Questions raised on Bolton's ties to alleged Russian agent
Two American lawmakers are calling on the White House to provide information in regard to prior connections between a woman arrested as a Russian agent and national security adviser John Bolton.
Two top Democrats in the US House wrote to the White House on Monday pressing for documents showing Bolton’s ties with Marina Butina, who has been charged in the United States over acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Moscow.
Democratic Representatives Elijah Cummings and Stephen Lynch asked White House chief of staff John Kelly to offer information on Bolton’s security clearance application as well as his other contacts with foreign nationals in the past seven years.
“Given the alarming and unprecedented nature of these revelations — and the high-level position of trust Mr. Bolton now holds — we request that you produce documents relating to whether Mr. Bolton reported his previous work with this alleged Russian spy on his security clearance forms or other White House vetting materials prior to President Trump appointing him to his current position,” wrote Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, and Lynch, the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee on National Security.
The call came as the hawkish US politician was in Israel to step up threats against Iran.
Concerns grew about Bolton’s ties with Butina after it was revealed that he appeared at a 2013 gun rights event organized by Butina.
Last month, Butina was arrested and charged with working for the Kremlin.
The Russian national and gun-rights activist allegedly had ties with powerful groups, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), and those close to the Republican Party.
The new request adds to the pressure already on the administration of US President Donald Trump, which is under pressure for alleged collusion with Moscow, an allegation Russia has dismissed,
Some Trump associates have pleaded guilty or been indicted in the so-called Russia probe. This is while the president believes that the investigation is a "hoax," a “witch hunt,” or a “scam.”
Russia has denied meddling in the election as well as being in possession of any damaging information on the US president.
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