RUSSIA SUMMIT: Lawmakers Slam Trump

RUSSIA SUMMIT: Lawmakers Slam Trump

President Donald Trump is catching heat from both Democrats and fellow Republicans following his press conference with Russian president Vladimir Putin today (Monday).

Putin once again denied any Russian interference in the 2016 election. And when pressed, Trump said he accepted Putin's denial. That brought swift condemnation from U.S. lawmakers in both parties, notably from prominent Republicans.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said, "The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals."

Arizona Senator John McCain said, "Today’s press conference in Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory."

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch said, "Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Our nation’s top intelligence agencies all agree on that point. I trust the good work of our intelligence and law enforcement personnel who have sworn to protect the United States of America from enemies foreign and domestic.” 

Arizona Senator Jeff Flake tweeted, “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."

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted, “This answer by President Trump will be seen by Russia as a sign of weakness and create far more problems than it solves."