Russian interference concerns

Reading the article, “Senators raise serious questions,” (Marc A. Thiessen, Feb. 17) raised questions in my mind. We now know there was extensive and multifaceted interference in our election process by Russian individuals, many with close Russian government connections. The interference may not have knowingly involved any American citizens.

Mr. Thiessen’s article seems to continue to disparage that intervention. The FISA warrant was not based solely on the Steele dossier. His article would imply that a FISA judge must be inept or simply does not question any warrant request. Further, Mr. Steele was a respected British intelligence officer. Whether the information was obtained due to a right-wing publication effort or a political campaign does not make it false. How that information is used by a political candidate or campaign may be disgraceful but it may still be the truth.

I do agree with Mr. Thiessen that none of this information undercuts the Mueller investigation. Mr. Nunes’ behavior has certainly been less than honest through this process. Neither Sen. Grassley nor Sen. Graham were called bogus or dishonest except by reference in Mr. Thiessen’s article.

In the interest of fairness I believe clarifying that Mr. Thiessen is a right-leaning Republican, worked in prior Republican administrations, connected with the Hoover Institute and worked for the Black, Manafort lobbying firm previously would have been more informative. This information might raise “serious questions that should trouble all Americans no matter their political party” while reading his article.

Phil Ward

Coeur d’Alene