Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., rebuked President Trump on Tuesday afternoon for formally congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on his recent re-election.
“An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections. And by doing so with Vladimir Putin, President Trump insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election to determine their country’s future, including the countless Russian patriots who have risked so much to protest and resist Putin’s regime,” McCain said in a statement.
An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections. And by doing so with Vladimir Putin, President Trump insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election. https://t.co/lcQTBi7CA1
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) March 20, 2018
President Trump’s congratulations prompted criticism from some in the media, as well as lawmakers, who said the move was inappropriate in light of Russia’s interference in U.S. elections and non-Democratic election processes.
However, former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, also called Putin to congratulate him on his campaign victory in 2012 when that election’s result was called into question as well.
