Washington, DC—Below is statement by the top officers of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM)–President and Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin, Vice President and Rochester Hills (MI) Mayor Bryan Barnett, Second Vice President and Louisville (KY) Mayor Greg Fischer; Chair of USCM’s International Affairs Committee Dayton (OH) Mayor Nan Whaley; and USCM’s CEO & Executive Director Tom Cochran on President Trump’s remarks during his press conference with Russia President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki:

“The nation’s mayors stand firmly behind the bedrock institutions that continue to keep our country safe and strong.  On the local level, they are often key partners in helping us protect the people who live in our cities and instill public safety measures across our communities.  We depend on their tireless efforts and countless sacrifices every day. To undermine their credibility only inflames division and makes us more vulnerable.

As a founding member of the Global Parliament of Mayors, the Conference works with mayors across the world and benefits greatly from their experience, expertise and leadership in tackling local challenges. We must do everything in our power to preserve and nurture our relationships with our international allies.

Mayors—both Republican and Democrat—believe that anything that threatens the sanctity of our elections is a threat to democracy.  As such, we strongly reaffirm our support for, and trust in, the intelligence community of the United States and their assessment of Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election.”