Russian collusion revival came courtesy of a California congressman who coupled comments from the former president with the death of a Russian opposition leader as “quite a coincidence.”
(Video: MSNBC)
The pinnacle of Trump Derangement Syndrome may never be found, but California Rep. Ted Lieu (D) was still climbing toward that summit, even if it came at the expense of his party leader President Joe Biden.
Saturday, the lawmaker joined MSNBC’s “Alex Witt Reports” where he reacted to the death of Alexei Navalny by pointing blame at former President Donald Trump’s rally remarks about NATO allies.
“Let’s begin with the death of the Russian leader, Alexei Navalny,” said the eponymous host. “It was in a Siberian prison, as you know. President Biden says that Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for his death. First of all, what are your thoughts about this and how, if we can, should the U.S. hold Russia responsible?”
Readily musing conspiratorially, Lieu wondered, “I think we have to ask ourselves, why did Navalny all of a sudden die at this point in time?”
“I, first of all, agree with President Biden that Russia is responsible for his death. Also, what happened in a few days leading up to his death?” lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee member. “Well, we had former President Donald Trump essentially say that Russia should attack European countries.”
“That is crazy. That is traitorous language,” charged the California Democrat.
Trump had been speaking at a rally in Conway, South Carolina when he recounted a tale about getting European allies to pay their share into the NATO alliance. “One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’ I said, ‘You didn’t pay, you’re delinquent?'”
“He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened,'” continued the GOP leader. “‘No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.'”
Trump creates a stir when he says Russia could do ‘whatever the hell they want’ to NATO countries https://t.co/mhcvwCgJRM via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) February 11, 2024
Referring to Trump’s remarks, Lieu proceeded to suggest that Putin doesn’t take Biden seriously as the incumbent’s authority was said to be ignored in favor of his predecessor’s stories from years earlier. “Russia certainly was listening, and I think they thought, hey, we now have a green light to do all sorts of crazy stuff. And if Trump would be president, Putin would have even more latitude.”
After the congressman pushed to have Russia labeled a state sponsor of terrorism and to have assets seized, sold and gifted to Ukraine, Witt questioned, “are you suggesting there could be a link between what Donald Trump was saying — saying Russia, do whatever the hell you want to our NATO allies — do you think it emboldened, potentially, Putin? Because to your other point, the day before he died, he looked to be in perfectly good health. He’d spoken with his wife. He appeared via Zoom, in some sort of a legal arraignment that he had to do there. We’re looking at pictures right there. He was joking with the guards, joking with the judge or an attorney there. He looked absolutely fine. The next day drops dead?”
“I think it’s quite a coincidence. And certainly, Russia is listening to what the former president is saying. He’s saying crazy stuff,” replied Lieu before also suggesting Trump dishonored veterans of WWII for speaking negatively about NATO.
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Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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