r/politics • u/AdeptnessDry2026 • 3h ago
No Paywall Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, saying waiver is in US national interest
https://apnews.com/article/russia-sanctions-trump-ukraine-e50c561ab805883bb4e484c092d8fadd?utm_source=app&utm_medium=iOS_share&utm_campaign=copy_link•
u/ITrageGuy 3h ago
How can a president legally put a law passed by Congress "on hold."
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u/coffinspacexdragon 3h ago
Because Congress does nothing to enforce their laws.
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u/GoodIdea321 America 3h ago
That's not their role, but they should be removing a president who is doing nothing to enforce the law.
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u/fauxbigbro 3h ago
i.e., they should enforce the penalties for his failure to uphold the standards of office?
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u/1cl1qp1 2h ago
The President works for Congress to enforce their laws. It's why they get to fire him.
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u/NelsonHawkinsGhost 3h ago
By exercising provisioning of said law... specifically, Section 115 of the Act contains a broad a national interest waiver... that authorizes the president to waive or suspend the mandatory sanctions, restrictions, and secondary tariffs imposed by the law, provided that the president submits a certification and report to Congress stating that the waiver is in the "national interest of the United States"..
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u/monkeywithgun 3h ago
So Republicans made sure to put a 'Trump can do whatever he want's' clause into the legislation... Complicit.
Vote every Republican out!
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u/NelsonHawkinsGhost 3h ago
National interest waivers are the standard boilerplate for nearly all US sanctions legislation... Congress usually includes 120 / 180-day renewable waivers to preserve the executive branch's constitutional authority over foreign policy and to ensure there is an emergency off-ramp if sanctions start inadvertently crashing the domestic economy / alienating key allies... except for the ones against Cuba.. America really hates Cuba.
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u/monkeywithgun 3h ago
except for the ones against Cuba
So ,except for when they really want to do something.
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u/Sitherio 3h ago
It sounds very poltical, keeping powers in control of their respective branch. It's just sad so much authority and enforcement has been given to the executive that gets a single person in charge of all said powers.
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u/Mysterious-Tie7039 3h ago
Maybe you don’t remember, but when he was first President Elect, Congress passed sanctions against Russia and then passed a bipartisan bill forcing the President to enact them by a certain date because they all KNEW how buddy buddy he was with Putin.
Trump just ignored it anyway.
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u/k6plays 3h ago
Because Congress is spineless and complicit in the fraud
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u/VoiceOfRealson 27m ago
To be precise - The Republican Party and all their current representatives, who currently hold majorities in both chambers of Congress are 100% complicit in everything Trump has done while in office.
They could stop him if they wanted to, but there has not even been a tiny sliver of protests from them on any of the numerous occasions, where Trump has gone directly against the law.
This election is indeed a referendum on Trumps presidency.
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u/chrisscan456 3h ago
We don’t have a president. We have a dictator and they can do stuff like that.
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u/padizzledonk New Jersey 3h ago
No
With this bootlicking sycophant congress? Yes, they will do nothing
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u/adorablefuzzykitten 3h ago
What does legally have to do with anything any more. It is in a certain someone's interest. Zero doubt about that.
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u/BeleagueredWDW 3h ago
Because he can, sadly, quite literally do whatever he wants with no repercussions. Remember, ALL conservatives/MAGA/republicans, all of them, worship him as a literal god.
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u/Crazy-Boysenberry452 3h ago
I'm mean he's doing it for bullshit reasons. By stating this is not in the best interest of the United States he can. The president as more overwhelming power to veto laws than he has to make executive orders. It was intended by the original framers of the constitution that the president could prevent a law from taking place if it was in not the best interest of the population. So to Answer your question, yes unfortunately he can do this. Good news is the framers didn't want the president to have executive powers to creat laws. So when he made a law saying the gulf of Mexico the golf of America. He was actually out of jurisdiction.
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u/make_em_say 3h ago
The original framers of the constitution could never, even in their most fevered, wildest dreams, imagined that a President like Trump would ever exist and treat the office the way he does.
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u/Randall_McRandall 3h ago
The Epstein files must be unbelievably horrific.
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u/FollowingFeisty5321 3h ago
Probably stuff while he was POTUS the first time round.
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u/Randall_McRandall 3h ago
Pretty much half his current Cabinet are in the files too.
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u/FollowingFeisty5321 3h ago
But only Trump could do it in the Oval Office or the President's Bedroom.
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u/Independent-Reader 3h ago
They demolished half the white house to cover up a crime.
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u/kyew 3h ago
Remember those innocent days when we thought this might just be because he had some ladies come over and wet the bed?
