President Trump Donald John TrumpHouse Dems add five candidates to ‘Red to Blue’ program White House notifies Russia that no new sanctions are coming: report Senators push HHS to negotiate lower prices on opioid overdose reversal drug MORE on Wednesday said his administration would levy additional sanctions on Russia “as soon as they very much deserve it.”
The comments, made at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, capped a four-day stretch of confusion over whether the Trump administration would punish Moscow for its alleged role in a recent chemical attack in Syria.
Trump began to walk away from the microphone, but returned to answer a shouted question about the sanctions. He then went on to tout his record on confronting Russia.
“There has been nobody tougher on Russia than Donald Trump,” the president said, restating one of his common talking points
He noted that he has helped raise money for NATO, as well as touted a recent military strike in Syria that was carried out in coordination with France and the United Kingdom.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Nimrata (Nikki) HaleyWhite House notifies Russia that no new sanctions are coming: report Russia vows 'painful' response to any US sanctions The Hill's Morning Report: Haley clashes with White House MORE said on Sunday that additional sanctions against Russia would be announced as soon as Monday in response to its alleged role in a recent chemical attack in Syria.
However, the White House said Monday that Trump had decided not to impose sanctions, contradicting Haley’s comments.
Top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters that Haley had “gotten ahead of the curve” or had confusion about the policy.
Haley quickly fired back, saying “With all due respect, I don’t get confused.”
Kudlow later apologized, but the incident sparked speculation that all of the Trump administration was not on the same page regarding its policy toward Russia.
Trump has faced criticism from lawmakers for being hesitant at times to speak out forcefully against Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
ldmosquera on April 18th, 2018 at 23:59 UTC »
The Donald Trump Center for Kids Who Can't Speak Good and Want To Learn How To Do Other Stuff Good Too
TooShiftyForYou on April 18th, 2018 at 23:43 UTC »
"Nobody is tougher on Russia than Trump."
Throws his own UN Ambassador under the bus and refuses to impose previously announced Russia sanctions
HauschkasFoot on April 18th, 2018 at 23:40 UTC »
I wanted to see this in context so I watched the video...he explains how “no ones been tougher on Russia than Donald Trump,” and it’s so incoherent and nonsensical it’s baffling. Definitely worth a watch, it’s only a minute or so long.