President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Friday in which he paused sanctions against Russia that were imposed under the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which he signed into law last month.

The legislation authorizes additional sanctions and tariffs against Russia as they continue their war with Ukraine, but includes a caveat that allows the president to waive the application of sanctions, duties or restrictions against foreign persons if the president tells Congress it's in the country's national interests.

"I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act," Trump wrote in the order. "I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States."

The legislation called for the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top five buyers of Russian energy, including countries that are helping Russia evade sanctions. It also extends current sanctions on Iran.

The president said the order only impacts sanctions under the Graham Act, and not sanctions imposed by other executive orders.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.