By THE NEW YORK TIMES
President Trump appeared on Monday with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia at a news conference in Helsinki, Finland. Mr. Trump was widely criticized for his performance, and especially for appearing to side with Mr. Putin over his own intelligence services on the issue of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.
Denounced the President’s Comments
Some lawmakers specifically criticized the president and forcefully denounced his interactions with the Russian president.
Senator Bob Corker Tenn.
I think he [Putin] gained a tremendous amount. Here he’s been ostracized on the world stage…It was almost an approval, if you will, a public approval by the greatest nation on earth towards him…I’d guess he’s having caviar right now. I think this was a very good day for President Putin.
Senator Jeff Flake Ariz.
I never thought I would see the day when our American President would stand on the stage with the Russian President and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression. This is shameful.
Senator Susan Collins Me.
The President’s statements today in Helsinki demonstrate his continued refusal to accept the unanimous conclusions of U.S. intelligence leaders and the bipartisan findings of the Senate Intelligence Committee. This position is untenable and at odds with the forceful response this moment demands.
Senator Lindsey Graham S.C.
If it were me, I’d check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House.
Senator Charles E. Grassley Iowa
President Trump missed an opportunity to publicly press President Putin on whether he would agree to extradite the defendants to the United States to answer the allegations in court.
Senator John McCain Ariz.
No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant.
Senator Rob Portman Ohio
The president’s comments in today’s press conference were troubling. He failed to stand up to Vladimir Putin on some of the most critical security issues facing our country and our allies.
Senator Tim Scott S.C.
As Americans, we stand up for our interests and values abroad; but I fear today was a step backwards.
Senator Ben Sasse Neb.
This is bizarre and flat-out wrong. The United States is not to blame. America wants a good relationship with the Russian people but Vladimir Putin and his thugs are responsible for Soviet-style aggression. When the President plays these moral equivalence games, he gives Putin a propaganda win he desperately needs.
Senator Patrick J. Toomey Pa.
.@POTUS’ blindness to Putin’s hostile acts against the US and our allies—election meddling included—is very troubling.
Senator Lisa Murkowski Alaska
Sadly President Trump did not defend America to the Russian president, and for the world to see. Instead, what I saw today was not ‘America First,’ it was simply a sad diminishment of our great nation.”
Rep. Paul D. Ryan Wis. 1st, Speaker of the House
The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Wash. 5th,Republican Conference Chairman
Russia is not a friend to the United States or our allies. There’s no question that they meddled in our election, and all evidence points to Putin’s direct involvement. In order to put America first, the President must hold Russia accountable for their adversarial actions and their continued efforts to undermine our democratic institutions.
Rep. Ed Royce Calif. 39th-Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee
I disagree with the president’s comments. There is simply no comparing the actions of the United States and Vladimir Putin.
Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte Va. 6th-Chairman, Judiciary Committee
U.S. intelligence agencies have confirmed Russia’s actions, and the evidence is plentiful. Today’s summit was an opportunity to forcefully address this growing threat directly with President Putin. I am dismayed that we did not see that.
Supported
Mr. Trump’s defense from his Republican allies has so far been limited.
Senator Rand Paul Ky.
I think it’s a good idea to have engagement, and I guess I don’t quite understand all of the people who have gone completely deranged criticizing the president.
Sidestepped or Did Not Denounce the President’s Comments
The majority of Republicans tempered their remarks to affirm that Russia remains an enemy, while not mentioning Mr. Trump by name.
Senator Deb Fischer Neb.
Russia is not a friend to the U.S. They have interfered in our elections. They have murdered people. They have invaded other countries. And they have cheated on a nuclear treaty. Russia is not to be trusted.
Senator Orrin G. Hatch Utah
Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Our nation’s top intelligence agencies all agree on that point.
Senator Lamar Alexander Tenn.
There is no doubt that Russia interfered in our 2016 presidential election.
Senator Richard M. Burr N.C.
Vladimir Putin is not our friend and never has been. Nor does he want to be our friend. His regime’s actions prove it. We must make clear that the United States will not tolerate hostile Russian activities against us or our allies.
Senator John Boozman Ark.
Our nation’s intelligence community, as well as the Senate Intelligence Committee, is confident that Russia intervened in the 2016 elections. I agree w/ their assessment & believe our relationship w/ Russia must consistently be viewed through this lens. Russia is not our friend.
Senator Bill Cassidy La.
It was a mistake for President Obama to give Putin more flexibility and treat him as a non-threat. President Trump should not make the same mistake. In the face of Putin’s aggression, America must be strong.
Senator Tom Cotton Ark.
U.S.–Russia relations remain at a historic low for one simple reason: Vladimir Putin is a committed adversary of the United States.
Senator Steve Daines Mont.
I have the highest confidence in the men and women in our intelligence communities and their conclusive evidence regarding Russia’s deliberate efforts to interfere in our elections.
Senator Joni Ernst Iowa
I have the utmost faith in the U.S. intelligence community and their assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.
Senator Johnny Isakson Ga.
Russia does not deserve our trust or special treatment, and my view remains unchanged after today’s mtg.
Senator James Lankford Okla.
I trust the assessments of Dan Coats, Gina Haspel & their teams more than I trust a former KGB agent, Vladimir Putin. U.S. Presidents should meet w/ foreign leaders. But we must unequivocally denounce Russia’s election interference attempts & human rights abuses around the world.
Senator Mike Lee Utah
We’ve known for years that the Russians routinely try and influence U.S. elections. It is unfortunate that President Putin refuses to acknowledge these facts.
Senator Mitch McConnell Ky.
The Russians are not our friends. I’ve said that repeatedly, I say it again today. And I have complete confidence in our intelligence community and the findings that they have announced.
Senator Pat Roberts Kan.
Russia remains a threat to our national security. Our Intelligence Community has proven Russia attempted to interfere with our elections. We have to remain vigilant when dealing with this dangerous adversary.
Senator Thom Tillis N.C.
There cannot be any equivocation: Vladimir Putin is to blame for Russia’s poor relations with the United States and the rest of the free world.
Senator Todd Young Ind.
We must deal with Moscow from a position of strength and unity. I have no reason to doubt the clear conclusions of the intelligence community when it comes to Moscow’s attempts to undermine our democracy.
Rep. Trey Gowdy S.C. 4th,Chairman, Oversight Committee
Russia is not our friend. Russia attempted to undermine the fundamentals of our democracy, impugn the reliability of the 2016 election, and sow the seeds of discord among Americans.
