Donald Trump Jr. recently revealed that, in June 2016, he accepted an email invitation to meet with a person described to him as a “Russian government attorney” who wanted to share “official documents and information” provided by the “Crown Prosecutor of Russia.”

The email invitation stated, “This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.”

Trump Jr. accepted this invitation to meet with the “Russian government attorney”, and was joined by two other members of the Trump campaign: Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and close advisor; and Paul Manafort, who at that time was the chairman of Trump’s campaign.

Subsequent reporting revealed that at least two other people attended that meeting: a Russian translator and a Russian-American lobbyist for Russian interests, including the lifting of U.S. sanctions. This individual had formerly served as a Russian counterintelligence officer and is reportedly still in close contact with Russian intelligence.

Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort have both been involved in other very disturbing meetings with Russian officials, which included undisclosed meetings and dealings with officials connected to Russia. These facts, and many more, are of very great concern.

Our democracy was attacked by Russia in 2016, and there is a growing mountain of evidence that suggests the Trump campaign was deeply involved in this attack.

Where is the patriotic indignation from Congressional Republicans? Where is the support for removing Jared Kushner’s security clearance? Where is the condemnation of Donald Trump’s ridiculous claims that the investigations into collaboration between Russia and the Trump campaign constitute a “witch hunt?” It is time for Fred Upton and his fellow Republicans to put country above party and provide strong support for thorough investigations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian attacks on our Democracy.

Larry Feldman

Lakeside