Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoPompeo explodes at NPR reporter, asks if she could find Ukraine on a map Huawei endangers Western values The Hill's 12:30 Report: Democrats turn to obstruction charge MORE clashed with NBC anchor Andrea Mitchell at a Tuesday press briefing over President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump says his advice to impeachment defense team is 'just be honest' Trump expands tariffs on steel and aluminum imports CNN's Axelrod says impeachment didn't come up until 80 minutes into focus group MORE's threats to attack cultural sites in Iran.
Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoPompeo explodes at NPR reporter, asks if she could find Ukraine on a map Huawei endangers Western values The Hill's 12:30 Report: Democrats turn to obstruction charge MORE clashed with NBC anchor Andrea Mitchell at a Tuesday press briefing over President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump says his advice to impeachment defense team is 'just be honest' Trump expands tariffs on steel and aluminum imports CNN's Axelrod says impeachment didn't come up until 80 minutes into focus group MORE's threats to attack cultural sites in Iran. Trump over the weekend said the U.S. was prepared to hit cultural sites in Iran if Tehran strikes American personnel or sites in response to the targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week.
Legal experts have said hitting cultural sites would amount to a war crime and Defense Secretary Mark Esper
Mark EsperOvernight Defense: Veterans group seeks Trump apology for comments on brain injuries | Pentagon says dozens of troops suffered traumatic injuries after attack | Trump unveils Space Force logo Commerce Department withdraws Huawei rule after Pentagon pushback: reports Dozens of US troops suffered traumatic brain injuries after Iran missile strikes MORE on Monday indicated such actions were not on the table, telling reporters that the Pentagon would “follow the laws of armed conflict.”
Mark EsperOvernight Defense: Veterans group seeks Trump apology for comments on brain injuries | Pentagon says dozens of troops suffered traumatic injuries after attack | Trump unveils Space Force logo Commerce Department withdraws Huawei rule after Pentagon pushback: reports Dozens of US troops suffered traumatic brain injuries after Iran missile strikes MORE on Monday indicated such actions were not on the table, telling reporters that the Pentagon would “follow the laws of armed conflict.”Mitchell questioned whether Pompeo would also push back on the president’s directive.
“You’re not really wondering, Andrea, you’re not really wondering,” Pompeo snapped back, saying that military action plans are legally vetted before being presented to the president and insisting there was no daylight between him and Trump.
“I was unambiguous on Sunday,” the secretary continued, “It is completely consistent with what the president has said, every action we take will be consistent with international law and the American people can rest assured that that’s the case.”
"Let me tell you who has done damage to the Persian culture.
It's not the United States of America.It's the Ayatollah."@SecPompeo pushes back on @mitchellreports pic.twitter.com/OFITA7TKlY— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 7, 2020ADVERTISEMENT
The heated exchange came after Trump endured a barrage of criticism after tweeting over the weekend that the United States had compiled 52 targets — including those important to Iranian culture — that it would strike if Tehran were to take military action against American assets.
“They’re allowed to kill our people. They’re allowed to torture and maim our people. They’re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And we’re not allowed to touch their cultural site?” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, seeming to double down on the threat. “It doesn’t work that way.”
Trump’s advisers have largely tiptoed around his statements, with Pompeo insisting in an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday that any action the U.S. takes would be lawful.
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Kellyanne Elizabeth ConwayKellyanne Conway knocks Biden, talks up Sanders in Wash Post op-ed Democrats sharpen case on second day of arguments 'Emotion' from Trump's legal team wins presidential plaudits MORE told reporters Monday that Iran had strategic military sites that also could be considered cultural sites, while insisting that Trump did not say definitively that the administration would target cultural sites.“The president has identified those sites and has said that it may happen if Iran retaliates in a certain way,” Conway said. “You have the president on the record. You have to read the entire thing.”
Pompeo on Tuesday further condemned the Islamic government as a grave danger to Iranian culture heritage.
“Let me tell you who has done damage to the Persian culture. It’s not the United States of America. It’s the ayatollah,” Pompeo said, insisting that the government has denied religious liberty and prevented the Persian culture from flourishing.
“The real risk to Persian culture is not the United States of America. There is no question about that.”
