Local GOP leader in Ohio resigns over Trump-Putin summit

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The chairman of an Ohio county Republican Party resigned in protest on Monday after President Trump’s meeting and press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.

Chris Gagin said he cannot serve as the Belmont County GOP chairman any longer “as a matter of conscience.”

Gagin specifically cited Trump’s “policy differences” as a reason he resigned after the Putin summit.

{mosads}Ohio news site Cleveland.com reported that Gagin had held the position in Southeast Ohio since April 2016 and would not return their requests for additional comment.

The organization also noted that Gagin was a staffer for former Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-Ohio) before switching parties in 2013.

People from both sides of the aisle have been criticizing Trump for defending Putin during the summit and failing to condemn Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, appearing to side with Moscow’s claim that it played no such role.

The summit came days after Trump’s Justice Department indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers for their alleged role in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee.

Tags Donald Trump Donald Trump Ohio Republican Party Vladimir Putin

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