Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Tuesday that he doubted that President Donald Trump’s campaigned conspired with the Russians to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.
“I don’t believe Trump colluded with the Russians because I don’t think he colludes with his own staff,” he said, according to Bloomberg reporter Steven Dennis.
This isn’t the first time Graham has been outspoken about the intelligence findings that showed Russian operatives tried to interfere in the election. During a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing in May, for example, the South Carolina senator said that there was “no doubt in his mind” that the Russians were involved.
“I think every American should be concerned about what the Russians did. From my point of view, there’s no doubt in my mind it was the Russians involved in all the things I just described — not some 400-pound guy sitting on a bed, or any other country,” Graham said at the time, referring to Trump’s insinuations that the hacker might be someone working out of their basement. “Russia is up to no good when it comes to democracies all over the world.”
And just a few days later, Graham said that Trump should stop tweeting about the Russia investigation.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com