Rep. Rob Wittman disagrees with President Trump

Virginia Republican Rep. Rob Wittman says he disagrees with President Donald Trump over two recent decisions on Russia: buying diesel fuel from the country and lifting new sanctions on it. Wittman made the comments in an interview with WTVR CBS 6 in Richmond on Wednesday. He called Russia an adversary and said he objects to the sanctions being rolled back.

The sanctions in question were passed by Congress, and Wittman noted that the president had signed them into law, which is why he said he disagrees with lifting them. He tied the diesel issue to rising gas prices, saying that Russia is a major producer of diesel and that its war against Ukraine has kept it from selling the fuel, pushing up prices on the international market. Wittman argued the United States should produce more fuel and build new refineries, but he acknowledged that a new refinery would not affect prices for at least a year. He said he would like it to come online faster.

On other topics, Wittman said local jurisdictions would have more authority over the growth of data centers, though the federal government could provide a framework. Asked about concerns that federal officers, including ICE agents, could have a visible presence at polling places in this election, he said they should not have any role.

The remarks come as Wittman, who has represented Virginia's 1st Congressional District since 2007, faces his most serious challenge in years from Henrico County prosecutor Shannon Taylor, a Democrat. The Cook Political Report rates the race Lean Republican. Trump won the district by about five points in 2024, and Wittman won by 13. A recent Washington Post poll found nearly six in ten voters in the district disapprove of Trump's job performance, and Wittman has been cautious about appearing alongside him. He told NBC News earlier that his campaign is focused on his work with constituents. Wittman has said he supports Trump on energy production and refining, but that he opposed eliminating funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program and voted to override Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act. He has also said he isn't the biggest fan of Trump's tariffs, though Democratic-leaning critics note he has voted against measures to end them. Trump has endorsed him. Reporting comes from WTVR CBS 6, with district background from Virginia Scope and the Associated Press.