https://twitter.com/SethAMandel/status/827218602600312833
Come on, people. Are we going to have to go through this every day? The latest fake news story is that the Trump administration just eased sanctions on Russia:
The U.S. Treasury Department is relaxing sanctions on the FSB…buying IT equipment. What? https://t.co/yyRb5GfHyl
— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) February 2, 2017
This naturally led to an outpouring of outrage from anti-Trump folks from across the spectrum as the story made its way to the wires:
Dems should go ballistic over this. So should McCain, Graham & Rubio & anyone who gives a damn about the sanctity of American democracy. 2/2 https://t.co/PCJnqffnjb
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) February 2, 2017
U.S. eases sanctions on Russian intelligence agency https://t.co/f2GWutepbW via @Reuters
— Cynthia Burton (@burtoncynthia) February 2, 2017
Any Republicans in Congress going to issue a statement about the Russian sanctions being lifted? Anyone?
[crickets]
— Nick Kolakowski (@nkolakowski) February 2, 2017
1st move to ease Russian sanctions is w/ regards to the FSB (Russian intelligence). Not sure about US, but def makes the ruble great again.
— Deepak Malhotra (@Prof_Malhotra) February 2, 2017
Putin's gotta have some serious dirt on Trump. Ukraine, and now easing sanctions against a Russian espionage agency? Seriously?
— Erik Larson (@exlarson) February 2, 2017
And here we have it. Full betrayal, the evidence all there before us. Easing sanctions on the very cyber groups responsible for the hacks. https://t.co/lJU6rYY0vP
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/DannyZuker/status/827218506185793536
And now for the big reveal. This wasn’t an easing of sanctions but a “technical fix” that was started under … wait for it … President Obama:
A source working on the sanctions says this was "technical fix to avoid unintended consequences…Planned under Obama. Not Trump weakening"
— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) February 2, 2017
Some analysis from my colleague @ELforeignpolicy on the new Treasury General License re: FSB pic.twitter.com/z7sMZKSvWv
— Boris Zilberman (@rolltidebmz) February 2, 2017
Instead of hyperventilating, follow @FDD_CSIF @ELforeignpolicy for analysis of Treasury Russia action. It's not sanctions loosening.
— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) February 2, 2017
Trump sanctions change against Russia is a technical compliance fix, NOT "easing." Obama Admin identified the problem, this addresses it.
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) February 2, 2017
Another banner day for the MSM. Is there any wonder why conservatives don’t trust reporting any longer?
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