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Trump backs down under fire, 'clarifies' on Russia meddling

By ZEKE MILLER and LISA the Judiciary Committee
MASCARO to protect Special Counsel
WASHINGTON (AP) — Blis- Robert Mueller's investiga-
tered by bipartisan con- tion into Russian election
demnation of his embrace interference.
of a longtime U.S. enemy, But minority Democrats
President Donald Trump have few tools to enforce
strained Tuesday to "clari- anything.
fy" his public undermining In the House, Democratic
of American intelligence leader Nancy Pelosi staged
agencies, saying he simply a vote Tuesday in support
misspoke when he said he of the intelligence com-
saw no reason to believe mittee's findings that Russia
Russia had interfered in the interfered in the 2016 elec-
2016 U.S. election. tion. But even that largely
Rebuked as never before symbolic measure was
by his own party, includ- blocked party-line by Re-
ing a stern pushback from publicans.
usually reserved Senate Senators had floated a
Majority Leader Mitch Mc- similar idea earlier, and Re-
Connell, the U.S. president publican Jeff Flake of Ari-
sought to end 27 hours of zona said he was preparing
recrimination by delivering a bipartisan bill. But The No.
a rare admission of error. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, left, 2 Republican, Sen. John
"The sentence should have speaks to the media on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Cornyn of Texas, said sanc-
been, 'I don't see any rea- Associated Press tions may be preferable
son why I wouldn't, or why it to a nonbinding resolution
wouldn't be Russia" instead around the world, for the friends, and the Russians Trump political ally. "What that amounts to "just some
of "why it would," Trump said souring of relations be- are not." we intend to do is make messaging exercise."
of the comments he had tween two countries. And Senate Democratic leader sure they don't get away Trump's meeting with Putin
made standing alongside he did not address his other Chuck Schumer said Trump with it again and also to in Helsinki was his first time
Vladimir Putin on Monday's problematic statements was trying to "squirm away" help our allies." sharing the international
summit stage in Helsinki. during a week-long Europe from his comments along- In the Senate, McConnell stage with a man he has
That didn't explain why tour, in which he sent the side Putin. "It's 24 hours said "there's a possibility" his described as an impor-
Trump, who had tweeted NATO alliance into emer- too late and in the wrong chamber would act, point- tant U.S. competitor — but
a half-dozen times and sat gency session and assailed place," he said. ing to a bipartisan measure whom he has also praised
for two television interviews British Prime Minister There- Trump still maintained that from Sen. Marco Rubio, a strong, effective leader.
since the Putin news con- sa May as she was hosting his meetings with NATO al- R-Fla., and Sen. Chris Van Standing alongside Pu-
ference, waited so long to him for an official visit. lies went well and his sum- Hollen, D-Md., to deter fu- tin, Trump steered clear of
correct his remarks. And "I accept our intelligence mit with Putin "even better." ture Russian interference by any confrontation with the
the scripted cleanup per- community's conclusion But this reference to diplo- ordering sanctions against Russian, going so far as to
tained only to the least de- that Russia's meddling in the matic success carried an countries if they do. question American intel-
fensible of his comments. 2016 election took place," edge, too, since the bar- Both parties called for Sec- ligence and last week's
He didn't reverse other Trump conceded Tuesday. rage of criticism and insults retary of State Mike Pom- federal indictments that
statements in which he But even then he made a he delivered in Brussels and peo and other officials to accused 12 Russians of
gave clear credence to Pu- point of adding, "It could London was hardly well-re- appear before Congress hacking into Democratic
tin's "extremely strong and be other people also. A lot ceived. and tell exactly what hap- email accounts to hurt Hill-
powerful" denial of Russian of people out there. There On Capitol Hill, top Republi- pened during Trump's two- ary Clinton in 2016.
involvement, raised doubts was no collusion at all." can leaders said they were hour private session with "I have great confidence in
about his own intelligence Moments earlier, McCo- open to slapping fresh Putin. Pompeo is to publicly my intelligence people, but
agencies' conclusions and nnell felt the need to re- sanctions on Russia, but testify before the Senate I will tell you that President
advanced discredited assure America's allies in they showed no sign of act- Foreign Relations Commit- Putin was extremely strong
conspiracy theories about Europe with whom Trump ing any time soon. tee on July 25. and powerful in his denial
election meddling. clashed during his frenzied "Let's be very clear, just so Schumer also urged the today.
He also accused past trip last week. everybody knows: Russia Senate to take up legisla- "He just said it's not Russia. I
American leaders, rather With no if's or but's, the GOP did meddle with our elec- tion to boost security for U.S. will say this: I don't see any
than Russia's destabiliz- leader declared, "The Eu- tions," said House Speaker elections and to revive a reason why it would be,"
ing actions in the U.S. and ropean countries are our Paul Ryan, another steady measure passed earlier by Trump said. q