Secretary of State Mike Pompeo grew annoyed Sunday when Fox News host Chris Wallace repeatedly questioned him regarding President Trump’s recent comment about listening to opposition research from foreign sources.
“Is accepting oppo. research from a foreign government right or wrong?” Wallace asked, to which Pompeo replied, “Chris, you know you asked me not to call any of your questions today ‘ridiculous,’ you came really close right there.”
“President Trump has been very clear,” Pompeo continued. “He clarified his remarks later, he made it very clear, even in his first comments, he said, ‘I’d do both.’ He said he’d call the FBI.”
Wallace noted that Trump only said that he would “maybe” contact the FBI. Pompeo conceded that Trump said that in as subsequent interview following the initial one on Wednesday with ABC that sparked the controversy. The Trump administration official said that the president then clarified his remarks on Friday, telling Fox that he would listen first and then, “if the information was bad,” take it to the FBI or the attorney general.
“I have nothing further to add,” Pompeo said as Wallace pressed further. “I came on to talk about foreign policy, and I think the third time you’ve asked me about a Washington piece of silliness that chased down a story that is inconsistent with what I have seen President Trump do every single day.”
“I think I only asked you twice,” Wallace said.
