Two Biden administration officials appeared on Thursday to accuse journalists of swallowing foreign propaganda, as they faced questions from the investigation about the veracity of intelligence claims.
In a tense exchange, white House Press secretary jane saki expressed outrage at being pressured to explain how the chief of officers knew Isis He blew himself up as soon as the American commandos stopped.
Soon after, State Department spokesman Ned Price suggested that an Associated Press reporter may seek ‘consolation’ at Russian intelligence while being questioned over the evidence behind US claims that Moscow supported a false flag operation. Was planning to use crisis actors and fake corpses to do it. Ukraine,
It comes after the Biden administration admitted to foiling a drone strike in Kabul last year, which it initially said killed two terrorists who were planning an imminent attack. Instead it wiped out a family, including seven children.
In Syria, first responders said 13 people, including six children and four women, were killed during a raid on the hideout of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi in Syria.
President Joe Biden said the terrorist leader killed himself by detonating a suicide vest, carrying members of his family with him.
During a briefing with reporters aboard Air Force One, Saki was asked whether the White House would present evidence to support the claim of a suicide bombing to counter public skepticism.
Saki replied: ‘The US military’s assessment was skeptical when they went and pulled out the leader of ISIS?’
‘Yes,’ replied NPR questioner Ayesha Rasco.
‘That they are not giving accurate information,’ Saki continued, ‘And is ISIS giving accurate information?’
The White House press secretary took issue with a reporter who wanted proof that ISIS chief Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi killed himself and his family with a suicide bomb.
The explosion, which occurred during a raid by US commandos on Thursday morning, largely destroyed the third floor of a three-story house in the Syrian village of Atmeh, near Turkey.
Journalists defended the questions asked to Saki, saying his answers were not good enough
Dozens of journalists took to Twitter to criticize the administration, saying it was not enough for the White House to accuse journalists of believing ISIS propaganda.
And shortly after, Pentagon spokesman Ned Price found himself in the same position when reporters questioned him on the veracity of intelligence claims about Russian actions in Ukraine.
It suggests that the fallout of an intelligence failure in Kabul during the chaotic US withdrawal includes an erosion of confidence in the administration.
Initially, officials claimed that the August 29 strike in Kabul killed two fighters of the ISIS-K terror group who were believed to be plotting an imminent attack on US forces in the city.
“Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material,” said Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for US Central Command.
But journalists present on the spot immediately said that civilians, including seven children, had died. The driver turned out to be Zamari Ahmadi, who worked for the aid group Nutrition and Education International.
And by December the officers were forced to recall their initial defense of the operation and admitted they misunderstood it.
Last year, 10 civilians, including seven children, were killed in a failed drone strike in the final hours of the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
On Thursday, Saki defended the initial details of the raid, but said it would take time to learn all the details.
He said, “I just confirmed, and I think our national security colleague, who had a briefing this morning, also reiterated that the person who was targeted blew himself up, causing his entire The family died.”
‘Given these incidents happened less than 24 hours ago, we are going to give them time to make a final assessment. And they will provide every detail that they can.’
He spoke to reporters during the president’s flight to New York.
But the same dynamic was going on in Washington, DC.
During a State Department briefing, Price accused a reporter of trusting Washington to Moscow when he was questioned about US claims that Russia was using distressed actors and fake corpses to video a false flag attack. was considering doing so, giving them an excuse to attack Ukraine.
Matt Lee of the Associated Press asked what Russia has done to qualify for that assessment.
“We told you a few weeks ago that we have information indicating that Russia has already deployed a group of operatives to conduct false flag operations in eastern Ukraine,” Price replied.
‘So that, Matt, there is an action on your question that Russia has already taken.’
Lee asked what the evidence was.
‘You say they have taken but you haven’t shown any evidence to confirm it and I’m going to move on to the next question here, which is proof they plan to… I mean, it’s crisis actors. is like? Really?
Referring to a famous conspiracy theorist, he said, ‘It’s like Alex Jones territory you’re entering.
‘What evidence do you have to support the idea that a propaganda film is being made?’
Price said it was intelligence that had been declassified to be shared publicly.
With the State Department providing no further evidence and continuing to investigate Lee, Price suggested he was taking the side of Russia.
“If you doubt, if you doubt the credibility of the American government, of the British government, of other governments and want to … find solace in the information the Russians are pouring out that is for you,” he said. said. said.
Lee responded with a disbelieving laugh.
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