When the Russia-Trump Collusion Hoax Collapses: Who Should Be Held Accountable?

The revelations of the Russia-Trump collusion story have left many questioning whether those behind the hoax have been adequately held accountable. Even as the suspicions surrounding Russian interference persist, the current state of affairs raises important questions about who should bear responsibility for the actions that were taken in the run-up to the 2016 election.

The Insufficient Convictions and the Muller Report

While the ongoing investigations into Russian interference certainly highlighted the efforts by the Russian government to influence the 2016 election, the insufficiency of the evidence against Donald Trump has prevented any formal charges from being brought against him. The special counsel, Robert Mueller, who conducted the investigation, made several significant findings, but his conclusions ultimately fell short of proving Trump's involvement.

Mueller's report stated, 'If we had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said that. We did not, however, make a determination as to whether the president did commit a crime.' It is important to note that a president cannot be charged with a federal crime while in office due to constitutional restrictions. Even if the charges were kept under seal, this too would be prohibited.

Those Behind the Hoax: A List of Culprits

Those who orchestrated the Steele dossier and the subsequent leak to the FBI have often been highlighted. The dossier, which many believe to be a fabricated set of documents, played a significant role in the narrative around Russian interference. Notably, the dossier was forwarded by high-profile figures such as John McCain, thereby amplifying its impact.

Among the accused are Hillary Clinton, Robert Mueller, James Comey, and members of Congress like Adam Schiff. In fact, the list of potential suspects is extensive, and many have been identified as part of the permanent intelligence apparatus, the FBI, or lawmakers who were instrumental in perpetuating the hoax.

The Media's Role in the Scandal

The role of the media in reporting and perpetuating the Russia-Trump collusion narrative cannot be understated. News outlets, primarily owned by Democrats, helped to militarize the election process by spreading the narrative that Trump was a Russian asset. This narrative was sustained for over two years, and the public's trust in media integrity has been severely compromised.

According to the Durham Report, the media's reaction to the revelation of the hoax was characterized by a lack of integrity and a deliberate spread of false information. The report states, 'We were duped,' indicating a profound betrayal of public trust. The 'nothing to see here' response from the media only served to highlight the extent of the collusion and the extent of their complicity.

The Broader Implications

The implications of these events extend far beyond simply holding individuals accountable. The scandal highlights a broader failure of the democratic process and the media's role in it. Decent people are left beyond anger and disgust, with no clear path toward redemption for the corrupt structures that allowed such a fabrication to gain prominence.

The Russia-Trump collusion scandal is a sobering reminder of the importance of integrity and the dangers of allowing conspiracy theories to thrive in the public sphere. As we move forward, it is crucial to ensure that such events do not repeat themselves and that those who spread disinformation are held fully accountable.