Hi, this is Nikki from the audience team at the Guardian. Thanks for sharing our story. We wanted to give a bit more insight into the latest developments.
Don Bacon, a Republican representative, called for Steve Witkoff’s immediate dismissal. “For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians,” the Nebraska lawmaker [wrote on X](https://x.com/RepDonBacon/status/1993446393076498714?s=20).
“He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.”
Democratic representative Ted Lieu went further, calling Witkoff an “[actual traitor](https://x.com/tedlieu/status/1993469041701535768),” and adding: “Steve Witkoff is supposed to work for the United States, not Russia.”
Incompetence in every department of this administration. In this particular case, I am happy it happened. And to Putin I say, “Quiet, Piggy”
Physical-Dare5059 on
They didn’t believe it was all about the grift and corruption from the get go and gave their unwavering support to Trump and his lackeys. Now that it’s blatantly obvious, there’s no going back in time, they are all complicit.
TastyStruggle808 on
Or, and this might sound crazy, maybe we fucking IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT
VexedCanadian84 on
Probably just the tip of the treason iceberg
HaroldGreenBandana on
Negotiating on behalf of unfriendly foreign nations is un-American.
illit3 on
Fired? How about prosecuted?
Accurate-Guava-3337 on
He was also on the Signal chat that leaked while he was in Moscow to meet with Vlad.
slo1111 on
It still amazes me that the media continues to discount the greatest threat from this administration, his handlers are running the show as they all collaborate on how to pull, Trump, the puppet’s strings
mysteryweapon on
Typical cons: shoot the messenger, ignore the message
Mods_Will_Ban-lol on
You could also investigate all politicians with ties to Russia.
Damthtsodlyinterstng on
It seems like only the GOP are allowed to say who is a traitor.
Choppergold on
Don Bacon, a Republican representative, called for Steve Witkoff’s immediate dismissal. “For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians,” the Nebraska lawmaker wrote on X.
“He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.”
Nebraska is facing harsh ag market realities as well
alloutofchewingum on
“There’s a good chance I might have committed some light treason.”
TotallyNotAMarvelSpy on
He should receive the codified actual punishments for committing treason against this country.
Same with every trump admin official. They literally are committing fucking treason. If we don’t do this, there functionally are no laws in this country.
vitaminorvitamin on
Now Trump will double down on how important, professional, unprecedented and perfect the call was.
NickelBackwash on
>fired
He should be jailed awaiting execution.
lunar_dot on
Lol, I worked for Steve Witkoff in his real estate development firm. He was a buffoon then. Nice to see some things never change.
faith_apnea on
2016/17 all over again. Here comes the “Russia was a hoax” greatest hits from Trump and team.
Warm_Regrets157 on
Over on the trumper subs, they are saying “this is exactly what an ambassador is supposed to be doing”.
postusa2 on
As bonkers as this is, I’m confused as to why this is a bigger story than the content of the “Peace Plan” and its implications for global democracy. What is being modelled there is American futures.
hardasjello on
Oligarchs want him fired, I sure don’t
coldafsteel on
Kinda puts the Mark Kelly thing into perspective doesn’t it 🤣
sugarlessdeathbear on
It’s not the first time “traitor” and Trump or someone in his orbit are mentioned together. Could be a pattern someone should look into.
Historical_Note5003 on
Fired? How about imprisoned?
shallow_kunt on
Fired? Remind me again what Mike Johnson and president piggy define as the punishment for treason?
AcanthisittaNo6653 on
Witkoff is a carpetbagger trying to score the big one. He’s not there for anyone but himself..
mymar101 on
How about the president? He’s the one who ordered it
throway_nonjw on
The whole administration needs to go, the sooner the better.
29 Comments
Hi, this is Nikki from the audience team at the Guardian. Thanks for sharing our story. We wanted to give a bit more insight into the latest developments.
