Five House Republicans have broken ranks with President Trump over his administration’s decision to allow Russian diesel into the United States, signing a bipartisan letter that demands he cancel the arrangement and ramp up sanctions on Moscow.
GOP Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Michael McCaul of Texas, Dan Newhouse of Washington and Joe Wilson of South Carolina joined 17 Democrats in sending the letter Thursday. The lawmakers said they were “particularly concerned” about the deal, which Trump announced last week.
Trump said Russia had agreed to “immediately” supply 300,000 tons of diesel to global markets, with another 500,000 tons expected in November. The president added that Russia would provide an additional four million tons after November if its refineries can manage it amid Ukrainian attacks.
Alongside the announcement, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a waiver authorizing Russian producers to import diesel into the U.S. That waiver runs through April 6, 2027.
The lawmakers addressed their letter to Trump and copied Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They urged the administration to revoke the license and refrain from issuing further general licenses that “reopen Russian energy transactions and restore revenue to the Kremlin’s war chest.” They also asked Trump to explain how the Treasury license can be reconciled with an existing ban on Russian energy imports.
A Treasury spokesperson pointed to a statement last week from the department’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, which said on X that the license “is consistent with similar actions previously taken” by OFAC and “is in compliance with all applicable laws.” The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
McCaul, the former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement that he understands Trump’s “desire to bring down diesel prices,” which remain above $6 per gallon amid the Iran war. But the outgoing lawmaker added he was “concerned” the diesel deal “will only fuel the Kremlin’s violence and destruction,” noting Russian forces have attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure this week — after Trump said the two sides had agreed to an “energy ceasefire.”
In the letter, the Republicans also pressed the president to forcefully apply legislation aimed at boosting sanctions on Russia. The law, named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), passed the Senate and House with strong bipartisan majorities in September.
“Designations should reach the officials, oligarchs, banks, and state enterprises directing and financing the war, as well as the foreign banks, shadow fleet operators, and intermediaries that help Russia evade restrictions,” the lawmakers wrote, three days before a deadline for Trump to set secondary tariffs on countries that import Russian products and designate Russian entities for sanctions.
“We stand ready to work with your Administration to ensure this law achieves the purpose for which Congress enacted it,” the letter concluded.
The push comes as the administration faces scrutiny over its Russia policy, with some Republicans increasingly vocal about the need to maintain pressure on Moscow. The letter reflects a rare public split within the GOP on a key Trump initiative. For more on the administration’s personnel moves, see the press secretary’s media strategy.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has backed another controversial Trump decision — the cancellation of a military execution livestream — as reported in Hegseth’s support for the move. The White House also hosted first responders at a Rose Garden event amid a broader crime push, covered in the Rose Garden lunch.
