‘Ask him yourself’: White House shuts down question from Fox News reporter
A Fox News correspondent was shut down after questioning White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on President Donald Trump's threats to invade Greenland.
During a Wednesday White House Press , Jacqui Heinrich pressed the administration on why a military option remains on the table for the Danish territory.
"Following up on Greenland, why not rule out taking it by military force?" Heinrich asked.
Leavitt danced around the question, instead framing the administration's silence as a strategic advantage.
"I know that past presidents and past leaders have often ruled things out," the press secretary said. "They've often been very open about ruling things in and basically broadcasting their foreign policy strategy to the rest of the world — not just to our allies, but most egregiously to our adversaries. That's not something this president does. All options are always on the table for President Trump as he examines what's in the best interest of the United States. But I will just say that the president's first option always has been diplomacy."
The exchange grew tense when Heinrich asked a follow up question to clarify the administration's stance on international law.
"Does the president recognize Denmark's ownership as part of the kingdom?" Heinrich asked, noting that some Republican senators have recently questioned the legality of Denmark's claim to the island.
Leavitt interjected before the question could be finished.
"I have not heard him question it personally," Leavitt said, cutting Heinrich off. "But you're welcome to ask him yourself next time you have the chance."
Trump has recently made comments claiming that the U.S. needs Greenland for national security.
"I will say this about Greenland: We need Greenland from a national security situation," Trump told reporters on Sunday while aboard Air Force One. "It's so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland for the standpoint of national security."
The president claims that Greenland is unable to protect the West's security.
"And Denmark is not going to be able to do it. I can tell you that. You know what Denmark did recently? To boost up security in Greenland? They added one more dog sled. It's true," he said. "They thought that was a great move."
Trump then dodged a reporter's follow-up question on what the justification would be for claiming Greenland.
"I don't want to talk about Greenland now," he said. "I just say this: We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security. And the European Union needs us to have it, and they know that."
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