As Questions Swirl Around NRA Russia and Trump Campaign, NRA Doubles Down as Trump’s “Strongest, Most Unflinching Ally”

Video Comes Just Two Weeks After McClatchy Reported That FBI “Investigating Whether Russian Money Went to NRA to Help Trump”

NEW YORK – As questions swirl around an alarming reported relationship between the NRA, Russia and the Trump orbit, the NRA launched a new video yesterday, doubling down as Trump’s biggest mouthpiece right before the State of the Union address.

The gun lobby spent at least $55 million — and according to McClatchy, may have spent more than $70 million — during the 2016 election, at least $30 million of which was meant to elect Donald Trump president.

The new video, comes just two weeks after McClatchy reported that “(t)he FBI is investigating whether a top Russian banker with ties to the Kremlin illegally funneled money to the National Rifle Association to help Donald Trump win the presidency.” In it, NRA executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, trumpets Donald Trump’s agenda on immigration and crime, and proclaims, “We are Donald Trump’s strongest, most unflinching ally. The powerful partner he needs… together we will truly make America great again.”

The video calls for passage of the NRA’s number one priority to undermine state gun laws, “concealed carry reciprocity,” which is opposed by major law enforcement groups and faces a steep, uphill climb in the Senate.

STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:

“For all intents and purposes, the NRA has become an arm of Trump’s communications department. No longer an organization devoted to hunting and sport shooting, the gun lobby now peddles Trump agitprop, parroting his lines about immigration and crime — all in an effort to boost his flagging presidency and sell more guns.”