- He may now face even greater outrage over sanctions approved by Congress just a month ago.
Driving the news: Late Friday evening, Trump issued an executive order renouncing implementation of the Lindsey O. Graham Act sanctioning Russia and Iran, which he signed in September.
- This law would have imposed broad sanctions not only on Russia, but also on other countries that buy its oil.
What they say: Democrats sharply criticized Trump’s decision.
- “By providing vital support to the Russian economy, Trump’s deal with the devil keeps getting dirtier and dirtier,” wrote Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
- “Trump’s latest capitulation to Putin once again betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies Congress’s clear intent for legislation designed to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said on X.
- “These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with subjugating Vladimir Putin. I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in condemning this cowardly and cowardly action,” Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) said on X.
Republicans were just as ruthless.
- “We should increase economic pressure on Russia, not ease it. We must use every tool at our disposal, including full implementation of the Graham Sanctions and my REPO Act, to squeeze Putin until he ends his illegal and barbaric war in Ukraine,” Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) wrote. “I have requested a classified briefing on the reasons for this decision.”
- “Beyond irresponsible. What part of the application of a law passed 86-11 by the Senate do the president and his advisors not understand?” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) posted on
- Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) simply posted: “Lindsey would be appalled. »
Graham’s sister, Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) told the AP she disagreed with Trump’s decision.
- “The president and I share the same goal: to end the war, to lower the prices of gasoline and diesel, and the bill (sanctioning Russia and Iran) is one of the tools he can use to do that,” she said, adding that it was up to Trump whether he uses it or not.
- “Personally, I would choose to keep the pressure on Russia (…) because I don’t trust Putin.”
A congressman about to leaveRep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), hinted at problems Trump could face when Congress returns.
- “Congress is having a lame session. The President has an agenda: amendments, reconciliation, ballroom, etc…I think the agenda is dead. Many of us will not fund these things knowing that he is supporting the invasion of a dictator and throwing an ally under the bus,” Bacon wrote.
For the record: The White House defended Trump’s decision.
- “President Trump has made clear that he wants to see this brutal war end. As negotiations continue, this law gives the president additional powers to seek a peaceful solution,” spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement.
- “Implementing sanctions now would hamper ongoing U.S. efforts to negotiate a lasting and comprehensive peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. The President retains the flexibility to exercise these powers at any time if he believes doing so would further national interests.”
What to watch: The question now is how Congress will respond to his return in a few weeks.
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