Washington, DC – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s comments at today’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland:
“The president just stood next to the authoritarian ruler of a hostile power and blamed the state of our bilateral relationship on American ‘foolishness.’ He refused to hold Russia accountable for interference in the 2016 election, and refused to credit the analysis of the U.S. intelligence community over the empty word of Vladimir Putin. His statements today are deeply unnerving, as is his abandonment of many of our closest allies in recent days.
“Now more than ever, both parties ought to come together to protect American institutions, like our law enforcement and intelligence communities working hard to hold Russia responsible for its actions. It is clear the president is not willing to protect them himself.”
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