WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Attorney General's office is preparing to charge Donald J. Trump with treason in light of new, disturbing evidence that shows the former GOP presidential candidate engaged in an ongoing conspiracy with America's Cold War enemy, Russia, to steal the election from the rightful president, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The New York Times reports that four current and former senior government officials have proof that several members of Trump's campaign staff were in constant contact with the Kremlin throughout the 2016 campaign. Trump himself announced that he hoped that the Russians would steal Clinton's emails and publicize their contents - a crime - in order to sway the election result at a campaign rally.

Treason is a capital offense, one "punishable by death," according to statute. The law defines treason as follows:

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

Under President Vladamir Putin, Russia has engaged in repeated acts of aggression against NATO countries, including the United States. While Hillary Clinton served as Secretary of State, she repeatedly castigated Putin for violating Russians' human rights, holding sham elections, and illegally invading other countries, including the Ukraine.

Putin did not want Hillary Clinton, a woman who opposed, rebuked, and humiliated him, to become America's next President.

During the election campaign, Trump too wished to see Hillary Clinton defeated: This desire to triumph over her was understandable and legal in itself. But in offering Russia attractive promises - of closer business ties, a softer American foreign policy on the Ukraine, and relaxed sanctions - in return for Putin's assistance in crushing Hillary Clinton, Trump committed a high crime against his country.

Trump owed allegiance to the United States. Yet he adhered to America's enemy Russia, giving Russian President Vladamir Putin "aid and comfort within the United States," helping and urging the foreign leader in his attempt to controvert American democracy.