Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

PeeJ52

(1,588 posts)
Wed Jan 2, 2019, 10:27 PM Jan 2019

Did the tRump State Department give up Paul Whelan to Putin for exchange?

Why is our government so quiet about this? Did tRump tell Putin this Whelan guy was a spy so he could get Butina out of the US? There's no way we would trade Butina, right? Putin said he doesn't even know who she is. Why not a word from Pompeo? This could get interesting.

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Rocky888

(297 posts)
1. If this guy is a spy, he is a corporate spy, and if it involves russia
Wed Jan 2, 2019, 10:41 PM
Jan 2019

He is probably corrupt, there are no honest Americans doing business with Russians under Putin.

mitch96

(13,927 posts)
2. Russian copy cat?
Wed Jan 2, 2019, 11:40 PM
Jan 2019

You take my spy, I take one of yours..... Just happened with Canada and China....
m

Hekate

(90,849 posts)
3. Trump has nothing to do with it. Putin wants Butina back, so he picked up a random American...
Wed Jan 2, 2019, 11:52 PM
Jan 2019

...to use as a pawn for exchange.

My guess: this is about Maria Butina, who really is a spy.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
4. My question is why they want Butina back?
Thu Jan 3, 2019, 12:04 AM
Jan 2019

Has she done exactly what they wanted her to do, get lots of leaders compromised then turn them in to create chaos? Or has she panicked and gave up what Putin didn't want given up, so he wants her disappeared? The interesting thing will be what choice she makes, if she goes back, she did what Putin wanted, if she seeks witness protection here, she gave up what they didn't want her to give up.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
6. You think so?
Thu Jan 3, 2019, 12:18 AM
Jan 2019

Did that include flipping? Maybe so, if so, she is more than some 29 year old, she is a hardened master spy. I think Putin wants our government in chaos and citizens questioning the legitimacy of government, maybe by talking down a political party (republicans) and incriminating influential groups on the right, she accomplished what he sent her to do, if so, she is now as rich as Anna Chapman once she gets back home. The Russians would have successfully used an ages old trap, the honeytrap.

Hekate

(90,849 posts)
13. I was referring to the US man recently arrested in Russia and charged with spying...
Thu Jan 3, 2019, 06:44 PM
Jan 2019

He is likely nothing of the sort, and is simply a pawn to offer in exchange for Butina.

I have no idea how many American men the redheaded gun-rights activist honey-trapped here in America, but I am sure that Mueller knows.

 

PeeJ52

(1,588 posts)
14. "They" don't want Butina back. tRump and the NRA want her the hell out of here.
Fri Jan 4, 2019, 11:27 AM
Jan 2019

THEY is tRump and the NRA. THEY don't want her testifying in court cases against them in the future so they are wanting Russia to get here out of the US.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
15. If she goes into witness protection, Trump and the NRA have no say.
Fri Jan 4, 2019, 03:52 PM
Jan 2019

It would be horrible if someone like her gets whacked in that program, the Marshal Service will work their asses off to insure that does not happen, IMO.

Crutchez_CuiBono

(7,725 posts)
10. Just too timely. This is why you don't
Thu Jan 3, 2019, 12:50 AM
Jan 2019

give red testicle and putin time alone. Seems very convenient for butina.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Did the tRump State Depar...