1. United States
2. Letter

Today’s Oval Office meeting with President Zelensky was an embarrassment to the United States and a betrayal of democracy. Instead of supporting a leader fighting for his country’s survival, you and J.D. Vance berated him, parroted Russian propaganda, and questioned Ukraine’s resistance against Putin’s brutal invasion. This was not diplomacy—it was a disgraceful display of fealty to an authoritarian adversary. For more than three years, President Zelensky has stood against Putin’s aggression, rallying global support and leading his country with unwavering courage. While he fights for democracy, you cower before a dictator. He deserved gratitude, not the humiliation you delivered. I stand with the fourteen governors that condemned your actions, stating: “Donald Trump and JD Vance used the sacred Oval Office to berate President Zelensky for not trusting Vladimir Putin’s word. Americans must protect our strong democratic values on the world stage instead of undermining President Zelensky’s work to fight for his nation and the freedom of his people after being invaded by Russia.” Your attacks on Zelensky serve one purpose: to undermine his leadership so you can justify surrendering Ukraine to Putin. But make no mistake—Putin will not stop with Ukraine. If you hand him victory, he will move on to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and beyond. Today’s spectacle in the Oval Office was not just embarrassing; it was a dangerous signal to dictators everywhere. The world is watching. It’s time for every American leader to decide—do you stand with democracy, or do you stand with Putin?