Trump disagrees with Putin’s request

Russian leader wants to question 2 U.S. citizens

WASHINGTON – The White House says President Donald Trump disagrees with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s request to interrogate U.S. citizens in exchange for helping U.S. investigators look into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

“It is a proposal that was made in sincerity by President Putin, but President Trump disagrees with it,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement Thursday.

Monday, Trump called Putin’s suggestion an “incredible offer” during a joint news conference with the Russian leader after their controversial summit in Finland. Sanders said Wednesday that Putin’s request was being discussed, though she said there was no “commitment made on behalf of the United States.”

Moments after the White House statement, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution objecting to allowing the Russian government to question U.S. citizens. The Senate voted 98-0 in favor of a nonbinding measure stating the U.S. “should refuse to make available any current or former diplomat, civil servant, political appointee, law enforcement official, or member of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin.”

Putin discussed his offer Monday at a joint news conference with Trump in response to questions about 12 Russians indicted for their alleged role in trying to sway the 2016 election. Putin suggested he would help U.S. investigators with that inquiry if his government could interrogate Michael McFaul, U.S. ambassador to Russia under President Barack Obama, and Bill Browder, an investor who worked to uncover corruption inside the Russian government. Both men have been sharp and vocal critics of Putin.