Earlier in Season 2, we explained the backstory to the Ukraine scandal, tracing Trump’s efforts to extort a foreign government for his own personal gain. When a whistleblower complaint brought this scandal to light, it sparked the fourth impeachment investigation in our nation’s history.

In this episode of The Asset, host Max Bergmann, the director of The Moscow Project, an initiative of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, explains why Democrats finally moved forward on impeachment, and talks about how the Ukraine scandal grew out of an effort to shield Trump from the political fallout of his decision to collude with Russia in 2016.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Impeaching

In 2016, Donald Trump conspired with a foreign government to become President of the United States. On July 25, 2019, with the 2020 election around the corner, he decided to do it again. The first time around, it was collusion, aiding and abetting Russia’s attack on American democracy. The second time, it was extortion, demanding the Ukrainian government manufacture dirt on Trump’s political opponents in exchange for help the country needs to fend off a Russian invasion and chart a democratic future free of Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin.&nbsp;&nbsp; To make sense of these recent events that have rocked American politics and led to very real concerns that the President of the United States may be a Russian asset, we need to dig a little deeper.&nbsp; In Season 1, The Asset dives into Trump’s decades-long history with Russia, from his extensive business dealings with Russian oligarchs to his presidential campaign and the investigations that have sent some of his closest associates to prison. In Season 2, The Asset explores the backstory to Trump’s infamous phone call with the newly-elected Ukrainian President, where he demanded an investigation into a political opponent and set off a series of events leading to the impeachment inquiry. Hosted by Max Bergmann, a senior fellow and director of the Moscow Project at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, and featuring expert guests, The Asset will put together the pieces of Trump’s relationship with Russia and Ukrainian extortion campaign. The Asset is a partnership between the Center for American Progress Action Fund, District Productive, and Protect the Investigation. It is produced by Paul Woodhull, a 20-year veteran media executive and president of Build Better Media, and Peter Ogburn, the executive producer of the Bill Press Show. 


History

Society & Culture

Government

True crime

The 19 year-old walked towards the school from where he had been expelled the previous year...What was about to happen?...Was this Stoppable?

Stoppable: Building 1200

A young man walked into a Bible Study Class.
Looking up, a Reverend called out, “Pastor, we have a visitor.” What was about to happen?

Was this Stoppable?

Stoppable: We Have a Visitor

A nursing student went to visit a House of Worship on a holiday. The members there proudly proclaimed “Everyone is welcome and accepted, regardless of background, knowledge, or affiliation.”

What was about to happen?

Was this Stoppable?

Stoppable: Strangers Welcome

After traveling overnight 500+ miles to participate in a celebration of unity, a young man from a small town in Ohio got back in his car to drive home...until he took a turn back towards town.

Stoppable: "Be Careful"

An 18-year old traveled hundreds of miles from his home on a secret mission.

Impeaching

Download our free app to listen on your phone