Earth to KD48 - while back-channel communications are common for administrations to discuss strategy with foreign governments, WHAT IS NOT COMMON is that Kushner was a private citizen and he attempted to set up back-channel communications with Russia - using Russia's facilities here in the US (NOT COMMON even with administrations).  He tried to set this up while the Trump administration was in transition, not in office yet.  Trump's transition team had NO BUSINESS attempting this since they were not the ones in power.  Every intelligence head (current & former) have said this is very concerning.  The only ones pooh-poohing this behavior is McMaster and Kelly, both Trump lackeys.  You can yell hypocrisy all day long but my question is - why do right-wingers always neglect the details when talking about the situations this administration gets itself into?