Dem senator says Melania Trump is America’s ‘secret weapon’ against Putin’s ‘war criminality’
In a surprising twist in the ongoing discussions about sanctions against Russia, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has suggested that First Lady Melania Trump could play a pivotal role in garnering support from the White House for the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. This proposed legislation, which has already attracted significant bipartisan backing with 84 cosponsors in the Senate and 113 in the House, aims to empower the President with enhanced tools to respond to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. These tools include the ability to block energy sales, restrict visas, halt investment listings, and impose tariffs of up to 500%, contingent upon the President’s judgment regarding Russia’s commitment to peace efforts. Despite this strong congressional support, the bill’s future hangs in the balance as President Donald Trump has expressed reservations about the timing of new sanctions.
Blumenthal, a coauthor of the sanctions bill alongside Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), believes that Melania Trump’s recent engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the abduction of Ukrainian children could influence her husband’s stance on the legislation. The First Lady’s direct communication with Putin led to the successful return of eight Ukrainian children, highlighting her commitment to humanitarian efforts amid the ongoing conflict. Blumenthal noted, “She is obviously deeply disturbed about the kidnapping of children, which is emblematic of war criminality,” suggesting that her advocacy could resonate with the President and encourage a more robust approach to sanctions. He emphasized the urgency of advancing the sanctions bill, stating that it serves as a necessary signal to Russia that the U.S. will not tolerate its aggressive actions indefinitely.
As discussions continue, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has indicated that a vote on the sanctions bill could occur within the next 30 days, although he hinted that revisions might be necessary before it reaches the floor. The White House has yet to provide a clear response to the evolving situation, leaving lawmakers and observers keenly awaiting further developments. With bipartisan support for the sanctions bill and the potential influence of Melania Trump, the next steps in this legislative process could significantly impact U.S.-Russia relations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said first lady
Melania Trump
could play a critical role in winning the White House’s support for congressional sanctions on Russia.
“I think the first lady is our secret weapon,” Blumenthal said Tuesday.
The remark comes
as lawmakers weigh
whether to advance a Russia sanctions bill that has been in the works for months. The measure enjoys wide bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, but its future remains uncertain as President Donald Trump recently signaled hesitations about putting his weight behind it.
The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 has 84 cosponsors in the Senate and 113 in the House of Representatives.
SENATE SIGNALS READINESS TO HIT RUSSIA WITH HARD SANCTIONS IF PEACE DEAL FAILS
If passed, the sanctions package would grant the President of the United States enhanced powers to block energy sales, block visas, halt investment listings, impose tariffs of up to 500%, and more. Those measures are conditioned on the president’s determination that Russia isn’t engaging in good-faith efforts to end the war.
Blumenthal, a coauthor of the legislation alongside Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., believes the moment is ripe to advance the package — even as Trump last week told reporters that “it might not be perfect timing” for new sanctions.
MELANIA TRUMP DECLARES ‘THE MOMENT IS NOW’ FOR NEW GLOBAL CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE AT UN
Blumenthal believes the first lady could change the president’s outlook.
“She is obviously deeply disturbed about the kidnapping of children, which is emblematic of war criminality. I see the need to move our bill as a signal to prove that you can’t slow-walk us and mock us indefinitely,” Blumenthal said.
GOP PRAISES TRUMP’S POSTURE DURING ALASKA SUMMIT, DEMS CRY FOUL OVER TRUMP’S APPARENT COZINESS WITH PUTIN
Melania Trump announced earlier this month that she had engaged in direct communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin over efforts to reunite Ukrainian children that had been abducted amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Through those efforts, she helped secure the
return of eight Ukrainian children
.
“Putin understands only strength and force, military and economic. I’m very hopeful [Trump] will see the urgency of now,” Blumenthal said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told audiences last week that he may bring the bill to a vote in the next 30 days but hinted that parts of the bill may need revision before its consideration.
He did not lay out what areas of the bill need to be addressed.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
