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Here's @AshaRangappa_ and my deep dive into Senator @RonJohnsonWI's Monday letter and, more generally, his Ukraine-related investigations.
"How Sen. Ron Johnson’s Investigation Became an Enabler of Russian Disinformation"
#Disinformation https://www.justsecurity.org/71947/how-sen-ron-johnsons-investigation-became-an-enabler-of-russian-disinformation-part-i/
Here's @AshaRangappa_ and my deep dive into Senator @RonJohnsonWI's Monday letter and, more generally, his Ukraine-related investigations.
"How Sen. Ron Johnson’s Investigation Became an Enabler of Russian Disinformation"
#Disinformation https://www.justsecurity.org/71947/how-sen-ron-johnsons-investigation-became-an-enabler-of-russian-disinformation-part-i/
2. Two highlights:
First, Johnson's 11-page letter itself contains apparent products of Russian disinformation. He should know by now.
Second, there are apparently three channels of Russian disinformation to Johnson.
First, Johnson's 11-page letter itself contains apparent products of Russian disinformation. He should know by now.
Second, there are apparently three channels of Russian disinformation to Johnson.
3. It's a marvel to examine Sen Johnson's shifting/contradictory denials.
His spokesperson told @NatashaBertrand @AndrewDesiderio @kyledcheney: Senator"never received nor would we ever collect information from this individual [Andrii Derkach] or individuals like him"
But then…
His spokesperson told @NatashaBertrand @AndrewDesiderio @kyledcheney: Senator"never received nor would we ever collect information from this individual [Andrii Derkach] or individuals like him"
But then…
4. It was clear Johnson PERSONALLY met with Andrii Telizhenko (who the FBI warned Johnson is a conduit for Russian disinformation). Johnson staff reportedly met with Telizhenko for over 5 hours and worked with Telizhenko FOR MONTHS.
So ... Johnson then appeared to admit ...
So ... Johnson then appeared to admit ...
5. Johnson and Grassley spokespersons then appeared to admit to @ChristopherJM and try to justify use of information from Telizhenko AND OTHER UKRAINIANS.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/christopherm51/rudy-giuliani-ukraine-joe-biden-smear-efforts
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/christopherm51/rudy-giuliani-ukraine-joe-biden-smear-efforts
6. Then there's Johnson's highly elusive answers.
In Aug. 2 interview with local news:
Johnson first dodged direct question whether he received info from Russian-linked Ukrainians.
He then conceded "variety of sources"
@HeidiNBC has the rundown: https://twitter.com/HeidiNBC/status/1290006014117412864
In Aug. 2 interview with local news:
Johnson first dodged direct question whether he received info from Russian-linked Ukrainians.
He then conceded "variety of sources"
@HeidiNBC has the rundown: https://twitter.com/HeidiNBC/status/1290006014117412864
7. Then there's Senator Johnson's contradictory denials.
Hat tip: @nycsouthpaw https://twitter.com/nycsouthpaw/status/1292178711257784322
Hat tip: @nycsouthpaw https://twitter.com/nycsouthpaw/status/1292178711257784322
8/8 Finally, Johnson now admits to taking info from one of the Russia-linked Ukrainian operatives (Telizhenko), but denies getting info directly from two other operatives (Telizhenko's reported collaborators).
@AshaRangappa_ and I explain why that defense, even if true, FAILS.
@AshaRangappa_ and I explain why that defense, even if true, FAILS.
