Trump waives new Russia sanctions passed by Congress, citing ‘national interests’

NBC News, The Guardian and MS NOW report that President Donald Trump has suspended a major sanctions package aimed at Russia's economy, signing an executive order on Friday that tells Congress the pause serves the national interest. The measure, named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., became law only last month and was due to take effect in two days. Democrats condemned the reversal, according to NBC News · The Guardian.

The Guardian and MS NOW say the law targeted Russian officials, banks and a tanker fleet, and called for tariffs of up to 100% on the five biggest buyers of Russian oil or natural gas. The timing follows Trump's announcement of a deal to buy Russian diesel, which a dozen senators, six of them Republicans, asked him to rescind, according to The Guardian. NBC News says diesel prices have climbed almost 70% since the Iran war started in February, and that the midterms are less than three weeks away.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the waivers amount to "sucking up to Vladimir Putin." MS NOW adds that the White House did not immediately explain its reasoning. Sen. Darline Graham, who is running for her brother's seat, has made the law a campaign theme.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NBC News · The Guardian, The Guardian and MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at NBC News · The Guardian → Also at The Guardian → Also at MS NOW →