U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki was captured on a hot microphone seeming to call one of her own prepared statements about Egypt “ridiculous” at the tail end of an abruptly ended press conference.
Matt Lee with The Associated Press was one of several reporters pressing Ms. Psaki to comment about former President Hosni Mubarak’s acquittal — and her brief remark was less than clear.
“Generally we continue to believe that upholding impartial standards of accountability will advance the political consensus on which Egypt’s long-term stability and economic growth depends,” she said, The Blaze reported. “But beyond that, I would refer you to the Egyptian government.”
Mr. Lee said her response “means nothing,” BuzzFeed reported.
He went on: “It’s like saying, ’well we support the right of people to breathe.’ That’s great, but if you can’t breathe …”
Ms. Psaki wrapped the press conference and as the lights dimmed, she seemed to go off script with a mumbled comment, The Blaze reported: “That Egypt line is ridiculous.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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