Trump Exempts Russia From Sanctions, Defying Bipartisan Pressure
Amid significant backlash, US President Donald Trump defended his choice to exempt Russia from extensive sanctions mandated by a new law, claiming that many were unaware of the implications of his decision. “A lot of you don’t know what my decision is yet, but we’ll figure it out, and you’ll figure it out,” Trump told at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Miami on Saturday evening. “It’s a very good decision, and it’s going to be a decision that’s good for the country, and I think good for the world because we’re really at a world stage,” Trump said.
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order that exempts Russia from the new sanctions measure known as the Graham Act, which was passed by the US Congress last month. The executive order also granted a waiver from 100 percent tariffs on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. The order stipulates that the waivers will continue to be effective until the President or the Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Trade Representative, as necessary, decide that additional measures are warranted. Trump’s decision to waive sanctions on Russia faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, who recently united to pass the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act with overwhelming support.
Senator Darline Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, expressed her criticism of Trump for exempting Russia from a sanctions law that was both championed by and named after her late brother, Lindsey. “Personally, I would choose to put the pressure on Russia to end the war and get gas prices down, because I don’t trust Putin, and I don’t trust Russia,” said Graham, who was endorsed by Trump to fill in the Senate seat that fell vacant due to the death of her brother. “Beyond irresponsible,” said Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, on social media. “What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisors not understand,” Tillis said. “It’s unconscionable that this administration is capitulating to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine,” he said.
Tillis stated that if Trump aims to effectively reduce energy prices, he ought to address the conflict in Iran, which is primarily attributed to the increase in fuel costs, rather than providing assistance to Vladimir Putin. Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas remarked, “Lindsey would be appalled,” in reference to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who dedicated significant effort to the bill prior to his passing this summer. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, asserted that Trump is disregarding Congress and facilitating Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war of aggression. She urged her colleagues to take measures to alter the current trajectory.
