Opinion: Should we believe worst about Devin Nunes on Ukraine? – Los Angeles Times
Democrats are pressing the House Ethics Committee to look into assertions by CNN and the Daily Beast that Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare), the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee and a blinkered defender of President Trump, worked with an indicted Ukrainian American to gather dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden in Europe at taxpayer expense.
But as tempting as it may be to believe the worst about Nunes, given his furious spewing of unsubstantiated allegations during the impeachment hearings, people need to look at the person behind the allegations, Lev Parnas, and his supposed source, former top Ukrainian prosecutor Victor Shokin.
Parnas is one of two Soviet emigres who worked with Trumps personal lawyer, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, to advance several narratives in Ukraine that were designed to help Trump. These include the notions that Ukrainians meddled in the 2016 campaign on behalf of Hillary Clinton and that then-Vice President Joe Bidens efforts to get Ukraine to crack down on Shokin and other officials accused of corruption were a smokescreen designed to protect his son, who held a lucrative board seat on a Ukrainian energy company also suspected of corruption.
So much corruption, its hard to keep track of it all. And I almost forgot: Parnas himself is under indictment in the United States for allegedly funneling foreign contributions into U.S. political campaigns.
According to the Daily Beast, attorney Ed MacMahon said Parnas helped arrange meetings and calls in Europe for Nunes and his staff late last year to help Nunes investigative work, although the nature of the investigations was not disclosed. And according to CNN, lawyer Joseph A. Bondy said Parnas is willing to tell Congress about meetings [Nunes] had in Vienna last year with a former Ukrainian prosecutor [Shokin] to discuss digging up dirt on Joe Biden.
The Daily Beast backed up its reporting with receipts: Congressional records show Nunes traveled to Europe from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, 2018. Three of his aides [Derek] Harvey, Scott Glabe and George Pappas traveled with him, per the records. U.S. government funds paid for the groups four-day trip, which cost just over $63,000, the Beast reported. The travel came as Nunes, in his role on the House Intelligence Committee, was working to investigate the origins of special counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russian election meddling.
Just Security, a nonpartisan, security-focused news outlet from New York University, put together an oh-so-helpful timeline stitching together the allegations about Nunes with information developed in the course of the impeachment investigation about efforts by Parnas, Giuliani and others to discredit Biden, oust then-U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, and other skulduggery by pro-Trump forces.
It all looks bad for Nunes, who has threatened to bring federal criminal charges against the Daily Beast and CNN for advancing what he called a fake news story. Yet there are still reasons to look twice before leaping to judgment here.
For starters, the stories were built on comments not by Parnas, but by lawyers representing him in his criminal case. And though the Daily Beast and CNN each used a different lawyer, both pieces are based on hearsay one of Nunes favorite words! Even assuming the lawyers are accurately representing what Parnas told them, Parnas was relaying not his own words, but Shokins.
More important, though, Democrats have rejected the Parnas- and Shokin-fueled narratives about Biden and Yovanovitch as debunked conspiracy theories and smear campaigns. Its hard to characterize someone as an opportunistic liar in one venue, then turn around and portray him a clarion of truth in another. Do they really want to rehabilitate Parnas and Shokin as witnesses for the sake of roasting Nunes?
Granted, theres plenty of precedent for that (see, e.g., Rick Gates). And the ethics complaint filed by the Democratic Coalition makes an intriguing argument that Nunes interviews with key Ukrainian figures like Shokin make him a potential fact witness in the impeachment inquiry, something that not only should have been disclosed, but also should have rendered him ineligible to serve on that inquiry.
Still, Im not ready to believe anything Parnas or Shokin says about ... anybody. Parnas in particular has an incentive to entice House Democrats to grant him immunity to testify. Such a grant could conceivably damage federal prosecutors ability to convict him on the campaign donations charges.
The lesson for Nunes is clear, though. Its the same one taught by the cliche about what happens when you lie down with dogs.
Go here to see the original:
Opinion: Should we believe worst about Devin Nunes on Ukraine? - Los Angeles Times
- Saar begins diplomatic visit to Ukraine, expected to meet Zelensky - The Times of Israel - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Zelenskiy says Ukraine, Russia to hold peace talks in Turkey on Wednesday - Reuters - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Russia launches 42 drone strikes on Ukraine overnight, hours after agreeing to Istanbul peace talks - as it happened - The Guardian - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- US and Germany agree to deliver five Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, Berlin says - Euronews.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trumps shift on Ukraine has been dramatic but will it change the war? | Rajan Menon - The Guardian - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Putin stalls. Trump changes his mind. Ukraine targets Moscow. Latest on the war. - USA Today - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Preparations to deliver Patriot missile systems to Ukraine under way, Natos top Europe commander says as it happened - The Guardian - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Swarms of Russian drones attack Ukraine nightly as Moscow puts new emphasis on the deadly weapon - ABC News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Why Putin keeps making the same Ukraine mistakes - Lowy Institute - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Ukraine Ups Its Arms Production, Asking Allies to Pay for It - The New York Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Ukraine Scrambling To Fight Against Growing Russian Shahed-136 Threat - The War Zone - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Jewish funders must refocus on Ukraine before its too late - eJewishPhilanthropy - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Zelenskyy renews offer to meet with Putin as officials say Russian attacks kill a child in Ukraine - AP News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Ukraine, Russia to resume peace negotiations hosted by Turkey - Yahoo Home - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Ukraine war briefing: Russia insists on sticking to its war demands amid Trump sanctions threat - The Guardian - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Kremlin says Putin is ready to discuss peace in Ukraine but wants to achieve goals - Reuters - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Russia says it favours new round of peace talks with Ukraine, highlights gulf between them - Reuters - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Army deep dive into Russian tactics in Ukraine says global conflict with West will persist - Stars and Stripes - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Why Russia Is Gaining Ground in Ukraine - The New York Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Ukraine Has a Self-Inflicted Handicap in Its War for Survival - Bloomberg.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- EU Warns Ukraine Over New Law That Could Undermine Anti-Corruption Agencies - united24media.