Republican Rep. Will Hurd of Texas said Monday that he would not have taken a meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer, countering President Donald Trump’s claim that “most politicians” would have made the same decision as his son to attend a meeting with a Russian attorney promising information on Hillary Clinton.
“I spent nine and half years as an undercover officer in the CIA — a lot of that chasing Russian intelligence officers. I definitely would not have sat down with anybody claiming to part of the Kremlin or Russian intelligence,” Hurd told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I just hope everyone connected with the campaign has reviewed their Outlook files and made sure all the details are out there now because this is becoming a nuisance and a distraction from some of the conversations we should be having.”
President Trump tweeted on Monday that his son’s meeting during the presidential campaign was just “politics.” “Most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don jr attended in order to get info on an opponent. That’s politics!” he said.
Hurd, who sits on the House permanent select committee on intelligence, said he thinks Donald Trump Jr. knew beforehand that the meeting would be with a Russian government official, but he said he would “withhold judgment” until he gets more information.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
- Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
- Why We're Spending So Much Money Now
- The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To
- Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris
- Why TV Can’t Stop Making Silly Shows About Lady Journalists
- The Case for Wearing Shoes in the House
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Katie Reilly at Katie.Reilly@time.com