House Majority Whip Tom Emmer dismisses Republican concerns going into midterms
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer is defending President Donald Trump’s decision to bring Russian diesel to the United States.
"It's another example of our president thinking out of the box. You know, he's listening to the American people,” Emmer, R-Minn., told “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl.
In an attempt to lower diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections, Trump announced a deal to lift sanctions on Russian oil, which marked a reversal in years of tension with Russia over the war with Ukraine. Many experts say the plan is unlikely to have an effect on diesel prices in the U.S. but will benefit Russia.
Karl also pressed Emmer on the upcoming elections.
"You may be satisfied, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t vote. You show up and vote, we’re going to be fine," Emmer said on defending Republican majorities in the House and Senate.
Addressing the rise in fuel prices, Emmer called $4 gasoline and $6 diesel "unacceptable,” adding that "Republicans agree on that."
Emmer also defended Trump’s claim earlier this week not to attack Iran until after the midterm elections. Emmer praised Trump’s military responses, saying that the president “took the action that no one else would take for 47 years.”
On Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's comments on plans to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan, Emmer deferred to Trump.
"Personally, I’m not in favor of the death penalty. But I’ll tell you this, I am so happy that we have a president, a chief executive in this country who will make a decision," Emmer said. "He will hold the criminals and the terrorists accountable. And frankly, if you come to this country or you’re radicalized in this country to kill Americans and disrupt our way of life, there should be significant consequences."
