Keith Boykin, a former Clinton White House official, said on CNN Monday that many “offensive” things were said in that administration that were not leaked to the press.
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A CNN panel was debating the appropriateness of leaking insensitive comments about Sen. John McCain reportedly made by Trump White House aide Kelly Sadler. (RELATED: Report: White House Official Tried To Apologize For Mocking ‘Dying’ John McCain)
OMB Director Mick Mulvaney asserted in an earlier interview that Sadler should be able to speak freely in a private meeting with the expectation that her comments will not be shared with the press, no matter how offensive those comments may be.
Boykin seemed to agree with that assertion, noting that he heard many offensive things while working in the Clinton White House that were never leaked.
“Yes, he has a point. In fact, I saw things that people said when I worked in the Clinton White House that I thought were offensive, and I have never disclosed some of those things,” Boykin said. “Some things that probably, had been leaked, people would be upset about that.”
He added that people should be “held accountable” for making offensive statements, but suggested that those conversations should be handled privately.
“At the same time, people should still be held accountable. I privately discuss the my concerns with the people who said those things when I was in the White House,” he said. “I think that when this happens and people do find out about it, it should be discussed.”