During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the president shook his head and said, “Thank you very much, no” when asked if Russia still poses a threat to the United States.
Hours later, in the briefing room, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders explained that Trump actually was “saying ‘no’ to answering questions” and not to the reporter’s question itself.”
“He does believe that they would target certainly U.S. election,” she added.
Pressed about the president’s remark, Sanders explained: “I’m interpreting what the president said. I’m not reversing it.”
Many of the reporters clearly remained unsatisfied with the clarification. Some of those who were in the Cabinet Room publicly said they clearly understood that the president was tersely answering the question posed by Cecilia Vega of ABC News, who was representing the television networks in the typical pooling coverage arrangement.
When Trump returned to the White House South Lawn shortly after Sanders’ remark, VOA and others in that pool attempted to get the president to clarify.
Holding hands with first lady Melania Trump after stepping off of Marine One, Trump looked at reporters and waved, but he did not answer the questions.
However, Trump, in a broadcast aired Wednesday, told the “CBS Evening News” it is “true” Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election, and he “would” hold Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible for interference “because he’s in charge of the country.”