As Stephen Colbert would say whilst wearing a big furry hat and standing on a platform:
Let it be known from this time forth and evermore that the Trump campaign’s involvement with Russia in the 2016 election shall be called Conspiracy and not Collusion.
Why?
Well, first of all, Donald Trump loves to say “collude” and “collusion” (15X in the NYT interview!) It will mix him up when people start talking about “conspire” and “conspiracy.”
But mostly, “collusion” is not a crime and “conspiracy” is. Many in the media like to point out that collusion is not a crime. OK, fine, but conspiracy is. In fact, there are several conspiracy statutes, such as conspiracy to traffic in drugs, conspiracy to violate civil rights.
And two other conspiracy statutes are already charged against Manafort and Gates in the Russia Investigation.
Conspiracy to defraud the United States, 18 U.S.C. § 371:
"[i]f two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose.
Conspiracy to Launder Money, 18 U.S.C. 1956(h):
Any person who conspires to commit any [money laundering offense] . . . shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.
:
Try it:
There’s evidence Donald Jr. conspired with the Russians
Jared Kushner may have entered into a conspiracy with Russians in 2016
A complex conspiracy is behind the plan to have Russia steal the 2016 election.
Jeff Sessions may have conspired with Ambassador Kysliak
Rolls off the tongue pretty easily, right?
So once again (say it with me):
Let it be known from this time forth and evermore that the Trump campaign’s involvement with Russia in the 2016 election shall be called Conspiracy and not Collusion.
You heard it here first.