Trump Thanks Vladimir Putin For Ejecting American Diplomats: We’ve Been Trying To Cut Down Our Payroll

The Washington Post reports:

Addressing for the first time Putin’s decision late last month that the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Russia would have to cut 775 diplomatic and technical staff, Trump told reporters that he sees no reason for them to continue working in Russia.

“I want to thank him because we’re trying to cut down our payroll and as far as I’m concerned I’m very thankful that he let go a large number of people because now we have a smaller payroll,” Trump said. “There’s no real reason for them to go back. I greatly appreciate the fact that we’ve been able to cut our payroll of the United States. We’re going to save a lot of money.”

What an appalling thing for him to say. Among other things, an insult to career diplomats serving their country with honor he'll never have. https://t.co/h9HyUQmHh7

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) August 10, 2017

This isn't funny. It's an insult to our diplomats and shows #Trump's utter ignorance about what they do to protect American security. https://t.co/cdMZJVvNIg

— Foreign Affairs Cmte (@HFACDemocrats) August 10, 2017

Trump thanks Putin for kicking American diplomats out of Russia. This is not a joke. https://t.co/WIEpe22o22 pic.twitter.com/fC5J3DuI1w

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) August 10, 2017