Staff Reports
The Justice Department has rolled out yet another indictment, and this time it involves Dimitri Simes, a Russian-born U.S. citizen and former adviser to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Charging him with working for a sanctioned Russian state television network can only mean one thing in the current political climate—exploiting any potential connection to Russia is a perfect distraction for the Biden administration as they navigate their own controversial policies and ongoing crises.
The indictments allege that Simes and his wife, Anastasia, raked in over a million dollars, along with a generous car and driver, in exchange for their valuable services to Russia’s Channel One. This network fell under U.S. sanctions as a result of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, thereby giving the Department of Justice a fresh opportunity to stir the pot and hint at sinister ties just in time for the imminent elections.
EX-TRUMP ADVISER CHARGED FOR HIS WORK FOR SANCTIONED RUSSIAN TV
The Justice Department has charged a Russian-born U.S. citizen and former adviser to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign with working for a sanctioned Russian state television network and laundering the proceeds.
No…— Anna – Never give up. No matter what is going on! (@Sanikri) September 6, 2024
What’s truly amusing is the timing of these charges, coinciding neatly with increased panic over alleged Russian meddling in the upcoming U.S. election. Federal authorities seem keen on insisting that foreign interference is lurking around every corner, while simultaneously overlooking the glaring domestic issues that Biden’s policies have created. Apparently, sending out an indictment or two about Russian cooperation is a more palatable way to distract the American public from all the mounting disasters at home.
Simes’ past isn’t a total innocent of scrutiny, either. The feeble Mueller investigation found him mentioned in various contexts tied to the Trump campaign, but ultimately nothing ever stuck to him. It is almost predictable for the DOJ to latch onto anything remotely questionable surrounding Trump, as if engaging in a high-stakes game of “where’s the collusion?” with no points on the board. Isn’t it curious how a Washington think tank founded by Richard Nixon can suddenly be the center of attention while the administration grapples with its own failing agenda?
Even Simes himself seems to have known he was stepping into a political minefield, claiming he cared little for whether his comments aired on Russian TV would align with the Biden administration’s views. The idea that honest opinion could lead to prosecution under the current administration is downright chilling. But as Simes pointed out, if it’s just his opinion, why should he be subject to the same sanctions imposed on actual criminals?
As for settled claims against Anastasia Simes, receiving funds from a sanctioned Russian businessman raises eyebrows, but it’s yet another case of the feds jumping to connect the dots for the sake of sensationalism rather than sound legal procedure. Meanwhile, the entire situation sticks out like a sore thumb in the context of a government focused more on hunting down perceived criminals instead of addressing the real risks to American citizens. Bears repeating: the focus should be on achieving national interests rather than creating enemy images to vilify for one’s political gains.
