DPCC Co-Chair Cicilline: President Trump is Refusing to Show Leadership on Russia
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Cicilline, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy & Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on CNN's News Room to discuss the implications of Russia's test firing of a new air defense missile. This is just the latest threat in Russia's ongoing attempts to interfere in our democracy. It's time President Trump implement a comprehensive strategy, coordinated with our allies, to push back against Russia's attacks. Below are excerpts from the interview and a link to the video.
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"I think there's no question that we need to understand the serious threat that Russia poses. They're engaged in cyber activity and military aggression around the world. They've interfered with our presidential election and are trying to destabilize other western democracies. So we certainly need to understand that Russia is not a friend. They're an adversary of the United States.
"What we need from the President is real leadership on developing a comprehensive strategy that's fully integrated, that works with our allies around the world, that understands the seriousness of this threat and fashions a comprehensive strategy to meet that threat. I think this is just another example of Russia trying to assert themselves, as they have in other parts of the world, and showing their military capabilities. And we need to understand and recognize the seriousness of this threat and impose additional sanctions that really get to the heart of Putin's power base, the oligarchs. Again, by working with our allies, making sure that we develop and implement even stricter sanctions that really get to the financial system, that get to the processes that the oligarchs have around the world so that we can really hurt Putin where it counts.
"But we've got to work closely with our allies. And we need to, of course, respond in a serious way to their ongoing efforts to interfere with our democracy. And, you know, strong statements from the President condemning those actions would be a good beginning. And then making sure that we've put things in place to prevent them from ever doing it again.
"But this is about American leadership, not just reacting sort of a one-off, but really coordinating with our allies in a comprehensive way to send a very strong message to Putin and Russia that we are not going to permit their aggressive behavior or their interference in our democracy."