Daniel Wolfram
A Republican lawmaker questions whether the newly agreed diesel deal between Trump and Putin is even legal.
Republican Senator from North Carolina Thom Tillis went on TV this past weekend with a direct message for President Donald Trump. Tillis was invited on NBC’s Meet the Press, where the Republican called out Trump over his newly announced diesel deal with Russia.
The dispute centers on whether this arrangement is legal. A 2022 law bans Russian oil imports unless Russia pulls out of Ukraine entirely.
There are also speed bumps in the “Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act” from 2022 that are designed to prevent a president from making such a deal without approval from Congress.
“If the President submits to Congress a certification under subsection (c), such termination shall take effect beginning on the date that is 90 calendar days after the date of submission of such certification, unless there is enacted into law during such 90-day period a joint resolution of disapproval,” states the law.
Truth Social is law
Tillis referenced that rule on Meet the Press. “I do believe there’s a legitimate case for saying the president’s not following the law,” he told host Kristen Welker.
When Politico reached out for comment, the White House pointed to a Truth Social post from Trump to explain the decision. In it, Trump declared an immediate “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine.
This new deal with Putin is a reversal from past years when Trump and his fellow Republicans have relentlessly criticized Democrats for continuing to buy oil and diesel from Russia.
Tillis placed the fault squarely on the Russian leader. “If President Trump wants to end the strain on energy supplies, No. 1, get things right in Iran and, No. 2, recognize that it was Vladimir Putin, not Zelenskyy, who started this war,” Tillis said.
Servicemen in danger
Beyond economics, the senator worries about American troops, as there have been reports about Russia supplying Iran with intel about American bases in the Middle East. “These are bad people hanging out with bad people, putting American lives at risk, particularly our Special Operators and forward-deployed personnel,” he warned.
“People in the Department of Defense and our intelligence operations really need to beat a path to the president’s office and say, ‘Look, this guy has a murderous rap sheet. He cannot be trusted.’”
While Trump calls for new Ukrainian leadership, Tillis, who is set to retire at the end of the year, reminded the president whom he is dealing with on this diesel deal.
“The president needs to realize that tens of thousands of people have died over this illegal invasion, and I get it that he may be frustrated,” Tillis concluded. “But he needs to understand who the good guys are in this disagreement and who the bad guys are, and it’s not even close.”
