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Has Trump Finally Gone Too Far? (Video)

Trump and Putin
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (Source: YouTube)
OREGON—(ENEWSPF)—July 16, 2018
By: Rosemary Piser

If you are among the millions of Americans that really love this country, then you were as sickened as I was to see Donald Trump’s shocking performance during today’s Press Conference with his pal Russian President Vladimir Putin. There’s no longer any doubt where Trump stands on the matter of Russian involvement in the 2016 election. As he clearly stated today, he believes Putin’s lies over his own intelligence agencies.

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As former CIA Director John Brennan said, Trump’s performance “rises to and exceeds the threshold of ‘high crimes and misdemeanors.’ It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you?”

Trump may have gone too far with his performance this time as not only are Democrats disgusted, but many Republicans were quick to offer their criticism. Even several Fox News pundits were chastising Trump’s un-American remarks.

Many of us, myself included, have been very vocal about the lack of criticism from the Republicans about Trump’s pathological lying and going out of his way to alienate our Allies. And through all this, the Republicans have essentially said and done nothing.

But today seems to be a very different day. Here’s a sample of what has been said today by the Republicans about Trump’s remarks:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), “I have said a number of times, I’ll say it again: The Russians are not our friends. And I entirely believe the assessment of our intelligence community.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), “There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. 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.”

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming), “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.”

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), “It’s certainly not helpful for the President to express doubt about the conclusions of his own team. 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.”

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tennessee), Trump “made us look like a pushover. I was very disappointed and saddened with the equivalency that he gave between them (the US intelligence agencies) and what Putin was saying,”

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), “I think members of Congress believe as I do that Russia did attempt to meddle in the election.”

Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona), “I never thought I would see the day when our American President would stand on the stage with the Russian President and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression. This is shameful.”

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-South Carolina), “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.”

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), “Missed opportunity by President Trump to firmly hold Russia accountable for 2016 meddling and deliver a strong warning regarding future elections. This answer by President Trump will be seen by Russia as a sign of weakness and create far more problems than it solves.”

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), “Russia interfered in the 2016 election. 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.”

Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) and former undercover CIA officer, “I’ve seen the Russian intelligence manipulate many people many people in my career, and I never would have thought the US President would be one of them.”

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois), “The American people deserve the truth, & to disregard the legitimacy of our intelligence officials is a disservice to the men & women who serve this country. It’s time to wake up & face reality. #Putin is not our friend; he’s an enemy to our freedom.”

Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-New Jersey), “I strongly disagree with statement that Russia did not meddle in 2016 election. With all I have seen on House Intel Committee and additional indictments of 12 Russian officers last week, it is clear Russia’s intentions. President Trump missed opportunity to hold Putin publicly accountable.”

Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), Trump’s comments were “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”

Senator Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska) rebuked Trump’s statement that he held “both countries responsible” for the deteriorated relationship between the United States and Russia.  “This is bizarre and flat-out wrong. The United States is not to blame. America wants a good relationship with the Russian people but Vladimir Putin and his thugs are responsible for Soviet-style aggression. When the President plays these moral equivalence games, he gives Putin a propaganda win he desperately needs.”

So at the end of the day, it’s time for each of us to decide if you believe the facts from our government’s experts  in the Intelligence Community or the lies from Donald Trump? Or an easier question to answer, “Are you siding with the United States or are you siding with Trump and Putin?”

Clearly this is a time for action. To paraphrase former CIA Director John Brennan “American Patriots: Where are you?”

Rosemary Piser is the Associate Editor of eNewsPark Forest. The views expressed here are her own and not that of the publication.

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