Biden campaign blasts Trump over Putin call that did not discuss Russian bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan – CNBC
Joe Biden's presidential campaign blasted President Donald Trump's conduct as "absolutely despicable" after Trump said he did not ask in a recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about alleged Russian bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
When asked by the news site Axios about statements by a top U.S. commander that Russian was arming Taliban fighters who fought U.S. troops, Trump replied: "Well, we supplied weapons when they were fighting Russia, too."
Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Biden, in a statement said, "The most critical and sacred obligation of a commander-in-chief is to protect those who serve our nation in harm's way."
"But months after the U.S. intelligence community sounded the alarm to Donald Trump and to our allies that Russia was placing bounties on the heads of American servicemen and women in a war zone, our president continues to turn his back on those who put their lives on the line for our country, and on his own duty," Bates said.
"This continues an indefensible pattern of Donald Trump weakening the United States in the world in a manner that no American president ever has before, and it's absolutely despicable," he said.
In the Axios interview, Trump said he never asked or challenged Putin during their call Thursday on allegations, first reported by The New York Times in June, about a U.S. intelligence finding that Russia was paying Islamic fighters bounties for killing American troops in Afghanistan.
"No, that was a phone call to discuss other things," Trump told Axios.
"Frankly, that's an issue that many people said was fake news," Trump said, adding that "a lot of people" had said as much.
In brief exchange Wednesday with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, Trump was asked if he thinks Russia did not put bounties on the heads of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan
"As I told you, I have certainly read about it and since then I've talked about it," Trump said.
He added that former Secretary of State "Colin Powell says it's not true and Colin Powell's not exactly someone that I'm a big fan of, Colin Powell says it's not true, other people say it's not true, if it were true I'd be very angry about it."
But Powell, a retired Army general, has not said that the bounty reports are false.
Powell earlier this month had said, "Our military commanders on the ground did not think that it was as serious a problem as the newspapers were reporting and television was reporting."
Powell added at the time, "It got kind of out of control before we really had an understanding of what had happened. I'm not sure we fully understand now."
Trump said several times in the Axios interview that intelligence reports of the bounties "never reached my desk."
But he did not directly answer when reporter Jonathan Swan repeatedly pointed out that the allegations reportedly had been included in the president's daily intelligence briefing.
Trump has previously cast doubt on the alleged bounties, and has said he was never briefed on the U.S. intelligence about them because it didn't meet the evidentiary standard for him to be notified.
But The New York Times, citing two officials familiar with the matter, reported late last month that Trump was provided a briefing in late February about Russia's alleged dealings. The Associated Press also reported that the bounty reports had been included in the president's daily intelligence briefings, which Trump told Axios he reads.
The White House and other Trump administration officials have claimed that the reports are unverified and that the president had not been briefed.
In the Axios interview, Trump was asked why he did not challenge Putin on a related issue: that Russia has supplied weapons to the Taliban.
Swan noted that Army Gen. John Nicholson, the former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, had said that.
"Well, we supplied weapons when they were fighting Russia, too," Trump replied. "When they were fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan."
The president was referring to the U.S. arming from 1979 to 1989 of mujahedeen guerrilla forces, not the Taliban, fighting Soviet Union forces who were in Afghanistan to prop up that nation's Marxist government.
When Swan pointed out to Trump "that's a different era," Trump replied, "I'm just saying, we did that, too."
"I don't know, I didn't ask Nicholson about that. He was there for a long time, didn't have great success because you know he was there before me and then ultimately I made a change," Trump said.
Trump then said, "I have heard that" Russia has armed the Taliban.
"But again, it's never reached my desk," he added.
Trump told Axios that his call with Putin focused on "nuclear proliferation, which is a very big subject, where they would like to do something and so would I."
"We discussed numerous things," Trump said, but "we did not discuss" the reported Russian bounties.
When Axios suggested Trump simply didn't believe the intelligence, the president did not answer that.
"It's interesting, you know, nobody ever brings up China," Trump instead said.
