Trump's waiver of new Russia sanctions passed by Congress draws outrage from lawmakers of both parties
Summary
President Donald Trump signed an executive order putting on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the national interest, ABC News and The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, NBC News saying the order followed a deal to purchase diesel and Bloomberg that Trump waived massive tariffs linked to Russian energy exports mandated in a law Trump signed last month. The sanctions were part of legislation named after Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July, The NY Times reported, and Fortune said Trump put the bill, passed by Congress with bipartisan support, on hold a month after signing it. Lawmakers from both parties blasted the order, PBS NewsHour reported, and Bloomberg said Republican members of Congress argued the move will help Moscow wage its war on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged supporters to defend the sanctions, the Inquirer and ABC News reported, and Senator Darline Graham broke with Trump over the law championed by Lindsey Graham, the senator's late brother, The NY Times and the Inquirer reported. On 18 October NBC News reported that Trump faces new criticism, including from some in the Republican Party, for ordering sanctions relief for Russia, and on 19 October Bloomberg reported that Republican lawmakers blasted Trump for waiving new tariffs and sanctions on Russia, prompting the president to mount a defence against some of Trump's strongest allies on Capitol Hill.
Latest: Republican lawmakers blasted President Donald Trump for waiving new tariffs and sanctions on Russia, prompting the president to mount a defence against some of Trump's strongest allies on Capitol Hill, Bloomberg reported.
Written automatically by an AI from the articles' headlines and descriptions. It can contain errors: follow the links to read the articles.
How it unfolded
Monday 19 October
Republican lawmakers blasted President Donald Trump for waiving new tariffs and sanctions on Russia, prompting the president to mount a defence against some of Trump's strongest allies on Capitol Hill, Bloomberg reported.
- 07:21BloombergTrump’s Russia Sanctions Waiver Draws GOP Anger
Saturday 17 October
Trump put new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold in an executive order citing the national interest, The Philadelphia Inquirer, ABC News and NBC News reported, lawmakers from both parties blasted the order, according to PBS NewsHour, Zelenskyy urged supporters to defend the sanctions, according to the Inquirer and ABC News, and Senator Darline Graham gently disagreed with the decision, The NY Times reported.
- 19:05NBC NewsPresident Trump faces backlash over Russia sanctions relief
- 17:45The Philadelphia InquirerGraham breaks with Trump over Russia sanctions law her brother championed
- 16:14The NY TimesGraham Breaks With Trump Over Russia Sanctions Law Her Brother Championed
- 15:31BloombergTrump’s Russia Sanctions Waiver Called Mistake by Key GOP Allies
- 15:20The NY TimesTrump Offers Putin Economic Relief in Hopes That Russia Will Return the Favor
- 15:17TIMEWhat Trump’s Waiver of New Russia Sanctions Means for Ukraine
- 14:17The Philadelphia InquirerZelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia put on hold by Trump
- 14:02PBS NewsHourZelenskyy urges support for new U.S. sanctions on Russia put on hold by Trump
- 11:57PBS NewsHourTrump's decision to waive Russian sanctions outrages Congress, but no quick counter seen
- 11:31LA TimesTrump's decision to waive Russian sanctions outrages Congress, but no quick counter seen
- 11:09The Philadelphia InquirerTrump's decision to waive Russian sanctions outrages Congress, but no quick counter seen
- 10:12FortuneCongress passed the Russia sanctions bill named for Lindsey Graham with bipartisan support. Trump just put it on hold a month after signing it
- 07:49BloombergTrump Puts New Russia Sanctions on Hold
- 07:17ABC NewsZelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
- 06:19CNBCTrump waives broad new Russia sanctions and tariffs under Graham Act, citing national interest
- 06:12The Philadelphia InquirerZelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Friday 16 October
- 22:45NBC NewsTrump suspends new Russia sanctions following deal to purchase diesel, citing ‘national interests’
- 22:40The Philadelphia InquirerTrump puts new Russia sanctions that he recently signed into law on hold, citing national interest
- 22:20ABC NewsTrump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, saying waiver is in US national interest
- 21:56The NY TimesTrump Signs Order Exempting Russia From Sanctions Legislation
- 21:42The Philadelphia InquirerTrump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, saying a waiver is in the US national interest
- 20:49BloombergTrump Waives Russia Energy Tariffs, Sanctions in Graham Law