Watch the full exchange HERE.
WASHINGTON DC – Today, during a confirmation hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) slammed UN Ambassador nominee Mike Waltz for continuing to receive his White House salary months after being removed from his position as National Security Advisor. According to recent public reporting, Waltz was still included in the White House payroll earning an annual salary of $195,200 after his removal from the role in May.
Below is an excerpt from the interaction:
Senator Rosen: Congressman, I want to start with you because this morning it was reported that, despite being removed from your role as National Security Advisor in May, surprisingly you have been on the White House payroll for the last few months. Throughout this hearing, you’ve made assertions that, if confirmed, you would root out waste and unnecessary overhead at the UN. So can you confirm for us whether you have been receiving a salary from the White House since being let go at the NSA?
Waltz: Thank you, Senator. I was not fired, the President never said that nor did the Vice President, I was kept on as an advisor, transitioning in a number of important activities and now I hope to be confirmed.
Senator Rosen: You’re saying you were not dismissed from your role as was publicly reported? Because it’s also been publicly reported that you’ve been receiving almost $200,000 of taxpayer money since you were dismissed from being the national security advisor.
Waltz: Uh the reporting, Senator, is fake news which shouldn’t surprise anyone, you know the President was clear he said I will nominate Mr. Waltz and the Vice President was quite clear–
Senator Rosen: Fake news can’t be the answer to everything.
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