White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby danced around a question about a report that China has an agreement with Cuba to build a spy facility on the island located just 90 miles off the coast of Florida.
Kirby appeared Thursday on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” and the show’s host and namesake asked for his reaction after stating, “China and Cuba have now reached a secret agreement — we are told — for China to establish an electronic facility on the island, which would allow Chinese intelligence services to scoop up electronic communications throughout the southeastern U.S.”
The Biden official denies the report was accurate, but offered no specifics or details in the word salad he served up.
“I’ve seen that press report. It’s not accurate,” Kirby insisted. “What I can tell you is that we have been concerned since day one of this administration about China’s influence activities around the world, certainly in this hemisphere and in this region. We’re watching this very, very closely. And we will — we have and will continue to take steps to mitigate any potential threat that those activities might pose so that we can make sure — and we are, we’re positive — that we can continue to defend this nation.”
National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby says it’s “not accurate” that China is planning a secret facility in Cuba to spy on the United States pic.twitter.com/Aa9U4uGd80
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 8, 2023
Surprisingly, Mitchell pressed: “You’re saying it’s not accurate that they’re planning this?”
Again, Kirby avoided a direct answer to the question.
“I’m saying, we’ve seen the report. It’s not accurate. We’re focused on making sure that we can mitigate any threats from China in the region,” he replied.
To suggest people are skeptical of Kirby’s reassurances would be a vast understatement. Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story from Twitter:
Notice he didn’t say it wasn’t true
— Steve Dockman (@SteveDockman2) June 8, 2023
Perhaps it’s “not accurate” because it’s not a secret.
— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) June 8, 2023
@NSAGov, it’s knowledge that @MFA_China is building secret facilities in Cuba and around the world! What’s with these lies that Kirby does daily??
— Agent of Truth (@Shawn_Singh1974) June 8, 2023
The “not accurate” part is because the Chinese probably aren’t planning any more and have completed the facility right under Biden and his handlers’ noses.
— Mister M (@0523MisterM) June 8, 2023
He’s right. It’s not secret. China is bragging about it and China Joe gives a fat thumbs up.
— monkeydog (@monkeydog_tx) June 8, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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