NH Congresswomen Blast Trump For Putin Summit

WASHINGTON, DC — New Hampshire's congressional delegation — along with pretty much both sides of the aisle — blasted President Trump for his summit Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader denied interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election — a claim support by Trump's own intelligence analysts. Trump said he didn't "see any reason why" Putin would have meddled in the election. Trump later backtracked on that comment. Trump also blamed "U.S. foolishness" for the alleged Russian cyberattack, saying he "holds both countries responsible."

During a news conference after the summit, Putin said, "The Russian state has never interfered, and is not going to interfere, in internal American affairs, including the election process."

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan called out Trump, saying there is "no question that Russia interfered with our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world."

"Russia is not our ally," Ryan added. "There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals."

New Hampshire congressional delegation roundly denounced the meeting:

Representative Carol Shea-Porter, First District

• “I am sickened by what I heard and saw from President Trump in Helsinki. His comments are disastrous for our country ... I believe President Trump is unwilling and unable to stand up for the USA and our allies."

Representative Ann Kuster, Second District

• “It’s troubling that President Trump puts the word of President Putin above that of our own intelligence agencies. President Trump should have taken this opportunity to strongly condemn President Putin and Russia for these actions ... The President of the United States is in a unique position to stand up to President Putin and instead President Trump is projecting weakness on the global stage.”

Senior Senator Jeanne Shaheen

• "It’s absolutely shameful that President Trump cannot bring himself to confront Vladimir Putin’s attacks against the United States and against the principles of our democracy, which we all hold dear. Instead, the President chose to vilify the men and women of our intelligence community charged with protecting our country against the very adversary responsible for the interference in our elections."

Junior Senator Maggie Hassan

• "Never did I think we would see the President of the United States blame our own country for attacks by an adversary on the very foundation of our democracy ... If the President of the United States won't defend our country against foreign attacks, then Congress must step in and act. This transcends party, and we must come together across party lines to hold Russia accountable and protect our democracy.”

Related:

• Russian Attack On U.S. Election: Trump Blames America
• Treasonous, Toadying, Tragic: 5 Scorching Trump-Putin Reactions
• Trump Backtracks On Russia Comments

Photo: President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin answer questions during a joint press conference after their summit on July 16, 2018, in Helsinki, Finland. (Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)