The PBS NewsHour Russia Timeline

Page gives a speech in Moscow and is there three days. Yahoo News reports U.S. intelligence believes he met with high-ranking Putin allies Igor Sechin and Igor Diveykin

147

2016

July 11

Trump campaign helps change GOP platform on Ukraine/Russia.

148

2016

July 14

Hackers, posing as Guccifer 2.0, send "Organization 1" - suspected to be Wikileaks - an archive of stolen DNC documents, according to indictment.

149

2016

July 15

Trump chooses Pence as VP.

Around this time, an FBI informant meets Page at a conference.

150

2016

July 18 - 21

GOP Convention

July 20: Kislyak meets Page and other Trump advisers.

July 18 or 20: Sessions meets with Kislyak.

151

2016

July 22

Wikileaks releases 20,000 DNC emails.

According to indictment, sometime after this date, a senior Trump campaign official was told to contact Stone about any future danaging Wikileaks releases.

152

2016

July 24

DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigns.

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz resigns.

153

2016

July 24

Donald Trump Jr. disputes Democratic claims about Russian hacking.

154

2016

July 25

FBI begins investigation of DNC hack.

Stone directs unnamed "Person 1", reported to be author and conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi, to contact Assange."Person 1" forwards that email to a UK resident and Trump reporter. All according to indictment.

155

2016

July 25 to 28

Democratic National Convention.

U.S. intel has "high confidence" Russia hacked DNC.

156

2016

July 27

On or around this date, Russian military intelligence officers begin to target email addresses associated with Hillary Clinton’s personal and campaign offices.

Trump says he hopes Russia finds missing Clinton emails. According to the Washington Post, this catches the attention of FBI counterintelligence agents. (See comment.)

157

2016

July 31

Trump: Crimea prefers Russia.

Stone again emails "Person 1", reported to be Jerome Corsi, about contacting Assange, according to indictment.

158

2018

Aug. unknown date

Alleged Russian operative Maria Butina (re)enters the United States on a student visa, according to DOJ indictiment.

159

2016

Aug.2

"Person 1", reported to be Jerome Corsi, responds to Stone, saying Assange plans more document dumps, notes this is the game hackers appear to be in and suggests questioning Hilary Clinton's age and memory.

160

2016

Aug. 3

Donald Trump Jr. meets w/ Erik Prince, George Nader and social media consultant Joel Zamel at Trump Tower, reportedly to offer help to Trump team, including from Saudi Princes (NYT).

161

2016

Aug. 5

Trump campaign: Page is informal adviser.

Roger Stone writes that Guccifer 2.0, not Russia, is responsible for hack.

162

2016

Aug. 6

Near this date, Manafort meets a second time with former Ukraine associate and Russian Army veteran Konstantin Kilimnik.

163

2016

Aug. 8

Stone says he has communicated with Wikileaks' Julian Assange. He repeats this statement over the next several days, according to an indictment.

164

2016

Aug. 9

Flynn signs $600,000 contract to lobby for firm tied to Turkish government.

165

2016

Date unknown

Around this time Manafort and his daughter receive texts from someone posing as a contact, showing their phones had been hacked and implying a blackmail attempt with unspecified Ukraine information.

In Georgia, researcher Logan Lamb discovers the state's election site is missing basic firewalls and is open to data hacking.

166

2016

Aug. 12

Hackers release cell phone numbers, personal information and other documents about Democratic members of Congress.

167

2016

Aug. 15

An unnamed candidate for U.S. Congress reaches out to Russian hackers posing as "Guccifer 2.0" to request stolen documents on their opponent, according to indictment. The hackers provide those documents.

Manafort strongly denies taking any "off-books" cash for work in Ukraine.

Papadopoulos' campaign supervisor writes to encourage him to attend an off-record trip to Russia, "if feasible."

168

2016

Aug. 15 - Sep. 9

Hackers exchange messages with an unnamed person "in regular contact with senior members" of the Trump campaign, according to indictment.

169

2016

Aug. 19

Manafort leaves Trump's campaign.

Manafort resigns as Trump's campaign chair.

170

2016

Aug. 21

Stone tweets Podesta's "time" is coming.

171

2016

Aug. 22

Russian hackers send stolen DCCC data to a lobbyist and unnamed online news source. Same day, the hackers send stolen documents about the Black Lives Matter movement to an unnamed reporter, according to indictment.

172

2016

Aug. 24

Russian hackers targeted U.S. voting software company, according to NSA.

173

2016

Aug26

"Person 2", reported to be radio host Randy Credico, texts with Stone saying he spoke with Assange about how the press is trying to make it look like they are working together.

174

2016

Aug. 27

Sen. Democratic Leader Reid urges FBI to investigate possible Russian election interference.

"Person 2", reported to be Randy Credico, texts with Stone that Assange "has kryptonite on Hillary (Clinton)."

175

2016

In or after August

FISA court approves wiretap of Page.

176

2016

Late August or Early Sept.

According to McClatchy, there is evidence Cohen went to Prague via Germany during this time. The Steele dossier alleges this was to secretly meet with Russians. Cohen insisted he was never in Prague.

177

2016

Sept., dates unknown

FBI officials meet again with Oleg Deripaska, who tells them there are no connections between Trump and Russia, according to the NYT.

Russian government hackers access DNC cloud-based computing systems, according to indictment.

178

2016

Sept. 5

President Obama tells Putin to stop hacking.

179

2016

Sept. 8

Trump to Russian TV: Russia interference "pretty unlikely."

Sessions meets with Kislyak.

180

2016

Sept. 13

Russia formally complains to U.N. about criticism of Trump, others.

181

2016

On or near Sept. 16

Maria Butina emails two Americans, reportedly GOP fundraiser Paul Erickson and conservative donor George O'Neill, asking them to organize a dinner with top Russians and American political figures.

Papadopolous is in London with an FBI informant who hired him as an academic consultant and was checking on any relationship the campaign had with Russia.

182

2016

Sept. 20

Mortgage company moves to foreclose on Manafort property in Brooklyn.

183

2016

Sept. 21

Donald Trump Jr.reponds to a direct Twitter message from Wikileaks -- his first of three.

