Deputy assistant to the president Sebastian Gorka pushed back on a report Thursday afternoon that seemed to suggest he was admonishing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for discussing military matters.
"I never said that – that's fake news 101," Gorka said during an appearance on Fox News. "I have the audio."
Gorka was referring to comments he made during a BBC Radio program, which, according to The Hill, included this soundbite:
"You should listen to the president. The idea that Secretary Tillerson is going to discuss military matters is simply nonsensical."
The Department of State later weighed in, with spokesperson Heather Nauert defending her boss as America's top diplomat.
"He's a Cabinet secretary," Nauert said, noting she had not yet heard or read Gorka's remarks herself. "He's the fourth in line to the presidency. He carries a big stick."
Gorka explained to Fox News he was referring to the media asking Tillerson about military matters, in this case the situation with North Korea.
"I said for reporters to force our chief diplomat, the amazing Rex Tillerson, to give details of military options is nonsensical," Gorka said. "He is the secretary of state. That means you don't understand what the words secretaries of state means. It's fake news. Classic example."
"I was admonishing the journalist or the fake news complex that are forcing our chief diplomat into a position where they're demanding he makes the military case for action when that is not the mandate of the secretary of state," Gorka added. "That's why we have a Department of Defense."
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