Reporters asked legitimate question to State spokesperson and Peppermint Patty Psaki During State and WH briefing . Reporters pressed for evidence to back up U.S. gov't statements about recent events in Syria and Russia.
Aboard Air Force 1, a reporter asked Psaki for evidence to back up the claim that Qurayshi denotated a suicide bomb.

Live Updates: Biden Says ISIS Leader Died In Syria During US Raid - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Psaki asked whether skeptics think the U.S. military is "not providing accurate information and ISIS is providing accurate information."

The reporter did not back down:"But I mean, the U.S. has not always been straightforward about what happens with civilians, And I mean, that is a fact."

Then State Department, spokesman Ned Price was repeatedly asked for evidence of the U.S. government's claim that Russia plans to create a "false flag" video as a pretext for invading Ukraine. Price responded: "If you doubt the credibility of the U.S. government, of the British government, of other governments and want to, you know, find solace in information that the Russians are putting out, that is for you to do."

Normally these snarky replied are reserved for FOX reporters . But in this case it was Ayesha Rascoe of NPR and AP Diplomatic Writer Matt Lee

Matt Lee asked: "You said 'actions such as these suggest otherwise,' meaning they are not going to go ahead with talks. What actions are you talking about?"

"The fact that Russia continues to engage in disinformation," Ned Price said.


"You've made an allegation that they might do that. Have they actually done it?"

"What we know is what I just said. They've engaged in this activity."

"Hold on a second," the reporter said. "What activity? What activity? ... Made what report public?"

"We told you a few weeks ago we have information indicating Russia has also already pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct a false flag operation in Eastern Ukraine. That is an action, to your question Matt."

"No, it is an action that you say they have taken, but you have shown no evidence to confirm that. And I'm going to get to the next question, which is: What is the evidence? I mean, this is like -- Crisis actors? Really? This is like Alex Jones territory you're getting into. What evidence do you have to support the idea that there is some propaganda film in the making?"

"This is derived from information known to the U.S. government," the State Department spokesman said. "Information that we have declassified."

"OK, where is it? Where is this declassified information?"

"I just delivered it," Price said.

"No," said the reporter. "You made a series of allegations and statements... That's not evidence. That's you saying it. That's not evidence, I'm sorry... I would like to see some proof that you can show that shows that the Russians are doing this... I remember WMDs in Iraq. And I remember you saying that Kabul is not going to fall. I remember a lot of things. Where is the declassified information other than you coming out here and saying it?"

"Matt, I'm sorry you don't like the format... I'm sorry you are doubting the information that is in the possession of the U.S. government," Price said.

"It's not the format!"

After a few more questions, Price eventually said the evidence is derived from "means that, of course, we can't get into."

AP's Matt Lee Grills State Dept. Spox on Russia/Ukraine: An Accusation Is Not Evidence, "I Remember WMDs In Iraq" | Video | RealClearPolitics