Colorado officials react to heated Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy | Politics

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Leading Colorado Democrats condemned Friday's tense meeting at the White House between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that the Republican officials' hostile treatment of an ally will "embolden" America's adversaries and threaten national security.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert was the only Republican member of the state's congressional delegation to react publicly to the lengthy, often argumentative exchange, which was broadcast worldwide as the three national leaders traded criticisms over each other's positions on Russia's three-year-old invasion of its smaller neighbor.

But their Democratic counterparts pulled no punches, between affirming their support for Ukraine and calling Trump's and Vance's behavior "Kremlin propaganda" and a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“In Colorado, we support freedom and we will not cater to a brutal Russian dictator who is no friend to America, our interests or future," said Gov. Jared Polis, whose administration has cut ties with Russia and who met with Zelenskyy last year, in a statement.

"Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Putin’s illegal and brutal invasion of their country is critical for their freedom, the future of the Ukrainian people and important for American global safety and national security," Polis said.

"America plays a crucial role in supporting our international allies and protecting democracy abroad, Colorado continues to stand with Ukraine."

Taking the opposite position, Boebert, a Windsor Republican, tweeted a succinct tribute late Friday to the president and vice president's handling of the meeting.

"Zelenskyy just learned that Donald Trump and JD Vance are not Joe Biden and Kamala Harris," Boebert said on X.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, however, took aim at a point made by Vance, who accused Zelenskyy of failing to thank the U.S.

“As I said last week on the Senate floor, the American people have been extremely generous in our support of Ukraine," said Bennet in a statement, noting that Zelenskyy has thanked the American people, Trump and former President Biden countless times.

“It’s also equally true that the Ukrainian people have earned a debt of gratitude from the entire free world — including the United States. Their courage, our weapons, and the weapons of our allies have held Putin’s army at the gates of Europe," Bennet said.

Bennet, a strong supporter of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, said Trump was threatening stability around the world.

“Every time President Trump opens his mouth, including with his lack of self-control in the Oval Office today, he weakens Ukraine’s bargaining position, and ours, and makes the world more dangerous," Bennet said, adding that "rolling over to Putin will embolden other dictators around the world — especially Xi Jinping of China."

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Bennet said he wondered how the Cold War would have turned out if Republican presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan or George H.W. Bush had been "more concerned about people kissing their ring than our strategic position."

Calling Ukraine "a democratic ally fighting for their very existence against a Russian invasion," U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper tweeted: "Attacking our ally instead of Putin is reckless and dangerous."

In a video posted online, U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, an Aurora Democrat, said he was "completely shocked" by the meeting, which he characterized as Trump and Vance "turning their backs on democracy and freedom and basically prostrating themselves to Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin and turning a meeting into Kremlin propaganda."

Added Crow: "You know, decades of building American leadership and American influence and power around the world is being squandered before our very eyes by this president, who doesn't understand that the fight for democracy and freedom happens every day around the world, and that the words and what he says in the Oval Office carry great meaning."

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat, described the Trump White House's behavior as "shocking, disrespectful and un-American" in a post to X.

"Ukraine is defending its sovereignty against an aggressive adversary, and the United States must stand with Ukraine against Putin’s illegal invasion," she added "Unfortunately, the only person happy about how this played out is Putin."

U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Lakewood Democrat, had a similar reaction, tweeting that she was "horrified" by how Zelenskyy was treated by the American leaders.

"Once again, Ukraine is a democratic ally that was invaded by Russia," she said. "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."

While Colorado's other Republican lawmakers didn't weigh in on the meeting, numerous GOP officials issued statements supporting Trump's and Vance's words, according to a White House press release that rounded up social media posts from more than 50 cabinet secretaries and Republican members of Congress.

“Gone are the days of foreign leaders walking all over us and snubbing their noses at America's generosity," tweeted U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona. "There's a new President and Vice President in town. World leaders would be wise to humble themselves.”

U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana had effusive praise for the Republican president.

“TRUMP IS THE GREATEST NEGOTIATOR AMERICA HAS EVER HAD!" Stutzman said in a post on X. "AMERICA IS BEING MADE GREAT BEFORE OUR VERY EYES!”

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