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u/spiraleyes78 3h ago
Oh my God 😵💫
I was certain an embarrassing history for Trump couldn't have been something that far fetched.
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u/BaronVonStevie Louisiana 3h ago
Putin is playing Trump like a fiddle. He has pictures and/or videos
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u/CuddleCorn 3h ago
I honestly don't think even that evidence if leaked would drop his polling any further than the existing floor
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u/Sirsillybutt 3h ago
At this point anyone who still holds any positive opinion of him is beyond help or reasoning. Being able to openly hate minorities and gay people is more important.
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u/allgamer101 3h ago
Clearly Trump, or his handlers, think otherwise for Trumpie to 'pleasure' Putin like this
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u/OriginalChildBomb 3h ago
I think it could be CSA acts themselves filmed/photographed, and/or evidence of Trump with men or boys, and/or clear and overt evidence of murder. And he's absolutely not the only one they have Kompromat on.
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u/dangernoodlezzz 2h ago
I mean we had a bunch of senators go to Russia for forth of July 2018
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/seven-gop-lawmakers-make-misguided-trip-russia-msna1119676
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u/ZyklonCraw-X 3h ago
If what's already leaked and public doesn't move the needle, it's hard to believe anything more will.
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u/3BlindMice1 3h ago
What about a video of Trump violently raping a 12 year old girl while she screams?
Republicans would say it's fake because the news blurred too much of it to see anything
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u/blade24 2h ago
Yeah I don’t think that would move the needle for his supporters.
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u/King_of_the_Kobolds 2h ago
One of many terrible things about AI is that we're already past the point that there isn't any possible HD video that fanatics can't claim is AI.
True, before LLMs they could have claimed it fake in any number of other ways, and many absolutely would. But something truly crystal clear and high definition would have been much harder to dispute, I think. I believe any tapes in the Epstein Files of Trump doing horrible things would have been enough to take him down in 2016, but in 2026, the waters are just too muddy.
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u/Ok_Lettuce_7939 3h ago
I don't understand...you know he's a pedophile, I know he's a pedo, his voters know and proudly wear shirts acknowledging this and saying they don't care...what could possibly be more horrific than this.
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u/wheatgivesmeshits Texas 3h ago
He's a bottom.
I'm not saying that's worse, but it would be worse to his supporters.
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u/Squirrely__Dan 1h ago
He’s incontinent from being entered by a broomstick. It was in the files that were released, then scrubbed. That’s why everyone around tries to plug their nose or do their best to minimize their facial expressions of disgust. He’s constantly shitting and leaking, it’s why he has to wear the diapers. It’s why they got him a blonde aide specifically to hold his diaper bag. He reeks all the time.
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u/CriticalEngineering North Carolina 3h ago
I don’t get what could possibly worry him. He’s Teflon coated. I can’t fathom a scandal that would actually stick at this point.
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u/Popzagon 3h ago
Honestly… I’m tired of this generic ass comment on every post. Not because it’s in accurate but because nothing will ever come from the files, no one will get arrested and it infuriates me
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u/APoisonousMushroom 3h ago
“Krasnov, I’m about to lose control.. it is time. You know what will be released if I’m killed.”
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u/DrEzechiel 1h ago
This may have nothing to do with the Wpstein Files, and all to do with Trump's dislike of Zelenskiy and all to do with his admiration for Putin
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u/Nimitz4646 3h ago
Oh look, something a Russian asset would do.
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u/Mikethebest78 3h ago
For a man who says that Russia doesn't dictate his actions or control him he is acting very much like a man controlled by Russia.
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u/altsuperego 3h ago
What more could he do besides bomb Ukraine? Next thing you know he'll be sending them food and Nvidia chips. I can't wait till we learn what he turned for all those years ago.
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u/cpav8r 3h ago
So he can just put laws on hold now?
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u/Truthisnotallowed 3h ago
Welcome to the United States of Trumpistan.
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u/HurtFeeFeez 3h ago
The USSA, Americans have yet to wise up to the fact they no longer live in a democracy. When the midterms get fucked with I doubt that'll be the catalyst either.
Still in denial, enjoy it while it lasts. I wish you guys would hurry it along through anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Then maybe you'll do something.
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u/SpudgeBoy 3h ago
Trump is a traitor to the United States of America and so is anyone else who is still supporting him.
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u/gitrjoda 3h ago
Move aside Neville Chamberlain
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u/Onikeeg 3h ago
Christ is this the Munich Agreement 2.0? For decades that was used as a warning by almost all western governments because of its historic failure.
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u/KrustyButtCheeks 3h ago
We are so fucked if the republicans maintain control after the midterms. I usually wouldn’t think that but he is just going for it.
