Trump Calls Out 'Hypocrite' Schumer For Eating Doughnuts With Putin In 2003

Led by the likes of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D - New York), American Democrats are pushing for investigations into executive relationships with Russia, and President Donald Trump is responding tit for tat.

On Friday, a Tweet was posted to Trump’s personal Twitter Inc TWTR account accusing Schumer of hypocrisy and proposing a parallel investigation into his Russian ties. The message — which Politico noted was sent from an iPhone, thus likely posted by a staffer rather than Trump, himself — accompanied a photo of Schumer and Russian President Vladimir Putin smiling over doughnuts and coffee.

We should start an immediate investigation into @SenSchumer and his ties to Russia and Putin. A total hypocrite! pic.twitter.com/Ik3yqjHzsA

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2017

The image displayed a moment of hospitality during Putin’s 2003 visit to New York, where he commemorated the opening of a Russian company’s gas station.

Shortly following Trump’s message, Schumer responded that he’d be happy to discuss the interaction and contrasted it with Republican activity by his eager transparency.

Happily talk re: my contact w Mr. Putin & his associates, took place in '03 in full view of press & public under oath. Would you &your team? https://t.co/yXgw3U8tmQ

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 3, 2017

Schumer drew the president's criticism after calling for the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was discovered Wednesday to have concealed earlier meetings with the Russian ambassador during his confirmation hearings. Sessions had recused himself Thursday from Justice Department investigations pertaining to the presidential campaigns.