How Rudy Giuliani and 9 Other Politicians Have Thrown President Donald Trump Under the Bus
President Donald Trump has a reputation for sparking division, both within his own party and across the aisle. His off-the-cuff tweets often cause controversy, as do policies that seem to come from left field. Most recently, even his own legal team has broken with his stances. You won’t believe the way Rudy Giuliani threw him under the bus (Page 10).
10. Trump put his foot in his mouth and got a strong response
He called the Democrats names. | Jim Lo Scalzo – Pool/Getty Images
After a cold reception during his first State of the Union, Trump called Democrats “un-American,” and “treasonous.” That comment subsequently prompted a strong response from many on the hill. Sen. Tammy Duckworth hit back at the statement.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public,” she tweeted.
Next: The following policy really got legislators’ backs up.
9. When Trump suggested a trade war, some GOPers lost it
Even the GOP is fed up. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
After Trump said his administration will impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, GOP senators spoke out. They said they fear retaliation from other countries and disagree with the lack of communication from the White House.
Sen. Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, said that,”Trade wars are never won. Trade wars are lost by both sides. Make no mistake: If the president goes through with this, it will kill American jobs — that’s what every trade war ultimately does. So much losing.”
Next: Gun control also divided the party.
8. On gun control, the president’s own party balked
Sasse blasted Trump. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
When addressing gun control during the first week of May, Trump received many shocked reactions. He said that, in some cases, law enforcement should confiscate weapons from disturbed individuals. “Take the gun first, go through due process second,” Trump said.
Sasse subsequently blasted the president’s statement.”We’re not ditching any constitutional protections simply because the last person the president talked to today doesn’t like them,” he said.
Next: The following offensive comment also received some blowback.
7. Many lawmakers quickly hit back at this statement
Lawmakers from both sides found his comments despicable. | Alex Wong/Getty Images
After Trump referred to African nations as “s***hole countries” and disparaged Haitians during an immigration meeting, the remarks received a swift response. Lawmakers from both parties denounced the statement.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska found it offensive, and said it doesn’t reflect who we are, as a country. “I am disappointed and suggest we move quickly to resolve the status of the Dreamers in a way that truly reflects our values,” she added.
Next: Other controversial statements have also garnered similar responses.
6. This senator opposed Trump’s stance on a political movement
Graham criticized Trump’s statement. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
After a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia turned deadly, Trump denounced violence on “both sides.” Sen. Lindsey Graham, a vocal critic of the president’s, stood against his remarks.
“Through his statements yesterday, President Trump took a step backward by again suggesting there is moral equivalency between the white supremacist neo-Nazis and KKK members who attended the Charlottesville rally. … I, along with many others, do not endorse this moral equivalency,” Graham said.
Next: Even his own cabinet doesn’t always agree with the president.
5. The attorney general and Trump also do not see eye-to-eye
He doesn’t see eye-to-eye with Trump. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Jeff Sessions and Trump have routinely clashed, throughout his presidency. When it comes to the investigation into Russian 2016 election collusion, they especially butt heads. Trump tweeted criticism of Sessions’ decision to ask Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department’s inspector general, to investigate the FBI and Justice Department’s actions.
“We have initiated the appropriate process that will ensure complaints against this department will be fully and fairly acted upon if necessary,” Sessions responded. “As long as I am the attorney general, I will continue to discharge my duties with integrity and honor, and this department will continue to do its work in a fair and impartial manner according to the law and Constitution.”
Next: Trump and the following cabinet member have also clashed.
4. His former secretary of state insulted a friend of Trump’s
Tillerson insulted Russia. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson took a hard line on Russia, even before his confirmation. That stance may even have played a role in costing him his job. He condemned an alleged nerve gas attack on British soil, breaking with Trump.
“From Ukraine to Syria — and now the UK — Russia continues to be an irresponsible force of instability in the world, acting with open disregard for the sovereignty of other states and the life of their citizens,” he said. Trump, on the other hand, consistently takes a much softer approach to Russia.
Next: Tillerson’s replacement also did not toe the line any better.
3. Trump’s secretary of state said he would not carry out this order
Pompeo is against torture unlike Trump. | Salah Malkawi/Getty Images
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo affirmed his opposition to torture during his confirmation hearing. He also pledged to refuse any Trump order to torture. Trump, on the other hand, suggested bringing back waterboarding while on the campaign trail.
“When ISIS is doing things that no one has ever heard of, since medieval times, would I feel strongly about waterboarding?” Trump told ABC News. “As far as I’m concerned, we have to fight fire with fire.”
Next: His own lawyers also did not agree with a crucial position.
2. Trump’s own lawyer even disagreed about another scandal
Trump probably has reason to be mad at Giuliani. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Giuliani also contradicted Trump’s rationale for firing James Comey as the FBI director. The lawyer said Trump dismissed Comey because he refused to publicly say that Trump had no involvement in the Russia investigation.
“He fired Comey because Comey would not, among other things, say that he wasn’t a target of the investigation,” Mr. Giuliani said in an interview late Wednesday with Sean Hannity of Fox News. “He’s entitled to that.”
Next: This also does not represent the first time the former mayor has contradicted his boss.
1. Giuliani changed the story about the Daniels payment
Cohen will be pleading the fifth. | Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Trump reimbursed Michael Cohen, his personal lawyer, for a $130,000 payment that Cohen said he made to keep Stormy Daniels from talking about their affair before the 2016 election, according to Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump’s newest lawyers. That statement, which Giuliani made on Fox News, contradicted the president. He had previously said he had no knowledge of the payment.
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