Morgan Ortagus, who served as the spokesperson for Trump’s State Department, responded to former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of her potential congressional run in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District by committing to fighting “for American greatness.”
Trump broke the news of Ortagus’ potential congressional run in a statement on Tuesday evening, saying, “I am told the very strong and impressive Morgan Ortagus is exploring a run for Congress in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.”
“I couldn’t be happier because she’s an absolute warrior for America First and MAGA! Morgan was fantastic in her role working with Secretary Mike Pompeo at the U.S. State Department and understands the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran and others, and will be tough, not just roll over like the Democrats and RINOs,” Trump added. “She serves in the U.S. Navy Reserves and will fight for our Military. She won’t bow to the Woke Mob or the Leftist LameStream Media. Morgan Ortagus will have my Complete and Total Endorsement if she decides to run!”
Oratgus, who recently visited the former president at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, responded to the endorsement by tweeting out the statement from Trump and writing: “Thank you, President Trump!”
“It was an honor working for the #AmericaFirst agenda in your administration,” she added. “Like you, I’ll always fight for American greatness.”
Thank you, President Trump! It was an honor working for the #AmericaFirst agenda in your administration. Like you, I’ll always fight for American greatness. pic.twitter.com/n4BGP71mWs
— Morgan Ortagus (@MorganOrtagus) January 26, 2022
Punchbowl News reported that Republican Party leadership was “very happy about Ortagus running.”
A top source close to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told The Daily Wire that Ortagus becomes the “runaway favorite” to win Republican nomination for the district.
“Morgan’s government experience, military service and policy expertise make her an outstanding candidate,” the source said. “No one else in the race comes close. And with DJT’s endorsement, Morgan is obviously the runaway favorite for the GOP nomination in the Tennessee 5th.”
Former Trump national security adviser Robert C. O’Brien immediately jumped in to announce his support for Ortagus.
“I am proud to endorse @MorganOrtagus in Tenn.’s 5th Cong. District,” he wrote on Twitter. “Morgan was a serious policy professional @StateDept in the Trump Admin. I worked closely with her as SPEHA & NSA. She is a @USNavy Reservist & has a wonderful family. Morgan will be a terrific member of Congress!”
I am proud to endorse @MorganOrtagus in Tenn.'s 5th Cong. District. Morgan was a serious policy professional @StateDept in the Trump Admin. I worked closely with her as SPEHA & NSA. She is a @USNavy Reservist & has a wonderful family. Morgan will be a terrific member of Congress!
— Robert C. O'Brien (@robertcobrien) January 26, 2022
Political commentator Katie Pavlich also quickly backed the Ortagus endorsement, writing on Twitter: “I was at a conference in Germany w/ @MorganOrtagus once when a very pathetic/thirsty/dishonest British MP sat down & immediately started trashing Trump & Melania (!).”
“She destroyed him & made sure he never got a meeting w/ anyone,” Ortagus continued. “Just one story. She’s earned the endorsement.”
I was at a conference in Germany w/ @MorganOrtagus once when a very pathetic/thirsty/dishonest British MP sat down & immediately started trashing Trump & Melania (!). She destroyed him & made sure he never got a meeting w/ anyone. Just one story. She’s earned the endorsement. pic.twitter.com/JMgA8KOi3p
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) January 26, 2022
The Daily Wire previously reported that Ortagus was widely praised late last year after she grilled Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) during an episode of ABC’s “The View” over Schiff’s past promotion of the now widely discredited Steele Dossier.
“You’ve been really prolific over the past few years being the head of the Intel Committee, and you defended, promoted, you even read into the Congressional Record the Steele Dossier,” Ortagus said. “And we know last week, the main source of the dossier was indicted by the FBI for lying about most of the key claims in that dossier.”
“Do you have any reflections on your role in promoting this to the American people?” she asked.
Schiff immediately deflected by attacking former President Trump, despite not being asked about Trump, and by continuing to promote conspiracy theories related to Russia.
“But you’ve made false, spread disinformation yourself for years by promoting this,” Ortagus said. “I think that’s what Republicans and what people who entrusted you as the Intel Committee chair are so confused about your culpability in all this.”
Schiff refused to accept the premise of Ortagus’ question and claimed that it was “impossible” to “have foreseen in advance that some people were lying to Christopher Steele” about political gossip.
“None of that is undercut, none of that serious misconduct is in any way diminished by the fact that people lied to Christopher Steele,” Schiff continued.
“No, I think just your credibility is,” Ortagus said.
Adam Schiff defended his promotion of the STEELE DOSSIER by citing concerns about KONSTANTIN KILIMNIK, which are … not referenced (or even alluded to) anywhere in the dossier. pic.twitter.com/dyfh6cJbmp
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) November 9, 2021