President Donald J. Trump salutes and First Lady Melania Trump places her hand over her heart during the dignified transfer ceremony for United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David C. Knadle, of Tarrant, Texas, and United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr., of Keaau, Hawaii Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del. Knadle and Fuchigami were killed Wednesday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
On Saturday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany denied that President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence had been briefed that Russia reportedly offered bounties for the killing of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
“The United States receives thousands of intelligence reports a day, and they are subject to strict scrutiny. While the White House does not routinely comment on alleged intelligence or internal deliberations, the CIA director, national security adviser, and the chief of staff can all confirm that neither the president nor the vice president were briefed on the alleged Russian bounty intelligence,” McEnany claimed.
The claim seemed to raise more questions than it answered. Here's some of what people were saying:
So...who knew? Why didn't they tell Trump and Pence? This makes them look worse. A White House in disarray. https://t.co/CorGqhiiQD— Wajahat "Wears a Mask Because of a Pandemic" Ali (@Wajahat "Wears a Mask Because of a Pandemic" Ali)1593291392.0
CIA: "OMIGOD! Putin is paying bounties to the Taliban to kill US soldiers! We have to tell the president." White H… https://t.co/csZUQXb9UT— Kurt "Masks Save Lives" Eichenwald (@Kurt "Masks Save Lives" Eichenwald)1593297126.0
The White House Press Secretary said that Trump was not previously briefed about Russia putting bounties on U.S. so… https://t.co/pG3SrPUgif— JRehling (@JRehling)1593294841.0
White House isnt denying that Russia put out bounties on American soldiers. They are denying Trump or Pence was bri… https://t.co/VnUwsOfWMQ— Kurt "Masks Save Lives" Eichenwald (@Kurt "Masks Save Lives" Eichenwald)1593293693.0
So @PressSec says neither @realDonaldTrump nor @Mike_Pence were briefed on Russia’s payment of bounties for killing… https://t.co/ODsxZ50KaA— George Conway (@George Conway)1593299398.0
NEW: A Western intelligence source has told me the intelligence on GRU Unit 29155 offering the Taliban money to kil… https://t.co/RvTukS4N9w— Michael Weiss (@Michael Weiss)1593299393.0
This after the White House denies Trump or Pence knew about it, which either means they're lying or US intelligence… https://t.co/5h7X0rKbTW— Eliot Higgins (@Eliot Higgins)1593295203.0
If you think Trump, the NSC, and at least the principals of every relevant agency weren’t briefed on the GRU taking… https://t.co/pzf1ChpWXw— Angry Staffer (@Angry Staffer)1593299942.0
Has the president asked for a briefing when he returns to the White House today from the golf club? https://t.co/bBZ3ItGiqd— Bill Kristol (@Bill Kristol)1593291976.0
This will grow into a GIANT STORY Leaks and whistleblowers lining up https://t.co/wzjNdk0yR7— Stephanie Ruhle (@Stephanie Ruhle)1593292920.0
The statement by White House @PressSec does not deny Russia paid bounties to militants to kill US troops. It’s als… https://t.co/cYWkDk1PIW— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu)1593296887.0
Seems like we have an issue then inside government if White House didn’t know. What to believe? https://t.co/GTq1gvvSGZ— Clint Watts (@Clint Watts)1593291454.0
The White House has issued its defense in the Russia paid the Taliban bounties to kill soldiers fiasco and its eve… https://t.co/NuYBhgO33S— David Cay Johnston (@David Cay Johnston)1593296692.0
Ambassador @McFaul reveals damning flaw in the White House denial over Trump’s latest Russia scandal #TRE45ON https://t.co/C4G1q1a8qV— Raw Story (@Raw Story)1593296877.0
