Been following CNN today. No, this is not what they've been talking about. https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-putin-helsinki/index.html These Republicans typically support Trump. Today was different. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images President Donald Trump's stunning news conference Monday next to Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he failed to back the US intelligence community's assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election over Putin's denial, is being widely panned by Democrats, former intelligence chiefs, and Republican critics like Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake. Today, there a few new voices in the pool of condemnations, most notably ones who typically supported Trump in the past like House Speaker Paul Ryan and Reps. Liz Cheney and Trey Gowdy. Here's what they said: House Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Ryan contradicted several comments Trump made during his Helsinki news conference, most notably backing the US intelligence community assessment that Russia meddled with the US 2016 presidential election. "There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world," said Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, in a statement. "That is not just the finding of the American intelligence community but also the House Committee on Intelligence." Ryan continued, "The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Mitch McConnell spoke briefly with reporters Monday, giving his support to the US intelligence community. "I've said a number of times and I say it again, the Russians are not our friends and I entirely believe the assessment of our intelligence community," the Kentucky Republican said. (He did not answer a question on whether he would tell Trump that he disagreed with him.) Rep. Trey Gowdy Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican who was among the Republicans leading last week's sharply partisan hearing of FBI agent Peter Strzok, made clear Monday he did not see Russia as a US ally. "I am confident former CIA Director and current Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, DNI Dan Coats, Ambassador Nikki Haley, FBI Director Chris Wray, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and others will be able to communicate to the President it is possible to conclude Russia interfered with our election in 2016 without delegitimizing his electoral success," Gowdy said in a statement. Rep. Liz Cheney Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican, tweeted: As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am deeply troubled by President Trump’s defense of Putin against the intelligence agencies of the U.S. & his suggestion of moral equivalence between the U.S. and Russia. Russia poses a grave threat to our national security. — Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) July 16, 2018 Sen. Orrin Hatch Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, a key Trump ally, issued a statement backing up the intelligence community. "Russia interfered in the 2016 election," Hatch said in a statement. "Our nation's top intelligence agencies all agree on that point. From the President on down, we must do everything in our power to protect our democracy by securing future elections from foreign influence and interference, regardless of what Vladimir Putin or any other Russian operative says. I trust the good work of our intelligence and law enforcement personnel who have sworn to protect the United States of America from enemies foreign and domestic." Republican congressman: "The ghost of Reagan is probably mad as hell" From CNN's Ryan Nobles Rep. Walter Jones, always a Republican outlier and one of a few House Republicans to sign onto Democratic legislation to protect Robert Mueller, said of today’s Trump-Putin press conference: “I’ve never been more disappointed in my life.” “The ghost of Reagan is probably mad as hell,” Jones said. Jones also said he would be “adamantly opposed” to Republican efforts to impeach Rod Rosenstein, calling him “a man of integrity and quality.” He said last week’s hearing with Peter Strzok was “stupid” for Republicans. Republican senator: Trump's remarks doubting in his intelligence team were not helpful From CNN's Maeve O’Brien and Teresita Galarce Crain Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, said she "strongly disagrees" with President Trump’s comments at the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and reaffirms congressional support for the intelligence community. “It’s certainly not helpful for the President to express doubt about the conclusions of his own team," she said. "He has assembled a first rate intelligence team handled by Dan Coats and I would hope that he would take their analysis over the predictable denials of President Putin.” Collins said she hopes the intelligence community will not get discouraged by Trump's remarks in Helsinki. “I certainly hope that the members of the intelligence community who worked so hard day and night to unravel what happened in 2016 do not get discouraged in any way by the President’s comments," she said. "I have great confidence in their ability, their dedication, and their analysis, and I think they know they have very strong support here on Capitol Hill.” ... Real news. It angers Russians and Trump supporters alike.
This lacks a source. But all that matters is that Trump trusts Putin and his intelligence a lot more, than his own intelligence. Who is a traitor now, ey? And it's on the subject of Putin rigging the US elections.
