Haley Campaign Press Release - Haley Denounces Trump's Praise of Putin After Navalny's Death

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Nikki Haley denounced Donald Trump's praise and defense of Vladimir Putin after Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in a Russian prison.

"Donald Trump continues to side with Vladimir Putin—a man who kills his political opponents, holds American journalists hostage, and has never hidden his desire to destroy America," said Nikki Haley. "Trump continues to side with Putin over our allies and our military service members."

Donald Trump repeatedly praises Putin. When pressed about Putin's treatment of journalists and political opponents, Trump defended the Russian thug several times:

• Trump said: "In all fairness to Putin, you're saying he killed people, I haven't seen that. I don't know that he has. Have you been able to prove that? Do you know the names of the reporters that he killed?"

• Trump said: "I do respect [Putin]... There are a lot of killers. Do you think our country is so innocent?"