184

2016

Sept. 24

Trump team says Page made "no contribution" to the campaign.

Trump team denies Page's role in campaign.

185

2016

Sept. 25

FBI receives letter from Page defending his communications.

Page writes to FBI, saying he didn't meet with any "sanctioned" Russians.

186

2016

Sept. 26

First presidential debate

"I don’t think anybody knows it was Russia that broke into the DNC," Trump says at first presidential debate.

Page denies meeting Russians, takes leave from campaign.

187

2016

Late Sept.

By this point, U.S. intelligence believes Russians had targeted and tested elections systems in 21 U.S. states, penetrating voter rolls in seven.

188

2016

Oct. 2

Stone tweets "Wednesday @HillaryClinton is done. #Wikileaks."

189

2016

Oct. 3

Stone indicates more coming from Wikileaks.

190

2016

Oct. 4

Paul Erickson, who was allegedly working with Maria Butina, brags that he was setting up a private line of communications between the Kremlin and GOP leaders through an organization, reported to be the NRA.

Assange promises new Wikileaks info every week.

191

2016

Oct. 7

Access Hollywood tape revealed.

DHS, DNI confirm Russian hacking of DNC.

Wikileaks posts Podesta emails from DNC hack.

Washington Post uncovers lewd Trump comments on Access Hollywood tape.

Podesta emails released by Wikileaks.

192

An hour later, Wikileaks posts Podesta's emails.

193

2016

Oct. 9

Second presidential debate brings up hacking.

Trump says he doesn't know Putin at second presidential debate.

194

2016

Oct.10

Trump says "I love Wikileaks."

195

2016

Oct. 11

Obama admin. warns Russia to stop hacking.

Podesta: Trump campaign is connected to hackers.

196

2016

Oct. 12

Stone: I have back channel to Assange.

197

2016

Oct. 14

Pence: The Trump campaign is not in cahoots with Wikileaks.

198

2016

Oct. 19

Third presidential debate

Trump doubts U.S. intel on Russia, saying "our country has no idea" whether Russia was involved.

Christopher Steele writes in his dossier that a Kremlin insider told him "the importance of Trump lawyer Cohen in the ongoing secret liaison with the Kremlin," and that Cohen's role had grown.

Christopher Steele writes in his dossier that a Kremlin insider told him Manafort had led efforts for a secret Trump-campaign relationship with Russians, until his ouster.

199

2016

Oct. 27

Bloomberg report details Trump's digital strategy, including near total reliance on Facebook ads and data.

200

2016

Oct. 28

Comey reopens Clinton investigation.

201

2016

Oct. 31

White House red phones another warning to Russia.

Hackers use stolen logins to send cyberattack emails to 122 local voting officials.

Trump praises Comey for reopening Clinton email probe.

202

2016

Nov. 1

Donald Trump Jr. retweets a voter fraud allegation from the @Ten_GOP account later blocked by Twitter and reportedly run by Russian trolls.

203

2016

Nov. 6

Comey again closes Clinton investigation.

Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway retweets @Ten_GOP account later blocked by Twitter and reportedly run by Russian trolls.

204

2016

Nov. 8

Trump is elected president

Trump wins the presidency.

Donald Trump Jr. again retweets @Ten_GOP account later blocked by Twitter and reportedly run by Russian trolls.

Flynn posts a pro-Turkey op-ed.

205

2016

Nov. 10

Obama warns Trump about Flynn.

Senior Russian official: We had contacts with the Trump campaign.

206

2016

Nov. 11

House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes named to Trump transition team.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg says the idea that fake news from his site influenced the election is "crazy."

207

2016

Nov. 15

NSA chief says email leak was "conscious" national attack.

208

2016

Nov. 17

Legal complaint alleges Manafort's son-in-law, Jeffrey Yohai, operated real estate Ponzi scheme.

Flynn picked as Trump's national security advisor.

Trump picks Sessions as his attorney general.

209

2016

Nov. 28

Trump, named Time's 2016 person of the year, tells the magazine, "I do not believe Russia interfered."

210

2016

Nov. 30

Maria Butina emails Erickson that Russian officials attending the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast hope to establish a "back channel of communication."

211

2016

Late November

Flynn is warned by Trump transition team about Kislyak.

212

2016

Dec. 1 or 2

Kushner meets Kislyak at Trump Tower in New York. Kushner allegedly suggests they set up a back channel.

Flynn meets Kislyak at Trump Tower in New York.

213

2016

Unknown date, December

Kushner sends deputy to meet with Kislyak.

214

2016

Dec. 6

215

2016

Dec. 8

Page travels to Moscow.

216

2016

Dec.9

Russia interfered in the election to help Trump win, according to a secret assessment from the CIA first reported by the Washington Post.

217

2016

Dec. 10

Manafort tells CBS News that the Ukrainian government concluded the "Black Ledger" was falsified.

218

2016

Dec. 12

Congressional Republican leaders announce they will investigate Russian attempts to disrupt the election.

219

2016

Dec. 13 or 14

Kushner meets with Russian banker Sergey Gorkov. Meeting set up by Russian ambassador Kislyak.

220

2016

Dec. 15

Putin sends Trump a letter asking to restore U.S.-Russia relationship.

221

2016

Dec. 21

Manafort's son-in-law's real estate company declares bankruptcy, documents millions owed to Manafort.

222

2016

Dec. 25

Flynn texts "Merry Christmas" to Kislyak.

223

2016

Dec. 26

Former KGB leader connected to Trump dossier found dead in Moscow.

224

2016

Dec. 29

U.S. announces new Russia sanctions.

DHS and FBI publish report about "Grizzly Steppe" or Russian hacking operation.

Flynn held five phone calls with Kislyak, discussing new sanctions.

225

2016

Dec. 30

Russia says it will not retaliate for sanctions.

226

2017

227

2017

January - August, unknown dates

Cohen receives payments totalling $500,000 from investment firm Columbus Nova, whose biggest client is Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Columbus Nova said there was no connection between Vekselberg and the Cohen hire.

228

2017

Jan. 4

Trump quotes Assange, who said a 14-year-old could have hacked the DNC. 'Why was the DNC so careless?' Trump asks.

