Defending Ukraine, Democracy, and Congressional Authority Over Aid

I am writing to express my deep concern over Donald Trump’s past and present treatment of President Volodymyr Zelensky, his willingness to amplify Russian propaganda against Ukraine, and his recent false claims that he would single-handedly withdraw U.S. support from our ally in their time of need. As you are well aware, Ukraine has been a steadfast partner to the United States, including its past contributions to U.S.-led missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ukraine deployed thousands of peacekeepers, engineers, and security forces to support our nation’s military efforts, reinforcing its commitment to global security. In return, the United States made clear commitments to Ukraine’s sovereignty and security—commitments that must not be abandoned for political theater or personal vendettas. It is unacceptable that Trump abused the power of the presidency to publicly humiliate President Zelensky in the Oval Office, leveraged vital military aid as political blackmail, and continues to spread Russian disinformation to justify abandoning an ally fighting for its survival. His actions were not just an affront to Ukraine but a direct attack on U.S. credibility, national security, and the principles of democracy. Furthermore, Trump does not have the power to unilaterally withdraw U.S. funding for Ukraine or any other ally. The Constitution is clear—the power of the purse belongs to Congress, not the president. Any attempt to undermine legally appropriated aid must be met with strong bipartisan resistance. We cannot allow one man’s reckless rhetoric to dictate our nation’s foreign policy, especially when doing so would only serve Vladimir Putin’s interests. I urge you to take a firm and public stance against Trump’s dangerous rhetoric, reinforce Congress’s constitutional authority over U.S. foreign assistance, and ensure unwavering support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. We cannot allow misinformation, appeasement, or authoritarian sympathies to dictate American policy. Thank you for your time and leadership on this critical issue. I look forward to your response and to seeing Congress uphold its duty to support our allies, protect democracy, and reaffirm its constitutional authority.