Trump criticized for refusing new Russia sanctions

US Senator Richard Blumenthal sharply criticized President Donald Trump for declining to impose new sanctions on Russia under the "Graham law," accusing him of siding with a "bloodthirsty thug." Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who helped draft the legislation, wrote on X that Trump's decision contradicts the will of most Americans and Congress, calling it an act of "sycophancy" toward Vladimir Putin unrelated to US national security. On October 16, Trump signed an order waiving sanctions under the Graham law, citing US national interests, despite an October 15 bipartisan congressional letter urging him to enforce the measure.