Critics across the political spectrum unloaded on President Donald Trump after he threw Russia a lifeline with a stroke of his pen.
Trump signed an executive order Friday night exempting Russia from a sweeping package of penalties Congress passed last month, just two days before they were set to take effect, The New York Times reported. The law, named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), targeted Russian officials, oligarchs and banks to choke off cash for Moscow's war on Ukraine.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who co-wrote the bill, tore into the president on X. "Donald Trump confirms again that he stands on the side of a bloodthirsty thug & the enablers of Russia's war machine & against the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, & our European allies," he wrote.
In a statement reported by the Associated Press, Blumenthal said the waivers have "nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin."
Jamie Metzl, a former State Department and National Security Council official, called the move "a despicable and disgraceful betrayal of the brave people of Ukraine, European allies, and American values."
"As Ukrainians fight and die defending their freedom, Trump is throwing an economic lifeline to the dictator invading their country," he wrote. "Generations of American heroes who fought and sacrificed to defend freedom against tyranny are rolling in their graves," he added.
Gregg Nunziata, a former Republican Senate aide, saw the order as a slap at the late senator who championed the bill. "Among other things, a final dishonor for Senator Graham," he wrote.
Progressive activist Amy Siskind was more blunt. "WTF IS TRUMP DOING!" she posted.
Investigative journalist Julie K. Brown, known for breaking open the Jeffrey Epstein case at the Miami Herald, offered a sarcastic take. "I guess times change and we are friends with Russia dictators now," she wrote.
Others piled on. "Almost comical how in the tank he is for Putin," wrote veteran and political commentator John Jackson.
Ukrainian commentator Kate Bohuslavska, who runs the popular account Kate from Kharkiv, kept it short. "Traitorous yet expected. What an embarrassment," she wrote.