A handful of US representatives have reacted furiously to a leaked recording in which the special envoy to Ukraine reportedly coached Moscow on how to handle Donald Trump, but most have so far remained mute on the revelation that American officials were advising a US adversary.
Don Bacon, a Republican representative, called for Steve Witkoff’s immediate dismissal. “For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians,” the Nebraska lawmaker wrote on X.
“He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.”
Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican wrote that the leak represented “a major problem” and “one of the many reasons why these ridiculous side shows and secret meetings need to stop”. He urged that the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, be allowed to “do his job in a fair and objective manner”.
Democratic representative Ted Lieu went further, calling Witkoff an “actual traitor,” and adding: “Steve Witkoff is supposed to work for the United States, not Russia.”
23 Comments
nulluser@lemmy.world · 88 pts · 295d
That's not negotiation! That's not deal making! That's outright capitulation to the aggressor in a war that should never have been started.
But that's not what he was saying. He was coaching them on how to convince YOU, Mr. Trump, on how to manipulate YOU, Mr Trump, to get you to help them to get everything they want.
kelpie_returns@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 295d
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 294d
It is. Just not in your interest. Might be worth asking what Trump thinks he's getting out of it. Did someone at a Russian bank just pick up another $50M in Trumpcoin recently? How will a brokered peace enrich Trump's family and friends?
The US isn't Ukraine and Trump isn't capitulating to an enemy, he's carving up Ukrainian territory alongside an erstwhile ally. He's making deals, he's just not on your side of the board.
He's an agent of the Trump administration selling a deal brokered by Russia to his boss, presumably by promising the kind of quid pro quo Trump would endorse.
What's notable is how sloppy and slapdash the dealmaking was for the benefit of the public at-large. Trump's team might have gotten out cleaner if the authors of the deal hadn't just chucked it through Babblefish to get an English translation.
atzanteol@sh.itjust.works · 12 pts · 294d
When the car dealer is telling you that they're going to try to convince their manager to accept your deal, you know they're not actually fighting for you right?
prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 5 pts · 294d
Are they "coaching" their boss? Is that your argument?
atzanteol@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 294d
No, they're both working you.
"Listen, if it were up to me I'd give you the car for free! But it's my boss whose being a pain. Here's what you need to do to convince him...."
It's standard "I'm pretending to be on your side against my boss" stuff any car buyer has dealt with.
BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world · 46 pts · 294d
What is the penalty for actual, Constitutionally defined treason? Getting fired in that context does not mean merely losing your job.
Randomgal@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 294d
Can't have constitutional treason if you don't follow the law.
avidamoeba@lemmy.ca · 6 pts · 294d
A cushy job in the private sector.
merc@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 293d
The kind where you actually have to be in a state of war with another country? A war that was legally declared by the US congress? Since the last time the US declared war was during WWII, and every enemy country in that war was defeated, I don't think "actual, Constitutionally defined treason" is possible today.
Lemminary@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 294d
It should be death. At least, I hope it is.
Lushed_Lungfish@lemmy.ca · 6 pts · 294d
I believe it is death only in time of war.
Nastybutler@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 294d
It's the US. We're always at war with someone. Right now it's Venezuela
REDACTED@infosec.pub · 4 pts · 294d
Russia has also repeatedly said they're at war with NATO, and the entire 28-point plan revolves around US being forced to give industry help and secrets to Russia, stop NATO expansion and give money to Russia. Pretty clear Russia is at hybrid war with US and US is surrendering
njm1314@lemmy.world · 31 pts · 295d
He imagines? He doesn't know what his personal negotiator is saying? That's enlightening.
Kirp123@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 294d
You think Trump is actually working? He just lets his goons do whatever and if they do good he just claims their achievements. He's way too busy with interior design at the White House, golfing, napping and watching Fox News to actually check up on them.
Lemminary@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 294d
I'm sure he does all these things, but I wouldn't be surprised if these were the only things he was actually involved in, if only because they seem important to him based on his brand as the master negotiator, and it's a great opportunity to stroke his ego by scoring a few proxy victories.
nickiwest@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 293d
Don't forget hate-watching the late-night shows.
blacklisted@lemmy.org · 24 pts · 295d
Fired? How about indicted?
mrdown@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 295d
He should hsvr been fired since he leaked discudsion about Yemen
kent_eh@lemmy.ca · 11 pts · 293d
Only a handful?
Wtf??
This government shows their incompetence more and more as each day passes.
MourningDove@lemmy.zip · 10 pts · 294d
Gammelfisch@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 293d
There are plenty of US politicians working for fucking Moscow and it starts at the very top.
DaddleDew@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 295d
He was sent by someone to do this. No wonder Trump is defending him. He know if they throw him under the bus he might talk.
Mediocre_Bard@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 294d
TheMinister@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 293d
Horrendous, another in a long list of trump-Russia weirdness. There’s like no doubt there are a lot of republicans in bed with Russia, right? Insane.
All that said…
The incredibly low bar to manipulate trump. “A real peace man?” It’s like, did they dumb down that language for Putins sake, or for trumps? The fact that you can’t tell is fucking telling.