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FBI Starts "Preliminary Inquiry" Into Manafort
FBI starts investigating the foreign business dealings of Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chair. -
Trump Meets With IC Chiefs
Meeting with Clapper, Rogers, Comey, Brennan, directors of the intelligence community. Chiefs warn him about the possibility of Russian interference in the election, information that Trump vehemently denies. Comey informs Trump about the Dossier. -
Dossier Leaked to Public
Before long the IC meeting, news agencies and the internet received copies of the Dossier, revealing the financial and personal secrets of Donald Trump and the infiltration of Russian agents -
Michael Flynn Resigns
Flynn resigns after mounting pressure from the FBI, who was investigating Flynn's correspondence with a Russian ambassador. Flynn had denied accusations of discussing sanctions with Kislyak. -
Jeff Sessions Recuses Himself
As news of Sessions' meetings with Kislyak is revealed, despite his denial of any correspondence, Sessions recuses himself from any investigations into the 2016. This angers President Trump who expected Sessions to serve as a first line of defense. -
Comey Confirms FBI Investigation
Comey confirms that the FBI is investigating "whether there was any coordination between the [Trump] campaign and Russia's efforts" to interfere in the 2016 election in a statement during the House Intelligence Committee's first public hearing. -
Senate Intelligence Committee Holds Public Hearing
Jared Kushner testifies at first public hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Michael Flynn had also reportedly offered to testify in exchange for immunity. -
House Oversight Committee Announces Findings
House Oversight committee found that Flynn had left foreign payments off of his application for security clearance, which is a felony. "I see no data to support the notion that Gen. Flynn complied with the law," said Jason Chaffetz. -
Comey Fired
President Trump makes sudden decision to fire James Comey, having sent a letter beforehand indicating his intention to do so. White House staff, even Steve Bannon, is shocked at his decision. -
Robert Mueller Appointed as Special Council
The Justice Department appointed Robert Mueller, a former FBI director, as special council to oversee the investigation on the link between the Trump campaign and Russia. -
Comey Testifies Before Senate Intelligence Committee
Comey informs committee that the reason he was fired over the Russian investigation. He reveals that Trump had demanded a loyalty pledge during a one-on-one dinner and had asked for leniency for Michael Flynn. -
Sessions Testifies Before Senate Intelligence Committee
Sessions' first public appearance since he said that he "did not have any communications with the Russians." Sessions denies any suggestion that he was involved in any collusion with the Russians, calling the allegations "an appalling and detestable lie." -
Mueller Investigates Trump
Mueller begins investigating Trump for obstruction of justice, centering his search on Comey's firing and the conversations between Comey and the President that ultimately lead up to his dismissal. -
Flynn Pleads Guilty
Michael Flynn pleads guilty to lying to the FBI about conversations with Kislyak, becoming the first Trump official to cooperate with the Special Counsel investigation. -
Mueller Interviews Comey and Sessions
The focus of Comey’s interview was the memos he wrote after his private meetings with the president. Sessions was interviewed "for hours", accompanied by his lawyer Chuck Cooper. -
"A Higher Loyalty" is Released
Comey's book, a higher loyalty, is obtained by media outlets before its scheduled release date on the 17th. Comey says, "This president is unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values" -
Strzok Testifies Before House Intelligence Committee
FBI Agent Peter Strzok defended himself against accusations of bias when his anti-Trump text messages were exposed. Hearing devolves into chaos and ad hominem attacks between House members. -
Manafort Pleads Guilty
Manafort admits to committing federal crimes, conspiracy and conspiracy to obstruct justice, and agrees to cooperate with the Special Counsel investigation. -
Sessions Fired
Trump forces Sessions to resign in anger over his recusal over a year ago, expected for weeks as Trump attacked his decision. Appoints Matthew Whitaker as acting AG, a staunch opponent of the Mueller Investigation. -
Investigative Bodies
House Intelligence Committee - Led by reps. Conway and Schliff, House body in charge of overseeing intelligence community.
Senate Intelligence Committee - Led by reps. Burr and Warner, Senate body in charge of overseeing intelligence community.
House Oversight Committee - Led by reps. Chaffetz and Cummings, the primary investigative body of the House. -
Investigative Bodies (2)
Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism - Led by reps. Graham and Sheldon, oversees Justice department. -
Special Counsel
A special prosecutor appointed to investigate and prosecute a crime when a conflict of interest exists for the original authority.
Held by Robert Mueller. -
Conclusions
The investigation is definitely a proper use of Congressional resources and power. Insofar as the crime impacts the very core of our democracy, the investigation actually seems to be the one of the defense mechanisms for our government established in the Constitution. At this point, with the indictment of Russian agents and officials, there is overwhelming evidence that supports interference in the election, just not enough to establish a connection to the Trump campaign. -
Future Actions
As the potential crimes shake the very foundation of our democracy, we must do everything we can to make sure that it runs as efficiently and smoothly as possible. We must make sure that there is never enough political backing for the investigation to be shut down, whether by the executive branch or by opposing lawmakers.
