Trump Sparks Bipartisan Fury With Russia Sanctions Move
WHO:
Alternet - North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis criticized Trump, stating, "What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisors not understand?"
Alternet - Texas Sen. John Cornyn remarked that "Lindsey [Graham] would be appalled" by Trump's actions.
Alternet - Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon stated, "The President is prolonging the war, not ending it."
NBC News Politics - President Donald Trump is involved in the controversy regarding Russia sanctions.
Alternet - Several Republican lawmakers, including North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Texas Sen. John Cornyn, have criticized Trump’s actions.
Alternet - Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon has also spoken out against Trump’s decision.
Alternet - Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie expressed support for Trump’s sanctions waiver.
WHAT:
Alternet - Trump signed an executive order on a Friday to exempt Russia from sanctions imposed by a legislative package aimed at increasing economic pressure on the country.
NBC News Politics - Trump exempted Russia from new sanctions as part of a deal to release Russian diesel into the global market.
Alternet - Trump signed an executive order waiving sanctions imposed by a legislative package aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia.
Alternet - The bill Trump signed into law was passed in the Senate with a vote of 86-11 and was designed to impose tariffs on the top five nations importing energy from Russia.
Alternet - Trump stated, “I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act.”
WHERE:
NBC News - Trump was in Kentucky during a rally for midterm candidates.
WHEN:
Alternet - The legislative package was passed in the Senate shortly before Trump signed it into law last month.
Alternet - The bill was named in honor of Sen. Lindsey Graham, who passed away suddenly in July.
WHY:
Alternet - Critics labeled Trump's decision as "unconscionable" and "beyond irresponsible," suggesting it undermines efforts to pressure Russia regarding its actions in Ukraine.
NBC News - The sanctions relief comes as the war with Iran drives up fuel prices, a concern for voters in the midterm elections.
Alternet - Critics argue that Trump's decision to waive sanctions is "unconscionable" and "beyond irresponsible," suggesting it undermines efforts to pressure Russia regarding its actions in Ukraine.
HOW:
Alternet - Trump stated in his executive order, "I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States."
Alternet - Trump used his executive authority to waive provisions of the sanctions law that pertain to Russia.
(UPDATED October 18, 2026 14:56 UTC)
President Trump has signed an executive order exempting Russia from sanctions that were intended to increase economic pressure on the country, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis questioned Trump's understanding of the law, while Texas Senator John Cornyn suggested that Lindsey Graham would be appalled by the decision. Nebraska Representative Don Bacon added that Trump is prolonging the war rather than working towards its resolution, with critics calling the action "unconscionable" and "beyond irresponsible."
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(UPDATED October 18, 2026 13:57 UTC)
President Trump is at the center of a controversy after exempting Russia from new sanctions as part of a deal to release Russian diesel into the global market, a move that has drawn criticism from several Republican lawmakers, including North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Texas Sen. John Cornyn. Trump signed an executive order waiving sanctions that were part of a legislative package aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia, which had passed the Senate with a vote of eighty-six to eleven. While Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie expressed support for Trump's decision, critics have labeled it "unconscionable" and "beyond irresponsible," arguing that it undermines efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine.