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For a shorter lesson, stop the video at 2:36.
- On Friday, the Washington Post reported Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, allegedly proposed opening a secret communication back channel between the Trump administration and Russia in a conversation with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in December.
- Kushner will cooperate with the FBI's investigation into ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, according to his attorney.
- Several top Trump administration officials have come out to defend Kushner, stating that the U.S. government has opened such secure communication channels with other nations in the past.
- Former acting CIA Director John McLaughlin said if an American intelligence officer had had any such conversation, it would be considered an act of espionage.
- Essential question : In a democracy, how important is the issue of character in elected and appointed officials?
- What do you know about senior adviser Jared Kushner?
- What has the relationship between the U.S. and Russia been like dating back to the Cold War? What about during the 2016 presidential election?
- The report on Kushner's alleged conversation was leaked to the Washington Post. Do you think the government should take action to find out whether the report is valid or not? Explain your answer.
