U.S. President Donald Trump set off a political firestorm this week when, after being pressed by a reporter for his take on meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections, he said:
‘I don’t see any reason why it would be [Russia]… President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.’
In so doing, he countered the consensus of the U.S. intelligence community about the serious threats posed by Kremlin interference. In response, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) proposed a measure in the U.S. House of Representatives that would condemn Trump for his behavior, but it has now been blocked by Republicans and ruled out of order.
Today I introduced a resolution rebuking #Trump‘s disgraceful actions in #Helsinki. @HouseGOP Members blocked this measure. 3 times.https://t.co/tYIzs9jpLY
— Eliot Engel (@RepEliotEngel) July 17, 2018
The measure, if passed, would have effectively cast the full weight of the House behind a statement offered Monday by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) himself, who said:
‘There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally.’
Although that forceful statement did come from Speaker Ryan, a number of members of the House have repeatedly acted as Trump shills when it comes to dealing with the Russia scandal. One example is the recent public Congressional hearing featuring Peter Strzok as a witness; during that hearing, Republicans like Trey Gowdy of South Carolina and Louie Gohmert of Texas tore into Strzok, going so far as to draw from the witness’s personal life in making their case against the Russia investigation being legitimate.
On other occasions, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) of the House Intelligence Committee has majorly stumped for the president, slanting his own committee’s Russia inquiry until it’s original purpose to investigate Russian election interference was dead and buried. Nunes has investigated the nation’s own intelligence agencies with a passionate furor, threatening to hold key justice officials in contempt of Congress for not complying with his document requests.
These are the actions of individuals concerned about guilt. No matter what resolution fails or doesn’t, and no matter what flimsy apology Trump is able to come up with for siding with Putin, the facts of the Russia scandal remain and Special Counsel Robert Mueller continues on with his investigation.
Featured Image via YouTube screenshot
