Trump’s defense of Russia prompts outrage from some Republicans

President Donald Trump’s remarks at an extraordinary joint news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday prompted sharp rebukes from several Republican lawmakers — many of whom are retiring. Ailing Sen. John McCain delivered the strongest broadside, describing it as “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”

Trump’s doubts about the U.S. intelligence community while on foreign soil — as well as his insistence on accepting Putin’s denial on Russian interference — did not sit well with several Republicans.

Citing the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies as well as the House Committee on Intelligence, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said in a statement that “there is no question” that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and continues to work against democracy in the U.S. and around the globe.

“The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally,” said Ryan, who is retiring at the end of his term. “There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy.”

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., an outspoken Trump skeptic who is not seeking reelection, was among the first to weigh in, calling the president’s performance in Helsinki “shameful.”

“I never thought I would see the day when our American President would stand on the stage with the Russian President and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression,” Flake said in a tweet.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., added in a tweet: “This answer by President Trump will be seen by Russia as a sign of weakness and create far more problems than it solves.”

Former CIA director John Brennan said on Twitter that Trump’s news conference “rises to & exceeds the threshold of ‘high crimes & misdemeanors.’

“It was nothing short of treasonous.”