Just minutes before State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki admitted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did not sign a document promising to turn over all unclassified emails before leaving, White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that all high-ranking White House officials would be required to sign.
“I was wondering if you might be able to give an answer that we have been unable to get out of the State Department. Do you know if former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed the OF-109 separation statement form that all State Department employees are required to sign?” ABC News’ Jon Karl asked. “Because apparently, the State’s not been able to answer that question.”
“I have no idea,” Earnest admitted. “But I’m sure that Secretary Clinton and her team could get that answer for you. But I don’t know how to answer that question.” (VIDEO: Reporter Grills State Dept: Why Have ‘Russian Hackers’ Seen More Emails Than American Public?)
“How about more broadly?” Karl pressed. “As I understand it, similar separation statement forms are required for other agencies. Do you know if it’s routine for cabinet secretaries to not have to do that, and that would be just be something for lower level? Or when previous cabinet secretaries left, have they been required to sign more statements?”
“My guess is that’s going to vary by agency,” Earnest said. “I can tell you at the White House … there is a lot of paperwork involved, including signing some documentation related to their tenure at the White House. But I don’t know what that that process is at the State Department or other agencies.” (VIDEO: State Department Spox ‘Fairly Certain’ Hillary Clinton ‘Did Not’ Sign Separation Agreement)
“But that’s not something senior officials would be able to say, ‘Nah, I’m not going to do that. It’s only for lower levels.’ It’s generally something that applies to everyone who’s leaving?” (VIDEO: Boehner To Hillary: Turn Over Your Private Email Server)
“My understanding at the White House is that it applies to everyone that serves at the White House,” Earnest said.