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Here& #39;s @AshaRangappa_ and my deep dive into Senator @RonJohnsonWI& #39;s Monday letter and, more generally, his Ukraine-related investigations.

"How Sen. Ron Johnson’s Investigation Became an Enabler of Russian Disinformation"

#Disinformation https://www.justsecurity.org/71947/how-sen-ron-johnsons-investigation-became-an-enabler-of-russian-disinformation-part-i/">https://www.justsecurity.org/71947/how...

2. Two highlights:

First, Johnson& #39;s 11-page letter itself contains apparent products of Russian disinformation. He should know by now.

Second, there are apparently three channels of Russian disinformation to Johnson.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten">

3. It& #39;s a marvel to examine Sen Johnson& #39;s shifting/contradictory denials.

His spokesperson told @NatashaBertrand @AndrewDesiderio @kyledcheney: Senator"never received nor would we ever collect information from this individual [Andrii Derkach] or individuals like him"

But then…

4. It was clear Johnson PERSONALLY met with Andrii Telizhenko (who the FBI warned Johnson is a conduit for Russian disinformation). Johnson staff reportedly met with Telizhenko for over 5 hours and worked with Telizhenko FOR MONTHS.

So ... Johnson then appeared to admit ...

5. Johnson and Grassley spokespersons then appeared to admit to @ChristopherJM and try to justify use of information from Telizhenko AND OTHER UKRAINIANS.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/christopherm51/rudy-giuliani-ukraine-joe-biden-smear-efforts">https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/c...

6. Then there& #39;s Johnson& #39;s highly elusive answers.

In Aug. 2 interview with local news:

Johnson first dodged direct question whether he received info from Russian-linked Ukrainians.

He then conceded "variety of sources"

@HeidiNBC has the rundown: https://twitter.com/HeidiNBC/status/1290006014117412864">https://twitter.com/HeidiNBC/...

7. Then there& #39;s Senator Johnson& #39;s contradictory denials.

Hat tip: @nycsouthpaw https://twitter.com/nycsouthpaw/status/1292178711257784322">https://twitter.com/nycsouthp...

8/8 Finally, Johnson now admits to taking info from one of the Russia-linked Ukrainian operatives (Telizhenko), but denies getting info directly from two other operatives (Telizhenko& #39;s reported collaborators).

@AshaRangappa_ and I explain why that defense, even if true, FAILS.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten">