The confrontation between US President Donald Trump and members of Congress from his party escalated after lawmakers threatened to block additional funding for the Pentagon worth at least $350 billion unless the administration backed down from easing sanctions on Russia and restored its military and intelligence support to Ukraine. The threat came in the latest episode of anger sparked by Trump's decision to suspend new sanctions on Moscow and an agreement to buy Russian diesel with the aim of lowering fuel prices, amid Republican and Democratic objections warning that this policy gives President Vladimir Putin additional resources to continue the war.
The threats are of particular importance because Defense Minister Pete Hegseth is seeking to approve the military spending package during the legislative session that follows the November 3 elections, as part of a broader plan to raise the defense budget to $1.5 trillion.
The Pentagon intends to pay an additional spending package of no less than $350 billion, including $47 billion to expand munitions production, and $17 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense system, in addition to investments in drones, artificial intelligence, and defense industries. But passing this package may become hostage to the dispute over Russia, at a time when analysts indicate that lawmakers’ threats are aimed at pushing President Trump to retract this decision if he wants to pass his legislative priorities.
The crisis came after Trump signed, on Friday, an executive order granting exemptions from sanctions and customs duties approved by Congress under a law bearing the name of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, and aimed at tightening economic pressure on Moscow and countries importing Russian energy. The president relied on powers that allow him to grant exemptions for reasons related to American national interest, without canceling all previous sanctions imposed on Russia. Trump spoke of initial quantities exceeding 300,000 metric tons, in an attempt to calm the markets and reduce the burden on the American consumer.
Republican Representative Don Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, was a vocal critic, warning that the administration's legislative agenda during the remainder of the Congress session may stall unless it changes its policy toward Russia and Ukraine. Bacon accused the administration of reducing the exchange of intelligence information with Kiev and restricting its access to satellite systems, helping the aggressor party. Also, Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick warned of consequences if Ukraine does not regain access to satellite technologies that have been subject to US restrictions. He stressed that government agencies will not receive funding if they do not perform their duties.
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley described Trump's decision to ease sanctions on Russia as a "gross miscalculation," warning that Putin seeks to weaken the West, and that easing sanctions gives him strategic gains at a time when pressure should be increased on him. She was joined by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who told Fox News that he understands Trump's desire to reduce gasoline and diesel prices, but he considers the decision a mistake, stressing that he will ask the president not to suspend the sanctions.
As for Republican Senator Thom Tillis, he described the step as “beyond the limits of irresponsibility,” questioning the reasons for obstructing the implementation of a law approved by the Senate by a majority of 86 votes to 11. He accused the administration of “making concessions to a Russian dictator who continues his war against Ukraine.” The circle of objections expanded with the joining of Republican Senator Rick Scott, and 12 senators from both parties, including Republicans Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Cornyn, and Thom Tillis, sent a letter to Trump demanding that he cancel the Russian diesel agreement and implement the new sanctions.
In the Democratic camp, Senator Richard Blumenthal, one of the participants in drafting the sanctions law, accused Trump of undermining the will of Congress and abandoning European allies, considering that the exemptions do not serve American national security, but rather represent appeasement of Putin. Senator Elizabeth Warren joined the critics, while Democratic Representative Don Beyer described the decision as a direct challenge to the will of lawmakers and an undermining of American support for Ukraine. Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks took legislative action, submitting a draft law to prevent the implementation of the Russian diesel agreement, in an attempt to stop what Democrats consider to be an easing of economic pressure on Moscow at a sensitive time.
Analysts believe that Trump's decision to reach an understanding with Putin to increase supplies of Russian diesel to global markets is an attempt to contain the rise in fuel prices resulting from the war with Iran and turmoil in energy markets, before the midterm congressional elections on November 3. However, his critics doubt the ability of these supplies to achieve a significant drop in prices during the two-week period remaining before the vote, and warn that the potential economic gains do not justify political concessions to Moscow.
In the face of mounting anger, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the administration would benefit from a period of up to 60 days to study the economic effects of sanctions and customs duties, especially on countries that import Russian energy, including India. Analysts say that the deadline that the US Secretary of State is talking about does not mean a commitment to automatically reimpose sanctions, and that Congress’ recess until after the elections limits the ability of lawmakers to take immediate action, despite the widening opposition within the two parties.
For his part, Trump defended his decision, stressing that it would be good for the United States and the world, without making a pledge to back down. Analysts believe that continuing the exemptions is the most likely possibility, while keeping the option of amending them or restoring the sanctions as a negotiating card with Moscow. If diesel supplies fail to reduce prices, and Russia continues to escalate its war, Republican and Democratic pressures may increase after Congress returns to session.
Just two weeks before the midterm congressional elections, the crisis of the Republican Party has shifted to the inner circle of President Donald Trump, who has begun to hold his senior aides and political advisors responsible for the party's declining chances of retaining its majority, amid disagreements over spending hundreds of millions of dollars, redrawing electoral districts, and selecting candidates.
Reuters said that Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of his old aide James Blair, who runs the political action committee MAGA Inc., wondering about the reasons for the lack of improvement in opinion polls despite spending about $200 million to support Republican candidates. The criticism extended to the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who until recently was far removed from internal conflicts.
In an attempt to move the battle from the disagreements of his advisors to the mobilization of voters, Trump appeared on Saturday evening in front of thousands of his supporters in the city of Highland Heights, Kentucky. He described the November 3 elections as “the most important in the history of midterm elections,” calling on Republicans to vote massively to maintain their control of Congress.
The competitions in the swing states reveal a paradox facing the Republican Party. While Trump demands that his supporters deal with the elections as if he were a candidate in them, some candidates seek to prove their independence from him. Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine stands out as an example of this dilemma.
In exchange for Republican attempts to distance themselves from Trump, Democrats began summoning their most prominent political figures to enhance their chances of seizing control of the Senate, led by former President Barack Obama, who announced his support for Democratic candidate Abdul Rahman Al-Sayyed in Michigan, facing Republican Mike Rogers. Obama is scheduled to participate in an election rally in Detroit on October 24, along with Al-Sayyid and other Democratic candidates, in an attempt to unify the party base and increase the participation of black, youth and minority voters.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that President Donald Trump's decision to freeze sanctions and customs duties imposed on Russia aims to provide a period of 60 days to evaluate the impact of these measures on the global economy.
