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Trump Signs Controversial Sanctions Bill
Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman)
On August 2, a White House statement by Trump on signing the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364),” illegally imposing sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, said the following:
“I favor tough measures to punish and deter bad behavior by the rogue regimes in Tehran and Pyongyang.”
“I also support making clear that America will not tolerate interference in our democratic process, and that we will side with our allies and friends against Russian subversion and destabilization.”
“That is why, since taking office, I have enacted tough new sanctions on Iran and North Korea, and shored up existing sanctions on Russia.”
In signing the measure, he called it “significantly flawed,” including “clearly unconstitutional provisions,” encroaching on presidential authority to negotiate, “driv(ing) China, Russia and North Korea much closer together,” along with antagonizing EU allies.
The measure represents the agenda of bipartisan neocons infesting Congress and administration hardliners, not the will of the American people, as Trump claimed.
Saying it’s up to Russia “to improve relations with the United States” arrogantly ignores full US responsibility for deplorable hostility toward a sovereign state without just cause - things likely to deteriorate further, not improve.
The measure passed both houses by a 517 to 5 vote, a whopping veto-proof majority.
A same day article said the bill neutralizes administration policy. It’s hamstrung, other than imposing its own sanctions or launching war without Security Council or congressional authorization.
It’s a dark day in America, one of too many. Things keep going from bad to worse with no prospect for improvement.
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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
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