The reviews are in:
There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. That is not just the finding of the American intelligence community but also the House Committee on Intelligence. The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy. - Rep. Paul Ryan (R-TX)
That's what made it disgusting. That's what made his performance disgusting. I'm sorry, it's just the only way I feel. It's not a right or left thing to me, it's just wrong. A US president on foreign soil talking to our biggest enemy [...] is essentially letting the guy get away with this and not even offering a mild criticism. That sets us back a lot. - Neil Cavuto, FOX News
Today's press conference in Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory. The damage inflicted by President Trump's naiveté, egotism, false equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats is difficult to calculate. But it is clear that the summit in Helsinki was a tragic mistake. President Trump proved not only unable, but **86** to stand up to Putin. He and Putin seemed to be speaking from the same script as the president made a conscious choice to defend a tyrant against the fair questions of a free press, and to grant Putin an uncontested platform to spew propaganda and lies to the world. - Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
No negotiation is worth throwing your own people and country under the bus. - Abby Huntsman, FOX News
Congressional Republicans need to decide whether or not they stand with the American people against the Russian threat. If they don't speak up today, we know they're not with us. They're against us. - Renato Marotti, CNN
Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of “high crimes & misdemeanors.” It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you??? - John O. Brennan, former CIA Director (2013-17)
You have been watching perhaps one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president at a summit in front of a Russian leader certainly than I've ever seen. - Anderson Cooper, CNN
For the president of the United States to side with President Putin against American law enforcement, American defense officials, and American intelligence agencies is thoughtless, dangerous, and weak. The president is putting himself over our country. Millions of Americans will continue to wonder if the only possible explanation for this dangerous behavior is the possibility that President Putin holds damaging information over President Trump. - Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
I never thought I would see the day when our American President would stand on the stage with the Russian President and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression. This is shameful. - Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
President Trump just attacked our intelligence agencies and law enforcement for doing their jobs while standing next to a dictator who intervened in our election to help elect Trump. Putin will take this as a green light to interfere in 2018, and it is. Cowardly and shameful. - Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
This may be the worst moment in US foreign policy history that does not directly involve a war or another act of violence. - David Corn, Mother Jones
Missed opportunity by President Trump to firmly hold Russia accountable for 2016 meddling and deliver a strong warning regarding future elections. This answer by President Trump will be seen by Russia as a sign of weakness and create far more problems than it solves.... Finally, if it were me, I’d check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House. - Sen Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Republicans in Congress cannot continue to turn a blind eye towards the very real possibility that Vladimir Putin has compromised our commander in chief and turned him, perhaps without his knowledge, into a Russian asset. - Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
Everyone is numb and in shock. We can’t believe what we just witnessed, but for me it’s this simple: The President of the United States openly colluded with Putin to undermine our democracy. - Ryan Lizza, CNN
I’ve seen Russian intelligence manipulate many people in my career, and I never thought the U.S. President would be one of them. - Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) (former CIA officer)