
- Trump looks set to be impeached – which will require a Senate vote: if the senators voting have been given large amounts of Russian money via the NRA, they should absolutely recuse themselves from taking part. There are already calls for certain senators to recuse themselves from any impeachment vote (eg Rand Paul for demanding the whistleblower’s rights be waived and Ron Johnson who is a witness). With a senate sub-committee declaring the NRA a Russian Asset then surely those who took Russian money/NRA money are compromised, given the NRA spent $30 million on Trump’s campaign.
This state of affairs is an absolute scandal, and a foreign power infiltrating a powerful lobby such as the NRA and influencing our elections to such a degree is without precedent. It is alarming in the extreme. Those who are beneficiaries of Russian-funded NRA contributions should not get a say over the impeachment of Trump, NRA’s/Russia’s chosen president. We are talking about tens of millions of dollars; we are talking about the Senate being filled with people indebted to Russia for their Senate seats.
ACTION
Please contact your US senators through the link below – or search for them on Twitter and/or Facebook, and give them the following message, personalized to your liking:
“Dear Senators
“We all know that the country is in an unprecedented state: The NRA spent tens of millions on the last election: while it was infiltrated with Russian agents and while it was awash with Russian funding. NRA head Wayne LaPierre has virtually promised Trump that the NRA can save him from impeachment. The only way that would be possible is if senators are in the NRA’s debt.
“I highly doubt that any Senators in the NRA’s debt will do the honourable thing and recuse themselves from voting in the likely event the impeachment reaches the Senate. If I thought it would be useful to appeal to such people’s honor or love of their country, I would.
“However, I want you to know I will be watching how my senators perform very carefully. I want you to be certain: I am never going to vote for an NRA candidate after the Senate sub-committee found the NRA is a Russian Asset. Some Senators received modest amounts of NRA money; others received millions. I will be watching how the impeachment process unfolds and what you do as it happens, and how you vote.
“As your constituent, I want you to respond to me, and tell me: how much money did you receive from the NRA; are you obliged to the NRA as LaPierre implied to the president; and what you intend to do about the NRA; the bills Mitch McConnell is sitting on that could save lives; and what you will do to ensure our next elections are not compromised.
“If you are one of the senators fighting to rectify this alarming state of affairs, then you have my sincere thanks.”
Find your US Senators here: https://www.conginst.org/contact-congress/
Once you have made contact, fill out the three fields below and click the orange banner to report taking action!