President Donald Trump lifted tough new sanctions against Russia passed by Congress, arguing in an executive order Friday that the move “is in the national interest of the United States.”
Trump signed the law, named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., last month. The bill targeted the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, allowing the president to impose tariffs on goods from those countries, which could include China and India.
Passed with bipartisan support, the bill aimed to target Russia’s revenue streams as the country continues to wage its war against Ukraine. The suspension of sanctions constitutes a financial lifeline for Russia.
Trump’s decision to suspend enforcement of sanctions comes after he announced last week a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release hundreds of thousands of tons of Russian diesel fuel onto the global market as fuel prices soar.
Trump expressed frustration with Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil and gas infrastructure and blamed it for rising fuel costs, while downplaying the impact of the war in Iran on the oil market.
The decision to lift sanctions against Russia was quickly condemned by critics in Congress.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, called the decision a “cowardly and cowardly action” in a statement.
“These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with subjugating Vladimir Putin,” Blumenthal said.
Rep. Don Bacon, Republican of Neb., a staunch Ukraine ally, said that “the president is prolonging the war, not ending it,” in an article on X.
Trump’s decision to suspend sanctions comes as the price of diesel fuel has soared nearly 70% since the start of the Iran war in February and comes less than three weeks before the midterm elections, with the cost of living remaining a major issue for voters.
Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who co-sponsored the bill named in honor of her late brother, touted its success as a key part of her campaign to win a full term in her Senate seat. Graham is a fierce ally of Trump, as his support was critical in his victory in the GOP primaries. Graham has yet to criticize the president for his Russian oil deal or his decision to lift sanctions.
Congress passed the bill with strong majorities in the House and Senate, although many Democrats opposed the bill because it granted the president new tariff powers.
The legislation states that before the administration lifts the new sanctions, it must submit an unclassified report to Congress explaining their basis. In his executive order, Trump said the White House sent the report to Capitol Hill.
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