Trump faces bipartisan backlash over waiving Russia sanctions

President Trump is facing bipartisan backlash over his decision to waive new sanctions on Russia just two days before they were set to take effect, in a move that critics say undermines congressional authority and rewards Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The sanctions — championed by the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who died before it was passed — were approved by bipartisan majorities and signed into law by Mr. Trump on Sept. 18. The economic restrictions were designed to penalize top Russian figures and the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas as the U.S. seeks an end to Russian President Vladimir Putin's four-year war in Ukraine.

But Mr. Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Ukraine. "Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine, they haven't been doing much," the president told reporters on the White House South Lawn Monday. "We've given a lot to Ukraine, they've given us nothing." The comments came as Russia continues to strike civilian infrastructure, including a recent attack on a medical clinic, school, metro station and residential buildings in Ukraine.

The decision triggered immediate condemnation from within the president's own party. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina called the move "beyond irresponsible," saying it was "unconscionable that this administration is capitulating to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine and butchers innocent civilians every single day."

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas agreed, saying "Lindsey would be appalled" and that "helping Putin in Ukraine is reckless. He would not stop with Ukraine and our NATO allies would be next." Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota argued on CBS's "Face the Nation" that "capitulating to a bully generally means they're going to make more demands going forward."

Several House Republicans also voiced opposition. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska wrote that the president's "agenda is dead" — warning that many House Republicans "won't fund these things knowing he is propping up a dictator's invasion and throwing an ally under the bus." Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas urged reconsideration, noting that "time and again, we have seen how Putin responds to American concessions: with contempt for the United States and increased violence against innocent Ukrainians."

The waiver comes a week after the president eased sanctions on Russia's energy sector and announced a deal to import Russian diesel to the U.S. market — a deal experts say will not meaningfully offset the fuel disruptions caused by the Iran war. The 300,000 tons of diesel the U.S. is buying from Russia represents roughly half of what the U.S. consumes in a single day, and Ukraine has damaged much of Russia's refining capacity, raising questions about when Russia could actually deliver.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed disappointment, saying the decision to undo the Graham Act "definitely helps only the Russians." A bipartisan group of nine senators has asked the Defense Department inspector general to investigate whether actions by the Department of Defense or its contractors contributed to reported throttling of Starshield satellite network speeds that have hindered Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian drones.

Mr. Trump defended the waiver by saying he is "in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don't want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table." The president is facing political pressure to lower gas prices two weeks before midterm elections in which Republicans are expected to struggle.

Reporting by CBS News. Read the original report: Trump faces bipartisan backlash over waiving Russia sanctions.