Day 377: Trump Refuses to Enforce Russia Sanctions Law That Passed Congress 517–5

Donald Trump’s administration announced that they will not impose sanctions on Russia for election meddling, despite the near-unanimous support the measure got in Congress.

While Trump was forced to sign the bill into law in the face of an early, embarrassing veto override, he has chosen not to enforce the measures outlined in it, which would punish countries who conduct significant business with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors.

Democrats, such as Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), publicly blasted the decision, going so far as to call it a constitutional crisis.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) pointed out that this is yet another instance of Trump being derelict in standing up to Russia.

“Throughout his term in office, President Trump has failed time and time again to stand up to Vladimir Putin, despite the assault that he carried out on our democracy in the 2016 election,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.

Republicans got in the act too, such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who called the decision “perplexing.”

“The one thing we know for sure already, is the Russians did attempt to meddle in our elections and not only should there be a price to pay in terms of sanctions but also we need to put safeguards in place right now for the elections for this year,” she said on CNN.

Meanwhile, Trump’s handpicked CIA Director, Mike Pompeo, gave an interview stating he fully expected the Russia campaign-interference apparatus to continue for the U.S. midterm elections.

In sum: Russia interfered. Congress overwhelmingly passed sanctions. Russia is gearing up to interfere again. Trump refuses to do anything about it.

377 days in, 1085 to go

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