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.”
Thank you, John, for your comments condemning Mr Trump’s cozying up to Mr Putin. Now what will YOU do to protect our Democracy from both of them?
Well said, Shirley; …And a great place to start might be to call for Mueller’s subpoena of Trump now that he
demonstrated to the world an open collusion with Putin that can not be denied or minimized.
It is interesting to compare the two statement releases. Patrick Maloney is comprehensive about the historic gravity of this betrayal by an American President to a foreign dictator, along with the depth of involvement by Putin’s government agency and accomplices (thus far) indited by Mueller’s investigation. It is pretty clear that there is no excusing this crisis situation at any level foreign or domestic. Faso wisely disagrees with Trump’s actual “approach” and then states the obvious about Putin and acknowledges that he “meddled” with our elections.
Much of the rest is a paraphrase that Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and other top Republicans have carefully stated to insulate themselves from the obvious insult from Trump on the World Stage. The fact is that he does not in any way, shape or form actually criticize Trump himself. Read the two statements again. He does not condemn Trump for any transgressions of historic importance; he simply disagrees with his approach.
It is of some credit that Faso admits that the Russians infiltrated and “meddled” in our elections. However, in an interview just four months ago Faso also specifically stated (quote) “The basic political charge here was there was some effort to collude or conspire with Russian intelligence in order to affect the outcome of the election,” Faso said. “There’s not been a single shred of evidence that anything that was done affected the outcome of the election. That is clear. No one has even alleged it now.” ”[http://www.troyrecord.com/article/TR/20180310/NEWS/180319977]…and to be fair, Faso did support Robert Mueller’s investigation in that interview entitled: “U.S. Rep. John Faso supports Mueller investigation, but sees no Trump ties with Russia (ibid)”
No ties to Russia? I did not see anything in his statement that suggests any change from that position.
Credibility is in the eye of the beholder. And in that regard Faso’s statement is mere eye wash and a safe
party posturing.
TRUMP SHOULD BE CRINIMAL CHARGED TREASON AGAINST THE USA
Thanks To Bernie Sanders We Have Trump For President. Foolish Liberals Casused Hillary C. To Not Win.
All Canidates Are Full Of B/S. We Need Direct Democray 100%
Citizrns Choose The Supreme Court, Citizens Are The Supreme Court, Not Old Men In Black Suits.
THANK YOU BERNIE SANDERS, NOW WE HAVE TRUMP.
USA IN GREAT DANGER, TRUMP IS NOT FIT FOR OFFICE AND DANGEROUS.