Trump says he may not enforce defense bill’s Russia provisions

WASHINGTON – At a bill signing ceremony Monday in New York, President Donald Trump took credit for a $716 billion defense policy bill that he said would strengthen America’s military.

But in a written statement hours later, Trump raised objections to 52 provisions of the law – including four of the eight provisions dealing specifically with Russia. The signing statement suggests he may not enforce provisions that he says raise constitutional concerns.

As passed by Congress, the defense bill attempts to tie the president’s hands on Russia in a number of ways. It forbids him from using federal funds to recognize Russian control over Crimea and bans military cooperation with Russia until Russia pulls out of Ukraine.

And it requires him to report back to Congress on steps he’s taken to address Russian violations of the Open Skies Treaty, which allows reconnaissance flights over Russian territory, and the New START Treaty on nuclear weapons.

Trump said those provisions undermine the president’s role “as the sole representative of the nation in foreign affairs.” Trump also objected to a section requiring him to send to Congress a strategy to combat “malign foreign influence operations and campaigns.”

While such presidential objections have become routine, Trump’s resistance on Russia-related provisions is particularly notable given his attempts to forge closer relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin – even as U.S. intelligence officials say Putin interfered in the 2016 presidential election by ordering a campaign of cyberattacks and propaganda.

Even in his signing statement, Trump did not mention the name of the bill: The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. Trump has had a long-running feud with the Arizona Republican, who is battling brain cancer.