U.S. Intelligence Agencies Investigate Russian Connection To Donald Trump And His Aides

Several intelligence and law enforcement agencies are investigating connections between Russian officials and people connected to President Donald Trump's campaign and administration, according to multiple reports. One of these investigations has focused on Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump's national security adviser, and a series of phone calls he made to the Russian ambassador at the end of 2016, CNN reported Monday.

Citing law enforcement and intelligence sources, CNN said the phone calls between Flynn and the ambassador were picked up during investigation of Russian activities and the content warranted continued investigation. The Wall Street Journal reported similar claims Sunday night.

CNN's sources noted, however, that there has been no determination of guilt or wrongdoing at this point.

Previous reports suggested that Flynn had multiple calls with the ambassador on Dec. 29, 2016, when President Obama announced sanctions on Russia for interfering in the election. Some argue that the proximity of the call to Obama's actions raises red flags, while others argue that there's nothing suspicious about contact between an incoming administration and a foreign diplomat.

Last week, the New York Times reported that U.S. law enforcement agencies were investigating intercepted communications between Russia and Trump's aides, particularly his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who previously lobbied for a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician.

McClatchy also reported that a total of six agencies were looking into covert financial connections between Trump and the Kremlin. These agencies are the FBI, CIA, National Security Agency, Justice Department, the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the office of the director of national intelligence.

At the first press conference of his presidency on Jan. 11, Trump said that he had no business or financial connections to Russia. However, he declined to respond to questions about whether his aides had contact with the Kremlin during the campaign.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore