McCain: Putin doesn’t have America’s best interests at heart

PHOENIX – U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) discredited President Donald Trump’s comments Saturday about allegations of Russian involvement in the 2016 election.

In a statement, McCain said that he believes “there’s nothing ‘America First,’ about Trump’s comments on the sincerity of Russian leader Vladimir Putin when he denied Russian involvement.

“There’s no ‘principal realism’ in cooperating with Russia to prop up the murderous Assad regime,” McCain said. “Putin does not have America’s interests at heart. To believe otherwise is not only naive but also places our national security at risk.”

Trump is nearing the end of his 12-day, five-country trip in an effort to strengthen relations between Asia and the U.S.

During a trip to Vietnam, Trump touched on Putin’s denial, saying “Every time he sees me, he said: ‘I didn’t do that.’ And I believe — I really believe — that when he tells me that, he means it.”

Trump added that Putin has expressed sincerity when denying the allegations of involvement.

McCain’s firm belief in Russian meddling led to the senator’s bill calling for new regulations for politically driven ads on social media.

Last month, McCain claimed with regulations similar to that of radio and television, involvement from outside forces in future elections could be prevented.

Related

Construction begins on Avondale Tech Center, a 700,000-square-foot industrial campusMan hit by impaired driver after running into street while being chased following argument14-year-old boy critically injured after being hit in Phoenix crosswalkUniversity of Arizona to open nation’s 1st MD medical school on tribal landSuspect in death of Tucson police recruit located, Alex Barnett remains at large28-year-old Surprise man faces sexual misconduct charges following investigation