A leading Republican senator from Tennessee is questioning whether the Trump administration understands the impact of its actions after a report revealed the president provided classified information to high-ranking Russian officials.
Another Tennessee lawmaker believes the president's actions show he may need "professional help."
The Washington Post report Monday detailed Trump's conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak that included classified information about the Islamic State. While some White House officials tried to downplay the story, none refuted the bulk of the content.
In a cryptic statement Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., described the global impact of White House actions.
"Those working in the White House would do well to remember that just a little tilt there can create earthquakes out in the country and around the world," Alexander said.
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., was more direct in his comments Monday, questioning the trajectory of a White House that is perpetually in crisis mode.
"The White House has got to do something soon to bring itself under control and in order. It's got to happen," Corker said, according to a Tweet from Bloomberg reporter Sahil Kapur.
"Obviously they're in a downward spiral right now and they've got to figure out a way to come to grips (with) all that's happening."
U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., echoed Corker's comments in a Tuesday morning statement.
"As Sen. Corker says in The Tennessean today, the White House seems to be in a 'downward spiral.' Everything about the Russian visit with Trump went wrong. It's tragic when we cannot trust our own president with our worst enemy," Cooper said.
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a Memphis Democrat and constant Republican critic, suggested the president may need "professional help" for characteristics the congressman believes may harm national interests.
"The President must put America first and never reveal classified intelligence without input from his intelligence advisors. He is way too eager to seek approval by providing information and opinions which become detrimental to both the country and himself. On the latter he also needs professional help,” Cohen said in a statement.