"They always bring Russia, Russia, Russia. If we can do something about Russia in terms of nuclear proliferation, which is a very big problem bigger problem than global warming, a much bigger problem than global warming in terms of the real world that'd be a great thing."
"It never reached my desk, you know why? Because they didn't think intelligence they didn't think it was real," Trump said.
"If it reached my desk, I would have done something."
Read the original here:
Biden campaign blasts Trump over Putin call that did not discuss Russian bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan - CNBC
- At town hall, Trump mixes up Alaska and Afghanistan with confusing remarks on oil - Alaska Beacon - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Where is Afghanistan Three Years into Taliban Rule? - United States Institute of Peace - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Blinken subpoenaed to appear next week before House committee over Afghanistan - Reuters - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Afghanistan reopens its embassy in Oman, the Taliban say - The Associated Press - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Afghanistan vs South Africa 3rd ODI Highlights: South Africa Register Consolation Win Over Afghanist.. - NDTV Sports - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Why Does the Taliban Hate the Women of Afghanistan This Much? | Opinion - Newsweek - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- The Taliban have suspended polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan, the UN says - The Associated Press - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- The tragic politicization of the Afghanistan withdrawal - Columbia Journalism Review - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- State Department accuses House GOP of calling Blinken to testify about Afghanistan when he's away - The Associated Press - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Afghanistan vs South Africa 3rd ODI Live Streaming: When And Where To Watch - NDTV Sports - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- ABC admits video of Australian soldiers firing from helicopter in Afghanistan was incorrectly edited - The Guardian - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- AFG vs SA, 3rd ODI Live Cricket Score: Afghanistan bat first against South Africa - The Times of India - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Afghanistan script history with first ever win over South Africa - ICC Cricket - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Afghanistan advances to knockout stage of Futsal World Cup - Amu TV - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Terrorists Use Weapons Left by U.S. in Afghanistan to Attack Civilians, Police in Pakistan - Judicial Watch - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- South Africa clinch consolation win against Afghanistan in third ODI - The Times of India - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- How will Afghanistan feature in the race for the White House? - Arab News - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- The Observer view on Afghanistan: Britain and the US are complicit in the Talibans oppression of women - The Guardian - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- GOP probe of Bidens Afghanistan exit expands as election nears - The Washington Post - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Everything To Know About Taliban's New "Vice And Virtue" Law In Afghanistan - NDTV - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Opinion: The Taliban are waging war on women in Afghanistan. This is how we are resisting - The Globe and Mail - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Aline Jalliet, author: 'In Afghanistan, the female voice itself becomes an act of dissent' - Le Monde - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Analysis | Trump appears to have misled Gold Star families on troop deaths in Afghanistan - The Washington Post - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- GOP-led House panel tells Blinken to testify on Afghanistan withdrawal "or face contempt" - Axios - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Afghanistan vs New Zealand One-Off Test Live Streaming: When and where to watch AFG vs NZ Test in Greater Noida? - The Indian Express - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- House Republicans subpoena Secretary Blinken for testimony on US withdrawal from Afghanistan - The Associated Press - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Afghanistan vs New Zealand one-off Test Live streaming: When and where to watch - India Today - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- New Zealand seek to exploit Afghanistan's red-ball inexperience in one-off Test - The Hindu - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- 'In Waves and War' Review: Doc Explores Afghanistan Vets' PTSD - Variety - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Heres how we can help oppressed women and girls in Afghanistan | Letters - The Guardian - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Blinken Subpoenaed for Testimony on Afghanistan Withdrawal - Newsweek - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- 'We can beat any team' says Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi ahead of facing New Zealand - The Times of India - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Austria to team up with Germany in joint deportations to Afghanistan - Euronews - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Assessing Claims That Trump Freed the Leader of Afghanistan From Prison in 2018 - The Dispatch - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Afghanistan Vs New Zealand One-Off Test Live Streaming: Date, Time, Venue, And Other Details - Outlook India - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- AFG vs NZ Live: When and where to watch Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test live on TV and streaming in India? - India TV News - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- 'Thats false': Trump caught lying about Afghanistan withdrawal to families of slain veterans - AlterNet - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Scotland, Gaza and Afghanistan Where have the Gods Gone? - The Wire - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- White House says Biden and Harris werent invited to Arlington Cemetery by