Rages at critics of his fanboy call as even GOPers squirm
PRESIDENT TRUMP defended his controversial congratulatory call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, blaming the media for the backlash.
Trump, who has long faced criticism for his admiration of Putin, reportedly ignored a warning from top national security advisers insisting he not make the call too friendly.
“I called President Putin of Russia to congratulate him on his election victory (in past, Obama called him also),” Trump wrote. “The Fake News Media is crazed because they wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing.”
Trump’s desire to cuddle up to Putin in the wake of his questionable reelection victory raised questions across Washington.
Both Republicans and Democrats chided the President for not confronting Putin about his alleged sham win, election interference and cybersnooping in the U.S. and other countries, atrocities in Syria or a recent high-profile assassination attempt using a nerve agent in England.
“I haven’t heard anybody in the legislative branch say they think it’s a great idea,” Sen. John Cornyn, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said of the friendly call. “I don’t think it’s a great idea.”
The blowup over the call became entwined in a debate about White House leaks after reports circulated that Trump was warned against speaking to Putin.
Aides had included guidance in Trump’s talking points for the call to Putin stating: “DO NOT CONGRATULATE,” a senior administration official told The Washington Post.
The White House said in a statement it would be a “fireable offense and likely illegal” to leak Trump’s briefing papers.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said he wouldn’t comment on the call, but added that he “wouldn’t have a conversation with a criminal.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) objected more to the leaks than Trump’s chuminess with Putin.
“You know what I like even less? There’s somebody close to him leaking this stuff out. If you don’t like the guy, quit,” Rubio said. “To be this duplicitous and leak stuff out, it’s dangerous.”
Russia has faced global condemnation after Britain blamed Moscow for the recent toxic attack that sickened former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter. The Kremlin has denied any connection.
Trump’s call also came just days after the White House imposed sanctions on Russia for its interference in the 2016 U.S. election and other “malicious cyberattacks.”
The President’s eagerness to work with Russia and his calls for warmer relations have faced added scrutiny as special counsel Robert Mueller’s team investigates Moscow’s pro-Trump meddling in the 2016 election.
Former CIA chief John Brennan (inset) said Wednesday the Russians may “have something” on President Trump. “I think he’s afraid of the president of Russia,” Brennan told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “I’m saying that perhaps the Russians have something and that’s why Mr. Trump is concerned.”
In his tweets, Trump knockedprevious administrations, saying that President George W. Bush — who referred to the Russian leader as “Pootie Poot” — did not having the “smarts” to work with Putin. Former President Barack Obama and his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “didn’t have the energy or chemistry” to work with the former KGB agent, Trump tweeted. HOMELAND SECURITY officials faced cutting criticism from lawmakers Wednesday as they testified on Capitol Hill and warned that not enough is being done to deter Russia from interfering in upcoming midterm elections. Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee along with her Obama-era predecessor Jeh Johnson, who was the agency’s chief when Russian agents targeted election systems in 21 states ahead of the 2016 general election. “We think the threat remains high,” Nielsen said. “We need to be vigilant. Decentralized system makes it difficult to have a national effect, but local effect could be substantial.” Lawmakers have criticized both the Trump and the Obama administrations for not moving quickly enough to stem the Russian threat. The Trump administration recently instituted sanctions against several Russian nationals and businesses in the wake of indictments brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, but critics say the President hasn’t gone far enough. Trump has also faced criticism for publicly doubting Russia’s involvement in election interference.