State Department spokesperson Marie Harf first tried to dodge questions and then got angry with reporters who dogged her with questions on a Wall Street Journal report that Hillary Clinton’s chief of staff inappropriately negotiated with the FOIA office.
“I’m certainly not in a position to respond to I think all unnamed sources named in the report,” said Marie Harf, chuckling. “I have no knowledge or information to confirm the claims made in this report.
“I wasn’t here; I have nothing to confirm them,” said Harf, before reading out the standards of the Freedom of Information Act.
“The department only withholds materials that are exempted or excluded from public release under terms spelled out in the Freedom of Information Act. … That’s what governs what’s ultimately released,” she said.
“Would it ever be appropriate for any state department personnel to advocate for a document not to be released?” asked the reporter.
“I’m just not going to address that kind of hypothetical,” Harf replied shortly.
“Wait, I’m sorry,” cut in another reporter. “I thought you just said. … Are you saying that it wouldn’t be inappropriate for people in those positions to —”
“To be made aware of documents,” interrupted Harf.
“Or to negotiate in any way with the FOIA office.” replied the reporter.
“I said to be made aware of documents that could potentially respond to FOIA,” Harf interrupted loudly. “I also said I have no information to confirm the claims made by unnamed sources in a report.”
“Would it be appropriate for a member of the secretary’s staff or inappropriate for a member of the secretary’s staff to negotiate with the FOIA office?”
“I’m just not going to address kind of hypothetical,” replied Harf.
“That’s not a hypothetical,” the reporter shot back.
“It is,” replied a clearly-exasperated Harf. “It depends on who —”
“That’s not a hypothetical, that’s just a question,” said the reporter.
“It’s a question that is a hypothetical one … that addresses an unnamed secretary’s staff member and an unnamed FOIA request,” Harf said, tap-dancing around the very-named Hillary Clinton.
“Okay. Would it be inappropriate for you or someone in your office to negotiate with the FOIA office? Is that inappropriate?”
“I’m just not going to address a broad question like that,” said Harf.
A third reporter tried to coax more specific answers from Harf, to no avail.
“There are a number of people here who … weigh in on FOIA requests,” she said. “In theory there’s a lot of people who can be involved — quite appropriately — in this process.”
