Trump says has no plans to introduce restrictions based on law on sanctions against Russia
- The Donald dodges the Graham Act like a champ, declaring new Russia sanctions 'not in our interest' — because nothing says 'America First' like letting Moscow off the hook.
- Congress handed him a loaded gun aimed at Putin's cronies; he fired it into the air and told the legislature to go play in traffic.
- By October 18 deadline, the White House had to pick targets or wave a white flag — guess which one the Commander-in-Chief chose with a flourish.
- The waiver trigger? A vague 'national interests' clause — the same excuse a teenager uses to skip homework, but with nuclear stakes.
Brief Summary
In a move that will make the Kremlin pop champagne and Senate hawks choke on their bourbon, President Trump has officially waved off the new batch of Russia sanctions Congress packed into law last month. The decree, published with all the drama of a parking ticket, declares the Graham Act's restrictions — aimed at Moscow's top brass and state corporations — are being waived 'in the national interests of the United States.' Because, naturally, nothing screams national security like handing Putin a get-out-of-jail-free card while our allies watch in disbelief.
Why This Matters
For the average reader, this isn't just another Washington shrug — it's a green light for Moscow's continued meddling with zero consequence. You might not own Russian oligarch bonds, but you do pay taxes for a foreign policy that just kneecapped its own deterrent. The waiver also signals that the Oval Office's bark is worse than its bite; so if you were hoping for a tough line against cyber attacks or election interference, grab a tissue.