On March 4, 2018, Sergei Skripal, a former intelligence agent for Russia, who was an informant for the British Foreign Intelligence Service and his daughter Yulia, were subjected on British territory to a nerve agent attack, which many believed was instigated by Russia. Mr. Skripal and his daughter had been living in Great Britain since he was exchanged in a spy swap some years previous. This attack, attributed to Russia, has been strongly denounced by the British Prime Minister. In addition, on March 12, 2018, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, described the attack as an “egregious attack” and said that it clearly appears that it came from Russia. Mr. Tillerson said that, “….this is very, very concerning to me and others…this is a pretty serious action.” “It’s almost beyond comprehension that a state, an organized state, would do something like that…”
President Trump has often complimented Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, while as over time, Secretary Tillerson has become increasingly critical. The day after Secretary Tillerson made these remarks he was fired by President Trump, making it appear that he was, in part, fired because of his comments.
Subsequently the US Administration supported the British Prime Minister in her position but did not use language such as Secretary Tillerson.
This action does seem to be questionable. As the headline in the editorial in the Wall Street Journal says, “Why Now?” There is an ongoing investigation into whether the Trump Campaign collaborated with the Russian Government in pursuit of winning the election for Mr. Trump. President Trump has made no secret of his admiration of Vladimir Putin and has been reluctant to criticize or act against the Russian Government. For example the US Congress passed a set of sanctions some months ago against the Russian Government but President Trump refused to implement them. All this leads to the question of foreign influence on our country.
Last month, in concert with American allies, the US Government expelled 60 Russian diplomats identified as intelligence agents in retaliation for the nerve gas attack on Mr. Skripal and his daughter Yulia on British territory. This appeared to represent the most forceful action that President Trump had taken against Russian up to that time, but unbeknownst to the American public at the time, President Putin was informed that he will be able to send 60 “new” Russian diplomats right back in to fill those rolls. There must have been must mirth in the Kremlin to witness again their control over Mr. Trump.
In his farewell address, September 19, 1796, President George Washington said, “Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens, that the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican government.” Also in 1788, in the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton said the following, “Nothing was more to be desired than that every practical obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue and corruption. These most deadly advisories of Republican government might naturally have been expected to make their approaches for more than one quarter, but chiefly from the desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils. How could they better gratify this than by raising a creature of their own to the chief magestry of the Union?”
“So all American patriots, beware.”
John Jay