Graham signals she will press Trump on Russia sanctions waiver
Sen. Darline Graham said she would rather keep sanctions pressure on Russia after President Trump waived penalties enacted under a law she championed. She said she shares Trump's goal of ending the war and reducing fuel costs, but added that she does not trust Putin or Russia. Graham said she expects to discuss the waiver with Trump when he visits South Carolina.
Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) responded after President Trump used an executive order to set aside penalties on Russian energy that had been created by the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. That measure, backed by broad bipartisan majorities, aimed to increase pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine and was named for Graham’s late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Graham said she was proud of the law and shared Trump’s aims of ending the war and lowering fuel prices, though she personally favored continued pressure because she distrusts Putin and Russia. She expects to raise the waiver with Trump during his South Carolina rally next week.
The waiver could affect U.S. relations with Russia and Ukraine, as well as energy markets tied to fuel costs. Lawmakers who supported the sanctions may face pressure to respond, while voters concerned about gas prices or Ukraine policy may watch the dispute closely. Graham’s planned conversation with Trump may shape whether Congress seeks to reaffirm sanctions pressure or accepts the president’s discretion.