CAMPAIGN/INTELLIGENCE/ROBERT MUELLER/RUSSIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump on Tuesday [10-31-17] described a former campaign adviser who pleaded guilty in connection with an investigation into Russian activity in the 2016 election as a young, little-known, low-level volunteer and proven liar.
The adviser, George Papadopoulos, pleaded guilty earlier this month to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his meetings with a professor and a female Russian national he believed was related to President Vladimir Putin, according to court documents unsealed on Monday.
The professor told Mr. Papadopoulos he had close ties to the Kremlin and claimed Russian officials could provide the Trump campaign with ‘dirt’ on Mr. Trump’s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, according to court documents released in connection with the plea deal.
Mr. Trump’s comments Tuesday were his first addressing Mr. Papadopoulos. On Monday and again on Tuesday, Mr. Trump mentioned the indictment of former campaign manager Paul Manafort on money laundering charges and broadly denied suggestions that he or his campaign had colluded with Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election…
A lawyer for Mr. Papadopoulos didn’t immediately respond to a call seeking comment.”
-Louise Radnofsky, “Trump Describes Former Adviser as Young, Low-Level Volunteer,” The Wall Street Journal online, Oct. 31, 10:001am