Week ahead: Russian sanctions in the spotlight

by Joe Uchill - 01/27/17 3:13 PM ET

The debate over U.S. sanctions on Russia is taking center stage.

Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to President Trump, turned heads Friday morning when she said lifting sanctions against Russia would be on the table during Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin this Saturday.

Those remarks sparked controversy and pushback from Republican Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), who vowed to fight Trump if he lifts Russian sanctions. McCain said he would work to reinstate the sanctions in law.

“For the sake of America’s national security and that of our allies, I hope President Trump will put an end to this speculation and reject such a reckless course,” McCain said. “If he does not, I will work with my colleagues to codify sanctions against Russia into law.”

{mosads}Trump gave a noncommittal walk-back later Friday.

“I hear a call was set up. We’ll see what happens,” Trump said at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May. “As far as sanctions, it’s very early to be talking about that.”

But even talk of lifting the sanctions on Russia could revive the fight over the nation’s hacks of Democratic organizations during the 2016 presidential campaign that Trump has sought to move past.

Current sanctions against Russia and individuals connected to its government include those levied for hacking the Democratic National Committee and other political targets, as well as sanctions tied to the Russian presence in Crimea.

Some of the sanctions are only weeks old, implemented by former President Obama in December, while others date back to shortly after Russia’s intervention in Crimea in 2014.

Trump himself has floated the idea of using the sanctions as a bargaining chip to negotiate nuclear arms reduction — something Russia has seemingly dismissed.

Rolling back sanctions would be a hard sell with many GOP Russia hawks.

“I am deeply concerned about reports suggesting that sanctions imposed on Russia may be lifted without resolving the unacceptable and hostile actions that caused the sanctions to be imposed by the U.S. and our allies,” said Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) Friday.

Attention will also be on Trump’s plans to improve U.S. cybersecurity in the week ahead.

On Friday, The Washington Post published a draft executive order that — while not confirmed by the White House — could provide a preview of presidential actions to look out for.

The order calls for audits of governmental and infrastructural cybersecurity and cybersecurity workforce readiness, as well as an investigation into private-sector incentives to promote better security practices.

The move would answer many questions about the role of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in cybersecurity under a Trump administration. Trump in October said that security audits would be lead by the Department of Defense. Domestic infrastructure is traditionally the domain of the DHS, though.

The order published by The Washington Post has the DHS working on a larger team that would be led by the Pentagon.

Trump will also face pressure to reassure the public about his own administration’s cybersecurity practices.

In just the last week, the president has been dinged for using an unsecured cellphone, for having staff use private email addresses and for not setting up two-factor identification on his Twitter account — perhaps the most powerful Twitter account in the world.

Recent stories:

McCain warns Trump he’ll fight on lifting Russian sanctions

Civil liberties group suing intelligence office for Russia report

Trump White House senior staff have private email accounts: report

Trump still uses unsecured Android phone

House intel panel moves ahead with Russian hacking probe

Kaspersky Lab employee reportedly arrested in Russia for treason

Report: US leads world in data breaches

Hacker: Trump not using enough security on Twitter

Senate committee moving forward with Russia hacking probe

Appeals court thwarts DOJ in Microsoft email case

Trump keeping Comey as FBI head: report