Secretary of State Antony Blinken downplayed his role in efforts to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story in an interview with Fox News Monday.
Former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morrell testified before Congress in April that Blinken reached out to him and “triggered” the creation of a letter signed by dozens of members of the intelligence community in Oct. 2020. The letter claimed that Hunter Biden’s laptop was likely part of a Russian disinformation scheme.
Blinken was one of several officials allegedly involved with the letter, either behind the scenes or as signers, who later took positions in the Biden administration.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is asked if he believes the Hunter Biden laptop is Russian disinformation
Blinken: I’m worried about Ukraine and Sudan@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/7N98QThLmT
— Dylan Housman (@Dylan_Housman) May 2, 2023
The State Department has repeatedly declined to comment on questions about Blinken’s role in the letter, which was used to ward off attacks from then-President Donald Trump and to censor elements of the laptop story, claiming it is not a State Department issue. Blinken addressed the situation himself when pressed by Fox News’ Ben Hall on Monday.
“But with regard to that letter, I didn’t – it wasn’t my idea, didn’t ask for it, didn’t solicit it. And I think the testimony that the former deputy director of the CIA, Mike Morell, put forward confirms that,” Blinken said. (RELATED: Firm Of Ex-Intel Officials Behind Hunter Biden Letter Advising VC Giant Pouring Millions Into China)
Hall then asked whether Blinken now accepts that the laptop was not Russian disinformation. “Again, from my perspective, I’m not engaging in politics. I’ve got a lot on my agenda, some things that we’ve just talked about – trying to help the Ukrainians in the Russian aggression against them, engaging with allies and partners around the world in dealing with some of the challenges posed by China. We have a situation now in Sudan that’s fully occupied my time, so that’s where my focus is,” he said.
Republican Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson accused Blinken of lying to Congress on Monday. Blinken testified in Dec. 2020 that he did not have contact with Hunter Biden, a claim disproven by emails found on the laptop.