March 04, 2025

Duckworth Blasts Trump for Abandoning Ukraine, Calls Out Defense Under Secretary Nominee for Failing to Clearly State Russia Started the War

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee—criticized President Trump’s dangerous decision to halt all military aid to Ukraine, abandoning our democratic partner as they defend themselves against Putin’s unjustified war of choice and undermining U.S. interests at home and abroad. Additionally, Duckworth pressed Trump’s Under Secretary of Defense for Policy nominee, Elbridge Colby, on whether he would state clearly that Russia invaded Ukraine. Mr. Colby refused to answer. Duckworth’s full remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube.

“Donald Trump’s decision to pause all military aid to Ukraine is a shameful abandonment of our democratic partners, our interests and our fundamental American values,” said Duckworth. “As this Administration continues to surrender to Putin and weaken our national security, I pushed Mr. Colby to state clearly that Russia invaded Ukraine. His inability to acknowledge basic, public facts about Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine demonstrated that he is unfit to lead our brave men and women in uniform and make policy decisions at the Pentagon.”

Duckworth has repeatedly spoken out in response to President Trump’s capitulation to Vladimir Putin and Russia. Last week, Duckworth joined her fellow Democratic colleagues on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in issuing a statement condemning Trump and Vice President Vance’s rhetoric during their meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Duckworth has repeatedly pressed Trump’s nominees to clearly state that Russia invaded Ukraine. Last week, Duckworth pressed Deputy Secretary of Defense nominee Stephen Feinberg to admit that Russia was the one who started the war. Ultimately, Mr. Feinberg refused to answer. Trump’s nominees’ inability to plainly state that Russia invaded Ukraine emboldens Russia and our foreign adversaries while weakening relationships with our democratic partners and allies.

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