This is a very good interview – Tapper asks fair but tough questions, and Sekulow doesn’t avoid questions as often as he does in other interviews.
Check it out:
Tapper asks Sekulow as a person of faith if he thought Trump Jr. acted ethically – Sekulow pretty much ignores the question, saying it’s unfair to ask them that question.
The second exchange has to do with the “whataboutism” defense that the Democrats met with Ukrainian officials to get damaging information on Paul Manafort. Tapper explains that Paul Manafort actually did work for officials in Ukraine, so that would be a legal source of opposition research. Sekulow presses on, and they move on from the subject. What Tapper doesn’t say, and others bring up in the debate, is that Ukraine is an ally of America while Russia is mostly not really at all actually.
Tapper asks about other possible meetings, and Sekulow’s answer is “a lot of people meet with Russians.” Which is, like, an utterly utterly stupid answer. I guess it works with some. Tapper reminds him that Jr. absolutely assured everyone that weren’t any meetings with any Russians ever at all. SO, that was kind of a lie.
Sekulow at this point keeps saying that he represents the president and not the son. Some are taking this to mean that the White House is throwing Jr. and Jared under the bus to protect the Donald.
If you’ll remember, Comey said that Trump reassured him he had no contact with Russians, BUT… that perhaps some “satellite” associations of his did.
The President went on to say that if there were some “satellite” associates of his who did something wrong, it would be good to find that out, but that he hadn’t done anything wrong and hoped I would find a way to get it out that we weren’t investigating him.
Finally, Sekulow has absolutely no idea if the Trump campaign is paying for Jr.’s legal fees, something that was reported yesterday. You would think that might be of some importance to the president, but nope!