@GoJackFlynn1 @SecRubio @DeptofWar @StateDept @RogerJStoneJr @GenFlynn @JDVance @washingtonpost @dcexaminer @FoxNews Jack, you asked for specifics, so let’s deal with the specifics.
First, winning a primary does not entitle any candidate to unquestioning personal loyalty. Vic Mellor won approximately 58.6% of the Republican primary vote, and that result should be acknowledged. It placed him on the general-election ballot. It did not erase his record, resolve documented contradictions or compel every Republican to surrender independent judgment.
You are correct about one narrow point: filing under FARA is not, by itself, proof of a crime. But nobody needs to allege a crime to question the judgment, credibility and activities described in the filing.
Mellor’s own sworn DOJ registration identifies Cuban foreign principals, including the General Directorate of Personal Security, the Minister of Visas and the Minister of America Relations. His filings describe political activities, social-media strategy, content suggestions, possible informational materials and relationship-building.
That is considerably more than simply saying Rhode Island companies should be prepared to explore commerce if the embargo is someday lifted.
Mellor portrayed himself as opening international markets, arranging special visas and pursuing billions of dollars in business. He said, “I’m just a civilian,” while also saying, “It’s not my job now, but I’m doing it anyway.”
The Trump administration’s State Department could not have been clearer: Mellor “is not authorized to speak on behalf of the United States government” and “is not involved in anything the administration is doing.”
Mellor also said his Cuba trip had been urged by people connected with the Cuban-American National Chamber. The Chamber responded that it did not “in any way endorse or urge” his trip and said Mellor was not a member of its organization.
Those are direct contradictions not repeated allegations.
Then there is Mellor’s claim that he was the “lead consultant” on a Bosnia pipeline deal. Who retained him? What company or government was involved? What was the value of the transaction? What work did he perform? Where is the agreement, announcement or independent confirmation?
If your standard is “show the receipts,” then Mellor should produce the receipts supporting that claim.
The same applies to the people Mellor has publicly associated with his campaign and résumé.
Roger Stone publicly said that he was not a consultant to Vic Mellor, while Mellor’s own website reportedly identified Stone as one. Which account is true?
vic has repeatedly represented himself as Michael Flynn’s former chief of staff. GF has said Mellor was never his chief of staff. Again, those two statements cannot both be accurate. Either GF is wrong or Mellor’s description of his position is wrong. Produce the employment records, title, dates and responsibilities and settle it. And since you mentioned family, your own brother and Mellor had dinner with Dr. Skoly about leaving the race. Dr. Skoly told them directly that he was not dropping out. That was his right, just as it was Mellor’s right to remain in the race.
The military-record dispute has also been deliberately distorted.
Dr. Skoly did not invent a document, accuse Mellor of stolen valor or claim that Mellor never served. He released the NPRC response obtained through the National Archives. That federal response listed Mellor’s rank/grade as Corporal.
vic later released a DD-214 and a separate promotion document showing Sergeant/E-5. That created a discrepancy between federal records. Asking Mellor to release the complete file and explain that discrepancy was entirely legitimate. It was not a lie.
vic also said he was not seeking the Republican Party endorsement yet he participated in the endorsement interview. If he did not want the endorsement, why did he enter the interview process? Calling the committee names afterward does not change the fact that he appeared before it.
There are further credibility questions.
vic publicly described himself to Rhode Island voters as married before he actually just got married this August Why misstate something so simple? If there is an innocent explanation, provide it.
NBC 10 reported that Mellor said he entered the Capitol on January 6 and did nothing illegal. That conflicts with an earlier public account that he did not enter. Which version is accurate? There are also receipts where he went on tranlsash podcast saying his lawyer told him to lie so he did
This is especially relevant when Republicans have spent years asking why certain January 6 participants were investigated while others were not. I personally know three Rhode Islanders who never entered the Capitol but were still questioned by the FBI. Was vic questioned? If not, why not? That is a question not an accusation.
Why was Roger Stone’s Rhode Island event cancelled? That question also deserves an answer.
There were also two reported domestic-violence accusations involving two women in two states. Both matters were dropped, and that fact must be stated clearly. A dropped case is not a conviction. But Jack you cannot demand that Ashley address every allegation made against Vic while simultaneously pretending documented police reports and public reporting do not exist. GF own guys replied to me early on they didnt even know he had these domestic records
This is not about calling anyone guilty. It is about whether a congressional candidate has been consistent and truthful when describing his résumé, relationships, marital status, international activities and January 6 conduct.
Your discussion of Crossfire Hurricane, the your family and Ashley’s possible future campaign for governor does not answer any of these questions. Neither does warning Ashley to “think carefully” about her political future. That is not coalition-building. It sounds like an attempt to pressure a Republican into silence.
Coalitions are built through credibility, accountability and trust not demands for automatic allegiance.
You picked Vic. That is your right.
Ashley has the same right to examine the evidence and reach a different conclusion. Supporting the Republican Party does not require pretending every Republican nominee is beyond scrutiny. If we demand transparency from Democrats, we must demand it from Republicans too.
Vic won the nomination. He did not win immunity from questions.
And one factual correction: his name is Dr. Stephen Skoly not “Skolly.”