Trump Halts Russia Sanctions, Drawing Bipartisan Rebuke

US President Donald Trump has suspended new sanctions against Russia just before they were set to take effect, drawing bipartisan criticism from US lawmakers who view the move as aiding Vladimir Putin. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called the decision "more than irresponsible," while Representative Don Bacon said Trump is prolonging Russia's war in Ukraine. Senator Ted Cruz labeled the action a "mistake," and several other Republicans urged Trump to reverse course. The suspended sanctions stem from a law named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support to pressure Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Trump justified the pause as being in the "national interest," but Democrats like Senator Richard Blumenthal accused him of siding with a "bloodthirsty criminal."