families of service members killed during Afghanistan withdrawal - NBC News - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Reading the UAEs outreach to the Talibans Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan - Observer Research Foundation - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Afghanistan: Meet the midwife who stayed - UN News - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- The Taliban says it wants people to visit Afghanistan. Heres what its like - CNN - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- We may be done with Afghanistan, but it's not done with us: Ex-Green Beret - Fox News - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Three years after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, meet the midwife who stayed, delivered and saved lives - United Nations Population Fund - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Trump would demand Afghanistan disaster resignations, back pay for troops fired for refusing vax on Day 1, he says at NC rally - New York Post - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- A Marine's harrowing account of how he knew Afghanistan was doomed nine years before the withdrawal - Daily Mail - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Whats more important, my dream or the women of Afghanistan?: breakdancer Manizha Talash on her Olympic protest - The Guardian - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Uzbekistan Forges Ahead, Deepening Relations With Taliban-ruled Afghanistan - The Diplomat - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Biden Campaigns, Afghanistan Votes and Hawaii Becomes a State: Picturing This Week in History Aug. 19 25 - U.S. News & World Report - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- No singing or reading aloud: Afghanistan introduces new law putting further restrictions on women - The Times of India - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- US Has Hit Back At Militants For Afghanistan Suicide Bombing That Killed 13 Service Members: Official - International Business Times - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Inside the Virginia Newsroom Trying to Save Afghanistan From Tyranny - The Atlantic - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- A shootout on Pakistan's frontier with Afghanistan kills 5 militants and 3 Pakistani soldiers - ABC News - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Three years ago this month America withdrew from Afghanistan - The Economist - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Afghanistan owes Trump building $200,000 - Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Former Afghanistan president calls on Taliban to allow education for girls - JURIST - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Inside the Talibans Afghanistan - The National Interest Online - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Hundreds of cases of femicide recorded in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover are tip of the iceberg - The Guardian - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- How Biden allowed the Taliban to return to rule Afghanistan - New York Post - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Harris sidesteps blame for bungled Afghanistan withdrawal; congressional report to outline role - Washington Times - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Reimagining Womens Rights in Afghanistan: Federalism as a Pathway to Gender Equality - JURIST - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Need for an Urgent Rethink of International Response to the Human Rights Crisis in Afghanistan - Human Rights Watch - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to increase trade to $ 3 billion. - Eurasia Daily - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- 3 years after the Talibans return, Afghanistan is a broken country swarming with terrorists again - The Conversation Indonesia - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Uzbek prime minister is in Afghanistan in highest-level visit since the Taliban took power - Stars and Stripes - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Life in Afghanistan dire as Taliban mark 3 years of rule - DW (English) - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Afghanistan and its women in oblivion - The Diplomat in Spain - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- Afghanistan Three Years after the Taliban Takeover - Crisis Group - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- A timeline of events in Afghanistan in the 3 years since the Talibans takeover - The Associated Press - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Afghanistan: Three years of Taliban rule and international inaction have left Afghan community with little hope - Amnesty International - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Afghans in Vermont recognize 3-year anniversary of U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan - Vermont Biz - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Stefanik Statement on the Third Anniversary of the Biden-Harris Catastrophic Afghanistan Withdrawal - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Taliban celebrates three years since returning to power in Afghanistan - FRANCE 24 English - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- UNGA Side Event Ensuring Aid Effectiveness Amidst Afghanistan's Growing Food Insecurity - Princeton School of Public and International Affairs - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Break the Silence: End human rights violations in Afghanistan - Amnesty International - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Afghanistan: 20 years of steady education progress almost wiped out - UN News - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Afghanistan: Need for an urgent rethink of international response to the human rights crisis - World Organisation Against Torture - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- I was imprisoned and tortured by the Taliban for protesting gender apartheid in Afghanistan - Atlantic Council - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Local Afghans reflect back on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago - WBUR News - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Radical Taliban observe third year of ruling Afghanistan - Voice of America - VOA News - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]