Flynn tells transition team lawyer his work as a secret paid lobbyist for Turkey is under investigation.

229

2017

Jan. 6

Intel chiefs say Russia ordered campaign to influence U.S. elections and help Trump.

Comey meets Trump in New York at a briefing on Russia and tells him he is not under investigation.

230

2017

Jan. 9

Kushner joins White House as special adviser.

231

2017

Jan. 10

Sen. Intell. Committee launches its Russia investigation.

In Senate intelligence hearing, Comey won't say if FBI is investigating Trump.

Cohen tweets "I have never been to Prague in my life," refuting a charge from the Steele dossier that he met Russians there in 2016.

Buzzfeed publishes dossier from former British intelligence officer, with lengthy and some salacious allegations of how Russians tried to compromise Trump and his campaign. Trump tweets it is "fake news."

232

In his confirmation hearing, Sessions says: "I did not have communications with the Russians."

233

2017

Jan. 11

In a news conference, Trump says for the first time he believes Russia was behind the DNC hack.

Blackwater founder Erik Prince meets with Kirill Dmitriev, head of a Russian-government backed fund who has ties to Putin, in Seychelles.This was reportedly to open a back channel between Moscow and the Trump campaign. Lebanese-American businessman George Nader reportedly helped arrange it. (NYT, WaPo)

234

2017

Jan.12

DOJ inspector general announces investigation into actions by DOJ and the FBI in the Clinton email probe, including whether actions by top officials reflected any political bias.

Russian hackers post a statement as Guccifer 2.0 falsely claiming Guccifer's leaks had nothing to do with the Russian government, according to indictment.

The Washington Post reports that Flynn repeatedly spoke with Kislyak on Dec. 29, the day the Obama administration announced new Russian sanctions.

235

2017

Jan. 15

Pence tells 'Face the Nation' that Flynn did not talk sanctions with the Russians. (Pence later learns this isn't true.)

236

2017

Jan. 16

Trump transition aide Anthony Scaramucci, hedge fund CEO, meets with Kirill Dmitriev of the Russian Direct Investment Fund in Davos. Length of meeting unclear. RDIF was under sanctions at time.

237

2017

Jan. 17

Manafort received $16 million in loans from November to Jan. from bank led by another Trump campaign official.

Scaramucci tells Russian state news he thinks the Russian sanctions have had "in some ways an opposite effect."

238

In written statement to Senate Judiciary Committee, Sessions says "no" when asked if he's had contacts with Russia.

239

2017

Jan. 18

Kushner leaves out meetings with Russians on security clearance disclosure.

240

2017

Jan. 19

Sens. Warren, Cardin ask Treasury to investigate Scaramucci-Russia Fund interaction.

241

2017

Jan. 20

Trump becomes president.

Trump is inaugurated as the 45th president.

Cohen meets with Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg at inauguration, according to NYT.

Russian tycoon and Putin ally Viktor Vekselberg attends Trump's inauguration, according to WaPo. The NYT reported he was the guest of his cousin and RNC donor Andrew Intrater and met with Michael Cohen.

Also, Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya attends D.C. inauguration party hosted by Rep. Dana Rohrbacher, R-Calif.

242

2017

Jan. 22

Trump calls Comey over to shake hands during a White House reception.

243

2017

Jan. 24

Flynn questioned by the FBI.

244

2017

Jan. 25

Acting AG Sally Yates hears about Flynn interview.

245

2017

Jan. 26

Yates warns White House counsel Don McGahn about Flynn.

White House learns Flynn misled Pence about his conversations with the Russians.

246

2017

Jan. 27

Yates has second meeting with McGahn about Flynn.

Trump and Comey have a private White House dinner. Comey says Trump asked for his loyalty.

Cohen meets with businessman Felix Sater and Ukrainian Andrey Artemenko, where they pitch a plan for Russia to lease Crimea and sanctions to be dropped.

The FBI interviews former Trump advisor George Papadopoulos for the first time.

247

The FBI Interviews former Trump advisor George Papadopoulos.

248

2017

Jan. 28

Putin calls Trump to congratulate him on win.

249

2017

Jan. 30

Treasury Sec. Mnuchin does not say if Scaramucci violated sanctions policy.

Trump fires Yates for ordering DOJ not to defend the president's travel ban.

Yates invites McGahn to DOJ to review Flynn files; it's unclear whether he came.

250

2017

Feb. 2

Senate Judiciary subcommittee launches election/Russia investigation.

Maria Butina and a Russian official, reported to be Alexander Torshin, attend the National Prayer Breakfast.

251

2017

Feb. 6

A pro-Russia peace plan that would lift sanctions is hand-delivered to Flynn at the White House, according to the NYT. The White House later denied receiving the plan.

252

2017

Feb. 8

Sessions confirmed as AG.

253

2017

Feb. 9

Pence is told Flynn misled him.

254

2017

Feb 11

Flynn files financial disclosure form without citing Russian payments for speeches.

255

2017

Feb. 13

Flynn resigns.

256

2017

Feb. 14

New York Times, CNN report Trump aides communicated with Russians during campaign.

In Oval Office, Trump allegedly dismisses other leaders from briefing and says privately to Comey: "I hope you can see your way clear ... to letting Flynn go."

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says Flynn was let go because of a "trust issue."

257

2017

Feb. 15

White House officials allegedly ask FBI to dispute media reports about contact between Trump campaign and Russians.

258

2017

Feb. 16

The FBI interviews Papadopoulos a second time.

259

2017

Feb. 17

Papadopolous deactives a Facebook account that contained some information about his contact with the "professor." His new account does not contain that information.

Page tells PBS NewsHour he had no Russian meetings in the last year.

260

2017

Mid to late February

White House asks Burr, Nunes to push back on stories about Russian contacts.

261

2017

Feb. 27

Nunes tells reporters that Trump, Flynn didn't coordinate over Russia sanctions.

262

2017

March 1

House Intelligence Committee launches Russia investigation.

NYT: Trump instructs top WH lawyer to stop Sessions from recusing himself in the Russia investigation.

Sessions comes under fire for not disclosing two meetings with Kislyak.

