Helsinki summit becomes new flashpoint for GOP anger

Anger and frustration with President Trump are growing among Senate Republicans, who worry the unpredictable White House could undercut GOP chances of keeping the Senate majority. 

The latest flashpoint is Trump’s handling of the summit in Helsinki with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Republicans think Trump, who was given a World Cup soccer ball by Putin, committed an own goal by refusing to stand up to Putin and denounce Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. Instead, Trump appeared to accept Putin’s denial.

“It’s maddeningly frustrating,” fumed one Republican senator, who requested anonymity to comment frankly on the president’s tendency to overshadow the party’s message with controversy.

“People are just like, ‘What is going on?’ ” said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.).