New Russia sanctions deal Trump fresh blow
Tillerson said on Wednesday that Congress should ensure that “any legislation allows the president to have flexibility to adjust sanctions to meet the needs of what is always an evolving diplomatic situation”.
Tillerson previously warned the danger of shutting down what he said was “a potentially productive conversation” with Russia, for example, on Syria. He said stepping up sanctions would lead to Russia curtailing progress on Syria.
Hands tied
The legislation is a manifestation of concerted will from both sides of the aisle to have Trump’s hands tied when he makes Russia-related decisions. In a sign of the often polarized Congress, the bill could potentially widen the rift between the legislative and executive branches of the US government.
Trump has since his election been engulfed in accusations of — and now investigations into — his campaign team’s alleged collusion with Russia to tip the election his way.
Trump has lashed out at the investigators as “very bad and conflicted people”, responding angrily to reports that the special counsel is looking into whether Trump obstructed justice.
On Thursday, Trump called special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference a “witch hunt” based on the “phony” premise of possible collusion between Russia and a cadre of Trump campaign associates.
The president complained the probe is unfair and wondered why his defeated Democratic opponent wasn’t getting the same scrutiny.
“Why is that Hillary Clintons family and Dems dealings with Russia are not looked at, but my non-dealings are?” he tweeted.
In Russia, at a four-hour event aired on TV, Putin called the Russian meddling allegations a reflection of “exacerbating political infighting” in Washington, while reaffirming Russia’s commitment to seeking normalization of ties with the US. “We don’t see America as our enemy,” he said.