Pence defends Trump's summit performance in St. Louis speech

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence is defending President Donald Trump against claims that the president is too soft on Russia, telling a St. Louis crowd that Russian aggression has been met with "American strength and action."

Pence spoke Thursday at a downtown hotel. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Pence said Trump's policies are making a positive difference in St. Louis and around the country.

Trump has drawn criticism stemming from his performance on Monday at a summit meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Finland. But Pence listed sanctions and other steps the administration has taken against Russia.

More than 100 protesters stood and chanted behind barricades outside the hotel.

The event was hosted by America First Policies, a nonprofit organization set up to promote Trump's policy agenda.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com