Gillibrand Criticizes Trump’s Russia Sanctions Waiver

NEW YORK — U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., issued a statement Oct. 17, 2026, criticizing President Donald Trump’s executive order waiving new Russia-related sanctions.

Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees, released the following statement through her office:

“Instead of offering economic relief from the high prices he has inflicted on the American people, President Trump is giving relief to murderous dictator Vladimir Putin.

“This exemption defies logic and compromises our national security. This action does nothing to lower costs for working families; it simply rewards Putin for the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians.

“Once again, this administration has shown it has unlimited money for bombs, ballrooms, and billionaires, but nothing for the American people — for their healthcare, their food, their housing, and their lives.”

Trump’s Oct. 16 executive order waived specified sanctions, restrictions and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The order said the waivers were in the national interests of the United States and specified that previously imposed sanctions under existing executive orders were unaffected.

Statement provided by the office of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.