263

2017

March 2

Sessions recuses himself from any Russia investigations.

264

2017

March 4

On Twitter, Trump says Obama had his "wires tapped" during 2016 elections.

In reversal, Page says he did meet with Russians.

Stone posts tweet about "perfectly legal back channel" with Assange, then deletes it.

265

At Mar-a-Lago, Trump asks Sessions to reverse his stance and no longer recuse himself from the Russia investigation, according to the NYT. He refuses.

266

2017

March 5

Comey asks DOJ to publicly deny Trump's wiretap charge.

267

2017

March 6

Sessions writes letter clarifying Senate testimony about contact with Russians.

268

2017

March 7

Wikileaks releases CIA documents.

In an FBI interview, Flynn lies about his contacts with Turkey, according to his guilty plea with Mueller's team.

269

2017

March

FBI questions Carter Page in five interviews this month.

270

2017

March 20

Comey pubicly verifies FBI investigation of Russia and Trump campaign connections.

On or near this date,Trump reportedly asks intelligence chiefs to deny coordination between Russia and his campaign.

Spicer says Manafort had a "very limited role" in the campaign. Politifact later rates that statement as false.

Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Al Franken, D-Minn., ask Comey to investigate whether Sessions perjured himself.

271

2017

March 21

Nunes visits White House grounds, learns about incidental surveillance of Trump associates.

272

2017

March 22

Nunes personally briefs president on surveillance news.

Trump reportedly asks Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats to get Comey to back off investigation into Flynn.

Ukrainian journalist and Manafort critic releases 2009 receipt showing payment to Manafort for computer equipment. The critic says it is a cover for laundering. Manafort allies say it is a fake document.

273

2017

March 24

Nunes cancels House intelligence hearing with Yates and former intelligence heads.

274

2017

March 30

Comey says Trump called him at the FBI and, describing the Russia investigation as a "cloud," asked Comey to publicly say the president was not under investigation.

Reports: Flynn offered to testify to FBI, House, Senate in exchange for immunity. None took him up on the offer.

275

2017

April, dates unknown

Facebook takes out references to Russia in report about 2016 (WSJ).

276

2017

April 6

Nunes steps down as chair of House Russia probe,amid ethics questions.

277

2017

April 11

Comey says Trump called again to ask him to "get out" that the president was not under investigation.

278

2017

April 12

Trump tells Fox Business Network he still has confidence in Comey.

The Associated Press publishes a story with evidence that Manafort received two payments laid out in the so-called "Black Ledger" in Ukraine.

279

2017

Mid-April

Justice Department requests Paul Manafort banking records.

280

2017

April 28

Sessions tells 'Today' show he is also recusing himself from any investigation of Flynn.

281

2017

May 2

Trump calls Comey a "phony," tweeting the FBI director "was the best thing that ever happened to Hillary Clinton."

282

2017

May 3

Comey defends his Clinton probe decisions before Senate Judiciary.

283

2017

May 5

NSA report concludes Russia hacked voting software company, targeted local election officials.

NYT: A Sessions aide asked a congressional staffer if they had damaging information on Comey.

284

2017

May 8

Trump tweets that story about campaign collusion with Russia is a "total hoax."

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein drafts a memo making a case for firing Comey, but only after he has been told that Comey is to be fired. It is not clear who directed him to write the memo.

285

2017

May 9

Trump fires Comey.

Trump fires Comey. His deputy, Andrew McCabe, becomes acting FBI director.

Trump fires Comey.

286

2017

May 10

Trump meets with Kislyak and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the Oval Office, reportedly reiterates he is not under investigation and criticizes Comey.

287

2017

May 11

Trump suggests Comey firing was related to Russia probe.

Trump tells NBC's Lester Holt that he was thinking of Russia when he decided to fire Comey.

Kushner submits revised security form with Kislyak and Gorkov meetings but not 2016 meeting with Russian lawyer.

288

2017

May 12

Trump tweets Comey better hope there are no "tapes" of their conversations.

On this date, Senators expected Comey to brief them on whether Sessions could be investigated for perjury. But Comey was fired before he could.

289

2017

May 14

Report: NY attorney general and Manhattan's district attorney have opened investigations into Manafort real estate transactions.

290

2017

Mid-May

Around this time, President Trump asked McCabe who he voted for, according to the Washington Post.

291

2017

May 16

New York Times reports existence of Comey memos.

292

2017

May 17

Bob Mueller named special counsel, takes over FBI's Russia investigation.

Bob Mueller named special counsel by Rosenstein, takes over FBI's Russia investigation.

293

2017

May 18

Trump says 'no' when reporters ask whether he urged Comey to back down on the Flynn investigation.

294

2017

May 23

Trump retains adviser Marc Kasowitz as his private attorney for Russia probe.

295

2017

May 26

NYT: Around this date, Putin ally and ex-Manafort associate Oleg Deripaska asks for immunity deal with Congress, but no deal is made. Deripaska's lawyer later said the deal was to talk about Manafort.

296

2017

Summer, unknown date

Mueller removes Peter Strzok from the Russia probe after bias charges.

297

2017

June, unknown date

Facebook's Zuckerberg meets with Sen. Intel. Vice Chairman Warner.

298

2017

June 1

Putin denies role in U.S. elections.

Putin denies role in U.S. elections, suggests "patriotic hackers" outside government may be behind hack.

299

2017

June 6

The Intercept publishes NSA analysis from May that says Russia targeted U.S. voting software company and sent phishing emails to more than 100 local officials before 2016 election.

300

2017

DOJ charges one of its contractors with leaking the NSA report.

ABC reports Sessions had offered to resign as tensions over Russia investigations grew.

301

2017

June 7

Trump tweets that he intends to name Christopher Wray as new FBI director.

302

2017

June 8

Comey testifies before Senate Intelligence Committee.

Trump's lawyer disputes Comey's testimony.

303

2017

June 12

Trump tweets that obstruction of justice allegations are part of a "witch hunt."

Trump confidant Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax Media, tells NewsHour he thinks the president is "considering perhaps terminating" Mueller.

