Release: Josh Welle, a candidate in New Jersey's 4th Congressional District, issued this statement in response to President Donald Trump's comments during his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin following their summit in Helsinki earlier this week

Statement

Josh Welle, a candidate in New Jersey's 4th Congressional District, issued this statement in response to President Donald Trump's comments during his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin following their summit in Helsinki earlier this week:

"As a post-9/11 veteran and an everyday citizen, I was appalled by the President's actions in the press conference with Russian President Putin in Helsinki. For a sitting U.S. President to side with an authoritarian Russian leader while undermining the integrity of America's intelligence community is a threat to national security and an insult to the men and women who serve and protect this country.

In choosing to support Putin over our NATO allies, Trump failed in his duties as Commander-in-Chief and reinforces to the American electorate that he lacks the diplomatic skills necessary to lead during times of great uncertainty.

It is time for the United States to re-establish American leadership by building bridges with our NATO allies, not by questioning our resolve towards transatlantic security. I'm running for Congress to support responsible foreign policy, protect our allies, and keep families safe at home. Meanwhile, my opponent, Rep. Chris Smith, a 37-year incumbent, claims to represent the interests of Central Jersey, but refuses to hold the President accountable for his foreign policy actions. The people of the 4th District deserve a representative who protects our national security institutions and long-standing interests around the world."

Josh Welle is an Annapolis graduate, Afghanistan veteran, Commander in the Navy Reserve, and former founder of a technology company. He was raised in Wall Township and is a Democratic candidate for New Jersey's 4th Congressional District competing to unseat 37-year incumbent Chris Smith. He lives with his wife, Angela, in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

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