WASHINGTON - Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Co-Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement today:

“Since 1776, America has stood as a beacon of hope to the rest of the world. Unlike any country that came before it, America is defined by a set of ideals that have guided our actions both at home and across the world. We do not seek conflict with the wider world, but we also do not back down when our values of liberty and equality for all people are at stake.”

“President Trump has failed to maintain our country's core identity as the leader of the free world. Today, he stood on a stage with Vladimir Putin, a man who directed his military to launch a cyberattack on our country's elections, and whose regime regularly has journalists murdered, LGBT individuals tortured, and political opponents thrown into jail. Rather than stand up to Putin in this setting, President Trump bent over backwards to appease a dictator and even defended him against the FBI, our intelligence officials, and anyone who wants to see Putin held accountable for his actions. This was an incredibly embarrassing and sad day for America.”