Following the press conference in which Donald Trump sided with Russia over U.S. intelligence agencies while Vladimir Putin nodded along approvingly, the top House and Senate Democratic leaders are not holding back. Both Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are openly questioning whether Putin has some hold over Trump.
“Every single day, I find myself asking: what do the Russians have on @realDonaldTrump personally, financially, & politically? The answer to that question is the only thing that explains his behavior & his refusal to stand up to Putin,” Pelosi tweeted. She followed that by saying that “@realDonaldTrump had the opportunity to stand up to Putin. Today, less than 72 hours after DOJ indicted 12 additional Russian officials for attacking the 2016 elections, he blames … both countries.”
In a statement, Schumer called Trump’s comments “thoughtless, dangerous, and weak,” and went on to say that:
A single, ominous question now hangs over the White House: what could possibly cause President Trump to put the interests of Russia over those of the United States? Millions of Americans will continue to wonder if the only possible explanation for this dangerous behavior is the possibility that President Putin holds damaging information over President Trump.
The fact that top Democratic leaders are openly asking this question shows just how damaging and indefensible Trump’s behavior over the past 12 hours—and the past week—has been.