Trump under fire for defending Putin over poll meddling
Washington, July 17 : US President Donald Trump is facing a barrage of criticism for defending his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over claims of Moscow's interference in the 2016 presidential elections.
At a joint news conference with Putin following their summit in Finland on Monday, Trump refused to denounce the Russian leader for interfering in the presidential campaign and instead contradicted American intelligence agencies, the US media reported on Tuesday.
Russia had no reason to meddle, Trump said.
His remarks sparked an enormous amount of backlash from his critics, Republicans and Democrats, warning that his actions could ultimately hurt national security interests.
"The President must appreciate that Russia is not our ally," said House Speaker Paul Ryan. "The US must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy."
Russia is responsible for "ongoing, pervasive attempts" to undermine US democracy, said Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.
Republican Senator John McCain, a key member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it was a "disgraceful performance".
"No prior President has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant," he said.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted that it was a "missed opportunity... to firmly hold Russia accountable for 2016 meddling".
"Shameful," tweeted Republican Senator Jeff Flake. "Bizarre and flat-out wrong," wrote Senator Ben Sasse in reference to Trump's separate assertion that both countries were to blame for their deteriorating relationship.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Trump's actions had "strengthened our adversaries while weakening our defences and those of our allies".
Former Vice President Joe Biden said: "... Our President had the chance to confront an adversary who has attacked - and continues to attack - our democracy and our allies. He could have stood up for American interests and values. He chose not to."
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called Trump's performance an "embarrassment". Former CIA director John Brennan said Trump's news conference "was nothing short of treasonous".
"Not only were Trump's comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???" he tweeted.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Mike Pence defended the summit and praised Trump.
During the press conference, Putin offered to allow US investigators to visit Russia to question the officers regarding poll medding.
In a later interview with Fox News, he said it was "ridiculous" that some people thought Russia could have influenced the US elections.
Putin said the US-Russian relations should not be "held hostage" to an internal political struggle in America. He also dismissed longstanding reports that Russian intelligence may hold compromising material on Trump.
The Russian leader described the Helsinki meeting as "candid and useful" while Trump said there had been "deeply productive dialogue".
Trump said US-Russia relations had "never been worse" than before they met, but that had now changed.
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AP Home Minister says she takes Pawan Kalyan's remarks 'positively'
Amaravati, Nov 5: Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Tuesday said she viewed Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's remarks on her handling of the state's law and order situation in a constructive way.
Anitha’s response followed Kalyan’s criticism the previous day over deteriorating law and order conditions and increased violence against women, particularly five months into the tenure of the new coalition government comprising the TDP, BJP, and Janasena.
"I took his (Kalyan’s) comments positively. His press meet was, in fact, encouraging. He provided a supportive foundation for my work and urged me to be even more assertive. That's what he communicated,” Anitha told reporters.
Anitha added that, as the Home Minister, she recognises her responsibilities and the demands of her role.
She also emphasised that Kalyan did not label her a failure.
The Home Minister noted that she had spoken to Kalyan about the matter, and he clarified that he was referring to the alleged registration of cases based on caste under the previous YSRCP government.
Further, she underscored that Andhra Pradesh is strict about maintaining law and order.
“The Chief Minister is serious that anyone contemplating a crime should fear. He (CM) said we will bring special laws to deter criminal behaviour. This message came directly from the CM,” she said.
Defending Kalyan as the Deputy Chief Minister, Anitha claimed that some people were "unnecessarily politicising" the issue.
On Monday, the Deputy CM expressed concerns about the state’s law and order situation, suggesting that “things would be different” if he were the Home Minister—remarks seen as direct criticism of Vangalapudi Anitha.
His comments came after recent incidents, including the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl by a relative in Tirupati district.
Meanwhile, YSRCP leader B Rajendranath sought to know who Kalyan was questioning.
"Whom are you (Kalyan) questioning? You are in power. You are the Deputy Chief Minister. Are you questioning yourself, your government, a particular minister, the CM, or the police department? We do not understand," Rajendranath said during a press conference in Hyderabad.
Rajendranath noted that while Anitha holds the Home Department portfolio, law and order is overseen by the CM. He questioned Kalyan's criticism of the police department’s functioning, reasoning that the government cannot operate without the system in place.
He advised Kalyan to address crime effectively, while former Tourism Minister and YSRCP leader RK Roja suggested that Kalyan’s comments reflected "failure" on the part of both the Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister.
Further, she alleged that the Home Minister has become "useless".
