Reactions from internet users to the underwhelming US indictment over alleged Russian collusion during the 2016 election range from the absurd to the laughable.
Following Friday’s revelation that a US federal grand jury has indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities for allegedly interfering with the US 2016 election, many thought they would finally get the answers they have been searching for.
Don't forget that most of these guys aren't some KGB dark arts geniuses, they're underpaid journalists from failing local news outlets with their careers going down the drain, the Internet Research Agency being the only place that would still employ them. https://t.co/Zc8QZGI0H2
— Alexey Kovalev (@Alexey__Kovalev) February 16, 2018
However, the indictment from special counsel Robert Mueller includes no allegations that any of the ‘interference’ actually influenced the outcome of the election at all.
Already seeing Hillbots tweeting Russia "inflated" size of @SenSanders movement & it wasn't as big as reported. I covered 40-50 rallies and events, several with 30-40k in attendance. There was nothing inflated about #FeeltheBern. Only inflation is bullshit that will now be spun
— Jordan (@JordanChariton) February 16, 2018
READ MORE: US indictment of Russians over election meddling is absurd - FM spokesperson
The indictment does accuse the defendants (now affectionately referred to as the #13Russians) of forming an organization known as the Internet Research Agency. A group which they say "sought, in part, to conduct what it called 'information warfare against the United States of America' through fictitious US personas on social media platforms and other Internet-based media."
As the reality of what has happened starts to set in on Democrats, that President Donald Trump will not be impeached or indicted and there was no collusion, it will be a bigger meltdown than Election Day. #RodRosenstein#13Russians.
— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) February 16, 2018
The group is accused of "supporting the presidential campaign of then-candidate Donald J. Trump...and disparaging Hillary Clinton." However, the indictment also found the group was established in May 2014, long before President Donald Trump announced his intention to run for office. It also states that after Trump’s inauguration, the group scheduled rallies both for and against the newly elected president.
In essence, the highly anticipated evidence of Russian collusion, which has plagued the headlines of every mainstream news organization for more than a year, was underwhelming for several reasons.
1. The entire ‘operation’ consisted of 13 people and some of their alleged activities are, let’s say, humorous.
Also LOLing at the allegation that Irina Kaverzina effectively wrote to her family: "Sorry I'm late. Got caught up destroying evidence at work!" pic.twitter.com/zOQIpLd57x
— Raphael Satter (@razhael) February 16, 2018
FBI be busy chasing #13Russians and texting lovers but no time to prevent tragedies with warning signs like Las Vegas and Nicolas cruz, when warned months before.
FBI was weaponized by Obama admin and actively tried to tamper elections.
Why do we have an FBI again?
— PinkAboutIt