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u/Acceptable-Bus-2017 I voted 3h ago
At the same time, I worry about how vindictive he will be when they lose and his co-conspirators give everything they have to maintain control by any means necessary. The next two years are going to be rough.
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u/Ormsfang 3h ago
So buying Russian oil is in national interest even though Russia is getting pull from Iran in exchange for weapons and Intel to use against American troops?
Sounds more like treason to me
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u/Significant-Oil-8793 1h ago
On buying Russian oil, read through the article
It also directed Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries that import less than 15% of Russia's natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those imports.
You know why they only target top 5? Because just after that are EU countries - France, Spain, Netherlands, Hungary and Slovakia
This sanction sounds like they are actually trying to stop some countries but not ones that have stronger lobbying groups in the US.
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u/blue_quark 3h ago edited 3h ago
This is simply more proof that Russia has been playing the long game with Trump. That was their plan when they first compromised Trump. Many observers have questioned why Putin has not pulled the trigger and publicly released information exposing Trump but the Russians have always believed the goose still has had more gold to lay. They will continue to exercise leverage against him for the remainder of his current term. They will continue after he leaves office to exploit his outspokenness. They will likely continue to exercise leverage against his children following his death as a result of their corrupt moves during his lifetime. As I started with, Russia plays a long game.
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u/pumpkinspicecum 3h ago
I’m Canadian and it’s insane the way he treats Canada, a (former) ally, and other allies, compared to Russia, who is supposed to be an adversary. We get tariffs and threats, Russia gets sanctions removed and special favors
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u/OG_2_tone420 3h ago
The President of the United States of America is a Russian asset and spy, and this only garners a 30 second headline. Most Americans do not even know it is occurring and they all have instant information in the palm of their hands.
There is no way that America is not finished. It’s not because of the government, or because of the military, or because of some other country. It’s because of the citizen. The American population is the reason that the U.S. is likely going to fall in my lifetime. Congratulations dipshits! You successfully achieved the award for dumbest demographic on the face of the earth.
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u/Intelligent-Ad1753 2h ago
Yes I keep remembering a wise reddit quote: "I hate Trump voters more than Trump".
With fact-checking available online in seconds, this has to be the dumbest voting block in US history.
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u/girutikuraun 3h ago
Waiver is in Trump's national interest. None of his acts have been beneficial to the US in the slightest.
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u/citizenjones 3h ago
Historically speaking, Russia's lil bitch being President of the United States is the sickest post cold war maneuver imaginable. Shittiest spy novel to live through.
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u/YamTurd 1h ago
There was a movie on this. The Manchurian Candidate
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u/llsquib 34m ago
Radio Free Albemuth by Philip K Dick. The president was literally a Russian agent who makes people take loyalty tests. There was a film adaptation on Netflix that stayed pretty close to the source material also.
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u/128-NotePolyVA 3h ago
In any normal situation this would be unconstitutional - a POTUS can’t override a law passed by Congress and signed by himself.
However, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was a weak law that gave the president broad waiver authority over many of its provisions. Of course it was. This Congress is packed with Trumpkins and they need to go come November.
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u/JoeMagnifico 3h ago edited 3h ago
Gawdamnit. This motherfucker is a Russian asset and nobody is doing a damn thing about it. Come on CIA, FBI, Avengers, He-Man, someone please help!
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u/TheCredibleHulk7 3h ago
They’ve all been taken over by the Trump coup a while ago.
If Avengers and He Man existed in this timeline, they’d be Maga AF or they would’ve been pushed out by now.
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u/_Flight_of_icarus_ 3h ago
I guess he no longer feels the need to hide or deny being Putin's lapdog now.
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u/Prestigious-Car-4877 Canada 3h ago
He’s got a few months left to keep it up. And that’s just the safe period.
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u/Crazy-Boysenberry452 3h ago
Wasn't this Lindsay Graham dream bill? Lol
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u/Bishopjones2112 3h ago
Re election of GOP is not a national interest. The United States is a completely corrupt traitor to the world.
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u/MaxCauliflowerPower 3h ago
We've known Donnie was a Russian asset for years, we don't need to keep being reminded.
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u/DrRoXo777 3h ago
Yes.... yes we do! As often as possible. People should be shouting about it.
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u/MaxCauliflowerPower 3h ago
I meant it as Trump doesnt need to keep reminding us who his boss is. Not that people shouldnt be talking about it, of course they should be talking about it.
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u/Riff_Moranis 3h ago
Trump is a clear and present danger, an overt traitor to the the nation, and an enemy of the state.
