Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers of Michigan criticized President Donald Trump’s recent decision to waive sanctions on Russian energy imports, signaling a departure from the former president’s policy stance. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” on October 18, Rogers said he would have supported the bipartisan legislation that Trump has chosen not to enforce, arguing that more decisive action is needed to address rising diesel prices affecting Michigan residents.
Rogers emphasized his opposition to allowing any concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “I don’t think we can give Putin an inch.” However, he acknowledged that if the strategy reduces fuel costs in the United States, it could be seen as a positive outcome. The former congressman, who has largely aligned with Trump in the past, expressed skepticism about the administration’s claim that waiving sanctions will directly lead to lower diesel prices, urging that alternative solutions should be considered.
The Trump administration’s waiver affects sanctions authorized under the Graham Act, legislation named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham and passed by the Senate with an overwhelming 86-11 vote this summer. The law imposes tariffs of up to 100% on major importers of Russian oil and gas in an effort to penalize Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Trump cited “national interests” in justifying the waiver, but his move drew immediate criticism from members of both parties.
Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, criticized the administration’s approach as “beyond irresponsible,” questioning the president’s refusal to enforce a law with such broad bipartisan support. Retiring Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska argued that waiving sanctions risks prolonging the conflict in Ukraine rather than bringing it to an end.
The decision followed a recent agreement permitting Russia to resume diesel exports to the U.S. and global markets amid fuel shortages, a move that Ukraine’s government viewed unfavorably. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials warned that easing restrictions could enable President Putin to finance ongoing military operations, despite a brief energy cease-fire declared by Trump earlier in October. Kyiv reported honoring the cease-fire for several days but resumed attacks after Russian strikes on civilian energy facilities.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the policy on “State of the Union,” suggesting that facilitating Russian diesel exports could pressure Moscow to reduce hostilities. Wright argued that the Kremlin would be incentivized to tone down the conflict to avoid further damage to its energy infrastructure and maintain export capacity.
Rogers also outlined plans he would pursue if elected to the Senate, including a temporary ban on U.S. diesel exports and rebates for agricultural diesel to alleviate costs for consumers and farmers. He described the current situation as complex, citing the need to balance energy affordability with geopolitical challenges, including confronting Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The debate over the sanctions waiver underscores ongoing divisions within the Republican Party regarding the best approach to counter Russia's aggression in Ukraine while managing domestic energy concerns.