Saving face on sanctions

Despite some confusing signals out of the White House over the weekend (clearly still working out those communications kinks) President Trump now appears to be on board with a congressional effort to sanction Russia for its meddling in the 2016 election. Let this be a lesson to congressional Republicans that — contrary to what the president may tweet — there is nothing in their oath of office that requires them to pledge unquestioning fealty to a president of their own party.

And, when they decide to exert their authority, they have the power to bend a wobbly president to their will — and not the other way around.

Trump’s turnaround on the Russia sanctions is politically self-serving, of course. Given the beating he has taken over his perceived coziness with Vladimir Putin, the ongoing probe by the special counsel into Russia’s election meddling and the march of more Trump aides into hearing rooms to discuss their contacts with Russian officials during the campaign (yesterday was Jared Kushner’s turn), a presidential veto of sanctions on Russia wouldn’t pass any smell test.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Sunday offered up a face-saving explanation for supporting the new bill. The previous bill was “poorly written,” she said. As if Trump had been on board all along, just wanted some minor items cleared up, particularly with respect to presidential authority (for the record, the bill still requires Congress’ OK before Trump could relax the sanctions).

Hey, whatever gets you through the Sunday shows ...

By Sunday afternoon Trump had once again decried the “phony Russian Witch Hunt.” But the words matter less here than the actions. Congress is now poised to punish Russia for its unconscionable interference with the U.S. presidential election. We understand that Trump wants the flexibility to make nice with Russia — but giving Putin a pass on this would have been a gift he does not deserve.