The NRA Admits That They Are Taking Russian Cash

In response to an inquiry from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), the NRA admitted that they are taking foreign (read: Russian) money, but claimed that the money is not being spent on elections.

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NPR reported:

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to the NRA earlier this month asking, “Can you categorically state that your organizations have never, wittingly or unwittingly, received any contributions from individuals or entities acting as conduits for foreign entities or interests?”

The NRA said it does receive foreign money but not for election purposes.

“While we do receive some contributions from foreign individuals and entities, those contributions are made directly to the NRA for lawful purposes,” NRA’s General Counsel John C. Frazer wrote to Wyden in a letter obtained by NPR. “Our review of our records has found no foreign donations in connection with a United States election, either directly or through a conduit.”

What is a supposedly pro-US/pro-Second Amendment organization doing taking foreign money?

Notice that the NRA tried to dodge the R-word. They don’t want to say Russia, but the organization has received millions of dollars from a Putin ally and is currently under investigation by the FBI for laundering money from Russia and giving to the Trump campaign.

The NRA’s answer only inspires more questions. Who are they getting their money from? Which foreign individuals and governments are donating to them? (Hint: It is Russians.)

The NRA has had a nice scam going for decades. They pretend to be a membership organization, but they are the lobbying arm of the gun industry. They wrap themselves in the flag and the Second Amendment while taking cash from foreign individuals. No one should believe the NRA’s denials that the Russian cash didn’t make into election funds for a single moment.

With a blue wave coming, the NRA better prepare to be investigated, because things are not what they would seem to be at the National Rifle Association.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association