James Risch

Sen. Jim Risch once called Russia's invasion of Ukraine "a premeditated and flagrant act of war." He called Putin "a madman." He traveled to Kyiv, met with President Zelenskyy, introduced a Senate resolution recognizing Russia's actions as genocide, and declared that the United States has both a moral and legal obligation to support Ukraine. He voted in 2022 for legislation explicitly banning Russian energy imports to prevent American dollars from financing Putin's war.

This past week, President Trump announced a deal to purchase diesel from Russia — directly contradicting the law Risch voted for. On Oct. 11, ranking member Shaheen and six bipartisan senators on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — including Republicans Collins, Murkowski, Tillis and Curtis — issued a joint statement declaring the deal illegal and calling on the administration to reverse course.

Risch, the committee's chair, was absent.

The same day, Trump stood on the South Lawn and said: "I think it's time for Ukraine to get a new president" — effectively calling for regime change in a democracy under invasion.

Four Republicans on his own committee found the spine to act. Risch, who once led them on this issue, did not. His silence since January 2025 has been consistent: whatever Donald Trump wants, Risch will not oppose. The convictions he expressed so forcefully appear to have had an expiration date.

Idahoans deserve a senator whose principles outlast his political convenience.

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