Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) denied on Sunday that former President Trump is in charge of the Senate after a bipartisan agreement on the border fell apart because the former president didn’t back it.
NBC’s Kristen Welker questioned Graham on “Meet the Press” about remarks from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) who suggested that lawmakers shouldn't have to seek approval from Donald Trump for everything. Welker then asked Graham if Trump was directing the Senate.
“No. I mean, I’ve voted against things that, you know, he doesn’t like. The point is, to Lisa: Would you support the idea that our ally should reimburse us, if they can, when we’re $34 trillion in debt? This is America first in action. It’s not isolationism, but it is considering the needs of the American people,” Graham said, referring to aid to Ukraine.
“I hope to be going to Ukraine soon, and I hope to be able to tell them the aid is coming. It will be in the form of a loan. Pay us back, if you can. I want Russia to know: If you think Ukraine is going to be out of this fight, you’re dead wrong,” he said.
Graham expressed support for providing aid to Ukraine if the U.S. offers it as a waivable, no-interest loan — a plan that Welker mentioned Trump recently presented. Graham’s remarks also come weeks after Senate Republicans rejected a bipartisan deal containing border security measures following the former president's encouragement to oppose it.
Graham also verified that Trump will be contacting Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to discuss the possibility of a potential loan for Ukraine.
