Trump’s Suspension of Russia Sanctions Draws Republican Backlash Too: “Beyond Irresponsible”

[Financial News]  

Both Democrats and Republicans, the party in power, are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would suspend sanctions on Russia in the name of “national interest.”
Republican lawmakers have strongly objected, according to The Hill, a publication covering Congress, on the 17th (local time).
Sen. Thom Tillis (North Carolina) sharply criticized the move as “beyond irresponsible.”
The night before, President Trump signed an executive order suspending implementation of the Russian sanctions law (the Graham Act). The law is intended to cut off Russia’s financial lifeline and end the war in Ukraine. Trump signed it last month but delayed its implementation, citing the “national interest.” It is a carrot to induce Russia to resume diesel exports in an effort to win back slipping voter support ahead of the midterm elections on November 3. As speculation mounts that Congress could move to impeach Trump if Democrats take control of both chambers in the midterms, Trump is scrambling to win over voters.  
In the executive order, Trump said, “I am suspending the application of these sanctions, restrictions, and obligations under the Graham Act,” adding, “I have submitted a letter to Congress explaining that this suspension serves the national interest of the United States at this time.”

On social media platform X, Tillis asked, “What part of implementing this law, which passed the Senate, do the president and his advisers not understand?” He said bluntly, “It is outrageous that this administration is surrendering to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine and massacres innocent civilians every day.”
Signed by Trump last September, the law was proposed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) and named after him. It authorizes sanctions on the five largest buyers of Russian energy or on countries that help Russia evade sanctions.
Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) also posted an article about the suspension of the Russian sanctions law on social media on the morning of the 17th and said, “Lindsey (Graham) would have been sickened.”
Rep. Don Bacon (Nebraska) said the executive order meant “the president is prolonging this war rather than ending it.”
Rep. Michael McCaul (Texas), who joined a letter from five House Republicans urging Trump to cancel the “Russian diesel deal,” also criticized the sanctions suspension on X that day, saying it was “going against the tide.”
McCaul said, “Once again, we’re seeing exactly how Putin gets concessions from the United States.”

Democrats unleashed harsh criticism.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), who played a leading role in getting the Graham Act through Congress, denounced Trump’s suspension of sanctions as “a cowardly act that lacks courage.”
On social media, Blumenthal said, “This suspension of sanctions has nothing to do with our national security; it is simply an attempt to pander to Vladimir Putin (the Russian president).”
Rep. Don Beyer (Virginia) wrote on X that the sanctions suspension was “a betrayal of our Ukrainian allies and a betrayal of Congress’s clear legislative intent to punish Russia for its illegal invasion.”
Some Republicans, however, defended Trump’s suspension of sanctions on Russia.
Rep. Thomas Massie (Kentucky) endorsed Trump’s decision on X on the 17th and criticized the sanctions law as “short-sighted.” Massie emphasized that he was one of only seven Republican lawmakers who voted against the law.
He said, “I welcome Trump using his presidential authority to suspend nearly every provision of this stupid law, which applies only to Russia.”

[email protected] Song Gyeong-jae Reporter