WASHINGTON – Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Co-Chair David N. Cicilline (D-RI), who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) wrote to President Trump today to express their deep concerns about returning diplomatic compounds used by the Putin regime to spy on the U.S. The lawmakers urged that President Trump hold Russia accountable for last year’s unprecedented interference in the presidential election.

The full text of Cicilline and Engel’s letter is embedded at the end of this release. A PDF copy of the letter, as sent to the President today, can be downloaded by clicking here.

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June 2, 2017

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20500

President Trump:

Six months ago, then-President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian intelligence operatives from the United States and ordered Russian personnel to vacate two compounds – one near New York City, the other on Maryland’s Eastern Shore – that had been used for intelligence-related purposes.

That’s why we were very alarmed to learn, on Wednesday, May 31st, that you are considering returning these two compounds to the control of Putin’s regime in Moscow. According to a report in The Washington Post, your administration, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, is currently engaged in extensive discussions with the Putin regime about returning these facilities.

Returning these facilities would reward Russia’s bad behavior and weaken America’s standing in the world. Like many of our colleagues, we are deeply committed to maintaining our longstanding support for our allies in Europe. The United States led the free world through the Cold War, and today’s aggression must also meet America’s steely determination.  Like the Soviet Union and other authoritarian regimes, the Putin government must see the face of American resolve. Yielding to the Kremlin’s provocations through a new foreign policy of appeasement will do nothing to ensure the safety of the United States or our friends and allies.

Last year, Russian intelligence operatives, under the direction of Russian President Vladimir Putin, successfully executed a disinformation campaign to benefit your candidacy for President of the United States. This unprecedented action came after years of increasing aggression from the Putin regime against American interests and basic international norms, including the invasion of Crimea and efforts to bolster the Assad regime in the Syrian civil war.  

Russia’s actions last year amounted to an attack on American democracy, independence, and sovereignty. It is imperative that you and your administration maintain American policy designed to hold the Putin regime accountable and conduct foreign policy in a way that advances the best interests of our country.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

David N. Cicilline

Member of Congress

Eliot L. Engel

Member of Congress