Rick Perry Says He ‘Absolutely’ Asked Trump To Talk To Ukraine In July

Energy Secretary Rick Perry (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Energy Secretary Rick Perry confirmed on Monday President Donald Trump’s reported claim that he had asked the President to make the call to the Ukrainian president in July.

During a press conference in Lithuania, Perry told a reporter he “absolutely” asked Trump to call President Volodymyr Zelensky to inquire about how his government was handling corruption.

Perry said it was important to make sure Ukraine was successfully combating corruption in order for him and the U.S. to find “energy experts” who could invest in Ukraine’s oil and gas resources.

“I asked the President multiple times, ‘Mr. President, we think it is in the United States and in Ukraine’s best interests that you and the president of Ukraine have conversations, that you discuss the options that are there,'” the Energy secretary said. “So absolutely yes.”

Perry’s comments largely echo the Energy Department’s statement on Sunday, which stated that Perry “absolutely supported and encouraged the President to speak to the new President of Ukraine to discuss matters related to their energy security and economic development.”

Axios reported on Sunday that Trump had passed the buck to Perry, claiming that he “didn’t even want to make the call.”

“The only reason I made the call was because Rick asked me to,” he reportedly told House Republicans.

On Monday, Perry also denied reports of his impending resignation.

“I’m here, I’m serving,” Perry said.

“They’ve been writing the story for at least nine months now,” he continued. “One of these days they will probably get it right, but it’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, it’s not next month.”

Politico reported last week that Perry was headed for the exit amid scrutiny over his possible role in President Donald Trump’s Ukraine scandal.

Watch Perry below:

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for dv01 dv01 says:

    Riiiggggghhhhttttt…

  2. Wanting to preserve shaky “executive privilege” assertions, Rick?

  3. Avatar for ottis ottis says:

    He was just joking. I wish that Trump and Perry would stop joking around and get serious for a change.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

93 more replies

Participants

Avatar for lestatdelc Avatar for schultwf Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for meri Avatar for sysprog Avatar for theod Avatar for dave_adams Avatar for steviedee111 Avatar for sniffit Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for joelopines Avatar for esva Avatar for khaaannn Avatar for benthere Avatar for tena Avatar for jonney_5 Avatar for southerndem Avatar for dommyluc Avatar for susanintheoc Avatar for michaelryerson Avatar for brian512 Avatar for seamus42 Avatar for progressiveandsane Avatar for dicktater

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: