After it was announced that 13 Russian nationals had been indicted by Robert Mueller for meddling in the 2016 election, the White House attempted to use the news to defend the president. For Sarah Huckabee Sanders, she decided to take a shot at the former president in the process.
Unlike Obama, @POTUS isn’t going to be pushed around by Russia or anybody else. As he said yesterday: It’s time we stop the wild and false allegations that further the agendas of bad actors like Russia & unite as Americans to protect the integrity of our democracy & our elections
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) February 17, 2018
Sanders and Obama
For over a year, the hottest political story has involved Russia's hacking of the 2016 presidential election, and whether or not Donald Trump's campaign had been in cahoots with the Kremlin.
Despite Trump constantly denying the allegations, repeating the phrase "no collusion" on a routine basis, reports and evidence say otherwise. Following the indictments of the 13 Russian nationals last week, the president and his team have used the story to back their own talking points, though it appears their defense is misleading.
Robert Mueller has charged 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian organizations with illegally using social media platforms to meddle in the 2016 presidential election https://t.co/0Qt2VZqfsT
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 16, 2018
In addition to Donald Trump defending himself on Twitter, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders doubled down on the president's talking points while taking a shot at Barack Obama in the process.
"Unlike Obama, POTUS isn’t going to be pushed around by Russia or anybody else," Sanders tweeted. Not stopping there, the press secretary went on to quote the president, referring to the Russian investigation as "false allegations" that was only helping the "bad actors" in Russia from hurting American democracy.
Twitter checked
After Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted her social media defense of Donald Trump, those who oppose the administration wasted no time firing back. "Russia has the pee tape, they're calling the shots with you and Donnie," one tweet read.
Why won't he enforce the sanctions against Russia? Why has he not called for punitive action for their election tampering? Why was Russia helping him?
— Dave Hogg 📎 (@Stareagle) February 17, 2018
Why won’t he implement the sanctions? He is Putin’s puppet. #PutinsPuppet #ImpeachTrump #NotMyPresident
— Misty J (@mistyj30) February 18, 2018
The have worse than the peectapes. Much worse.
— Ravishing (@RavOrig) February 18, 2018
"The truth is Donald Trump has been pushed around more by Russia in one year than any other President in American history," Dave Hogg tweeted out, while adding, "Why won't he enforce the sanctions against Russia?
Why has he not called for punitive action for their election tampering? Why was Russia helping him?" "Why won’t he implement the sanctions? He is Putin’s puppet," a social media user noted.
You really think that she has a soul at this point?
— Mark Landes (@usmagrad87) February 18, 2018
tho tempting. *bite hard
— Paul Johnston (@Paul1Johnston) February 18, 2018
You’re so blatantly blind to reason and facts it’s almost tragic. “Almost” because you’d have to have some integrity to qualify for a tragedy and you’ve proven you don’t.
— Brittany Artus (@brittany_artus) February 18, 2018
"Of course Russia won’t push Donald Trump around. You don’t push someone who’s in the middle of fellating you; that’s just rude," a follow-up tweet read.
"Sometimes, when you are alone, do you miss your soul?" a Twitter user sarcastically wondered. As the backlash and fact-checking continued to pour in, it was clear that critics of the White House would not be backing down or holding back at any point in the near future.
