Trump blasted for siding with ‘bloodthirsty thug’ in late-night gift to Russia

Critics across the political spectrum unloaded on President Donald Trump after he threw Russia a lifeline with a stroke of his pen. Trump signed an executive order Friday night exempting Russia from a sweeping package of penalties Congress passed last month, just two days before they were set to take effect, The New York Times reported. The law, named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), targeted Russian officials, oligarchs and banks to choke off cash for Moscow's war on Ukraine . Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who co-wrote the bill, tore into the president on X. "Donald Trump confirms again that he stands on the side of a bloodthirsty thug & the enablers of Russia's war machine & against the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, & our European allies," he wrote. In a statement reported by the Associated Press, Blumenthal said the waivers have "nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin ." Kremlin asset Donald Trump signed an executive order halting sanctions against Russia that were set to take effect within a couple of days.