White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders is denying a report on the Washingtonian website that former Navy SEAL and longtime Trump supporter Carl Higbie has interviewed to replace Sean Spicer as press secretary:
https://twitter.com/elainaplott/status/830222232433606656
CNN’s Dylan Byers reports:
WHITE HOUSE spox tells me this is "completely false," and that even Higbie confirmed it's not true. https://t.co/WMBBJpJdGm
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) February 11, 2017
Not on background either. Spox is Sarah Sanders at White House. She says story is "completely false." https://t.co/D9E5PxSekA
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) February 11, 2017
There’s some confusion here as Higbie could have cleared this up when Wahsingtonian interviewed him:
“Well, I can say that I’ve offered my services,” Higbie confirms for Washingtonian when reached by phone. “I haven’t heard back from the administration yet. I’m honored to be even considered for this.” Higbie says he has spoken with “a number of people” in interview rounds for the post.
Higbie interviewed for the position on Thursday, according to the sources. Higbie declined to confirm this.
Update:
FOR THE RECORD: in last few weeks I spoke to some in admin regarding communications or spox positions, NO formal interviews.
— Carl Higbie (@CarlHigbie) February 11, 2017
And:
More: Sanders says Higbie "hasn't interviewed for anything. He spoke to a few people to say he'd like to help. That's it." https://t.co/tXJvbARBhR
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) February 11, 2017
Higbie most recently was in the news after criticizing Sen. John McCain for calling the recent anti-terror operation in Yemen that resulted in the death of a Navy SEAL a failure:
It is BIZARRE to watch a navy seal @CarlHigbie to say my father's service was dishonorable. BIZARRE. I am on Earth freaking 2.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 9, 2017
Trump has never served. My father can't bend one of his knees or lift one of his arms above his head. I am done with this today. DONE.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 9, 2017
Disagree with politics ANY single day but how dare anyone question the honor of my father and his service.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 9, 2017
.@CarlHigbie you said his record was bad because he crashed planes. I take great offense at what you said about his service.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 9, 2017
I respect your father service but not his politics
— Carl Higbie (@CarlHigbie) February 9, 2017
.@CarlHigbie please say that on television next time after you question his record for crashing a plane before being taken into a POW camp.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 9, 2017
have your father show my president the same respect and I'll come on your show to apologize publicly… deal?
— Carl Higbie (@CarlHigbie) February 9, 2017
My great grand father and grandfather were admirals in the navy, my other grandfather in the army, both of my brothers currently serve.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 9, 2017
This trend of commentators criticizing the service of men and women in the military is dangerous and offensive. Keep to politics alone.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 9, 2017
Editor’s note: This post has been updated.
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