Jeff Flake to Introduce Resolution to Counter Trump and Hold Russia to Account

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Retiring Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona is working on a resolution to counter President Donald Trump’s outrageous and treasonous comments from the joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

“I think we should pass a resolution on the heels of all this,” Flake told reporters in the Capitol.

Flake said he was drafting a Senate resolution that would make very clear that the United States Congress supports the FBI as well as special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Flake also said that his resolution will leave no doubt that the U.S. Congress does not question the recent indictment of 12 Russians for election meddling but rather fully supports and endorses the findings of the prosecutors and U.S. intelligence agencies.

Also, according to Flake, his proposed Senate resolution will “hold Russia to account” and make very clear that the United States stands firm with its longtime European allies.

“My goal is for Congress and the Senate to reaffirm our support and to let the American people know that we don’t question the intelligence, and that we’re there, supporting them,” Flake said.

The Arizona senator told reporters he was working on the resolution on Monday and he would introduce it as soon as possible.

Flake was appalled and dismayed after Trump’s press conference with Putin in Helsinki, tweeting:

“I never thought I would see the day when our American President would stand on the stage with the Russian President and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression. This is shameful.”

“It was disbelief, really. It was disbelief. I couldn’t believe that a president would put as much faith, or more faith, in the words of a dictator … over our own intelligence services,” Flake added, when asked by reporters about Trump’s press conference comments.

Although it’s not clear that the Senate would be willing to pass a resolution formally pushing back on Trump, Flake said he would be talking to Republican Senate leadership about his proposal.

Several GOP senators on Monday tried to distance themselves from the president, and issued statements criticizing him for refusing to hold Putin accountable.

GOP Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.) agreed that Congress could pass a resolution to try to counter the outrage and unease created by Trump’s words, although he pointed out that the president’s words generally carry more weight.

“We’ll think of ways to reinforce our commitments. They know, I think, how Congress feels in general. The president can do more damage with his words than all of us working together for months can overcome,” Corker, told reporters.

He also appeared on CNN and said Trump’s words had Putin “celebrating.”

“GOP Sen. Bob Corker remarked that Russian President Vladimir Putin was probably celebrating after his joint appearance with US President Donald Trump — “I would guess he’s having caviar right now.”

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Leo Vidal

I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.