DW PHILLIPS

NOV 27, 2025

The transcript of the Witkoff/Kremlin call released yesterday by Bloomberg is the most damning smoking gun of the Trump #47 presidency as it relates to Russia.

There is no doubt of authenticity. The Kremlin and White House have acknowledged it’s real. 

A few conclusions seem undeniable:

1. Putin convinced Trump not to send Ukraine Tomahawks in call specifically set in motion by Witkoff to undercut Zelensky’s meeting with Trump.
2. Working through a back channel Witkoff formally supported and helped to secretly advance Russian maximalist demands for illegally confiscating and retaining Ukrainian sovereign territory, contrary to the official position of the United States and direction of Congress. 
3. Witkoff provided information and strategy to Russian high command on how to manipulate and flatter the President of the United States for the advantage of Russia. In fact, Witkoff secretly conspired with them to execute the plan. 

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Now Republicans and Democrats are calling for Witkoff to be removed. 

From the Guardian: 

Don Bacon, a Republican representative, called for Steve Witkoff’s immediate dismissal. “For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians,” the Nebraska lawmaker wrote on X.

“He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.”

Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican wrote that the leak represented “a major problem” and “one of the many reasons why these ridiculous side shows and secret meetings need to stop”. 

Democratic representative Ted Lieu went further, calling Witkoff an “actual traitor,” and adding: “Steve Witkoff is supposed to work for the United States, not Russia.”

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In order to avoid Congressional accountability, Trump created Witkoff’s high level position and declined to submit it to Congress for approval under the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. By making Witkoff a government funded, high level private citizen, Trump shielded Witkoff from breaking some laws. But other remain relevant. 

Witkoff was engaged in a private call with Russian officials in which he:
1. Provided strategic advice to an adversary.
2. Instructed Russian officials to manipulate the President.
3. Interfered with, sabotaged, a U.S.–Ukraine–Russia peace process.
4. Sought to give Russia a covert advantage over U.S. and allied interests
5. Acted as a de facto back-channel.
6. Worked against U.S. national security interests

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That fact Witkoff does not officially work for the U.S. places him in a precarious situation. Trump authorized him to negotiate, but did not authorize calls equipping the Kremlin with manipulation tactics against him.

Rhetorically, people will say “traitor” — but legal equivalents are FARA, Logan Act, and §371 conspiracy.

1. Logan Act — unauthorized diplomacy with a hostile power
2. FARA felony violations — acting as an unregistered agent of Russia
3. Conspiracy to defraud the United States — sabotaging lawful government functions
4. Unauthorized foreign negotiation statutes (U.S.C. § 952)
5. Possible national-security process violations
6. Aiding/abetting a foreign adversary, if advice materially helped Russia

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Republicans in Congress now face a stark dilemma. They can continue shielding the White House from its excesses and abuses, preserving political loyalty at the cost of their constitutional duty of oversight — and risk potential fallout in the midterm elections.

Or they can act immediately, urging Witkoff’s removal now, before the matter expands into a full-scale investigation in which the envoy’s inexperience and blunders become secondary to something far more serious: potential criminal conduct, covert coordination with a hostile foreign power, and the reckless endangerment of American national security.

DW Phillips, Esq.

Ukraine Story

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By DW Phillips · Launched a year ago

With camera in hand, DW shares frontline stories of perseverance and humanity in the great battles of the 21st Century. He brings the perspective of a filmmaker, journalist and constitutional attorney to his commentaries.

Comment from :

Ned McDoodle 

Make the dastardly bastard swing from *a tall oak tree. Thank you for a factual, concise, and devastating indictment of Team Treason.

Christopher J O’Shea

DATELINE KYIV – DAY 1373 : 4299

Well said, sir.

V/r – IB

An American in Ukraine

(2019 – Present)