Special counsel Robert Mueller revealed today the most direct link yet between the Trump campaign’s and WikiLeaks’ parallel efforts to use Democratic Party material stolen by Russians to damage the election campaign of Hillary Clinton.
In an indictment unsealed today, the special counsel disclosed evidence that a top campaign official in 2016 dispatched Roger Stone, a longtime adviser to President Trump, to get information from WikiLeaks about the thousands of hacked Democratic emails.
The effort began well after it was widely reported that Russian intelligence operatives were behind the theft, which was part of Moscow’s broad campaign to sabotage the 2016 president election.
The indictment makes no mention of whether Trump played a role in the coordination, though Mueller did leave a curious clue about how high in the campaign the effort reached:
A senior campaign official “was directed” by an unnamed person to contact Stone about additional WikiLeaks releases that might damage the Clinton campaign, according to the court document.
Stone was charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering.
F.B.I. agents arrested him before dawn, appearing at his Fort Lauderdale, Fla., home with ballistic vests and guns drawn.
Agents typically use those tactics as a precaution to secure possible evidence and protect themselves in case a suspect fights arrest. F.B.I. agents were also seen carting hard drives and other evidence from Stone’s apartment in Harlem.
Stone appeared briefly in Federal District Court in Fort Lauderdale on Friday morning, his ankles and waist shackled in front of a packed courtroom.
Stone, known for his dapper wardrobe, was dressed simply in a navy blue cotton polo shirt, bluejeans and his trademark round, black-rimmed glasses, his demeanor flat.
He posted a $250,000 bond, was ordered to surrender his passport and agreed to appear in federal court in Washington later.
Afterward, outside the courthouse, Stone vowed to beat the investigation, which he called politically motivated.
“There is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself,” he told reporters afterward.
“I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated,” he added, then flashed twin V-for-victory hand signs reminiscent of his onetime boss, former President Richard Nixon.
The indictment is the first in months by Mueller, who is investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and possible coordination with Trump campaign associates.
Citing details in emails and other forms of communications, the indictment suggested that Trump’s campaign knew about additional stolen emails before they were released and asked Stone to find out about them.
On Friday, Trump returned to an oft-repeated talking point suggesting that the special counsel’s investigation — and news media coverage of it — was biased:
Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2019
CNN quickly responded:
CNN’s ability to capture the arrest of Roger Stone was the result of determined reporting and interpreting clues revealed in the course of events. That’s called journalism. #FactsFirst https://t.co/71zu7RylxX
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) January 25, 2019
CNN aired the dramatic footage of law enforcement vehicles pulling up in front of Stone’s dark home as roughly a dozen armed officers in heavy tactical gear spread out across the lawn.
“Stone’s possible indictment has been looming for months now, as Mueller has interviewed many of his associates and others connected to the longtime Trump confidante, whose political career dates back to President Richard Nixon,” CNN reported.
CNN said reporters spotted least two prosecutors, Andrew Goldstein and Aaron Zelinsky, visiting with Robert Mueller’s grand jury the day before the arrest. Zelinsky had been seen wheeling a suitcase with him to work, suggesting the possibility he was getting ready to travel.
CNN then sent a team to Florida to prepare for a possible indictment against Stone, although neither he nor his attorney Grant Smith said they believed an arrest was imminent.
They were convinced that he would be given an opportunity to turn himself in, the network reported.