12 Russians Indicted

 
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced this afternoon that 12 Russian intelligence agents have been indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller for hacking into the Democrat National Committee, Hillary Clinton's campaign, the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee, and several state elections offices. 
 
The hacks also targeted companies that produce software "used to administer elections."  They stole information on 500,000 voters, and hacked a company that "supplied software used to verify voter registration information."
 
Rosenstein said today that he had briefed the president about the indictments several days ago.  During his remarks in Europe this week, President Trump said on several occasions that he plans to bring up the issue of election interference with Russian President Vladimir Putin when the two leaders meet next week. 
 
Rosenstein once again stressed that the actions did not change votes or impact the outcome of the election. 
 
He also said that there is no allegation in the indictments that any Americans knew they were corresponding with Russians or that any American committed a crime, meaning there is still no evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.
 
I can't help but wonder whether much of the bitterness of the past 18 months, and perhaps the entire Mueller investigation itself, could have been avoided if the DNC had not refused FBI requests to inspect its server when the hack was discovered. 
 
Nor do I understand why the FBI would launch a counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign without first issuing subpoenas to seize and secure the DNC's server.  It certainly looks like the DNC had something to hide and that bias drove the FBI to assume the worst of Donald Trump.
 
While we're on the subject of election interference, the Washington Times has a disturbing report about just how easy it is for illegal immigrants to register and vote in our elections. 
 
The left says voter fraud isn't a real issue, but this report found 139 cases of immigrants registered and voting illegally . . . in just one Pennsylvania county alone! 
 
 
 
Smirks, Smugness & Strzok
 
Yesterday's congressional hearing featuring FBI agent Peter Strzok was one of the most bizarre episodes I have witnessed in Washington in a long time.  The display of arrogance by Peter Strzok was just breathtaking. 
 
Keep in mind, my friends, that this is a discredited man.  This is not the kind of person we want in the upper echelons of the FBI.  He belittled and mocked half of the American people.  He was kicked off the Mueller investigation for his bias and demoted.  He was escorted out of the FBI's headquarters "amid an ongoing disciplinary process."
 
In his opening statement, House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte said it best when he implored fellow members of Congress to consider the implications of Strzok's bias on our system of justice.  He said:
 
"For those who think we are wasting time in this committee, suppose all of this had been said about candidate Obama before he was elected or even more topical, about Hillary Clinton. . .  Would we be where we are today?  The only honest answer is an absolute affirmative, yes.

"Of course we would be here, because every single Democrat would be protesting bias and discrimination . . . by an out of control FBI and DOJ.
 
"So please stop saying this doesn't matter. . .  Instead, the American people hope you will understand that this investigation goes to the very heart of our system of justice, one that is supposed to be fair and treat everyone equally under the law."
 
Sadly, liberal politicians defended Strzok tooth-and-nail.  They praised him.  One progressive even said Strzok deserved a medal . . . the Purple Heart. 
 
While insulting to our real heroes in uniform, there is some logic to that twisted suggestion.  Clearly many on the left see this biased deep state agent as a foot solider fighting for the progressive cause, doing his best to take down Donald Trump. 
 
And that is exactly what Chairman Goodlatte is worried about.
 
 
 
Faith Under Fire
 
Yesterday I attended my second meeting of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.  We received several briefings regarding the dire state of religious liberty in numerous nations, and made plans to visit a number of countries.  We also heard from Ambassador Sam Brownback, who is the administration's point man on international religious freedom. 
 
This is a remarkable moment, my friends, especially compared to the past eight years.  The previous administration promoted abortion and same-sex marriage as conditions of foreign aid.  The Trump/Pence Administration is seriously considering making improvements in religious liberty a requirement for nations receiving U.S. aid. 
 
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is a strong Christian, and he is raising this issue with foreign leaders.  Sam Brownback, whom I have known for many years, was always a strong voice for religious liberty in Congress, and continues to be in his capacity as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. 
 
My fellow commissioners and I are very passionate about the task before us.  And it is a daunting task as these recent headlines illustrate:
 
"Nigeria's Fulani Jihadis Grow Deadlier than Boko Haram, Killing Hundreds of Christians in Days"
 
"PA TV To Pregnant Palestinians:  Your Fetus Will Be A 'Martyr For Palestine'"
 
"Middle East's Christians Are Dwindling Despite Deep Roots"

"Pope Francis Decries 'Murderous Indifference' Toward Persecuted Christians In Mideast"

 
I appreciate your prayers over the year ahead as this tremendously important work continues.