Apologies if this news shocks anyone, but it looks as though the State Department isn’t going to meet its month-end deadline in conceding to all of Iran’s demands for its nuclear program. The State Department held a press briefing on the lack of progress today, but as Fox News contributor Richard Grenell noted, only approved media outlets were allowed to attend.
John Kerry's State Dept kicks out reporter from Iran briefing for not being on the "approved list". @marieharf http://t.co/gofUBtzM36
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 29, 2015
@RichardGrenell @marieharf You mean on the "won't suck up" list.
— Mark the Magnificent (@MarkJDietl) June 29, 2015
The State Department’s Melissa Turley reportedly approached the Washington Free Beacon’s reporter and demanded that he leave the briefing. The Free Beacon adds that along with several threats to call security was a threat to involve Marie Harf.
“You’re not registered with the U.S. press,” Turley said after being informed that the Free Beacon was attending the event.
“You have a press pass from the [European Union], not from me,” Turley said, after being informed that the Free Beacon was officially credentialed to cover the event.
Turley and her colleagues then threatened the reporter, instructing him to leave the room or be dealt with by “security.”
Barbara Slavin, Washington correspondent for Al-Monitor, “The Pulse of the Middle East,” knows you have to play by the rules.
@RichardGrenell @marieharf sorry Rick but these briefings are only for State Dept accredited reporters which Free Beacon obviously wasn't
— Barbara Slavin (@barbaraslavin1) June 29, 2015
@barbaraslavin1 @RichardGrenell @marieharf wow…she just said that.
— janet l (@winojanet) June 29, 2015
@barbaraslavin1 @RichardGrenell @marieharf Quick announcement for all Accredited State Dept reporters, brown shirts will be handed out @ 2pm
— Jeebus Christos (@travelinjeebus) June 29, 2015
Iran can only dream of dropping bombs like this one.
You write for a pro-Iran publication so you got approved. Don't silence critics like @FreeBeacon #PressFreedom https://t.co/pZk9Czf32H
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 29, 2015
@RichardGrenell @FreeBeacon also my publication is not 'pro-Iran' just not interested in another dumb war
— Barbara Slavin (@barbaraslavin1) June 29, 2015
Barbara, this isn't a credible statement. You and your paper are totally pro-Iran. It's better to just own it. https://t.co/LHjdlR4uFB
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 29, 2015
Scary that you aren't for freedom of the press. Approved reporters is what Iran does. This admin refuses interviews. https://t.co/pZk9Czf32H
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 29, 2015
Obama won't take questions at press announcements. Reporters should be furious! Not kicking others out of the room https://t.co/pZk9Czf32H
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 29, 2015
Hang in there; things will be dramatically different under President Hillary.
Hello? Congress? DO SOMETHING about John Kerry kicking critics out of briefings > http://t.co/gofUBtzM36 @FreeBeacon
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 29, 2015
Would Politico be willing to cover for the administration on this one? Just this once.
for those upset about exclusion @FreeBeacon read this: http://t.co/J3FNSgNiAF
— Barbara Slavin (@barbaraslavin1) June 29, 2015
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Update:
Grenell responds to Politico’s defense of the State Department and its heavy hand.
Nope. @DylanByers is wrong. As a former State spox, credentials are required to get in the building. This was Vienna http://t.co/vnnJ280jmC
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 30, 2015
Did @DylanByers even ask someone about State's procedures other than the Obama people? Did @marieharf contact Dylan to spin it?
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) June 30, 2015
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