http://thehill.com/homenews/media/397257-drudge-report-putin-dominates-trump-in-helsinki
Conservative website Drudge Report on Monday declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged from his meeting with
President Trumpwith the upper-hand.
The website blared a headline of "Putin Dominates in Hel" across its homepage, a reference to the leaders' meeting in Helsinki, Finland.
Sen.
John McCain (R-Ariz.) called the U.S.-Russia summit in Helsinki “a tragic mistake” and faulted
President Trump for “naiveté” and “egotism” in meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He also labeled Trump's press conference with Putin as “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”
Fox News, which is normally friendlier territory for the president, was also largely critical of Trump's performance.
Bret Baier called the press conference "surreal."
Fox News analyst Brit Hume called Trump’s reference to the probe into Clinton’s private email server to deflect questions about Russian interference a “lame response, to say the least.”
Fox Business Network's Neil Cavuto laid into Trump, calling it “disgusting” that the president did not confront Putin.
“It’s not a right or left thing. It’s just wrong,” Cavuto said, adding that Trump failed to offer “even a mild criticism.”
https://www.vox.com/2018/7/16/17577256/trump-putin-meeting-paul-ryan-statement
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) has issued a statement slamming
President Donald Trump’s refusal to admit Moscow interfered in the 2016 election during his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday.
“There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world,” Ryan said in a
statement. “The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally.”
That’s the most powerful Republican in the House condemning a president of his own party.
Every Republican, every Democrat, every liberal, every conservative and every American of all political persuasions — especially every Republican leader in Congress — should roundly denounce the disgraceful comments by
President Trump in his press conference Monday with Vladimir Putin, the Russian dictator who continues his attacks against American elections and American democracy.
Congressional leaders and members in both parties should enact a detailed motion of censure against Trump for his attacks against special counsel
Robert Mueller, his attacks against the investigations of Russia’s attack on America, his attacks against the FBI and, above all, his reprehensible comments when standing next to Putin at his press conference Monday.
Former CIA director John Brennan, a Democrat and a frequent Trump critic,
called Trump's performance at the news conference "nothing short of treasonous."
Retiring Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., called it "shameful.".......
"A person can be in favor of improving relations with Russia, in favor of meeting with Putin, and still think something is not right here,"
tweeted Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich.
Abby Huntsman, a Fox News reporter and daughter of U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman, excoriated Trump in a tweet, saying "no negotiation is worth throwing your own people and country under the bus."
Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., also called Trump's remarks a "missed opportunity" to hold Russia accountable.
"This answer by President Trump will be seen by Russia as a sign of weakness and create far more problems than it solves," Graham said in a tweet.
“Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Our nation’s top intelligence agencies all agree on that point," Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in a statement. "I trust the good work of our intelligence and law enforcement personnel who have sworn to protect the United States of America from enemies foreign and domestic.”
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., agreed.
“I never thought I would see the day when our American president would stand on the stage with the Russian president and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression,” Flake posted on Twitter.
“This is shameful,” he added........
Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., who as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee led a high-profile hearing last week delving into alleged anti-Trump bias at the FBI, said he is confident Trump’s aides will impress on him Russia’s involvement in the election.
“Russia is not our friend,” Gowdy said, adding that he hoped White House officials would communicate to Trump that “it is possible to conclude Russia interfered with our election in 2016 without delegitimizing his electoral success."
“Missed opportunity by President Trump to firmly hold Russia accountable for 2016 meddling and deliver a strong warning regarding future elections,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., posted on Twitter.......
Texas-based Republican political consultant Matt Mackowiak said he had no problem with Trump meeting with Putin to discuss policy issues, but said "it is outrageous, dangerous and ridiculous to take Putin’s word over the U.S. intelligence community" on the issue of election meddling.
Mackowiak and other Republicans took to social media to express their dismay.
IMHO, I agree with Brennan.
