WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement:

“President Trump’s meeting today with Vladimir Putin of Russia was an appalling display of self-serving posturing by both men. Americans should expect such behavior from President Putin. They should not expect, however, to be misrepresented and abandoned by the President of the United States.

“Today, Americans should have seen their President demand the extradition of Russian military intelligence officers charged last Friday with interfering in the 2016 election.

“Americans should have seen their President defend the integrity of our electoral system against the collusion, meddling, and fraud which has already led to dozens of Federal indictments.

“Americans should have seen their President condemn President Putin for ordering the poisoning of civilians of our closest ally, the United Kingdom.

“Americans should have seen their President call on President Putin to abandon his strongman tactics and assaults on democracy, human rights, and civil liberties.

“Americans should have seen their President close ranks with our European allies in NATO, improving our defense-in-depth and alliance network that remains the envy of the world.

“In short, Americans should have been represented by a cool-headed, tough, moral public servant at this meeting. I regret very much that they were not.

“The American people deserve better from their Commander-in-Chief.”

###