McCain: ‘One of the most disgraceful performances by an American president’
WASHINGTON — “Bizarre.” “Shameful.” “Disgraceful.”
That was the swift and sweeping condemnation directed at President Donald Trump on Monday after he sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a stunning appearance in Helsinki — and that’s just from the Republicans.
Lawmakers in both major parties and former intelligence officials appeared shocked, dismayed and uneasy with Trump’s suggestion that he believes Putin’s denial of interfering in the 2016 elections. It was a remarkable break with U.S. intelligence officials and the Justice Department. And just as alarming for some, Trump also put the two countries on the same footing when casting blame for their strained relations.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called it “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., called it “bizarre.” Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., called it “shameful.” And Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., tweeted that it was a “bad day for the US.”
“This was a very good day for President Putin,” said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. He said Trump’s refusal to condemn Russian interference in the 2016 election makes the U.S. “look like a pushover.”
Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, said he’s seen Russian intelligence manipulate many people in his earlier career as a CIA officer. But, he tweeted, “I never would have thought that the US President would become one of the ones getting played by old KGB hands.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan said there’s “no question” that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and “no moral equivalence” between the U.S. and Russia.
“The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally,” Ryan, RWis., said in a statement. Russia, he said, “remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals.”
Three Illinois House Republicans from the Chicago area also chastised Trump in statements. Rep. Peter Roskam said, “The President has a duty to hold Vladimir Putin to account.” Rep. Adam Kinzinger said “it’s time we wake up and remember that #Russia is not our friend.” And Rep. Randy Hultgren said, “I urge President Trump to stand up to the Russians.”
Even staunch Trump backer Newt Gingrich called Trump’s comments “the most serious mistake of his presidency” and said they “must be corrected — immediately.”
Said Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, “President Trump’s performance in Helsinki was appalling. By ignoring the evidence of Russian interference in our
2016 election, President Trump joined Vladimir Putin in blaming America for the charges and throwing our intelligence and justice officials under the bus.”
Fellow Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth faulted Trump’s “shocking and disgraceful show of weakness on the world stage.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the minority leader, said never in history has an American president supported an adversary the way Trump sided with Putin.
“We need our Republican colleagues to stand up for the good of this country,” he said.
And House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Trump’s performance wasn’t just “embarrassing” but also “proves that the Russians have something on the president, personally, financially or politically.”
McCain called the summit a “tragic mistake.”
Former intelligence chiefs who served under President Barack Obama were scathing in their criticism. John Brennan, who served as CIA director, called Trump’s comments “treasonous.”
“Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of ‘high crimes & misdemeanors.’ It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???” Brennan tweeted.
James Comey, the FBI director fired by Trump, tweeted, “This was the day an American president stood on foreign soil next to a murderous lying thug and refused to back his own country.”
At least one Republican, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, scoffed at both parties “beating their chests” on Russia and “dumbing down” the debate, saying it’s important for the U.S. to have diplomatic channels with its adversaries. “They’re making a big mistake,” Paul said. He dismissed the president’s critics as those who hate the president. “It’s Trump derangement syndrome.”