Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed back on Fox News’ Chris Wallace Sunday over questions about President Trump’s recent conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Wallace asked on Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday” if during the conversation Trump brought up Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, a fact that was made clear by special counsel Robert Mueller’s report last month.
“This administration has been tougher on Russia than any of its predecessor administrations. I could go through the list but there is no time in the show to talk about all of the things we’ve done,” Pompeo said. “We take seriously the threat of election interference from every country, Russia included.”
“You’re looking at the administration that has been tougher on Russia than any of its present assessors and yet you continue to be fixated on something that Robert Mueller wrote down. I struggle with that,” Pompeo told the host.
When pushed on why exactly Trump didn’t discuss Russian meddling in the 2016 election specifically, Pompeo said the conversation might not have been long enough to include the dialogue.
“I talk to leaders all the time, we cover a broad range of subjects. Sometimes conversations just aren’t long enough to include every issue that might be brought up,” Pompeo said. “I will let the White House talk to what the president actually said in the set of remarks but no one should misunderstand from your question today, your viewers should not be misled.”
“This administration has taken seriously the threat of election interference and will continue to do so,” he added.
