Rhode Island’s junior U.S. Senator, Sheldon Whitehouse, says the country must work to recover its international reputation.
His comments come after President Donald Trump’s trip abroad last week, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s statement that Europe can no longer rely on the United States.
“To now have one of the key European leaders, reach the conclusion that we’re no longer the essential nation there, I think it’s a sign that we need to improve our game a little bit,” said Whitehouse.
Whitehouse says he fears the U.S. is losing its international standing, in part because he feels other lawmakers are not condemning possible Russian meddling in elections, an issue Whitehouse says other countries are also dealing with similar issues.
Last week national media broke reports that President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, may have had inappropriate contact with Russian officials during the presidential transition period. Kushner may have discussed a secret communication channel between Russia and the transition team.
Whitehouse says the news is troubling if true.
“It’s one of many worrisome bits of evidence, that collectively raise a cloud of suspicion over whether there are any improper contacts between the Trump business, the Trump family, Trump himself and Russia,” said Whitehouse.
Whitehouse sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee and is a ranking member of the Sub-committee on Crime and Terrorism, which held a March hearing on possible Russian meddling in U.S. elections.
