Two Republican senators are facing widespread backlash after tweeting photos of a video call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy despite being told to not share pictures on social media while it was in progress due to security concerns.
The senators, Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Steve Daines (Mont.) shared photos of Zelensky speaking to Congress on Twitter with captions indicating that they were on the call, NBC News reports.
Multiple aides told the outlet that lawmakers present in the call were directed by Ukrainian officials not to share pictures of the president.
The action from Rubio and Daines drew immediate condemnation from lawmakers and social media users alike.
Reps. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Jason Crow (D-CO) slammed the senators’ actions as “appalling and reckless.”
“The Ukrainian Ambassador very intentionally asked each of us on the zoom to NOT share anything on social media during the meeting to protect the security of President Zelenskyy. Appalling and reckless ignorance by two US Senators,” Phillips tweeted.
“The lack of discipline in Congress is truly astounding. If an embattled wartime leader asks you to keep quiet about a meeting, you better keep quiet about the meeting,” Crow said.
Read other reactions below:
The Ukrainian Ambassador very intentionally asked each of us on the zoom to NOT share anything on social media during the meeting to protect the security of President Zelenskyy. Appalling and reckless ignorance by two US Senators. https://t.co/geolhKxbLp
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) March 5, 2022
Why are we not surprised that the ones who violated this stipulation and put President Zelensky at risk are Republicans?
Isn’t Daines 1 of 8 Republicans who inexplicably spent July 4th 2018 in Moscow & didn’t Rubio rcv $$ campaign donations from Russian oligarch firm? Related?
— Luna Jade (@lunajade) March 5, 2022
I called it. I suggested no devices be used on this zoom because I didn't trust Republicans.
We still don't know why Senators Shelby, Daines, Thune, John Kennedy, Moran, Hoeven, and Rep. Kay Granger, went to Moscow on July 4.
We already know Rubio has accepted Russian money.
— lc stands with Ukraine🌻🇺🇦🌻sometimes I curse😛 (@lcatboonies) March 5, 2022
@marcorubio you IDIOT.
While you’ve been live tweeting this barbaric attack on Ukraine (despite the fact that you did nothing to STOP Putin while his orange puppet was doing his bidding), now you’ve done this?!?
You reckless ass.
You’re not helping, you doofus.
So stop.— Jo 🌻 (@JoJoFromJerz) March 5, 2022
Interesting how both Rubio and Daines used similar wording and stated it was happening right then.
— Sρσσɳιҽ Nυɾʂҽ🌻 (@PrplScrubsCHPN) March 5, 2022
For President Zelensky’s safety, exclude them from future interactions. This is not only dangerous to him, it harms our relationship with Ukraine as a nation.
— Renee Legierski (@MamaRenee4) March 5, 2022
Steve Daines is one of the ones that decided to go to Moscow on July 4, 2018.https://t.co/WVQF756DJB
— James Hall (@hall_jamesr) March 5, 2022
@SenRubioPress @SteveDaines
What is wrong with you two? By taking a screenshot of Pres. Zelensky and tweeting, was highly irresponsible! Pres Z specifically asked you to protect him and you completely disregarded his request. Stop it!— Susan Santry (@susan_santry) March 5, 2022
