webfact Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Trump defends congratulatory phone call to Russia's Putin By Steve Holland U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a round table meeting with members of law enforcement about sanctuary cities in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump defended his congratulations to Vladimir Putin on the Russian president's disputed re-election victory on Wednesday, saying he wants Putin's help in solving crises from North Korea to Syria and beyond. Trump drew fire from Republicans and Democrats alike for telling reporters on Tuesday that he had congratulated Putin on his re-election and that the two leaders had made tentative plans to meet in the "not too distant future." The Washington Post reported that Trump, in his briefing papers to prepare for the phone call with Putin on Tuesday, was specifically warned "DO NOT CONGRATULATE" the Russian president. White House officials did not dispute the report, but said whoever leaked it could be subject to dismissal. A Trump confidant who asked not to be named said Trump was angry about the leak, and a White House official said John Kelly, Trump's chief of staff, was "frustrated and deeply disappointed." In a pair of tweets on his call with Putin, Trump said U.S. news organizations "wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing." "They can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race," Trump said. Trump's congratulations to Putin, which came shortly after he joined Britain in blaming Russia for a poison nerve gas attack against a former Russian spy in southern England, has revived criticism that Trump has been too tolerant of the Russian leader. Trump is under investigation by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller on whether he or his aides colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential election that Trump won. Trump calls the probe a political witch hunt. Trump’s overture to Putin has drawn heavy fire by critics who called Sunday's election rigged. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said there was a “lack of credibility in tallying the result." Senator John McCain, a longtime Putin critic, was even blunter, saying: "An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections.” Administration officials said it was unclear if the president had seen the briefing memo that was leaked to the Post. "If this story is accurate, that means someone leaked the president's briefing papers. Leaking such information is a fireable offence and likely illegal," said a senior White House official, who requested anonymity. Republican Senator Marco Rubio said he did not like Trump's congratulations to Putin but thought the leak was worse. "If you don't like the guy, quit. But to be this duplicitous and continue to leak things out, it's dangerous," Rubio told reporters. White House officials have said that Trump is less trusting of Putin because of Russian activities in Ukraine, Syria and elsewhere. Last week, after initially equivocating about the chemical attack on the former Russian double agent in Salisbury, England, the White House joined a statement by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany in which they said they “abhor the attack” and blamed it on Moscow. Moscow has denied any involvement in the poisoning. The issue came up on Wednesday in a telephone call between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, who is scheduled to visit the White House in late April, according to a White House statement. "The presidents reiterated their solidarity with the United Kingdom in the wake of Russia’s use of chemical weapons against private citizens on British soil and agreed on the need to take action to hold Russia accountable," it said. But the poisoning incident did not appear to come up in Trump's call with Putin. "I don't believe that was discussed in today's call," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters on Tuesday. The leak incident was likely to revive questions about whether Trump would embark on more turnover in his senior staff after the departure of Rex Tillerson as secretary of state. Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, is widely seen as likely to leave at some point, and Kelly himself is said by Trump confidants to have tested the nerves of the president. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Toni Reinhold and Leslie Adler) -- © Copyright Reuters 2018-03-23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post lupin Posted March 23, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 23, 2018 Quote Senator John McCain, a longtime Putin critic, was even blunter, saying: "An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections.” mmmkay... where was McCain's and mainstream media's outrage when Obama did the same thing in 2012? 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post darksidedog Posted March 23, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 23, 2018 17 minutes ago, lupin said: mmmkay... where was McCain's and mainstream media's outrage when Obama did the same thing in 2012? Little harsh. At the time, Russia hadn't annexed Crimea, started war in the Ukraine, used chemical weapons in Syria or very recently poisoned people on foreign soil with nerve agents. To me McCain's comment seems perfectly reasonable and appropriate', especially given the way Putins major competitors were removed from the race. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post johnnybangkok Posted March 23, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 23, 2018 4 hours ago, lupin said: mmmkay... where was McCain's and mainstream media's outrage when Obama did the same thing in 2012? But, but, but............................. Obama!! When will you Trumpsters stop deflecting this mans abhorrent actions with the 'but when Obama did it....' Different times, different president, completely different situation. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 13 minutes ago, lupin said: I'm not an American and I cant stand trump... cant stand obama either. Obama is a private citizen now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnybangkok Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 5 minutes ago, lupin said: I'm not an American and I cant stand trump... cant stand obama either. Even worse then! I'd expect this kind of idiocy from the Trumpsters but if you don't even like the man, why comment on what is obviously two completely separate situations with two completely separate reasoning's? Deflection at it's finest. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 This says it all -- https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/21/opinions/leaks-about-putin-congratulations-are-outrageous-jennings/index.html Quote Trump's calls should be secret, but congratulating Putin is like praising boots when they crush ants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spidermike007 Posted March 23, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 23, 2018 5 hours ago, darksidedog said: Little harsh. At the time, Russia hadn't annexed Crimea, started war in the Ukraine, used chemical weapons in Syria or very recently poisoned people on foreign soil with nerve agents. To me McCain's comment seems perfectly reasonable and appropriate', especially given the way Putins major competitors were removed from the race. Thank you. It is increasingly apparent that King Vlad has something on Tiny Don. So, he continues kissing his Master's butt. For a man who spouts so much bluster, it is amazing how much leeway he gives the serial killing despot, multi billionaire dictator. Perhaps he admires the fact that Putin's fortune of $40 billion plus, is over 10 times what he has? 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgraham Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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