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Donald Trump attempted to partially reverse his cap on Tuesday against a furious and bipartisan critique of his public undermining of US intelligence agencies during a press conference with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.
The US President tried to close more than 24 hours of bitter recriminations by stating that he had just been misrepresented when he had said in Finland that he was not saw no reason to believe that Russia had interfered in the US elections of 2016.
sentence should have been, "I see no reason why I would not do it, or why it would not be Russia" instead of "Why he would do it," said Trump. "So you can put that in," he added.
Even then, Trump could not resist scrambling the waters further. Moments after telling reporters in the Roosevelt Hall of the White House that he accepted the assessment of US intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered in the elections, he again questioned what he thought was responsible
. that … I accept the conclusion of our intelligence community, "said Trump, reading a prepared script, and then added," It could also be other people.
It was unclear why Trump, who had tweeted half a dozen times and sat for two television interviews since Putin's press conference, was waiting so long to correct his remarks. Moreover, his scripted cleaning concerned only the least defensible of his comments.
He did not overturn other statements in which he clearly affirmed Putin's "extremely strong and powerful" denial of Russian involvement, doubting his own intelligence. He also accused former US leaders, rather than the destabilizing actions of Russia in the United States and around the world, for the denigration of relations between two countries. And he did not address his other problematic statements during a weeklong European tour, in which he sent the NATO alliance into session. and urged British Prime Minister Theresa May while she welcomed him for an official visit
. During his speech on Tuesday, the room was plunged into darkness when the television lights went out, which prompted Trump to joke, "Oops, they just turned off the lights. intelligence. "
Throughout Tuesday, Republicans had struggled to defend the president on Capitol Hill. House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters: "They have interfered in our elections, it's very clear, they should have no doubts about it." Russia is trying to undermine democracy itself
"I understand the desire and the need to have good relationships. This is perfectly reasonable. But Russia is a threatening government that does not share our interests and shares our values. "
Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, usually reserved, told reporters:" The European countries are our friends and the Russians are not. The Russians need to understand that many of us really understand what happened in 2016 and that it is better not to do it again in 2018. "
Democratic Leader of the Senate , Chuck Schumer, said Trump was trying to Putin. "It's 24 hours too late and in the wrong place," he said.
The legal or concrete political action, however, was notable for its absence.
Asked if he was in agreement with characterizing the president's actions as "treason" by former CIA director John Brennan, Ryan said, "I do not." 19659003] In Helsinki, Trump recorded two interviews with Fox News hosts. The interview of Sean Hannity was released Monday night. In excerpts from Tucker Carlson's interview announced by Fox prior to his broadcast Tuesday night, Trump blasted Brennan, who led the CIA under Barack Obama.
"I think Brennan is a very bad guy and if you look at him a lot has happened under his watch," Trump said. "I think he's a very bad person."
He also told FBI agent Peter Strzok, former FBI attorney Lisa Page, former FBI director James Comey and former deputy director Andrew McCabe.
Democratic leaders intensified their criticisms of Trump and insisted that any Republican response would be inadequate without an attempt to hold him accountable. Mr Schumer said that State Secretary Mike Pompeo and other members of the National Security Team who were traveling to Finland were to testify before the Congress
"Degrading American interests in front of a foreign opponent demands an answer, "said the New Yorker. . "Our Republican colleagues can not just say" Tsk, tsk, tsk "They must act if they want to help America."
Schumer's application was rejected by John Cornyn, the second Republican of the Senate, who declared: "
Mr. Cornyn told the press that he thought new sanctions could be adopted: "We could find a common ground to turn the screws on to Russia.
McConnell said that there was a "possibility" for the Senate to pass bipartisan legislation that would impose new sanctions if Russia interfered with the next elections. Marco Rubio of Florida and Chris van Hollen of Maryland, would require the application of penalties within 10 days if the National Intelligence Director determined the interference took place.
McConnell was also hurry if the Republicans had faith in Trump's approach to NATO and Russia. "I'm not here to criticize anyone else," he said. I am here to speak for myself. "
Neither Ryan nor McConnell joined the calls for Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to protect Special Adviser Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference and threats. links between Trump's helpers and Moscow On the podium at H Helsinki, Trump has repeatedly denied collusion.
"I was clear from the first day," Ryan said. "[Mueller] should be allowed to finish his investigation and to do his work.Nothing has changed."
Some Republicans conceded that it was time to send a clear message to Trump . Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Committee on External Relations, told reporters that a proper course of action would be to pass legislation restricting the presidential authority over commercial rates. A measure approved last week was entirely symbolic.
"It seems like the dam is breaking," Corker said. But when asked if the Trump-Putin summit marked a turning point in American politics, he said he was "not sure".
"Things change here very quickly," Corker said. "It has become like a reality show every day."
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