Off-Camera, NSA General McMaster Defends ‘Backchannel Communications’
‘What That Allows you to do is Communicate in a Discreet Manner’Â
Following yesterday’s report that Jared Kushner told Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak that he wanted to establish a secret, backchannel line of communication with the Kremlin, National Security Adviser General H.R. McMaster told reporters that he isn’t concerned with such methods of communication.Â
The comments were made to reporters traveling with Donald Trump overseas, given at the G7 summit in Sicily during a joint conference with Chief economic adviser Gary Cohn. As CNN’s Jim Acosta pointed out via Twitter, the White House offered Cohn and McMaster to reporters on the record, but off camera. Again:
WH again offering Cohn and McMaster on record but off camera. Again this does not make up for NO POTUS news conf on long foreign trip
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 27, 2017
Making briefings off-camera removes a level of accountability for White House officials. At this level.. have the guts to go on camera.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 27, 2017
According to The Washington Post, White House officials “insisted the briefing be conducted off-camera, preventing photographers or television cameras from documenting it.†They further reported that Gary Cohn defended Donald Trump’s evasion of the news media, citing his “robust travel schedule.â€
Cohn, notably an ally of Jared Kushner, offered no comment on the reports. And while McMaster reportedly wouldn’t comment directly on the allegations facing Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, at one point deferring to Sean Spicer who advised “we have nothing,†the National Security Adviser pointed out that “we have backchannel communications with a number of countries.â€
“What that allows you to do is communicate in a discreet manner,†McMaster said. “So I’m not concerned.â€
To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.Â
Image via Twitter
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.