Report: Trump Congratulated Putin Despite 'Do Not Congratulate' Warning in Briefing Materials
- 6 years ago
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that President Trump's national security advisers had warned him against congratulating Vladimir Putin.
Hours after President Trump faced widespread criticism for congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin for his election victory, the Washington Post reported that he had been advised against doing so by his aides.
"Trump did not follow specific warnings from his national security advisers when he congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday on his reelection, including a section in his briefing materials in all-capital letters stating 'DO NOT CONGRATULATE,' according to officials familiar with the call," the Post noted.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters at a press briefing that Trump's call with Putin focused on shared interests and neither Russia's alleged U.S. election meddling nor the nerve agent attack in the U.K. was discussed.
Many Republicans were among those who criticized Trump's phone exchange with Putin.
"When I look at a Russian election, what I see is a lack of credibility in tallying the results," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "Calling him wouldn't have been high on my list."
Republican Senator John McCain also issued a statement slamming Trump. "An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections," McCain said. "And by doing so with Vladimir Putin, President Trump insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election to determine their country's future, including the countless Russian patriots who have risked so much to protest and resist Putin's regime." The call in question occurred two days after Putin won the race by an overwhelming margin, garnering 76% of the vote.
Hours after President Trump faced widespread criticism for congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin for his election victory, the Washington Post reported that he had been advised against doing so by his aides.
"Trump did not follow specific warnings from his national security advisers when he congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday on his reelection, including a section in his briefing materials in all-capital letters stating 'DO NOT CONGRATULATE,' according to officials familiar with the call," the Post noted.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters at a press briefing that Trump's call with Putin focused on shared interests and neither Russia's alleged U.S. election meddling nor the nerve agent attack in the U.K. was discussed.
Many Republicans were among those who criticized Trump's phone exchange with Putin.
"When I look at a Russian election, what I see is a lack of credibility in tallying the results," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "Calling him wouldn't have been high on my list."
Republican Senator John McCain also issued a statement slamming Trump. "An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections," McCain said. "And by doing so with Vladimir Putin, President Trump insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election to determine their country's future, including the countless Russian patriots who have risked so much to protest and resist Putin's regime." The call in question occurred two days after Putin won the race by an overwhelming margin, garnering 76% of the vote.