State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki denied Thursday it was her department that ordered Marines guarding the U.S. Embassy in Yemen to disable their weapons before boarding a private plane to evacuate.
But Psaki would not confirm who gave that order, either, when she was interviewed on Fox News Channel's
"The Kelly File."
"Who gave the call to destroy weapons? Our report was State," host Megyn Kelly said.
"It was not the State Department," Psaki said.
"Was it the ambassador?" Kelly asked.
"It was not the ambassador," Psaki answered.
"Was it the Pentagon?" Kelly continued.
"I don't have any more details," Psaki said. "I can tell you it was not the State Department."
Psaki defended the quick pullout of embassy personnel, saying it was part of a long-established plan, though some things went wrong — forcing cars to be left behind with keys still in the ignition.
On Wednesday, Fox News reported that Central Command was furious over the order, and the Marine Corps denied initial reports that the weapons were actually turned over. Instead, the Marines said, the rifles were rendered inoperable.
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