United States President Donald Trump has issued an executive order indefinitely waiving incoming sanctions on Russia, sparking sharp condemnation from members of Congress who had overwhelmingly approved the measures. The sanctions were scheduled to take effect on Sunday under the Lindsey Graham Russian Sanctions Act, which passed the Senate 86-11 and was signed into law a month ago.
Trump defended the waiver by citing national security concerns. The decision comes shortly after he announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel into the United States, an initiative aimed at lowering surging domestic fuel prices ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Lawmakers from both parties condemned the administration's actions. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina criticized the executive order on social media, questioning the administration's adherence to congressional authority. “What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisers not understand?” Tillis said.
The sanctions law was crafted to restrict revenues funding Russia's four-year war in Ukraine by levying heavy tariffs on nations importing significant quantities of Russian oil and energy products. The waiver comes as Ukraine prepares for winter while facing sustained Russian strikes against its power and heating infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who previously observed the legislation advancing in the Senate, called on supporters to speak out in defense of the measures.
Democrats in the House moved quickly to counter the administration. Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a bill on Friday to block the fuel pact with Moscow. “At a time when the United States should be increasing pressure on the Kremlin, Donald Trump is cozying up to Putin and striking self-enriching deals instead of standing with Ukraine,” Meeks said.
Other Republicans also questioned the pause in economic penalties. “I think it’s clear Russia is the aggressor, and we’ve got to do everything we can to put economic pressure on Russia,” said Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, adding that waiving the penalties was not the approach he would take.
Despite the widespread anger on Capitol Hill, immediate legislative countermeasures are improbable because both the Senate and the House of Representatives are currently in recess until after Election Day. Any formal congressional action challenging the executive order will have to wait until lawmakers return to Washington.
