Garamendi Statement on Trump’s Meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding Donald Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

"Today, the President of the United States further aligned himself with Vladimir Putin, the known enemy of the United States. That alone is shocking, but Trump went further - berating Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, whose country was invaded by Russia in a war that has taken the lives of tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, civilians, and children. This is a shocking new low to turn our back on an ally when they need our support. President Donald Trump not only blamed President Zelenskyy for Russia's brutal invasion but also refused to retract his disgraceful comment calling Zelenskyy a 'dictator.'

"I have worked with every president since President Jimmy Carter, and I have never had any president so disgracefully abandon an ally and take the enemy's side. It's disgraceful and creates an extraordinarily dangerous situation in Europe.

"President Trump has previously said that he'd be a dictator on "day one," so it is no surprise that our wannabe dictator would try to cozy up to another dictator. Since World War 2, America has led the world in establishing a world order based on democracy and respect for international boundaries. President Trump and Vice President Vance have abandoned those rock-solid principles by aligning themselves with Russia and Putin, who has made it clear that he is going to reestablish the Soviet Union empire.

At the end of this appalling display, the President and Vice President Trump said it would be 'good TV.' It is a tragedy and appalling display of the dereliction of duty to see the president of the United States abandon its role as a defender of democracy. We must remain steadfast in defending what is right. I and Congressional Democrats will never stop supporting our ally Ukraine in their fight to defend themselves against unprovoked aggression. The onus is now on Republicans. Will they do the same, or will they continue to bow to Trump's disgraceful abandonment not only to an ally but our most basic principles?" said Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-08).

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