Hoyer Statement on the Trump-Putin Summit
Press Types
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
July 16, 2018
Contact Info:
Annaliese Davis 202-225-4131
HOYER: THIS MORNING’S MEETING WAS A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF WHY OUR FOUNDERS CREATED A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES; NOW, IT IS UP TO CONGRESS TO ENSURE THAT SYSTEM WORKS
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after President Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin:
“Never did I imagine I would watch a President of the United States stand beside the Russian President and defend him against our own intelligence agencies and law enforcement. Why is it that President Trump chooses to take Vladimir Putin at his word while refusing to accept the careful determination of our nation’s intelligence agencies that Russia’s government interfered in our election? Nobody is trying to re-litigate the 2016 election, but we need to get to the facts and hold those responsible accountable for attacking our democratic institutions. Today’s meeting and press conference were extraordinary for what they revealed about this President’s priorities and whether he can be trusted to defend our country against the threats we face.
“Today, the American people watched President Trump refuse to hold Russia accountable and continue to cozy up to its autocratic leader. We saw him deflect, dissemble, and undermine American law enforcement professionals, all while praising Russia’s dictator. When directly asked if he believes America’s own intelligence agencies assertions over President Putin’s empty denials, he refused to say so, instead attacking the special counsel’s investigation and anyone else he could conjure to draw attention away from himself. This morning’s meeting was a textbook example of why our Founders created a system of checks and balances; now, it is up to Congress to ensure that system works. I continue to urge House Republicans – who have been complicit in this President’s attempts to undermine our national security – to bring legislation to the Floor to protect Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation.”
“Never did I imagine I would watch a President of the United States stand beside the Russian President and defend him against our own intelligence agencies and law enforcement. Why is it that President Trump chooses to take Vladimir Putin at his word while refusing to accept the careful determination of our nation’s intelligence agencies that Russia’s government interfered in our election? Nobody is trying to re-litigate the 2016 election, but we need to get to the facts and hold those responsible accountable for attacking our democratic institutions. Today’s meeting and press conference were extraordinary for what they revealed about this President’s priorities and whether he can be trusted to defend our country against the threats we face.
“Today, the American people watched President Trump refuse to hold Russia accountable and continue to cozy up to its autocratic leader. We saw him deflect, dissemble, and undermine American law enforcement professionals, all while praising Russia’s dictator. When directly asked if he believes America’s own intelligence agencies assertions over President Putin’s empty denials, he refused to say so, instead attacking the special counsel’s investigation and anyone else he could conjure to draw attention away from himself. This morning’s meeting was a textbook example of why our Founders created a system of checks and balances; now, it is up to Congress to ensure that system works. I continue to urge House Republicans – who have been complicit in this President’s attempts to undermine our national security – to bring legislation to the Floor to protect Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation.”