‘The president’s disgraceful performance today — refusing to confront Putin even as he criticized American intelligence agencies — only underscores the dangers we’re facing.’
President Donald Trump Monday appeared to accept Russian President Vladimir Putin’s denial of interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
McConnell, Ryan need to put a stop to Trump
The indictment of 12 Russian intelligence officers on Friday was yet another reminder of ongoing Russian attempts to undermine our democracy using cyber attacks. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats issued a stark warning later in the day, comparing our current situation to the days leading up to 9/11: “The warning lights are blinking red again. Today, the digital infrastructure that serves this country is literally under attack.”
And it’s not just attacks on our elections: Russian government cyber actors have also attacked our power grid, nuclear facilities and American businesses.
With that as a backdrop, every American should be alarmed by the spectacle of President Donald Trump seeking out friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The president’s disgraceful performance today — refusing to confront Putin even as he criticized American intelligence agencies — only underscores the dangers we’re facing.
More: Stormy Daniels was targeted, by cops and a law that shouldn’t exist: Today’s talker
But we should be equally appalled by congressional inaction. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan have yet to allow a single vote on legislation to defend the U.S. against future attacks or prevent foreign meddling on Facebook. That negligence is inexcusable.
Congress should pass three bills immediately. First, the Secure Elections Act would strengthen our cyber defenses and provide much-needed assistance to state and local election officials on the front lines of defending our democracy. Second, the Honest Ads Act would help prevent manipulation by foreign actors by requiring that online political ads disclose their sponsors, just like ads on TV or radio. Third, the DETER Act would lay out specific sanctions that would be automatically imposed on Russia if the intelligence community determines that it has interfered in the 2018 elections.
We may not be able to fathom or prevent Trump’s affinity for Putin, but Republican congressional leaders do have the ability to check the president and protect the American people from further attacks — if they choose. And with the mid-term elections fast approaching, the situation is urgent.
Our Constitution makes Congress an equal branch of government alongside the executive, precisely for moments like this. Sen. McConnell and Speaker Ryan should do their jobs.
Andrew Albertson is the executive director of Foreign Policy for America, an advocacy group, and Treasurer of the Foreign Policy for America Action Network, which helps elect candidates who champion strong, principled American foreign policy.
What readers are saying
Trump believes Putin rather than all our intelligence agencies. What else do you need to know about Trump’s loyalty? Trump is a greater threat to our democracy than Putin is. We just witnessed Trump surrender to Putin!
— Walt Stasinski
So, who do we believe? The press? The Justice Department? The corrupt politicians? The parrots who mimic everything they hear from CNN without checking its validity?
I’ll believe in Trump because he’s no two-faced politician who tells you everything you want to hear.
— Jim Bradley
More: Brett Kavanaugh already misled Americans on important issues: Today’s talker
Well, there we have it. The Russian investigation can now be concluded. The Russians didn’t (and will never) meddle in internal American affairs. Meanwhile, the U.S. doesn’t (and never has) meddled in internal Russian affairs. We can all be friends now.
— Stefan Harasian
Not saying that Russia didn’t attempt to influence the election, they most likely did. I guess the question is: Are you also upset that the U.S. has been meddling in other countries’ elections? We’re supposed to be upset that someone (Russia) has turned the tables on us? That’s only convenient because it fits the current narrative of the 2016 election. The hypocrisy in our current politics is rancid.
— Mike Heffelfinger
What others are saying
David Corn
✔@DavidCornDC
Anyone who works for Trump is assisting a man who sides with a foreign adversary against his own country and the US government. You are enabling a treacherous puppet who cares more about his relationship with Putin than American national security interests.
Meghan McCain
✔@MeghanMcCain
I don’t have anything quippy to tweet. I’m horrified – and have never been more proud of the fact that Putin hates my father so much he personally sanctioned him on Russia’s enemies list.
Christopher C. Cuomo
✔@ChrisCuomo
How can trump believe putin as much (or more) than his own intel agencies on election interference? How can he blame both sides? Makes even less sense than it did in South Carolina. His written remarks bore little resemblance to how he ran down his own admin. Bizarre. #Helsinki
Jennifer Jacobs
✔@JenniferJJacobs
TRUMP: “I don’t see any reason why” Russia would have interfered in 2016 presidential election.
PUTIN: “Yes, I wanted him to win, because he was talking about normalizing the relationship between Russia and the U.S.”