*From The Guardian:*
A handful of US representatives have reacted furiously to a leaked recording in which the special envoy to [Ukraine](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine) reportedly [coached](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/25/trump-envoy-on-russia-ukraine-peace-deal) Moscow on how to handle [Donald Trump](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump), but most have so far remained mute on the revelation that American officials were advising a US adversary.
Don Bacon, a Republican representative, called for Steve Witkoff’s immediate dismissal. “For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians,” the Nebraska lawmaker [wrote on X](https://x.com/RepDonBacon/status/1993446393076498714?s=20).
“He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.”
Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican [wrote](https://x.com/RepBrianFitz/status/1993428150492316095?s=20) that the [leak](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/26/who-leaked-steve-witkoff-call-kremlin-trump-analysis) represented “a major problem” and “one of the many reasons why these ridiculous side shows and secret meetings need to stop”. He urged that the secretary of state, [Marco Rubio](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/marco-rubio), be allowed to “do his job in a fair and objective manner”.
Democratic representative Ted Lieu went further, calling Witkoff an “[actual traitor](https://x.com/tedlieu/status/1993469041701535768),” and adding: “Steve Witkoff is supposed to work for the United States, not Russia.”
In a [recording](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/25/trump-envoy-on-russia-ukraine-peace-deal) obtained by [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-25/witkoff-discusses-ukraine-plans-with-key-putin-aide-transcript?taid=69260b1abe27e9000189eb34&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=business&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter) of a 14 October phone call between Witkoff and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy aide, Witkoff said peace would require Moscow gaining control of Donetsk and potentially additional Ukrainian territory.
[You can read the full story for free at this link.](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/26/republicans-steve-witkoff-leaked-call-russia-ukraine)
Incompetence in every department of this administration. In this particular case, I am happy it happened. And to Putin I say, “Quiet, Piggy”
They didn’t believe it was all about the grift and corruption from the get go and gave their unwavering support to Trump and his lackeys. Now that it’s blatantly obvious, there’s no going back in time, they are all complicit.
Or, and this might sound crazy, maybe we fucking IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT
Probably just the tip of the treason iceberg
Negotiating on behalf of unfriendly foreign nations is un-American.
Fired? How about prosecuted?
He was also on the Signal chat that leaked while he was in Moscow to meet with Vlad.
It still amazes me that the media continues to discount the greatest threat from this administration, his handlers are running the show as they all collaborate on how to pull, Trump, the puppet’s strings
Typical cons: shoot the messenger, ignore the message
You could also investigate all politicians with ties to Russia.
It seems like only the GOP are allowed to say who is a traitor.
Don Bacon, a Republican representative, called for Steve Witkoff’s immediate dismissal. “For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians,” the Nebraska lawmaker wrote on X.
“He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.”
Nebraska is facing harsh ag market realities as well
“There’s a good chance I might have committed some light treason.”
He should receive the codified actual punishments for committing treason against this country.
Same with every trump admin official. They literally are committing fucking treason. If we don’t do this, there functionally are no laws in this country.
Now Trump will double down on how important, professional, unprecedented and perfect the call was.
>fired
He should be jailed awaiting execution.
Lol, I worked for Steve Witkoff in his real estate development firm. He was a buffoon then. Nice to see some things never change.
2016/17 all over again. Here comes the “Russia was a hoax” greatest hits from Trump and team.
Over on the trumper subs, they are saying “this is exactly what an ambassador is supposed to be doing”.
As bonkers as this is, I’m confused as to why this is a bigger story than the content of the “Peace Plan” and its implications for global democracy. What is being modelled there is American futures.
Oligarchs want him fired, I sure don’t
Kinda puts the Mark Kelly thing into perspective doesn’t it 🤣
It’s not the first time “traitor” and Trump or someone in his orbit are mentioned together. Could be a pattern someone should look into.
Fired? How about imprisoned?
Fired? Remind me again what Mike Johnson and president piggy define as the punishment for treason?
Witkoff is a carpetbagger trying to score the big one. He’s not there for anyone but himself..
How about the president? He’s the one who ordered it
The whole administration needs to go, the sooner the better.