Obama Scolds Reporter On Iran Deal Question: ‘You Should Know Better’ (VIDEO)

President Barack Obama makes an opening statement during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama on Wednesday scolded a reporter who asked him why he was “content” with celebrating a landmark nuclear deal even though four Americans still were being held captive or were missing in Iran.

World powers struck a historic accord Tuesday to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Secretary of State John Kerry has previously said that the fate of four Americans held captive in Iran was raised in every meeting with that country’s negotiators, but the finalized deal did not change the situation.

In a press conference, CBS News’ Major Garrett brought up the four missing or detained Americans. They include Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, who currently is being tried for espionage.

“Can you tell the country, sir, why you are content — with all the fanfare around this deal — to leave the conscience of this nation and the strength of this nation unaccounted for in relation to these four Americans?” Garrett asked.

“The notion that I am content as I celebrate with American citizens languishing in Iranian jails –” Obama said. After a pause, he added “Major, that’s nonsense. You should know better.”

He went on to argue that tying the release of the jailed Americans to the nuclear deal would have given the Iranians more bargaining power. Obama further assured that his administration wouldn’t stop pushing for the jailed Americans’ release until they are let out and reunited with their families.

Garrett later said on CBS’ internet TV channel that he was not suggesting Obama was content with those four Americans’ situations when he asked the question.

“”My question was about the contentment, or the satisfaction or the realization that it was necessary within the context of this deal to leave them unaccounted for,” he said. “Clearly it struck a nerve. That was my intention.”

Watch below:

This post has been updated.

136
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Major is pandering for an invitation on Fox News, so he can be considered relevant.

  2. Major Garrett could change his name to major asshole of political reporters. If the shoe fits…

  3. Proving what pond scum Major Garret is.

    Edit: Not sure why that posted as a reply to becca656.

  4. I feel a bit bummed out that I share a last name with this guy.

  5. Avatar for jsfox jsfox says:

    Hey think how I feel, my last name is Fox :smile:

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

130 more replies

Participants

Avatar for lestatdelc Avatar for ajm Avatar for pluckyinky Avatar for overreach_this Avatar for richardinjax Avatar for caterpillar Avatar for ncsteve Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for chammy Avatar for ctvoter Avatar for winstonsmith Avatar for bradbennett Avatar for becca656 Avatar for randyabraham Avatar for kenstarr Avatar for grawk Avatar for jjrothery Avatar for gr Avatar for theworm Avatar for azjude Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for emilianoelmexicano Avatar for srumbalski Avatar for clauscph

Continue Discussion