Blumenthal Slams Trump Waiver of Bipartisan, Congressionally Authorized Sanctions on Russian War Enablers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), co-author of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act passed overwhelmingly by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s blanket waiver of primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions authorized by the legislation target Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, and Russian banks and financial institutions, as well as the Russian Shadow Fleet. “Donald Trump confirms again that he stands on the side of a bloodthirsty thug and the enablers of Russia’s war machine and against the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, and our European allies,” Blumenthal said. “These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin. I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in condemning this craven, cowardly action.” -30-