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Ukraine offers Russia new peace talks next week - NBC News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- This is what Ukraine could do with US Tomahawk missiles - The Kyiv Independent - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Why are mentally ill soldiers being drafted in Ukraine? - dw.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Russia attacks Ukraine with more than 300 drones and missiles overnight - ABC News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Ukraine war briefing: EU and UK increase sanctions on Russia as drone strike on Odesa kills one - The Guardian - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- EU hits Russian oil, shadow fleet with new sanctions over Ukraine war - Al Jazeera - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Genocide or tragedy? Ukraine, Poland at odds over Volyn massacre of 1943 - Al Jazeera - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Ukraine proposes renewed peace talks - as Zelenskyy urges Russia to 'stop avoiding decisions' - Sky News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Australia delivers Abrams tanks to Ukraine for war with Russia - Reuters - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Ukraine proposes new round of peace talks with Russia next week - The Guardian - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance: What the United States Can Learn from Ukraine - CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- These Russian clergy who said 'no' to Putin's war in Ukraine are paying a price - National Catholic Reporter - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Proposed Meeting With Russia Next Week - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Ukraine offers its front line as test bed for foreign weapons - Reuters - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Ukraine war briefing: US moving with haste to enable weapons shipments to Kyiv, says Washington - The Guardian - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Ukraine appoints new prime minister in major government reshuffle - Al Jazeera - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Russia says Trump's new weapons pledge a signal for Ukraine to abandon peace efforts - Reuters - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trump's NATO deal to arm Ukraine wins over GOP skeptics - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trump Sends Weapons to Ukraine: By the Numbers - CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Patriot Deliveries To Ukraine Ramping Up, Others Being Delayed - The War Zone - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Top NATO commander rushing to deliver fresh Patriots to Ukraine - Defense News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Explainer: What Russia could achieve in Ukraine by Trump's 50-day deadline - The Kyiv Independent - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- WATCH: Trump threatens tariffs on Russia if they dont end Ukraine war within 50 days - PBS - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Voters Change Their Tune on Arming Ukraine - Newsweek - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- What Trumps decision to send more weapons to Ukraine will mean for the war - The Conversation - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Dramatic Shift in Trumps Thinking About the Russia-Ukraine War - Washington Monthly - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trump Is Expected to Announce New Weapons Pipeline for Ukraine - The New York Times - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- What Is a Tomahawk Missile and How Can It Help Ukraine - UNITED24 Media - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Ukraine wing of US-founded terrorist group says it was involved in killing of intelligence officer in Kyiv - The Guardian - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump is signaling a change on Ukraine. What does it mean for Putin?: ANALYSIS - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- How Much Military Aid Has the U.S. Given to Ukraine? Heres What to Know. - The New York Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump touts weapon sales to NATO for Ukraine and threatens Russia with 100% tariffs - NPR - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump defends giving Putin '50 days' to make peace with Ukraine - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump says not looking to deliver long-range missiles to Ukraine, even as offensive weapons remain on table - CNN - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Polish factory in Ukraine targeted by Russian drones, Poland says - Euronews.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- As Trump turns toward Ukraine, Russians wonder if an opportunity was missed - The Washington Post - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- A timeline of Trumps quotes, shifts and U-turns on Russia and Ukraine - The Washington Post - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump sending weapons to Ukraine, threatens 'severe tariffs' against Russia if ceasefire deal not reached in 50 days - ABC News - Breaking News,... - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Whats behind Trumps shift on arming Ukraine and his threats against Russia - PBS - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Russia launches fresh volley of deadly drone attacks on Ukraine in open defiance of Trump threat - New York Post - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Exclusive: Putin, unfazed by Trump, will fight on and could take more of Ukraine - Reuters - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- U.S. citizen who helped Russia from inside Ukraine granted passport by Putin - NBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- At least 15 injured in Russian attack targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine - AP News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump threatens Russia with tariffs and boosts US weapons for Ukraine - AP News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Ukraine Will Get U.S. Weapons in a New Way. Heres What We Know. - The New York Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- EU tells Trump to share the burden of sending Patriots to Ukraine - politico.eu - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Russia attacks Ukraine with hundreds of drones, energy infrastructure hit - USA Today - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- How Will Putin React to Trump's Ukraine Pivot? Newsweek Contributors Debate - Newsweek - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Three Years of War in Ukraine: Are Sanctions Against Russia Making a Difference? - Council on Foreign Relations - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Ukraine eyes building its own private military companies their role, legal framework remain unclear - The Kyiv Independent - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- In reversal, Trump arms Ukraine and threatens sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil - Reuters - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump Reluctantly Comes Around to Backing Ukraine. Will He Stick With It? - The New York Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- What is the Patriot missile system and how is it helping Ukraine? - Reuters - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Is This a Trump Turnaround on Ukraine? - The Bulwark - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump threatens tariffs targeting Russia without deal to end Ukraine war in 50 days - CBS News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump does deal with Nato allies to arm Ukraine and warns Russia of severe sanctions - The Guardian - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Russia warns Trumps new pledge of aid to Ukraine could hinder any peace deal - France 24 - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- North Korea pledges to 'unconditionally support' Russia's war in Ukraine - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Senators tout Russia sanctions bill as sledgehammer for Trump to end war in Ukraine - CNN - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]