WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
Donald Trump Stands Alone in Failure to Condemn Putin's Killing of Aleksey Navalny
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In the early morning of February 16, 2024, news broke that Aleksey Navalny – Russian opposition leader, pro-democracy advocate, and staunch Vladimir Putin critic – died in a Russian prison. The exact circumstances of his death are unclear. But what is certain is that Vladimir Putin oppressed, attacked, poisoned, imprisoned, and ultimately killed Navalny because of what he represented: freedom and democracy – the ultimate threat to Putin’s regime.
Around the world, Aleksey Navalny’s supporters and admirers are celebrating his legacy and honoring his sacrifice, including the brave Russian patriots who are protesting in open defiance of Putin’s oppression in the streets of Moscow. In the face of such a heinous act of oppression, the world is united in opposition to Putin’s injustice. Except for one man.
For years, Donald Trump has openly admired dictators, cozied up to autocrats, and applauded those who rule over their people with an ‘iron fist.’ Sadly, today is no different. Instead of condemning Putin’s brutality, Trump issued a shameful statement that not only fails to condemn Putin’s actions – but fails to even say Aleksey Navalny’s name.
Across the country and around the world, true leaders stood up to Putin and held his government accountable for the cruel and unnecessary death of a real Russian patriot. This is what true leadership looks like:
Joe Biden, President of the United States: “He bravely stood up to the corruption, the violence, and all the bad things the Putin government was doing… Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death. Putin is responsible. What has happened to Navalny is yet more proof of Putin’s brutality. Nobody should be fooled.” [2/16/2024]
Yulia Navalnaya, Wife of Aleksey Navalny: “We cannot trust Putin and the Putin government. They always lie. But if this is true, I want Putin, his entire entourage, Putin's friends, his government to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family, to my husband. And this day will come very soon….Both this regime and Vladimir Putin must bear personal responsibility for all the terrible things they have been doing to my country, to our country, Russia, in recent years.” [2/16/2024]
Mike Pence, Former Vice President: “There is no room in the Republican Party for apologists for Putin. RIP Alexey Navalny.” [2/16/2024]
Kamala Harris, Vice President: "This is of course terrible news which we are working to confirm...if confirmed this would be a further sign of Putin's brutality. Whatever story they tell, let us be clear; Russia is responsible." [2/16/2024]
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State: “First and foremost, if these reports are accurate, our hearts go out to his wife and to his family. Beyond that, his death in a Russian prison and the fixation and fear of one man only underscores the weakness and rot at the heart of the system that Putin has built.” [2/16/2024]
Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader: “Vladimir Putin has a long history of murdering political opponents and silencing dissent. He is an enemy of freedom and the American people. Shame on the Pro-Putin MAGA extremists who continue to block bipartisan national security legislation in the House.” [2/16/2024]
Nikki Haley, GOP Presidential Candidate: “Putin did this. The same Putin who Donald Trump praises and defends. The same Trump who said: ‘In all fairness to Putin, you’re saying he killed people. I haven’t seen that.’” [2/16/2024]
Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Representative (D-CA): “Alexei's unimaginable courage to take on a murderous tyrant like Putin, knowing his own life would be at risk, will be etched into history. Today’s alarming reporting reaffirms that we cannot allow Putin to prevail in his diabolical assault on democracy.” [2/16/2024]
Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator (I-VT): “Alexei Navalny courageously exposed the corruption and lies of Putin’s authoritarian regime. Now Putin has killed him for it. The Russian people deserve better.” [2/16/2024]
Michael McCaul, U.S. Representative (R-TX): "It's a sad day. I hope out of [Navalny’s] death will come something to send a message to the world and to the American people about who Putin really is… his intentions are very clear to me, just like Hitler's were..." [2/16/2024]
Corey Booker, U.S. Senator (D-NJ): “History will remember Alexei Navalny as one of our time’s most courageous voices for human rights, dignity, and democracy. Even death at the hands of a tyrant will not dim his light or stop his ideas.” [2/16/2024]
Mark Warner, U.S. Senator (D-VA): “The death of Alexei Navalny is yet another heartbreaking reminder of who Vladimir Putin is: a bloodthirsty tyrant who thinks he can get away with anything. It's another reason why we must continue to stand with the cause of freedom in opposition to Putin's brutality.” [2/16/2024]
John Barraso, U.S. Senator (R-WY): “Putin’s regime is pure evil. Putin’s cronies murdered Alexei Navalny for having the courage to stand up for freedom.” [2/16/2024]
Katherine Clark, U.S. Representative (D-MA): “My thoughts are with the family of Alexei Navalny. And my heart is with every patriot who dares to defend democracy. Now is not the time for us to waiver in our support of Ukraine. We must stand with our ally in its fight for freedom from Putin's tyranny.” [2/16/2024]
Abigail Spanberger, U.S. Representative (D-VA): “Alexei Navalny’s blood is on Vladimir Putin’s hands. Jailed solely for criticizing Putin and his tyrannical regime, Navalny paid for taking a stand with his life. The United States must stand firmly for freedom and staunchly against continued Russian aggression.” [2/16/2024]
Mike Turner, U.S. Representative (R-OH): “Alexei Navalny had the courage to stand up to Vladimir Putin. He was wrongfully imprisoned and died in captivity. My deepest condolences go out to Navalny’s family.” [2/16/2024]
Brian Schatz, U.S. Senator (D-HI): “Moving to hear from Yulia Navalnaya just moments after she and the world learned of her husband’s death in a Russian prison. As she reminded global leaders, we need to hold Putin to account and counter authoritarianism in Russia and beyond.” [2/16/2024]
Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee: “Make no mistake—Alexei Navalny’s death is on Putin’s hands. Even after Putin’s regime failed to kill him in 2020 and locked him away, Alexei and the brave Russians who dared to stand with him would not be silenced. Despite Putin’s best efforts, this murder will not silence them now.” [2/16/2024]
Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House (R-LA): “Vladimir Putin is a vicious dictator and the world knows he is likely directly responsible for the sudden death of his most prominent political opponent, Alexei Navalny. Putin has shown his willingness to use extreme measures. We must be clear that Putin will be met with united opposition. As Congress debates the best path forward to support Ukraine, the United States, and our partners, must be using every means available to cut off Putin’s ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine.” [2/16/2024]
Published: February 2024
Updated: November 2024