Ricketts silent on Trump's Russia move

Senator Pete Ricketts posted no message on X after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that ignores Russian oil sanctions. The president issued the order just days after the Senate passed the bill with an 86-11 vote.

Ricketts had publicly supported the legislation earlier in the week. He posted on social media that Americans are safer when Vladimir Putin loses. He noted that the bill targets Putin, oligarchs, Russian banks, and businesspeople. He stated that protecting Americans from Russian aggression must remain a priority.

The president came to Nebraska to rally voters for Ricketts. The visit occurred just before the executive order was signed. Local broadcaster Tom Becka argues the president views the senator as irrelevant because Ricketts will not block his agenda. Becka contends the president believes other Republicans are too weak to stop him.

Becka points out that other Republican senators immediately expressed outrage at the president for aligning with Russia. Becka suggests those senators are not up for reelection in November. He contrasts their response with Ricketts, who remains silent on the issue.

The Ricketts family spent money to oppose Trump during his 2015 campaign. Trump warned the family, who own the Chicago Cubs, that they better be careful because they have a lot to hide. The family later joined the president's side. They have remained loyal since then.

Becka draws a parallel to late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Graham lobbied hard for the same Russian sanctions bill that became law. Trump's executive order also impacts Graham's legacy. Graham had warned in 2015 that Republicans would be destroyed if they nominated Trump. He later withdrew support after January 6, 2020, but soon rejoined the president's inner circle.

If Ricketts loses his close race against Dan Osborn, Becka attributes part of the result to Ricketts's blind loyalty. He cites Ricketts's votes for Pete Hegseth and RFK Jr. as examples of that loyalty. Becka argues that if Democrats win in November, it will be because Republicans refused to challenge the president.