Congressman Panetta: The Trump and Putin Press Conference Reprehensible

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) released the following statement after President Donald Trump's joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Today's press conference between President Trump and President Putin of Russia was beyond disappointing, it was reprehensible. By dismissing Russia's past meddling in our nation's electoral process, President Trump failed to call out a leader who attacked us. This was an opportunity to deliver a strong rebuke and warning to Russia or any other country about any future interference. Instead, it was a disgraceful demonstration of the President's failure to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.'

"The President's continued undermining and disparaging of the U.S. intelligence community and the dedicated men and women who risk their lives every day to protect our country is shameful. The recent intelligence assessment about Russia's ongoing cybercampaign against America's openness and freedom demonstrates the need for our President to stop sucking up and start standing up to our adversaries. The American people deserve more than trash talk and tweets, we deserve a leader who is willing to stand face to face and confront those who threaten our democracy."