304

2017

June 13

Sessions testifies before Senate Intelligence Committee, insists he did nothing improper and declines to answer questions about conversations with President Trump.

305

Sessions testifies before Senate Intelligence Committee, saying DOJ regulations required him to recuse himself and declining to speak about Trump interactions.

Rosenstein testifies in Sessions' place at Appropriations Committees, says he would only fire Mueller for cause and there is no cause.

306

2017

June 14

Washington Post reports Mueller is investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice.

WaPo, NYT: Near this date, Trump ordered that Mueller be fired, but relented after White House counsel Don McGahn threatened to quit.

307

2017

June 15

CNN: Near this date, intelligence chiefs told senators that the president asked them to deny any colllusion with Russia.

New York Times reports Trump transition team orders former staff to keep all documents related to Russia or Ukraine.

Pence hires a private attorney to represent him in the Russia investigation.

308

2017

June 16

Trump tweets that he is being investigated "for firing the FBI director by the man who told me to fire the FBI director."

Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, hires his own attorney to represent him in Russia probe.

309

2017

June 18

Trump attorney Jay Sekulow says he has not been told the president is under investigation for obstruction.

Trump again tweets the investigation is a "witch hunt."

310

2017

June 19

Manafort associate Konstantin Kilimnik tells Washington Post he has no relation to Russian intelligence. Others insist he *was* connected.

311

2017

June 20

Spicer says he does not know if Trump believes the Russians tried to meddle in the election.

312

2017

June 21

Kushner submits a third security clearance form, amending it to include June 2016 meeting.

313

2017

June 22

In a FOX News interview, the president implies he may not want Mueller in the job.

314

2017

June 22

Trump admits he does not have Oval Office tapes of Comey conversation.

315

2017

June 23

The president acknowledges "Russian meddling" in a tweet, accuses Obama of doing nothing.

316

2017

June 25

Russian Ambassador Kislyak is recalled to Moscow.

317

2017

June 27

Manafort registers retroactively as a foreign agent for his previous work in Ukraine.

318

2017

July 7

After meeting with Putin at G20 in Hamburg, Germany, Trump
took his interpreter's notes, instructing them not to discuss the conversation with
others in the administration, according to the Washington Post.

Georgia officials erase key elections data, days after a lawsuit regarding security problems is filed.

319

2017

July 8

NYT first reports Donald Trump Jr. 2016 meeting with Russian lawyer.

320

2017

July 9

Donald Trump Jr. releases statement about meeting with Russian lawyer.

321

2017

July 11

Donald Trump Jr. releases emails about meeting with Russian lawyer after offer of anti-Hillary Clinton material.

NYT reports Trump signed off on his son's statement about meeting with Russian lawyer.

Donald Trump Jr. releases emails about meeting with Russian lawyer after offer of anti-Hillary Clinton material.

322

2017

July 12

Trump attorney says POTUS not involved in drafting his son's statement about Russia meeting.

323

2017

July 16

President Trump's attorney again denies POTUS had role in Trump Jr. statement.

324

2017

July 17

Trump praises son for releasing Russia meeting emails.

325

2017

July 19

Following Mueller request, White House directs staff to preserve documents.

To NYT, Trump criticizes Sessions for recusing himself from Russia investigation.

NYT reports Manafort owed millions to pro-Russia interests. Manafort spokesman says those debts are not current.

To NYT, Trump criticizes Sessions for recusing himself from Russia investigation.

326

2017

July 20

Report: Mueller expands investigation to include Trump business dealings.

Sessions says he will serve "as long as appropriate."

327

2017

July 21

Anthony Scaramucci announced as new White House communications director.

328

2017

July 24

Kushner releases statement about Russia meetings, asserts his innocence and meets privately with Senate committee staff.

329

2017

July 25

Manafort meets with Senate Intelligence Committee staff, who ask about June 2016 Trump Tower meeting.

SAME DAY. Senate Judiciary Committee subpoenas Manafort for broad questioning.

Trump tells Wall Street Journal he's "just looking at" firing Sessions.

Manafort answers questions from Senate Intelligence Committee staff about 2016 meeting with Russian lawyer.

Kushner speaks privately with House Intelligence committee.

Trump tells Wall Street Journal he's "just looking at" firing Sessions.

330

2017

July 26

FBI agents raid Manafort's home.

The FBI raids Manafort's home in Virginia.

331

2017

July 27

U.S. Senate sends new Russia sanctions to Trump's desk.

Investor Bill Browder to senators: Veselnitskaya was pushing Moscow's agenda at 2016 Trump Tower meeting.

Papadopoulos is arrested upon arrival at Dulles Airport outside of Washington.

332

2017

July 28

Russia reacts to sanctions bill, expelling U.S. diplomats.

Russia's RT news runs story in which Veselnitskaya insists Broward lied to Senate and he is behind a smear campaign.

333

2017

July 30

Over this weekend, incoming White House Chief of Staff John Kelly reportedly tells Sessions his job is safe.

334

2017

July 31

Scaramucci fired as White House communications director.

335

2017

August, unknown dates

Russia's "Fancy Bear" launches phishing attack on office of Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., according to report and analysis by the Daily Beast.

336

2017

Aug. 1

White House says Trump did weigh in on son's statement to NYT.

337

2017

Aug. 2

Trump signs new sanctions against Russia, but says bill is "flawed."

Trump campaign turns over 20,000 pages of documents to Senate Judiciary Committee.

Trump signs new sanctions against Russia, but says bill is "flawed."

Manafort turns over about 400 pages of documents to Senate Judiciary Committee.

338

2017

Aug.2

Christopher Wray is sworn in as new FBI director.

339

2017

Aug. 4

Donald Trump Jr. turns over 250 pages of documents to Senate Judiciary Committee.

340

2017

Aug. 5

In Russian TV interview, Kislyak insists he and Flynn never talked about sanctions, though reports indicated otherwise.

341

2017

Aug.10

Trump says he was surprised by July FBI raid at Manafort's home and has always found Manafort to be a good man.

342

2017

Aug. 14

As Trump's attorney, Cohen sends letter to Congressional investigators disputing the Steele "dossier."

