Lawrence: Why Is Donald Trump So Afraid Of Vladimir Putin? | The Last Word | MSNBC (1694 hits)
Published on Aug 2, 2017
Donald Trump campaigned as a tough guy candidate, but he's proven to be a weak president — especially with Russia. Lawrence O'Donnell examines President Donald Trump's behavior with Vladimir Putin culminating in the reluctant signing of the sanctions bill.
He had 10 days to sign it, which I think he was wrong to do. But he's the President.
Friday, August 4th 2017 at 3:19PM
Steve Williams
Remember Steve, Trump ran his campaign for president as the tough guy. Only the tough guy can get things done. True, that man had 10 days but as you can see his response to signing that bill is the weakest response to a bill in presidential history. Putin has evicted 755 Americans working in The American Embassy in Moscow, and this tough guy is a afraid to utter a single word about it.
August 02, 2017 Statement by President Donald J. Trump on Signing the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act”
Today, I signed into law the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act,” which enacts new sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia. I favor tough measures to punish and deter bad behavior by the rogue regimes in Tehran and Pyongyang. I also support making clear that America will not tolerate interference in our democratic process, and that we will side with our allies and friends against Russian subversion and destabilization.
That is why, since taking office, I have enacted tough new sanctions on Iran and North Korea, and shored up existing sanctions on Russia.
Since this bill was first introduced, I have expressed my concerns to Congress about the many ways it improperly encroaches on Executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies.
My Administration has attempted to work with Congress to make this bill better. We have made progress and improved the language to give the Treasury Department greater flexibility in granting routine licenses to American businesses, people, and companies. The improved language also reflects feedback from our European allies – who have been steadfast partners on Russia sanctions – regarding the energy sanctions provided for in the legislation. The new language also ensures our agencies can delay sanctions on the intelligence and defense sectors, because those sanctions could negatively affect American companies and those of our allies.
Still, the bill remains seriously flawed – particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch’s authority to negotiate. Congress could not even negotiate a healthcare bill after seven years of talking. 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.
Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States. We hope there will be cooperation between our two countries on major global issues so that these sanctions will no longer be necessary.
Further, the bill sends a clear message to Iran and North Korea that the American people will not tolerate their dangerous and destabilizing behavior. America will continue to work closely with our friends and allies to check those countries’ malignant activities.
I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As President, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress.
Friday, August 4th 2017 at 6:36PM
Steve Williams
This was a great report on the signing on the Russian sanctions. Now if you can find anything Trump said about the 755 Americans working in The American Embassy evicted in Moscow cause that is hard to find.
The Russians said we could have as many diplomats in Russia as they have in the U.S. Sounds fair to me.
Saturday, August 5th 2017 at 11:03AM
Steve Williams
The adoption of the new sanctions bill is an obvious indication that relations with Russia are being dragged down by political infighting in the United States. Moreover, the new bill uses political means to create a dishonest competitive advantage for the US in the global economy. This blackmail aimed at restricting Russia’s cooperation with its foreign partners threatens many countries and international businesses.
Despite Washington’s constant outbursts, we have adhered to responsible and reserved behaviour and have not responded to express provocations until now. However, the latest events confirm that certain circles in the US are fixated on Russophobia and open confrontation with our country.
– Therefore, we request that our American counterparts bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff at the US Embassy in Moscow, the consulates general in St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok, into strict correspondence with the number of Russian diplomats and technical staff currently working in the United States, until September 1, 2017. This means that the total number of American diplomatic and consular office employees in the Russian Federation must be reduced to 455 people. In the event of further unilateral action on behalf of US officials to reduce the Russian diplomatic mission in the US, we will respond accordingly.
– Starting August 1, the use of all the storage facilities on Dorozhnaya Street in Moscow and the country house in Serebryany Bor will be suspended from use by the US Embassy.
Are you telling me what Russia is saying in this statement: "The Russians said we could have as many diplomats in Russia as they have in the U.S. Sounds fair to me," when I am clearly asking about Trump's actions.
Now if you can find anything Trump said about the 755 Americans working in The American Embassy evicted in Moscow cause that is hard to find. By Trump's silence, it is clear that he has no plans to say any thing about what Russia has done.
By this action Trump has turned out to be the weakest President ever. You remember how tough he said that he was going to be. The only tough guy running against, low-energy Jeb Bush, Little Marco, and lying TED. Now Trump turns out to be the weakest president in the history of the American presidency and of the weakest in the world today. He told his voters that he would tell the Chinese President to immediately send us back all of those job back that China stole. That was a LIE
How about that wall, that he said that he would order the president of Mexico to pay for a Trump wall on the southern border? WELL!!!! We found out that was a LIE TOO. We was going to find out how tough Trump was, the leaders around the world was going to see for themselves, how tough Trump was and we was going to regain respect around to world again.
Now Putin has expelled 755 Americans working in The American Embassy in Moscow, and tough Gut Trump is afraid to utter a single word about it. Can it be any other explanation other that FEAR? Trump has personally Lavished “PRAISE” on Putin, more than he has on any other foreign head of state, WOW!!! Steve can’t you see that?
What is it that Trump is afraid of? What do Putin have on Trump, that silences the President of The United States?
I'd be extremely disappointed if President Trump did say anything about the Russian embassy reduction. He doesn't own it Congress does.
Saturday, August 5th 2017 at 4:45PM
Steve Williams
And let's not forget, former President Obama. Did you read the bill Ron? Or do you think this all happened in a vacuum?
Saturday, August 5th 2017 at 4:49PM
Steve Williams
You should be extremely disappointed right now for all the lies that this president told the American people that puts this country in jeopardy with our allies for bracing putin, that is the reason why the Congress put handcuffs on the president of the United States in This Russia sanction deal.
This have never happened before in modern day America history.
On the Senate vote there were 47 feckless Democrats and 51 feckless Republicans. That's hardly a win for the Democrats.
Saturday, August 5th 2017 at 10:48PM
Steve Williams
That vote was clearly saying that the Republican Party has no in faith in Trump to do the right thing as far as Putin is concerned.
That vote was clearly PROVING that CONGRESS, comprising 48% DEMOCRATS and 52% REPUBLICANS could not do anything of SUBSTANCE in the first 8 MONTHS of 2017!
Sunday, August 6th 2017 at 2:40PM
Steve Williams
Need I remind you that the Republicans hold both housings of congress and the Presidency. It is the 52% REPUBLICANS could not do anything of SUBSTANCE in the first 8 MONTHS of 2017 but press this Russian sanction deal, stating that both houses of congress has no confident in this president.
The way you make it sound Ron, only one Party at a time gets to rule. What a great excuse for the Democrats to not do anything for at least another year and a half.
Monday, August 7th 2017 at 8:51AM
Steve Williams
