Democrats in the House Foreign Affairs Committee are turning up the volume of their outrage, claiming President Trump has lifted sanctions on Russia. But here’s the unvarnished truth: he didn’t lift a single sanction, and their beef is based on a policy that originated under President Biden.
Let’s cut through the noise. The Democrats posted a tirade on social media, decrying Trump for failing to hold Russia accountable. Yet, they pointed to a routine renewal of a general license by the Treasury Department that permits specific Russian banks to operate temporarily. What they conveniently ignored is that this policy was enacted by the Biden administration in December 2024, long before Trump even took the helm.
A spokesperson for the Treasury Department clarified the facts, confirming that this license is not a rollback of sanctions, but rather an extension of earlier measures. “All sanctions remain in effect, and there has been no change to our sanctions policy in regard to Russia,” the spokesperson stated unequivocally. This is a continuation of the framework set by Biden’s administration, not a Trump initiative.
In response to the Democrats’ misleading attack, a Republican spokesman labeled their claims as “verifiably false.” He emphasized that they are not easing pressure on Russia and that these licenses were approved during Biden’s term. The Democrat-led committee is grasping at straws, launching baseless accusations against Trump’s record with Russia.
It is worth noting that the Democrats still haven’t retracted their erroneous post. However, a Democratic spokesman belatedly attempted to walk back their remarks, alleging that the Trump administration is “carving out exceptions” to sanctions. This narrative is a feeble attempt to spin a policy they originally set in motion.
Ranking Member Gregory Meeks has made it clear that he supports additional sanctions on Russia, seeking to undermine Putin’s war efforts. Yet, it was the prior administration that sought to secure leverage for future negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. A former senior advisor in the Biden administration reaffirmed that Trump did not lift any sanctions; the general license merely extends existing provisions.
This renewal allows certain Russian financial institutions involved in civilian nuclear energy transactions to operate without sanctions temporarily. The Democrats’ rhetoric fails to align with the reality of the situation, highlighting their desperation to mischaracterize the policies. It’s time to cut through the smoke and hold them accountable for their misleading narrative.
