Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is imploring the FBI to investigate connections between members of Donald Trump's cabinet and campaign and their ties to the Russian government, as well as efforts by Russia to undermine the 2016 Presidential Election.
During FBI Director James Comey's hearing, Schiff made a lengthy statement before the House Intelligence Committee about the timeline of events that have linked Trump officials to Russia.
"Is it possible that all of these events and reports are completely unrelated, and nothing more than an entirely unhappy coincidence?" he asked. "Yes, it is possible. But it is also possible...that the Russians used the same techniques to corrupt U.S. persons that they have employed in Europe and elsewhere."
The democrat emphasized facts that are accepted by both parties of events in which Trump's campaign lobbied to change the Republican Party's platform prior to the GOP convention in ways that consequently benefit Russia, like a section of the platform that endorsed sending weapons to Ukraine.
Republican officials initially resisted that change, but relented when pressed by Trump's campaign.
Schiff discussed how Russian intelligence almost-daily leaked information damaging to Hillary Clinton's campaign, designed to chip away at her credibility. He mentioned how one Trump adviser appeared to predict via Twitter each new batch of leaks.
He pointed to the eventual resignation by Trump's former National Security Adviser Paul Manafort over his Russia ties, as well as questions that have been raised over the verity of Attorney General Jeff Sessions' testimony on his meetings with the Russian Ambassador.
Watch the video of the statement in two parts below:
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