“In the entire history of our country, Americans have never seen a president of the United States support an American adversary the way President Trump has supported President Putin,” Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “For the president of the United States to side with President Putin against American law enforcement, American defense officials, and American intelligence agencies is thoughtless, dangerous and weak. The president is putting himself over our country.”
John Brennan, the CIA director under Barack Obama, said Trump’s conduct was “nothing short of treasonous”.
Arizona senator John McCain called the press conference a “pathetic rout” and “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory”.
House speaker Paul Ryan said there was “no question” that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.