Washington DC, March 19
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that US President Donald Trump is not "controlled by another country", and makes decisions keeping the US' best interest in mind.Leavitt made the comments a day after Joe Kent resigned from his post as the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. After his resignation, he had alleged that the US had started the Iran war due to "pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.""...After the president gave him an opportunity in this administration to serve the American people, he would resign with a letter filled with falsehoods, accusing the president of the United States by being controlled by a foreign country. The president is the leader of the most powerful country and military in the world. Nobody tells him what to do. He makes decisions based on what's in the best interest of this country," she said.
Leavitt said that the US cannot have a person leading the counterterrorism department who doesn't agree that Iran is a state sponsor of terror.
"We don't want somebody leading the counterterrorism task force who cannot agree that the number one state sponsor of terror in this world did not pose a threat to the United States. That's what another falsehood he said in his letter of resignation which is just unequivocally false. It's backed by intelligence. It's backed by the fact that Iran was building ballistic missiles at a rapid rate to build the shield of immunity so they could build a nuclear bomb. And it's backed by the fact that the president of the United States made the decision to attack Iran before they could attack American troops and our assets and bases in the region," she said.
While speaking to reporters, she also said that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping's teams were working on a date for Trump's China visit.
"We're working with them. They have agreed to postpone the trip. I think they understand the president's rationale for doing so, but again, we're working on those dates. The president has some things here at home in May that he has to attend to and I'm sure President Xi is a very busy man as well. So, we'll get the dates on the books as soon as we can and we'll keep all of you posted," she added.
When asked if US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard's job was in danger because of Former Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent's resignation, she added, "Not to my knowledge. I haven't heard the president say that, nor have I heard him say that. So, obviously that's a question for him, but I haven't heard him say that at all," she replied.
Leavitt said that Trump is still in talks with European and Gulf allies amid the West Asia conflict.
She said, "The president is going to continue to talk to our allies both in Europe and also in the Gulf and Arab region. The United States military has a lot of capabilities as you have seen play out over the last 18 days and they still do have tricks up their sleeve. I won't broadcast them for the media. But rest assured there is a plan. They're working on it. We have seen some progress with respect to that, but of course the president again continues to call on our allies to step up and do more."
- ANI
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