Richard Spencer and His Kook-Right Ilk Are Agents of Russian Influence

As someone who has spent over a quarter century studying and living in Russia, I am inclined to believe most, if not all, of what US intelligence claims regarding aggressive Russian actions against our elections and beyond. I am also ready to accept that the Trump campaign actively colluded with them, although the evidence for that so far continues to be circumstantial at best.

But as an American citizen, I am much more concerned about the program exemplified in this article. Nazi and Nazi-like movements have been on the rise in our country for decades, even if largely out of sight. Donald Trump cynically exploited this in his campaign for President and his victory has, in turn, enhanced their visibility and encouraged their will to power. And most importantly, popular vote aside, Donald Trump was elected to office under the same political regime as were his 43 predecessors. Anyone who seriously claims to defend the Constitution but thinks we can blame "the Russians" for the rise of Trumpism is simply in denial. And as far as I can tell, that includes both the leadership of the Democratic party as well as a large swath of those good people who think getting rid of Trump is something akin to getting over the flu. Purge the foreign virus, and all will be good again.