More info on the DOJ indictments against Russian meddlers

By Robert A. Vella

Here is more detailed information on the Department of Justice indictments against Russians regarding meddling in the 2016 presidential election, plus some important related stories.

From:  5 key takeaways from the latest indictment in Mueller’s Russia probe

1. The Russians allegedly hacked America’s election infrastructure, including state election boards and secretaries of state. The allegations in Friday’s indictment went well beyond merely hacking the Clinton campaign and Democratic campaign committees.

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2. An American congressional candidate allegedly asked for, and received, stolen documents about his or her opponent from the Russians. According to the indictment, the operatives allegedly provided stolen campaign documents to a candidate for Congress.

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3. A journalist allegedly discussed with the Russian front account, Guccifer 2.0, about when to release stolen documents related to Black Lives Matter. The reporter, who is not named in the indictment, also “offered to write an article” about the release of the stolen documents.

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4. Russian hackers targeted Clinton emails the same day Trump called for them to find “missing” emails. On July 27, 2016, Trump said during a campaign event, “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” referring to emails Clinton deleted from her server because she said they were personal.

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5. Trump knew about these indictments well before they were announced. “I briefed President Trump about these allegations earlier this week,” Rosenstein said Friday. “The President is fully aware of today’s actions by the Department.”

From:  G.R.U., Russian Spy Agency Cited by Mueller, Casts a Long Shadow

One officer identified in the indictment, Viktor B. Netyksho, the leader of a unit that hacked the Democratic National Committee, has the same name as an individual who for years studied computer science and published an academic thesis and at least one scientific paper.

The 2003 thesis was presented to an academy affiliated with the F.S.B., Russia’s domestic intelligence agency, that studies cryptography. It related to a field of mathematics known as nonlinear, or Boolean, equations.

United States intelligence agencies had already concluded “with high confidence” that the G.R.U. created an online persona called Guccifer 2.0 and a website, DCLeaks.com, to release emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee and the chairman of the Clinton campaign, John D. Podesta, before the 2016 presidential election.

From:  Conservatives moving to impeach Rosenstein soon: report

Conservative lawmakers in the House are preparing to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Politico reported Friday.

Sources told the publication that conservatives have been preparing to have Rosenstein impeached for weeks over allegations that he’s held up their investigation into FBI agents who some lawmakers say are biased against President Trump.

House Freedom Caucus leaders Reps. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) are leading the effort, and the impeachment document could be filed as soon as Monday, according to Politico.

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The news comes the same day that Rosenstein announced charges against 12 Russian intelligence officials for allegedly hacking the Democratic National Committee.

From:  Poll: Most Russians dislike Trump

The majority of Russians said they have negative view of President Trump, according to a new poll from the Russian Public Opinion Research Center.

The poll, conducted earlier this week, found that 71 percent of respondents had an unfavorable view of Trump, compared to just 10 percent who had favorable views. Nearly 20 percent of respondents said they had no opinion.

A large majority-77 percent-of respondents said specifically that they view Trump as “self-centered,” and just 16 percent said they think the U.S. president is “trustworthy.”

A majority also described Trump as “dangerous.”