As President Donald Trump exited the East Room last Thursday following an impromptu midday news conference, he dismissed a reporter’s question about what it would take to get Iranian officials back to the negotiating table.
Six days later, amid the president’s rapid shift from a diplomatic to a hawkish approach to Iran’s nuclear arms program, the Trump communications operation is waving off questions about the commander in chief’s consideration of joining Israeli strikes on Iran. The uncharacteristic communications strategy has given oxygen to Democrats to raise warnings about direct American involvement in the conflict.
On Thursday, a CQ Roll Call reporter, positioned by the double doors that lead into the East Room, had questioned Trump about Iran over the applause of invited guests at a bill signing ceremony. The president considered the question for a couple of seconds before declining to answer.
