Pelosi & Schumer: Trump "duty is to protect American people, not to sell out our democracy to Putin"

[bigtree]

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer issued this statement as President Trump began the NATO Summit and Putin meetings:

“President Trump’s brazen insults and denigration of one of America’s most steadfast allies, Germany, is an embarrassment. His behavior this morning is another profoundly disturbing signal that the President is more loyal to President Putin than to our NATO allies.

“If the President leaves the Putin meeting without ironclad assurances and concrete steps toward a full cessation of Russian attacks on our democracy, this meeting will not only be a failure – it will be a grave step backward for the future of the international order and global security. A successful meeting means real action, now.

“The President needs to remember that, as Commander-in-Chief, his duty is to protect the American people from foreign threats, not to sell out our democracy to Putin.”

https://www.democraticleader.gov/newsroom/71118/

[RKP5637]

1. I know they need to say this, but do they really think Trump gives a damn what they say or do. IMO

he is trying to cement a scary un-American relationship with Putin to control this country. And he has a GOP controlled congress that does not give a damn about the US, only what pleases Trump. IMO this is just the tip of the iceberg. I know this sounds like "CT", but it sure seems he is trying to cement some type of coup with Russia.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. Probably not

but, as the few responsible adults in Congress, it falls on them to say *something*

[bigtree]

4. one thing that always gets me

...is how many people respond to statements from our Democratic leaders like this to tell us how unconcerned Trump is, or how obtuse republicans are, and so on.

This is a statement to the American public, not Trump.

It needs to be amplified, not obscured by cynicism.

[FreepFryer]

6. BINGO. (n/t)

[RKP5637]

10. Good point!!! n/t

[mcar]

11. Thank you!

Here on DU, we either hear "why aren't Dems saying anything," or "humph, why are they bothering to say anything?"

[Hekate]

30. You "know they need to say this, but" Okay, what would you LIKE them to say?

I'm not picking on you in particular -- there's just a persistent DU thing about Dem leaders "never saying anything" and/or "telegraphing weakness by saying something wishy-washy," etc etc.

IMO, Schumer and Pelosi need to educate voters, and this educates anyone listening. They need to let voters know that the Dem Leadership is paying close attention to what the Mad King is up to, and the statement does that as well.

Of course Trump doesn't care what they say, but then this statement is not for Trump.

[RKP5637]

31. Thank you, well taken, agree!

[Solly Mack]

3. I'm sure Trump will take that to heart.

Trump will not be moved or motivated by words.

Unless they come from Putin or that little deranged hamster inside his head. Could be where the hair comes from - a very furry and deranged hamster whose fur pops up through Trump's scalp.

Could be true.

[bigtree]

8. I would say this is not directed at Trump

...it's a public declaration by our Democratic leaders. It has a good bite, as well.

And, c'mon. You know this gets inside his head. He may be an evil little fuck, but he's also a rabidly vain megalomaniac.

[Solly Mack]

9. I know it's for the public.

And it is an important message.

And that deranged hamster will attack the message soon enough.

It's also a message for NATO - that not everyone thinks like Trump.

Again, important.

But Trump still isn't going to take it serious. He won't hear the words - he'll only hear an attack.

[bigtree]

14. think about the boldness of making this statement while the president is still overseas

...still ambling toward his Russian master. I can't remember any president called out like this. They said loud and plain, the president of the United States threatens to sell out our democracy to Putin, to Russia.

I know things have gone over the deep end, but I have to acknowledge to myself how amazingly live and world-shaking this trip has been, portends to be. This declaration by our Democratic leaders brings all that home to me.

[Solly Mack]

15. Let's hope the message is played and replayed across all media.

[Honeycombe8]

20. I don't think this would get to him. It's too nice.

He won't understand some of the big words, and he thinks niceness is weakness. He'll just do an insulting tweet about it and move on.

[Tatiana]

5. This response may seem standard, but it's actually important.

This is strong language they are using. They are now directly implying that Trump is selling out our democracy to Putin.

It's a step in the right direction from leaders of a different era who are loathe to break with Congressional tradition.

Now, the question is... what are they prepared to do to stop this hijacking of our democracy?

[FreepFryer]

7. +1. (n/t)

[gratuitous]

12. Trump's duty is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution

And selling out America to Putin doesn't do that at all. Just an aside.

No, Trump won't give a flying fuck about what Schumer and Pelosi have to say, but that's not the point of their statement. Let's hope the media pick up the statement and amplify it. Far too often, Democrats say something important, and the media let it drop. Schumer and Pelosi need to keep saying what this statement says, and ignore the hand-wringing from the cynical Republicans who will almost certainly kvetch about politics stopping at the water's edge, and don't criticize the President while he's overseas, and other sanctimonious mumbo-jumbo.

