White House downplays Tillerson, Cohn comments

The White House late Tuesday downplayed recent comments made by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the director of the National Economic Council, Gary Cohn, about President Trump’s response to the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Va., during a white supremacist rally earlier this month.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked about Tillerson’s response to a question on Sunday about the president’s values in response to the violence in Charlottesville.

The secretary of State said at the time that Trump “speaks for himself.”

“I think the president certainly shares the values of Americans,” Sanders told reporters aboard Air Force One.

{mosads}”I think that’s why he’s the president — because of overwhelmingly a large number of Americans came out and voted for him because he does reflect their values. They feel like he speaks for them.”

She added that Trump’s relationship with Tillerson is “very strong.”

“They’re committed and continue to work together and move our policies and agenda forward,” she said.

Sanders was also asked about recent comments from Cohn, who was critical of Trump’s response to the violence in Charlottesville.

Sanders said Trump and Cohn are “both committed to working on tax reform.”

“We’re going to Missouri tomorrow to talk specifically about that. Gary will be part of that trip,” she said.

“They’re both very committed to working together to make sure the country gets the tax relief that they need, particularly the middle class.”

She added that she doesn’t think anyone has tried to “distance themselves” from the president.

“I think that at moments maybe you have people that disagree. I think that’s a healthy thing for you to be able to have productive conversation,” she said.

“And certainly no one is distancing themselves from the president.”