Trump puts Russia sanctions package on hold, says pause is in national interest
New York Post · RC · trust 37/100
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The president cited the “national interests of the United States” in halting provisions in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which he signed into law last month after the bill cleared the House and Senate with overwhelming support.
“I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” Trump’s order stated. “I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States.”
President Trump paused a congressional Russia sanctions package in the national interest, shortly after announcing a deal for Russian diesel. RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE HANDOUT/EPA/Shutterstock The measure, which targets Russian officials, institutions and oil and gas exports that have been fueling Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine, was set to go into effect on Sunday.
Trump waived provision that would’ve slapped tariffs of up to 100% on the largest importers of Russian oil and gas. Additionally, the president passed on imposing up to 500% tariffs on all Russian goods.
The order noted that the waivers “shall remain in effect until such time as the President or the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Trade Representative, as appropriate, determine that further action is appropriate.”
Congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle slammed the decision.
“The President is prolonging the war, not ending it,” Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) wrote on X .
Trump signed the law last month and named it after late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) described the move as “Trump’s latest surrender to Putin” and said it “betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies clear congressional intent of legislation designed to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression.”
“Trump has proven he will twist this law and abuse the powers it conferred on him, and while he has let the tariff powers lie for the moment, the law as written also empowers Trump to weaponize new trade authorities against our allies and trading partners,” Beyer warned on X . “Congress must fix this flawed law to stop Trump from capitulating to Putin and ensure that it truly supports Ukraine.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) argued Trump’s waivers “have nothing to do with our national security, & everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin.”
“I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in condemning this craven, cowardly action,” Blumenthal posted on X .
The waiver comes a week after Trump announced a deal with Putin to waive sanctions on Russian diesel exports in order to allow the US to purchase the fuel amid soaring prices at the pump.
The president said Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, an additional 500,000 tons in November, 1 million more tons “immediately thereafter,” and 3 million tons “within a short period of time.”
The sanctions legislation, which Graham — an avid supporter of Ukraine — championed for months before his death, granted Trump the authority to waive portions of the law if it was in the national interest to do so.
Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC), the late senator’s sister, took up her brother’s mantle and pushed for the law after being appointed to the Senate to replace him.
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She noted during a debate earlier this week that it is ultimately Trump’s call whether to use the authorities in the new law.
“It gives the president tools that he can use if he so chooses, to end the war through economic sanctions,” Graham said Sunday.
“So that’s up to him as to whether or not he wants to use it, or whether he wants to use something else, but I think the purpose of it is to bring down the gas prices and ultimately end the war. And when the war ends, gas prices will fall.”
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