Congressman John Faso criticized President Donald Trump’s statements in today’s press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Appearing alongside the Russian president in Helsinki, Finland, Trump blamed the United States for the two country’s poor relationship. In response to a journalist asking him to condemn Russia’s meddling with the U.S. election in 2016, Trump said, “[Putin] just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be” before turning the subject to Hillary Clinton’s emails.
Faso, the incumbent Republican in New York’s 19th Congressional District, released the following statement:
“I do not agree with the approach taken by President Trump at today’s press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin is no friend to the United States. There is no credibility to Putin’s denials especially in light of the public evidence and our own U.S. intelligence reports. We know the Russians meddled in our elections and we must continue our sanctions and diplomatic pressure against Putin’s actions.”
Faso wasn’t alone among Republicans in criticizing the president’s words. Senator John McCain called the press conference “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”
Sean Patrick Maloney, the incumbent Democrat in New York’s 18th Congressional District, also released a statement critical of the president:
“For the first time in history, the American President has sided with a hostile foreign dictator over the FBI and his own country. I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s not normal and it makes America look weak. Over 100 charges have been brought against Putin allies and even Russian Government agents. They did it – there’s no question. Russia has to be held accountable and our president needs to stand up for the country he’s supposed to be leading. Mueller will soon tell us the key piece – whether American citizens conspired with the now-indicted Russians.”
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