Republican lawmakers blasted President Donald Trump for waiving new tariffs and sanctions on Russia, prompting the president to defend himself against members of his own party. GOP critics said Trump’s decision trampled on the will of Congress, which overwhelmingly passed a sanctions law last month championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, and would aide Moscow’s war effort against Ukraine.

Also this weekend, France is grappling with the aftermath of a weekend of widespread protests that descended into clashes between police and demonstrators and sparked some of the worst street violence the country has seen in years, with looting and landmarks set on fire. The demonstrations drew more than half a million people to cities across the country on Saturday, but what started out as peaceful processions to complain about poor conditions in classrooms and hospitals and cost of living concerns soon deteriorated. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said that more than 2,000 people nationwide had been arrested, including 855 in Paris.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

- Jeff Mason, Bloomberg News White House Correspondent, on President Trump facing backlash from the GOP over his Russia sanctions.

- Bloomberg News Reporter Gaspard Sebag on the French protests over cost of living that have descended into violence.

- Scott Detrow, Host of NPR's “All Things Considered” and author of “American Pope,” on how Pope Leo's years in Peru shaped his leadership.

- Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler's Senior Features Editor, on what nearly 800,000 reader votes reveal about travelers' favorite cities.

Plus, David, Christina, and Lisa Mateo share the stories they've 'Bookmarked' this week.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump waived massive tariffs linked to Russian energy exports mandated in a law that he signed last month, as the measures complicated his push to lower diesel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.

Trump invoked a waiver clause under the law, which was championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham as a way to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The law also codified and expanded sanctions targeting Moscow.

“I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act. 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,” Trump said in an executive order released late Friday.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo speak with:

• Anthony Halpin, Bloomberg News Russia Economy & Government Editor and Jeff Mason, Bloomberg News White House Correspondent on President Trump's decision to halt new energy sanctions on Russia
• David Miliband, International Rescue Committee CEO on his recent trip to Ukraine and what his organization is doing to help those affected by humanitarian crises.
• Jason Schreier, Bloomberg News Video Game Reporter on the upcoming release of GTA VI

Plus, Christina, David, and Lisa play Pointed: The News Quiz for Risk Takers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saudi Arabia said 12 people were killed and 309 were injured Saturday in an attack on the Riyadh airport, the deadliest incident in an intensifying conflict with Yemen’s Houthis. Saudi civil aviation authorities said that airport operations were suspended temporarily while the damage was being assessed. Some of the injured were in critical condition. The US warned its citizens to avoid the airport in the Saudi capital. One of the people killed was an American, according to Saudi Arabia. The UK described the latest incident as “serious” and airlines including Kuwait’s national carrier scrapped flights.

Also this weekend, President Donald Trump demanded that Volodymyr Zelenskyy halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and suggested he should consider stepping aside as Ukraine’s president, escalating a fight centered on securing more diesel supplies for the US ahead of the midterm elections. “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday as he unleashed an angry critique of Zelenskyy, saying Ukraine needs a leader “who can make a deal” with Russia.

On today's show, Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini speak with:

- Abeer Abu Omar, Bloomberg News Middle East Correspondent on the Riyadh airport incident, and Alex Kokcharov, Bloomberg Economics Geoeconomics Analyst on President Trump's statement that "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president."

- Herman Chan, Bloomberg Intelligence Senior US Banks Analyst on what to expect when Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Citi report earnings this week, and BMO Capital Market Senior Economist Jennifer Lee on what's ahead for CPI, PPI, and retail sales.

- Shawn Donnan, Bloomberg News, Senior Economics Writer, on why populists are losing their war on globalization.

Plus, David, Christina, and Lisa Mateo share the stories they've 'Bookmarked' this week.

For more conversations like this, watch and listen to Bloomberg This Weekend live on Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM-10AM ET. Watch on Bloomberg Television, listen on Bloomberg Radio and stream the show live on the Bloomberg Business app and Bloomberg.com/video.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.