Biden: Trump, Putin presser was ‘beneath the dignity’ of the presidency

Former Vice President Joe Biden slammed President Trump on Monday for refusing to denounce Russian interference in the 2016 election in front of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

“Today’s press conference was beneath the dignity of the Office of the President. The President’s words do not reflect what Americans think and who we are,” Biden said in a Facebook post on Monday. 

“Congress and the American people must speak out to make it clear that we believe in democracy over dictatorship, that we support our allies and not those who seek to weaken us, and that we will defend our freedom when it is attacked,” he added. 

“Today our President had the chance to confront an adversary who has attacked — and continues to attack — our democracy and our allies. He could have stood up for American interests and values. He chose not to,” Biden continued.

Biden said that Trump chose to embrace Putin during the conference, by putting the Russian leader’s “word above that of our own intelligence community whose leaders he appointed.”

Trump drew backlash from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle after a joint press conference with Putin after the two met in Helsinki, Finland. At the presser, Trump downplayed the Russian government’s interference in the 2016 presidential election and slammed the special counsel investigation.

{mosads}“The probe is a disaster for our country. I think it’s kept us separated. There was no collusion at all. Everybody knows it,” Trump said alongside Putin, just days after 12 Russian nationals were indicted on charges related to the hacking of the Democratic National Committee. 

When asked during the press conference whether he would condemn the Russian government for election meddling, Trump also said: “I don’t see any reason why it would be” Russia who hacked Democrats during the 2016 election.