2020 Dems slam Trump over Putin presser

Multiple Democrats considered possible 2020 White House contenders lambasted President Trump on Monday for his comments during a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Trump refused to say he believes Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. election.

Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) all issued statements condemning Trump following his meeting with Putin in Helsinki, Finland.

Gillibrand said Trump “abdicated his national security responsibilities” by refusing to hold the Russian president accountable for meddling in the 2016 election.

We just witnessed the President of the United States abdicate his national security responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief. When he was given the chance to hold Putin accountable and condemn Russia’s interference in our elections, he refused.

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) July 16, 2018

Harris said that Trump’s ambivalent rhetoric “invited” Putin to carry out another attack on America’s electoral system.

The whole world just watched as the President sided with Putin over U.S. Intelligence Agencies. There is no doubt that Putin has launched attacks on the very heart of our democracy, and by not standing up to him today, the President has invited him to do it again.

— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) July 16, 2018

Sanders blasted Trump for a “pathetic performance.”

Millions of Americans have risked their lives to defend our democracy. What would those brave men and women think if they saw President Trump’s pathetic performance today?

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) July 16, 2018

Warren said the president’s international appearances “embarrass America, undermine our institutions, weaken our alliances, & embrace a dictator.

Once again, @realDonaldTrump takes to the international stage to embarrass America, undermine our institutions, weaken our alliances, & embrace a dictator. Russia interfered in our elections & attacked our democracy. Putin must be held accountable – not rewarded. Disgraceful.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 16, 2018

{mosads}The liberal senators joined a chorus of other party members and a number of Republican lawmakers who ripped Trump for his rhetoric during Monday’s meeting with Putin.

During the joint press conference from Finland on Monday, Trump did not press or condemn Putin for Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, just days after indictments were delivered against 12 Russian nationals for their alleged role in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee.

Instead, Trump asserted that he did not collude with Russia in the election, recounted his victory over Democratic nominee Clinton and called the special counsel investigation “ridiculous” and a source of tension between the two countries.

When pressed on whether he believed the U.S. intelligence community, which has concluded Russia interfered, Trump said he felt both sides made a convincing argument.

“My people came to me … they said they think it’s Russia,” Trump said. “I have President Putin, he just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be,” he said.

“But I have confidence in both parties,” he added.