Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told ABC News that as he sees it, President Donald Trump, who believes that waterboarding "absolutely works," should not perform "religious tests" on immigrants to the United States. As McConnell stated, "We don't have religious tests in this country," (ABC News, 1-29-17). McConnell also warned that the Muslim ban, which Trump imposed over the weekend in an executive order, is an issue "to be decided in the courts," (ABC News, 1-29-17). The Majority Leader also emphatically stated that in his opinion, Trump's executive order "could do more harm than good," (ABC News, 1-29-17).
Great Muslim citizens
McConnell reminded ABC News that some of America's "greatest citizens" are Muslim. The Senator stated that although he understands Trump's rationale for vetting immigrants to the United States, that "we need to be careful," (ABC News, 1=29-17). McConnell stated that the reason that we must be careful, as indicated earlier, is that the United States does not, as a rule, perform religious tests.
Lifting sanctions on Russia
To the question as to whether the United States should lift sanctions against Russia, McConnell was very critical of Trump's plan implement such a lift. The Majority Leader stated that he is "absolutely opposed" to lifting the sanctions because, if anything, the sanctions against Russia should be increased, not lifted.
McConnell cited Russia's occupation of Crimea and its invasion of Ukraine as two reasons not to lift sanctions against Russia. And, of course, Russia's "cyber-hacking" of America's 2016 Presidential election, which many believe "threw" the election away from Hillary Clinton and to Donald Trump, also was referenced by McConnell as another reason for not supporting lifting sanctions on Russia.
No comment on codifying sanctions
When asked whether or not he would support legislation offered by Senators John McCain, (R, Ariz.) and Chuck Schumer, (D, N.Y.), that would make the sanctions against Russia a permanent, or codified, law, McConnell refused to state his opinion. The Majority Leader did not state his reason for refusing to answer the question about the codifying legislation, but he left no doubt that he does not approve of the idea of lifting sanctions at all.
Trump being sued
Meanwhile, Trump is being sued by the organization, Citizens for Responsibility and Action for retaining his foreign financial interests and holdings after taking office as President. Under federal law, all government employees, including presidents, are required to divest themselves of their foreign holdings and financial interests. Trump has signed control of such interests over to his sons, but he still is in a position to profit from such holdings both during and after his presidency.
