Trump Hits Congress Over Russia Sanctions Bill Day After Signing It

President Donald Trump speaks during a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump speaks during a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, July 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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President Donald Trump on Thursday morning reiterated his displeasure with the Russia sanctions bill he signed on Wednesday, blaming Congress for an “all-time” low relationship with Russia in an angry tweet.

Trump signed the bill, which imposes new sanctions on Russia, North Korea, and Iran, on Wednesday. He accompanied his signature with two statements bashing the legislation, but Congress passed the bills with veto-proof majorities, forcing Trump’s hand on the matter.

In the statements, he said that the bill was “seriously flawed” since it limits the president’s powers — the bill limits the president’s ability to ease sanctions on Russia without approval from Congress.

“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.  The Framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the hands of the President.  This bill will prove the wisdom of that choice,” Trump said in the statement.

Yet, he said he signed the bill “for the sake of national unity.”

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Notable Replies

  1. First: I thought he was a great negotiator and could get things done? What happened Donny? (sorry obvious but couldn’t resist).

    Second: couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of congressmen/women. The GOP enabled him and deluded themselves about working with him, now they get to face a “GOP” President attacking his own party/congress. Let’s see how long they stay onboard now that they are the ones being targeted. They were just fine when it was women/Clintons/immigrants. Hahahaha.

  2. He signs if for ¨national unity¨, and then he turns around and slags it … for what, exactly? Where is the political upside to continuing to criticize a bill that is veto-proof?

    ETA: I guess I should know better at this point than to try an ascribe some coherent political plan behind everything Trump tweets. He tweets like he defecates: sometimes it´s involuntary.

  3. As I read the article, I had to stifle several yawns. Who knew that a Trump “twirade” could be so worthy of dismissal?

  4. It’s such a relief someone finally got him to dial back the tweets.

    Thanks, General Kelly.

  5. If you were bothered so much, you could have refused to sign it.

    Naaaww!

    Winning!

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