Trump atty Michael Cohen sends letter to Congressional investigators disputing the "dossier" made public in January.

343

2017

Aug. 22

Senate Judiciary Committee daylong hearing with Fusion GPS founder.

344

2017

Sept. 7

NYT report details Russian fake accounts, bots on Twitter and Facebook.

SAME DAY Facebook admits it found fake accounts likely tied to Russia.

SAME DAY Trump Jr. testifies at Senate committee.

Trump, Jr. interviews with the Senate Judiciary Committee. He testified he does not remember telling his father about the 2016 Trump Tower meeting.

345

2017

Sept. 13

U.S. bans government use of security software by firm connected to Russians.

346

2017

Sept. 15

Facebook gives Mueller information on Russian ads.

347

2017

Sept. 22

DHS identifies 21 state election systems targeted by Russian hackers.

Russia denies using Facebook to try to influence the election.

348

2017

Sept. 26

Roger Stone closed-door testimony on Capitol Hill. Refuses to name who worked with him and Assange.

349

2017

Oct. 1

Trump misses the Oct. 1 deadline to impose new, required sanctions against Russia.

350

2017

Oct. 5

Papadopoulos signs plea agreement, guilty of lying to FBI and agreeing to cooperate.

Papadopoulos signs plea agreement, stating he lied to the FBI in past interviews and indicating he is a cooperating witness.

351

2017

Oct. 17

Report: Russian trolling operation likely cost $2.3 million, reached 6 million people.

352

2017

Oct. 18

Sessions testifies before Senate, again insists he never colluded with Russians.

353

2017

Oct. 23

Report: Mueller investigation includes Tony Podesta, brother of Clinton campaign Chairman John Podesta, for work connected to Manafort. (NYT)

NBC News reports Mueller is now investigating Tony Podesta, brother of Clinton campaign Chairman John Podesta, for previous work regarding Ukraine that was connected to Manafort.

354

2017

Oct. 24

WaPo publishes report that Clinton campaign paid Fusion GPS for anti-Trump research, including Steele dossier.

355

2017

Oct. 25

Cohen testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee. He later admits to lying in his prepared statement and remarks.

356

2017

Oct. 30

Mueller investigation indicts Manafort and his lieutenant Rick Gates on charges related to their past work for Ukrainian politicians.

Trump tweets that events in Manafort indictment occurred before he was in the campaign and that there was no collusion.

Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, are charged with a combined 12 counts of financial and foreign agent crimes. They both plead not guilty. Manafort spokesman issues a sharp statement.

Mueller unseals Papadopoulos' Oct. 5 plea agreement, detailing Russia and campaign contacts.

357

2017

Oct. 31

Twitter, Google and Facebook representatives testify before Congress on Russian meddling.

358

2017

November

Sometime this month, Mueller's team interviews Kushner (NYT).

Sometime this month, Mueller's team interviewed Kushner, according to the NYT.

359

Also this month, Mueller's team interviews White House counsel Don McGahn for the first time, according to the NYT. He speaks to the team at least three times.

360

2017

Nov. 2

Page testifies behind closed doors before House Intelligence Committee, which later releases a transcript.

361

2017

Nov. 11

At an Asian summit,Trump says Putin again privately assured him "he didn't meddle."

362

2017

Nov. 12

Trump tells reporters he accepts U.S. intel over Putin on meddling, saying "I'm with our agencies."

363

2017

Nov. 14

Sessions testifies he now recalls the 2016 Papadopolous meeting.

Sessions tells House committee he now recalls the March 2016 meeting in which Papadopolous relayed he was in contact with Russians. Sessions says he does not recall exactly what Papadopolous said.

364

2017

Nov. 16

Senate Judiciary Committee: Kushner didn't tell us about Wikileaks emails and talks for a "backdoor" channel with Russians.

Senate Judiciary Committee charges that Kushner did not disclose talks for a "backdoor" channel with Russians and emails about Wikileaks.

365

2017

Nov. 21

Mueller's team and the president's attorneys discuss the possibility of him testifying, according to letter obtained by NYT.

366

2017

Nov. 30

Erik Prince testifies before House Intelligence Committee.

367

2017

Dec. 1

Flynn pleads guilty to lying to the FBI, indicating he will cooperate with Mueller.

368

2017-2018

Unnknown dates, over the next year

According to Mueller court filing, between this month and Dec. 2018, Flynn speaks with investigators 19 times.

369

2018

370

2018

Jan. 4

Reps. Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan write in an op-ed that it's time for Sessions to go.

371

2018

Jan. 8

Mueller's team and the president's attorneys again discuss the possibility of him testifying, according to letter obtained by NYT.

372

2018

Mid- January

George Nader, involved in 2017 Seychelles meeting, begins cooperating with Mueller.

373

2018

Week of January 15

Mueller's team interviews Attorney General Sessions.

374

2018

Jan. 25

White House outlines its cooperation with Mueller, points to 20+ interviews by Trump staffers.

375

2018

Jan. 29

Trump attorney John Dowd drafts letter to Mueller arguing that the president has the power to shut down investigations and that, because of such powers, his actions could never be obstruction of justice.

376

2018

Feb. 2

House Intelligence Republicans release once-classified memo accusing FBI of bias.

377

2018

Feb.16

Mueller's team charges 13 Russians and 3 Russian companies with conspiring to interfere in the 2016 election.

378

2018

Feb.16

Same day as Russian indictments, American Richard Pinedo enters a plea deal with Mueller, admitting to selling bank account information later used by Russians, according to the indictment.

379

2018

Feb. 22

Mueller's team brings a second indictment, with 32 counts of tax and bank fraud, against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates.

380

2018

Feb. 23

Gates pleads guilty to two lesser charges, becomes a cooperating witness.

Gates pleads guilty to two lesser charges, becomes a cooperating witness in the Mueller investigation.

381

Between this date and April 2018, Manafort and Kilimnik allegedly attempted to tamper with witnesses involved in Mueller's case, according to Mueller's team.

382

2018

Feb. 24

House Intelligence Democrats release a counter-memo on the FBI.

383

2018

March 16

FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe is fired, officially due to actions connected to the Clinton investigation. McCabe asserted he was fired because of the Russia investigation.

