WASHINGTON (AP) Bizarre. Shameful. Disgraceful.
Thats the swift and sweeping condemnation directed at President Donald Trump on Monday after he sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a stunning appearance in Helsinki and thats just from the Republicans.
Lawmakers in both major parties and former intelligence officials appeared shocked, dismayed and uneasy with Trumps suggestion that he believes Putins denial of interfering in the 2016 elections. It was a remarkable break with U.S. intelligence officials and the Justice Department. And just as alarming for some, Trump also put the two countries on the same footing when casting blame for their strained relations.
U.S. Senators from Kansas, Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts, were critical of the presidents appearance with Putin.
Sen. Moran said the president missed an opportunity to publicly condemn Russia for election interference or offer strong support for the NATO alliance.
Roberts said Russia remains a threat and Our intelligence community has proven Russia attempted to interfere with our elections. We have to remain vigilant when dealing with this dangerous adversary, he added.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called it one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., called it bizarre. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., called it shameful. And Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., tweeted that it was a bad day for the US.
This was a very good day for President Putin, said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He said Trumps refusal to condemn Russian interference in the 2016 election makes the U.S. look like a pushover.
Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, said hes seen Russian intelligence manipulate many people in his earlier career as a CIA officer. But, he tweeted, I never would have thought that the US President would become one of the ones getting played by old KGB hands.
House Speaker Paul Ryan weighed in to say theres no question that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and no moral equivalence between the U.S. and Russia.
Much of the Republican rebuke came from lawmakers who have been willing to openly criticize the president, a group that remains a minority in the GOP.
Many top Republicans remained on the sidelines after the Justice Department on Friday indicted 12 Russian intelligence officials for election-related hacking.
But several Republicans who dont typically buck the president raised concerns, shocked by Mondays performance.
Trump ally Newt Gingrich called it the most serious mistake of Trumps presidency and one that must be corrected immediately.
