I have to wonder if Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations, didn’t get the memo that the Russian investigation should be terminated, or if she’s deliberately ignoring it. First, the proxy for the termination memo, from Politico:
Loyalists of President Donald Trump are losing patience with Republican leaders over the wide-ranging Russia probes creeping into his inner circle, saying House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have allowed the investigations to hobble the White House for months.
Congressional investigators, say some lawmakers and state GOP leaders who back Trump, have let the probes — and the media coverage they generate — sidetrack the president as his allies, family members and aides are hauled in for questioning about whether Russians had American help in their quest to tip the 2016 election against Democrat Hillary Clinton.
But Haley, appointed by President Trump, had this to say at a recent panel at the George W. Bush Institute:
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Thursday that Russian cyberinterference in American elections is “warfare.”
Haley was discussing Russian online interference in the 2016 election in the form of the use of fake social media accounts and the spread of misinformation while speaking alongside former secretaries of state Madeline Albright and Condoleezza Rice at a panel hosted by the George W. Bush Institute in New York City.
“When a country can come interfere in another country’s elections, that is warfare,” she said. “It really is because you’re making sure the democracy shifts from what the people want to giving out that misinformation. And we didn’t just see it here. … They are doing this everywhere and this is their new weapon of choice.” [CNN]
It’s quite interesting, because during the campaign Ambassador Haley was Governor Haley of South Carolina, and not a Trump supporter.
Her relationship with Trump has been contentious: In January, Haley delivered the Republican response to President Obama’s final State of the Union address, and, without mentioning Trump by name, appeared to criticize him and his candidacy: “During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices.”
In response, Trump said Haley was “weak” on immigration.
A month later, during the South Carolina primary (which Trump won), Haley described Trump as “everything a governor doesn’t want in a president.” [WaPo]
Rumor had it that Haley’s Lt. Governor, Henry McMaster, an early supporter of Trump, was getting his reward when Haley was appointed UN Ambassador – he moves up and becomes the incumbent Governor at the next election.
So now Haley’s speaking at cross-purposes to the Administration’s desires. Is she seeking to distinguish herself as a true patriot if Trump’s star falls? Or is she really simply doing her duty and pointing out the dangers of outside interference in our elections? She was known to be a shooting star in GOP politics prior to the appointment – she may be looking to salvage something from the current mess.
Speaking of now-Governor McMaster of South Carolina, here’s a Daily Kos post on how he appears to be burning up in an atmosphere of corruption.
