The Republican charged with helping his party retain control of the House this fall on Wednesday distanced himself from President Trump’s comments that Russia is not targeting the United States.
“I don’t think that’s correct,” Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) said in an interview with HILL.TV.
Stivers, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, added he would “rather be ready and prepared against all foes than just assume their threat away.”
Trump on Wednesday said Russia does not pose a threat to the United States, contradicting his director of national intelligence on a critical security issue and deepening a political controversy that began at his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
But Trump in a TV interview later said he holds Putin personally responsible for Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election, while the White House has also sought to clarify Trump’s earlier comments on Russia posing a threat.
Asked if he believed Coats or Trump’s remark, Stivers replied that “I listen to our intelligence community.”
—Molly K. Hooper
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