Trump's diesel deal draws fire

President Donald Trump is facing backlash over his plan to import diesel from Russia, with Republican and Democratic lawmakers insisting the controversial deal violates the law.

The law that blocks Russian energy

Congress passed the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act four years ago, which prohibits U.S. imports of Russian-origin energy products including diesel covered by Chapter twenty-seven of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Doggett: Trump is breaking the law

Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, the bill's chief sponsor, argued that Trump is directly violating that law by lifting sanctions to permit the first Russian diesel imports into the United States since the law…

“directly violating that law”

No congressional oversight, Doggett says

Doggett suggested the lack of congressional oversight on Trump's deal with Putin renders it unlawful, and noted how the plan contradicts a sweeping Russia sanctions bill Trump signed weeks earlier.

Doggett warns of funding Putin's war

Russia can now export fossil fuel to the U.S.after Trump violated the specific provisions of a federal statute, Doggett said on Tuesday.

“Russia can [now] export fossil fuel to the U.S. after Trump violated the specific provisions of a federal statute”

Republican senator agrees with concerns

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina told NBC's Meet the Press over the weekend that he believes there's a legitimate case for saying the President's not following the law.

“there's a legitimate case for saying the President's not following the law”

Seven senators urge reversal

Tillis was one of seven senators who publicly urged the Administration on Sunday to immediately reverse course on the agreement announced Friday, arguing that it goes against the twenty twenty-two law.

Bipartisan statement on the ban

Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in twenty twenty-two to prevent American dollars from financing Putin's brutal war against Ukraine, the senators said in a joint statement signed by Republicans and Democrats.

“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin's brutal war against Ukraine”

Trump dismisses Republican critics

Trump publicly dismissed the criticism from within his own party, telling reporters at the White House that these are Republicans that can't really be serious, and that anything that could help farmers and ranchers, he…

“these are Republicans that can't really be serious”

The diesel supply and energy costs

Trump's deal to immediately supply three hundred thousand tons of diesel to American and global markets comes as he faces growing political pressure ahead of the November midterms, with spiraling energy costs a key voter…

What the law requires for lifting the ban

Under Section three of the twenty twenty-two legislation, the President must first consult with House and Senate committees and submit a report at least forty-five days before providing the required certification to lift the import…

Three conditions the law demands

The law requires the President to certify that Russia has withdrawn and ceased hostilities accepted by Ukraine, poses no immediate threat to NATO members, and recognizes Ukraine's right to freely choose its own government.

Legal expert: conditions not met

Kristen Eichensehr, a professor of law at Harvard Law School, says these are not certifications the President could make at the current moment because none of those things have happened, and that's the main restriction…

“not certifications that the President could make at the current moment”

Treasury defends the deal as lawful

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended the legality of the agreement, insisting that the Trump Administration is acting within its existing legal authority to help bring energy prices down, without elaborating on which authorities.

“We're doing it with all the legal authorities we have”

Congress could block the deal

Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania has announced plans to introduce bipartisan legislation to block any and all purchases of Russian oil under the proposed Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act.