[Garrett78]

13. "without ironclad assurances"

Why even pretend that Trump has any intention of telling his boss to stop interfering in US elections?

Give up all pretense and just tell it like it is. Trump is a traitor who is breaking laws in the interest of greed.

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. Yes

The problem is not that they sent out yet another strongly worded statement. Its that what once were regarded as strongly worded statements are now very weak sauce, redundant, and disappear after even less than the 24 hour news cycle. Nothing new. Its preaching to the choir for the most part.

This is why we need new leadership. I'm about ready to just hand the nomination over to Avenatti at this point, as no Democrat seems bold enough to use the T word let alone make the GOP even squirm an inch. The statements coming from the lips of our leaders should be getting the GOP leaders foaming and spitting and stuttering in code red defensive mode. Republicans have used this tactic for decades now. Say things that contain such outrageous charges, that any Dem's time as a guest on a news network is spent in defensive mode...which inherently suggests they are guilty of something. Where there's smoke...

Its easy to believe the Republic is strong enough to withstand this attempted fascist coup, that all we need is some tsk tsk's and all it will take is a mild turn of the rudder to right the ship. But as time goes on, and Trump continues to consolidate his people into positions of influence in the Mueller investigation's survival, appointing judges, etc. the time is long overdue to stop speaking about what is happening at present, at some present day tweet, but at what MAY happen in the future, and project that concern into today's present day language. Fiery language, inflammatory language even. Anything that will get attention because Trump is winning the Reality TV wars. He's not afraid to shout out something shocking and controversial on a daily basis. We can't even cause a ripple even when we have so much actual shocking content to expose and get angry about.

"profoundly disturbing signal" "a grave step backward" really?

Even "not to sell out our democracy to Putin" is so last year. How about saying he is a traitor to the country and should be brought up on charges of treason. That he is signing up America into a new Axis of Evil club? That he is willing to enrich himself and his family over the national security of the county? And keep repeating these points over and over and over.

[0rganism]

19. but how will they have their sexy times?

chaperones will only get in the way, and you don't want to be the person who keeps Putin from getting his "happy ending"...

[AlexSFCA]

17. have you been sleeping Nancy?

Do you honesty think he is going to meet with putin to ask him to stop interfering? If so, it’s time for somebody smarter to become the speaker. It is beyond obvious what trump is doing even w/o Mueller. I wish dems woul come all come out with a serious statement that trump is intentionally jeopardizing national security and actively workkng against America’s best interst but in the best interest of Putin. Why is t so hard to say it in unison, pass some symbolic resolution, go on record. People outside this forum need to see clearly what is happening, not being fed politics as usual with cliche weak words.

[Equinox Moon]

23. It is frightening and baffling why Dems (and Repubs) are not screaming about what he is doing

Our Dem leadership should be in front of cameras daily standing up to this!!

I'm listening to Norman Goldman right now on the radio and he is making the case that Trump is committing treason.
Norman is an attorney and makes a lot of sense.

[AlexSFCA]

24. absolutely, treason is the keyword

that needs to be circulated loud and clear.

[saidsimplesimon]

21. IT is an ugly, angry American.

I am ashamed for our nation. The coverage is unbearable. It is a "Punch & Judy" show of international word violence, lower the curtain and give IT the hook. Not to mention his obvious suck up to a Russian mass murderer. Trump the puppet with no fangs just senile nonsensical blathering to support his puppet master.

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[Crutchez_CuiBono]

29. Oh hail yesssss!

Good one!

[gordianot]

22. This is not an embarrassment!

Trump is “Infuriating” and I am mad as hell.

[elmac]

25. Nice words but I want to see actions

Lets not vote for anything that helps tRump, like government spending bills, even if it means shutting down the government. It will take a lot of pain to bring the fascist's down and tRump knows he can get away with anything while we keep taking the high road. Enough!

[Iliyah]

26. GOPers do not care about the American people.

[dameatball]

27. It is time...past time....to start dropping the "T" word into these expressions of concerns....

Not necessarily openly accusing, but it is long past time when it should be in the public record. Relying on Republisucks to do it is a ridiculous notion. Time to introduce it bow. Who are they worrying about pissing off? Mitch McConnell???? Trump??? F them

[saidsimplesimon]

28. Fuck, the "horse is out of the barn" and

this is the best our leadership can come up with? I'm in no mood for Bull Shit.

[ProfessorPlum]

32. oh good, they've issued a sternly worded letter

surely that will change something.





/sarcasm, obviously