WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump’s less-than-tough treatment of Russian President Vladimir Putin earned criticism from both the Left and the Right on Monday, including from a reliable Trump ally (arguably his only congressional ally) in New Jersey.
“Just days ago, our nation’s Department of Justice indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers for meddling in the 2016 election,” said McArthur. “Clean and fair elections are the bedrock of our more than 200 year old democracy. The United States, especially the President, should take any foreign government’s attempt to influence election results as a threat to our democracy itself.”
Trump also refused to raise hot button issues including Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline during the European meeting for which White House officials had worked to lower expectations.
“I take issue with President Trump blaming the state of our relationship on our supposed ‘foolishness and stupidity.’ Our relationship with Russia is strained because of Vladimir Putin’s actions. He has invaded his neighbors, attacked America’s allies, and interfered with our elections and the elections of our closest allies. Putin is a corrupt, murderous thug and cannot be trusted. He is a threat to global security, and we need to remind our friends and our foes that the United States stands strongly opposed to this autocratic kleptocrat.”
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