FACT CHECK: Foreign Interference And 'Opposition Research' Are Not The Same
President Trump says he might be open to taking information from a foreign government in a future election, calling it a part of politics. But the law draws a distinction when foreigners are involved.
Updated at 2:13 p.m. ET
President Trump has conflated an infamous practice in and among political campaigns — "opposition research" — with foreign election interference like that launched by Russia against the United States in 2016.
Are they the same thing? Is foreign interference just a kind of "oppo research," as Trump said in an interview with ABC?
The short answer: No. Oppo research is part of politics. But the law prohibits American political campaigns from taking "a contribution or donation of money or any other thing of value" from foreigners. The ban isn't limited to money, as Justice Department investigators wrote.
Trump told ABC News
