Senate Democrats [1]claim to have evidence that suggests the Kremlin used the National Rifle Association to funnel money to boost Donald Trump[2]'s candidacy during the 2016 U.S. presidential election[3].
And they are demanding to talk to two Russians [4]about their role, including Maria Butina, a fiery red-haired Russian gun activist who founded the Right to Bear Arms, the Russian equivalent of the NRA.
'The Committee has obtained a number of documents that suggest the Kremlin used the National Rifle Association as a means of accessing and assisting Mr. Trump and his campaign,' Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee said in a release[5] that outlined their preliminary findings in their investigation of potential Russian influence on the election.
It is illegal for foreign money to be used to influence federal elections.
Trump has close ties to the NRA. The pro-gun group endorsed him early in his campaign and the president repaid that loyalty with two successive appearances at its national convention, the most recent just this month.
President Trump spoke to NRA members at its annual convention in Dallas earlier this month. The NRA endorsed him early in his campaign and he's returned that loyalty with back-to-back appearances at its national conventions.
Marina Butina, a Russian gun-rights activist, founded the Russian version of the NRA and brags on social media about her support for guns and for the National Rifle Association.
Senate Democrats say they have documents
