Speaker of the House Paul Ryan thinks President Donald Trump was simply “trolling people” when the administration announced Monday it is considering revoking the security clearances of a number of Obama-era intelligence officials.
The president threatened Monday to strip the security clearances of Obama-era intelligence officials who criticized his interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin at last week’s press conference.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump was considering revoking security clearances of former CIA Director John Brennan, former national security adviser Susan Rice, former director of national intelligence James Clapper and others. (RELATED: Ryan: ‘It Is Completely Unnecessary’ For Congress To Protect Mueller)
Ryan pressed back against the seriousness of the administration’s threat Tuesday, calling it likely a ploy to get the media and Washington riled up.
“I think he’s just trolling people,” Ryan told reporters at the Capitol Tuesday.
Asked whether he and Republican leadership are considering inviting Putin to the Capitol during his planned Washington, D.C., visit with Trump, Ryan said that is something Congress reserves for our nation’s allies. (RELATED: Paul Ryan Thoughts On 2018 Midterm Elections)
“We certainly will not be giving him an invitation for a joint session,” Ryan told reporters. “That is something we reserve for our allies.”
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