Profile In Focus | Wikileaks - Part 10 (June 2017 - August 2017)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 2 (2000s)
Profile In Focus | Wikileaks - Part 10 (June 2017 - August 2017)
“Reality Winner” under public domain by The U.S. Government.
June 2017 marked another chapter in the ongoing investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. The month began with conflicting statements regarding Russian involvement. Devin Nunes, a Republican Congressman, stated that there was no credible evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that private Russian hackers may have meddled in the election.
In early June, the focus shifted to a leaked NSA document published by news site The Intercept. Reality Leigh Winner, a federal government contractor, was charged with leaking classified material related to Russian hacking efforts during the 2016 election. The leaked document revealed details of a Russian cyberattack against a U.S. voting software vendor. This revelation intensified concerns about Russian interference and raised questions about the security of state election systems.
As the news of the leak and its aftermath unfolded, attention turned to Reality Winner herself. It was discovered that she had a top-secret clearance and had made anti-Trump statements on social media. The Intercept faced scrutiny for potentially exposing its source, and there was a debate about the ethical implications of leaking classified information.
In the midst of these events, Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate in the 2016 election, made headlines when it was revealed that she had attended a dinner with Russian President Putin. Stein denied any wrongdoing and stated that nothing significant happened at the dinner.
Meanwhile, the case of Chelsea Manning, the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst who leaked classified information to WikiLeaks, continued to garner attention. A New York Times article explored Manning's personal journey and the challenges she faced after her release from prison.
In mid-June, concerns about Russian influence expanded beyond the election. It was reported that a pro-Russian lobbyist was present around the White House, raising questions about potential connections to the Trump administration. Additionally, Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, came under scrutiny when it was revealed that he had financial ties to pro-Russia interests.
The investigations into Russian meddling and its possible connections to the Trump campaign continued to unfold. As the month came to a close, President Trump cast doubt on the credibility of the special counsel leading the Russia investigation, Robert Mueller, raising concerns about the integrity of the investigation itself.
In July, new developments emerged regarding meetings between Trump campaign officials and Russians who promised damaging information on Hillary Clinton. The revelations fueled further speculation about potential collusion.
The month also saw the release of a trove of classified documents by WikiLeaks. These documents, known as the Vault 7 leaks, exposed alleged CIA hacking tools and techniques. The leaks raised concerns about the security of digital systems and the capabilities of intelligence agencies.
In August, attention turned to the investigation into potential connections between the Trump campaign and Russia. The probe had the potential to uncover closely guarded secrets of the Trump administration. Additionally, Russian propaganda efforts came into focus, with reports suggesting that alt-right websites, including Breitbart, were being amplified by Russian media.
Overall, from June to August 2017, the investigations into Russian meddling in the election and potential collusion with the Trump campaign continued to dominate the news. Leaks of classified information, revelations about meetings with Russians, and concerns about Russian propaganda underscored the ongoing complexities and uncertainties of the situation.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 5, 2023
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Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6 (2022+)
Sources for Profile In Focus | Wikileaks - Part 10 (June 2017 - August 2017):
Devin Nunes: No credible evidence of Russia-Trump collusion – USA Today June 1, 2017
Maybe Private Russian Hackers Meddled in Election, Putin Says – The New York Times June 1, 2017
Putin: Russian state has never been involved in hacking – Politico June 1, 2017
Lindsey Graham: There’s ‘reason to believe’ conversation was ‘unmasked’ – USA Today June 2, 2017
Putin: ‘Patriotic’ Russian hackers may have targeted US election – CNN June 2, 2017
Jill Stein presidential campaign, 2016/Russia – BallotPedia June 3, 2017
Warner: ‘Unthinkable’ if Trump pressured Comey to end FBI’s investigation – USA Today June 4, 2017
Intelligence Contractor Is Charged in First Leak Case Under Trump – The New York Times June 5, 2017
DOJ charges contractor with leaking classified material to news outlet – CBS News June 5, 2017
Reality Leigh Winner Criminal Complaint – The New York Times June 5, 2017
Federal contractor arrested after NSA document published on news site – USA Today June 5, 2017
Russian hackers’ election goal may have been swing-state voter rolls – USA Today June 6, 2017
Russian hacking attempt targets small elections-technology industry – USA Today June 6, 2017
You’re not paranoid if they’re actually out to hack your election – USA Today June 6, 2017
Sen. Mark Warner: More state election systems were targeted by Russians – USA Today June 6, 2017
STATEMENT ON JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ALLEGATIONS – The Intercept June 6, 2017
Woman accused of leaking classified information lived in Kingsville – USA Today June 6, 2017
Accused leaker Reality Winner called Trump an ‘orange fascist’ on Twitter – CNN June 6, 2017
Who is Reality Leigh Winner? Accused leaker held top secret clearance – USA Today June 6, 2017
Who Is Reality Winner? – The Atlantic June 6, 2017
Contractor charged with leaking classified NSA info on Russian hacking – CNN June 6, 2017
What You Need to Know About Reality Winner – Vogue June 6, 2017
What we know about Reality Winner – CNN June 7, 2017
Accused leaker Reality Winner is scared after arrest, mom says – CNN June 7, 2017
Jill Stein Says Nothing Happened at Her Dinner With Putin – Mother Jones June 7, 2017
INTERCEPTED PODCAST: THE WOMAN DEMOCRATS LOVE TO HATE – The Intercept June 7, 2017
The Long, Lonely Road of Chelsea Manning – The New York Times June 12, 2017
Pro-Russian Lobbyist Is Lurking Around the White House – Daily Beast June 14, 2017
Jill Stein Isn’t Sorry – Politico June 20, 2017
Trump casts doubt on Russia investigator Mueller – BBC June 23, 2017
Vaccines – Last Week Tonight with John Oliver June 26, 2017
Trump son met Russian who promised material on Clinton – BBC July 10, 2017
GOP Lawmaker Got Direction From Moscow, Took It Back to D.C. – Daily Beast July 19, 2017
Manafort Was in Debt to Pro-Russia Interests, Cyprus Records Show – The New York Times July 19, 2017
GOP Aide, Paul Behrends, Ousted After Russia Links Exposed – Daily Beast July 20, 2017
Russia probe could reveal Trump’s closest-held secrets – USA Today July 27, 2017
Hackers at DefCon conference exploit vulnerabilities in voting machines – USA Today July 30, 2017
Alex Jones: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Jul 31, 2017
16 New Hampshire Results – The New York Times August 1, 2017
Trump Says U.S. ‘Losing’ Afghan War in Tense Meeting With Generals – NBC News August 2, 2017
2016 Presidential Election Results – The New York Times August 9, 2017
Russian network amplified Trump’s Flake criticism – USA Today August 17, 2017