384

2018

March 17

Trump's personal lawyer, John Dowd, said he hopes Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein shuts down the Mueller investigation.

385

2018

March 18

Putin elected to six more years in office.

386

2018

March 20

Trump congratulates Putin on re-election, despite staff warning "do not congratulate."

387

2018

March 22

John Dowd, Trump's attorney for the Mueller investigation, resigns.

388

2018

March 28

DOJ inspector general launches investigation of FBI, DOJ and possible abuse of FISA/surveillance powers, including with the Carter Page wiretaps.

389

2018

April 4

Sen. Intelligence Committee interviews Felix Sater, who worked on Russia deals with Trump.

390

2018

April 6

U.S. issues new sanctions against Russian oligarchs, including Oleg Deripaska.

U.S. newly sanctions seven Russian oligarchs including Oleg Deripaska, who formerly worked with Manafort, and Viktor Vekselberg, who was at Trump's inauguration.

391

2018

April 9

The FBI raids Cohen's home, office and hotel room, seizing records. Reports indicate he is under investigation for campaign finance, bank fraud.

392

2018

April 16

Trump halts plan for possible new economic sanctions on Russia.

393

2018

April 17

Senate Leader Mitch McConnell says he will not allow a floor vote on a bill to protect special counsel Mueller.

394

2018

April 25

Cohen asserts his Fifth Amendment right not to testify in the Stephanie Clifford (aka Stormy Daniels) case.

395

2018

April 26

Trump rails against DOJ, FBI and Mueller in FOX interview. Also confirms Cohen worked for him but was a "tiny, tiny fraction" of his legal work.

Trump tells Fox News that Cohen handled a "tiny, tiny fraction" of his legal work.

396

2018

April 27

House Intelligence Committee releases separate final reports from GOP and Dems. Republicans conclude no evidence of collusion.

397

2018

May 2

White House announces lead Russia probe lawyer Ty Cobb is leaving, will be replaced by Emmet Flood.

398

2018

May 16

Senate Intelligence Committee: Russia tried to interfere in 2016 election to help Donald Trump.

Transcript of Trump Jr.'s testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee in September is released.

399

Senate Judiciary Committee releases transcripts of interviews regarding 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russian lawyer.

400

2018

May 17

Reuters report: Manafort's ex-son-in-law Jeffrey Yohai agreed to a plea deal in real estate case, may have to cooperate with Mueller.

Reuters reports that Manafort's ex-son-in-law Jeffrey Yohai agreed to a plea deal in a real estate case and may have to cooperate in Mueller probe.

401

2018

May 20

Trump demands DOJ investigate whether DOJ or the FBI spied on his campaign for political purposes.

402

2018

May 24

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., writes a letter saying he believes Trump Jr. may have falsely testified before Senate Judiciary in September.

403

2018

May 26

According to prosecutors, Manafort sends a text authorizing someone to talk with the Trump administration for him.

404

2018

May 30

Trump tweets he wished he had picked someone other than Sessions as attorney general.

405

2018

May 31

Trump tweets that he "never fired James Comey because of Russia."

406

2018

June 2

The NYT publishes Jan. letter by Trump's attorney asserting obstruction of justice charges could not apply to the president. The letter also indicates Trump dictated the statement by his son, Donald Trump Jr., about the 2016 Trump Tower/Russian lawyer meeting.

407

2018

June 4

Trump tweets that he has the right to pardon himself and that the appointment of Mueller is unconstitutional.

Prosecutors with Mueller's team filed court documents accusing Manafort of trying to tamper with witnesses in his case.

Trump tweets about Sessions again, blaming him for the continuing Russia investigation. "I would have quickly picked someone else," Trump says.

408

2018

June 7

Trump says G7 summit nations "should let Russia come back in."

409

2018

June 8

Mueller drops a new obstruction of justice indictment against Manafort and his associate Konstantin Kilimnik. They are the first charges against Kilimnik.

410

2018

June11

U.S. issues new sanctions against a handful of Russian companies and individuals for cyberattacks on U.S. energy and other interests.

411

2018

June 15

Trump says he "feels badly" for Flynn, Manafort and others in court/investigations.

While he says Manafort only worked for him a "short" time, he later defends Manafort in a tweet, says the FBI raid of Cohen's office was wrong and that "maybe" Flynn didn't lie.

Trump criticizes the FBI raid on Cohen's office, says he "feels badly" for him and others under prosecution.

Judge orders Manafort to jail to await trial, ending house arrest. This is due to charges of witness tampering.

Trump defends Manafort on Twitter and to microphones, while saying Manafort worked for him a "very short period of time"

Trump says he feels badly for Flynn and that "it turns out maybe he didn't lie."

412

2018

July 13

A new Mueller indictment accuses 12 Russians of hacking into computers used by Clinton's campaign, Democratic organizations and state elections officials, among others.

413

2018

July 16

At summit, Putin denies Russian election meddling. Trump says "I don't see any reason why" Russia would interfere.

Putin says Russia "has never interfered and will never interfere" in U.S elections. He adds that he had hoped Trump would win "because he talked about bringing the U.S.-Russia relationship back to normal."

Before meeting with Putin, Trump blames past administrations and the "rigged witch hunt" for what he says are poor relations with Russia.

414

Trump says "I don't see any reason why" Russia would interfere in the 2016 election.

415

2018

July 17

Trump says he misspoke, meant to say he didn't see why Russia "wouldn't" have meddled in the election.

416

2018

July 18

Trump says "no" when asked whether Russia was still targeting the U.S. Hours later, his press secretary says Trump said "no" to more questions.

Trump and Putin meet in Helsinki. Officials later told the Washington Post they never got a good readout of this meeting.

417

2018

July 19

Trump asks National Security Advisor John Bolton to invite Putin to the U.S. this fall.

Microsoft's security chief says "earlier this year" they saw attempted phishing attacks against three congressional candidates. (One is later identified as Sen. Claire McCaskill.)

Trump asks National Security Advisor John Bolton to invite Putin to the U.S. this fall.

418

2018

July 21

The FBI releases more than 400 pages of documents related to Carter Page wiretaps, showing agents believed Page was recruited by Russia.

