Republican National Committee spokesman Sean Spicer blew up during an interview with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell on Monday, accusing the media of rushing to defend Hillary Clinton and longtime aide Huma Abedin while lambasting FBI Director James Comey for his Friday announcement.
Comey drew ire from both Republicans and Democrats for his Friday letter to lawmakers informing them the agency had found emails that appeared “pertinent” to its investigation into Clinton’s use of a private email server. The emails were reportedly uncovered during an investigation into allegations that Abedin’s now-estranged husband, former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), was sexting with a 15-year-old girl.
When Mitchell asked how he could justify Donald Trump’s claim that Clinton’s use of a private email server as secretary of state was the “worst thing since Watergate,” Spicer took a swing at Abedin.
“On June 28, 2016, she had a sworn court order deposition where she said under oath that she had turned over all devices and emails,” Spicer said. “That was not true, so the reality is that it’s not Director Comey’s fault. They lied twice, and everyone wants to know if it’s the director’s fault or not.”
“Sean, let me just pause to give you the answer,” Mitchell said.
“Rush to—” Spicer interjected, before Mitchell continued.
“Huma Abedin said that wasn’t her laptop, that it was Anthony Weiner’s laptop. She was not aware she had any emails at all on that laptop. Now obviously something is awry here,” she said.
“So wait, wait, time out, hold on,” Spicer interrupted. “I appreciate how the media always runs to their defense, but let’s—she is saying, my husband that was involved in a sexting scandal with underage people had access to a computer I was unaware about that may or may not have had classified information.”
“You’ve made a leap to classified information,” Mitchell said, as Spicer continued shouting over her.
“Hold on. I cannot believe that we are sitting around having a discussion about the fact that her defense is, well, my husband may have been sexting with underage women,” he said. “This is mind-blowing. Everybody is rushing to her defense!”
“Sean, I’m not rushing to anybody’s defense,” Mitchell replied, but he continued, voice rising.
“No, everybody is!” Spicer shouted, as Mitchell tried to reply.
“Sean,” she said. “Sean, take a breath.”
Watch their exchange below:
