Rep. Lewis Denounces Trump’s Weakness on Russia

Rep. John Lewis (D, GA-5) issued some strong words today about President Donald Trump and his failure to hold Russia accountable for its involvement in the 2016 election:

“I am deeply disturbed by the outcome of the Helsinki summit.  The leader of this nation takes an oath before God to defend this country from all enemies both foreign and domestic, but this president is not defending the American way of life.  He seems afraid to hold Russia accountable for its infringement on the election of 2016.

The FBI, the CIA, and the NSA, including the appointees of this president, have all verified, as has have the investigations of several House committees, that Russia’s interference in our last national election was aimed at swinging the results in favor of one party by destroying the candidacy and the credibility of another.

The vote is the most powerful, non-violent tool the people have in a democratic society. Its integrity is central to our way of life and must be protected at all costs. That is why efforts to poison and pervert the will of the people through misinformation, deceit, and trickery must be met with the strongest possible rebuke.

Despite the deepest concerns of the intelligence community at the highest levels of government and the consternation of the Congress of the United States, this president displayed no sense of outrage, no evidence of a rebuke, and no intention to hold Russia accountable for its damage to our electoral process.

Our weakness in the face of this threat leads to grave concerns about this president’s judgment. Why would he try to rip our relationships with NATO, our proven allies, to shreds and yet cower before an enemy of democracy?  This is a betrayal of American interests and a danger to our national security.”