Trump issued an executive order on October 16, 2026, waiving all sanctions under the Lindsey Graham Act, which he signed on September 18, certifying the waiver serves the national interest under Section 115. He later said he acted because Russia otherwise would not have returned Stephen Hubbard. Tillis calls the waiver beyond irresponsible and a capitulation to a Russian dictator; Hinson says easing sanctions makes her uneasy because she does not trust Putin; Graham backs the sanctions while understanding Trump's cost concerns. Kaine says lawmakers will try to trigger the act's congressional review mechanism. The discussion has widened to Europe's Russian energy purchases, Trump's refusal to drive Russia from the bargaining table, and a reported Putin proposal for a Trump-Xi…