Tillerson holds press conference without US reporters
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson held a press conference Sunday without U.S. reporters, according to multiple reports.
Tillerson reportedly held the press conference in Riyadh, but U.S. reporters were not told about it, according to their tweets.
After reports came out about that briefing, the White House announced Tillerson will hold a brief gaggle on Monday on Air Force One, according to pool reports.
The State Department also provided reporters a transcript of the questions and Tillerson’s responses, alongside Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir.
NEW: U.S. reporters apparently were not invited to Rex Tillerson’s press conference today in Riyadh #TrumpinSaudi pic.twitter.com/nZbh1teM1l
— AM Joy w/Joy Reid (@amjoyshow) May 21, 2017
Sec State Tillerson is holding a news conference right now in Riyadh, per WH pool, but US reporters were not invited or told about it.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) May 21, 2017
The pool has confirmed that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson held a news conference in Riyadh that U.S. reporters were not told about.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 21, 2017
The White House has now told the pool that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will hold a brief gaggle on Air Force One tomorrow.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 21, 2017
Tillerson tonight told press Trump “clearly indicating” terrorism fight has nothing to do with religion, country or ethnicity. Just “evil.”
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 21, 2017
“I think what you heard is the expression of this administration’s policy and views not just toward this region, but toward American relationship with the Muslim world here as well as more broadly,” he said.
“And I think the President clearly was extending a hand and understanding that only together can we address this threat of terrorism that has befallen all of us, not just in this region but worldwide.”
“It’s these forces that prey on those who are less able to care for themselves,” he said. “So I think in our view, and I know the President’s view, defeating these evil forces is the first step on advancing human rights worldwide, and he clearly has that in his mind as well.”
Tillerson previously called himself “not a big media press access person.”
“I personally don’t need it. … When we’re ready to talk about what we’re trying to do, I will be available to talk to people. But doing daily availability, I don’t have this appetite or hunger to be that,” Tillerson said during a March interview.
He added: “When I have something important and useful to say, I know where everybody is and I know how to go out there and say it.”
Updated 4:12 p.m.
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