Dems Explode After Fiery Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting: 'Siding with Dictators, Really?'

Congressional Democrats didn't hold back after President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance's reportedly tense White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. The meeting ended with Trump allegedly asking Zelenskyy to leave, which, let's be honest, sounds like a scene from a reality show. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., took to X to accuse Trump and Vance of "doing Putin’s dirty work." He vowed that Senate Democrats would "never stop fighting for freedom and democracy." This came after Vance reportedly told Zelenskyy his behavior was disrespectful and Trump said he was "gambling with World War III." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., released a statement saying that Trump and his administration "continue to embarrass America on the world stage." He added that the meeting was "appalling" and would "further embolden Vladimir Putin, a brutal dictator." Jeffries insisted that the U.S. "must not reward Russian aggression and continue to appease Putin." He continued, "For three years, President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people have stood on the side of democracy, freedom and truth. Their success is in the national security interests of the United States. We should stand with Ukraine until victory is won." House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., also released a statement, accusing Trump of "bowing to Russia." She said, "I never thought an American President would choose a Russian dictator over a democratic ally. Trump is rolling over to a tyrant. Putin violated a 2015 ceasefire and illegally invaded Ukraine, murdering thousands of innocent people." House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., posted on X that it "would’ve been a show of strength" if Trump engaged with Zelenskyy "in a dignified way." She added, "Putin must be overjoyed with today’s theatrics." Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., claimed the Ukrainian president is owed an apology, noting, "Ukrainians have fought tooth-and-nail on the frontlines of democracy against Russian aggression." He wrote that Trump and Vance’s words to Zelenskyy were "rude and utterly shameful." Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., stated, "Trump berates Zelensky, the leader of a democratic country courageously fighting Russian imperialism, while he allies himself with Putin, a dictator who started the bloodiest European war in 80 years." Sanders added, "Sorry, President Trump. We believe in democracy, not authoritarianism." Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., posted on X, "A hero and a coward are meeting in the Oval Office today. And when the meeting is over, the hero will return home to Ukraine." The discussion reportedly devolved into chaos after Zelenskyy challenged his U.S. counterparts in front of the press. Vance responded by saying, "Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media." The Ukrainian president then departed the White House at Trump's request without signing an agreement that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals in exchange for financial support. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., said she was "horrified" by the exchange, adding, "It is stunning that the US is now siding with dictators and not standing up for freedom, democracy, and global stability. I’m deeply concerned for the people in Ukraine and our country’s long-term national security." Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, told Vance in an X post, "Shame on you" for asking whether Zelenskyy had thanked the U.S. "Watching Trump and Vance serve as Putin’s mouthpieces in the Oval Office was one of the most shameful moments in American diplomacy," remarked Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., who called for every Republican to "publicly condemn it."