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u/oldpaddyrick 2h ago edited 2h ago
It’s a quid pro quo for election meddling.
It’s wild to me no one did anything about this:
Targeted shit in GA, PA, and MI. No one investigated it. Nothing happened.
It’s like everyone forgot that it even happened. In a sane country this would have been THE STORY for months. The media is complicit. Fucking crickets.
Elected officials in all 3 states did NOTHING! Just completely swept under the rug like it didn’t even happen.
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u/NameLips 1h ago
When the two are in conflict, doesn't congressional law trump executive orders?
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u/AliceLunar 3h ago
America currently on all fours getting spit-roasted, Israel and Russia front and back doing an eiffel tower, somehow the person responsible for making this happen is making the country great again and the people who support him are somehow patriotic.
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u/No_Friend4042 3h ago
Trump is weak on Russia... the pee tape has gotta be something
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u/Acceptable-Bus-2017 I voted 3h ago edited 3h ago
I love how Lindsey might have been assassinated by Russia and the bill named after him is being desecrated by Trump less than 2 months later while his FBI and CIA directors are visiting Moscow and Putin will meet Trump in Florida in a couple months. Can we like start doing something about any of this yet? Please
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u/Altruistic-Year9648 3h ago
This traitor needs to pay his bot farm bill, came a little early after Ukraine hit em
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u/Emotional-Expert-142 3h ago
For diesel that is 10-14 days supply for the US? And is spread out over how many months?
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u/Agentkeenan78 Tennessee 2h ago
"Russia Russia Russia" he says. Yeah we know. The only question remains is if he is an asset, is being blackmailed, or is just so in love with strong men that he feels the need to help them in every way, no matter if they're an adversary.
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u/kalamazoo43 2h ago
Why wouldn’t he go against congress to help Putin? There’s been absolutely no resistance whenever he’s showed his true allegiance in the past.
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u/DiscoLemonade1995 2h ago
Putin definitely has nothing on Trump! Totally natural move to have a US president do this and feature a picture of Putin in the white house
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u/7nth_Wonder 3h ago
We have to flip this crap at the mid terms.
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u/ang3lofsnow 3h ago
How? He override congress. They passed it. He said "nah"
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u/NeverLookBothWays I voted 3h ago
There are ways to override a president too. They just don't have the courage to follow through.
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u/Reviews-From-Me 3h ago
Who would have thought the Russian agent reality tv celebrity is going out of his way to help Russia?
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u/jj2009128 3h ago
“It gives the president tools that he can use if he so chooses, to end the war through economic sanctions,” Graham said Sunday during a debate in Columbia. “So that’s up to him as to whether or not he wants to use it..."
So essentially the President decides whether to abide by the law or not. Not sure this is what Lindsey wanted.
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u/FrankieMint Tennessee 3h ago
So the legislation passed by congress was ... Not in the US' national interest?
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u/Quiet325 3h ago
I really think this is going to sink the GOP. This is crazy stuff that most of America ain’t on board with.
He’s flailing, hard.
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u/BuddhaLennon 2h ago
Trump has never done anything in the US national interest. It’s only ever been about himself.
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u/godtalks2idiots 44m ago
Traitor says stuff. Betrays country. Senators do nothing about law they passed.
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u/MoogleVivi 41m ago
It will never not be funny that the US voted in a Russian asset not once, but twice.
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u/khalamar California 3h ago
That idiot cares about US national interest as much as I care about my first diaper.
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u/mishma2005 3h ago
No, it's in his interest, Putin has the kompromat. He's only been grooming our stupid president since the 80s
B/w him and Netanyahu I really wish one of them would spill the tea
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u/Few-Ad7795 3h ago
Putin really would be easier to negotiate with than Zelensky, if you're prepared to let Putin have whatever he wants.
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u/alius_stultus 3h ago
who knew president could just do anything they want. Joe Biden, Obama, and Clinton all said so many things were completely out of their hands.
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u/ViolettaQueso California 3h ago
Darline Graham needs to tell Trump to get wrecked.
She’s getting used and it isn’t going to end how she thinks it is.
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u/drethnudrib 3h ago
He knows the Supreme Court won't be back in session until December, and a lower court will let his EO stand. All he wants is cheaper gas before the midterms, no matter if he has to suck Satan's dick to get it.
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u/Platooimagination Australia 2h ago
Arrest the President / We got the evidence / this n**** is Russian intelligence (Ice Cube, years ago)
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u/onemansquest 52m ago
Took out/ let Russia take out Graham then put his sister in power out of guilt just so he could scrap Lindsey's law. You can't make this stuff up../s?
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