Sen. Corker: Pres. Trump made U.S. 'look like a pushover'

WASHINGTON (CBS) - Republicans and Democrats alike blasted President Donald Trump after his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, CBS News reported.

President Trump accepted a World Cup soccer ball from Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday as he side-stepped questions about Russian interference in the 2016 election.

"I have great confidence in my intelligence people but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today,"

said President Trump.

South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called out the President for missing an opportunity, writing in part in part,

"If it were me, I'd check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House."

Other lawmakers blasted Mister Trump for not defending US intelligence agencies. Senate Foreign Relations Chair, Bob Corker (R-TN) said President Trump made the U.S. "look like a pushover" in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Trump held a press conference alongside the Kremlin President Monday in Helsinki, Finland and questioned U.S. intelligence findings on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. President Trump said

"I don't see any reason why Russia would interfere in the 2016 election."

Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) said,

"I got here last night and was here to watch it today. I too want us to have good relations with Russia. I think everybody would like to see that happen, but I was disappointed especially by the comments made after the formal presentation. I felt like that everyone who's dealt with Putin understands fully that the best way to deal with him is through strength.

And I just felt like the president's comments made us look as a nation more like a pushover. I was disappointed in that. When he had the opportunity to defend our intelligence agencies, who work for him, I was very disappointed and saddened with the equivalency he gave between them and what Putin was saying. So I was very disappointed in that. You know, congress has spoken strongly. Very few bills around here pass 98-2, but we led on pushing back against Russia for many of the things they've done, which have been counter to u.s. Interests. I just felt like the president should have been more forceful in talking about those grievances. Again, Putin only understands strength. I did not think this was a good moment for our country."

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) said,

"The President of the United States sided with Vladimir Putin over the unanimous assessment of the American intelligence community."

Democrats on Capitol Hill demanded President Trump cancel his summit with Putin after 12 Russian nationals were indicted last week for hacking Democratic servers during the 2016 campaign.

The charges were in connection with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing Russia probe.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) said,

"All I can speculate is that there is an effort underway to sort of figure out if by being nice to Vladimir Putin there is a way that we can establish a better working relationship."