Now White House says Trump was being 'sarcastic' when he said Putin did America a 'favor' by expelling U.S. diplomats because of payroll savings
- President Donald Trump spoke about Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to expel hundreds of U.S. diplomats from Russia
- Putin said he was kicking out 755 personnel after the U.S. slapped sanctions on Russia
- Trump signed the sanctions bill even though he called parts unconstitutional
- The president cited cost savings to the U.S.
- 'Now we have a smaller payroll'
- 'He was being sarcastic'
The White House said Friday that President Donald Trump was being sarcastic when he said Russian President Vladimir Putin did him a favor by expelling U.S. diplomats because 'we're trying to cut down our payroll.'
The administration takes 'seriously Moscow's unwarranted actions against our personnel and diplomatic properties, and we are exploring our response options,' a National Security Council spokesperson told CNN.
'Let's remember that it was Russia's interference in our election and treatment of our diplomats that began this negative trend in our relationship,' the unnamed spokesperson continued.
'He was being sarcastic,' White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.
Trump made the quip –which he repeated and fleshed out – after getting asked about the U.S. Russia relations Thursday.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017
Putin hit back at the U.S. after Trump signed a Russia sanctions bill even though he called parts unconstitutional. Congress drafted the bill in a way that makes it hard for the president to lift sanctions, following constant reports of connections between Trump associates and Russia.
'I want to thank him because we're trying to cut down our payroll, and as far as I'm concerned I'm very thankful that he let go a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll,' Trump said Thursday.
He was speaking from his golf course in Bedminstser, New Jersey after meeting with his security team.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin did him a favor by expelling U.S. diplomats because 'we're trying to cut down our payroll'
'There's no real reason for them to go back. I greatly appreciate the fact that we've been able to cut our payroll of the United States. We're going to save a lot of money,' Trump said, in remarks that may have been light-hearted.
Putin on July 30 ordered the removal of 755 out of 1,200 embassy and consular staff by September. Some diplomatic officials said the U.S. didn't have that many, and some of the cuts may be among Russians.
Russia was also incensed when President Obama kicked Russian diplomats out of the U.S. and seized spy compounds in retaliation for Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election.
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