The White House addressed criticism about the security implications of allowing a Russian photographer into the Oval Office, saying the administration was misled about his role.
Photos of President Trump’s meeting Wednesday with Russia’s Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were posted online by Tass, the Russian state-owned news agency, surprising White House officials, according to The Washington Post.
Presence of Russian photographer in Oval Office raises alarms – The Washington Post https://t.co/Ew8HzwRFDq
— The Goat (@Mr_Jitters) May 11, 2017
The man Russian officials said was Lavrov’s official photographer also reportedly worked for Tass.
#Lavrov – @realDonaldTrump meeting has just started | В Овальном кабинете началась встреча С.Лаврова с Д.Трампом#RussiaUSA #РоссияСША pic.twitter.com/7raFrkWhiC
— MFA Russia ?? (@mfa_russia) May 10, 2017
“We were not informed by the Russians that their official photographer was dual-hatted and would be releasing the photographs on the state news agency,” an administration official told the Post.
Condoleezza Rice destroys ‘The View’ harpies for saying the election was hacked
The front page of the New York Times features a photo from the Russian Foreign Ministry. pic.twitter.com/jLrQbrFE01
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 11, 2017
CNN’s Jim Acosta reported on the White House reaction to the photographer’s dual role as well.
“They tricked us,” a White House official said, according to Acosta. “That’s the problem with the Russians — they lie.”
WH furious over Russian government photos of Trump meeting with Lavrov/Kislyak. “They tricked us,” an official said of Russians “They lie.”
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 11, 2017
WH did not anticipate Trump/Lavrov/Kislyak photos would be posted by TASS, official said. https://t.co/HdWYNDTTxU
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 11, 2017
“It is my nature,” said the scorpion. https://t.co/HN8DQA6e4O
— jon gabriel (@exjon) May 11, 2017
This is nothing. Last week two dogs in a trench coat came in claiming to be the Spanish Ambassador. https://t.co/ZrGydX2PvL
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) May 11, 2017
The former national security adviser to Vice President Joe Biden, Colin H. Kahl, questioned the decision to allow the Russian state camera photographer and his equipment into the Oval Office at a meeting that barred the American press.
Deadly serious Q: Was it a good idea to let a Russian gov photographer & all their equipment into the Oval Office? https://t.co/6WA4NxHxID
— Colin Kahl (@ColinKahl) May 10, 2017
Former deputy CIA director David S. Cohen replied simply, “No, it was not.”
@ColinKahl No, it was not.
— David S. Cohen (@cohendavid) May 10, 2017
In subsequent tweets, Kahl addressed the security concerns.
I couldn’t let foreign delegations bring phones/cameras into my EEOB office, yet Trump let Russian gov photographer+equipment into the Oval.
— Colin Kahl (@ColinKahl) May 10, 2017
I was in the Oval daily. Had to leave phone/camera outside. Apparently that doesn’t apply to Russ Gov in this WH. https://t.co/nQsFBECIVm
— Colin Kahl (@ColinKahl) May 10, 2017
But a White House official said the photographer ““had to go through the same screening as a member of the U.S. press going through the main gate to the [White House] briefing room,” according to the Post.
Critics also denounced the president’s meeting with Ambassador Kislyak, who has been at the center of some of the allegations of collusion with Russia including his contact with former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
President who? Moment Sarah Huckabee’s young son blows past Trump to get to mom caught on video
A White House administration official dismissed the criticism as “ridiculous.”
“It is standard practice for ambassadors to accompany their principals, and it is ridiculous to suggest there was anything improper,” he told the Post.
Official pushed back on critics who slammed Kislyak in Oval: “It is ridiculous to say that an ambassador can’t meet with the president..” https://t.co/HWgoK9vVUE
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 11, 2017
The official also added that White House rooms “are swept routinely” for listening devices or other surveillance equipment.
Wake up right! Receive our free morning news blast HERE
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- 221 DEAD people received federal housing aid in Colorado— Trump admin. demands answers - December 18, 2025
- Cruise Line official pushes back on ‘nonsense’ drink package limit - December 18, 2025
- Border Patrol Chief and progressive mayor clash during street confrontation - December 18, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
