Washington Post: Trump signs Russia sanctions bill, but makes clear he’s not happy about it
President Trump on Wednesday signed into law a bill that imposes new sanctions on Russia, but he immediately expressed doubts about its constitutionality and criticized Congress for giving itself greater powers to prevent him from rolling back penalties aimed at Moscow.
Trump's reluctant signing of the legislation came nearly a week after it was approved by overwhelming, bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate that assured any veto could be overridden. Trump’s statement, however, raised questions about whether he will enforce all its provisions.
He called the bill — which imposes new penalties on Russia, Iran and North Korea — “seriously flawed,” primarily because it restricts his ability to negotiate sanctions concerning Moscow without congressional approval.
“By limiting the Executive’s flexibility, this bill makes it harder for the United States to strike good deals for the American people, and will drive China, Russia, and North Korea much closer together,” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday morning. “The Framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the hands of the President. This bill will prove the wisdom of that choice.”
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WNU Editor: I would love to see his face when he signed it. This bill undercuts his Russian policy, his ability to conduct foreign policy in general, and there are going to repercussions (and consequences) from it.
More News On President Trump Signing The Russian Sanctions Bill
Trump blasts Russia sanctions bill, but still signs it -- AP
Trump signs Russia sanctions bill; Moscow calls it 'trade war' -- Reuters
Donald Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill for ‘Sake of National Unity’ -- NBC
Trump signs Russia sanctions bill but blasts Congress -- Politico
Trump Signs 'Significantly Flawed' Sanctions Bill -- VOA
Russian PM: Trump has shown ‘total weakness’ by signing sanctions bill -- The Hill
Trump: Newly signed Russia sanctions law ‘seriously flawed’ -- RT
The last 4 paragraphs of Trump’s signing statement on Russia are an F-you to Congress -- VOX
He should have deep sixed it and waited for congress to request it.
ReplyDeleteThis is like the Jan intel report to make tbe Russia collusion with Trump campaign a fact.
https://wonkette.com/621083/trump-signs-russian-sanctions-with-tiny-fingers-crossed-behind-his-back
ReplyDeleteTwo Presidential statements as caviat's,
One professionally written by the Alt-Reich House Staff,
The other a whiney complaint noting:
… [T]he bill remains seriously flawed — particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch’s authority to negotiate. Congress could not even negotiate a healthcare bill after seven years of talking. […]
Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. […]
I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As President, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress.
LMFAO
Agreed, he should have "deep sixed" it or whatever he could have done. By signing this travesty he is on record as agreeing even though he says it is "flawed."
ReplyDeleteA person whose instincts tell him what is right but lacks the courage of his convictions to act on them is perhaps worse than a person who is pure evil.
The only hope now seems to be that some good diplomacy can be conducted around the margins by Mr. Tillerson and perhaps some of Mr. Trump's associates, time can be bought, and we can negotiate an end to Cold War 2 when the US has saner leadership.
"Trump is a chump." Right now I can't materially disagree. I never really was a big supporter of him. As an egomaniac that he always seems to have been, the fact that he caved here doesn't surprise me.
ReplyDeleteWhen men and women of principle do the right thing, they often have to walk alone facing persecution and much worse. DJT has failed this round UNLESS he has sone "trick up his sleeve" that I'm not aware of.
Such would require shrewdness and cunning. Thus far he has behaved like "a bull in a china closet." Such creatures are not "cunning." One who is intelligent or acting in US intersts does not dump a million gallons of fuel on the raging fire that is Cold War 2 as this bill does.
The Great White Dope is the most compromised President ever,
ReplyDeleteHe and his Campaign used laundered Russian money, and colluded with the Russians/Wikileaks/Assange to rig the election and sabotage US Democracy.
The only reason he's not being perp walked out to a DC Capital Police Car right now, ( will they follow protocol and protect his head, when they put him in the back seat, or will they do as he inferred in his speech, and slam his head into the door frame? Inquiring minds want to know!)
Is the House and Senate Republican's believe they can still use him to push through their Tax Cut's for Billionaires Programs.
On the other hand, he can't roll over on the Russian's, because Putin has the pee tapes, the wire transfer records, a list of the numbered companies and who actually owns them, and the 4 angle video of Hair Twitler throwing Gorokov out the window on Putin's orders.
Jay,
ReplyDeleteIf any of this can end Cold War 2, so be it. The Russians can do whatever they wish.
When the end to Cold War 1 was negotiated, Ronald Reagan engaged in some rather heated rhetoric that he and his team could never hope to back up. The Russians allowed him to step down from his ridiculous stupidity and allowed him to save face.
Since Putin wants to end Cold War 2, this is our best chance. He "wants" to end it. He does not "have" to. In contrast, America "has" to end it. Putin says continue this and "make my day." The future Russian leadership will not be so accomadating.
In poker when you "don't have the cards," you "fold." In other words, America does not "have the cards" here. As such, "fold" is the only option. Since this is NOT a game, making the proper decision is even more important. America's very survival hangs in the balance. Of course a true statesman never would have entered us into an unwinnable "game" in the first place.
At a minimum, treat Russia as an equal, act accordingly, recognize Crimea=Russia, oppose the Kiev government, and good things are possible. This definitely does MOT mean we agree with Russia on everything nor do we submit to tnem on anything at least they might respect us. With respect comes the possibility of a negotiated end to the conflict.
Well, this bill was almost unanimous from Congress. This mean Trump had no choice than signing it, he cannot put any veto. So, why talking about Trump?
ReplyDeleteJac,
ReplyDeletePerhaps he could have vetoed on principle and let chips fall where they may from there. Where I come from you sign something you are acknowledging your support for it. As such, ethics would mean you refuse to sign (if possible) or veto, as is seems possible from all I've read. Of course Congress overrides the veto. I'm thinking a veto would've gone a long way with the Russian leadership and the Russian people. POTUS would've done well for American economic and security interests to "fall on his sword" if necessary and VETO THE BILL
He didn't do this. As stated, one does not pourvone million gallons of fuel on the raging fire of Cold War 2 for the sake of "national unity." POTUS has failed us. I'm not surprised. I never suspected this to be man of character or integrity.
He did have the good sense to surround himself with people who have/had good relations with the Russians. Perhaps they can work along the margins to help defuse the situation and when America gets saner leadership the job can be completed.
Trumpocalypse Now.
ReplyDeleteAGAIN,
R