It’s Official – Democrats SWITCH Sides! 

Democrats suddenly rediscover their love for sanctions as Russia advances through Ukraine, but why did they wait until they lost the White House to grow a backbone?

At a Glance

• Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D) and Lindsey Graham (R) pushing bipartisan bill for secondary sanctions against nations dealing with Russian resources
• Sanctions target countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, and uranium amid ongoing Ukraine crisis
• Shaheen supports the bill believing sanctions could slow Russia’s territorial advances
• Shaheen simultaneously criticizes Trump administration Pentagon and State Department leadership
• Proposal aligns with Trump administration’s efforts despite Democrats’ criticism of other Trump policies

Bipartisan Sanctions: A Sudden Change of Heart?

In what can only be described as a curious case of political whiplash, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen is now vocally supporting Republican Senator Lindsey Graham’s legislation for secondary sanctions against Russia. After years of Democrats criticizing Trump’s hardline stance on international relations, it seems they’ve found religion on Russian sanctions now that someone else is in the White House. Shaheen is advocating for sanctions targeting countries that purchase Russian oil, gas, and uranium, arguing they could serve as a strategic deterrent against Putin’s territorial ambitions in Ukraine.

“Well, I think we ought to take up the Graham legislation, and we ought to pass it through both houses and put those secondary sanctions on Russia.” – SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN.

Talking Tough While Playing Politics

While supporting sanctions that align with Trump administration foreign policy goals, Shaheen couldn’t resist taking political shots elsewhere. She criticized Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov for evading direct answers about Russia’s aggression in Ukraine – a fair point – but simultaneously blasted Secretary of State Rubio’s planned reorganization of the State Department. The senator particularly focused on the potential elimination of the Office of Global Women’s Issues, a concern that seems wildly disconnected from the urgent matter of Russian territorial expansion and the safety of millions in Eastern Europe.

“I worked very closely with Ivanka, and she was very supportive of the Office of Global Women’s Issues.” – SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN.

Pentagon Leadership Under Fire

Continuing her dual track of supporting tough measures against Russia while criticizing Trump administration officials, Shaheen expressed alarm about what she called a leadership vacuum at the Pentagon. She specifically targeted Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, accusing him of creating chaos and improperly handling classified information. The senator pushed for a bipartisan investigation into Pentagon information handling – another example of Democrats suddenly discovering oversight now that they’re in the opposition.

“It concerns me greatly that he has created chaos at the Pentagon.” – SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN.

The Real Price of Delay

The timing of this bipartisan push raises serious questions. Where was this urgency during the previous administration when early intervention might have prevented the current escalation? While it’s refreshing to see Democrats acknowledge the effectiveness of sanctions, one can’t help but wonder if partisan politics delayed these measures until they could no longer claim Trump was “too friendly” with Russia. The Ukrainian people continue to pay the price for this political gamesmanship while Congress debates tariffs and departmental reorganizations alongside critical national security issues.

Moving Forward: Action Over Partisanship

Despite the mixed messages from Senator Shaheen, the bipartisan nature of the sanctions proposal offers a glimmer of hope that America can still unite on critical foreign policy matters. The legislation targeting nations that purchase Russian resources could significantly impact Putin’s war chest and ability to sustain military operations in Ukraine. While Democrats and Republicans continue their domestic squabbles, at least this proposal represents a rare moment of alignment on the fundamental notion that Russian aggression must face consequences – regardless of which party occupies the White House.