Washington, DC –(ENEWSPF)–February 27, 2017. With the White House behind him, a Rear Admiral (Ret.) Michael Smith uses a new television ad to tell Donald Trump that he is “putting him on notice,” and calling for the truth to come out on Trump’s ties to Russia. Smith closes the ad by demanding Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell let plans for an independent commission to pass Congress. VoteVets, the veterans group sponsoring the ad, is airing four total spots on Monday’s Morning Joe and FOX and Friends, so Trump sees it.
In the ad, with the White House behind him, Smith says, “As a Navy admiral, I commanded a carrier strike group and swore to defend America. Now, I’m here to defend it again. President Trump, the CIA and FBI both say Russia interfered with our election to help you. And we now know your campaign was in contact with them when it happened. So, sir, we’re putting you on notice.  We’re demanding Speaker Ryan and Senator McConnell appoint an independent commission to get answers. Because defending America means finding the truth.”
Both the Washington Post and New York Times reported that the FBI and CIA are in agreement that Russia interfered in the election to help Donald Trump. The Times subsequently reported that campaign staff had repeated contact with Russian intelligence, throughout the campaign.
Legislation to set up an independent, 9/11-style commission to investigate Trump-Russia ties has been introduced in the House (HR 356) by Congressmen Eric Swalwell and Elijah Cummings, with others. It has been co-sponsored by Republican Congressman Walter Jones, and every House Democrat.
Similar legislation in the Senate (S. 27) has been introduced by Senators Ben Cardin, Diane Feinstein, Pat Leahy, Tom Carper, and Amy Klobuchar. That bill now is also consponsored by Senators Martin Heinrich, Richard Blumenthal, Patty Murray, Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, Al Franken, Sherrod Brown, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Murphy, Dick Durbin, Bob Casey, Jeff Merkley, Tammy Baldwin, Heidi Heitkamp, Chris Coons, Tom Udall, and Michael Bennet.
However, neither Speaker Ryan, nor Senator McConnell, have said they will even allow a vote on the measure.
Rear Admiral Michael Smith (USN, Ret.) served as commander, Destroyer Squadron 23 and as the Sea Combat Commander for the Nimitz Strike Group. On deployment, he also served as the deputy task force commander for coalition maritime operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf where he worked directly with both the Iraqi Navy and Multi-National Forces in Southeast Iraq.
Smith subsequently served as special assistant to two Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the director of their Chairman’s Action Group. He then served as the executive assistant to the commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and the commander, U.S. Pacific Command. After that, he served as director, Strategy and Policy Division (OPNAV N51). Prior to his current assignment, he served as commander, Carrier Strike Group 3.
Founded in 2006, and backed by over 500,000 supporters, the mission of VoteVets.org is to use public issue campaigns and direct outreach to lawmakers to ensure that troops abroad have what they need to complete their missions, and receive the care they deserve when they get home. VoteVets.org also recognizes veterans as a vital part of the fabric of our country and will work to protect veterans’ interests in their day-to-day lives.  VoteVets.org is committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world – with force when necessary – to protect America. While non-partisan, the group is the largest progressive organization of veterans in America.
Source: http://votevet.org
