Allen West met Donald Trump in Trump Tower Monday morning, but the former Florida congressman gave a cryptic answer when pressed by reporters if he is being considered for a role in the President-elect’s cabinet.
Allen West walks into Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 (Getty Images)
West — a retired Army Lt. Col. — joked with reporters that he had come back to Trump Tower to pick up his umbrella which he’d left “the last time [he] was here,” but would not confirm if he will be formally advising Trump on national security issues.
“We’ll see when I get up there.”
Allen West arrives to meet with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower on December 5, 2016 (Getty Images)
West added that instead of disputing the reports that Russia successfully influenced the 2016 election, Trump needs to “focus on what’s most important. what’s happening with Syria right now. Aleppo is about to fall.” (RELATED: John Bolton Says Russia Hacks Could Be ‘False Flag Operation’)
“I think there are more important things,” he explained. “We’re about to see a collapse in Syria, Iraq is falling apart. The Iran nuclear deal is horrific. China and Russia are expanding.”
“I think that’s where we need to focus our intelligence efforts.”
Allen West walks into Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York City (Getty Images)
West dropped one last funny when asked if he is interested in joining the Trump administration.”
“I don’t know. They need a groundskeeper I think in the White House.”
West left Trump Tower just before 11:00 am, EST.