Did Trump just thank Putin for taking away American jobs?
In a somewhat bizarre move, US President Donald Trump appears to have thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for taking away American jobs. Trump said Putin's decision to oust 755 staff members at US missions in Russia would help America reduce its payroll. This has caused dismay among those working in the US State Department. It's unclear whether Trump's comments were meant in jest.
Putin responds to US sanctions, expels 755 American diplomatic staff
On July 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin retaliated against fresh US sanctions by announcing that 755 staff members must quit US diplomatic missions by September 1. This would bring the total US staff in Russia to 455, same as Moscow's compliment in America. The BBC's Laura Bicker said this is believed to be the largest expulsion of diplomats from any country in modern history.
Trump's statement
Trump told reporters that he's "very thankful" to Putin because "we're trying to cut down our payroll." He said there's no reason for the US diplomats to go back to Russia. "We're going to save a lot of money," Trump added.
State Department contradicts Trump, calls Putin's move "regrettable"
The US State Department said Putin's move was "regrettable and uncalled for," a contradiction to Trump's expression of gratitude. The department has released information on how the drawdown will be handled. Sources said the expelled US diplomats would likely be deployed in other locations. The locally hired Russian staffers would be fired but likely receive severance payments.
State Department officials express outrage over Trump's statement
Trump's statement hasn't gone down well among State Department employees, many of who feel ignored or badly treated by the current administration. "I'm not even angry, it's just saddening," one official said. "This is so incredibly demoralizing and disrespectful," a senior US diplomat serving abroad said. Another official said: "This statement is naive and shortsighted. It sends a terrible signal to local employees everywhere."
