Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law at the heart of the intrigue
Targeted by the FBI, Ivanka Trump's husband will lead the White House "crisis cell" set up to respond to attacks and revelations on the Russian affair
He gives him "total confidence". Donald Trump continues to protect Jared Kushner, his influential son-in-law and adviser overtaken by the "Russian affair". Ivanka Trump's husband is believed to have sought to establish a "direct channel of communication" between the Kremlin and the transition team. According to the Washington Post, it was during a meeting with the Russian ambassador in Washington that he brought up the idea in early December. He is said to have even suggested using Russian diplomatic buildings to protect these pre-nomination talks from surveillance. Despite this turmoil, the American president continues to support him. Better still: he entrusts him with a new mission.
An army of lawyers
Because, curious as it may seem, it is Jared Kushner who will lead the new "crisis cell" set up by Donald Trump, to respond to attacks on the Russian connections of his relatives. Understand: prepare for FBI investigations and react to successive media revelations, which Donald Trump calls, increasingly aggressively, "Fake News Media". Donald Trump surrounds himself with an army of lawyers, which Jared Kushner may need himself. This "war room" is reminiscent of the one established by Bill Clinton when he was entangled in the Lewinski affair.
Also concerned by the "Russian affair", the Minister of Justice Jeff Sessions, who had initially denied having had any contact with the ambassador, preferred to recuse himself from the investigation to avoid being suspected of interference . The Kushner case is different, as it involves leading a team to respond to attacks. Still, Donald Trump could have chosen someone more neutral, who is not directly in the sights of the FBI.
In a statement to the New York Times, Donald Trump assures him: “Jared Kushner is doing a good job. I have complete confidence in him. He is respected by all and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars. On top of that, and perhaps most importantly, he's a good person. " The Democratic National Committee does not really agree: it calls for his dismissal. As for ex-CIA Director John McLaughlin, he said on MSNBC that if an agent had done what Jared Kushner is accused of, it "would be like espionage."
In tandem with his "enemy", Stephen Bannon
The controversial Stephen Bannon is expected to support Jared Kushner in the crisis staff. A surprising choice: the two men make no secret of having some difficulty getting along. Jared Kushner has gone to great lengths to marginalize the strategic advisor. He succeeded in part since Stephen Bannon was removed from the National Security Council.
By bringing the two men together, is Donald Trump seeking to close ranks and give the impression of an apparent unity within his team, which is divided into two clans? He had already brought them together to urge them not to express their animosity publicly. Lately, it’s Jared Kushner who has received some scolding. As the New York Times notes, a video showing a sister of Jared Kushner active in the family's real estate empire has greatly displeased the president. Speaking to potential Chinese investors for a project in Jersey City, she went so far as to mention visa facilitation.
All eyes on James Comey
A first "crisis" meeting took place on Sunday, barely returning from his overseas tour. In the presence of Marc Kasowitz, who heads the team of White House lawyers. In addition to Jared Kushner and Stephen Bannon, Secretary General Reince Priebus would also be part of the "war room".
Jared Kushner, who claims to have nothing to be ashamed of, said he was ready to work with Congress to discuss his meeting with Ambassador Sergei Kislyak. But it is another hearing, public, which is particularly awaited: that of James Comey, the boss of the FBI dismissed in early May by Donald Trump. With this crucial question: will he confirm that he was pressured by the president to give up investigating?
