Thursday, 28 Nov 2024

The Trump-Russia saga in 250 words

It’s the story that has dominated Donald Trump’s presidency. But it’s complicated.

In summary

US intelligence agencies believe Russia tried to sway the election in favour of Mr Trump. A special counsel has been looking into whether anyone from his campaign colluded in the effort.

Any evidence?

Senior members of Mr Trump’s team met Russian officials. Several meetings were not initially disclosed.

What meetings?

Ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn lied to the FBI about meeting the Russian ambassador to the US before Mr Trump took office.

The president’s son, Donald Jr, met a Russian lawyer who said she had “dirt” on Hillary Clinton during the campaign.

Who else is involved?

Ex-adviser Roger Stone has been charged with lying to Congress about his contacts with Wikileaks, which released emails belonging to Democratic officials, allegedly hacked by Russians.

Mr Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen said Mr Trump knew in advance about the email dump. Mr Cohen admitted lying to Congress, campaign finance violations and tax evasion and received a 36-month prison sentence.

Former campaign chairman Paul Manafort lied to the FBI about his work in Ukraine, according to special counsel Robert Mueller, with whom he had been co-operating. Manafort has been jailed for bank fraud.

And the president?

Since he fired the man leading one of the investigations, ex-FBI Director James Comey, there are questions about whether he has obstructed justice.

The president has decried it as a “witch-hunt”.

Now Mr Mueller has submitted his report to the attorney general, the world awaits his findings.

Want to know more?

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