WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, after the White House disputed that President Trump said
Russia is no longer targeting the U.S. but confirmed that he is open to Russia interrogating U.S. citizens,
U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services
Committee and an ex officio member of the Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence, issued the following statement:
“The American people are right to be
suspicious when they see President Trump attack the news media but refuse to challenge Putin. He claims
without evidence to be tough on Russia, but repeatedly proves he’s soft on
Putin.
“People can watch the video and make up their
own minds. But this has echoes of President Trump denying he criticized
Theresa May, only to be contradicted by the Sun releasing a tape of him
criticizing her.
“President Trump is weak on
Putin, blames America, and is squandering his rapidly
diminishing credibility. He has engaged in a pattern of undercutting and
denying our Intelligence Community, which helps Putin and damages our national
security.
“President Trump called Putin’s request to let
Russian authorities question the former U.S. ambassador to Moscow “an
incredible offer.” And the fact that this White House is still
contemplating allowing Russian agents to interrogate U.S. citizens and
diplomats is a disgrace.
“I urge the White House and others in the
Administration to denounce Putin’s proposal and make it resoundingly clear that
the United States does not and will not sell out our citizens to Vladimir
Putin’s regime.
“President Trump must stop denying and
undercutting U.S. intelligence and isolating us from our allies. His
actions only reduce our standing in the world. Putin has spent his career
trying to achieve those objectives. Why is President Trump doing it for
him? The American people deserve answers and the only way to get them is
for President Trump to finally talk to the Special Counsel.”