As the Russian investigation heats up, special counsel Robert Mueller is looking to question Donald Trump as soon as next week. Once the news broke, Sarah Huckabee Sanders was put in position to defend the president.
Sanders on Mueller
Once Donald Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the United States, red flags were quickly raised as to why so many polls and political experts got their predictions wrong. Within weeks, several well-respected news outlets and government agencies found that not only did Russia hack into the Democratic National Committee during the election, but that their goal was to help elect the former host of "The Apprentice." As expected, Trump has continued to deny any wrongdoing, despite evidence pointing in his direction.
Since then, questions remain around various past and present associates of Trump being linked to Russia, including former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. With former FBI Director Michael Flynn leading the investigation, the White House has done their best to dismiss the claims as a "hoax" and "witch hunt." After the Washington Post reported that Robert Mueller is now looking to question the president, Sarah Huckabee Sanders addressed the issue during her January 23 press briefing.
"If Mueller asked [Trump] to submit to an interview, is that something the president would be open to?"
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 23, 2018
"Probably just about every day this year we have said that we are going to be fully cooperative with the special counsel. We are going to continue to do that." pic.twitter.com/FAkuZcg4hi
While taking questions from reporters on Tuesday afternoon, it was only a matter of time before White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked about Donald Trump speaking to Robert Mueller.
"As we have said probably just about every day this year since we have been here, we have said that we are going to be fully cooperative with the special counsel," Sanders said.
Mueller seeks to ask Trump about Flynn, Comey ousters, indicating an intensifying focus on potential obstruction of justice issues https://t.co/4gnvDjVpto
— Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 23, 2018
"You guys are absolutely obsessed with everything to do with collusion, if it has anything to do with the president," Sarah Huckabee Sanders went on to add.
Sanders was then grilled further on Donald Trump's recent attacks on the FBI and whether or not the president wants there to be a change. "The president has a great deal of confidence in Director Wray, and he feels if any changes need to be made, the director will make that decision and carry them out," she added, but did confirm that Trump is worried that the FBI is "extremely biased against him."
Sarah Sanders: ‘Most Everyone in America’ Thinks There’s Nothing to Russia Probe (VIDEO) https://t.co/TtAToOYIph pic.twitter.com/hY8JJmEX2v
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) January 23, 2018
Instant reaction
After Sarah Huckabee Sanders took part in her press briefing, critics of the administration made sure to sound off.
"What is the point watching Sarah FU**ABEE Sanders when U know she is going 2 be (sanctified) lying?" one tweet read.
Let's start the rumor that Sarah Huckabee Sanders is having an affair with Stephen Miller. Mostly because it makes sense for those two despicable people to find love behind the gold curtains of the Oval Office.
— Dana Erickson (@wiscodana) January 23, 2018
What is the point watching Sarah FUCKABEE Sanders when U know she is going 2 be (sanctified) lying? #TuesdayThoughts #SarahHuckabeeSanders
— Reckless Mouth (@banterjeremy) January 23, 2018
"Every time @PressSec says 'we have confidence' somebody ends up fired," a Twitter user wrote. "Let's start the rumor that (SHS) is having an affair with Stephen Miller.
Mostly because it makes sense for those two despicable people to find love behind the gold curtains of the Oval Office," an additional tweet added.
Whenever Sarah Huckabee Sanders is lying for Trump, she always seems to be wearing fresh lipstick. Also some kind of brown shadow on her nose, and a strange white goo on her chin. Some new makeup trend, I guess?
— Tiffany #BLM 🗽 (@borrinet) January 23, 2018
I always fantasized about which superpower I would want: flying, turning invisible, x-ray vision...
— Michael Unger (@mike_unger) January 23, 2018
Turns out none are as impressive as Sarah Huckabee Sanders' ability to live with herself #shutdown #shutdown2018 #ShumerShutdown
Sarah Sanders reminds me of why I’m glad Mike Huckabee never became president.
— .p (@pevnut_) January 23, 2018
"Whenever Sarah Huckabee Sanders is lying for Trump, she always seems to be wearing fresh lipstick.
Also some kind of brown shadow on her nose, and a strange white goo on her chin. Some new makeup trend, I guess?" yet another tweet wondered. "(SHS) has the worst poker face. She smiles every time she lies while shaking her head," a tweet noted.