Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell predicted Sunday that any hopes President-elect Trump has to get along with the Russians and President Vladimir Putin will be “dashed pretty quickly” into his first term in office.
Appearing on “Face The Nation,” McConnell argued that it is not unusual for a new president to seek an improved relationship with the Russians, citing former President George W. Bush’s efforts upon taking office in 2000. Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state for President Obama, famously sought an unsuccessful “reset” of relations.
Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state for President Obama, famously sought an unsuccessful “reset” of relations.
McConnell’s remarks come in the wake of a report from a U.S. intelligence officials released Friday that declared Putin attempted to undermine the U.S. democratic process.
“I think the best way to look at the president-elect’s attitude toward the Russians is to look at the incoming national security leaders,” McConnell said, pointing to retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, and Rep. Mike Pompeo, the incoming CIA director, as examples.
“None of these are people who are in any way conflicted about the view that the Russians are not our friend and are a big problem,” the Kentucky Republican said.
“I don’t think it’s all that unusual to want to get along with the Russians. I remember George W. Bush having the same hope,” McConnell told host John Dickerson. “My suspicion is these hopes will be dashed pretty quickly. The Russians are clearly a big adversary and they demonstrated it by trying to mess around in our election.”
Trump has consistently spoken about his hope to get along with the Russians, especially since becoming president-elect amid criticisms from Democrats and some Republicans. Trump doubled down on his intention to improve relations with the Russians by nominating Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson to become the next secretary of state. Tillerson has a longtime relationship with Putin and Russia stemming from his tenure at Exxon Mobil, having received an “Order of Friendship” from the Russian president.