419

2018

July 22

Trump tweets that the Mueller investigation is a hoax and incorrectly claims it was sparked by the "whole FISA scam."

Page tells CNN that the idea of Russians trying to recruit him is "totally unreasonable."

420

2018

July 24

Trump claims without evidence that Russia will be "pushing very hard" to help Democrats in the midterms.

421

2018

July 25

Bolton says Putin's U.S. trip is postponed to 2019 because president believes it "should take place after the Russia witch hunt is over."

422

2018

July 26

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., says Russian hackers unsuccessfully tried to infiltrate her Senate computer network."

423

2018

August 1

Trump tweets that he would like Sessions to end the Mueller probe.

424

2018

August 7

Cohen meets with Mueller's team for the first time and lies to them about the Moscow Project.

425

2018

August 17

Mueller's team asks judge to sentence Papadopolous to up to six months for lying to them.

426

2018

August 18

WH counsel McGahn's attorney confirms NYT report that he spoke with Mueller's investigators.

As NYT reports that WH Counsel McGahn spoke with Mueller's team, Trump tweets that he allowed those interviews.

427

2018

August 19

The president writes that the Mueller investigation makes Joseph McCarthy look like a baby.

428

2018

August 20

Trump tells Reuters he's leaning against talking with Mueller and is worried about a possible "perjury trap."

Trump criticizes the DOJ under Jeff Sessions as a "total joke."

429

2018

August 21

Microsoft announces Russian hackers attempted to target conservative think tanks that advocated tougher action against Russia.

Cohen pleads guilty to eight counts of tax and finance violations in federal court and says that a federal candidate, believed to be Trump, directed him to break campaign finance laws.

Manafort is found guilty of eight counts of fraud. The jury could not agree on 10 other charges.

430

2018

August 24

The Wall Street Journal reports Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg and American Media CEO David Pecker have been granted immunity in recent weeks by NY prosecutors in the Cohen case.

431

2018

August 29

Trump tweets that Don McGahn, the WH attorney handling the Mueller investigation, will leave after the hoped-for confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

432

2018

August 30

Trump tells Bloomberg that Allen Weisselberg did not betray him and that Weisselberg's cooperation deal with investigators was "for a very limited time."

Kushner and Ivanka "had NOTHING to do with" WH lawyer McGahn's departure, Trump tweets.

433

2018

Sept. 7

Papadopoulos pleads guilty to lying to the FBI and is sentenced to 14 days in jail.

434

2018

Sept.11

Trump Jr. appears on ABC, saying of the investigation, "I know what I did and I'm not worried about it."

435

2018

Sept. 12

Cohen meets with Mueller's team a second time and admits he misled them about the Moscow Project.

436

2018

Sept. 14

Manafort agrees to plead guilty to two counts of conspiracy against the U.S. and participate with the Mueller investigation.

437

2018

Sept. - Nov., unknown dates

As Manafort cooperates with federal investigators, his attorney briefs Trump's legal team on what Mueller's team is asking.

438

2018

Sept. 17

Trump declassifies FBI reports related to Bruce G. Ohr and his work on the Russia Investigation. Includes information about Carter Page.

439

2018

Sept. 20

U.S. adds Internet Research Agency LLC, Yevgeniy Prigozhin and other Russia actors indicted in Mueller probe to sanctions list.

440

2018

Sept. 28

DOJ charges Russian Elena Khusyaynov with interfering with the US political system, including the 2018 midterms. The indictment was sealed for three weeks.

441

2018

Oct. 4

DOJ charges seven officers from the Russian Main Directorate (GRU) with hacking, launching cyberattacks related to investigations into athlete doping.

442

2018

Oct. 26

Manafort testifies before the grand jury, according to Mueller document. It does not describe who was under investigation.

443

2018

Nov. 2

Manafort again testifies before the grand jury

444

2018

Nov. 7

With Sessions' departure, his former chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, becomes acting attorney general and assumes oversight of the Mueller investigation.

Trump says Jeff Sessions is out as attorney general.

Trump ousts Sessions, who begins his resignation letter to the president noting it comes "at your request ..."

445

2018

Nov. 8

Prosecutors tell Manafort's lawyers they believe he lied to them.

446

2018

Nov. 19

Trump finishes his written answers to the Mueller team's questions. His attorneys forward them to Mueller the next day.

447

2018

Nov. 26

Mueller prosecution team charges that Manafort lied to them and his plea deal is revoked. Manafort's attorneys insist he was truthful.

448

2018

Nov. 29

Trump associate Michael Cohen signs plea deal with Robert Mueller, admitting to lying about when negotiations over a Trump deal in Moscow occurred.

Trump says Cohen is *now* lying about the Moscow project to "get a reduced sentence."

Cohen pleads guilty in federal court to lying to Congress about his knowledge of Trump's Moscow project.

449

2018

Dec. 4

Muelller's team files sentencing recommendations for Flynn, writing that he should serve little to no jail time because of his cooperation.

450

2018

Dec. 7

Prosecutors assert candidate Trump spoke with Cohen about contacting the Russian government and was directly involved in illegal payouts to hide charges of extramarital affairs.

Prosecutors release Cohen sentencing documents, saying he lied to Congress about Trump contacts with Russia. It also suggests he orchestrated campaign finance violations with Trump involved.

Mueller files document charging that Manafort lied about contacts with the Trump administration and with Konstantin Kilimnik.

451

2019

452

2019

Jan. 25

Stone is indicted, charged with obstruction and lying to Congress regarding contacts with Russia and the Trump campaign.

453

2019

Feb. 19

Cohen testifies publicly, before House Oversight Committee.

454

2019

Feb. 21

A judge admonishes Stone for an Instagram post and bans him from talking about his case while it is pending.

455

2019

Mar. 22

Robert Mueller files his final Russia report with the Department of Justice.

456

2019

Mar. 24

Attorney General Barr sends summary of Mueller report to Congress.

In summary of Mueller report, Barr says Russians intervened in U.S. election, but the Trump campaign did not collude and there is not evidence to prosecute Trump on obstruction of justice.