WASHINGTON (AP) – House Speaker Paul Ryan says there’s “no question” that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and continues to try undermine democracy in the United States and around the world.
The Wisconsin Republican says the American intelligence community and the House Intelligence Committee agree that Russia interfered in the election. He adds: “The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally.” Ryan says Russia “remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals.”
The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy.”
A top Republican senator says President Donald Trump’s refusal to condemn Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election makes the U.S. “look like a pushover” in dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says Mr. Trump’s performance at a summit with Putin was not “a good moment for our country. This was a very good day for President Putin.”
Senator John McCain calls President Donald Trump’s press conference “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”
The Arizona Republican says the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki was “a tragic mistake.”
One Republican senator says critics of President Donald Trump’s approach to Russia are “mistaken” and points out that the United States has also picked sides in other countries’ elections.
Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky says it’s important for the U.S. to keep an open dialogue with its adversaries, especially if it hopes to motivate them to change their behavior.
Paul tells The Associated Press, “We should look for ways to make the dialogue better.”
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