On May 18, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued a third sanctions waiver on Russian oil and petroleum out at sea. The two other waivers were issued on March 6 and April 17.
“Poor and vulnerable” countries requested the waiver for Russia. The Trump administration acceded to this lobbying despite pledging to put “America first.”
Bizarrely, this waiver renewal comes after Bessent called for American allies of the Group of Seven (G7) to further sanction Iran, which is a Russian ally. Russia has provided Iran with intelligence on American troops and assets in the Middle East over the course of the Iran War. If these sanctions waivers were intended to provide “aid and comfort” for Iran or Russia, Bessent, Trump, and other officials may have committed treason.
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
United States House of Representatives
