Posted on 02/06/2017 2:39:43 AM PST by reaganaut1
WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump said he respects Vladimir Putin, and when an interviewer called the Russian leader "a killer," Trump said the United States has many of them.
"What do you think? Our country's so innocent?" he told Fox's Bill O'Reilly in an excerpt released by the network. The president's interview was to air Sunday afternoon on the Super Bowl pregame show.
Trump has long expressed a wish for better ties with Moscow, praised Putin and signaled that U.S.-Russia relations could be in line for a makeover, even after U.S. intelligence agencies determined that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign to help Trump win against Democrat Hillary Clinton. Putin has called Trump a "very bright and talented man."
During Putin's years in power, a number of prominent Russian opposition figures and journalists have been killed.
In the interview, Trump says, "I do respect him," and then is asked why.
"I respect a lot of people, but that doesn't mean I'm going to get along with him. He's a leader of his country. I say it's better to get along with Russia than not. And if Russia helps us in the fight against ISIS, which is a major fight, and Islamic terrorism all over the world that's a good thing," Trump said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. "Will I get along with him? I have no idea."
O'Reilly then said about Putin: "But he's a killer, though. Putin's a killer."
Trump responded: "There are a lot of killers. We've got a lot of killers. What do you think? Our country's so innocent?"
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
One possible misspeak, everyone knows President Trump loves this country with all his heart. That was not so with Obama.
We destabilized most of the middle east. This has flooded Europe with Muslims, led to the rise of ISIS, and could lead to a wider disastrous war. Tens of thousands have dies because of stupid policies this nation put into play with the last president.””
Yes, this was at the top of the Obama agenda.
Defend our support of what was essentially the sacking of a sovereign nation by a private army of murderers with the assistance of NATO air power. Defend Libya and at least I will find you to be consistent.
to mention Kosovo and Clintons criminal bombing of Serbia.””
Again, part of the Muslim agenda. We saved the Muslims and attacked the Christians. Then the Obama/ Clinton crime families fueled the jihadi fire for 8 long years.
Kermit Gosnell comes to mind.
Most people can’t handle the truth when it comes to US foreign policy. It’s best not to force it on them but, rather, to guide them in a direction that allows them to gently figure it out for themselves.
No, the difference was that Obama apologized for America, Trump did not apologize, he just stated a fact, that we have blemishes of our own (as does everyone else).
Some FReepers have even tried to deny Putin’s penchant for political murders to me because they have such a big crush on the guy. It’s pretty surreal.
Yes, there are lots of bad guys in the world. In realpolitik, you sometimes have to choose between them. It never means forever, is always conditional, and it changes as conditions change. Alliances of convenience are the norm in statecraft, not the exception. Some of our “allies” in NATO are just that type of allies. They know it, and we know it.
The Soros backed twerp.
Must stink to still be a NeverTrumper with all of his success.
Sort of like FDR having to work with Stalin, you have to deal with dictators if you are President.
First and foremost I’m committed to conservative ideas, not loyalty to a person - any person.
This is what Trump does; says something hyperbolic that everyone will be talking about the next day.
The fact of Obama’s and Bush’s horrendous foreign policy failures will now become front and center.
If there’s any doubt how Trump feels about this country, then you’re on the wrong train.
Do you want to work with the mad mullahs of Iran?
I applaud calling out crime & corruption. Do not get me wrong. Call out those who commit not so innocent acts instead of under the general heading of the United States, because it infers those things were done in our name and we all share in the collective guilt. Others might not see it that way.
Another sanctimonious Conservative who likely supported the foreign born candidate.
Unbelievable ignorance simply to defend the anti-Russia POV in your comment and some others in this thread.
Nope.
He’s not apologizing for anything, just stating historical truth.
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