Democrats slam Trump for considering Putin’s ’absurd’ request to question Americans

Congressional Democrats on Wednesday railed against indications that the White House is considering an offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin to observe questioning of indicted Russians in exchange for allowing Russian authorities to question American citizens.

Numerous Democratic senators and representatives took to Twitter to voice concerns with Trump’s apparent willingness to consider the offer, which Putin made during the two leaders’ meeting in Finland on Monday.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on Twitter that the Senate should take the decision out of Trump’s hands.

The President won’t rule out turning an American public servant over to Vladimir Putin, but tomorrow I hope the Senate will. https://t.co/PyNC5qESbH

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 19, 2018

{mosads}”Congress must come together to prevent Trump from acting on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This request is absurd,” Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) tweeted.

“Lawmakers and the American people need to know what else Trump promised Putin,” she continued. “This is a serious national security issue.”

Congress must come together to prevent Trump from acting on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This request is absurd. Lawmakers and the American people need to know what else Trump promised Putin. This is a serious national security issue. https://t.co/QTTmLYKT5L

— Colleen Hanabusa (@RepHanabusa) July 19, 2018

At a joint press conference in Finland, Putin said he’d be willing to allow U.S. law enforcement to travel to Russia and observe the questioning of suspects implicated in special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe. In exchange, Putin said he’d want access to U.S. citizens for questioning. 

Trump appeared receptive to the offer, saying at Monday’s press conference that Putin had made an “incredible offer.”

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that Trump will discuss the offer with other U.S. officials, adding that “there wasn’t a commitment made on behalf of the United States.”

Some Democratic lawmakers responded Wednesday specifically to the suggestion that former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul would be among the Americans to be questioned by Russian authorities.

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) promised McFaul that he and other lawmakers would support him.

We’ve got your back, Ambassador. https://t.co/0nUmeC2GGl

— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) July 19, 2018 

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) warned that Russia was attempting to “create an equivalence” between McFaul and the 12 Russian intelligence officers indicted last week for allegedly interfering in the 2016 election.

“America does not expose our nation’s ambassadors to this kind of harassment. Period. Trump must not even consider this,” Markey tweeted.

Russia is trying to create an equivalence between 12 military officers that attacked America and Michael McFaul, a diplomat the Kremlin did not like. America does not expose our nation’s ambassadors to this kind of harassment. Period. Trump must not even consider this. https://t.co/VJXDY2RUyA

— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) July 19, 2018

Rep. Loyd Doggett (D-Texas) echoed Markey’s concerns, adding that Trump’s consideration of the offer “shows how far into Putin’s pocket he’s fallen.”

Amb. McFaul has committed no offense other than telling the truth about Trump’s harmful misconduct and Putin’s tyranny. That Trump would consider turning over an American for Russian interrogation shows how far into Putin’s pocket he has fallen—and what danger we are all in. https://t.co/VvpUwBocn7

— Lloyd Doggett (@RepLloydDoggett) July 19, 2018